Hairsy

Flames while the plug is out is the biggest mystery to me

Thanks. My worry with the tether is that I'll forget when I get off the bike. What happens if you do that?

I'd really like to hear people's views on airbags? I think I'd really like one but I'd want to make sure that I'd always actually use it. I have summer and winter textile jackets. There is a very big difference in bulk between my summer mesh jacket over a t-shirt and my winter jacket with thermal lining over a fleece. I'd need an airbag vest to suit all my situations. I really don't think I'd want a tether system. I really don't like the idea of a subscription model - it worries me that prices can increase (e.g. if some idiot starts a tariff war on services) or the manufacturer could go out of business (e.g. if some idiot starts a tariff war on products). For those who've bought them, are you happy with your purchase? Do you wear it all the time? What are the real day to day factors that I haven't thought of? And for those who haven't bought them, why not? Are there other factors I haven't thought of?

I've adjusted the headlight aim on every bike I've owned - all because they were too low. For the suspicious, every single one has since been through an MoT and I've never had a fail for a headlight being too high (although my Ducati failed for beam shape which was a factory design problem). I've never used the manual's suggestion for how to adjust beam using a wall and measurements. I always set my beam height by going out onto the road when it's dark and making the adjustment so that I get the maximum possible road visible without getting the light high enough to get a reflection from number plates on parked cars. I imagine that many bikes get lights set to a height that's OK even if you have a pillion. I always ride alone and so don't need that contingency built in. But, as we all know, bikes vary hugely in the quality of their lights. My 2017 Z1000SX headlight is way way better than any other I've experienced. And my 6 volt DT50M headlight was an absolute joke. Although, being 16, I probably rode that bike more at night than any other bike I've owned. These days I avoid riding at night if I can but 2 weeks ago I did an hour in the dark. I really hated not being able to properly see the road surface. Scared me.

Out of interest, are you able to run a piece of emery cloth between the points and see if clearing the surface kicks it into life? I wonder whether quality of the metal-like-substance that they make them out of could be the issue - in which case, it could be that regular use might be the key to keeping these things alive. I'm not suggesting re-using the pump for pumping duties - just interested in specifically what would make such a new and relatively simple component fail.

You mention that you've had a few attempts at CBT. What has been the most challenging part(s). A moped is an option but it can be quite intimidating to ride modern roads with so little power / speed. At the very least, if you can find a geared 50cc bike then that would help you to develop more of the skills you'll want later.

This! Chris, I'd personally recommend using the bacon strip to get you to a tyre repairer and then get them to do the job properly with a proper plug. Or, if you can afford to do so, bypass Fiddlesticks' step 14 and just replace the tyre. It's painful to do, particularly as your tyres are quite new, but you'll forget about it after a while and you'll have peace of mind.

I had the model before that, the DT50M. Loved that bike. I camped in my garden on the night of my 16th birthday so that I could go out and ride at midnight without waking my parents up.

Definitely worth doing. If you've done Bikesafe or one of the advanced skills session then a some of it will be refresher but it's really good to understand the realities of helmet removal and to actually practice it on someone, and also to hear about exactly how to do things right if you're first on the scene. Of course most of it is really obvious when you sit down and analyse it but the reality is that you're not going to sit down and analyse if you turn up to an accident.

I went to a Biker Down session this evening. Teaches you some basic techniques for how to deal with an incident if you're first on scene after a bike accident. Lovely bunch of people delivering the course and, somewhat inevitably, lovely bunch of people attending. Highly recommended. http://bikerdown.co.uk

Winner!!!!

Yes, they plug straight in. Although I've actually chosen to set them up with a 3.5mm Y so I can still have the original speakers in place as well. That way I can still have music on short local hops where I can't be bothered putting the earplugs in.

In terms of quality of intercom on my Edge, the weak point is the speakers. The mic seems to be excellent at noise cancelling. From about 60mph+ though, the other person can be quite hard to hear through the speakers. Also, as a result of the wind noise you're experiencing, it's almost inevitable that you shout. The solution for me was custom earplugs. This makes the other person super clear and, because they block out most of the wind noise, I continue to speak at a reasonable level. I previously had a 4+ (in fact I still have one) and it worked fine for music but I never used it as an Intercom. The big problem for me was that the design has the volume wheel pointing downwards. I found that I often adjusted my volume when the volume wheel touched my jacket as I was moving my head. It was a right pain! I think the 4X may have the same design. The Edge has the wheel pointing out to the side so the problem doesn't happen.

RideWithStyles suggested fuel filter - have you tried replacing that? And when you say that the pump works fine, how do you know? Have you tested the fuel pressure? Final suggestion for now, it's worth researching to see exactly what the sensor does that causes that 'fuel pump issue' code. Is it a pressure test? Or perhaps an electrical continuity issue? It always helps to understand the actual thing that the relevant sensor is measuring.

Congratulations. I had my 2017 day-to-day bike MoTd today and even that's a little nerve racking. I know exactly how it feels sitting there waiting for the verdict on your project. I don't think I've ever had the gear lever right first time!