bonio

By the way, have you thought about the Versys 650? A good tourer and insurance group 9. Won't do 2-up, though; if you wanted that you'd need the 1000, which perhaps blows the budget.

(posted in the wrong thread)

I had a 2013 R1200GS - the first of the waterheads. I'm only 5'7" and 9st 4 and it was definitely a heavy bike to move around. But light as a feather from 2mph up. I used it to commute on for 5 years, mainly riding in town. It's not a bad commuter, as it's got a load of torque available at low revs - all these bikes mentioned above do - and it's got great road presence: people don't mess with you. But it's not a great commuter as it's got wide bars, and filtering through narrow gaps just isn't going to happen. For everything else - days rides, touring, munching miles on motorways, fun twisties, mountain roads - it was an astonishingly brilliant bike. I did 50k miles on it. Servicing wasn't too bad for costs, but if anything went wrong the collateral damage to the wallet was painful. It was this in part that made me decide to get rid. Mpg was always around 50, with a not-always-completely-sensible riding style. Sorry to hear about the hit for insurance. I'd have thought that the premiums would come down steeply for your second year. Might be worth running a few quotes as if you had a year behind you already, just in case it expands your choice of bike.

Hello. Welcome in!

I'm no expert but I've got a completely uninformed opinion, which I'm happy to commit to print here. Yes, a new end can may affect the way the engine works. By altering the flow between the cat and the outside, it can change back pressure felt at the exhaust valve, and so affect the action inside the cylinder. People often retune an engine after replacing the exhaust. But the question is: by how much. I expect that the cat acts as a significant buffer between the engine and end can, significantly reducing the effect of changing it over. Also, your replacement end can may have very similar flow characteristics to the original. If it were me, I'd ask the can manufacturer what action they recommend you take to ensure the engine runs as the manufacturer intended after replacing the can.

Middle of the lane? Or middle of the road? This is what I do: position first for safety: keep out of the way of things coming your way and stationary vehicles, and give them some space. Avoid potholes and if it's wet avoid manhole covers and white paint. Second, position for vision: within that safe space you've identified in step 1, take up the place which gives you the best view of what's coming up next. Finally, position for presence: if, after steps 1 and 2 no other position is better, then put yourself where the right hand wheel of a car would be: a bit off-centre to the right.

Welcome back You've picked the time perfectly to enjoy the better weather.

Give yourself some time on the road especially if you can find time when the roads are emptier. Relax your shoulders Why not look into doing a bikesafe course? They're usually running by coppers on bikes, and cover stuff on how to ride safely. At the end of it you get to ride with them and they give you feedback and tips. I did one years back and had a great time.

It really happened. 1983. When we got to the piglets, he castrated the wee boars with a Wilkinson sword safety blade and they squealed their little hearts out, bless em. Back in the car, we flew across the field to the road and then home for lunch with a glass or two of '76 claret. It was the kind of holiday you don't forget.

All the best.

Happy birthday

You serious? Ride your bike. Keep your hands on the bars and feet on the pegs. Nod once you've been doing that for a year without binning it. Welcome to the forum by the way. Apologies if I've come across grumpy...

It's true that they won't see you even if you wear dayglo orange or yellow. But a his viz vest or a white helmet might improve your chances of being seen, which is why coppers wear both. But in the end it's up to you... I've got a black helmet and I don't wear hi viz and I'm comfortable with that. But when I commuted a lot more I had a white helmet and sometimes I'd wear a hi viz vest in winter. They still didn't see me, mind.

I was being driven by a French farmer in his 2cv. We were flying along, on our way back to the farmhouse, a rambling pile with very primitive plumbing, when he suddenly asked if I wanted to see his piglets. Im not a great conversationalidt, so I just said Yes, and the next thing we were off the road and bouncing across the field without the slightest change in speed. Very impressive suspension.

Sorry for your situation. It's not a great one... Try to work with the company to get the cancellation reversed. Ask them what you would need to do to have a chance of reversal. You will have to be very polite and take full responsibility for your actions as any hint of making excuses for yourself will likely undermine your chances. Other than that you're in the hands of specialist insurance companies who insure high risk people. But be prepared to pay a lot.

Hello new boy old boy. Welcome in.

Best o' luck @Fiddlesticks

Hope this means we can start to get spare parts

Took the MV to the dealer yesterday for a service and some warranty work today. Didn't hear from them today, so I can't pick up the bike tomorrow morning, which means they're going to have to keep it until after the weekend. With the DRZ, the first date I could get for an MOT was Tuesday. So it's a Bikeless Weekend ahead.

I think they look great. When I rode a scoot I had nighttime fantasies about owning one

Sorry for your woes!

Hey and welcome

the Varadero is probably the best 125 for someone who clocks in at 6'3". I hear that they're getting hard to find, though.

A YBR is one of the zippiest 125 out there. And to me, zippy = good; so, zippiest = best. But I'm a simple soul.

I don't think I have a continuous joint.