I haven't, but thanks for the recommendation. Normally we only get a week or two a year of really hot (for UK) weather, e.g. around 30C. What I think makes things bad on 'normal' summer days is the sun itself, and the usual black/dark bike gear just heats the rider up because of that. I'll find out how things go tomorrow, forecast says sunny all day, 25C in morning 30C in afternoon. So I'll do a couple of hours bike riding both before and after lunch, all in the interest of science of course
Tried out my stormtrooper/beekeeper outfit today. By the time I had bike prepared and loaded for an all day outing I was already sweating but as soon as I pulled off, doing less than 30mph, I could feel the cooling breeze coming through the mesh, aaaah Unfortunately, I'd barely gone a mile before I realised bike was running poorly, it was lacking all oomph and struggling at idle, bugger. I kept going for another 5 minutes but it didn't seem to want to fix itself so I headed back home. After unloading bike and de-clobbering I connected TuneECU. There were no error codes (didn't expect any as no warning light had come on). The throttle balance was out by about 3%, same as when I first got TuneECU, so that shouldn't be causing a new problem. Only thing left was to 'reset adaption' and got for a short test ride. Bike seemed to be running OK, so I kept going, doing a mix of roads, eventually having fun in some twisty country lanes to give bike a workout and a chance to learn again All told I was out 90 minutes before I had to head home for lunch as I hadn't put panniers back on which had water and grub in. The mesh jacket and trousers worked well. Felt warm, but not too hot when stationary in traffic, and when moving I was a comfortable neutral temperature (except under gloves and helmet). Weather was clear blue skies and air temperature 25C. The clothes were rather flappy, as you'd expect, but I didn't feel this. However, I could hear shoulder fabric and pads 'thrumming' away, which at first had me worried that there was an engine problem. That noise could start to get annoying so I may see if I can do something about it. The plan was to go out again this afternoon to try hotter temperatures, but for some reason may back was hurting in a place it doesn't normally, so took that as a sign to stay home with a cold drink, and sit in the room I have a portable aircon set up in. Cheers
X-pipe is on. Watched a few videos online of how to do it, and one who was particularly blunt about how fiddly it is. I've been blessed by whatever heavenly being is out there with the antithesis of piano fingers, which made things difficult to say the least. However, all done and dusted and what a difference. Mainly in decibels on full open throttle. With the V&H pipes it makes one hell of a noise. Not ride-ruining when cruising steadily but an unreal 'bwap' when opening up. The weight of the stock cat is unbelievable. George at TEC put it about 2kg heavier than their x-pipe, and whilst this is a small total of the bike's weight, it seems to be noticeable. Whether that's my mind playing games with me, I'm not sure...it does it quite a lot...I think... Again, happy boy in the sunshine!
Ebay LSL sprint 1050 riser kit for sale. Not mine but spotted on ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154536630670?hash=item23fb19d98e:g:YiEAAOSwV7hg2cVD&LH_ItemCondition=4 Triumph Sprint 1050 Bar Conversion Kit
Not today but yesterday, I went to the Peak District. What a difference from the past week's weather, around 7C cooler and totally cloudy which is a relief. So no mesh gear, it was leather jacket and riding jeans. Right near the start of one of my regular loops I got stuck behind a herd of cows a farmer was moving down the road, so after 5 minutes at cow walking pace I turned off at the next junction onto a road I don't normally take. This made me think to explore a bit more off my planned loop over the coming couple of hours and found some different roads. Must do that more often rather than just following SatNav. A couple of pics from my 'new' roads...
And for today, starting making use of all the parts and tools I bought to do 3 year / 30,000 mile service, plus tyres and brake pads change. According to Fowlers website Triumph hybrid OAT coolant has been replaced by an OAT type so I went with that, will do a thorough flush when it comes time. For today, I balanced the throttle bodies. What a faff dismantling to get access (bling and airbox off) followed by fiddly access to adjuster whilst looking at MAPs in TuneECU. Then 'Reset Adaption' followed by error code P1575 (quick google = cruise control disable, why?), more googling to discover Reset Adaption can disable cruise control and there's a magic handshake involving handlebar controls to re-enable it. Then bike back together, put in new airfilters (trivial) and open a cold beer. Probably 3 hours total, I guess one hour if I did it again.
I know what you mean about new roads. Unfortunately my Steet Cup with rear sets is not really suited. My sat nav has sent me down some gorgeous back roads more suited to a trail bike. The Street Cup is more suited to good B or A roads, but I am running out of new ones so am seriously thinking of selling my BSA B40, which I hardly use, and getting something like an RE Himalayan which would be at home down back roads and dirt tracks.
Whilst the Himalayan is a good bike, I would suggest you look at the new interceptor. A bit more cash, but a much better ride, well IMO
I know what you mean and I saw a lovely one that had been into a scrambler. Too many choices and I quite liked the Mash 650s. If only the XT500 replica had bigger wheels.
Yes, if my conversion of Celsius to Fahrenheit is correct, 25ºC is the equivalent of 77ºF. For us here in the desert, that temperature just might lead to frostbite! I certainly wouldn't be wearing my mesh jacket and definitely not the cooling vest underneath!
Nice report, @brown mouse! Sounds like the new mesh outfit works well for you for the most part. Bummer on your bike but it sounds like it was a relatively easy fix or at least "reset". Hope your back is ok and the soreness was just a blip.
I know the feeling. My Speedmaster is marketed for cruising, has 72mm rear suspension travel and 10cm ground clearance; not really suited for a lot of my riding. One of yesterdays 'new' roads had grass growing down the middle, but at least it was still tarmac either side that. I also hit a rock pulling off the side of the road at one point. In this case, it looks like it was the side stand that took the brunt.
I know there are loads of minor roads to explore but I need something a bit more nimble. Now if only Triumph did a 500cc Trail bike !!!!
Passed it's MOT today then avoided some crappy game show to win a flight to LA and Vegas (seriously?) by taking the Speedy for a trip up to Grizedale Forest through the Rusland Valley And back through Oxen Park and the Crake Valley What a beautiful evening
