Topic: Isle of Man sohc pics

[sixthwisconsin]

Just spent two weeks on the Isle of Man for the TT races. An amazing experience with amazing bikes and I'm not only talking about the ones on the track! The Island is inundated with European and Japanese sport bikes of every kind and everyone is wearing full leathers.

Here are some sohc bikes I came across and was wondering if anyone was a member here.
A few of these have IOM plates on them.











not a honda but I couldn't resist


94,000 miles on this one








and a couple of Kawi's I thought you would like to see

[70CB750]

Nice pix, thanks!

[LesterPiglet]

  Wobbly Bob Racing. Weird seeing a red racing Kwak.

[toytuff]

Very nice!

tt

[Bankerdanny]

Two weeks at the TT, that is so amazingly cool. Definitely on my bucket list.

[CycleRanger]

Nice bikes!

[Tews19]

Awesome! I saw Bob at TWT. He mentioned the two of you went and shared the experience.  Sounded like it was a great time.

[750K]

Thanks for the eye candy, looks like a great time was had.

[Old Scrambler]

Thanks for the Pix........the CYCLE-X sohc with the 915 kit was sold to someone in Ireland.......intentions to run it in vintage events at the IOM.

[sixthwisconsin]

Awesome! I saw Bob at TWT. He mentioned the two of you went and shared the experience.  Sounded like it was a great time.

Yes, it was amazing... We got back at 9:30 Monday night and I slept about 4 hours until getting up for work Tuesday. By the end of the day, TWT was the last thing I wanted to do!

Thanks for the Pix........the CYCLE-X sohc with the 915 kit was sold to someone in Ireland.......intentions to run it in vintage events at the IOM.

Thats interesting! The vintage event is in August and according to our host (we did a home stay), is a really fun time. I would like to go back for that in 2014.

[Tdinova]

Just spent two weeks on the Isle of Man for the TT races. An amazing experience with amazing bikes and I'm not only talking about the ones on the track! The Island is inundated with European and Japanese sport bikes of every kind and everyone is wearing full leathers.

Here are some sohc bikes I came across and was wondering if anyone was a member here.
A few of these have IOM plates on them.











not a honda but I couldn't resist


94,000 miles on this one








and a couple of Kawi's I thought you would like to see

Love it. My wife and I are going there Aug 28 to the 31. The Manx Grand Prix will be on while we are there. We are going to rent/hire a VFR800  for 2 days to tour the island. Did you wonder around or watched the races only. We are staying in Douglas at the Welbeck.

Any helpful hints for us

Do they race all day or certain hours of the day?


Thanks Blair

[grumpy]

So how do you get to run in the TT?
I'd LOOOOVE to do it on a Dream 50R




Now that is a COOL plate!

[sixthwisconsin]

So how do you get to run in the TT?
I'd LOOOOVE to do it on a Dream 50R
Now that is a COOL plate!

Well...
first you get a bike that will do 200 mph in the straights and average 131 on the 37.7 mile road course. Just like the 2013 senior TT race winner John McGuinness.



The beauty of these races is that once the race is complete, the road is re-opened. There is no speed limit except in the towns and out in the open areas past Ramsey and onto the mountain, you can ride to your limit. For the entire fortnight, the mountain section was made one way. This allows any wannabe TT racer to rip through at their own limit. Our host drove us around the circuit and when we left Ramsey, he said ,"this will get interesting". We were going about 55 to 60 mph and staying to the left as bikers were flying past us on the right at an estimated 120 to 130 mph! This island has biking in their blood. They have been racing bikes here for 100 years and bikes rule here. Cars get out of the way and give the bikes room. Amazing!

Your Dream 50R would make around the course but do it at your own pace!

[sixthwisconsin]

Just spent two weeks on the Isle of Man for the TT races. An amazing experience with amazing bikes and I'm not only talking about the ones on the track! The Island is inundated with European and Japanese sport bikes of every kind and everyone is wearing full leathers.

Here are some sohc bikes I came across and was wondering if anyone was a member here.
A few of these have IOM plates on them.

Love it. My wife and I are going there Aug 28 to the 31. The Manx Grand Prix will be on while we are there. We are going to rent/hire a VFR800  for 2 days to tour the island. Did you wonder around or watched the races only. We are staying in Douglas at the Welbeck.

Any helpful hints for us

Do they race all day or certain hours of the day?


