al_stu

Chatsworth House

Crooked Spire, Chesterfield

Yep thats par for the course, they won't throw you straight onto a big bike until the instructor is happy with you on a 125 Have fun

Really? Every bike I looked at that was classed as a proper 'sports' bike they wanted at least 60% of the value of the bike as first years premium! Can't wait to get my first years no claims and go crazy

Your car licence is enough to take your CBT on, but you cant ride until you have passed your CBT. an A2 would give you the freedom to carry a pillion and go on the motorway so if you want to ride for pleasure then its the better choice (not saying 125s arent fun, just harder to cover any sort of distance) buit obviously a cbt is 100 quid and you can pick up a bike cheap, and A2 will cost you 600+ pounds. Dont buy a bike until youve got your licence, just use the riding schools bikes. You cant ride to the school and insurance is a 'mare. Plus if you drop it while you're learning...well its not yours then is it.

My Dad has a Nolan and thinks its a bit noisy but then he did have a top end Caberg before so possibly his views are a bit skewed. I'd defo reccomend a flip one, I didnt get one because everyone kept saying they're heavier. Now, I wish Id got one, so much more convenient. HTC do a nice one with a built in visor too Like the guys have said, best thing is to go try them on, get what fits you best, don't go in desperate to make a particular helmet fit your head as you'll only regret it down the line if its not quite right

I got a Aldi one. Yeah its not going to be rock solid, but its only supposed to be a deterant, if someone wants the bike that bad they'll take it. That said, if I had something a bit more valuable and stealable like my dream bike then I probably would go with something a bit more heavy. And a disc lock. And a shotgun. and sleep next to the bike.

Dont beat yourself uyp, took me three attempts, I even dropped the bike on the U turn the second time. I was a bloody wreck, so nervous. You'll get there in the end, and itll be all the sweeter. Also, quite often (or so Im told) you find some people are great at MOD1, some are great at MOD2. Its each to their own strengths. As my mate said to me (he also failed twice, then failed his MOD 2 once for good measure) better to balls it up now while you're under safe conditions, than be out alone on the road and do it.

One will probably be a breather hose for the fuel tank. Not sure what the other one is for, one of the more mechanically capable on here will know

wow, on the FJR? Spill the details!!!

Well I forgot to take my number with me today but I promise it is meee Southport, and a lot busier than when throttled went!

Good ride out today, pic with my 04 fazer, and my mates on an '09 ER6F and a '99 RSV1000R (yes, a 90s Italian motorbike that actually started, on demand, twice!)

Yes right shoulder check. I also found this wierd to get used to, I think its based more on the idea someone may be passing you on the right, you wouldnt (shouldnt) have anyone passing you on the left. I often checked both ways, if I'm not happy its clear, I dont do it. Indicator off once you've stopped. I was told to turn it off if I didnt cancel it as soon as I had stopped.

Been to the one in Northwich, not too bad. Ironically when I went on a spree at the NEC last year, almost all of it came from the J&S stand, totally unintentional (otherwise I could have just visited the local shop!) Seem friendly and have always been able to give me good advice

Ha don't worry I'm not going to go that fast, even if we did get split up I'd just pull over and wait, and vice versa if you get away from me! Sure there will be looooads of rideouts when we get into summer 'proper'. Drop a note in here if you've got a trip out planned one weekend, I'll defo come over if the suns out! (yeah I'm a total sunshine whore lol)

Was thinking more towardsnext weekend when its hopefully picked up, wot u riding? Naked Fazer 600, I only passed last week so I'm still taking it gently...ish

I'm just the other side of altrincham, not too far away. Weather's meant to be awful this weekend though

Shit I feel your pain. Brings tears to my eyes thinking about it Hope you're back OTR asap

Reading my Yamaha manual it says the red key is for recoding the black keys, so I wonder if the dealership can just replace the broken bit and use the red one to code the system back to the original chip.... I'd start by having a chat with them, no point worrying until you know its bad, it could be something over nothing

f**king hastings policy has come through and they have the wrong address for overnight garage (f**k knows how as I filled it in via the comparison site right and all the other insurers had it fine, but to be fair hastings f**ked up loads of details and I had to ring them in the end to confirm details of the bike) - its at my mums as I dont have a garage Anyway, after 3 attempts to get through, then 20 minutes at f**king national rate, oh, we cant insure you, because your mum is more than 5 miles from your home (dont get why thats important if its more than 150 metres I wouldnt know if the bike was being stolen) Nice one, dickheads. They wanted 200 odd quid to leave on the road at my house so told them where to shove that Back to the drawing board then, best not ride until its sorted. Grrr EDIT - OMFG just checked google its not 5 miles to drive it, so even less as the crow flies, someone at hastings is about to get a f**king right load of shit off me

Kinda glad to see it doesnt matter how much experience you have, riding can still be pretty scary at times! I was lucky today, had just finished washing and oiling the bike ready for a ride when it clouded over and the blizzard started, so she went back in the garage and I enjoyed my heated seats and cruise control instead haha

No moo you're right - no change for over 24s EXCEPT You can't do the test on a 500cc and get a full 'A' license even if you're over 24. It has to be a 600 (actually I think it has to be a certain HP, but most 600s will meet that) But basically, no major change

Jodrell Bank - first trip out with my Dad (he didnt appreciate me pointing out all the bad habits he's picked up since he passed 7 years ago )

ok thats just odd, you're the second person to say the cat whos got the cream when they've seen that pic haha The chain looks underused too so I'm giving that a few more miles then going to hit it with some parafin then re-oil, will give it a full service in a few weeks. Its MOT is due next month but might get it in early as I start my new job in a week and won't be able to get time off. Its done 500 miles in 3 years, so I think it just needs a bit of TLC aka a good thrashing haha Yeah I'm well chuffed, I originally wanted a faired version but now I've got the naked, I'm glad I got it Well, with snow for 2 days and no work, I can see my toothbrush being recycled as a way to reach those awkward spots and the bike getting one hell of a good clean out and ACF50 I say if the jobs worth doing, do it right, my mates say I go OCD on my vehicles

Cheers Stu, fingers crossed