The bikers thread; trips, news, chat, all things motorcycle

[Gérard]

From a ZX9R to a 300 kg Vrod, you will find about the same difference as from a Porsche to a Fortuner...

There are many interesting roadsters like the Yamaha FZ-09 that will soon be available in Thailand at a reasonable price.

[HHCanuck]

From a ZX9R to a 300 kg Vrod, you will find about the same difference as from a Porsche to a Fortuner...

There are many interesting roadsters like the Yamaha FZ-09 that will soon be available in Thailand at a reasonable price.

You're quite right but I'm looking for something more comfortable with an easy ride but decent handling. I have no intentions of riding it like I did the ZX9R however when the misses is not riding pillion I want to have a little sporty in the bike too.

[Gin tonic - no lime]

One of the Anzak riders from last weekend had a V-Rod for a few years, now on a spanking new Ducati Hyperstrada. Thinking he could advise well, he is a very competent rider...
I will sms him and ask him to reply. Cheers.

[Gin tonic - no lime]

Any suggestions for mid to econo places in Samui this weekend coming?? Yeah I know it's a bit late!!
Thanks

[HHCanuck]

One of the Anzak riders from last weekend had a V-Rod for a few years, now on a spanking new Ducati Hyperstrada. Thinking he could advise well, he is a very competent rider...
I will sms him and ask him to reply. Cheers.

Thanks Gin (damn now I'm thirsty for a Gin and tonic with lime)

[Ginjaninja]

Finally made it to Motoaholic-Bangkok yesterday to renew my tyres on the G.N. and test-ride the 2014 Ninja 1000
Now there's an itch that is in need of a serious scratch.


Nice little run up to route-35 with the Ginjaninja's younger sister Whiteninja via the Cha am coastal route before the wacky races commenced on the final drag into Bangkok. Not a journey I'm in a hurry to repeat and where the words 'free-delivery' are music to the old King Lears.

The three year old Bridgestone Battlax set were professionally and promptly replaced with a pair of Pirelli Diablo Rossos c/w 90deg valve stems. This was all conducted during the test-ride of my new l*ve affair - the 2014 Ninja 1000 or Z1000SX on European models.

I don't have a lot of experience with big bikes and only hope one day I can be as experienced and ride half as good as the likes of Gérard and Gin tonic - no lime. For now I'll just compare with the 2011 Ninja 650 (Er-6f).

The 2014 Ninja 1000 has two computer control modes, each with three difference traction control settings. The first test-circuit was conducted used setting 1of2 or 70% of the full 140bhp (claimed) power. This setting would be used in either slower urban/touring journeys or especailly in poorer conditions such as wet or gravel-roads. Compared to the 70% setting; with the full power mode selected the h.p was significant to spin the rear tyre whilst overtaking (or undertaking in Thailand) cars with the lesser traction control setting selected. This was a bit scary as the 650 has always stay glued to the road during this kind of manuver.

Aside from the obvious power difference the first thing I noticed was how much better the 1000's A.B.S. brakes were. Significantly better! Great! Always a plus when riding in Thailand. The second aspect was that the suspension was a lot softer and felt quiet bouncy and unnerving when tackling those square angled bridges evident everywhere in Thailand. The Ninja 650's suspension is a lot harder and I have gotten used to that (10,000Kms+ now) so based on my lack of experience I can't decide which is the better setup. Clocking up the KMs on the 1000 would soon clarify this I'm sure... The 1L suspension is fully adjustable though and the rear swing arm can be changed manually using the control knob easily accessible below the seat.

The 1000 only felt slightly bigger than 650 but only ergonomically. The 19L tank versus the 15.5L on the 650 and the broader mirrors gives the 1000 a more cumbersome feel but weight-wise I didn't really notice any considerable difference. The bike felt very well balanced. This is an important point because I have been tied between the Kawasaki 1L and the new Ducati Multistada. Having been reliably informed by various sources that the Multistada is the top and most versatile bike on the market just now, I have been very keen to test-ride the bike at the Ducati showroom. Khun Train at Ducati-Hua Hin has advised that the Multistada will be available for test-ride very soon. Well that was several months ago now and still waiting Ducati. Yesterday I finally got to sit on the Multistada at the Ducati showroom a few shops up from Motoaholic!
1) I can't get on the bike easily!! It's too high - I'm ~5'10" so not tall but not a short-arse. The seat height is about the same height as my Honda CRF but because the pillion seat is a few inches higher that the riders I really stuggle to get my leg-over (a bit like dating back in the U.K. ). The technique is to stand on the left peg and climb on to the bike so all your weight is on the side-stand. I'm not really keen on this concept.
2) Once on the bike; the top-heavy, considerable weight increase compared with the Ninja 1000 is clearly evident and even just sitting on the bike I didn't feel comfortable. I didn't even bother test-riding.
3) 1M thb+ V 630K thb. Big difference in capital.
I'm sure the Multistada is the dogs danglies when it comes to the fantanstically clever and versatile 4-mode computer system but the bike just isn't for me....... this time.

A final note; customer service at Motoholic is excellent. You are really made to feel welcome and V.I.P. The sales-man that took me on the test-ride stayed with me the entire time including my flamboyant shopping spree at the accessories shop where I puchased the Scala Rider Bluetooth helmet comms system. When at Motoaholic Kui Buri or Bangkok the first action is always a complimentary and much required glass of cool water followed by a cup of coffee. Ducati - take note
Good job Motoaholic

I captured the test-ride with my helmet-mounted GoPro and have made an attempt this morning of uploading to YouTube but after over an hour of processing I have yet to reach 1% complete.
Photos will have to suffice for now

So should I do it?

GN.

[Gin tonic - no lime]

Edit the vid for a couple of short "action packed" segments before trying to put on You Tube. Our Norwegian riding buddy always does this.

I'm sure you will be able to dial the suspension on the big green machine to your liking. Too bad they do not ofder an Ohlins edition like the zzr1400. So as the saying goes here.... "up to you"

[buksida]

Has to be done mate!

Here is the hardware from our last ride ...

[Ginjaninja]

555


Edit: Hello Kitty if I recall.....

[Hilux]

So should I do it?
GN.

Thanks for the great write up. I don't think you will regret it for one second if you go for the Kawa.
One thing is seating position weight etc. Another thing is how the bike behaves when driven. Going up/down through the gears the Kawa 1000 is just so much smoother than than the Multistrada.

Hilux

[Gin tonic - no lime]

someone wrote a book (in Thai) on the front skin of that green meany.... :-)

[Ginjaninja]

Final reminder:

Leaving for Koh Samui (bike-week) tomorrow morning 07:00 from Hua Hin Soi 94.
Plan is to go straight to the ferry terminal and get over to Koh Samui tomorrow.
P.M. me for further info.

GN.

[PeteC]

Watching the ANZAC riding portion of the latest video it dawned on me how useful a half dozen sets of ear buds with mic would be for you guys on these trips. Don't they have them where you can set a common frequency for all and communicate with each other as you ride? Pete

[Ginjaninja]

Watching the ANZAC riding portion of the latest video it dawned on me how useful a half dozen sets of ear buds with mic would be for you guys on these trips. Don't they have them where you can set a common frequency for all and communicate with each other as you ride? Pete

Yup I just bought a unit:
http://www.cardosystems.com/motorcycles ... powerset/1
Just back from our trip to Koh Samui for the bike week. The comms system came in pretty handy.

GN.

[PeteC]

^ Great, I thought so, and 1 mile is more than I thought you could do on Blue Tooth. I was thinking about those Motorola two-way radios, but your system is much more compact and probably easier to use. Something for Santa's list this year for all you guys. Pete