Motorcycle-Era |OT| Two are better than four

thesoapster · Feb 14, 2024

Seems my home dealer is going to give me some additional incentive on the SD GT on top of the current sale. I didn't buy just yet, but I'm certainly leaning that way. Seemingly my mileage for my 890 is high (a bit north of 20,000mi/32100km). My bike is worth about half its original sticker price for trade-in 😬. I definitely got a lot of use out of the thing. Suspension service would be beneficial, but luckily that doesn't impact the trade-in. I could potentially get a bit more selling on my own, of course, but...eh. In the three seasons I've done on the thing, hitting all sorts of popular motorcycle roads, I've seen one other 890 R on the road. I'm not all that enthused to try and sell it myself. KTM is a brand that I have to explain to a lot of people, still.

On another note, through some crazy shenanigans, the dealer wound up with a brand new 2024 KTM 890 Adventure Rally. Crazy to see one of those in the flesh.

lunchtoast said:
Any advice getting old stickers off the forks? They crumble when I try to pull them off and I don't want to scratch the forks scrapping them. Heat and goo gone?

I would also try using a scraper (plastic, perhaps) that's softer than your forks and won't scratch/mark them up.

Fallout-NL · Feb 14, 2024

thesoapster said:
but...eh.

Lol 🤣

thesoapster · Feb 14, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
Lol 🤣

For whatever reason, the Dukes are just sitting around. So many American motorcyclists ride for some stupid sense of image, and that also means selecting specific brands/models. That's also why 20k miles is considered "high mileage," since American riders on average don't ride their bikes a lot.

Fallout-NL · Feb 15, 2024

32 thousand k's wouldn't be considered average round these parts. But I get why the dealer would classify it as 'high.' For a bike in that class anyway. I think it would be less of an issue with a GS or something else that eats miles.

thesoapster said:
So many American motorcyclists ride for some stupid sense of image, and that also means selecting specific brands/models.

They must have some sort altar at HD on which virgin engineers are sacrificed to keep this phenomenon going.

thesoapster · Feb 15, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
They must have some sort altar at HD on which virgin engineers are sacrificed to keep this phenomenon going.

😂
Apparently the big expensive bagger segment is dying. It's partially economics, but also the people that go for that type of thing are literally dying off. There's still a market for people buying $32k Ducatis...

I agree with you about the GS, or really BMW in general - their reputation helps them hold value.

Fallout-NL · Feb 15, 2024

I meant to say 'would' instead of 'wouldn't' by the way 🙈.

And yeah, Ducati, blows my mind that they're still finding success with high end sports bikes. God bless em. (Even though I'd always go for a twin instead of their newer v4's).

Briareos · Feb 15, 2024

Would love a KTM but no dealers around here. Same thing with a Husqvarna to imitate RJ with a Nuda.

thesoapster · Feb 15, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
I meant to say 'would' instead of 'wouldn't' by the way 🙈.

And yeah, Ducati, blows my mind that they're still finding success with high end sports bikes. God bless em. (Even though I'd always go for a twin instead of their newer v4's).

Their V4s put out a lot of heat. There are some Ducatis I'd potentially be interested in owning if the maintenance arrangement wasn't such a scam. Perhaps some day I will pick up a used one that I can reset the computer's service on with a mobile app/dongle lol.

Briareos said:
Would love a KTM but no dealers around here. Same thing with a Husqvarna to imitate RJ with a Nuda.

I'm swimming in them, seemingly. And yeah...Husqvarna being owned by KTM, they're gonna be sold at the same place. And since I had two warranty fixes done to my Duke...yeah, you probably want a dealer within a reasonable distance.

Fallout-NL · Feb 18, 2024

Briareos said:
Would love a KTM but no dealers around here. Same thing with a Husqvarna to imitate RJ with a Nuda.

