Gerontious

Go to a dealership and measure it yourself. Specs say bike width is 740mm and and this is usually the overal width including mirrors. I found one face on image and in that the mirrors definitely looked a little wider than the bars.

This is just bizarre. Derbyshire only has 1 motorway. 2 fairly short sections of the M1, on the other side of the county and if you were heading towards Leek, then you were heading away from it.

125cc bikes without L plates are a relatively rare sight on the road. And would be a subject of investigation by any copper if the answers from their computer systems were 'wrong' or not up to date. More so now than ever because of the amount of crime involving scooters and small capacity bikes going on. I think... that, because he let you ride away, he knew that he had made a mistake. Especially when , on the one hand you probably didn't fit the profile and the other.. He wasn't completely au fait with the legislation. A bike ridden by a learner with missing L plates.. Maybe because it fell off. Cannot be allowed to proceed. A decent copper would allow you to call a cab and go buy them... A really good copper might even take you. A "by the book" copper would make you walk and have the bike seized. Just bad luck in your part. Bike crime is a big deal at the moment and a lot if attention is on the police to deal with it.

My reading of his post.... Because he has lost confidence in himself.. At this point after 3 failed attempts. He's used to riding a 125 and for the time being it suits him to 'switch' and take the test on that. This is perfectly normal in all other countries in Europe. If you want to ride a 125cc bike. Then pass your test. Failing 3 times is pretty disheartening. Some people would just give up and walk away. Sticking with it. Going for the 125 test and passing that is a great first step in regaining confidence. Then.. Further down the line go for the full unrestricted by anything, test, it will cost more over the medium term.. But there are benefits too. A year or two of NCB without L plates will have a very good effect on insurance rates as and when you move onwards and upwards.

It doesn't seem all that long ago.. But it's probably getting on for 10 years that what is now the R Nine T series of bikes was just a group of 10 or so illustrations/paintings. Put "out there" for discussion and opinions. Some said it would never happen, some said nobody wants an impractical retro single seater. Modern pastiches of classic bikes. And here we are. That BMW have produced a working 1800cc engine now in an actual bike. In the hands of a 3rd party. Well... That kinda reminds me of something, back in the day. Handing over a couple of their bikes to a couple of Brits and allowing them to be filmed on a round the world trip. And we all know what happened next. Doing it this way... Allowing it to leak out in a very public way. But without any fanfare. That's clever. BMW have a lot of presence in the USA but not even a toehold in the cruiser market. If they can produce an engine that piques interest over there. One that is the right size and offers a very good alternative to the usual V twin. Even a small bite of the market share will be huge for them, that toehold they need. Maybe even take that next obvious step. Open a production facility in the States. "made in america" that's a big deal too. Reminds me a little of Triumph in the early 90s. The very first bikes off the production line went straight to Germany. They knew well enough that if they could impress the Germans.. Sell the bikes fast and gain a shed load of publicity there and across Europe, they would be off to a flying start. Of course it worked. Similar strategy. Giving the engine to a Japanese custom builder? That's just a wacky. But incredibly clever idea. Aimed squarely at American eyes.

It was almost certain to happen. The American cruiser market is huge. BMW tried to get into it with the very first 1200 engine. Long before the 1200GS and the rest of them. That 1200 engine was one of a kind and specifically for a cruiser aimed directly at the Ameicans. It flopped... They sold a fair few but it didn't hit the right nerve. Reason? It was almost laughably small (CC) for American tastes. The same capacity as the 1200 sportster... Which itself isn't considered a proper Harley.. Just a starter bike to get you into the Marque. So... Another try. 1800 should do better. Maybe. The Americans do hold BMW in very high esteem. You mean the Air/Oil cooled.. The Boxer lives on with water cooling, in current bikes and has only recently been increased to a 1250cc

Back protectors are usually bought separately.... Not always, but it's fairly normal. Even high end gear like Rukka.. Doesn't place much emphasis on the spine.. They concentrate more on the usual impact points. Shoulders, elbows, thighs and knees. But there will 99/100 be a ready made space for a back protector... Or you can wear it separately under the jacket if you choose.

