Bike servicing...

Just a quick recommendation guys... Just had my 24K service done and it cost just £140!!! This included fitting a new rear tyre (but obviously not the cost!). Now I saved myself a bit as I replaced the plugs, air and fuel filters myself at the last service but I thought that was still a good price. 5 1/2 hours labour and £40 parts. If your interested: Paul at GP Motorcycles 01273 411033. Portslade - just outside Brighton. I've used him before and can vouch for his work. Just give him some notice as he gets busy. :)

Hi dude. there are a few good places in that area just south of where I live. There is TPG just south of the A27, almost opposite Tates garage, and also PD bikes who are south of GP motorcycles on the coast road. I've got the all clear from the missus to go for a new bike - woohoo !! So if you know of anyone who wants a totally mint R1 it's now for sale.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by biffa [B]Hi dude. there are a few good places in that area just south of where I live. There is TPG just south of the A27, almost opposite Tates garage, and also PD bikes who are south of GP motorcycles on the coast road. I know em, I used TPG for my MOT's and PD's for bits n pieces sometimes. I've got the all clear from the missus to go for a new bike - woohoo !! 04 R1?? - my misses is cool too but prefers the ZX-10 - apparantly it all depends on the pillion comfort!!:no :no ;) I don't know though, everytime I ride my 99 I just fall in love all over again:makeout

Yeah the guys at TPG and PD are cool. I'm looking forward to the NEC show big time. Last year was a bit so so. But this year I'll be there with a bike to choose. I just dont know what I want to be honest. The R1 has got the power and maybe the handling, but I'm kinda going off the looks a bit. I don't like the looks of the Kwak (in the photos anyway), the blade looks gorgeous and will, I'm sure have plenty enough power. But the left field option is the Aprilia with it's lower down grunt. Being slightly cynical I can see that the horsepower war has pushed the power and torque curves higher up the rev range, further away from the zone that you ride in normal road riding. I have a feeling that the Aprilia may make for a better realistic road bike. Anyways the guy at P&H in Brighton has got my number to arrange a test ride on an Aprilia some time soon to get a feel for what twins are all about, but I will wait until the spring to ride all the contenders back to back before I finally decide. IT'S ALL EXCITING STUFF DONT YA KNOW !!!!!

I was in P&H last week or so - that Aprillia sure looks lovely. I've seen a couple on the road already - Aprillia have stole the Autumn sales from the others. The sales guy in there said he can't get enough of the Factory version - selling like hot cakes. I love the matt black paint in the flesh but I'm not sure how that would last in the real world with small chips and scratches etc?? :)

I road the demo bike on saturday and bought a black one on sunday. The wife made me see the light. She said if I was going to change the bike then change it properly and get something completely different, not just another four cylinder bike with a different badge on the tank. My impressions of the Aprilia in brief. Power - no where near the R1, but it's still bloody quick on the road. Handling - faster and lighter to turn than the R1. The stock suspension is set up just right for the road, with the ability to track over bumps and imperfections without being basically undersprung like the R1. Brakes- without doubt the strongest brakes I have ever experienced. They seem 30% stronger than the R1 brakes. They make you swear in your helmet the first time you brake seriously. Noise - not enough. Any twin sounds good with a set of fruity cans, but this puppy needs them deperately, and with 12 horse power to be unleashed in the midrange it just has to be done. I am saying goodbye to the R1 on saturday, and picking up the Aprilia the following saturday. I'll still be on the forum cos it's the best around, so I wil be in touch.

Congratulations mate - did you go for the standard or factory version with radial brakes? What's the low down drive like - smooth???

I went for the standard version. From what I felt in terms of suspension, and braking, there didn't seem to be any point in paying out more money when the stock items are so good anyway. The launch tests I've read so far say they felt no real difference in braking performance with the radial brakes, and if anything they prefer the feel of the non-radial setup. The drive is good all the way up, even though the engine way still a bit tight. The bike only had 500 miles on the clock, and I've read that like a lot of german ( or austrian in this case ) engines they take a good couple of thousand miles on them before they loosen up properly.You can feel the dip in the torgue curve that is engineered in for the emissions or more likely noise homologation. Soon cure that with a set of can and a new map.