exportmanuk

Hi Most bikes will shift much easier if the bike is moving

Easter Sunday everywhere is shut

Hi We frequently get people with difficulty braking on our courses. I usually tell them to find an industrial estate on weekend when it very quiet and practice. Every bike is different it could be you are using muscle memory in stress situations rather than actually feeling what happening. Apply the front brake progressively ( Squeeze rather than grab) If the back wheel gets light then ease off the rear brake pressure. Start slow and repeat the process several times increasing the brake pressure until you reach the max practice max a few time to commit it to memory. Once you have this sorted you can move the speed up a little and start again. Yes it is boring but if you are not getting a feel for your bike in normal use its probably the safest way. But as someone else has said if its happens that frequent that you know its a problem then maybe you need to look more closely at how you ride and anticipate hazards

Agree with you always ride at a speed that you can stop on your own side of the road in the distance you can see to be clear. Last thing you want is to go around a bend and be greeted by the front of a combine harvester taking up the whole of the road. Especially if its coming towards you !

Hi sounds like you are doing well. Group rides are a little like marmite love em or hate em. I prefer to leave them, despite having been an observer for a good number of years. I find "group rides" involving 10 or more riders a challenge. Personally I prefer to ride with 3 or 4 riders of a similar standard and who I can trust. The big problem for me with group rides are the riders who push them selves too far, thinking if that rider can do it then I can too. Hopefully they just have a brown trouser moment and then see sense but not all do. We put on one "group ride" per course and have three courses a year. If associates don't want to take part that fine same with our monthly social evening, its inclusive if you want but no one gets pushed into it. The group ride is only open to associates who have archived a reasonable standard, and whilst it may be brisk we ensure that if anyone is looking a bit iffy we slow it down and at the next stop a gentle word is had. Hope you pass your test. The feed back from a good examiner is certainly worth listening too. I'm re-tested every couple of years by a staff examiner to make sure my observing and riding are up to scratch. each test is a learning experience. I have been riding for over 40 years and there are still things to learn. Anyone reading if you are thinking taking some extra training, Bike Safe IAM or Rospa or one of the commercial organisations. We are all trying to do the same thing. Help you read the situation earlier and make better decisions. We can all blame the other motorist for an incident but in most cases there would have been things we could have done differently which may have altered the result. Give it a go for most its money well spent, and enjoyable too.

Pose you question on Pepipoo http://www.pepipoo.com/FAQ.htm

Hi A fuse will glow if its about to overload they are basically a bit of metal that melts You have some good suggestions I would probably start at the head stock try turning the bars full right then check for a minute or two then full left. On older biked the wires insulation ( plastic cover) becomes brittle and breaks allowing a short circuit. The head stock area has to flex every time you turn the bars to this is usually the first place they go. Unfortunately its going to be trial and error to find it. May be worth considering a new loom or making one yourself

I ride every day just about During the week for the commute around 30 mins and 11 miles Including Urban bypasses and a short section of full motorway. its Kevlar lined jeans a bike jacket gloves boots and helmet (Most days Schuberth C3 but I have a Nolan N103 if the Schuberth is still soggy the next morning ). And if required waterproof over trousers and jacket Weekend when riding I am going much further so if the weather is good leathers if not waterproof textiles Back protection in both bike jackets Books are Altberg had them for years and they still look like new Gloves depends on the weather I have winter summer and in between ones As I passed my test in 1977 I guess I have been riding for a while and built up a reasonable amount of kit. For me it has to be comfortable if not its distracting and therefore increases risk.

Hi Seen these they have an adjustable chin cup sort of thing. Great idea but found they were quire restrictive on field of vision No pinlock no bluetooth and very expensive. They are trying to recover the development costs which I should imagine are substantial, but development stopped at the first version which was already out of date when they brought this to market over 12 months ago. As far as I know there has been no further development since. Was invited to an open day but as they would not loan a helmet for a short ride to try out it was a waste of time. Like the concept but at that price bracket I want at least a pinlock and also a integrated BT option if not already included.

