Experiences of a 70's motorcyclist
Recent exploits and contact:
From cruisers to adventure bikes
Kawasaki VN900 SE Classic, Honda VT750 Shadow, Yamaha Virago XV535
On this page you will find details of my recent motorcycling exploits. I will also tell you about my favourite accessories and give you access to some interesting videos.
On this page you will find details of my recent motorcycling exploits. I will also tell you about my favourite accessories and give you access to some interesting videos.
They do say that once you have ridden bikes, you will never shake it off. Of course I am still riding now.
I started riding again in 2006. Liking the look of the cruiser scene I bought an 02 Yamaha Virago to get back into it.
I started riding again in 2006. Liking the look of the cruiser scene I bought an 02 Yamaha Virago to get back into it.
My '05 Honda Shadow VT750
Kawasaki VN900 cruiser
2007
This was replaced with a stage 1 tuned Honda Shadow. This was an 05 C5 VT750. It had open Vance and Hines pipes, a Kuryakin hypercharger and loads of Highway Hawk bits.
Here's a link to some video taken from my trusty Honda Shadow: https://youtu.be/UC5l-lWaMo0
This was replaced with a stage 1 tuned Honda Shadow. This was an 05 C5 VT750. It had open Vance and Hines pipes, a Kuryakin hypercharger and loads of Highway Hawk bits.
Here's a link to some video taken from my trusty Honda Shadow: https://youtu.be/UC5l-lWaMo0
2011
After 4 years the Shadow was replaced with a 2011 Kawasaki VN900 Vulcan Classic Special Edition to which I fitted the obligatory Vance and Hines pipes, Mustang seat, bar risers, lighting bar, K and N air filter and a Cobra F2000I powerpro fuel management unit (sent by a friend in the States). This one item transformed the bike. Along with the pipes and fast flow air filter it gave almost sports bike acceleration and it would run smoothly down below 30mph in top which it would never do before the mods. And as for that 'gattling gun' sound...... It had to be heard to be believed.
After 4 years the Shadow was replaced with a 2011 Kawasaki VN900 Vulcan Classic Special Edition to which I fitted the obligatory Vance and Hines pipes, Mustang seat, bar risers, lighting bar, K and N air filter and a Cobra F2000I powerpro fuel management unit (sent by a friend in the States). This one item transformed the bike. Along with the pipes and fast flow air filter it gave almost sports bike acceleration and it would run smoothly down below 30mph in top which it would never do before the mods. And as for that 'gattling gun' sound...... It had to be heard to be believed.
2016
So after running my Kawasaki VN900 for six years, I fancied a change of genre so I invested in -
a Triumph Tiger 800 XRX triple. Wow! What a culture shock! Basically an adventure bike with a Speed Triple - ish engine, this bike is very quick, handles like a dream, is bristling with tech and looks good too. For me, it's amazing to have brakes that work and to be able to run into roundabouts at speed on the outside lane knowing that you can get through and away before almost any car gets near you is fantastic. And to have a bike on which you can filter to the front in most situations is a revelation. Took a fair bit to get used to the massive (for me) power difference and performance of this bike. It has 3 riding modes and I have initially had to keep it in 'rain' mode just to be able to keep the thing within legal requirements. I have added some spotlamps to help me to be seen seeing as how the exhaust (Arrow sport can) is sooooooo quiet by comparison with the VN gattling gun Vance and Hines pipes. I've also had to install an aftermarket screen as the standard one is basically crap for wind protection. I can now sit on the motorway with the cruise control set to 80mph revving at 6 with another 4 and a half thou to go. And the screaming sound from that unburstable triple above 6 thou has to to be experienced to be believed! The only problem is that the Missis is not too happy on the back compared to the luxury and comfort of the VN. I am working on that though! I do have some ideas for some maybe longer runs with a possibility of some touring in mind. We shall see. Also, I do still miss that V twin engine.......... Hmmmmmmmmm
So after running my Kawasaki VN900 for six years, I fancied a change of genre so I invested in -
a Triumph Tiger 800 XRX triple. Wow! What a culture shock! Basically an adventure bike with a Speed Triple - ish engine, this bike is very quick, handles like a dream, is bristling with tech and looks good too. For me, it's amazing to have brakes that work and to be able to run into roundabouts at speed on the outside lane knowing that you can get through and away before almost any car gets near you is fantastic. And to have a bike on which you can filter to the front in most situations is a revelation. Took a fair bit to get used to the massive (for me) power difference and performance of this bike. It has 3 riding modes and I have initially had to keep it in 'rain' mode just to be able to keep the thing within legal requirements. I have added some spotlamps to help me to be seen seeing as how the exhaust (Arrow sport can) is sooooooo quiet by comparison with the VN gattling gun Vance and Hines pipes. I've also had to install an aftermarket screen as the standard one is basically crap for wind protection. I can now sit on the motorway with the cruise control set to 80mph revving at 6 with another 4 and a half thou to go. And the screaming sound from that unburstable triple above 6 thou has to to be experienced to be believed! The only problem is that the Missis is not too happy on the back compared to the luxury and comfort of the VN. I am working on that though! I do have some ideas for some maybe longer runs with a possibility of some touring in mind. We shall see. Also, I do still miss that V twin engine.......... Hmmmmmmmmm
2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XRX
My Tiger is equipped with front and rear video cameras which record every ride for both insurance purposes and for making 'action videos'. A couple of my videos:
A run down the 'Strines' road in Yorkshire on my 2016 Tiger 800. Triumph triple engine sounds through front and rear camera setup.
