What Have You Being Doing With Your Non-triumph Today?

Just received My order of oil and filter for the old firestorm which I think is well overdue for a service seeing how it hasn't seen the light of day since we moved to this property in 2020 so just waiting for the spark plugs and air filter to arrive get the front wheel off and get a new front tyre on which has been in the garage next to the bike almost as long as the bike it's for has been parked up for then it's fairing off and full clean before booking in for the MOT I mentioned the tyre as for the last three mot's it had I got an advisory for low tread depth on the said front boot I know about the date on the side wall of tyres now and I know it's more than 5 years old but less than 10 so as it has been in a dark garage with no weight or pressure on it I think it will be adequate for the occasional run out on a dry Sunday afternoon it's just now I've bought the Tiger it has given me a new inspired wish to get out and rideable more plus I have to prove my brother wrong by riding the bikes after him saying why have you bought a new bike when you don't ride the one you got also if I want the firestorm to be a future investment it needs to be run, serviced and an occasional good clean oh and a yearly MOT besides it only costs me an extra £70 pound to insure on the multi policy

 

I got reacquainted with my beautiful Blade today, having not ridden it since April as it was off the road.
First stop was the Fast Trak Diner, Shrewsbury for a stamp in my Bike and Brew Passport - very friendly place indeed.

I then went on to the Old Stores Motorbike Cafe, which I have been to a few times before and always enjoy.
From there it was the Rhug Estate for another stamp, I have been there before as well. The coffee is decent and there's motorcycle parking.

I then did the road from Lake Bala to Lake Vrnwy which is one of my favourites *

Lastly, I stopped at Dafarn Newydd Village Stores for my last passport stamp of the day and then came home.

* There are far more suitable bikes for the single track, hilly, gravelly road on a very hot day than a golden oldie Fireblade that likes to run very hot - but it has never let me down .

 

Looks like another great day out.

 

Making the most of my days off from work!!

 

All that mileage and not a gel seat in sight

 

220 miles today, I seem to choose bikes with plank - like seats, but had forgotten quite what a plank the Blade has . I don't mind them at all to be honest, doesn't bother me. I did have an extra layer of foam put into the Street Triple seat last year though, before I rode to Jerez, which was nice, but it is still very much on the plank - like side .

 

We were on that road from Bala last Sunday.

 

I really do like it and the way it changes so much seasonally; only ever done it on the Street Triple previously though. The sheep were extra brave / foolhardy today .

 

Well you will have these sports bikes I do recommend the Tiger though not quite old honda cbx 750 standard but still a comfy place to be did about 120 miles the other week and never felt a thing and averages 57 mpg to make

 

I will try one at some point, I am sure - I do like them. I actually find sports bikes comfortable, but I am fairly small and short, which I think helps as there is more room for me on a bike than for the "average" sized rider. I have done some really long days on the Street Triple very comfortably. I did like the Himalayan I rode off - road at the weekend at the ABR actually, very friendly and comfortable, but I am not sure I could live with the lack of power for long distance trips and overtakes.

 

I know what you mean about being vertically challenged I'm only 5'7" and I used to have an aprilia mille which in seven years i only did 1500 miles on it as I was so scared of dropping it which I did once at the k farmyard rally in Yorkshire but it was fully loaded with my luggage and tent but I didn't expect the coke can I flattened to act as a puc but as I got on the stand went through the can and over we went only broke an indicator though but a beautiful bike to ride as well as look at better than any Ducati except for the 916

 

I am 5ft4 on a good day; I am well versed in the art of getting halfway off a seat at lights. I do have long legs for my height though which helps. I used to be really worried about dropping my Fireblade but it now seems quite low compared to the Hyperstrada . @Helmut Visor has a 2002 Mille; it's lovely - I have not ridden it despite the offer being made (once - briefly!) because if I dropped it I wouldn't forgive myself as he has had it from new!!! I would not enjoy riding it at all due to this - dropping your own bike is devastating, but the guilt of dropping that would be awful.

 

Mine was a 2001 last of the pre facelift you do really want to try one but not around town at 30 it was bad enough spluttering in second gear this ridiculous 20 mph law Mr drakeford who didn't drive imposed on us all in Wales I wouldn't even go into a town centre on it now it was quite highly geared it could do 65 in first without actually going past the red line awesome machine

 

I do most of my riding in Wales, being so close to the border. The Fireblade and Ducati do not like the 20mph limits, the Blade in particular!

 

The Firestorm is an excellent machine, they do have faults, the most common is the timing chain tensioner, soft suspension, all are easy fixes, what they don't like is being laid up and not used regularly, personally I would never ride any machine with worn tyres or ones of that age, it just is not worth the risk, fit the best tyres you can. Unfortunately these machines are not going to be a future investment, unless you got it circa £1,000, you can get an immaculate low mileage example for £2,000, some are around the £2,500 mark at dealers, again personally if I intended buying one, I would go for a higher mileage machine with history and had been ridden regularly, often bikes that garaged and hardly ridden come with a host of issues to sort out before taking them on the road again, strip and re grease the rear suspension, brake and clutch fluid change, renew fork oil and much more, and ride it regular. A great machine and hope you enjoy riding it more.

 

My favourite bike I ever had forgive me the purists but it was a Barbie yzf 750r in pink cocktail colours now that bike was so planted and confidence boosting enjoyed every minute on that bike and low enough for me would love to pick up another one but I've no room in the garage for the Tiger with the firestorm keeping warm in there but that's a good ride as well not so super sports now more friendly sports

 

Mine is pretty much on the money I got it 10 years ago for £1500 special paint and a good bit of history it's original books and two keys plus it's had the manual chain tensioners fitted instead so that's sorted I am hoping to get some of my pictures of my bikes past and present on but try as I may I can't get nothing to load any how I managed to get my avatar to work from my pictures must of been some flike

 

Fluke

 

Have you done the other one from Bala that takes you over the top to the A458?

 

Yes, another good one.