bonio

Don't often carry a hefty chain, but when I have done it goes loose in the top box and yes, I've noticed it a bit at slow speeds. If there is a solution with a lower centre of gravity, I'd go for that instead.

Nice one. One step nearer.

Thanks for the tips. MCT are booked up to September which is sad. However new tyres yesterday have completely sorted the unpredictable wobbly feedback I was getting and bike is now smooth and gorgeous again. Phew. The old tyres had done about 10k miles. They hadn't gone very square, but I wonder if they'd lost a bit of rigidity as they had got thinner. Anyhow, a new pair of Pilot Road 4s now. Happy days. The suspension is a bit soggy still and it will need a rebuild at some point, but the good news is that I've got a bit more time to sort what to do and when.

Valko! you stole that joke from the Greeks

I've had a top box since I started riding which is now about 7 years ago. They are sooo useful and once you've got one I guarantee that you'll find all kinds of crap to stick in it and carry around everywhere you go. Personally, I don't really like riding with a backpack, and I also wonder whether it could make it things worse in the event of an off. But if a topbox spoiled the beautiful lines of my sleek machine (this doesn't apply in my case ) or if it cost too much then I'd probably go for a tail pack. A Kreiga if I could afford it. Dunno about a tank bag: they can scratch the tank and some of them make filling up a bit of a pain.

I don't think the problem lies with the CBT so much as the lack of on-going training. Perhaps the thing that's really wrong is the message we give surrounding training. There's a way of thinking that says, I want to drive or I want to ride, and to do that I need to pass a test, so I'll get some training. That's so upside down: the aim of training is to learn to do things differently, to gain new skills, and to improve existing ones. But the usual thing, once the test is passed, is that all thought of skills or training fly out the window - there's no reason to do any more once you've got the certificate in your hand. I'd say the problem is worse with car drivers than bikers, as it seems to me that very very few go on to get advanced training, compared with riders. But I'm not sure how you'd fix it? I don't like the idea of making advanced or ongoing training compulsory, as this just reinforces the idea of training as something you do in order gain the right to drive or ride. Perhaps a government campaign to promote advanced training??

I think this might have been posted before... I've got a two and half year old R1200GS WC TE. Done 26k road miles. I'm only 9st 7lb, and I tend to ride with the damping set stiff, as it allows the bike to be pushed a tad harder. And now - well in fact, over the last 3 or 4k miles, the suspension has become soggy. It's the rear that seems particularly bad: the bike wallows more in corners and recently it's started to bottom out when going over a bad pothole. The forks have become a bit softer too, but tbh I don't notice it much. But the rear is seriously underperforming. I've started riding with the preload wound up another notch to stiffen the bike up a bit more. Occasionally the missus comes with me on the back, and yesterday we went out for a spin (preload at max) and she commented on how the suspension had changed a few months ago, and this has brought me to my senses and made me realise I need to get something done. The bike used to be magical and it's become a bit ordinary. But the question is - what to do? From reading what I have found online, it sounds like either a suspension rebuild (probably MCT at Stowmarket) or replace with Ohlins for a longer-lasting more wallet-busting solution. Are there any other options?* And any advice? I'm a numpty with a wrench and quick find myself out of my depth on any Haynes task rated at more than two spanners. --------------------------------------------- *"Sell it and get a green bike" is of course another option

About the helmet - my advice would be to go find a place where you can try some on. Heads don't just come in all sizes, they come in all shapes too, so knowing that a helmet is 56 or a Small doesn't help you get a one that fits well. And good fit is everything. Dunno if you've bought a helmet before but if not you'll find the advice from the people on the store really helpful: they know what a good fit should look like; for it me at least, it was way tighter than I was expecting. They can also advise you on what might fit you. Before you part with your cash, I'd also recommend you wear the thing for a while - 10 minutes? more if you can - to make sure it's comfortable. An uncomfortable lid is a real pain and can be a distraction when riding. How much to spend on a lid? Some people say that it's your head you're protecting, and you should spend as much as you can afford. I guess I'm in the other camp; as long as you stick to a recognised brand the lid will give you good protection, and like you say you can check the Sharp ratings if you want. As I see it , the lids that are more comfortable, quieter and have better venting tend to cost more. But there are loads of people who swear by their budget brand and think it's greatest helmet on earth, and why not if works for them?

If I was buying armour, I'd make sure it was CE Level 2 (EN-1621-2 CE Level 2) rather than just "CE" or "CE approved". I've not upgraded any armour, but I wear a back proctector. I started as I thought it made sense for someone commuting on the A14, and now I'm just in the habit of wearing it all the time.

