bonio

Really nice bike

Oh really? I stand corrected. Again

Well done

You won't get even a minor for stopping briefly at a Give Way. If I were taking my test again, I'd probably stop at each Give Way, as it's harder to make a mistake that way. Here's for how I generally try to stop at a junction: Use the brake, with the clutch in. As you approach the junction, downshift gently through the gears, with the clutch still in. Downshift to 1st just as you come to a stop.

Ooh. Then it looks as if I was wrong.

I completely agree that the German and Irish approach to motorbike is more desirable than ours. No argument on that. But there is something that I still don't get... About the motorbike test, the EU directive says And the dictionary says Given this, I honestly don't understand how Germany and Ireland are thought to achieve this particular result in their version of the test.

To be fair, I think the problem is with probably shared more evenly between the government and the EU. For example, the EU driving directive stipulates testing at least two slow speed manoeuvres, including negotiating a slalom. The UK government said to themselves that they couldn't possibly test that on the open road, and so built a whole series of test centres, each with acres of smooth tarmac, all dedicated to testing according to the EU directive. The Irish government, by contrast, said to themselves that of course everyone must end up doing some kind of slalomy type manoeuvre when they're out on their test and as long they don't fall off, they must have done it pretty well. So the Irish motorcycle test is a single test, all of it is carried out on the road, and all you have to do is show you can control the bike at slow speed. Which is right? Well, given no other information, it would be hard to see how on earth the Irish government's test meets the EU driving directive. But it sure does make a lot more sense out of it than the UK government's approach. But the root of the problem lies with the EU, who preside over a system where it's possible to come with up with an interpretation of the directive that is so wide of the mark that was written down, and yet which is still considered to meet its standards.

Spot on. They're committed to getting road accident rates down. They have two policies I can see: reduce speed limits on twisty roads / roads with junctions, and make it harder to get on a motorcycle for the first time.

The cheapest way to get your licence is likely to be to pass the CBT, get a 125 and run around on it for a year or so. Add a few lessons in from time - I think you do better to have the lessons spaced out and give yourself time to practice so that you can go on to learn new stuff at the next lesson. Then you could choose whether to do the A2 test , or it might make more sense to do some lessons on a big bike (it has to be over 595cc) and and go for the full licence. At least I *think* the rules allow you to do it this way.

Bit of along shot, but any chance of getting it to a garage for an expert opinion on the ABS light before you buy? If you know the seller, perhaps you could stick on your car insurance, leave £200 deposit, and take it round yourself?

Good advice

Result! How's the fit? I used to get helmets online, but I've gone off the idea now. I never as happy with the fit as when I choose one in a store.

Ouch.

Here are the signs I'd look for that say it's time to change chain and sprocket Chain links are binding together and can't be loosened by hand The chain has sections where its too loose or too tight and sections where its ok The chain needs tightening all the time The sprocket shows significant wear, especially if the wear is uneven on the drive and following side of the sprockets I've probably missed some - any others anyone?

That's a bit rough . To be honest, we've all dropped a bike (or more than one in my case), and it's most likely to happen when the bike's going slow. (Hahaha - I remember one particularly acrobatic drop done at nearly 0 mph by one of the members of this fine forum - I can't say his name though - the bike he dropped was spanking new and it wasn't his ). As for your situation, add in the gravel, perhaps a bit of turn on the bars AND a half-flat rear and there were a lot of things making the bike unsettled. The flat is real bad luck. Anyway, hope it goes well for you this weekend. Take it steady and stick to places you know (which you're doing, I can see) and you'll get there soon.

Top tip, that one.

Ooo nice carbony shiny bits Looks beautiful.

Cheers! I'll set to it tonight.

Sorry should have said - Shoei GT Air. There are a ton of videos on youtube on how to remove the lining. Basically you unpop the poppers and then pull.

So I've just splashed out big time and bought myself a bluetooth headset from Aldi . The problem is... fitting it. It comes with a clamp that you fit to the side of the helmet, under the lining. But I've just to come to take the lining out of my helmet to find a big red notice saying Really? Should I just rip it out anyway? Or should I ponder my mortality, and, to safeguard my remaining time on earth, just take the headset back to Aldi?

The way I've been recommended to try is to grip with your knees, and to try and keep relaxed - especially across your shoulders, since any tension there will result in a tight grip on the bars. Also keeping warm is a good tip like was said as you'll tense up once you start feeling cold.

-> I want to live in a place where I can vote against politicians whose policies I don't like. (I don't mind if they get in again; I just want the chance to vote against them). But when do I get to vote against Merkel or Junkers or any of the people who actually run Europe? -> I want to live in a place where the elected government are the people who make the laws. This is no longer true in Italy or Greece. I don't want to hang around and until the same thing happens here. -> I want to live in a place that is happy to work with Europe and European countries, to trade with them, and enjoy freedom to travel, and still enjoy a good standard of living. Like Norway, say. So it's out for me, like Norway.

I'd like to hear if there are any biker jeans that offer a decent level of protection. I had a pair once but lost confidence in them (too much reading forums like this one...) so I replaced them with some leather ones. But jeans are sometimes really convenient. And kinda cool too mode> .