“A lot of people comment that I don’t clean my bikes. Screw you. Go clean your own bike” - love that

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

😁👍

Good to see you out on the Taureg, I almost got out last weekend as the weather was ideal. Didn't get round to it. Yeah I'm the same as you, ride as much as I can and don't just save 2 wheeled fun for the summer months. Get out there, life's short and I'll get a ride in whenever I can!

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Is at times hard to get motivated, but so very rewarding to play bikes in winter... and added safety bonus of not riding like a lemming in spring time!

Good to see you out with the weather playing nice looked like a great day 😎👍

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Aye, we have had a mix of it, but has been some glorious days if a bit cold

i have considered a 660 because of your content. I probably will not, because of the dealer network near me. But it is in my opinion the best mid adventure on the market!! Keep it!

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

It certainly is the best adv bike for my circumstances currently, so it is def not going anywhere just yet. Having a very good dealership just half hour from me is a huge benefit.

Hi Pete. Never in doubt for me mate. The Toerag will be the perfect bike for your camping trips and maybe for the odd less challenging trail when the ground is not too bad. Also a better choice than the 8S if the roads are wet and muddy Glad to hear that I'm not the only one with dirty bikes although in my case it's not intentional, I'm just not well enough to be out cleaning bikes at the moment. Cheers Pete 👍 Garry & Ruby

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

I imagine your idea of dirty is a little different to mine lol 😆 Sorry you are still feeling rough mate, you get a brief mention in my next week's vid coz of you being under the weather

@economicalrides

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones Awwww. Thanks mate. Too kind ! 🙏

I had the same problem with the CB500X. Turned out to be the tiniest of punctures. Very frustrating! Good to see the Tuareg on the road again. Hopefully that salt's gone soon! Have to admit that the Z1000 is now a 9 month bike and the Honda sees the salt.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Aye it was great to swing a leg over it, and to start making plans for the year with it. At least with the rain we keep having it is stopping the salt lingering on the roads.

The return of the big dog, glad she's not up for sale yet mate 😁

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

It is a bike that makes me happy to ride... although it is a big ol" whale compared to the Suzuki 🤣

I really enjoyed that on so many levels. It's great to see the old girl out again and hear the enthusiasm in your voice. These bigger ADV bikes offer so much, all year round - it's a no brainer IMHO

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Ta Paul... the Aprilia is an amazing motorcycle, both on and off road! 🙂

Glad to see the Tuareg out and about mate and that you're still loving it. I was actually at Box hill on Saturday morning for a ride with my London group, great views around there. Lots of changes in your fleet by the sounds of it depending on future possible developments from Aprilia. Sorry to hear about the few issues the bike has had however like you said, nothing major 🙂 Enjoy the camping with the lads, that's going to be a lot of fun I bet 🙂 I wear summer gear all year round, I just throw thermals and a hoodie under and over everything 😂 Great video mate. Hope you're doing well.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

It was great to get back out on it, it does feel like an absolute bus compared to the Suzuki though Hahaha 😀 Ahh cool, I was out on the beers on Friday night, so didn't play bikes on Saturday... Hope you had a good spin? One of the reasons I am able to ride all year is coz I wrap up warm... I'd not get anywhere near as much riding done if I wasn't warm... I hate getting cold lol... winter sucks! 😀 Yeah, the camping trips should be awesome, the Aprilia is the best bike for them even if they are road rides, it just does the carrying luggage etc better than my other bikes. Cheers RB, all good mate, hope you are too?

@TheRhythmicBiker

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDronesAha I bet, the Suzuki must feel like a supermodel in comparison😂 Hope you had a good Friday night on the beers. Saturday was fun despite the wind and little bit of rain, can't wait for the spring and summer to finally get here. Really looking forward to see any footage you all get from your camping trip, will be very entertaining I'm sure🙂

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@TheRhythmicBiker Aye, road tyres and suspension make such a difference! 🙂 Yeah, was a top night ta, we don't get to the pub very often these days, so was nice to catch up with some mates. I went out today with Phil480 which was nice, a bit drizzly, but still nice to play bikes. Oh mate, I am longing for spring and getting back out on the bikes in summer gloves again! It seems a while away to get to, but May will trundle around and will be awesome to get the tent out again.