Haha - I was just going to post this. (very cool choice by the way!) First - secondhand is defo the way to go - except for the lid of course. You can (and probably most of us have) pick up great kit at reasonable prices that way. Next - I'd reckon that Alpinestars make generally good, reliable kit (I had a pair of AS boots that disprove this, but hey ho). You won't go wrong with AS leathers. The only thing to watch for with leathers is that they should fit well to ensure you get good protection. Best to try to them on or to be prepared to return them. Dunno about the price on this one... from what I've seen, the price of secondhand leathers on ebay is inversely proportion to the square inches of bright colours. So if lots of purple and red are your thing, you'd be in there for under 50 quid. But black and white - dunno - out of my price range Also, a big question what kind of riding are you planning on doing? Leathers are great for Sunday rides out the coast when the nice weather comes, but they get a bit warm on a hot day, unpleasantly icy in winter and soggy in rain. This is fine if you're biking purely for pleasure and you can fit your riding around the weather forecast. But if you're thinking that you might use the bike as a way of getting about, and particularly if you're planning on commuting, then you'd be better off starting with a set of 3-season textiles. What you want is something with a promise of waterproofing (even though this will always be very overstated unless you buy goretex @ £££) good Cordura material, YKK zips, and a detachable thermal liner which you can hoik out in the summer to avoid arriving at your destination ready-basted. The thing about textiles is that they're worn more loose than leathers, so you have the flexibilty of wearing just a T shirt under the jacket in the summer, while in winter you can pile on layers after layer of fleeces and windproofing.

Whats this? Has the test gone complicated now? I kicked a cone over on my mod 1. In fact, I just nudged it and it teetered this way and then the other and back and finally it fell. Game over. Yes sir, drzhooner. Dunno when you took your test, but the mod 1 is done on a track that's marked out with cones where you have to do figures of eights and pirouettes and where the emergency stops has to end with your front wheel up in a tiny square box. It's far more difficult than actually riding on the road. (I lied about the pirouettes.)

Round here the wait for tests is long there aren't enough DSA testers; we've a testing centre up the road all kitted out for mod 1s, but they only have enough staff to open it 2 days a week. There are always cancellations; you have to phone, I think; you're instructor should be able to let you know the best way to get one.

I'm not on expert either, but it sounds like you're being too heavy on the back brake. I guess yo could go out somewhere quiet and try out braking with different amounts of pressure. Only don't go wild and bin it [WHITE SMILING FACE] Sent from mTalk

As said, the pub was great, food was top notch, the company a bit iffy, but hey ( ) and a cracking ride across the Chilterns (I think that's what they were). Haha. Had to be in Cambridge by 5:00 sharp. Arrived 4:59. Phew. Sorry I messed you up at the junction.

Bonio's a yes.

I've got the Pro Shell Rukka stuff. It's absurdly expensive, but it really works. As an example, I rode down to Devon through Storm Katie back in March. At one point, crossing the Vale of Marshwood, the rain was so thick all the hills had disappeared and I could only just see the road, yet I arrived bone dry. Also the kit dries off and is ready to wear again in no time at all.

I'd stick with biking and give the dancing a miss. Just go for it

Yikes But thx also. What time? (sorry perhaps this was earlier in the thread)

Is there room for a sad old fart on a nongreen bike?

It's a CG. Park up next to something new(er) and shiny(er). Use a chain and a lock if you must. It will still be there when you come back.

It sounds like you'd prefer to the DAS than carry on on a 125, but you're not sure how you'll take to it. If that's the case, then I'd say to go and do the DAS; it's the quickest way to riding a bigger bike, and it's specifically aimed at people who don't know how to ride. I reckon doing 1 day a week is a great way to do a DAS. I'd wish I'd done mine like that rather than the whole thing in a week; I found there was a lot to taken in and by the end of the week I was pretty tired and I wasn't learning as much as at the beginning. If you can find a place where you can meet the instructors and sit on a bike before you sign up like Hoggs said that would be fantastic. I was lucky with my instructor and we got on fine, but occasionally things don't go so well for people.

Not taken the bike, but I clearly remember driving in Palermo. It was something like modern ballet - highly intricate close-weaved choreography directed at an inexorable exploration of unexpected and novel moves - all done in cars.

Ear plugs are a must if you ride a lot and you want to protect your hearing. A decent headset will be loud enough to hear the music with earplugs in.

Igloo. This doesn't count.