Stew

Fully strip and service forks and Install K-Tech-20 SSK Piston Kit with springs to suit your weight Replace the stock shock with a K-Tech Razor R Performance shock fully adjustable in preload, compression and rebound Should be delightful.

Aye. We get a LOT of rain here though, so it is more important than dry grip to me. I've had lots of bikes/tyres that gave me plenty feedback on wet roads. I know what you mean, but I think I'll be looking at the Metzeler's that @flyfifer mentioned earlier. Those get great reviews, and I have had some lovely metzelers in the past. Best I ever had were michelin macadams (crossply I think) on my old FJ1200 in the olden days, man, those were amazing in the wet. Of course, things may change next week when the bike gets it's suspension upgrade, yeeehaaa!

@Michiel900GT Here is the rear on mine, so although I don't like them, they clearly have more than enough grip to let me get the bike over as far as I ever need to get. The rain grip feels vague to me, although I have tried some hard braking to try them out and they were fine. This has over 2000 miles on it...

I have Dunlop Sportsmax tyres on mine, which sometimes are branded as Roadsmart 3's. They have not given me a problem, BUT... I can't feel anything from them. I reduced the pressures to 33f 36r and it helped a wee bit. I can turn the bike with it leaned over as far as I am comfortable with, which is pretty far. But I will not be getting them again. In the wet I am being overtaken by pedestrians, as I just can't feel any grip at all. Now, they may be gripping, but I can't feel it through my backside and my toes, and those are directly connected to my brain when riding. I've done 2000 miles on them so far, and there is a ton of tread left, but the rear is squaring off a bit, despite the fact that I spend most of my time riding on twisty roads, so the bike isn't completely upright much of the time. We all have different needs with tyres, and some suit one rider and not another. gl with your search. I'm dreading changing tyres, new tyres of a different brand/profile/pattern can make or break a bike's handling.

MCS? I was going to go round by there for a nosey. So many bikes riding along the road from Ardrossan to Largs and on towards Greenock. I don't get it, they park up in Largs. I mean, it's a nice road, but chockablock with traffic, no fun. All the way through Largs on Saturday I was in first gear. Stop start stop start, not wide enough to filter or anything. Made me appreciate Dumfries and Galloway all the more, there is so little traffic down this way.

I lean back on it sometimes to chill out And I was only away for a couple of days, so travelling light. I had actually meant to carry on to Glasgow to buy some new boots and gloves, but I ended up just riding around and , well, I'll go some other time

I had such a brilliant ride on the way up, hit the rev limiter in 3rd gear and it took me a wee second to comprehend what was going on. Bikes everywhere , prob cos of the dry weather

Went to visit my mum & sister and her family, and took a few photos to show you all how awesome Scotland looks at times, and some amazing engineering and history.... The tower house always reminds me of R.L. Stevenson's Kidnapped, where he went to stay with his nasty old uncle... Then we have the view from my mum's window , day and night. Then the waverly paddle steamer, the only ocean going paddle steamer left in the world. And Wemyss Bay railway station, just amazing workmanship. And my bike, because, well, it would be rude not to

@ewalker008 , @Heli ATP mibbe worth a chat regarding swapsies.

@Betoney with the eagle eyes as ever.

Welcome aboard, nice colour (color) scheme on your bike.

I would imagine so, thats how most things are, people mainly talk about negative issues with bikes or any other kit for that matter. The guy really knows what he is doing. It got me wondering if bikes in some parts of the world are fuelled differently or whatever, that might make a difference, but anyway, the bike is sweet as a nut, super smooth and ready for it's suspension upgrade on the 8th of Sept, yeeehaaaa!

They were spot on. The guy says everyone tells him they expect the exhaust valves to be tight, but he's never worked on an mt09 engine that had tight exhaust valves yet.

Just had the BIG service done, the 24000 mile one. New plugs , filters, fluids and tbs synch and valves checked and all that good stuff. Plus a new clutch cable. Bike is super smooth, and from now on I'll be doing it all myself. Guy that did it was great to talk to, used to Road Race RC30's and RC45's and all, he was telling me some wild stories. Plus , it was £30 cheaper than he had quoted me, RESULT!

We are all blessed with some beautiful scenery and places to ride, eh. Bike looks great with the new 'solo' seat, and the touches of red.

Treated myself and the bike to the Total Control book, by Lee Parks. Only had time to flick through it but it looks excellent. I've read all the twist of the throttle books and such in the past , but it's always good to refresh yourself. I just need a friendly bit of tarmac to practice some of the stuff, especially the classic tensing up of my arms instead of relaxing them.

I came from a 650 vstrom, which I loved. The Tracer is a vastly better motorcycle in every way, other than offroad. I haven't experienced any handlebar vibration, and there are loads of aftermarket footpegs, although I only get a mild vibration through the pegs at around 5k rpm. You will be in for a pleasant surprise when you whack that throttle open. Your brain will need to recalibrate. Look forward to hearing how your test ride goes.

You'd think some enterprising fabricator or composite moulder would come up with something, based around the existing rear seat base moulding. I'd be into getting something like that for sure. Glad it gets you the cheaper rego costs.

Grats on the new bike, I'm sure you'll love it. Super helpful bunch of folk on here.

Sounds like a scary time for you, but as you say, things like this sometimes bring back perspective, and restore faith in the kindness and compassion of people.

That is super cool. Does it get you around the solo seat regs that you have there?

I tried to get the vstrom into the house last year, as I have a bedroom that I don't use, and was going to strip it and work on it there. Sadly I have several issues that mean I can't. It wouldn't bother me in the slightest. My mother still talks about the time I boiled a chain in a tin of chainwax stuff in the kitchen when I was young. And when I had a bike engine in my bedroom. I may have photos somewhere

Excellente. Thank you. I'll sort that out when the storm passes. It may be that somehow the slot/peg thing has broken, as it is down there that it is flapping about

That's brilliant. Thank you very much, gives me a good feel for it.

Oooft, someone did a real good job of messing that up.