Quote:Just read this after getting back from 340 mile jaunt to Kielder for coffee and Cake today
Either Great minds etc or it was supposed to P*** down on the west coast so headed south instead
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Mine was a group run organised by an Edinburgh dealership. 35 bikes of different makes and models, mostly younger then the TDM900, many with bigger engines, Got on the twisties and it's surprising how difficult a 900 is to lose
Fitted my new M shock and a set of renthals for a quick overnight Strontian nr loch linnhe up Ballachulish way.
All went well at first got to a nice section of S bends near me that exits to a low that always used to bottom the suspension
you can feel it on all the bikes iv had and even the car. Not with the M shock set at the factory for my weight etc. etc. like a magic carpet
bit further on at road works nr loch sloy stop at the lights engine cuts out went to restart click click all electricity has leaked out.
go to get off the bike but not used to the tent etc on the back caught my foot and lost balance on the bike and over we go
car behind just looks at me struggling to lift the bike as if im deliberately holding him up no offer to help though (hope you get two punctures in middle of highlands)
white van man 3 cars back comes to my aid to lift bike .also French couple in a camper asked if we needed tools thanks
mate comes back to see what was keeping me just as the roads dept. come to remove the traffic lights helps me move bike to side of the road and leaves me 6 cones to cordon it off said he would collect them later another thanks.
pillion back to the house (first time in 40 years) to collect the trailer got it home and ordered a RR from M&P mosffat RR98 they have 20% off this weekend
hope it arrives in time got a trip to the lakes next weekend
damaged sustained apart from my pride one indicator bent front indicator bracket bent gear change an cracked bodywork
Brought it back and wiped it down after a weekend around the coast of Scotland, completing my bike club's Challenge for the year.
Friday up to Dundee and on to Fraserburgh, diagonally down to Dufftown, back to the coast and West to Strathpeffer for the night. 320 miles.
Saturday up the East side to Wick, to Thurso and along the top to Durness, down the West to Ullapool and a (very) quick blast back toi Strathpeffer. 300.
Today down to Granton on Spey, over the Lecht and then Glenshee - both windy as hell - and the M90 home from Perth, getting very wet. 200.
A rapid and very satisfying 820 miles with the bike and kit performing well.
Got home to find my granddaughter making a visit - wonderful end to a great weekend.
TDM900A 2008/09 in use, with     Â
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CBX750FE in reserve; Cagiva N90 125 now rebuilt & in use.
Managed to snap one of the BOLTS on the Oil filter cover
Luckily it left just enough to get a pair of pliers on
So now I'm looking for a new bolt
Snap
decided to do oil and filter on Monday all went well until one of the middle bolts went snap but I feel so lucky unscrewed it and it all came out in one piece. Temporary replaced it with a stainless steel M6 bolt cut to length got some cap heads on order to replace it
Went out for a blast locally, and noticed the odometer just tripped over 105,000 miles. Still no noticeable oil consumption unless thrashed to within an inch of it's life for hour after hour, which I think is incredible
decided to do oil and filter on Monday all went well until one of the middle bolts went snap but I feel so lucky unscrewed it and it all came out in one piece. Temporary replaced it with a stainless steel M6 bolt cut to length got some cap heads on order to replace it
Looks like its lucky TDM bank holiday
Glad it's not just me
Sadly I have previous for breaking things on various Bike's on Bank Holidays usually at the start of them
Took testrides on Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, and 401 tonight. They're something else, very focused, nimble and the mid range of the 701 is phenomenal. It's the same engine as the KTM690 but with 5 more bhp and better fueling
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I felt i needed to keep the pace up to get the wind under my chest to keep the weight off my wrists due to the very forward seating position. The Svartpilen is a bit more upright but I didn't ride that.
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Then I got back onto the TDM900......took a moment to get used to the upright position again, but then i really did appreciate being able to see over the cars in traffic....it was a bit like getting back on to a favourite comfy armchair Â
Quote:Fitted a sump guard, not sure why.... i just fancied one
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I like them on the 850Â :good:
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Today I ordered oil, oil filter, air filter, plugs and carb intake rubbers, next will be some crash bars and braided brake lines, change the fork oil & new coolant
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"
Was to go out West on the MkI friday, not ridden for a coupla weeks. Low on gas, started studdering and running only one cyl.. Filled up, but still running 1 cyl, decided to go home and swap for the 9er. Good to have a spare bike!
Found that the 9er leaked oil from valve cover, not ridden properly since clearance check. Drove 1.100kms with rag tucked behind oil pipe and clutch wire to keep oil drops from depositing on rear tyre.
The 9er is really, really good on high speed cruising!!! Drove 580kms in 8hrs with a smile on my face yesterday :-)