Thanks Blair

Blair,
The Vintage schedule should be posted somewhere. I did not check but it must be posted. The TT schedule for practice week did not start until about 6:20 and there was several classes that ran until about 9:30. Race week starts earlier in the day but there are a few days off with no racing. Keep in mind that I was there for more than two weeks. It does not get dark there until about 11:00 and starts getting light again at 3:30! We had plenty of time to tour around and there is amazing island culture to explore. A great castle in Castletown to the south of Douglas and another in Peel. I liked the Castletown one better but Peel is a quaint port town with fishing industry. Here are a couple of pics:

Castletown






We also stayed in Douglas. We did a home stay north of Governors by a bit. It was great. We could walk to the paddock easily and to great race viewing venues. The house was literally right on the course! Walk out the front door and across the service road, across a brief lawn and jump on the stone wall to watch bikes whizz by at 120! Here is a view of our house about two feet from the course.



After the TT was complete on Friday, We headed to Castletown on Saturday where they had another 4 mile road course set up for some incredible small bike racing. Yes that is a working commuter steam train in the background with bikes racing!



Bikes are everywhere!

[MOONDOGNYC]

 Great pix, thanks for posting.
One day I will ride the Isle. Bucket list....

[Tdinova]

Just spent two weeks on the Isle of Man for the TT races. An amazing experience with amazing bikes and I'm not only talking about the ones on the track! The Island is inundated with European and Japanese sport bikes of every kind and everyone is wearing full leathers.

Here are some sohc bikes I came across and was wondering if anyone was a member here.
A few of these have IOM plates on them.

Love it. My wife and I are going there Aug 28 to the 31. The Manx Grand Prix will be on while we are there. We are going to rent/hire a VFR800  for 2 days to tour the island. Did you wonder around or watched the races only. We are staying in Douglas at the Welbeck.

Any helpful hints for us

Do they race all day or certain hours of the day?


Thanks Blair

Blair,
The Vintage schedule should be posted somewhere. I did not check but it must be posted. The TT schedule for practice week did not start until about 6:20 and there was several classes that ran until about 9:30. Race week starts earlier in the day but there are a few days off with no racing. Keep in mind that I was there for more than two weeks. It does not get dark there until about 11:00 and starts getting light again at 3:30! We had plenty of time to tour around and there is amazing island culture to explore. A great castle in Castletown to the south of Douglas and another in Peel. I liked the Castletown one better but Peel is a quaint port town with fishing industry. Here are a couple of pics:



After the TT was complete on Friday, We headed to Castletown on Saturday where they had another 4 mile road course set up for some incredible small bike racing. Yes that is a working commuter steam train in the background with bikes racing!


Bikes are everywhere!

Yes thanks for sharing.. Cannot wait for Aug 28th..

We heard about the train and tram. We hope to take a ride..

Sun rise that early. Sun set that late.. I see many hours of biking..

How did you get there?

 We fly to Heathrow then taxi to Gatwick to catch a flight.

Thanks again.

[LesterPiglet]

How many days are in Canadian months? 

[Tdinova]

How many days are in Canadian months? 

ok ok ok I'm getting excited.. have a problem... LOL just saying

[sixthwisconsin]

Yes thanks for sharing.. Cannot wait for Aug 28th..

We heard about the train and tram. We hope to take a ride..

Sun rise that early. Sun set that late.. I see many hours of biking..

How did you get there?

 We fly to Heathrow then taxi to Gatwick to catch a flight.

Thanks again.
[/quote]

Blair,
Flew from Chicago to Dublin (I live in Milwaukee), from Dublin to IOM. Aer Lingus booked the whole trip. The ferry was totally booked even 6 months out. I wanted to rent bikes but during the TT fortnight, they were really expensive.

[flybox1]

That 350f is cherry.  Like the white stripes, too.

[LesterPiglet]

Oh, daylight hours will be a bit shorter in late August.

[tomkimberly]

I just love the sticker on the side case, "chrome will not get you home".   

Tom

[LesterPiglet]

 I wanted to rent bikes but during the TT fortnight, they were really expensive.

They rip everyone during that fortnight. The ferry is ridiculous and I can see IOM from here.

Where did the pic of the CD go?

[Tdinova]

I wanted to rent bikes but during the TT fortnight, they were really expensive.

 

Expensive is right. I'm paying 240lbs for 2 days = 383 cdn


once in a life time especially at my age.. so .....

[sixthwisconsin]

I just love the sticker on the side case, "chrome will not get you home".   

Tom

Yeah, I thought that bike was pretty cool! Someone has been putting some serious miles on it.

 I wanted to rent bikes but during the TT fortnight, they were really expensive.

They rip everyone during that fortnight. The ferry is ridiculous and I can see IOM from here.

Where did the pic of the CD go?

I looked into bike rental in Dublin and it was almost $300/day!  Pic of the CD??

I wanted to rent bikes but during the TT fortnight, they were really expensive.

 

Expensive is right. I'm paying 240lbs for 2 days = 383 cdn


once in a life time especially at my age.. so .....

I hear you and I really wanted a bike while I was there. Just could not do it for two weeks!

