Traded In...

Well, only gone and done it; traded in my Thundercat for something bigger and more comfortable.

Been saying that I would for a long while, but the straw that broke the camel's back (hah!) was after this last rideout to Matlock - my back was sore as hell. Decided after that that I need a cruiser in my life.

Went to Pidcocks in Long Eaton, traded in the Thundercat for a big old comfy cruiser.  

You'll be glad to know that I'm sticking with the Yamaha brand!

New bike is an XVS 1300 Midnight Star. Huge V-twin engine. Thunderous exhaust note. Super relaxed and comfy riding position.

Picking it up a week on Friday. First port of call will be to fit some black leather saddlebags, some engine bar and a screen.  

The Thundercat's served me very well, but the riding position (despite it being a lot softer than an R6 etc) is just too cramped and too hunched over for me. Will miss it, but looking forward to cruising the open road with a monstrous, torque-laden v-twin rumbling away beneath me.  

I shall certainly stick around here, though, as there's some nice chaps an there's some local people that I wouldn't mind going for a rideout with, too!

Nice one, show us some pictures when you've picked the Star up.

GazzyG wrote:I shall certainly stick around here, though, as there's some nice chaps an there's some local people that I wouldn't mind going for a rideout with, too!

Nice of you to say, and we'll see you on one of the rides perhaps - [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] - or at Matlock for a bag o chips

Nice one, a few of us have changed bikes for a more comfortable riding position.
 
Enjoy the new beast.
 
Ellie

Need pics when you get it, nothing that captures the "active ingredient" of the assless chaps though   

One of my mates back up north just bought a Yamaha Dragstar, I've only seen the pics but it looks MASSIVE then I found out it's only a 650 twin, I was well shocked, I would love a go though.

The only chopper I've ridden was the Suzuki M1800, pulled your arms off in a straight line but scraped pegs at the slightest hint of a corner, my mate who has ridden a few choppers said it's definitely the worst of all the one's he's been on for that. Just googled yours and it looks cool.

You getting any extras, saddlebags or different exhaust?

Always a sad day when the cat has to go but if she was making life uncomfortable then the time is right, good luck with the new steed, sounds like a bit of a beast, as others said get some pics up when you get her, we like pictures.

I'm still Convinced I'll have another cat one day, I got rid of mine for different reasons but she was such a good tourer and never let me down. Never put a foot wrong on an icy trip to North Wales fully loaded camping and I won't forget that.

Best of luck with it and glad you're sticking around.

0ldcat wrote:Nice one, show us some pictures when you've picked the Star up.

GazzyG wrote:I shall certainly stick around here, though, as there's some nice chaps an there's some local people that I wouldn't mind going for a rideout with, too!

Nice of you to say, and we'll see you on one of the rides perhaps - [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] - or at Matlock for a bag o chips

Cheers Oldcat! Will certainly be posting some pics up, have no fear of that. And Matlock is my usual haunt on the bike, so always ready to meet people there.

ellie wrote:Nice one, a few of us have changed bikes for a more comfortable riding position.
 
Enjoy the new beast.
 
Ellie

Thanks Ellie! Yeah, it's all about being comfortable; if you don't have that comfort, you can't relax and enjoy the bike.

stretchie_ wrote:Need pics when you get it, nothing that captures the "active ingredient" of the assless chaps though   

One of my mates back up north just bought a Yamaha Dragstar, I've only seen the pics but it looks MASSIVE then I found out it's only a 650 twin, I was well shocked, I would love a go though.

The only chopper I've ridden was the Suzuki M1800, pulled your arms off in a straight line but scraped pegs at the slightest hint of a corner, my mate who has ridden a few choppers said it's definitely the worst of all the one's he's been on for that. Just googled yours and it looks cool.

You getting any extras, saddlebags or different exhaust?

Hey stretchie! I'm afraid you won't want to see MY ass, haha!