It does look like a beautiful day. I can handle cold or wet, but not at the same time.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

In the UK we are so used to grotty weather, we kit up for it better I guess... not a problem I enjoy, but is nice to have good kit... Would love to be in your hemisphere and weather tho 😀

@hachewie

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones We are very lucky most of the time. Cold is rarely a factor. Hot can be very dangerous though. We had a 46 degree day a couple of years ago here in Sydney.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@hachewie OUCH... I think we hit 40' at the spring/summer of 2020 but were in lockdown so never had to deal with it. Normally in the UK we are lucky to see anything even in peak summer over 30'

Better yet have these folks come clean your bikes for you if it bothers them so much :P That'd be cool actually to get a blend of that and the Beta. I'd miss this bike too though, I love how it looks behind the bars and the sound etc. Just an awesome bike, I miss all bikes too though so ignore me :P I want to get a set of Klim at some point, just so bloody expensive. That is a bloody beautiful day. I need to just get heated gear here, the cold morning commutes are very cold at 80mph.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Haha... that would be nice! 😀 Mwooore boikes is best... just wish I had more room for them all! 😀The Aprilia is a cracking bike for sure, currently there isn't anything that comes close to offering the anything better, or even the same due to the height and weight of all the other ADV bikes currently available. Ooo, Klim is meant to be good... they work on layering don't they? So you buy the layers you need... base layer, armour, thermal, abrasion, waterproof? It was lovely, not mega cold either in the grand scheme of things. You def need some heated gloves... I've just got some and they are amazing!

Great to see you out on the Aprilia! A local dealer has a low miles Shiver 900 in stock right now. I’m trying to stay away from there, as I may be tempted to make a purchase earlier in the year than I planned! 😂 We had a warm, sunny day here today. Saw an old Yamaha sport bike out on the highway on the way home, so someone was making the most of it! 😃

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Them Shivers are nice.... go on, ya know you wanna... 🤣

I still love it too! I know what you mean about looking for that ideal bike, like a possible smaller Taureg, but I think it just doesn't pan out once you try to ride the smaller ones for long highway runs - a mate is coming back to the CB500 after trying a KTM390n Adv for a while, great bike but frustrating on long trips. Maybe if they did make one around the 500cc mark it would work... I totally agree with your sentiment on riding in all the weathers you have there. Here it is only the extreme heat that stops me, I abandoned a ride once in 46C - retreated to highway and a Motel with Air-Con - if I hadn't done that, dying was a possibility!! Keep the fun going Pete, I always enjoy watching :)

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

It is a cracking bike... another owner has lowered his, I'm waiting to see what he thinks about it... but if Aprilia don't build a bike to suit and another manufacturer does, I could be tempted away from the brand... but I don't want to as I really trust my dealership, which is rare for any brand. A smaller cc bike could be a pain on longer rides, but as long as it can do UK speed limits without feeling like I'm ragging the engine, it wouldn't be an issue as I have other bikes if wanting to get a wiggle on 🙂 WOW, 46' that is wild... yeah, def avoid long periods in that heat. The UK hit 40' during the forgotten years when we were in lockdown, country came to a halt almost! Thanks David, I very much enjoy our interactions on each others content 🙂

@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones Actually yeah, you don't have the distances we do just to get somewhere... (unless you do a massive Euro Trip) so a slightly smaller bike would be easier to tolerate when the highways stretches would be a lot smaller than here.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Yup, I'd love to go into Europe to explore the TET, and on the trails the cc is less important, but it would still need some legs to get there.@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger

Lovely day! I also don't understand why people put there bikes away for the winter either. I didn't make a video but I got out last week twice. We had some crazy mild weather it was lovely. We have another good looking day coming up to! Hopefully the forecast holds. Hope you enjoyed your lunch!

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

I've made a point recently of getting out on the bikes without cameras, gotta remember that we ride bikes first, vlog second. Hope you get some good playtime mate 🙂 Lunch was tasty 😛

@MonkeyButtRides

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones Exactly ride first. I usually do bring the cameras, at least the helmet cam. It's easy. Sometimes I don't turn them on but usually I do turn them on and let them record. I just end up throwing the footage away. Maybe I catch something interesting and make a quick short but it is nice to not feel obligated to edit anything or any of that shit. Just ride.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

🙂@@MonkeyButtRides

They do some real top nosh at Rykas. It's a lovely ride out for me, about a 100 mile round trip but I always get a few byways in at the same time and another meal and coffee at Newlands Corner before heading back.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Sounds like a perfect day out 🙂👍

Sounds bloody awesome! Sold mine as don’t do enough off road. Bought the Fantic 700 caballero and absolutely love it and sounds very similar!

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

The shop I get my MoTs done is a Fantic dealership, the Caballero 700 looks lovely.