https://youtu.be/dpzzfOW5nRs
I have a Tom Tom 410 bike satnav which is invaluable to me. One feature of it which I like is the ability to 'record your route' from which function you can save a GPX file of your ride. This can be used in software to make a video with real time displays such as speed, direction, g forces etc. Or you can load it into the likes of http://www.gpxeditor.co.uk (subscription required) to record your route onto a map. Here is a short video showcasing Dashware software and some of what you can do with it. This was taken aboard my Triumph Tiger 800 XRX from a Vsys C6 front and rear camera setup. It is from my 2016 NW200 return run down to the Larne ferry on the bottom end of the lovely A36.
https://youtu.be/9nUIOWpr7GE
A run down the 'Strines' road in Yorkshire on my 2016 Tiger 800. Triumph triple engine sounds through front and rear camera setup.
https://youtu.be/dpzzfOW5nRs
I have a Tom Tom 410 bike satnav which is invaluable to me. One feature of it which I like is the ability to 'record your route' from which function you can save a GPX file of your ride. This can be used in software to make a video with real time displays such as speed, direction, g forces etc. Or you can load it into the likes of http://www.gpxeditor.co.uk (subscription required) to record your route onto a map. Here is a short video showcasing Dashware software and some of what you can do with it. This was taken aboard my Triumph Tiger 800 XRX from a Vsys C6 front and rear camera setup. It is from my 2016 NW200 return run down to the Larne ferry on the bottom end of the lovely A36.
https://youtu.be/9nUIOWpr7GE
2017
It is a fact that you always hanker after your first bike. After some searching, I found the exact model of bike which I learned on and passed my test on back in the day. classic honda cd90z in blueIt now takes pride of place at home where I will cosset it and look after it. It has been nicely restored and almost 100% original. It runs nicely and the first ride on it took me straight back to 1970, not a bad feeling. I won't be running it too much, just summer days to show it off a bit but I will definitely be wheeling it out on a regular basis just to look at it. Sad or what?
It is a fact that you always hanker after your first bike. After some searching, I found the exact model of bike which I learned on and passed my test on back in the day. classic honda cd90z in blueIt now takes pride of place at home where I will cosset it and look after it. It has been nicely restored and almost 100% original. It runs nicely and the first ride on it took me straight back to 1970, not a bad feeling. I won't be running it too much, just summer days to show it off a bit but I will definitely be wheeling it out on a regular basis just to look at it. Sad or what?
2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the Tiger for some 5 years, running it over to Ireland (for the NW200) several times and running up to Scotland (NC500) a couple of times. It was a fantastic adventure bike, fast and comfy - an ideal touring mount.
However, with age setting in and having a hankering for 'something different', in the summer of 2021 I started test riding a few other bikes:
I liked the look of the BMW GS750 range, particularly in it's 40th anniversary livery so I went along and fired one up at the dealers. NOT IMPRESSED! It seemed to be quite agricultural with a fairly noisy motor. It had a quickshifter but to be honest this was clunky and horrible. The Missis did not like it on the back as 'everything seems to be in the wrong place'. That was therefore a non starter.
