Ace is going... but not without a fight!

That's right, I'm moving on from the Ace, it's a great bike but it's just impossible to ride sensibly! My commute is on the same lovely twisties that I do my hard riding on so the bike just teases me when I try to be 'economical', as a result I'm spending more on fuel and rear tyres than I can justify so it's time to go for something more 'sensible'.

....however! I had someone coming to pick the Ace up yesterday, offering me full asking price, good right?!

Well... I noticed my bite on the clutch had mysteriously lowered when I took it in for its mot on Saturday (which it passed ). When I got the bike out ready (buyer was travelling 80 miles which gave me time to clean it) I though I'd better check the clutch and maybe bleed it (hydraulic). As luck would have it (not) the clutch had gone!! ...I called the buyer to let them know what was happening, just incase I couldn't rectify the problem, they said they will come anyway and had faith in me to sort it as it has a new clutch.

So I tried to remove the reservoir and top up/bleed the fluid, but one of the screws has round out (was very soft) and I didn't have a drill :( ...however on inspection of the window, there seemed to be enough. My thoughts then led me to believe it was something else as it was strange that the bite had only dopped over the last couple of days and there are no leaks.

Acting on this I took the clutch apart and managed to lose the push rod ball bearing!! managed to get a replacement (not exact fit) after running from shop to shop. Whilst in a rush I overtightened the screws on one of the springs and it snapped

So it looks like the Ace doesn't want to go just yet lol. Going to be doing some drilling on Wednesday, fingers crossed I'll have it back up and running ready for the next buyer.

Moral of the story is... leave it to the pro's

See you should have just come out for the ride rather than trying to sell

Well still wouldn't have had a clutch, would have been a lumpy ride out ...hope you had a good one.

So if your going for economy and sensible is another 'Cat on the horizon?

I did look at one funnily enough, but not sure I can go back to a 600, I really like BIG bike bikes. I'm actually looking at a Honda Pan st1100 or zzr1100 or blackbird... I know these all have the ability to not be sensible, but the styling of them encourages more tourer than sports tourer, if you know what I mean.

I may actually just keep the Ace until after BC then pack in biking for a while until I can afford to spend a decent amount of money after I buy a house (with garage)... I'm getting fed up with having older bikes and having to keep them outside to rot.

Blackbird is a nice machine. Had a go one one before. Ballistic!! Not that much different from the Ace to be honest. Just a bit more modern.
Yes having a garage makes such a difference. I am in the process of building a double garage and it ain't cheap!!
Could always pick up a cheap hack until funds/garage situation becomes more favourable.

Problem is, what defines a hack? lol ...I'm happy to have a bike that doesn't look great, but it still needs to have some oomph and handle well (enough).

I've found an ST1100 going cheap, like any honda's these are bullet proof, so I think I'll give this a go once the Ace is sold... it's sensible at least and ideal for commuting, plus they're no slouch, even in the twisties (apparently).

CHRISTINE LOL

You can hussle an ST, but it would be like water skiing behind the Queen Mary.
Thought you needed economy too, the ST can be heavy on tyres

Yeah I'm struggling Tony, maybe I'll just get a cb500   

CB500 is a much under rated bike, they had there own race series at one time. Could be a good option, but good ones go for strong money.

It sticks in my throat to recommend a BMW but have you considered a F800S or R. Quite good fun to ride and stupidly good on fuel

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2005/6 S models should be getting cheaper by now

Thanks Tony, unfortunately I'm not allowed to spend much on another bike lol so I wouldn't be able to get anything as modern as that, otherwise I'd be buying a k1300 r or s... maybe next year

Just going to keep my eye out for something that pops up in my price range, just spotted an aprilia peggaso 650, looks like fun

Cb500's are alright bike for beginners, but I found mine very 'bland'

What about a vfr750 or 800 vtec?
They're awesome bikes, and pull well, my friend has one and dependent on his riding, gets pretty good fuel economy

what about a fazer ?

VFR 750 is on my radar, as for a Fazer, unless it's a 1000cc I would just get thundercat rather than a 600 fazer. I will be keeping my eye out for a thundercat as they are brilliant bikes, but I would prefer to experiment a bit and have larger bike.

Thanks for your suggestions guys, should be getting the Ace sorted tonight and I've had a decent offer for it come through

Wish me luck!

Get a Honda Firestorm... in Orange preferably  

Maybe someone on here still remembers mine from 10 or so years ago...

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Mind you... fuel economy is horrific and the rear tire wears out very quickly.

On the plus side... Fast, great sound with those Scorpion cans, handles quite well.

hmmm not sure your helping Thomas!   

Looks very nice though and liking the matching lid.

... and knee sliders   

I thought they were just red hot from sliding

You're in a difficult position Paul to be honest, the ace is a great bike for that kind of commute but as you say the performance you get and no doubt enjoy invariably results in increased fuel and tyre use, if you go to a 600 or less you're going to have to compromise somewhere on performance to claw back the expense and preserve your licence. An alternative is to step back and forward at the same time.... Buy two bikes. A low CC commuter for work and a weapon for weekends and fun. Not sure about the length of your commute but you could pick up a cheap 250cc which will be uber economical and then save for your bigger toy, a 750/1000cc that comes out to play when the sun shines. Just a thought

Sounds like a very sensible idea Steve, only problem I'd have there is that it's not long until BC so I wouldn't have very long to save up and there is no way I'm missing it!!

I have a lot of thinking to do! I know I need to make a big compromise somewhere, I am steering towards the Honda Pan though as you can get very good fuel economy from these and the because of the type of bike it is, it would discourage me from thrashing it on my commute.... thinking about my young family, it would be ideal for me to steer away from the big all out sports bikes anyway!

Yeah funds are usually the solution to these problems, I know myself, otherwise we'd all have a garage full of bikes, one for each and every occasion.

I fully understand your comment about the family as well, something not always taken into account when making these decisions.

If it helps, I ran Pans for about 12 years and did about 100,000 miles on them, absolutely bullet proof, and could run rings round a lot of sports bike riders as well.

Yes that does help! Thanks Terry   

You could always take a step one stage back & get an Exup? Would tick all the boxes except the commute I guess? Plenty of good examples going for little money, especially the later RU models