wannaride

As I've said before on here, I nod to anyone on two wheels -even if it is a chav on a scoot...I figure is better to show that there's a respect in the biking community, and that it is a community. I'm overtaking a bike on a carriageway or something I raise my hand a little bit as I pass, just to say 'hey, respect'. I love the biking community and the nods...I think it's awesome.

Cheers guys, have to say that I always trust experience of other riders over a salesman.....SOLD. I never did consider whether a laptop could get damaged due to vibration...guess with just a laptop in a backpack I wouldn't be uncomfortable...but my daily commute is over a hundred miles and I have noticed that-with the backpack- I do start losing concentration as I squirm around...also speed up a bit as I try to get home quicker. Anyway, thanks again...off to buy one before Monday.

Hey, As I've been commuting to Uni everyday, I've had to give up carrying my laptop, folders and books in my back pack (it was KILLING me!) and started to bungee the bag to the pillion seat. This worked well for a while, but a strap from the bag that I used to add stability snapped, then bungees just started snapping. After a swerve on a roundabout, I checked back to see my rucksack almost dragging on the road (MY LAPTOP!!!), being held on by only one determined bungee. ANYWAY.. ...really don't want to fit a big, hard luggage top box (it'll wreck the look of my VFR), and besides, I need to just pick it all off the bike and go. So, I thought a tail pack might be a good idea...but they all look so high, and I can't imagine that it wouldn't just topple off the bike as I'm leaning on carriageway bends and the like. With heavy books, laptop and stuff, would a tail pack hold on well enough? Cheers,

That is UGLY! ATGATT -I know you love this subject Techno! But hey, that's what I choose -of course, I reach 40mph -and about 30mph through trees- on my push bike wearing 3 qtr length trousers, a t-shirt and some (rather cool looking) sunglasses -and a smile. But still, for the motorbike, I'm AT cheap and affordable and hopefully worth it despite being on sale, end of line GATT.

Cheers guys, Well, turns out I'd forgotten some household DIY tasks that I've been assigned to, so now the kids are getting down to bed I have to get on with those....guess I'll do the bike tomorrow!! Hope the weather's still fine when I get down to it!

Hey everyone!! I'm hoping to spend a couple of Sunday evening hours with my beloved.....bike. Dan's chain cleaning guide is awesome and I'm going to give the bike a good spruce up, but I was going to use WD40 to clean the chain, then lube it up and let the scottoiler take over maintenance until the next cleaning sesh. BUT, I've read online today that WD40 is a no no because it has a bad effect on the lube afterwards. That true? I was planning on using WD to clean other parts of the bike though. That's no problem is it (just no moving parts)? If I can't use WD on the chain, what can I use that I may just have around the house?

Looking good!

Hello and welcome, someone is sure to know something and will pop along soon!

Cool, I'll keep all that in mind. Have looked at eBay and seen some back protectors, but none of them seem to go high up to the nect, so how would they protect that part? Anyway, I'll keep googling!!! I love it really!

well yeah, i'll top up if i can, but times aren't too friendly - just added another piglet to the household yesterday, so we are watching the pennies -but the real point is that safety is a big concern with a young family. Was going to get spine protector in august (for birthday) but my scared li'l momma has offered 50 bucks now. Think i can sqeeze about £20 out of somewhere (now that's a magic trick!), so yeah, might be able to afford a bit more! I have some good recommendations now, so I'll try to afford them (would rather spend money on a recommendation than a sales pitch!! Cheers everyone.

Hey everyone, My mum (bless er!) has insisted on buying me a back protector, with a budget of £50. There's a knox one that will fit into my jacket -for £16. It's just a plank I guess. Or there is the sort to go under my jacket, with neck and kidney protection also. I lean in favour of this and being as protected as possible, but the cheapest in my local shops is an oxford one for £69.99. Are there any that people can recommend with that sort of function, but a £50 sorta budget? Online is fine -just need to know what's good to buy for the budget. Thanks a lot!

I've had a bunch of people on a bandit forum say it could be the sprockets being worn, or a real slack chain. My mate said his chain is really slack.....so does anyone go along with that? Where is the cheapest place to buy the two sprockets and chain -and can two enthusiastic newbies get down, get greasy and pull off the job?

Thanks Dan, I suddenly realised it was probably in the wrong place, went looking for the post and it was gone...you work fast! Bummer...mechanics cost money!

Hiya, My mate was meant to meet up with me today for a ride, but he's had to tuck his Bandit up with a thermometer and a cup of honey and lemon. He has an N-reg Bandit, which is making a thudding noise whenever he rolls the throttle on to accelerate. It's coming from the left side and he feels the thudding in his foot through the gear lever. Guess it has something to do with his gearbox given the left foot feedback? From 'low on oil' to 'get a new bike', does anyone know what the problem may be?