Traction control stops the front and back wheel spinning. ABS does the opposite. I'm not sure what you are asking . Don't Suzuki cover all this in their advertising? They do.. Copied below. Utilising the high specification traction control system from the V-Strom 1000, the new V-Strom 650 is now also equipped with this advanced technology. This system continuously monitors the front and rear wheel speeds, throttle position, crank position, and gear position with various sensors, and controls the engine output by managing the ignition timing and air delivery. The traction control system² can be switched to either of two modes, or off. The modes differ in terms of sensitivity. Mode one allows modest rear wheel spin for more advanced, exhilarating riding, while mode two activates traction control at the slightest loss of rear-wheel grip to give you greater confidence on slippery surfaces or in the rain. The choice of modes can be quickly and easily made by selecting the traction control mode from the left switch cluster and confirming it with a glance at the instruments.

The trick is to ride with a suitable level of caution given the conditions and save ABS and Traction control for those rare occasions when you f**k up. I have ABS on the last bike and the new one... It's been several years at least since it last activated. I made a mistake and hard braked on a dodgy surface... And stopped. Not had the TC long enough to put it to the test.. I'm riding normally (for the time of year) and so there is probably no reason why it should activate.

I wasn't aware you had to have gears to have a proper bike! @Gerontious you best sell that heap of a non proper bike you have just bought! its all fake I tell you There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding. the bikes.. both of them have Gears. 6 of them. and the ability to use them normally. the main difference though is that the bike doesn't have a clutch lever.. so all changes are 'clutchless' but.. you can have a standard foot operated gear lever if you want as an optional extra.. or use the paddles on the grips. up and down. Finally.. if you really want to. you can ride the bike in full manual mode. by turning off the 'automatic'. There are a whole load of options available to the rider... just no more messing with a clutch lever. that has.. on these bikes gone the way of the dodo. bear in mind that Honda are rolling this new type of transmission for all their bigger bikes. Honda are first to do it.. and about 40% of all bikes sold are DCT. so.. there is a demand. And... I doubt very much if the rest of the Big 4 will stand idly by. The Crumble tried one the other day.. the first time he didnt get it. this second time he very much did. test riding from the same dealership I got mine. ">

he cant be that bad if he managed to complete a CBT. lessons.. and all parts of the test after a couple of attempts. I would guess the biggest problem is due to his stature and perhaps, making a mistake with the bike he originally bought. also having a crash.. dented his confidence in that particular bike. It happens.

Two DCT owners on the forum. great fun.. glad you paid no attention to the nay sayers. it always amuses me that people who haven't tried something are always so quick to say you shouldn't try it either.

Because Ive owned a BMW for the best part of 21 years and wanted a change. a complete change and something totally different. I also have spent far too many years with the nagging worry at the back of my mind about 'what if'. what if the clutch dies on me.. its the best part of £600 for a new one (6hrs labour + parts, adds up). Ive also had the clutch fail because the actuator arm snapped (in middle-of-nowhere Austria) and earlier this year the throttle cable snapped. I got tired very quickly of wire cables. The DCT has a clutch that will last.. probably forever. because its absolutely nothing like a traditional clutch. no friction plates. The bike has NO wire cables to snap. Its an Auto.. but with full manual override. just all changes are "clutch-less" - no lever to pull. up and down - finger and thumb. I've always thought that was a really wacky idea. Ive been keeping my eye on these DCT bikes since they first appeared 9 years ago.. reading about how crude they were to begin with, but have improved. Now up to the 3rd generation box and its a peach. slick, smooth, seamless. I can have fun using the gears.. dropping a gear if I want to.. or need to. or just forget about the gears and enjoy the ride. every change smooth as silk. Go from neutral to 1st and clutch (2) is ready and waiting for me to change to second and as soon as I do that clutch (1) is already waiting with 3rd gear and so it goes on. riding in auto mode and I cant even tell when it changes gear. its rapid off the line.... open the throttle and it leaps away 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the blink of an eye. fast. Ive been hearing things like this and wanted to try it for myself. Ive never owned a Honda. Just 1 Kwak. 5 Trumpets and 4 Beemers. I have liked these new Africa Twins.. after watching ride reports on YT by a chap who has done a 'proper' round the world on one in 2016. And.. only this year did Honda do the one thing I have been waiting for.. they finally got rid of the throttle cable. The bike is now "Ride by Wire". something BMW have had for about 14 years. And i fancied a brand new bike.. instead of yet another second hander.

I might be wrong.. but I 'Think' this is no longer the case.. brakes on my bike aren't linked and a quick look hasn't turned up others, though Ive only looked at the VFR800 and big CB1000. Could it be that this has been quietly phased out? or maybe its so ordinary they don't think its worth mentioning any more.