That Nuda is super cool.

lunchtoast · Feb 24, 2024

Flushed and cleaned out the coolant, replaced the overfill reservoir and some tubing on Wed and put in some ICE. Tried to install some stockish turn signals but they aren't thick enough to fit in the front holes unless I'm doing it wrong. Asked for advice on a CBR forum but they didn't seem to understand the issue but they did recommend buying some sumitomo connectors so I can fix the hack job the previous owner did with the wires. Ordered some cheap flush mounts for the front until I can come up with a better solution. Also replaced the front brake pads. Ones on there were maybe halfway but might as well put new ones on anyways since I also did the back.

Next is to wait for the rest of the brake lines to come in then can install and flush the brake fluid since my front brake lever has no pressure.

Also need some touch up paint at some point for some small nics/rust on the tank.

Fallout-NL · Feb 25, 2024

lunchtoast said:
so I can fix the hack job the previous owner did with the wires

Oh man, don't you just hate that lol.

lunchtoast said:
Next is to wait for the rest of the brake lines to come in then can install and flush the brake fluid since my front brake lever has no pressure.

Stupid question, but is it that much more difficult to properly bleed the system once you've replaced the lines themselves or is it in essence just the same procedure as when you're refreshing the fluid?

lunchtoast · Feb 25, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
Oh man, don't you just hate that lol.

Why do sport bike owners hate stock lights I'll never understand.

Fallout-NL said:
Stupid question, but is it that much more difficult to properly bleed the system once you've replaced the lines themselves or is it in essence just the same procedure as when you're refreshing the fluid?

I'll let you know haha. A mechanic friend is helping me so hopefully not too bad.

thesoapster · Feb 25, 2024

Got the green light on everything. Hopefully picking the SD GT up this week.

Briareos · Feb 25, 2024

lunchtoast said:
Why do sport bike owners hate stock lights I'll never understand.

My SV650 restoration is basically "undo everything these kids did to make it 'cooler'":
1. Replaced the tail tidy with the OEM rear fender + lights.
2. Replaced the end-bar rear views with OEM proper standing rear views.
3. Replaced the noisy-as-fuck Two Brothers slip-on with an used exhaust off of Ebay.
4. Replace the cracked front light that was poor-man sealed with a new OEM one.
The only non-OEM thing I've done to it was to put frame sliders in and end-bar sliders on as well. And then I fixed up lots of other stuff as well but that was all "normal" maintenance. The only thing yet to do restoration-wise is to replace the dented tank with one that also has a working low fuel light.

thesoapster · Mar 1, 2024

I am almost speechless. The pull. The SOUND. It's a lot more comfy. We're gonna enjoy a looooot of miles together.

Fallout-NL · Mar 1, 2024

Damn, congrats buddy. It's beautiful.

Briareos said:
My SV650 restoration is basically "undo everything these kids did to make it 'cooler'":
1. Replaced the tail tidy with the OEM rear fender + lights.
2. Replaced the end-bar rear views with OEM proper standing rear views.
3. Replaced the noisy-as-fuck Two Brothers slip-on with an used exhaust off of Ebay.
4. Replace the cracked front light that was poor-man sealed with a new OEM one.
The only non-OEM thing I've done to it was to put frame sliders in and end-bar sliders on as well. And then I fixed up lots of other stuff as well but that was all "normal" maintenance. The only thing yet to do restoration-wise is to replace the dented tank with one that also has a working low fuel light.

Doing god's work.

thesoapster · Mar 3, 2024

Took my first real ride today. This thing absolutely rocks. Absolutely sensational. I love the electronic suspension. The power is just enormous - the engine has gobs of character.

lunchtoast · Mar 3, 2024

thesoapster said:
Took my first real ride today. This thing absolutely rocks. Absolutely sensational. I love the electronic suspension. The power is just enormous - the engine has gobs of character.

Power is insane for a twin.

Fallout-NL · Mar 4, 2024

thesoapster said:
Took my first real ride today. This thing absolutely rocks. Absolutely sensational. I love the electronic suspension. The power is just enormous - the engine has gobs of character.

In what sense is the suspension electronic? Like full on the fly automatic adjustment based on conditions or is it different suspension profiles you can choose from?

thesoapster · Mar 4, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
In what sense is the suspension electronic? Like full on the fly automatic adjustment based on conditions or is it different suspension profiles you can choose from?