Hi engine oil certainly Brake fluids recommended Tyres. Personally I probably would replace them but it really depends on their condition, how worn how old and the state of the rubber. Have they held the pressure or are they flat Check everything works particularly brakes both stopping power and releasing so the wheels can turn freely ( Calipers not sticking ) and all lights horn etc Drain any fuel and replace with new Battery depends try recharging it first and see if it hold the charge and that it will start the engine. If all good then a short test ride. If you have not ridden for 18 months take it easy you may not be as good as you thought you once were

Quite correct

Hi The annual Manchester Bike show will be on again at event city 23-24th March http://www.manchesterbikeshow.com/

I had an accident a couple of years back in my car. Turning right just after a pinch point ( 6ft 6 width restriction) and a car came at speed the wrong side of the island took the front bumper off my car. Didn't stop ( actually I don't think he even slowed down) but luckily I have a dash cam I was able to get the registration to give to my insurance co with all the details video footage etc and they got my car repaired as a no fault claim no arguing. I also gave the video to the local Police who prosecuted the driver for speeding and Driving without due care and I understood he lost his license due to points totting up thats what I call a win win The only problem was, the courtesy car they loaned me, was one with a more powerful engine than mine. So once I got my own back I just had to change it

Most dont check any mirror before making any change in speed or direction. You will have a fight with the insurance co. If you have legal protection included get a good bike lawyer ( not one of the crap practice they will send you) and you will have half a chance. As others have said it is not advisable to filter up the kerb side of stationary or slow moving traffic for lots of reasons. When ever you do filter always treat each and every side road or even drive way with caution even if it on the opposite side of the road. Most drivers don't look properly and if they see half a chance of a gap will take it. If you ride like every other motorist is trying to kill you you will be right at least 90% of the time

Hi I get my bike winterised every year by "All year biker" they clean it properly then ACF it after. to me its worth it then I just rinse it off every week or so

Hi Don't disagree but personally I only use them on engines and the like. What I will say is don't buy a cheap one and learn how to use it before using it in anger. A torque wrench will not stop you for over tightening the piece if you dont use it correctly.

Hello, When I had a ER6 I took a feed from the rear light as a switch to the relay. I placed the relay between the frame and the plastic side panel to the side of the seat. I then put a small fuse box ( 4 fuses) under the seat and ran the supply fro the batter via the ray to the fuse box. From the box I powered Sat Nave heated grips, usb socket and a dashcam Earths depended on the location of the device either the battery or the frame if there was a good earth spot near by.

Hi Looking at the pictures the side of the engine gearbox where the output shaft is looks very clean normally this is covered in oil and grease thrown from the chain so it is probable the chain had been dry for a long time so I would replace it too if you can afford it. if not soak it in chain oil for a few days then clean it off and oil it again before re fitting

Use a relay switch on the power supply then if wired correctly you cant leave your accessories powered up with the ignition off so no coming back to a dead battery because you left your camera or sat nav power supply on

The advice about 2nd gear is very good. it will mean you can accelerate reasonable quick out of the bend but not go much over 35MPH. The tendency is to go hard in third then still be accelerating when you should be swerving. Using second will sound very loud but you will be up to speed then as soon as you have passed the speed trap you can ease off swerve and brake. The engine braking will help too. You are less likely to lock up the back wheel ( don't pull the clutch in until you are nearly stopped)

There is nothing wrong with using a bigger bike to commute I use a R1200RT every day to go to work. At this time of year is 11 miles each way ( its dark in a morning and at night) but in the summer the ride home may be rather circuitous if I have the time

Hi I have a genuine Kawasaki rack its a bit tatty but will clean and Im only in Manchester so not too far away PM me

Hi I had the 2006 ER6 and the regulator rectifier failed due to corrosion in the socket. this in turn burned out one of the coils on the generator. I dont know if they have improved the weather protection on the later models but your symptoms are similar to my issued before the RR failed.

On the subject of explosives they are transported regularly, Not only the military at this time of year fireworks but also commercial explosives ammo for sporting rifles airbag kits ( not fitted to vehicles) the list goes on. Many people would be very surprised at what sorts of things travel on our roads on a daily basis. Radio active materials also move a lot from smoke detectors to source material used in X ray machines Many tunnels do not allow explosives along them so you tend to see the explosives prohibited at their entrances

Coasting is never a good idea, keep it in gear and either change down as the speed decreases or change down several as you are about to stop. If your back brake is in an uncomfortable position get it adjusted so it works for you, could be it suffered some damage with a previous owner and is bent. Down hill brake before the bend and apply a little gentle power as you take the bend, to keep the bike balanced and in control, Still braking pushes the weight onto the front wheel and is more likely to wipe out. At this time of year smooth and controlled is the way to go. Don't tense up as it makes things worse ( I know to begin with easier to say than do) but if you find yourself tensing then, you need to relax flap you elbows a little so you get movement available in your arms relax your hands don't have a death grip on the bars and try not to take any weight through your wrists. Look where you want to go and don't ride any surface you haven't seen first. If you can't see the tarmac drop back and give your self room.