guscar65
Active Member
- Local time
- Today, 10:40
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2019
- Messages
- 101
- Points
- 27
- Age
- 73
- Location
- kirkcaldy fife scotland
- First Name
- angus
- My Ride
- blue/white T120 2018
Right,so, I have now completed some 4, 200mile(ish) rideouts with my riding buds-----now they are somewhat more confident than I so just as I was just about up to pace with my previous bike a honda CBF1000 ----I go and change out to my present T120. Its a lovely bike , full of sensations BUT like all bikes you need to 'round off' the corners to make it yours. First off are these awful OE tyres----I wasn't sure at first maybe just me but after a few trips I now know that these tyres are absolutely rubbish, so much so that on returning home yesterday after a trip out to calender and TWO really scary moments on damp roads ---I went straight to my local garage Kirkcaldy Kawasaki and ordered a set of Avon spirit ST. Not only the 'wet' performance but the skittish way that the front wants to follow road imperfections can be unnerving. Had this before on previous bikes when the tread is worn but this takes it to a whole new level.
Dangerous oil. or more correctly contamination. Something I noticed on my Triumph America, and now repeated on the T120. I have a scottoiler fitted and dripping at the recommended 2 drops per minute. Fine, until you fit saddle bags or in my case the leather panniers. Both bikes took a sideways step in the wet -----cutting to the chase----some of the chain oil was being channelled onto the back tyre by the panniers.!. Lesson:- cut the scottoiler to 1 drop or less per minute. Will need to see how that affects the chain wear but safety is priority. (can only carry just so many clean underpants!)
I have the long range screen fitted and it does work well ,not producing turbulence (at my height of 5 8) it allows visor up riding to about 45/50 . to quieten general wind noise I have taken to using SENNER ear plugs ----they don't cut noise as much as some others but they have a system whereby you don't need to keep swallowing to equalise pressure in your ear canals. A bitty expensive at £18 a pair, but you do get a carry case that fits your key ring. Next move is to obtain a set of HAGON rear shocks at £220 it ain't expensive and after experiencing the improvement in compliance they brought to the America its a no brainer. Mind you that will need to wait until next season----spent my pocket money for this year!
Dangerous oil. or more correctly contamination. Something I noticed on my Triumph America, and now repeated on the T120. I have a scottoiler fitted and dripping at the recommended 2 drops per minute. Fine, until you fit saddle bags or in my case the leather panniers. Both bikes took a sideways step in the wet -----cutting to the chase----some of the chain oil was being channelled onto the back tyre by the panniers.!. Lesson:- cut the scottoiler to 1 drop or less per minute. Will need to see how that affects the chain wear but safety is priority. (can only carry just so many clean underpants!)
I have the long range screen fitted and it does work well ,not producing turbulence (at my height of 5 8) it allows visor up riding to about 45/50 . to quieten general wind noise I have taken to using SENNER ear plugs ----they don't cut noise as much as some others but they have a system whereby you don't need to keep swallowing to equalise pressure in your ear canals. A bitty expensive at £18 a pair, but you do get a carry case that fits your key ring. Next move is to obtain a set of HAGON rear shocks at £220 it ain't expensive and after experiencing the improvement in compliance they brought to the America its a no brainer. Mind you that will need to wait until next season----spent my pocket money for this year!