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| The Manxman |
The Triumph has been packed and I'm ready for the 08:30 ferry in the morning to Heysham.
After docking it will be a 7hr ride up to Ullapool where I'm booked into a hotel for four nights.
The plan is to do the NW coast of the highlands and a tour around Skye.
It doesn't look like I will be getting the glorious weather that I rode in last year, but I'm prepared for that.
While waiting for the carburetter refurb kit to arrive I turned attention to the seized front caliper.
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After a strip down and good clean i fitted it with new seals and pistons.
It's back on the bike now and working as it should.
I used to have a hydraulic bike table to elevate bikes to be worked on, I gave it away when I stopped racing.
I now need something to get the dommie raised so its easier for my old bones to work.
I have ordered one of these off Amazon
Carb is a bit of a faff to remove.
After disconnecting the throttle cables, choke and fuel pipes - releasing the bolts to the airbox allows it to be wiggled back a few inches to allowed just enough room for the carb to be removed from its isolator and pulled clear of the frame.
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| Carburettor on the bench waiting for parts |
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| Honda NX650T |
A sunny day at last after a bit of weeding in the garden the Tiger was fired up for a ride around the south of the island below are some picture of Port Erin and the Calf of Man at the sound.
I cant remember the last time there was a decent break in the weather that coincided with me having time to go for a ride. It seems to of rained everyday since last year, on the few days it didn't rain we had snow.
I've been dreaming of getting out on the tiger for a tour, so today I have booked the ferry for the 13th April and hotel accommodation for a week in Ullapool in the highlands of Scotland.
I hoped to get the NW of the NC500 done and a tour of Skye.
Fingers crossed I have decent weather, It was sunshine all the way when I did the NC500 in April 25.
I fitted a couple of blanking plates for the passenger foot pegs that I removed from the tiger.
They are very well made - machined R&G items - not sure if I like the look of them or not but at least they will keep the crud out of the bolt holes.
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| Arriving at the hospice. |
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| Still from a video of me on the Triumph. |
Home is the Isle of Man that little rock in the Irish sea the world forgets about until the TT comes along.
There are plenty of roads to ride other than the TT course.
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| Port St Mary |
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| Sulby Reservoir. |
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| Gregneash Village |
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| Derbyhaven. |
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| Baldwin. |
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| Point of Ayre |
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| Druidale |
I thought I would give my opinion of the Triumph 900 Gt Pro now I have owned it for a couple of months and ridden it for over two thousand miles.
Firstly it is a great bike to ride, all day comfortable (I have put a Cool Cover on the rider seat). Its nimble through the flicky bits and enough grunt to make overtaking a pleasure.
The Brembo brakes are excellent, The wing mirrors are the best I have ever had on a bike. The centre stand makes chain maintenance and rear wheel cleaning easier.
As for all the electronic malarky that is fitted to it - I'm still sitting on the fence, in as much as I'm not sure that some of it is needed ( by me ).
ABS - is the only electronic gizmo I am used too and is good to have.
Traction control & cornering ABS If this system has helped my riding in anyway I have never noticed.
Electronically adjusted rear suspension- I'm used to doing my set up manually in my garage just the once . I don't need to fiddle with it when I'm on a ride.
Rider modes - I changed from dry to rain a few times on my LE trip if it was helping in anyway I couldn't tell.
Heated grips and seat - I haven't used yet but will be great on chilly rides.
TFT display - good and clear, I would like the engine temperature reading on the start up display and not have to flick through the menus to find it, the same with the odometer which is only read in the service menu.
Quick Shifter & Blipper. I very rarely use as I keep forgetting it exists, my left hand automatically pulls on the clutch lever when ever my boot moves the gear lever up or down.
My favourite electronic gizmo is the self cancelling indicators, reassuring to know it's there for those forgetful times.
All in all its a fantastic bike and I'm really pleased I opted for the 900 GT Pro tiger, but if I had my time over again I would have got the GT version without the quick shifter and electronic suspension and saved myself a bit of cash.
At this years TT races it was the 25th anniversary of the Joey Dunlop lap of honour.
A lap that i did on my old Yamaha Fazer. Roll on 25years and I'm here again doing it on the Triumph.
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| Joey's memorial on the mountain. |
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| 2025, I'm on the second bike in this photo, setting off from the Grandstand. |
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| 2000 I'm about half way up on the left. |
