MacDoc's new ride 2015 CB300 to 2018 MT03 to 2017 GS310 now sold!

[MacDoc]

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First ride on the MT-03 thoughts. 130 km out and back to Port Douglas. Missed having the laptop
300 km on the trip meter took 10.4L for fill up so had over 3L left when into last bar. Found a decent burger too.

Thought I might need a windscreen coming back into headwinds of 30 kph today but turned out okay.
I think the tank bag I’m pretty much forced into will sit so high with the quick connect it will take the wind stream up just as well as a shorty screen would

Need my farkles
Throttle lock, Grip buddies, cramp busters and cup holder….was very dry today.
Was surprised my hands were fine on the thinner grips but it was a short ride.

The saddle is decently comfortable but hard. Thinking might be okay with the Air Hawk on. There are third party solutions I really like Corbin saddles.but $440 US is way too much and that’s just for the solo saddle alone.

Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Yamaha YZF R3 | 800-538-7035

Corbin Motorcycle Seats, Saddles, and Accessories Online

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I’ll try tomorrow ( tho I have to deliver the Honda )…and remove the pillion seat and bungie the laptop on…did that on the Honda before I had the topcase.
Not quite as easy as mounting the Honda but I think that's just muscle memory...if I think about getting my leg a tad higher it is fine. With the pillion off will be very easy.

Power is fun to have tho sixth gear seems more an overdrive….nice and lively in 5th.
Actually cruising at 100 KP is higher at 7k than the Honda but then the red line is waaaay higher.

Passing is much easier tho a gear drop is useful. Felt pretty good by the time I got home. Pretty happy with the purchase and the online transfer for the Honda went through well.
Riding the Honda back from the dealer was like putting on a pair of comfortable old shoes but I''m liking the Yammie.

 

[MacDoc]

Might have been a red Ninja owner. Pretty decent deal I would have gone after.

2016 Ninja ,18,000 km $4k asking some minor cosmetic issues. 39 HP so more than the Honda, less that the Yammie...but it RED!!!! I wish I could find a pillion cover like that but that is flat/low profile ...looks good.
Red levers are cute.

In another life would tour Australia with this 2004 ST

111,000 km $3700 ono...and it's RED !!! Honda does paint really well. My red 94 ST1100 had lovely paint.
Why does that look more like an ST1300? Listing maybe wrong? Oh Wait - it's listed just as 2004 ST my bad.
Lovely bike. 730 lb wet ....ugh.

 

[Sunday Rider]

Might have been a red Ninja owner. Pretty decent deal I would have gone after.
View attachment 70131
2016 Ninja ,18,000 km $4k asking some minor cosmetic issues. 39 HP so more than the Honda, less that the Yammie...but it RED!!!! I wish I could find a pillion cover like that but that is flat/low profile ...looks good.
Red levers are cute.

In another life would tour Australia with this 2004 ST
View attachment 70132
111,000 km $3700 ono...and it's RED !!! Honda does paint really well. My red 94 ST1100 had lovely paint.
Why does that look more like an ST1300? Listing maybe wrong? Oh Wait - it's listed just as 2004 ST my bad.
Lovely bike. 730 lb wet ....ugh.

You had me at Honda ST .....

 

[mimico_polak]

Very nice @MacDoc! Enjoy it! I'm jealous of 300km for only 10L! Here I am 10L < 170km....ugh.

 

[MacDoc]

Stupid hot and muggy today....was out before nine working on farkles etc and sweating like a pig. Of course working in the tropical sun does not help
Took a break, move the new bike under the carport as I had to reach the 12vpower port on the Honda. I decided to leave that with the bike. They are cheap enough and did not feel like taking it off.

I think the bars are a bit wider on the Yammie which is useful. There is no way there is enough play in the cables for a 1"riser tho.
Got the cramp busters on both sides, Grip Buddy on one side and the throttle lock.
Cup holder fit the charm.