@cooky6660

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones go get a test ride think you’ll be surprised. That Yamaha engine is just the nuts! Build quality is excellent as well. Although I did have an issue with the cover over the tank which was quickly taken care of under warranty. It has very similar roar from the air induction just like the Aprilia. The Fantic definitely feels a lot faster though.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

sadly they don't have a demo bike@@cooky6660

@cooky6660

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones😢 that’s a bummer

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

indeedy@@cooky6660

One more vote for all year riding....yes we have plenty of snow.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Aye... you looked like you were having a lot of fun in your garden on the monkey bike lol

I thought with the Tuaregs electronics package, muddy roads would not be a problem. We are lucky here in Australia. Pretty much can ride all year round.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

It is the offroad tyres that are an issue on tarmac. In the dirt, the bike is hugely capable... it is my short legs that let me down. Although I don't mind it getting dirty, I'd rather not fall off it from being careless. Having the little Beta for now allows me to ride in much murkier places with less concern for dropping it and more importantly, being able to pick it up after 😁

Hello sir! Binge watched your Tuareg episodes throughout most of the day, good stuff! Thank you! Just what i was looking for, 5'6" fella sharing his thoughts about his Tuareg. I'm excited bout getting one very soon, I'm the same height and have to tip toe on it as well, which is a buzz kill for me. I know the lowering seat helped a little for you which I plan on doing as well along with a lowering link that'll lower it by 1.25 inches. Have you considered installing one?

@HippoDrones

4 ай бұрын

Ahh brill stuff Marvin, glad you've found it helpful/entertaining. I sold the low seat almost as soon as I finished that video, it didn't offer enough vs what it took away, but the person I sold it to was very happy with it, so it works for some, just not me. I've heard people getting lowering links and dropping the forks to make it more accessible... You need to look at your use to decide if that is viable for you or not. Because I like to play in the sticky stuff and also some of our trails have gnarly rocks to negotiate (ok maybe not hard enduro gnarly, but trickier sections at least!) I really don't want to lose any ground clearance, so for me, lowering isn't an option as I have already found myself running out of ground clearance on occasion. The suspension does settle a bit after the first proper ride and the bike sits a little lower, you could also play with the bikes preload, but that will effect the road manners detrimentally. What is your inside leg length? Mine is 29"

@marvin86047

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for quick reply, inside leg is 29". I'm thinking, lower it temporarily till my confidence is up there then return to it's height, where im sure it likes to be 😁

@HippoDrones

4 ай бұрын

@@marvin86047 I'd take it for a good spin first, then see if you need to. I can just about cope with the height as is.

I really like the Toureg, but I had a couple of mates who had Aprillas in the 90s and they had constant issues and the bikes were in the dealers more than the were on the road... That was a long time ago and things have moved on so I need to get over it really. The flat tyre thing must be annoying. But it's a good middleweight and you fly the Aprilla flag well. Good to see some sunshine ☀️

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

In the past British bikes left oil all over the floor, Ducatis leaked electricity all over the floor and no one would dream of buying a Chinese car let alone motorcycle... Aprilia are not old Aprilia, they like all manufacturers have issues, but it seems from the forums that the main issues are in the USA where they do their own servicing... Read into that what you may! 😄

@exeterrider

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones very true, it dosent take much reading into it, it's not imperial spanners which is half the problem 🤣

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@exeterrider indeed... and a lot of people who home service don't get that you just can't do a lot of the maintenance now yourself thanks to all the computers attached to our vehicles nowadays.

I have the Motoz Tractionator GPS tires (front and rear) on my Tuareg and my front tire also loses air - about 2PSI per day. Motoz blames it on the rim design, but I never had a problem with the Pirelli's.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

It is def an issue with their tyres... I know of several people in my biking circle who have had the same with the front MotoZ tyres on various adv bikes.

Good to hear. Feel the same about mine. Have 8300mi on her. How many miles on yours? Valve-check scheduled maintenance yet?

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Next service will be valve check, not sure on exact miles, but will be around 10,000 ish currently.

Great videos. Have you gone for the lowering kit? If so how did you get on?

@HippoDrones

4 ай бұрын

Thank you. No, I didn't really want to lose any ground clearance as I've already found the limits of it on trails. with a 29" inside leg, I do struggle still, but I just have had to get used to it.

@crozatier333

4 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones Understood. Thanks for the response and keep up the good work

@HippoDrones

4 ай бұрын

Cheers Alex 🙂@@crozatier333

If Gaton Rahier can do it, you can 😎

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Ha... he rode a Suzuki though 😅

You're not riding it enough simple solution 🤣. Funny how disconnecting and reconnecting is the solution to just about everything. You taking the 8S on the Pezza patron trip. Glad to hear the Rykas is better. Certainly looks like they've revamped the place

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Probably be on the Aprilia as it has a rack for my tent etc. Rykas is def a lot better for the revamp 🙂

@LoneWallyUK

4 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones fair enough. I'd have thought your panniers would fit and your roll bag on pillion pad. Can't really call it much of a seat 🤣

