bmwdave

The ones I got are amazing - put them in the topbox and haven't been caught in the rain once ever since. Magic !

Thats quite understandable.. because nobody actually cares!! the idea that some passerby is going to point and laugh at a biker because they happen to be using a bum bag (or lumber bag) is a fairly daft idea. This falls into the same ridiculous category as people who have major issues with the idea of anyone - let alone themselves wearing Hi-Viz. or a plain white helmet. or riding a 125cc scooter on those days when pulling out the Panigale, or the classic 916 Senna from the triple garage is too much like hard work. It seems to me a peculiarly British affliction to really care what some random stranger in the street might think about you. or indeed some random strangers on an internet forum. If you really want to know about how little people care.. go to Italy. riding on a 2015 Panigale. you will be completely ignored. but.. if you happen to be riding a classic 60s Vespa. you'll be mobbed. Theres something wrong with plain white helmets? And i have a top box all the time, leave the giant panniers in the garage

I learnt when - ahem - more mature than most, in my late 40's. Getting used to the separate brakes takes a little time, just remember its mainly the front one, rear is more for traffic etc. Having passed my direct access to go straight onto the big bikes I had 2 hondas with linked brakes, very efficient at encouraging lazy and bad braking habits. The Yamaha that followed was a sharp reminder about how to ride a bike properly. 10 years on and I love riding. I'm in Cheshire too so when you've passed maybe we could meet up for a ride. Went to the Ponderosa for the first time last month, usually go with another mature rider and we don't push it, nice comfortable ride, no knee down nonsense, both of us on big tourers. A bit of nervousness is only sensible when learning to ride, in fact keeping a bit (of nerves) is likely to extend your life once out on the road.

You haven't said what it was you did time for, although there are some civil offences that can lead to jail time - non payment of rates in extreme cases for example. If in doubt, declare it. They will find out and if you haven't declared it you will defo not get the license.

Thats why I like a flip front helmet - a little more flexibility to pull the sides apart as I put it on.

I tested my Caberg the hard way, and it passed (which you can tell as I'm sat here writing this). Got another Justissomo now.

Must confess I never rode mine like that - shortage of intestinal fortitude to be blunt.

It depends what kind of finance you took it on. If it was an unsecured loan through a bank or similar, then you should only pay the outstanding balance, possibly with an early redemption charge but this must be reasonable. If you took out a Hire Purchase contract its a bit more complicated and you will pay more to get out of the contract, although you will save money compared to paying out the contract to the end. Anyway, it costs nothing to ask for a settlement figure.

I got done at 36 in a 30 zone pretty early on a Sunday morning passing through a village with not a soul in sight except for the cop biker with a gun. I was the lead car on a trip out for about 10 of us and I was told later the other driver was moaning about how much I was slowing down for the villages seconds before I got pulled. He of course cruised past and waited round the next bend for us all. No option of training course then, 3 points and a fine.

My pet hate is filling up. Car or bike I run it down to the fumes if possible then brim it to keep my garage visits down to a minimum. This week I was scheduled for 2 runs down the North Wales coast for work, so on Weds evening I brimmed it then rode like a saint both ways yesterday and going to work this morning. Cruising on the motorway etc at 65-70 is very economic but staying awake becomes a challenge. Tonight coming home with plenty in the tank I was able to get a really good shift on, and still had a gallon left after 260 miles in 2 days. Mind you traffic has been terrible this week. I've probably filtered over 15 miles between the 4 legs, and saved myself a couple of hours compared to the car. The jam on the expressway yesterday morning even made the national traffic bulletin. I do love passing them all crawling along at 0-5 MPH in their cages, the bigger and fancier the better. Does that make me a saddo? Alex, you tell you-know-who about this post I'll serve you your bits for breakfast!!

Whatever you get remember to put your gloves INSIDE your jacket in the rain. I was very pleased to get home with dry hands, then as I got off the bike and lowered my arms a load of water ran down my sleeves and filled my gloves with freezing rainwater!

