RDo4 first proper ride

[Paul-S]

Well, today I took the RD04 Marathon out for a shakedown ride to Jellies (The Yonderman) with the Bro In Law in tow as he's not ran his bike yet other than back and to for work

I have ridden it about 100kms since getting it in 2010 and during that time it had several missfire issues that have been resolved and I had a few bit's done to it when affordable

First impressions when I rode it even with the missfire was that it was much quicker than the RD07a. I could not formulate a proper opinion because it had newish Conti somethings (Escapes?) on that had far too much grip for my liking. Also every time I used it to get to the garage and back it was raining or frosty. Swapped these tyres with Knobblywoblly for a set of newish Hiedenau K60s that he did not like - got rid of the rear (130) and the front has been on the RD07a for over a year now and has almost 7,000 miles on it since I fitted it - (Galloway Forest Scotland x 2, Welsh Invasion x 2, a couple of Nationals and , The Stella, Tramps muddy Wiltshire Weekend trip, a few blasts to Jellies, a very fast ride out with some Police Instructors on their day off - it still has half it's tread left.)

Had the wheels rebuilt with SM Pro rims and opted to fit new MITAS E10s.

First proper ride -

Engine - awesome - much sharper and feels more powerful than the RD07a - expect that I won't get as much fuel economy as the RD07a

Gearing - it has a 43 on the rear whereas the RD07a has a 45 - feels a tad too tall for me - good for high speed cruising but that's not for me - I don't ride fast

Exhaust - Lovely raspy sound

Handling - feels much lighter, more nimble

Weight - when pushing this around in the garage or drive it feel much lighter - I know its about 14 kgs lighter from specs and weighing it when it got MOTd

Tyres - love them to bits - even if I need to run them in for a lot more miles - did 210 kms today and the rear still spun up leaving a darkie on one bend

Suspension - Front feels compliant if a little soft - had the fork oil done 7.5 +10 reduced airgap and Air pressure set to standard - I will try upping the air pressure first

Rear - felt comfortable on where it is and once the tyres are scrubbed in I will be able to push the back end - hopefully without leaving darkies !!

Brakes - Yes I tried these out too - put new discs and pads in the front - rear - not tried that one yet

Riding stood up - I have the same height bar risers that I have on the RD07a - the handle bars are identlical and I have set the levers the same - the seat feels higher as does the overall height of the bike - however when stood up on the pegs the handle bars feel lower down as if the footpegs are higher

Overall - I love it to bits - I will use it on road and save the offroading for the RD07a - and for a 22 year old bike it goes like stink as they say

Shakedown ride - everything went well apart from I melted the front mudguard - somehow it stuck on the bashplate and forced the front of the guard onto the tyre and the new E10s shredded the guard as far back as the blue stripe. I thought I may have braked too hard but I don't remember using my brakes and Bro In Law said I hadn't used them all day !! This happened later on in the day so I can only think it has happened as I have got more aggressive cornering throughout the afternoon and the fork oil has heated up

Need to check over all the nuts and bolts etc yet

That's all for now folks

[BobA]

An interesting report Paul, and some great and valued opinions on what is in effect, a very old bike.

As you know, I've only ever had RD03's and RD04's, but I had my first ride on an RD07a (Paul / Grooveriders bike) on my recent trip to the Stella Alpina. I found it had a much smoother engine and gentle power delivery, felt less front endy and slower to steer. Not critiscms, just differences. Jeff Kirby's bike (another RD07a) was using atleast 6 litres less on a 200 mile trip to my RD04, so economy was definitely improved with the later bikes, which I'm sure you will find.

I've tried a few different fork oils in mine over the years, 5w, 7.5w, and on this recent trip 10w with standard capacity/air gap, and no air added. I found the front end a lot nicer, and less divey, although it was a bit annoying at low speeds on smaller bumps and ripples. I'll be sticking with the 10w for a while I think. I prefer a slightly firmer ride (I usually have a bit of extra preload on the rear) and this worked well on the road, and not too bad off-road (although I'm pants off-road anyway)

To find us still praising a 22+ year old design, can only demonstrate how Mr Honda got it so right all those years ago.




Bob

[Paul-S]

Thanks for the reply Bob

Mr Honda did well indeed

That can I bought off you sounds amazing

Valve emulators will help the high speed damping but you need lighter weight oils for them to work properly. This might work with some spacers in the forks or some stiffer springs (not progressive)

For now I'll try the spacer route and increase the air pressure though I expect there will need to be more pressure needed and this might not be suitable

[Meesh]

All in all, sounds like a very successful ride out, Paul. Nice to know the bike is as good to ride as it looks!

[raymo]

Shakedown ride - everything went well apart from I melted the front mudguard - somehow it stuck on the bashplate s

I did my second font guard on the way to Rassay

it's a common issue with 3/4 s Johnathon does a nice plate thing that prevent the lip on the guard hooking up the rear of the mud guard.. I shortened my old one.. but the replacement got wrecked on Saturday...

I am going the intimadator route for the front end..

they are supprisingly quick... mine has a 45t rear which I find high..

the rear spring is harder too the 3/4 are 100lb v 70lb for the 07

love mine ( a Marathon off road is a bit of a hand full )

[Paul-S]

Cheers Ray

[Paul-S]

All in all, sounds like a very successful ride out, Paul. Nice to know the bike is as good to ride as it looks!

Thanks Meesh - it rode very well indeed

[Paul-S]

The damage



and the offending bolt



Jobs: trim the bolt down

Fit new guard after trimming the guard as it could still catch on the marathon stand

On the RD07a I have never had an issue of the guard catching and I have used all of the suspension travel when offroad

[Lutin]

Gearing - it has a 43 on the rear whereas the RD07a has a 45 - feels a tad too tall for me - good for high speed cruising but that's not for me - I don't ride fast

Hmmm, not sure on that one.


Good right up mind.

[Paul-S]

Hmmm, not sure on that one.


Good right up mind.

Maybe I should qualify that one up as "I don't ride fast in straight lines"

Much prefer riding fast when it's on its side and the tyres are squirming !!