JTDG

Hey all, I have a 2021 Ninja 650. I’m looking for luggage suggestions. Ideally nothing that is more permanent. Ideally I’m looking for soft shell, something that is easy to put on and off, don’t love tank bags or top boxes. It doesn’t need to carry a massive amount, some change of clothes, shoes etc for days when I commute (we have secure parking) or If travelling being able to remove quickly and take into the hotel room is beneficial. At the moment my solution is a gym bag strapped over my back, but that’s not ideal.

Got my first big bike about a month or so ago. Was paying £33 a month for my CB125F, 2021 Ninja 650, quote came back at £550. Considering I have 0 years no claims, and only had a full license around 4 weeks at the time. Garaged overnight, mentioned around a Oxford mini lock, but have heard don’t put that in future as difference is negligible. Sold my 125, guy said his r1 costs him £80 a year Back when I was in Liverpool before moving to Dumfries area, a quote for my 125 was £400 a month . Surprisingly, I tried to enquire with Bennett’s as I watch a lot of bike social stuff. They refused to insure me at all. Shame as it means I’ll probably never go with them in the future.

Did have a look. While they offer them none of them in the XL size. So I think it’s a stump up the money and just buy an official one!

Looking to get a non clear visor for the summer (yes I know they aren’t legal depending on tint) I see so many different iridium visor colours on multiple helmet brands, but I can only seem to find silver / gold or blue for my AGV K3. Is there any websites that sell after market ones that would be compatible? Or is it better to just do for the dark smoke tint? I plan on carrying my clear visor with me, just Incase. My drop down sun visor fogs so awfully it’s basically unusable.

Link to the helmet I am reviewing; https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/2418248 Now this is only my second helmet (previous was LS2 Strobe II) I got this as I was not a fan of a modular style and wanted full face. Pros: Doesn’t let much air in (great in winter) Way quieter Warmer Vision is fantastic Comfortable Glasses fit nicely Cons: Cardo fitting is kind of fiddly Integrated visor steams up awfully When in the fully raised position the visor makes a god awful noise. I mean it is awful! But only when fully raised. Ventilation isn’t great bad in summer. Would I buy it again? Not a chance, the noise when the visor is fully raised is 100% the reason. If not for that, yes I would. But god it is an awful noise. No idea why it does it. The lack of ventilation wouldn’t be an issue in the summer if you could ride with the visor fully open, but god you can’t.

I have pretty much used this bottle every other day since I bought it. I can only leave a glowing review, I’ve not had a single issue. Took my glasses off to get in the shower got out, forgetting I had treated them the day before for a ride. Didn’t fog up even then.

So after a bunch of back and forth. Honda dealer let me test ride (my excess went from £100 to £500 but I was allowed to test) Tried a few. Nothing really screamed at me. Ended up finding a dealer nearby that had a 4 year old ninja 650 for sale. Went and gave it a test ride and loved it! I suppose it helps that I learnt on a z650. So first big bike is official! Just need to collect it. Only confusion I have is how to transfer the datatag as the previous owner didn’t transfer it to the dealership, and the form says I need the previous owner. But do have all the info, so hoping to call datatag on Tuesday to see if they can just transfer it.

Today was a day with such excitement and such joy. I was finally going to test ride some bikes I was interested in. Then reality hit. Not a single dealer could let me test ride a bike as all their insurance companies require you to hold your license for a minimum of 1 year. I could sit on as many as I wanted, but they couldn’t let me test a single one. They don’t like it, I don’t like it. But that was sadly the situation.

Thankfully the Honda dealer does have a cbr650r I can try (albeit this is not my first choice, it’ll let me know if that type of bike is for me or not) Big win is a local dealership who has a Voge 900dsx demo. Sure I’m disappointed there isn’t a triumph demo available near me or a Suzuki gsx-8s or CFmoto 800MT. But onwards and upwards!

How common is for dealers not to have a demo? I have called so many places within 40 miles of me. Not a single dealer has a demo of any of the bikes I’m interested in. And surely it would be pointless to buy a bike without testing it?

Current list is; tiger sport 660, versy 650, Suzuki gsx-8s (gotta try sport at some point) v strom 650 and Honda NC750S & Voge 900dsx. adv style mainly because it’s windy up here

Mod 2 this morning, passed with one minor (which I knew exactly as soon as it happened) hesitant on the first junction. But nightmare junction next to a hospital. Did lose the examiner and intercom died, sadly in the industrial estate there was cars for as long as eye could see parked up. Eventually found a spot and just waited. Apparently my gloves are off road gloves and examiner asked if I had a spare pair, luckily instructor had some that fit. Now time to find a bigger bike and sell the old 125

Passed mod 1 today. Mod 2 is tomorrow. Not sure if I had any minors, as he just said well done you passed (the couple of people before me, both got told their minors) the Mod 1 result thing doesn’t mention any (not sure if mentioned in the email to my instructor)

Couple of interesting bits came up over the next few sessions (he did clear up some of the previous points) Not to use the rear break during the slalom or figure of 8 (before I went with him, I did a taster session and was told 100% use it during those manoeuvres to help balance) Filtering, we got to a roundabout to turn left, temporary traffic lights it was backed up. I sat behind the large vehicle as I didn’t want to just sit at the entrance the roundabout as I would block cars wanting to take second exit, but also didn’t want to sit behind a large vehicle. I mentioned personally I would go around and filter up the middle of the lane normally on my 125. He said he would 100% as would most examiners and while they would probably be impressed at the confidence to not do it, which I do agree with (they won’t know my plans, plus it’s another thing I could get wrong so why risk it? ) but in that situation he said it’s kind of a lose lose, as both choices are kinda not great. So just curious has anybody filtered on their mod 2? By our test centre is an insane amount of temporary traffic lights and with a hospital nearby it’s a nightmare.

I wanted to ride ever since I was a kid. I paid £3k for my cb125f, I pay £30 a month insurance. Parked in a brick garage, and we live rurally. Exact same bike in Liverpool where I used to live was £400 a month insurance. That’s more in a year than the bike is worth. Bike theft and the costs associated with it was by a mile the number 1 reason why I didn’t learn to ride down there.