The idiot BMW driver who overtook as I slowly approached a red light hoping it would change before I had to come to a stop. It didn't, he had to stop and I filtered staright past him, throwing an obscene gesture in his direction then cruised off as the lights changed without me putting a foot down.

Go for Michelin road pilot, and while I agree with what others have said I just don't see you really testing the tyre grip on your bike.

Many many many years ago as a hitchhiking student a beautiful young woman appeared from in front of the lorry picking up the next guy along to offer me a lift to Manchester as per my card. Thinking it was Xmas I followed her round the lorry to see a P1800. It must have been my birthday too. Then she spoiled it all. " I'll get in the back and you can sit next to my husband. "

I switched to Michelin PR3 last spring and am hugely impressed, feel much better. Will go for the PR4 next time but don't know when that will be as 7k miles on almost no visible wear or squaring off.

Not clear from your comment if it really is a free lane or if you are using a lane marked for another purpose, e.g a right turn lane, then butting in. That is illegal, and it really annoys me. Why do drivers think they are more important than everyone else trying to get to work?

1. NOT "always" since priority is determined solely on the admissions authority's published criteria. For example, 15 places, 16 applicants are statemented, siblings take a hike 2. Since when? If all priority places are filled and the school still needs 20 places filled to reach PAN from a pool of 40 possibles, how will you determine who is offered a place? 3. In what way is that relevant? 1. In Manchester, as stated, siblings ALWAYS take priority at primary schools - may be different at secondary schools and other authorities. Suggest you read everything and keep within your own area of experise. Statemented children who have special educational needs are a very small percentage. My wife's school had a 90 pupil intake and she can't remember ever having more than 2 statemented children a year, so you are being totally facetious suggesting the entire year could be made up of these kids. 2. In Manchester there are sufficient criteria to put all candidates in order of priority, even down to measuring the distance from home to school by shortest practicable route, which my wife has had to do on occasion. 3. Have you read all the posts or just the first one or two? And academies are different anyway.

Mrs BMWdave used to work in the office of a primary school in charge of admissions (for 37 years). Siblings take priority always because of the difficulty of getting your kids to 2 schools, only exception being if older child about to leave. She says appeal immediately to local authority, and school must have published admissions policy, now commonly found on the school website or local authority website. Drawing lots is not legal. The rule for Manchester LEA was siblings, starting with those closest to school. Therefore the only way for your kid not to get in is if all the places are filled by kids with siblings who live closer to the school than you. Different rules apply to faith schools. Did the application form ask if there is a sibling at school, and did you remember to tick that box. Reception classes are allocated by the LEA in Manchester but they do make mistakes, this may not apply in your area. Feel free to ask any questions she's happy to help if she can. PS I intend voting UKIP

Not sure about mixing tyres but I switched to the Michelein RP3 last year and am hugely impressed. Good grip, bike feels better and 7k miles still look like new, no squaring off visible yet. And I've heard the RP4 is even better.

Did one last year in Doncaster, actually got a london cop up for the day to help out, good ride, good comments, would do another given the chance.

Weather looks good, who's playing out tomorrow or Monday? Southport, Cat and Fiddle, Matlock, I'm open to suggestions.

Depending on what it failed on, would you actually want to be running around on it?

I used to be like you, was sweating just sitting on the bike when I started, things just improve with experience. Riding is very stressful when you've just started, stress makes you sweat. Just stick with it. oops er or use talc.

Been looking to update the cage for a while, found a nice replacement, Mazda 6 only 11k on the clock but 40 miles away. Phoned this morning to check its still there, drove over and while waiting at the traffic lights opposite the garage, phone rings, its the salesman to let me know they've just sold the car!!

Your prospective new employers should understand if your current employers are pissed off because of the short notice, but employers commit an offence if they lie or withold a reference or make any untrue comments, they can be sued for libel.