695 or 796??

[koko64]

Great to see you on the road.

That popping noise could be the intake spitting back through the airbox. It's often a sign of a lean mixture or a cold motor before correct operating temp. Interesting that it occured as the fuel level ran low. Maybe there was some water contaminated/old fuel at the bottom of the tank.

[Ken Masters]

Thanks Koko! 

I think you may be spot on with your prognosis - the previous owner did like 250 miles only last year, there is a very real possibility that there was some water contaminated/old fuel in the tank!
There certainly wasn't a lot of fuel in the tank when I got the bike and I don't know what kind of fuel was being put in either.

I'm looking to go for a ride again soon so will keep any ear open for this.

[koko64]

Maybe add an injector cleaner to your next tankful and get on a big highway ride. Enjoy

[Howie]

You might want to change the fuel filter.  This way you can see if your fuel is contaminated.  The filter is a 6K replacement item anyway.

[Ken Masters]

Thanks guys.

I'm looking to runs some cheap bar end mirrors for a little while before upgrading - I noticed the handlebars are Renthal - is this standard on the 695?

[Ken Masters]

Congrats!

Re: the tires...regardless of condition it's best to keep tires fresh. You should consider replacing if more than 3 years old.

Duc - so the bike flew through the Mot test yesterday. The tester's exact words were "it is a mint bike!"
Prior to this I changed the belts and brake fluid which was black!
The tread on the tyres was fine so didn't worry about these for the test.

I verfied the tyre wall after the test as the black brake fluid got me thinking - turns out the tyres haven't been changed since 2007!!!
Wtf??  
Why do people skimp on this??

Ok rant over, sorry..

Must change tyres asap

[koko64]

Yeah, my tyre guy says five years max and he's going by the Michelin standard. They just seem to petrify.
Glad it's a minter otherwise.