Just as well that I'm not well off enough to buy those labels (except Bench), otherwise I'd have to start shopping responsibly. Does make one consider their own contribution to the exploitation.

I CAN'T WAIT TO NOD

That's terrible! That's the kind of background info a newbie needs to acquire, there's so much sales talk, it's hard to know who to believe -- with the exception of fellow riders with experience.

Hey that's really nice!!!!!

Hey Bigup, cheers. It's a good point about trying stuff on. I measured myself up and found that I sized up as a medium jacket, but when I tried some on today (at the dealers) I was quite obviously a small. It was crazy. I measured as a L in trousers (as a 34inch waist) but the trousers that fit me were XXL!!! WTF? So, good job I tried stuff on. I got a fine enough deal at the dealers, so I'll get that stuff for now. Next time I buy, I'll have more experience of what I like and want. CAN'T WAIT 'TIL TUESDAY!!!!!!! Picking the gear and my bike up.

Got to say, that one is not my sort of thing, but I found myself looking at it and going 'cooool!' It does look nice. Think I'm going to have to go second hand, for better quality kit at bargain price. On with the search!!!! Richa is sounding good on the forum though!

I'm a blurry 32-34 (depending on where I buy or style of trousers). Good to know you like your gear, recommendation is one of the things I trust most. Leather trousers....I want to go for textiles really, or are they a mix? I'll google them and take a look. Leather doesn't have the waterproofing, but is better in a crash....right?

Hiya, Still on my search for cheap but cheerful textile clothing. Is Richa any good? Perhaps if someone had the time and knowledge, a run-down of cheap but recommended gear and brand info would be great for newbies on the forum. But hey, if it happened, it would be past my time of need. Anyway, I was looking for an Akito python jacket but it had sold out, then I saw this Richa Asura Textile Waterproof Motorcycle Jacket. I know it's cheap, and how much is my life worth, but is it any good for the budget? http://www.topgearsuperstore.com/-motor ... -2930.html Cheers Chris -can't wait to change my name to Amarider!

I fully respect you getting any bike and any sized bike you want...but is AGE an issue here? Cuz I see a £3000 budget which to me equals £500 on a DAS and £2500 on any bike you want! Plus a good six months to get the easier and cheaper test. Just seen your DOB. You're 21 in about a month. That means DAS doesn't it? DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS, edit that, CHEAP DAS, EASY DAS, BIG BIKE, ANY BIKE, FAST BIKE, CHEAP DAS!

This is the second time in tonights forum browsing where I've wanted an emoticon for the term 'WOO HOO!'. I have my test on the 23rd, and this news takes a lot of pressure off. If I do fail, the consequences aren't SO disastrous. This is awesome news!

Hey!!!! I passed my CBT today. I had absolutely no experience on a bike, and jumped on the 125 with a hope that I would find it to be the most natural place on earth for me to be..... ....it wasn't! I got on just fine though, and found the POWER (Petrol, Oil. Water, Electric, Rubber) tour around the bike really interesting. Then we were shown about the safety position and how to safely mount and dismount the bike, before we went around the pad at walking speed. Our instructor was so chilled out, and it was all about us taking our time and realising that it was within our abilities. Figure of 8 went okay, as did my U turn, although I put a foot down once, but I could try again. My emergency stop was fine, but LOUD (revved up in all the excitment) Whilst I stopped fine, he did tell me that I was gunning it a bit too eagerly, and had build up a bit more speed than he'd intended. Whoops! Adrenaline I guess! The thing I found trickiest was remembering the start-up and dismount sequences. I sometimes found myself staring at the bike for 20 seconds to remember the safe sequence to put it into neutral, turn it off, and then safely dismount....meanwhile my fellow riders had their helmets off and were chatting already. I guess I found the controls of the bike to be quite unnatural, and I was still getting used to it all, even when we'd finished for the day, but I passed, and it will come with continued exposure to the machine! The road riding was fine, although I was extremely nervous. I've been driving for years, but I was so hesitant and didn't trust cars at all unles I KNEW where they were going. The most important advice I would give to CBTrs on their training day road ride, is to go at your own pace. Don't think you have to gun it to keep up, because you may just mis-judge something. They can always pull over ahead and wait, but atleast you've shown that you have safety in mind -which is what most of it's about. If you fall, or get T-boned as you enter a roundabout in an attempt to keep up, you would be at fault and would definitely fail. Obviously, don't crawl along at dangerous speed etc!!! Great day, but I'm knackered...roll on for a week of DAS.....I'm sure I will sleep well -if not for the nerves!