It's not as customizable as some other semi-active systems. It's definitely more profile-based. That said, it's still awesome. I've kept it in the sport setting, and the setup feels tight and the bike is rather nimble, but it's still soaking up bumps quite nicely. I'm going to give the softer modes a try at some point.

Fallout-NL · Mar 4, 2024

Right, gotcha. Well if it's right, it's right.

Took the X1 to the (rather beautiful) city of Deventer yesterday. Had a great spring day, sunshine, 15 degrees Celsius. Had this bike for 11 years now, but it still manages to excite me.

Patriiick · Mar 4, 2024

lunchtoast said:
Why do sport bike owners hate stock lights I'll never understand.

I can only speak for the RSV4 I used to own, but I felt like strapping a torch to the my front hugger would have done more to illuminate the road ahead. It made riding at night not very fun.

Fallout-NL · Mar 4, 2024

Patriiick said:
I can only speak for the RSV4 I used to own, but I felt like strapping a torch to the my front hugger would have done more to illuminate the road ahead. It made riding at night not very fun.

Fair point, fair point.

Still, I think that lunchtoast was referring to indicators mostly.

Patriiick · Mar 4, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
Fair point, fair point.

Still, I think that lunchtoast was referring to indicators mostly.

I can get behind any hate towards shitty aftermarket indicators however.

thesoapster · Mar 4, 2024

I only changed my indicators to cleaner, brighter options. Fortunately now the factory equipment is great. The headlights on the SD GT are awesome at night.

Fallout-NL · Mar 4, 2024

With the X1 it's like I'm lighting my way with a candle 🤣. Real bad.

lunchtoast · Mar 4, 2024

Sumitomo connectors shipped only to find out it's from Tokyo. Site name was Eastern Beaver, no indication items were shipping from Japan 😩

thesoapster · Mar 7, 2024

Rode up in the closest thing we can call mountains nearby today. Heated grips are actually pretty fucking great!

lunchtoast · Mar 8, 2024

Found out why my oem style indicators don't fit. I'm missing this part

You can see the 2 holes where the bracket holds the indicator in place. Shout out to cbrforums. Since I already have flushmounts will hold off on this for maybe next season. Thankfully this part isn't too expensive.

Fallout-NL · Mar 9, 2024

Is the entire piece missing?

thesoapster said:
Rode up in the closest thing we can call mountains nearby today. Heated grips are actually pretty fucking great!

Yeah I love em. Any more pics of the SDGT?

thesoapster · Mar 9, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
Any more pics of the SDGT?

Soon 😉

Patriiick · Mar 12, 2024

I'm a bit sad to hear that the R1's days are numbered in the UK and Europe and it'll only be sold as a track only bike. I know litre superbikes aren't really in vogue like they used to but I hope eventually they find a cost effective way to work with the Euro 5+ homologation requirements and eventually bring it back.

Fallout-NL · Mar 12, 2024

Not too surprising considering how niche the sportsbike class has become, but it's still a shame. I wonder how quickly this is going to be the case for all manufacturers.

lunchtoast · Mar 12, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
Is the entire piece missing?

Yes probably removed since flush mounts don't work with them in. Ordered from my shop but discontinued. Will get off eBay someday.

lunchtoast · Mar 12, 2024

Patriiick said:
I'm a bit sad to hear that the R1's days are numbered in the UK and Europe and it'll only be sold as a track only bike. I know litre superbikes aren't really in vogue like they used to but I hope eventually they find a cost effective way to work with the Euro 5+ homologation requirements and eventually bring it back.

R9 sounds interesting but a far cry from 198 hp of an r1.

thesoapster · Mar 15, 2024

The OEM fender couldn't properly hold an American license plate...
It had some bracket added on, but it actually was bending my plate! So I did opt for an eliminator. Easily the worst fender swap I've done work-wise...major pain in the ass.

