Yet another "Newbie"

[midlife]

Well I did the evil deed today and put a deposit on a new 700. Along with the winter offer of a free top box and heated grips, I have requested a centre stand, scottoiler and larger Honda screen - Are these good choices ? Anything else I need? My handle reflects that I am a born again biker and maybe I should add the word "Crisis" to my name. I use various fora for my other interests and would like to say that this appears to be one of the better run, helpful and friendly forums I have visited.
I live in SW Scotland and am really looking forward to the better weather so I can really enjoy the bike and also exploit this beautiful bit of the world.
Cheers
Rob

[StumpyFingers]

Welcome to the forum, good choice of bike.
You will need to post some pictures when you get it.
As for accessories, that comes down to personal choice and needs.

[Lutin]

Greetings and welcome to the Asylum.

Good choices on the extras - centre-stand and scottolier. Don't know about the higher screen as I have the earlier incarnation of the TA, the 650.

So, is this a return to biking? How long since and what was your last steed?

[midlife]

Thanks for the welcome(s)! Previous steeds were approx 1980 and were a Garreli Tigercross 50cc followed by a Yam RD250 which within a very short period of time had put me in A&E with various breaks and scrapes. This involuntary hospital visit really ended my early biking days, and my college days as well
I bought a 125 Varadero which my wife is taking off my hands and have undergone course to get up to speed with current bike riding and techniques (including CBT and a Test which was not needed for a 250 in my day) and absolutely looove it!!

[Jimmcc]

Sounds like the same spec as Ive gone for on my 700.
I have the Oxford heated grips, with the new 4 led heat settings and on the highest rating they are sometimes too hot, even on chilly days. The handguards help prevent heat loss through windchill..
Ive had the higher OEM screen fitted but in fact have now gone back to the standard screen, and can't really decide whats best. What I think I really need is one of these adjustable deflectors on the standard height screen as the 2 alternatives just give you a wind blast at different speeds. For my height 5'9" the lower screen is fine.
Centre stand, has got to be one of the most difficult centre stands to raise. Getting the bike up and over pivot balance point takes a combination of weight 14st plus a bit of technique. However its an addition that I would not be without.

midlife ,
I also live in SW Scotland and can tell you that the Girvan, Newton Stewart to New Galloway road is a cracking route on any bike and on the Transalp it is a joy, copes easily on the odd short stretch of forest track namely "Raiders Road" that is open to the public. Topbox and flask essential additional kit on a winters day run.

Might see you out and about one of these days
Jim

[Grey alp]

"Centre stand, has got to be one of the most difficult centre stands to raise. Getting the bike up and over pivot balance point takes a combination of weight 14st plus a bit of technique. However its an addition that I would not be without."

I had the same problem ,but found a easy solution. With a piece of board/plank ,25cm-10cm and 3 cm thick. Push the bike rearwheel on it so that the bike's rear comes 3 cm higher from the ground. Left hand on the handlebar ,righthand on the co-riders handhold and with your right foot push the centrestand down on the ground. Find your balance and then pull the bike in one motion up and backwards. If you got a crashbar it's even easier because it's a lower grip for your lefthand. The first times it's a bit tricky on balance but once you get the trick gooing it's nothing anymore. I even carry a spare one in my topcase for longer parking ,i prefer the centrestand instead of the sidestand.

[largewayround]

Hi midlife

You sound a like my situation, back to biking after 2 decades. Passed my CBT and DAS last year, and bought a nice 650..

Good choice of bike, the 700 is FAB, what colour did you go for.. Oh Think me need pictures also.

Great to have another scottish member...


Just wait until the fine days come around.

[AIRWOLF]

Welcome mate. .

The fun starts here.

[graeme0309]

Midlife and Jimmcc,
I am a Monkton man (Prestwick) myself but down in London right now.

I think handle bar muffs are superb for the winter. No more starting and stopping to pull the gloves on and off to fiddle with the tomtom or the cell phone or the iPOD.

I also have heated grips. Honda's own.

Living in the West of Scotland, if you're using the bike for commuting or day trips or a lit bit for of back water track riding in the wilds, don't bother getting road tyres. I learned the hard way.

I came through Stewarton two summers ago (heavy rain all summer and the roads were really mossy - "green" asphalt under overhanging trees) and down through the backroads to pop out at Dundonald (A749). Well, I wish I hadn't gotten rid of my factory duo knobblies. Big mistake. My new Anekans (road tyres) let the bike slide all over the place. Just as I reached my sister's place at Symington I came off. (Bike and rider embarassed but unhurt).

It's a tall riding bike and I am 18stone/6'2". So tyres matter.

Anyways, apart from the coastal roads which seem to stay fairly dry in the South West, don't get road tyres - unless you're planning on touring.

The factory issue knobblies - for commuting/day tripping - won't dent your petrol consumption more noticeably than road tyres. Unless you're doing long distance trips.

Other accessories: I got side panniers which are great. Robust and snap on and snap off. With the large top box and two panniers I can fit in just as much shopping from Sainsburys than I could in the boot of my old Golf.

For me, I am getting a higher visor. The touring visor. The wind, head on in my face, is a pain. Th touring visor (I've tried a friend's bike with one) is so much better. Maybe you're a shorter guy and it won't affect you much.

Cheers,
Graeme

[donkster]

best bike I have ever had as it is so versatile

centre stand, there is a knack, I'm only 73kgs, and its just a case of getting the hang of it

as a return to biking mid lifer - the brakes are amazing, the ABS is really very good, practice always works well in these situations, but you can be hammering along a back road in the wet at 60mph, with nothing behind you and put as much effort as you can through the front brakes. It takes a while to work up to this as you worry about the front locking, it won't, and the stopping distance and confidence this gives you is worth so much. A lot of people brought up on sports bikes knock the CBS/ABS but I'd never get another bike without it. It doesn't work so well on thick mud with icy clay underneath, but that is at the edge of the bikes design envelope.

I use Michelin Anakees, they are a radial - have far better wet grip than the standard Trailwings (which only lasted me 2500 miles), and are looking half done at 5000 miles. They are also good on gravel and have survived on thick mud. They are also far quieter than the trailwings and give better initial turn in characteristics.

The honda large screen looks a little funny, but pushes air and the weather (and flies!) over my visor rather than directly into it. It is a little quieter, but I always use ear plugs anyway. On my helmet I have to keep the front vents closed with that screen or the noise is terrible.


You need to find us some great roads up there and report back as I'm hoping to take a trip up there sometime.