I then tried the Honda CB500X because I liked the look of the adventure styling. This was more like it. It rode really well, obviously not the same poke as the Tiger, but good enough for old git me. Lovely smooth engine and gearbox, light clutch, superb handling. I was very tempted, the only drawback being that it was just that bit too tall for my short 29" legs. I then remembered the recent article I'd read in MCN (good old MCN) about the Honda NC750X. The salesman told me this bike would suit me fine as it is a bit lower. 'Let's get you out on one. Stay out as long as you like' he said and guided me over to a red DCT demo model. He quickly went through the various controls and modes and told me what to expect from the DCT motor and off I went. The DCT does take a bit of getting used to but about 10 miles in I was hooked. 'Can't think why I've never tried this before' I was saying to myself. I left the bike in 'standard' mode initially but after a while I tried out the 'sport' mode and then started playing around with the manual gearchange paddles, revving it up to the limiter then marvelling at how it autoblips the throttle on the downward change. I was really enjoying myself, even in the pouring rain which had now started. I took the bike back and decided to get the Missis to come and have a go on the back. We returned some days later and went for a 10 mile or so run. This didn't go quite as planned as she had a bit of a panic attack sitting on the back with no topbox to give her the security she had been used to. 'Fair enough' I thought as I wouldn't have the bottle to even go on the back of a bike never mind one with no topbox. She did manage to say that it all 'seemed ok' so that was good enough for me. A few days later I went back and did a deal on my pristine Tiger for a nice new NC DCT in blue. I specified lighting bar ,lamps and a centre stand. Things being as they were in 2021, I had to wait 2 months before I set eyes on it but eventually I got the call and went to pick it up, again in the pissing rain! It's always a bit daunting, swopping bikes, as you look over at your old bike and think 'What have I done' but to be fair I hardly missed the Triumph as soon as I set off. However, I did think the Honda had some shortcomings and decided to address them as soon as possible.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Tiger for some 5 years, running it over to Ireland (for the NW200) several times and running up to Scotland (NC500) a couple of times. It was a fantastic adventure bike, fast and comfy - an ideal touring mount.
However, with age setting in and having a hankering for 'something different', in the summer of 2021 I started test riding a few other bikes:
I liked the look of the BMW GS750 range, particularly in it's 40th anniversary livery so I went along and fired one up at the dealers. NOT IMPRESSED! It seemed to be quite agricultural with a fairly noisy motor. It had a quickshifter but to be honest this was clunky and horrible. The Missis did not like it on the back as 'everything seems to be in the wrong place'. That was therefore a non starter.
I then tried the Honda CB500X because I liked the look of the adventure styling. This was more like it. It rode really well, obviously not the same poke as the Tiger, but good enough for old git me. Lovely smooth engine and gearbox, light clutch, superb handling. I was very tempted, the only drawback being that it was just that bit too tall for my short 29" legs. I then remembered the recent article I'd read in MCN (good old MCN) about the Honda NC750X. The salesman told me this bike would suit me fine as it is a bit lower. 'Let's get you out on one. Stay out as long as you like' he said and guided me over to a red DCT demo model. He quickly went through the various controls and modes and told me what to expect from the DCT motor and off I went. The DCT does take a bit of getting used to but about 10 miles in I was hooked. 'Can't think why I've never tried this before' I was saying to myself. I left the bike in 'standard' mode initially but after a while I tried out the 'sport' mode and then started playing around with the manual gearchange paddles, revving it up to the limiter then marvelling at how it autoblips the throttle on the downward change. I was really enjoying myself, even in the pouring rain which had now started. I took the bike back and decided to get the Missis to come and have a go on the back. We returned some days later and went for a 10 mile or so run. This didn't go quite as planned as she had a bit of a panic attack sitting on the back with no topbox to give her the security she had been used to. 'Fair enough' I thought as I wouldn't have the bottle to even go on the back of a bike never mind one with no topbox. She did manage to say that it all 'seemed ok' so that was good enough for me. A few days later I went back and did a deal on my pristine Tiger for a nice new NC DCT in blue. I specified lighting bar ,lamps and a centre stand. Things being as they were in 2021, I had to wait 2 months before I set eyes on it but eventually I got the call and went to pick it up, again in the pissing rain! It's always a bit daunting, swopping bikes, as you look over at your old bike and think 'What have I done' but to be fair I hardly missed the Triumph as soon as I set off. However, I did think the Honda had some shortcomings and decided to address them as soon as possible.