I must say Im impressed that you managed to get an L plate that matches your brake callipers. do some magic now.. and make it vanish.

Sunday at work and of course it was a blue sky day.. with just a bit of cloud in the Afternoon. Today.. of course the forecast was for rain right across Derbyshire from the M1 to the M6. I ummed and aahed and then at 10am thought 'sod it- lets go' added another 221 miles.. so now at 346. and did a few shires. 6 of them. I was going to stop at the Welsh border and turn around. but kept on going. It really did rain all the way across to the M6. Very few bikes out and about, No Bikes at all at the Pondy except this one. Grey... and 7c explains that, looked like it had recently rained.. I didn't hang about, it was after 2pm. And i wanted to be back on the A50 before dark. More than half way to the first service now.. had it in sport mode, the lowest level and the exhaust made noises Im just not used to. I think I should take it back and complain. I felt almost hooligan-like (ish) People looked.

Breakerlink.com or breakeryard.com Perhaps? There may be others. More the merrier, maybe.

I've never driven a car in my life... Back in the early 80s I made a deal with myself, I would happily take driving lessons and drive a car (or whatever) but only if someone else, an employer, paid for it. That almost happened in 1989, but, luckily I was headhunted and changed jobs. So, 38 years on a bike, 36 with a full license. And zero regrets. And no desire whatsoever to join the teeming masses in their queues. Doing what they do, picking their noses and examining it like its a priceless object. Desperately trying to make a phonecall. Or texting. Occasionally spouting billowing clouds of vape smoke and then opening the window in a panic... For obvious reasons. Or making me go all misty eyed and nostalgic over a misspent youth with a miasma of weed smoke following. Queuing at petrol stations for their petrol cap side pump. While I go merrily by to one of the vacant slots. Driving exceptionally badly on a Saturday, because they commute on auto pilot, half asleep and real driving is hard work.. So let's not bother concentrating. I could go on... That was just yesterday.

Thankyou. I have just looked at the Honda website and the price has increased in the past few days by £505 for 2019 models - now £13999.. this increase seems to be with immediate effect. Also the 0% offers are set to end on 3rd of January. so, the price I paid: £11607 seems even more of a good deal. my discount has gone up to £2,392. had I waited for a 2019. The 2019 comes in the same colour, but without the 30th anniversary badge on the tank. There is also a new 'silver' colour. which to me looks a little like Urban Camo. All other specs remain the same. I prefer the tricolour.

far too early for a proper review.. that can come later, this is just a 'first impressions'. Dry this afternoon after a morning of rain and so I took the bike out for a bimble.. mainly backroads up to near Lincoln. ODO is now at 125 miles. Im really only now getting to grips with the DCT gearbox and.. its completely bonkers. Pull away and there is no lurch. no forward 'bump'.. it just starts to move and rapidly climbs the gears. Go up a hill and it drops a gear or two, depending on how steep. coming down.. so far it seems to prefer dropping to third.. but the hills I went down weren't exactly steep. I have to resist the urge to 'rev' the bike.. as that probably wont end well in traffic. but.. its just a button push to put it into neutral. Its very strange seeing '1' on the instruments at a standstill and the bike not moving. Only once.. again, did i reach for the clutch lever.. and grab nothing. Ive had it in 'Tour' mode so everything was a bit 'lazy' and relaxed. Im going to leave trying the 'sport' modes until I'm past the first service and the end of this 'pretend' running-in period. To be honest i dont feel even slightly limited by this.. as it is, the bike is far more 'eager' than the GS. The DCT means its all about the riding with no thinking about the gears at all, but its easy enough to change gear on the fly without a pause. The switch for 'down' is where the left indicator button was on the GS - thumb push, the 'up' switch behind.. so index finger for that. I made one schoolboy error.. when I pulled over, I tried the handbrake... and then pulled away with it still on. the bike moved.. but there was obviously a problem. a red light with P being the giveaway. The pad is smooth so, no harm done. Before i left home I put the seat in its low position.. more comfortable for me until i get lower foot-pegs. The tank is a very different shape to the GS so is taking a bit of getting used to to find the sweet-spot for my knees. I also put some grip puppies on and the grips feel much more natural. The heated grips are strictly 'alright' nothing to write home about. warm rather than hot. Not something Im worried about as I never used to use the ones on the GS.. which are far hotter. It was 10c so not exactly freezing out. Im going to stick the knee-pads on tomorrow.. if I can. Not starting work until 7:30pm... at the moment Monday is looking good for another bimble.. I fancy a ride over to the coast.. or perhaps to the Ponderosa for lunch. At this rate i should be able to get the first 600 mile service over with before Christmas. The dealer told me it would cost £130 oil and both filters. Suspension is just great.. I've not touched it so far, the bike just glides over speed humps and pot holes as though they're not there. I'm used to a fairly firm ride.. so perhaps some tweaking to be done in the future. its an odd hybrid bike.... on the one had this 'throttle by wire' gizmo.. so not mechanical, its like the CanBus on a modern GS. But the rest of the electrics has fuses. so.. mainly a proper 'old school' bike in that sense. with some 21st century 'additions'. would you call them upgrades? I dunno. No mechanical 'wire' cables at all to snap. which is a good thing in my book. Ive had a throttle cable snap and it wasn't easy riding the bike. Ive also had something similar with the Clutch. but with this bike those concerns are a thing of the past. All LEDs aside from.. oddly, the license plate, which has a bulb. don't ask me why they did that. My bag arrived today and its a beautiful fit, lengthways it covers the pillion seat to the rack. 49 litres of storage which is all I will need next for next year. Unless I do manage to get the proper panniers. Im not going to bother with a top case. I only noticed it today.. due to the bit of sunshine, the white 'sparkles' it looks just like the way it would if covered in frost. And the blues, change shade.. becoming metallic depending on the light. So far.. pretty chuffed... that rare thing for me, a bike that fits me, instead of forcing myself to fit the bike. I wore boots today that are impossible with the GS, impossible to squeeze my toes under the gear lever. I mean. I'll be taking her out again tomorrow as its due to be dry until about 2pm