Fallout-NL · Mar 16, 2024

R&G makes some nice stuff. Looks good thesoapster

And those Maryland plates are so much nicer than our Dutch monstrosities 😂

thesoapster · Mar 16, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
And those Maryland plates are so much nicer than our Dutch monstrosities 😂

lmao

In the instructions, it warned about the possibility of if you mount too low, the plate could hit the rear wheel. I was a bit surprised to see that, then I remembered the tank size plates in the UK and it made a bit more sense.

lunchtoast · Mar 16, 2024

So they sell a bike in the US that can't fit US plates?

thesoapster · Mar 16, 2024

lunchtoast said:
So they sell a bike in the US that can't fit US plates?

It "fits," but the bolts holding the big stupid US plate bracket pressed against the plate, so if you actually tightened it down (as you should), it bends the plate lol. The bracket holes for the plate also could barely actually clear the fender itself, which was just awful.

lunchtoast · Mar 16, 2024

It bothers me how all these brackets only use the top 2 holes. I hate having a flimsy plate.

Got my steel braided brake lines installed today. Front brake has crazy bite now compared to how bad it was before.

thesoapster · Mar 16, 2024

lunchtoast said:
It bothers me how all these brackets only use the top 2 holes. I hate having a flimsy plate.

Got my steel braided brake lines installed today. Front brake has crazy bite now compared to how bad it was before.

Mine feels solid... I feel like I've run just two for over a decade now.
Nice on the braided lines. They help a lot with the continual braking. My GT has the SAME BRAKES as my 890 R lol. But they're still more than sufficient. The person speccing out the equipment for the 890 R was clearly huffing something and going wild.
That said if the pads are the same as the ones from my 890 R, I'll be ordering the "street race" level Brembo pads from Italy.

Took this today out in the middle of nowhere in a motorcyclists most natural habitat: a coffee shop.

Fallout-NL · Mar 17, 2024

thesoapster said:
Took this today out in the middle of nowhere in a motorcyclists most natural habitat: a coffee shop.

Truly, I need something of a destination almost as much as I need it to not rain. But yes, a coffee shop will do.

Also the GT is the best looking KTM imho. Love the oddball styling.

thesoapster · Mar 17, 2024

I wore out my Racer High Speed gloves...palm attachments were falling off/apart. Opted for these for the next pair - https://heroicracing.com/products/heroic-sp-r-pro-v1-gloves-3. They're phenomenal. Incredible build quality. Anyone interested in the US: Sportbike Track Gear has them on discount.

Wubby · Mar 18, 2024

I found a bike I've been wanting for sale in the next town over and at a rather decent price. Don't have that motorcycle license yet but given this bike was only sold for two years in total and the likelihood to ever find the same model so close again I think I may just buy it now and ask the guy to ride it over and keep it stored till I get my license (will take a few months). Going to check it out this weekend.

Fallout-NL · Mar 18, 2024

What's the bike / model?!

Wubby · Mar 18, 2024

I guess I forgot to list that! Honda VRX 400 Roadster. Was only sold officially here in Japan though a number have been grey market exported to other countries over the years.

https://en.enduro.team/Honda_VRX400_Roadster

Fallout-NL · Mar 18, 2024

Ah nice, yeah I certainly haven't seen one of those before. Looks a bit Harley XR1000 esque. Very cool.

Wubby · Mar 18, 2024

Fallout-NL said:
Ah nice, yeah I certainly haven't seen one of those before. Looks a bit Harley XR1000 esque. Very cool.

There was one on a Youtube channel I watch a few months back:

The Motorcycle that Arrived 25 Years Too Soon

I get the chance to meet Jake- the owner of a retro motorcycle that was manufactured only in 1995 and 1996, and arrived 25 years too early.Harley Davidson ch...

www.youtube.com

One I'm going to see has that same exhaust as the one in the vid already. Sure it's older but it's a Honda and shares same engine as the Steed 400 so outside of a few specific bits parts shouldn't be too hard to come by. Asking price is a bit over $1500 (when converted to USD).

Fallout-NL · Mar 18, 2024

I think the title of that youtube vid is very much correct.