[grumpy]

Well...
first you get a bike that will do 200 mph in the straights and average 131 on the 37.7 mile road course. Just like the 2013 senior TT race winner John McGuinness.

Right, but what about the vintage sessions?

I'd love to run one of those tiny, old, 7hp buzz bombs.

[sixthwisconsin]

Well...
first you get a bike that will do 200 mph in the straights and average 131 on the 37.7 mile road course. Just like the 2013 senior TT race winner John McGuinness.

Right, but what about the vintage sessions?

I'd love to run one of those tiny, old, 7hp buzz bombs.

Yep, the Manx Grand Prix is August 17 - 30 and I would love to go next year. Classic bikes don't run during the TT fortnight although there were many hanging around.

http://www.manxgrandprix.org/Classic/ClassicC.html

[grumpy]

Ahh, think I have it now...
No geezers may run in the TT; they must wait for the Manx GP.

[LesterPiglet]

There was a picture of a well used CD175 posted and now it's gone.

[lucky]

Wobbly Bob Racing. Weird seeing a red racing Kwak.

The first Kawasaki 650 W1's were red.
Wish they would make those again WOW.
Why do they always make the best stuff when everyone is broke?

[sixthwisconsin]

There was a picture of a well used CD175 posted and now it's gone.

I didn't remove it and it still shows up for me?

Wobbly Bob Racing. Weird seeing a red racing Kwak.

Why do they always make the best stuff when everyone is broke?

Isn't that the truth!

[LesterPiglet]

Well, I can see the CD now. Where's my tinfoil hat?

[lrutt]

I was there in 2011. It certainly is a most amazing place. And the experience is absolutely like no other. to be literally within 3 feet of a bike and rider going by at over 180 mph is beyond description.

the food (fish and chips, haggas, hot kipper bips) mmmmmm. I was lucky enough to have been escorted around by a field marshal and was at his station on the course for 2 days. Right in the action. Ended up with his vest and guidebook etc. Not to mention 2 days worth of discussion on his 20 year history of the TT.

I would love to get back in late August for the Manx GP (old bikes). for the Centenary of the mountain course in 2011 though they had parade laps of many of the past old bikes. Man what a sound, between the booming Norton Manx singles, to the howl of the old multi hondas, and the ungodly racket of those old 2 strokes with open chambers.

That entire 2 weeks is everything that would put a tree-hugger in his grave......it was friggin great

And those side car races. no friggin way I'd monkey one of those rigs. You would be so bruised and sore after a race.

I just wish Daytona or Sturgis was 1/4 as cool as that event.

[Magilla]

If I'm going to spend a week on an island I would want it to be the Isle or Woman not the Isle of Man.  In fact I would prefer the Isle of Strippers but thats just me.

[sixthwisconsin]

I was there in 2011. It certainly is a most amazing place. And the experience is absolutely like no other. to be literally within 3 feet of a bike and rider going by at over 180 mph is beyond description.

the food (fish and chips, haggas, hot kipper bips) mmmmmm. I was lucky enough to have been escorted around by a field marshal and was at his station on the course for 2 days. Right in the action. Ended up with his vest and guidebook etc. Not to mention 2 days worth of discussion on his 20 year history of the TT.

I would love to get back in late August for the Manx GP (old bikes). for the Centenary of the mountain course in 2011 though they had parade laps of many of the past old bikes. Man what a sound, between the booming Norton Manx singles, to the howl of the old multi hondas, and the ungodly racket of those old 2 strokes with open chambers.

That entire 2 weeks is everything that would put a tree-hugger in his grave......it was friggin great

And those side car races. no friggin way I'd monkey one of those rigs. You would be so bruised and sore after a race.

I just wish Daytona or Sturgis was 1/4 as cool as that event.

Great description! Anyone I talk to that has been there pretty much says how amazing the experience is and its true. Unlike anywhere else on earth although I here there is some pretty good road racing in Northern Ireland.

I particularly enjoyed the side cars. 600cc and flat out most of the time! Those guys are fearless!

[LesterPiglet]

The only sport the Northern Irish excel in is road racing.

[sixthwisconsin]

The only sport the Northern Irish excel in is road racing.

Lester,
Joey, William, Michael...

You guys run the roads right.
Michael really kicked butt and won 4 classes during the 2013 TT races. McGuinness just pulled out all the stops for the Senior race. William won the Castletown race (sorry, can't remember the official name) by a wide margin on the 600. It was an incredible performance.

Do I even need to mention the sir name?



So if I want to attend the Northwest 200 you will pick me up at the airport and lend me a bike?

[LesterPiglet]

I'd certainly do that. You wouldn't need a bike. When you get to the NW the roads are closed so no driving. Unless you want to do some touring off course.