The HUBB

Gearing change. Same bike � changed characteristic.

G600 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:05:28 GMT

Hi all.

Little info for those considering some gearing changes�

The bike is a 2005 TT600RE. The stock front sprocket is 15t.I got my 14t front sprocket from wemoto yesterday and installed it this morning. Then I went for a ride, 40 Km offroad/trails, 70Km road, 20 Km around town.

The sprocket is made by �Techcorps�. It looks like a quality part, I like how they let the splines run the whole width of the sprocket, and not only 2/3 of the way like on the stock Yamaha (see pic).

The sprocket swap was straight forward. I did not need to shorten the chain, I had enough adjustment left.

General:
The bike feels more responsive, the difference is very noticeable. With the stock gearing the bike felt a little lazy, but now it will pull better out of turns and feel more �awake�. Gearing changes have great impact on how smaller capacity bikes feel, but I did not expect this big thumper to react this much to one tooth change on the front sprocket.

Offroad:
Big improvement. The first gear is now OK (but a little high), and the second nearer to it. Much easier to find the right gear in the rough.

Dirtroads/trails:
Big improvement. The bike is now plain more fun. It will pull better out of corners. Easier to power slide. More responsive.

Road:
The sweet spot in fifth gear is now around 90 KM/H, perfect IMHO. I was not happy with the stock gearing on the road, fifth was often to high ( no lugging - fifth gear problem) so I was changing between fifth and fourth a lot (uphill, downhill, wind, exc) . I hardly ever ride the bike over 100 KM/H for any length of time due to the upright sitting position and the lack of windshield. For people riding over 100 KM/H for long periods of time it�s better not to lower the gearing. I did run the bike for a short period at 110KM/H and it was OK I guess, but the RPM�s felt a little high.

Wheelies:
Big improvement. I have been pulling wheelies in second gear on this bike, I am not good enough to use first gear. To lift the bike, with the stock gearing, I needed to move backwards on the bike, hit the front brake hard to compress the forks and then, when the forks rebounded, clutch and throttle aggressively. Timing was everything. Hard to do. Now the procedure is the same, but *MUCH* easier.

So for me, this change was 100% positive. Bigger difference than I expected for sure. But for someone that mainly rides on the road at higher speeds� not a good idea.

F650GS for sale, Oxford, UK.....

Steve Pickford — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:35:32 GMT

Advertising on behalf of a friend:

"2003, arctic silver BMW F650 GS. 8950 miles. Excellent condition. One previous owner. MOT till December 2010, six months road tax. Just serviced this month plus full dealership valet and ACF-50 treatment. Full service history. Garaged underground. Includes 2 touring cases. A rare buy. �2898
Call Ray on 01865-552288, bikes in Oxford"

I've seen the bike in the flesh, the description is accurate, couple of pics:

Only contact me if you're unable to get in touch with Ray.

Travel to Europe (Norway)

barny'sklr — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:32:06 GMT

I am new to this site. I am planning on going to Norway for my parents 50th wedding aniversery and would like to make a dream come true by traveling europe on my bike. Here is the problem I really would like to take my bike, my dog and myself all on one flight or ship. Is there a company that I can take the dog with me in the cabin as I really don't want to have him stached away in a storage bin. He is a 22 lb cocker spaniel.

Long Way Up - Well at least Claudio's doing it.

Alexlebrit — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:02:38 GMT

Looks like at least one of the team's getting their Pan-American adventure.

Links and stuff HERE

Could be something to watch out for on the road next year. Who knows they might even like a little help?

D Day To Berlin

BORN2BMILD — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:22:27 GMT

we are looking for bikers to join in a charity bike ride from d day landing beaches to berlin in 1 day for help for heroes it will take place on 6th june 2010 early stages at the moment it will be a pay your own exspenses as we want all the money you get sponsered to go to help for heroes more the merrier let me know if your intrested
cheers tim

Fuel prices in Vietnam at the moment...

FUTURE — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:19:01 GMT

Hi. Can anyone tell me how much fuel is per litre at the momeent in Vietnam?? :scooter:

TIA

Yamaha Tenere / XT500/600 etc series, BMW F650, R80/100GS, R11xxGS, Suzuki 650 single

gusonopa — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:41:57 GMT

Any of these Bikes would do !!!

i land in Santiago in May 2010!!!

i can come and collect the bike if is all good!! ;)!!!

scrmtt (at) hotmail (dot) com:scooter:

Riding buddy through centrel america

stacyanddan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:54:31 GMT

Hi Guys
I am a 31 year old Aussie riding a KLR. I previously road from the US down through Mexico over a four month period. I have stored my bike near the boarder for the last 5 months and returned to work for a while and now I am getting back on it. I plan on crossing the Mexican/Guatemalan border at Tapachula around the 26th of November heading south. I have no real time frame or itinerary, just take each day as it comes and go where ever looks good. If anyone is around that way and would like to hook up for a bit you would be more than welcome as it is so much more fun riding with someone. Drop me a line if anyone is interested. I have a bit of knowledge of Guatemala as I lived there for a few months about a year ago but nothing further.
Dan

Kathamandu

DuncanCarwright — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:52:56 GMT

Hi,

Currently in Kathmandu and will be shipping to Thailand soon Yn Shallah when I find a decent company to do it. Anyone about going the same way to share a crate and costs or just to meet up for a beer and share tales of the road?

Am staying at Tibet Peace Guesthouse - KTM 640 Adventure.

Duncan

Mobile internet - Europe. greece turkey middle east

Arow — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:34:26 GMT

What do you guys do aside from public wi-fi spots?

I just read this fascinating page on Turkey using sim
nomadic-one.com - Affordable Internet anywhere in Turkey through GPRS/EDGE

but it sounds complicated to me, I've not travelled with laptop before how do you use one in conjunction with a mobile phone?

getting to Vladivostok

mlpisula — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:56:48 GMT

Two questions:

1. Where is the best place to ship a motorcycle (via air) to begin a ferry ride over to Vladivostok? Korea or Japan.

2. Where to ship out of US from? LA, SanFran or Seattle?

Thanks

looking for company down morocco and mauri

regulator — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:19:19 GMT

Anyone wants a tag along for some of the way??? My friend pulled out 4days before departure after a year of planning. Going solo now, but won�t mind meeting other riders.
Planning to be in rabat 23/24 nov.

regulator

Rabat 23/24 nov 09

regulator — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:14:37 GMT

My friend pulled out 4days before depature, so now I am going solo, heading south.
Will be in Rabat 23/24.nov. Anybody want to team up??

Regulator

wanted r100 gs uk

jackass dave — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:49:04 GMT

wanted r100gs,cash waiting ,please no dogs ,or rough ones,im looking for a sweet running r100 gs ,i wont waste your time ,ihave cash waiting,anything as long as its not purple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please ring 0208 502 5770,must be within a few hours of the m25

West Africa to Spain with ferry??

mlock — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:13:03 GMT

I would like to ask if anyone know how to ship with ferry from Banjul or Dakar port bike + 1 rider to South Spain. How long it takes ?

Thank you in advance!