Mold

Good morning Steve. When I bought my first bike at 18yo in 1990 the only other person I knew who had ever had a bike used to always talk about his "LC350" (which he had sold). I would still really like to have a go on one of those but it would be impactable for me to to buy. I do miss my last bike which was a Yamaha YZF 600 but my fast days are over and I just enjoy pootling along on my Kawasaki J300 anyway, welcome to the forum.

I'd be more concerned with the condition of the bike and it's service history, you don't need garage service history receipts (but they would be better) but if the seller can show receipts for everything they've bought, oil, filters etc. that should show the bike has been looked after and obviously use your common sense and experience from what the bike looks like right now as a high milage bike that's been looked after is better than a low milage bike that's been abused since new.

I bought a Kawasaki J300 a year ago and it's turned out to be one of the best bikes I've owned in my long list of motorbikes and 30+ years of riding. I've carried passengers on it and the weight wasn't noticeable as far as speed went so it'll be no problem for a "heavy guy". I can't remember the MPG but mine is higher than what I read and the insurance is very cheap. There's a ton of storage space under the seat and should fit your helmet with room to spare. It's not a small bike for a 299cc so it should be just the right size for you (it has the same basic engine as the Kymco Downtown 300 but I think Kawasaki did some mods on it). Oil and filter change are a doddle and should take no more than 20 minutes. I never thought I'd even buy a maxi scooter but it turns out that they don't get enough credit and for everyday use you can't go wrong with one.

Thanks for your reply, that was my first idea but I was wondering if there was a way to get 12v from the front of the bike without removing the seat etc. I was wondering if I could split a positive wire from the lights as they're always on or would that blow a fuse when I press the horn and it draws more power from the lighting.

Hello everyone, I'm hoping to get some advice. I have purchased a new horn and relay. The one I bought is very similar to a 'sound bomb' and to get it to work properly i.e. loud but legal, the relay needs a 12v power source to the battery. I have a Kawasaki J300 and I've taken the front fairing and the seat and storage bin off before for servicing but I didn't notice an easy way that I could thread a wire through so is there an easier way to get the 12V I need? Thanks

It's probably the brake pads, I'm sure you know that by now though. I had new tyres fitted at M&S Newcastle and my rear wheel does the same. It was squeaking from the day I got the tyres changed but since you mentioned it, I never noticed it squeaking today! Maybe I'm used to it or it's gone, I'll have to make a mental note for next time I'm out on it.

I seriously doubt the insurance would even check your mirrors, if anything they might just glance that mirrors were actually on the bike. If the mirrors are not working for you, your best bet would be to get ones that do. I've had mirrors like those on your bike and I used blind spot mirrors that stuck on the corner of the mirrors you already have, I've used them on every bike I've had since I first tried them. They're no substitute but they do give you a better idea of what's behind you. I use them at a slight angle that gives me a wide view. They're only about £2.50 and can be bought on ebay with free delivery. It might be worth trying them before you buy new mirrors.

I have one, it was cheap enough, I think I paid around £17 - £20 for it. It has several nozzles for different spray types but I've never changed the standard one, it also has a small bottle that you can fill with washing up liquid so it sprays soapy water. It came with two batteries. I have a water barrel and I run it from there but a bucket would do, just weigh down the end of the water pipe so it doesn't float. The jet stream is adequate but it's not powerful. As for are they worth it, well £20 isn't a great deal, and for me it's a lot more convenient than using a hose and I have the added bonus of the batteries match some of my power tools!

Hello, Does anyone know where I can get an alarm and immobiliser fitted near Sunderland? I have fitted the basic alarm but to fit the immobiliser requires me to remove panels at the back end of the bike and I have no idea how to, I can see a couple of screws but I can't get to them, I have no idea how they reached them when putting the bike together in the factory, I'm guessing they have specialised tools. Thanks in advance.

I bought a Kawasaki j300 with 4 previous owners and low 6000 ish miles, it has a full service history and is in excellent condition, however the battery does need charging a lot, I bought a new battery but it didn't make any difference. I looked through the receipts after I'd bought the battery and noticed a previous owner also bought one, it does charge ok because I checked and I've fitted a quick charge cable but if I leave it just for a couple of days, the battery is nearly drained. I've switched the alarm off and there's nothing else I can think of that could be draining the power. I don't think it helps that it isn't possible to turn the lights off when I'm riding (I do ride with lights on but in this case I don't have a choice). Also is it ok to leave my battery on charge as the charger switches itself off when the battery is full. Any ideas? Thanks

Hello, can someone tell me, if I'm selling a motorbike, do I list the bike as having 5 owners from new (this includes me as the present owner) or 4 owners (not including me)? Also, what about service history? The book is stamped up until I bought it and I've done my own servicing since then and they've all been well under the 3000 recommended miles. I have every receipt so can I list the bike as having a full service history? Thanks.

