The Motorbike Thread

[OLIN]

That fence blossomed in to a lovely hedge, a true ugly duckling tale.

Why did he paint an amoeba on the gas tank

You mean petrol tank - we're not in America.

Amoeba? Pffft.



Oh.



It's an experiment in paint masking I decided to do. Paint the tank one colour, then smear a removable substance (I used Vaseline, in retrospect something water based would've been less of a hassle to remove before lacquering) then spray another colour. I chose 'Amoeba Green' as it contrasts well with the Magenta.

[OLIN]

getting something like a CBR125 or a Van Van. Just had a look on Homda and the MSX125 looks lovely.


Anyone got a 125cc to recommend?

I'd go for a Van Van - I think they still make them? They're very similar to my TW 125 which I'd also recommend as long as you don't end up with an old rusty knackered one - they don't weather too well. Trail style bikes are the only 125's I'd bother with personally - road bike style ones just feel too small.

[satriales]

Didn't realise regarding the whole CBT thing. I'm now seriously considering doing the CBT and just getting something like a CBR125 or a Van Van. Just had a look on Homda and the MSX125 looks lovely.


It would literally just be for riding for fun so couldn't care less about a bigger engine. Anyone got a 125cc to recommend? The things are so cheap I'd be tempted to buy new buy I know that's probably stupid.

With the 125cc bikes I don't think it's worth buying new as they don't really change at all year to year. If you budget around £1000 - £1500 you can get a mint condition 3-5yr old bike that will not lose any value when you sell it on a year or so later.

A few months ago my gf bought a YBR125 for £900 off ebay. It was a 2008 model but completely spotless and had only done 3000 miles. She then needed the money and couldn't ride for a while due to an op so we sold it shortly after for £1150 to the first person that looked.

I also had a YBR125 when I first started and it was a great bike to learn on. I also paid £900 for a 2008 model, but mine had a few scratches and marks in the plastic bits, purely cosmetic though and the engine was solid. I've ridden CBF125 too and so know they are also good.

Insurance on my 125 was £200 for the year when I hadn't even passed my test, and the CBT a week earlier was the first time I had ridden a bike.

You'll also find that moving up to a bigger bike is not all that expensive either.Sold my 125 for £1000 and then bought my speed four for £1900. Insurance was £300/yr when I was paying £400 on my car for an old cheap Focus with 6yrs no claims.

[Harry Bizzle]

Thanks for the advice. The YRB 125 pretty much looks perfect to me.


Was just out driving and the roads around here are perfect on weekends.









What are the wait times on a CBT usually like? Wouldn't mind doing it next weekend.

[satriales]

I did my cbt at the top gear track. Just called up and booked it about a week in advance.

[Afrocat]

I think it depends entirely on the area, how big the training centre is and what time of year it is. I had to wait a couple weeks to do mine - and I was such a n00b I had to come back another day a couple weeks after that to do the road section.

People will give you gooseberry fool and tell you motorcycling isn't for you if you can't pass the CBT in a single day, but strawberry float em. I've ridden 6k miles without incident since doing mine.

[Lotus]

I was chatting to my uncle about this the other day, he basically said if I got a bike he’d give me all the boots/helmet/clothing I need as he’s got some spares.
Really tempting, but I still have safety concerns..potholes, oil, wet weather, other drivers...can anyone allay my concerns about these?

[Direar]

this will make you feel better

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... bike+crash

[Afrocat]

You're right to be concerned, bikes are less stable and leave you far more vulnerable than cars and telling yourself otherwise is a bad idea.

Potholes, oil and wet drain covers are only an issue if you're turning or need to stop fast. Potholes and drain covers can be spotted from a distance and are usually easy to avoid, although you don't often notice oil until you're on top of it. These aren't usually the end of the world, I've had the rear slide out a little on drain covers before but nothing serious. Just take it careful and avoid what you can, if you end up on a slippery surface then don't do anything to unsettle the bike.

Wet weather is really not as bad as you might expect, tyres are excellent at dispelling water and I've read you realistically have about 70% of the grip you'd get in ideal conditions. Just take it easy the first few times and you'll soon learn just how much you can get away with on wet roads - it's more than you'd expect. The first time I was out in the rain I don't think I went much above 40mph but now I don't really take things much slower at all - just enough to accommodate for increased stopping distances. The worst part about wet weather is the moment when your waterproofs give in and you feel a trickle of cold water run town your testicles.

As for other road users, you need to anticipate what they are likely to do and make yourself visible to them - headlight always on, good road positioning, not sitting in blind spots etc.


10 Things They Never Told You About Becoming a Biker

[Rightey]

I was chatting to my uncle about this the other day, he basically said if I got a bike he’d give me all the boots/helmet/clothing I need as he’s got some spares.
Really tempting, but I still have safety concerns..potholes, oil, wet weather, other drivers...can anyone allay my concerns about these?

If you buy a bike you will crash eventually, it's almost a guarantee, the only question is will be is it something minor or major, but from what I know and everyone I've talked to that bikes everyone crashes at some point.

[satriales]

My bike is being mot'd right this second.
I think it should pass ok but first time I've had to put this bike through so don't really know.

Edit: Failed because headlight dips to the right instead of left. Shouldn't be too hard to fix.

[Afrocat]

Got my theory test booked for next week, spoke to the riding school I did my CBT at and they said if I pass they can probably get me in for lessons next weekend and test booked before the end of May. Unfortunately I'm too young for a full license so will be stuck on A2 until I can be bothered to do another test. Still, really loving the MT-03 so looking at it for my first 'big' bike.

[bigcheez2k3]

:drools: Like the design of the rear suspension.

[Direar]

nice bike, im really getting into the idea of getting my license, cars are just so dull

[Xeno]

I passed a mint Honda Blackbird today, not a mark on it, the owner my wrap it in cotton wool between rides. It was sweet.

[Afrocat]

:drools: Like the design of the rear suspension.

I know, I love that they only seem to do the springs in bright colours as well to make it stand out.


I bought an entry level helmet for my first (~£100) and I'm starting to get a bit tired of it. It's really noisy and crushes my ears a bit so after an hour of wearing it really starts to ache. I've started looking for a nicer helmet, this is my favourite so far:


But it's strawberry floating expensive

[bigcheez2k3]

Did you get the right size?

Mine cost me £60 and I used it on the charity run where I was riding for around 7 hours a day. Generally had it on for at least 2 hours at a time too.

It should be tight enough that you're slightly chewing your cheeks but not hurt your ears.

[Afrocat]

Right size, just an odd shaped head. Felt fine in the shop and feels fine for the first half hour or so. I tried on some Shoeis and Arais today and they actually have a recess in the padding where the ears are which I imagine would fix the problem.

I've ridden with it for a 6-7 hour trip and it wasn't unbearable, just a little irritating.

[Rightey]

Shoei's are very comfortable, I bought mine because it was the only one I found that also seems to have a little bit of space around the sides for glasses, but yes they are pricey.

[Errkal]

Motorbike day in Hastings today.

Loads of bikes about in town, every may day we get tens of thousands of bikers descend on the town. Is awesome.