Yeah, the 1300cc V-twin on this new bike has MONSTER torque, but lower revs, so should make for a very different (and hopefully more relaxing) riding experience. Unsure about extras atm. This one already has a pillion backrest and some super-loud cobra shotgun exhausts.

The 'Cat has a Viper can which is loud. But the noise this Midnight Star makes is LOUD, lol. One of the things that sold it to me.

Snowcat wrote:Always a sad day when the cat has to go but if she was making life uncomfortable then the time is right, good luck with the new steed, sounds like a bit of a beast, as others said get some pics up when you get her, we like pictures.

I'm still Convinced I'll have another cat one day, I got rid of mine for different reasons but she was such a good tourer and never let me down. Never put a foot wrong on an icy trip to North Wales fully loaded camping and I won't forget that.

Best of luck with it and glad you're sticking around.

Absolutely! There is nothing wrong with a Thundercat and I'd recommend it to anyone. Faultlessly reliable, fast enough, capable two-up. Even looks good.

GazzyG wrote:

stretchie_ wrote:Need pics when you get it, nothing that captures the "active ingredient" of the assless chaps though   

Hey stretchie! I'm afraid you won't want to see MY ass, haha!

Just highlighted a very important part, don't want you getting the wrong idea

Glad to hear you are happy with your new steed.
Hope you informed the new owner about our site here too.
This place is full of ex-Thundercatters so there is still room at the inn

Cheers
Rosco

??? this one>? [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

TomCom wrote:??? this one>? [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That's the beaut, my friend.

Same colour, but with a pillion backrest and aftermarket pipes

GazzyG wrote:Same colour, but with a pillion backrest and aftermarket pipes

I misread that as "With a pillion basket", now THAT would be a site

 

Well, after much umming and arring, I never did end up going for the Midnight Star.

Something else caught my eye.

Say hello to my Bonneville T100.

She had 1 mile on the clock this morning when I picked her up. Now has 26. Hoping to get to the 500 mile mark and the first service within the next coupla weeks

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very nice mate, classic bonnie. be careful to scrub the tyres before you try get your knee down though!

Now that's a nice looking bike, grats!

Great choice of bike, you will have to get used to hairy assed, bearded, fully badged up black leathered, blokes stopping you for a chat every time you park it up. Trust me I drive a Triumph TBird and have often drove passed places just to avoid contact.

stevemcc wrote:. . . .  have often drove passed places just to avoid contact.

Corse, in my day sonny . . . . I had a TriTon inna Fevva-bed Frame, . . . no fuel indyjeschun system , just twin webbing gasperators and no ekg, just points, and the only map we ad was how ta get from the Ace ta Brighton . . . . and corse we 'ad ta kick 'em ta start 'em.

 

Thats the very man. Met lots of them today at Royal Wooton Bassett.

Lovely looking bike. I've been looking at the scrambler for a while now, beautiful piece of engineering, but only as a second toy of course.

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Thanks for the comments, all!

Really enjoying riding it so far. Obviously it doesn't have the outright oomph the 'Cat had, but it's very comfortable for long hours in the saddle, very confidence inspiring handling and the looks... well, it just gets comments whenever I park it up, haha.

Johnelcoat - I was drooling over the Scrambler whilst in the dealership; it's the Steve McQueen Great Escape bike, if I recall. Looks incredible, partic with the stock exhausts...

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0ldcat wrote:

stevemcc wrote:. . . .  have often drove passed places just to avoid contact.

Corse, in my day sonny . . . . I had a TriTon inna Fevva-bed Frame, . . . no fuel indyjeschun system , just twin webbing gasperators and no ekg, just points, and the only map we ad was how ta get from the Ace ta Brighton . . . . and corse we 'ad ta kick 'em ta start 'em.

 

I went to the TRL at Crowthorne on Saturday to take part in one of their trials. It involved riding on a short stretch of road and stopping, engine off, to answer questions. And repeat, many, many times. I didn't envy the guy in front of me on an older Triumph with kickstart.