This is approx what it will look like with the Givi 6L tank lock bag.
I ordered the tank lock ring specific to the MT-03model. I let my phone mount go with the Honda but might regret that as I think the Givi solution might get too hot. I do like the Givi has a wiring port.

Phone will overheat - would like something with clear cover for the gate opener so maybe it will work.


I have to secure the laptop case ..it's just sitting there in the photo but easily cleared by my boot for getting on. The case has pretty good cushioning and the laptop pros are tough when closed....even dropped mine from bike height to concrete on its corner and while there was a ding...no impact on operation.
Contacted the seller and he said he did not get a tool kit tho he got a manual which he gave me.
His new Kawasaki came with neither...wow - talk about corner cutting.

 

[MacDoc]

Very nice @MacDoc! Enjoy it! I'm jealous of 300km for only 10L! Here I am 10L < 170km....ugh.

you are paying for your thrill at the throttle.
The Yammie gives me a little thrill over the Honda and very little difference in fuel use. Mind you if I run it in the twists at 8-10k rpm that will change right quick

Now the CB500x you abandoned gave no thrills but superb mileage and range. 450+ on a tank.
It was happy all day at 140kph in the fast lane. My CB300 would not be.
The Yamaha? maybe tho no wind protection which was excellent with the Madstad on the X.
It was great going across Canada on it ....could never do those long days now.

 

[Sunday Rider]

Curious about the need for the laptop case. Do you take it everywhere or just on weekend trips?

 

[MacDoc]

Everywhere...initially it was for work but now it is for reading on the road, catching up and uploading photos etc. Working on it now while watching a series.
I'll ride to a destination, have lunch and read then ride home. 120km to 400km loops. Wonderful roads in the area. The Gillies is 19k, 260 turns and 1,000 foot climb

 

[GreyGhost]

Curious about the need for the laptop case. Do you take it everywhere or just on weekend trips?

Given his apparent attachment to the laptop, I would be considering a laptop, I'd probably just go with a backpack. I assume he has some light MacBook and not a huge brick. I don't like a huge backpack on a bike but that should be small and light. Solves theft issues while off the bike too.

 

[MacDoc]

3lb, small 13" MacBook Pro and I hate back packs. I have it solved for the moment and it's lower than with the buddy seat ....which legally is supposed to be removed anyway.
It always comes off the bike with me ..theft not a concern. I just moved the zippers to the back so the laptop slides right out. Not entirely waterproof tho ...would move the laptop inside my jacket but might also have a waterproof plastic sleeve something to put it in....rather wait out the rain and read

There are good secure attachment points under the grip rails designed to hold stuff.

 

[Sunday Rider]

I used to have a netbook that would tuck in my tank bag and would take with me on long trips for work. The laptop I have now wouldn’t fit in the tank bag but I keep in top box if travelling. I don’t like riding with a backpack either.

 

[LePhillou]

3lb, small 13" MacBook Pro and I hate back packs. I have it solved for the moment and it's lower than with the buddy seat ....which legally is supposed to be removed anyway.
It always comes off the bike with me ..theft not a concern. I just moved the zippers to the back so the laptop slides right out. Not entirely waterproof tho ...would move the laptop inside my jacket but might also have a waterproof plastic sleeve something to put it in....rather wait out the rain and read
View attachment 70157
There are good secure attachment points under the grip rails designed to hold stuff.

** cough cough ** rhinowalk *cough cough*

cheap, weather-resistant (allegedly water proof) and its a very simple mounting system
the 20L bag fits my laptop and then some but something smaller would work as well with my 15" laptop
just a consideration

 

[MacDoc]

Yep except I still need to get my old achy leg over it on the 20 but the 10 just might work and there is a sale on
30.4 x 21.23 x 1.5 cm laptop
10L: 23*10.5*46.5cm tailbag
4" high...I can swing that,
For $36 worth it if that is shipped and Aus dollars - opted for Amazon with free shipping so can return. more secure than my current bungie rig and a larger but can I open from the top ( back )


That will work - thanks but I think the 20L is better.
It's 7" high - pretty sure I'm okay with it and like the bright yellow. Ordered

 

[Jayell]

Yep except I still need to get my old achy leg over it...

