bonio

Yes, don't dump the clutch. That's about all you need to do. If you use the clutch smoothly, pausing for split second as you go through the point where it bites, then all will be well. Even if you pick the wrong gear, the bike will tell you (chugging like a tractor = you need a lower gear, engine suddenly racing and the bike slowing down = you need to go up a gear) and you will be able to shift to the right gear before the wrong one was fully engaged. And if you keep the clutch smooth and you pick the right gear, then it will feel velvety beautiful It will take a while*, but you will get the hang of it. (*I am still trying to improve my gear change...)

It's true that the FCO advice is useful, and when they use the magic phrase "advise against all travel to" I pay close attention. But they write things in a way that can make even the calmest place sound like hubbub of civil unrest. To put this in perspective, here's an except from another country (edited to make it harder to identify): This is Germany. So I'd go. I've been twice before, both times was with work and for week. The second time I went I stayed on with a couple of mates and we went to Jerusalem and Palestine. I'd go back again tomorrow. Great people, Israelis and Palestinians, both. Just stay out the trouble spots. The people you're working with will give you good advice.

Tuesday are hard for me. Must try to rearrange my week.

Where's the engine?

Great news . And congrats on the Mod 2 pass.

Mod 2 is just riding. It's a lot easier. Just go out there and relax and enjoy the ride.

Sure wuz. Any tips for where to go for a better than rubbish experience?

I actually took some genuine rubbish round the tip the other day and the guys in charge told me they wouldn't take it. They take only green waste and stuff that can sold or recycled. But rubbish...

Driving is sucky. I liked driving in the States when I lived there in the Mid West and the in the West - miles and miles of open, empty roads and even a few bends if you go to the right places. And cracking scenery. I was happy to drive there all day.

This is really good advice. There's one school where my missus went where they offer pre-CBT training, for people who wanted to go at it a bit more slowly. Other schools might be willing to do something like similar if you ask.

You mean an oxymorologist.

... Yes the guys above are right. Better pads are the place to start.

Braided hoses are normally the first thing. They make quite a bit of difference, giving you more bite and more precise control. But you may already have them fitted, and I don't know what you can do easily after that.

Well done! It's a great feeling

You're wasting your life away on bichemistry, mate. Think what kind a career you be having in an ad agency.

Didn't ever see a front go square before; that's a new one on me.

Hahaha. I can't imagine "popping" an engine in anywhere. I can imagine a lot of foul words and some bloody knuckles and time anxiously spent viewing YouTube vids, and I can imagine things that should be straight being a little bit bent and bolts breaking and screws rounding off. But "popping" an engine in is on a plane that's just completely outside the range of my experience. It all looks great. And red white and blue is the best colour scheme for a CBR.

hi Samy, The guys a right, you should look around and check out the quality and prices of other suits too. If it's that one you want, though, you're going to have to search a bit, as it's now discontinued (https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/buy/Alpinestars-Orbiter-Suit/15892.htm) J&S - they're a reputable company with a few stores in the UK and reliable online shop - have 1 2-piece and a couple of 1-piece in stock, but not in white (https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/pages/home/advanced-search.htm?search=orbiter&is_posted=yes&submit.x=0&submit.y=0#tabs|Search:products) FC Moto (a pretty reliable German online store who do free delivery I think to the UK) have 1 and 2 piece suits in, but again not in white (http://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=2587584&ViewAction=FacetedSearchProducts&SearchString=orbiter+suit) There are also a couple on ebay, but again not in white.

This. Slow in fast out is the rule that was passed on to me and it's kept me out of trouble more than once. With a long, sweeping corner, the "fast out" bit has to be tempered; you just want to keep the throttle on enough to keep the bike nice and stable, not so much you end up breaking the sound barrier

Very sucky situation Joe. I seldom find talking to a BMW dealer is a happy experience (although I've changed the dealership I use to the guys at Peterborough - definitely an upgrade) Hope you sort out one way or the other.

I agree, "worth the money" is really subjective, especially with helmets. Shoei's pitch is that their helmets are worth the money because they're very comfortable, and they're well ventilated. They don't claim they're any more likely to protect you in an accident than other brands (and I'm 100% sure they would make this clear if they had data to back this up). I find Shoei lids are really, really comfortable, and I have a Shoei which I wear all the time (but not in bed ). Some of the comfort is simply because it fits me well. Shark make my head feel like it's in been in a fight, but others find them really comfortable. To them, Shoei's not worth the extra. I find Caberg helmets have too little padding for me, but others get along with them just fine. If I found them more comfortable, I'd buy a Caberg and have a small holiday with the money I'd saved. Why not visit some place that stocks lids with the idea of trying on some different brands and models. You'll know when you put one on that works for you - it will feel completely different from the others.

I've tried this out on a few routes I know reasonably and it is totally genious - it pointed me at some roads that I know a great fun to ride. So first impressions are really positive. I'll certainly be trying it out for real when I next look to plan a route somewhere. Cheers

My take on this is that a helmet that fits your head well will protect your it better than one that doesn't, no matter how much it costs. I went to buy a NXR a year ago and came out with a GT-Air. The fit of the NXR just wasn't right for me.

On days like today, mine's is like having a private oven under the seat.

The hoodie is awesome. Next year I will do the challenge and get even let my hair down and get myself a hoodie