bmart

I started with two riding buddies. All of us unskilled, untrained, and riding like idiots. 

One got a 600cc Fazer (mini V-max...in looks), one got a 500 Interceptor (not sure what year), and I got a GS700ES. I still love the looks of that bike (similar to my many FJs). I hated red then, too, so choices were somewhat limited. It was indeed a time of great mechanical progress. 

https://ridermagazine.com/2016/06/22/1986-yamaha-fzx700s-fazer-road-test-review/

https://www.rideapart.com/news/407636/honda-vf500f-interceptor-please-thankyou/

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/suzu/suzuki_gs700es 85.htm

Pics of your rotors would help us help you also. 

If all else fails, grab the brakes hard and fast in the rain... (j/k!)

Not my bag, baby, but I know that some of you guys like these. 

On my 5th gen, the pad plates were identical (so they could physically mount), but the pads were not. Different thickness and shape. I imagine that the front generates a LOT more heat under braking. 

Our government insists that ethanol is fine. You probably just have a broken camera...or broken eyes. 

Megaforce was a terrible movie, but it did have flying motorcycles in it. And the 707 song. That's something. 

Certainly inexpensive if they don't interfere with controls. Hot idea...

Red? My eyes. MY EYES! lol

Folks laugh, but something as simple, light, and easy as a rain suit top/bottom make the rider so much warmer. Just the top gets most of the work done. Again, retaining core heat and remove the ability for the wind to wick heat away. 

A direct comparison may yield useful results. It just never made sense (or worked well) for me. 

2 hours ago, Captain 80s said:

That's a little harsh. 

Maybe...I don't say it to be mean, but we don't engineer much that works well like this. Seriously, you want warm blood, so heating (or insulating) your core goes a LONG way to being warm. If you have cold hands, you want them insulated from the cold/wind (hippo hands, wind block, etc., for instance) to reduce heat loss, and to directly heat them. Heated grips are mostly heating the bars, not your hands. 

I hear you on the wires. When riding back in New England, I used to run heated vest/gloves. They were a PITA, but let us comfortably ride down to 18F. Below that, they just couldn't keep up. With the right unheated gear, staying warn into the 40s would seem pretty easy. We'll full vented gear down into the mid 50s at the track without much of an issue with just a base layer underneath. 

Unless it is really cold, heated grips/seats seem much more like gadgets to me. 

Nail on the head! 

Heat the body core and the surfaces in the wind (back of hand...not inside of hand/grip). Heated grips are...a really dumb idea, right up there with winglets on street bikes. 😇

Winter? What's that? 🙂 White looks lovely. 

Love the color scheme. Have fun with it!

Thanks...not everyone gets my humor. 🙂

From what I've read, ethanol starts to degrade in ~2 weeks. New vehicles seem okay with that for years, but carbs change everything. Real fuel starts to go bad in many years with degradation (from what I've read) after many years (2-5?). 

Wet or AGM, you'll be glad that you did. Li, no need, but no harm. 

1 hour ago, slo1 said:

Years ago Motorcycle Consumer News did a 6 month scientific test of fuel stabilizers. By far the best rating went to Startron.

Switching from Sta-bil to Startron has proved to reduce issues with our fleet (now 70+) of MSF training bikes which sit for 3 months a year. It has also helped with the too many carbureted bikes in my garage, some of which see only 500-1k miles per year.

YRMV

I'd recommend looking at multiple reviews, as most found it to be snake oil. What was that old oil additive from the 80s that turned out to kill engines? lol

You may also like Lucas and Seafoam products...which also seem to do nothing positive. 

13 hours ago, Captain 80s said:

I don't think I would continue to use that E-free supply, 

Until I can afford to make my own...it is what we have. E-free doesn't get used much, so moisture gets in. If I had a single bike, it wouldn't be an issue, but as they are...they can sit for a long time. 

Our local E-free supply nearly always has water in it. The KLX hates it. This water is heavier than the fuel sharing the same container. If I can get it to sputter on the way home from filling, the water works its way out and only fuel is left. then it runs just fine, even months later. If I try to start it cold with H2O in there...nada. 

Strangely, the FI bikes don't seem to care at all. Maybe they're dual fuel. lol

All tests that I have seen say meh... I never drain my carbs on the two vehicles that use them. I just run E-free fuel and run them before they sit to get any H2O out (heavier than the actual fuel). 

I used to believe in StarTron until I watched some tests and they highlighted all of the problem that I was having using it. 

Just the fuel, ma'am. Just the fuel. 

Two things worth noting.

Higher octane fuel goes bad quicker than lower octane fuel. 

Ethanol free does not mean water free, and water wreaks havoc. I've been this route countless times. 

I hate red bikes, but that is also so much better. I'd love to see it in blue/white/gold-yellow! I mean, really...what is nicer looking than this? Lovely even with the bikini fairing and chin? I think so.  🙂

That grey one is miles better!

To me, it looks...BMW dumb. Maybe Royal Enfield dumb. 

At least the Scram looks like they tried. 

Right...the body is all wrong. Those two posted are okay, but hardly beautiful. 

FZ750? Beautiful. 

FZR400? Lovely, especially in grey/blue. 

R9 or bust for me...lovely engine. Designers who actually talked to each other. 🙂

That XSR looks like 10 guys designed it and never talked. 

A friend who loves it and I, who hate it, have been having a conversation. It is hideous. Stupid modern short tail. Silly fairing. Dumb paint. It looks nothing like a tribute to Roberts or Marlboro. Yuck. The grey one is better, but still pretty terrible.