My 2021 Honda NC740X DCT
2021 Honda NC750X DCT Mods and fitting:
1. Screen: One negative thing about the NC, and I've read a lot about this, is the poor wind protection from the standard screen. The wind strikes you at the top of your chest and causes massive disturbance around your helmet. I had a Madstad screen on my previous bike and it was superb so I ordered one for the NC. Big mistake. Sent it back. About this time I noticed Puig advertising the latest wind tunnel developed touring screen specially designed for the 2021 NC. I ordered one and it came in a few days. The difference is great. It's still not as quiet as the Madstad on the Triumph but has certainly improved things massively for me at 5' 7" tall.
2. Topbox and brackets: Basically I transfered the Shad 46 (nothing to do with Rossi) box from my Triumph using the correct Shad brackets which cost less than £100. Very easy to transfer. Job done! Honda charge over £300 just for their brackets!
3. Handguards: Having been used to them on my previous bike I ordered some cheapo handguards from China for only £17. I didn't have high hopes for them considering the price and when they arrived I nearly binned them as I couldn't possibly see how they would fit. Silly me! I eventually worked out that the holes in them were for the mirror stems. I did have to make up a bracket for the right hand one because I have moved the front brake over (more of that later) but they installed nicely and do the job of deflecting the draught off your hands nicely.
4. Fork protectors: Had seen these on various Youtube videos so decided to try them. They are quite simply plastic covers which cable tie onto the forks to protect the slidy chrome bit on the forks.
5. Pyramid Fender Extenders: These simply stick on to the existing mudguards to extend their length and alledgedly give you a bit more protection from flying mud etc. Some people don't like the look of them but I think they look ok.
5. Pyramid Fender Extenders: These simply stick on to the existing mudguards to extend their length and alledgedly give you a bit more protection from flying mud etc. Some people don't like the look of them but I think they look ok.
6. Radiator Grille cover: Self explanatory protection for radiator from flying stones etc. Easy to fit, just one bolt, functional and looks good.
7. Bar risers: Being quite small, I always fit risers to my bikes to give me a better riding position. The only place I could find risers specifically for the 2021 NC was on another Chinese site, at the ridiculously cheap price of £12. I had to wait about 2 weeks for them and again wasn't expecting much but I was surprised when they arrived as they are good quality and came with the NC750X logo embossed on them. They were easy enough to fit but having the bars further back meant I have had to move the front brake lever about 3/4 inch over to the left to give me enough slack on the brake hose. This impacted on the fitting of the handguards forcing me to make a bracket up for the right hand one - no big deal.
9. Exhaust can: On my previous bike I had an Arrow can which looked nice but was a bit quiet. However I consider £500+ to be somewhat excessive for something that, let's face it, you don't really need. Therefore I opted for a GR Moto can which I got for a bargain in the Black Friday sales. It looks good and sounds good - just a bit more of a bark than standard and that's with the baffle in. You also get a nice bit of subtle 'popping' on the overrun.
10. Sidestand foot: I got one colour co ordinated in blue from a cheap Chinese site. Was once again impressed with the quality. This item gives the bike a wee bit more stability when on the sidestand. It also makes the bike stand slightly more to the vertical.
The only other things I have done to the bike are to do with electrical accessories.
I've installed my Tom Tom satnav Ram mount and wired it to a switched live. This I took from the fusebox by firstly locating a switched live with my multimeter. This turned out to be the headlamp fuse. I then fitted a piggyback fuseholder over this fuse to give me a second switched live. The trick here is to make sure you are picking up the feed from the supply side of the fuse. I will also be wiring my camera system to this in due course.
I have also fitted an optimate charger lead which wires straight across the battery (fused of course) and protrudes out of the rear frunk panel into the frunk. i have also adapted a 12v to 2x USB socket lead wich I can plug into the optimate lead (which is permanently live) for charging various devices whilst on the move.
So, all in all, I am very pleased with my NC750X. Check back here to see how I am getting on in the future.
I've installed my Tom Tom satnav Ram mount and wired it to a switched live. This I took from the fusebox by firstly locating a switched live with my multimeter. This turned out to be the headlamp fuse. I then fitted a piggyback fuseholder over this fuse to give me a second switched live. The trick here is to make sure you are picking up the feed from the supply side of the fuse. I will also be wiring my camera system to this in due course.
I have also fitted an optimate charger lead which wires straight across the battery (fused of course) and protrudes out of the rear frunk panel into the frunk. i have also adapted a 12v to 2x USB socket lead wich I can plug into the optimate lead (which is permanently live) for charging various devices whilst on the move.
So, all in all, I am very pleased with my NC750X. Check back here to see how I am getting on in the future.
Contact me at motorcyclinguk@gmail.com