I tried out an NC750x earlier in the year and it was a lovely bike. very low C.o.G with its under-seat tank.. and handy with its fake tank storage. Similar in some ways to the F800 I had. All its weight is carried under the seat.. this makes it feel super light and extremely stable and manoeuvrable. There was a DCT version.. but its an older generation and you should test ride first. see if you like it. might be better to concentrate on the manual version. The 700 is very similar and a great commuter that people also tour on. The DCT version is all about squeezing every mile out of the petrol tank. High 80s are easily achievable. And theres no reason you couldn't get close to that with the manual version by riding it as if it is a DCT.. clicking up the gears as fast as you can. To be honest i found it so easy to ride.. that some more experienced bikers might find it dull. but.. it depends on what you want from a bike. Its a great 'first big bike' if you ask me.. particularly for someone nervous about weighty bikes and thinking of heading down the adventure bike pathway.

Personally.. I would just go for one of the major brands. Shell, Mobil etc. I'll be having my bike dealer serviced.. at least during the warranty period. and apparently they will be using Honda oil.. which is just relabelled Mobil. I could never understand why some people get so overexcited about engine oil.. and go to 'virtual' war over the subject.. with a former Nazi leader usually mentioned within 3 pages - a perfect indicator of the quality of the arguments.

I don't dispute that. but it depends doesn't it on what you mean by "hot". for an oil change we are not talking normal operating temperature. (which would pose a big scald risk) The oil (and engine/gear box) is just warm. you either have the engine running for a few minutes.. or wait half an hour after a ride out. And under those circumstances the oil does flow much better. if left alone it will drip for longer towards the end than if it was at ambient temperature. which is only useful if you want to get as much of the old oil out and get the job over quickly. But this isn't crucial for most people (including me) as no matter how you do the job there will always be a significant amount remaining. I reckon this is why most mechanics warm the engine up before doing the job. It just means the change can be done a little quicker. Important when time = money. But.. if you are doing this yourself.. then it hardly matters. especially if you are lazy (as I am) and often leave it to drip overnight. warm or cold? unimportant... there is no harm done doing it either way. its mainly (for me) just habit. There will always be a significant amount of old oil left behind unless you are fully disassembling the engine. In the case of my bike thats >20% of the total volume. So for my bike a full oil change is a bit misleading. its an 80% change.

I will be listing my 1999 R1100GS at some point, probably in the new year. I'll try ebay and see what happens. The trick for me will be finding a buyer who is at least 6'2 tall. Looks a little like this.. though it has now lost its 'beak' 74,000 miles which is nothing.