Hello fellow bikers, would anyone know where I can get my alarm and immobiliser fitted properly and do you know how much it would cost? I bought an 'NCS C2 Simple Motorcycle Alarm and Immobiliser with Remote Start'. I have fitted the basic wires so the alarm will sound if the motorcycle is disturbed but I haven't fitted the immobiliser and I don't want the 'remote start' connected. It's fitted to a Kawasaki J300 and I don't want to start splicing wires when I don't know what I'm doing. Thanks.

Thanks for your reply Simon, I might try those that you mentioned. I wanted the angle valves because it's a bit of a carry on getting to the valve on the back wheel.

Hello, has anyone got any experience with these angle valves and are they any good? I did try the screw on type but they leaked, these look ok and I'll have to get them fitted when I get new tyres, I know they're not expensive but are they worth getting? Thanks

WOW, I had no idea it cost so much. I knew it was a right polava getting a licence these days but I didn't think it was that bad or that expensive. I'm 52yo and I never even had a motorcycle lesson, I just went in for my test at 17 and passed, I was riding my CB900 the next day. I had one car lesson and the instructor put me in for my test and I passed. They're two of the few things I didn't F.up in my youth. I've had two minor accidents since I got on the road, one on the bike and one in my car and neither involved another vehicle. I don't believe all these new rules improve road safety, if anyone does, send me the statistics. I feel sorry for the kids of the future when it comes to motor vehicles and the cost of just getting on the road.

Hello everyone, does anyone know where or if I can buy HARD panniers and fitting kit for a Kawasaki J300? I've looked but can't find any, at the moment I'm using canvas panniers but that's because I can't find a PVC or metal alternative, thanks.

Hi Josh, my first and only brand new out of the showroom bike was a 1990 Suzuki GS125 and that's the bike that set me on my love for motorbikes. If bikes had feelings I feel sorry for that bike, the poor thing never had a service in all the time I had it and I used to ride it to the max every day. I don't know why it is never listed as one of those bikes that are unkillable, seriously if I needed a bike for reliability and motorway speed wasn't necessary, this would be the bike I'd pick, it's lightweight, nimble and the MPG is ridiculous. I live on the outskirts of the countryside and those short length sharp turn country roads would give me a 'buzz' (my last bike was a YZF600) and I still can't get that 'buzz' back and I've never had it with any other bike either. I suspect it was because it was my first motorbike and I wasn't used to the 'speed' LOL.

Riding in the wet is a skill on it's own and salty roads are not good if you want to keep your bike in pristine condition, that said if it's your only mode of transportation, just take your time, brake earlier and softer than you normally would and obviously take the corners slower, there's plenty of grip if you don't make sudden moves like grabbing the brake or accelerating too fast. If it's raining, I hang a cut down window wipe on the dash and wipe my visor! I tried the visor spray but found it didn't work very well. I don't think you get wetter riding a bike than if you were walking and I've been riding in all conditions for around 35 years.

I bought a new (used) bike in April and I've just realised my puncture repair kit is still in the cupboard! The portable inflator is under my seat though.

Good luck with your tests, I'm from Sunderland too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVPwCbzBGJk I don't know if the video link above will help, the only other things I can think of have already been mentioned, 'battery and fuses, I would check the fuse first because you at least get a light so it seems like the battery and terminals are ok, it it was the battery the clocks should still show but it might not have had the power to start the bike but since the clocks are not coming on at all it appears to be something else. Did you buy it from a dealer or did you see it running before you bought it?

Hi Dave, you have the bikes now and there's no need to keep starving yourself to save the pennies! Only joking, welcome to the forum.

I'd be wary of buying from them if you have only seen the bike online. I almost purchased one, I gave them my card number etc. and they sent more photos that weren't on the original advert and I quickly cancelled. It had rust all over it but obviously those photos weren't on the advert. I would have been fuming if it come in that condition. I'm not saying they're all like that but phone them first and ask for more photos before you pay anything or if you can, be there in person.

I wouldn't worry about it. Nobody gets on a motorcycle and is perfect - although some think they are! If they laugh just take it in good fun because you know for sure they've done something similar at some time. Nothing beats practice so if you can, find a car park or a big empty space near you and practice. It might seem odd but slow speed manoeuvres are essential and so are emergency stops, never grab your brakes. There's plenty of videos on YouTube but I recommend Motojitsu and Moto Control. As for keeping calm it's easier said than done but just try to blank everything out except for the bike and your surroundings, it'll take time but soon you'll be getting on your bike and riding without giving it a second thought. When you get to that stage, which doesn't take long, you'll realise how much you'll look forward to getting on your bike everyday. Don't despair or give up or you'll regret it.

Hello, does anyone know what I do if my parking ticket is stolen? I assume I stick the paid for parking ticket on my windscreen, but what the ticket is stolen? If I'm paying for the ticket by credit or debit card would that prove I've paid for a ticket and it was stolen if I come back to my bike and find it has a parking fine? Thanks for your help.