@HippoDrones

4 ай бұрын

@@LoneWallyUK the Aprilia is the distance bike mate, has cruise control lol 😁

Ride mine all year round as I commute everyday. Mix it up with the Himmy though for a bit of chalk and cheese

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Having multiple bikes can be a juggling act 😁

What’s not to like mate 😁

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

🙂👍

what are the tweaks on Tuareg regarding to seat height? only the Aprilia 20mm lower seat (which could be 10mm in the real world) ? anything else in the suspension, linkage? are you 5'6" if I can remember well, I would need something for my 5'4" down :D a bit Transalp 750 can be lowered more but its suspension really humble, other something is Tracer 7 for traveller/trail enduro which is manageble by me

@HippoDrones

4 ай бұрын

I made this video regarding the seat height vs the lower seat as an accessory: kzread.info/dash/bejne/hqOkt5Z_mrqzn6w.htmlsi=-M8GZQ5MPPbELxZu I know some people have also changed the suspension linkages to lower the bike, but doing that will obviously restrict ground clearance. Not a problem if the most offroad you plan is fire trails and gravel tracks, but if you plan on tougher stuff, it would become an issue. Yup, I'm 5'6" with a 29" inseam and the bike is borderline almost too tall for me. I have an enduro bike which is taller, but it is skinnier and lots lighter, so I can mitigate that height.

@user-ku4rs8gv5z

4 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones yeah I have seen that lower seat vid from you, that's why I know that seat even cool but not so much lower indeed! Yeah the Beta enduro. I am watching Beta Alp 4.0 the new one, for me that would be enough for light enduro riding.

@HippoDrones

4 ай бұрын

@@user-ku4rs8gv5z I used to have the old Alp 4.0 really regret selling it, cracking trail bike that was 🙂 The new one looks good, although I'm not a fan of the low exhaust and lack of rear mudguard.

😆 Protective mud coating. I hear that often from my other buddies. By chance is your front tire a tube type? They may have got the order mixed up, that actually happened to me. I have learned that they will leak down if a tube is not present due to being a different sidewall compound or something. Hey I finally broke down and got me a pair of heated gloves. They are battery powered and I can also plug them into the bike if need be. On my last ride they proved to be worth the $$ I spent on them. Not the most expensive, just middle of the road.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

The tyre is the correct tubeless... but so many people are complaining about MotoZ front tyres losing pressure, I thought I should say it isn't just them on record. I love their tyres, but won't get them again unless they address the issue. I too have just gotten some heated gloves... vid will be up in a week or two. What did you go for? I went for the Five heated Gore-Tex gloves, love them!

@BigDaveTALKS

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones Aw man, I thought that would help. I sure hate hearing that as they are an awesome tire. I can say my tube type is fine though. I really wanted the tubeless for the stronger sidewall. I just got mine off Amazon. Barchi is the brand. I had them on my last ride when I decided to slide the T7 out from under me. The quality is actually surprising. With my other, non heated, winter gloves my hands will sweat and get cold. With these it isn't an issue after turning them off. I had them on high and lasted about 3 hours.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@BigDaveTALKS they sound bang on mate... good gloves... and heated too... WIN 🙂

@BigDaveTALKS

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones yes sir, I don't care for the cold, so a def win.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@BigDaveTALKS me neither mate

Perhaps Pete the new CFmoto 450MT might do you for 70/30 roads? The bike I think you’re talking about is the Moto Guzzi 457 V5 naked style using the 457 Aprilia engine.

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

TBH, I wasn't impressed with the CF Moto over at EICMA, and it is way too tall as well. Ahh is that what they are doing with it, interesting. It would be nice if they used the engine in a Tuareg too, but my hopes are fading.

@stevesanelli90

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones tall? 820mm seat height 🤔

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@stevesanelli90 ahh soz, I think I must have been confusing it with a different bike over at the show. My local bike dealership is now a CF Moto dealership, so I'll check it out and report back! 🙂

@stevesanelli90

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones not out yet

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@stevesanelli90 do you know when it hits our shores?

One bike I've yet to see a decent looking exhaust on yet...which is odd for something Italian?

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

I'm really happy with the Arrow full system and decat. But we all like different things.

@williamrae9954

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones Not what I'm saying... it's not pleasing to the eye!

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@williamrae9954 I like the look of it too, not just how well it performs 🙂👍

James had the same problem with his tyres

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

It is very annoying

Don't you ever worry, that if you're riding one of your bikes, the other ones get upset?

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

Treat em mean, keep em keen 😁

@theodorstravels

5 ай бұрын

@@HippoDrones You know what Jimmy Carr had to say about that? 😁

@HippoDrones

5 ай бұрын

@@theodorstravels 🤣

go clean your own :D

@HippoDrones

4 ай бұрын

😁👍