Topic: The Motorcycling Thread

[PJungnitsch]

It's amazingly detailed. The crashbars, saddlebags and rear rack really look good on it

[Jaeger]

Lol. You get perspective of it in those pics. It is like a fat tire retro scooter. 

That sounds about right. 

It's amazingly detailed. The crashbars, saddlebags and rear rack really look good on it

   We started buying the accessories over time (along with the rest of her gear) before we even got the bike.  Firmly committed to the plan. 

We liked both the styling and the materials / fit and finish on this one versus the more widely-available Grom.  That bike is mostly plastic, whereas the Monkey is mostly metal (tank, fenders, headlight and turn signal casinsg etc.)  Makes it look and feel like a real motorcycle, only small.

[bridgecity]

Love that thing. Congrats to Mrs. J for getting out on the road.

[Jaeger]

Love that thing. Congrats to Mrs. J for getting out on the road.

Cheers. Going to be taking it slow, but the weather looks awesome this coming week so more opportunities.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

That looks like a FUN little bike.  How my HP is it?  Can it do Hwy speeds?

[Jaeger]

That looks like a FUN little bike.  How my HP is it?  Can it do Hwy speeds?

It is SUPER fun. I've ridden it a bunch of times now, and it puts a grin on my face the whole time.  It's just so nimble and flickable. It's also really comfortable - suspension is softer than on my bike, and the seat is MUCH more plush.

It makes a blistering ~9hp.    It manages city / suburban traffic with ease, and country roads as well.  It can go on the highway, but that is NOT its strength. It tops out probably a shade over 100 kph - and stuff like a headwind or incline will impact that.  Not to mention getting blown around by transport trucks. 

[Jaeger]

One thing about the Monkey that I think people mis-perceive from pics (I know I did), is that it looks, feels and rides like a real motorcycle - not a toy motorcycle. Just compact and slow modestly-powered.    Here it is next to my CB650R.  Now, it is in the foregroud, which will make it loom a bit larger - bit the CB is on front and rear stands and sitting higher.  Actual difference in seat height is only about an inch and a half.

[DriverJeff]

MONKEY!!!  That's awesome!  Love the little saddle bag on it too. 

Side note:  what's the jacket the missus is wearing?  I might suggest that one to Allie.  She's still wearing the same old jacket she got a zillion years ago back before they really made women's motorcycling jackets and it's not... err... terribly flattering.

[Jaeger]

MONKEY!!!  That's awesome!  Love the little saddle bag on it too. 

Side note:  what's the jacket the missus is wearing?  I might suggest that one to Allie.  She's still wearing the same old jacket she got a zillion years ago back before they really made women's motorcycling jackets and it's not... err... terribly flattering.

  The saddle bag is a neat little piece - actually really nice quality leather, which I wasn't expecting.

Jacket is in the link below - really a heck of a deal for leather with armor. And again - the leather is quite nice.  Description says back protector not included, but ours came with one.  So definitely don't buy one if you order the jacket - even if yours doesn't come with one istalled, we have a spare. 

https://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/en_CA/?ObjectPath=/Shops/10207048/Products/Bogotto-Chicago-Lady-Leather-Jacket/SubProducts/Bogotto-Chicago-Lady-Leather-Jacket-0013

[Jaeger]

First full road ride today.  Just local streets, but riding in traffic is a whole new world compared to the parking lot.  Handled it like a boss. 

[Jaeger]

Met Rob for coffee in Milton, then went for a quick rip - next thing I know we're at the Forks of the Credit. 

[Jaeger]

KTM 790 Duke returns!

Now with less power!

And made in China!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WGDZeDBY6M

Okay, so my job interview with KTM Marketing didn't go especially well. 

Back when I was shopping, KTM had nothing absolutely nothing to offer me.  I quite liked the 390 Duke, but figured (correctly) that I'd soon want more power.  But there was nothing between that and the 890 Duke, which was and is a very serious machine indeed.  The 790 still arguably sits just on the other side of the fence of what might be appropriate for a new rider, but it's almoast within arm's reach. 

I will say that the appeal of the insect-like design language of KTM's naked bikes has dissippated quite rapidly for me - though I give them credit for being distinctive, as I can alsways spot a Duke on the road.  And strangely, I am really digging the equally insect-like design language of the Triumph Street Triple.  But hey, not all insects look alike. 

[No H2O]

KTM 790 Duke returns!

Now with less power!

And made in China!!

But where was the engine assembled? Sort of like my old KLR 650 Made in Thailand, but the engine I believe was assembled in Japan.

One thing about KTM, very nice components, suspension, etc.

Just that the seat on the 620 or 640 single from the about 20 years ago was like sitting on a piece of OAK. So I parked my bike there as I was passing through so that they can see what a comfortable seat was like, one that I can do 1500 clicks a day on. Buggers never came out. Thirty minutes later, my life changed.

[Jaeger]

But where was the engine assembled? Sort of like my old KLR 650 Made in Thailand, but the engine I believe was assembled in Japan.

China:

"The revival of the 790 Duke comes with KTM’s partnership with Chinese manufacturer CFMoto, who will be tasked with production of the 799cc LC8c parallel-twin engine. Claimed power output remains 105 hp at 9,000 rpm and 64 lb.-ft. of torque at 8,000 rpm, which means the 95 hp and 58 lb.-ft. recorded on the Cycle World dyno should still hold true."

https://www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/ktm-790-duke-first-look-2023/

[Great_Big_Abyss]

So my Dad, in NB, is in his mid-70's, and no longer as strong as he used to be.  He doesn't feel confident riding a traditional motorcycle on the roads anymore, as he finds them to be a little heavy.  I think he's decided to sell his big Harley (which he never really liked in the first place - he's not a 'Harley' guy).  He refuses to go the Can-Am Spyder/Ryker route (even though one of his friends has one and LOVES it). 

So he bought a used side car, painted it, and put it on his ten year old Triumph Bonneville.  It's almost ready for riding season, and should buy him another few years of riding before he has to give it up for good.  I'm thinking of buying him a leather helmet and some goggles, lol.

[ktm525]

Cool. I am sure he will be careful but sidecars handle completely different than a motorcycle. AS I get older I just plan to get lighter and lighter motorcycles. Eventually ending up with a monkey. 

[Jaeger]

Whoa that is way cool - props to your Dad for finding a way to keep riding.

Just say no to the leather helmet, though. 

[Arthur Dent]

That side car is definitely neat looking. I think most people use them to carry dogs.

[rrocket]

That side car is definitely neat looking. I think most people use them to carry dogs.

There's also a learning curve to driving these.

Needed to re-learn a few things the first time I drove one.

[Arthur Dent]

No leaning would be a big thing I suspect. They'd steer quite differently I'd imagine. I likely would not own one myself but would love to give someone else one a go.