Like this:

 

[MacDoc]

Nope tried it. I discovered the way I did it on the CB500x with a 30L tail bag and I just have to get close to the bike and my knee through at the saddle then my leg clears the seat pretty high.
If anyone has a youth elixir I'm all ears....complete with hearing aids....sigh.
Gorgeous riding day. Just need to let the drugs kick in. Think I will wait on the Gillies but maybe Kuranda and then down the Rex if I'm comfortable.

Can get a Sunday roast at the Highlander if I'm so inclined. It's only 16 in Mareeba...maybe wait an hour.
Even the winds are light

 

[Jayell]

If anyone has a youth elixir I'm all ears....

You already have it. Now go ride it.

 

[MacDoc]

and I did ....had a best ever ride to the Highlander. Normally take a break in Mareeba but no need today.

Home - Julatten Hotel

Now open. Cold beers, hot meals, live music and more

julattenhotel.au

Bike was lively with the correct tire pressure...one was down to 22 psi.
Throttle lock was working nicely, Seat is definitely a bit more comfortable with the Airhawk on than the CB300.
The laptop survived perfectly and even had room for a hat.
Nice to have the better power to pass. Bike is easy to handle in the twists coming up the Kuranda Range road. Riding at somewhat higher rpm than the Honda.
Bike has a nice sound when winding it out and just a little rush....nothing like the CB1000F but then that thing never met a gas station it could pass up.
Only 300 km on a tank on a good day and the gauge just plummetted the last 1/4 tank and that was a 20L tank. Quicherbellyachin Mimico.
My Ozempic is at war with how good this is

Thank goodness for big pockets on my riding shirt,...wrapped a good chunk of dead pig for home. The chef knows his business and $22 all in.

 

[MacDoc]

Well got the laptop sorted. Case is very strong and well padded plus clearly waterproof including the zipper.
The bicycle bag on the left is easily under the straps without removing anything and provides maybe 3L - also water proof and I can get my leg over.


This Nelson Rigghowever is a stretch too far . That would be the most cost effective as I already owned the Nelson Rigg tail bag. It'ds brand new. Waterproof and rigid.....but at this point cannot clear it - mind you was in sock feet so might try tomorrow in my boots. It was not ridiculously far off ...however at the return point of a long ride might struggle.
Looks okay ..the laptop slides in directly from the back. I might prefer this bungie approach over the supplied straps. This looks okay but is strapped under the pillion seat which I have removed....with the pillion on no way I could clear it.

Getting there. If this worked I could almost go without a tankbag. Keep camera in the riding shirt and the gate opener is now on the keychain. If I need snack or meds wopuld make me stop and stretch and that's actually okay ....I tend NOT to take breaks when I should. I'll try the straps tomorrow but not sure without the pillion if they will work.

Getting a $15 replacement key tomorrow....much prefer to have two keys.

 

[Evoex]

For the next long distance dirt trip, I'm going full softbags. Almost broke my leg and foot the last time I went down with hardcases. I was looking at that Finpac case you mentioned with interest.

So far, I think I'll just wrap all my clothing around the laptop, and keep it in the centre of the topbag. Seems to be the most secure solution for my needs so far...

Westwind setup! Ask @Jayell for pics of the bags I sold him.

 

[Lightcycle]

Westwind setup! Ask @Jayell for pics of the bags I sold him.

Thanks. I looked at the bags on their website. Very similar to the Mosko Back Country panniers we put on Neda's bike:

I've got the Reckless 40 on my Enduro and really like it, so I'm leaning more towards the bigger Reckless 80 for the GS. More dirt-centric:

They mount a lot closer to the body for mass centralization. Should make the profile thinner and the bike easier to handle.

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