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Post by Zenrider on Jul 6, 2016 0:22:14 GMT
On the Honda I used a sheep skin seat saver I bought for an English saddle for trail riding. Didn't like it for that, but hung on to it. Which came in handy, as it worked pretty great on the Honda. However, the seat on this bike is a bit different, but may give it a go until I find something better. Sheep skin is not good for in the rain.
Friend of mine has a beaded seat cover and swears by it. Not sure they make those for sport seats.
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Post by sc on Jul 6, 2016 7:06:05 GMT
Harley's aren't government subsidized, aside from unnecessary tax breaks. Aside from the sportsters, not a particularly cheap bike here, dollar tends to be weaker than the pound. Definitely, not the most reliable bike. And yes, often very much snobs of a sort. Your right ZR, apologies, I let my feelings towards as you say the "snobbery" of the riders cloud my judgement and I based the "subsidies" statement on a couple of articles I read that with hindsight obviously had a political axe to grind. Yes they have tax breaks (but lets be honest so do a lot of manufacturers) and they had massive Government support during the financial crisis, but again all Governments around the world did what ever it took to ensure it's home industries survived the crisis. So sorry about that one. Cheap? I was basing that statement on the Harley Davidson Street 750 that starts at £5,750 over here and the Sportsters 883 which starts at £7,495 That was not fair of me to label their whole range as cheap based on the bottom of their range. Harleys over here are a strange phenomenon and bring out a lot of emotional feelings (good and bad) that other manufacturers don't manage to do. In the UK, outside of the biking community more people that express an opinion "like" Harley Davidson, because they like the "image" and they've seen "Easy Rider". Inside the biking community, much fewer do like them, and the feelings are much stronger, not at all helped by the attitude of Harley riders who do not generally want to mix with others. That doesn't happen with other manufacturers, you don't have Honda riders all sticking together, or people bragging "I have a Suzuki", and when someone says with pride "I ride a Harley" most bikers think "why?" The only answer can be image. They may be great on long straight US roads but here in Europe they are not the perfect bike.  So apologies again, I should not have allowed my personal feelings towards the attitude of certain riders cloud my judgement of a manufacturer. Oh here's a very cool clip of a ratty Harley chop racing a Honda Fireblade. The Harley rider here has done more goodwill for Harley than most Harley Riders do in their lifetime |
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Post by sc on Jul 6, 2016 7:35:30 GMT
On the Honda I used a sheep skin seat saver I bought for an English saddle for trail riding. Didn't like it for that, but hung on to it. Which came in handy, as it worked pretty great on the Honda. However, the seat on this bike is a bit different, but may give it a go until I find something better. Sheep skin is not good for in the rain. Friend of mine has a beaded seat cover and swears by it. Not sure they make those for sport seats. Some do use sheepskin over here but I have thought the same as you....... what if it rains?? Only ever known of the beaded covers for cars, but why not? I suppose the theory is that it still allows blood to circulate. Gel pads or a new gel seat (expensive) seem to be the usual answer. I suppose the question is will you be doing long rides? Also, it may well get more comfortable as the seat "beds" in over time and moulds itself to your shape. |
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Bike Talk
Jul 6, 2016 22:29:44 GMT
via mobile
Post by Zenrider on Jul 6, 2016 22:29:44 GMT
That's the thing, no cheap fixes. I'm sure my rear will toughen up a bit too. Like the video. I'm thinking the rat-bike's gear to torque ratio was what was helping him beat the crotch rocket. Perhaps a bit better at choosing shift points, and he might have been starting in a higher gear too.  It's not all about horse power.  |
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Post by sc on Jul 7, 2016 10:46:46 GMT
That's the thing, no cheap fixes. I'm sure my rear will toughen up a bit too. Like the video. I'm thinking the rat-bike's gear to torque ratio was what was helping him beat the crotch rocket. Perhaps a bit better at choosing shift points, and he might have been starting in a higher gear too. It's not all about horse power. It's that low end grunt (torque), stripping the bike right back so there is minimum weight and a man that knows his bike and how to work it |
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Post by sc on Jul 7, 2016 23:28:59 GMT
p.s. Love the expression "crotch rocket" never heard it before, but I sure as hell am gunna steal and use it for my own |
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Post by sc on Jul 8, 2016 9:27:08 GMT
ZR we need more photos of your new bike!! |
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Bike Talk
Jul 8, 2016 22:51:51 GMT
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Post by Zenrider on Jul 8, 2016 22:51:51 GMT
p.s. Love the expression "crotch rocket" never heard it before, but I sure as hell am gunna steal and use it for my own Really? I won't tell. |
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Post by sc on Jul 8, 2016 23:08:11 GMT
I am sure we have bike expressions over here that are not used in the US too. Like "I just bought a Belly Button" Means "I just just bought a BMW R 1200 GS" (Belly Button = Everyone has one) |
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Post by sc on Jul 8, 2016 23:25:22 GMT
Yep really never heard "Crotch Rocket" before and yet it is so obvious and perfect description I rode a Triumph Street Triple a couple of weeks ago and "Crotch Rocket" sums it up perfectly. At the time I described it as a "Hooligans bike" That week I also went out on the new Honda Africa Twin............ It was awesome ........... I want one |
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Post by Zenrider on Jul 9, 2016 1:16:54 GMT
Around here a 'belly button' would be more like a Harley Davidson Sportster. The Honda Africa looks like a nice bike, but the seat height kind of puts it out of my reach. That's great your shop let's you have a loaner. |
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Post by sc on Jul 9, 2016 21:45:52 GMT
My little review of the Africa Twin I fell in love |
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Post by sc on Jul 10, 2016 10:53:34 GMT
On the down side, I have heard through the clubs FB page that they are "buy now, delivery February" That does not leave any room for negotiating price/accessorises/PX deals! The power is 100% in the hands of the dealer!  |
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Post by standing stone on Jul 10, 2016 11:10:50 GMT
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Bike Talk
Jul 10, 2016 20:52:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by Zenrider on Jul 10, 2016 20:52:03 GMT
Hmmmm, I wonder what those clouds were about?  |
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So apologies again, I should not have allowed my personal feelings towards the attitude of certain riders cloud my judgement of a manufacturer. 
It's not all about horse power. 
