manxie49

Everywhere is going speed limit crazy! It's not speed limits that will stop accidents, its better driver education, but then again, driver education doesn't swell the council coffers! Went over there a few years ago it was great, cracking little cafe as well, seemed to be a favourite stop for all the bikers. Going the same over here, we have one government official, and it seems that the only f-----g word she knows to justify her 60k salary is "twenty"! Power mad councillors, trying to rake in more funds to waste on yet more vanity projects ...... It really rip my knitting this c--p! ..... Yep OK, I'll get of the soap box now

Just a heads up for anyone who may have booked for this years MGP. The dates and schedule have now been changed, The Steam Packet are now offering free alterations and amendments to travel for those already booked to attend

I don't personally think it's going to change the way some people drive, I just think it'll change the way they get prosecuted. Rule 163 would have been difficult to adhere to if I'd have been in the car yesterday, two horse riders on a narrow country lane, riding side by side. In a car I would not have been able to give a 2m clearance to overtake, I would therefore, according to the new rule, have to stay behind them. That would mean I would have been behind them for the next two miles. I do agree with passing slow and wide but I also think there should be an element of common sense and courtesy. If I was stuck behind people travelling at walking pace I would expect, when safe to do so, that they allow the potential build up of traffic behind them to pass. It's just mutual respect for one another.

Makes a lot of sense

On the subject of coolant, I've often wondered, why the bike needs topping up in the first place?? If it isn't leaking, and you're not losing it from anywhere obvious, where does the coolant go??

Couldn't agree more, gone are the days when you could just pick any bottle of pre mixed coolant up from a garage and bung it in if you were a bit low. A real pain if you're away from home in the middle of nowhere!

There is a bit in the service book on my bike for coolant change so I'm assuming it isn't a coolant for life job ....

Happy birthday, have a good one

Thanks, I did consider doing that as hopefully the weather will be warming up a bit soon. I did think BMW used Castrol coolant, but after reading what Stu said I did a bit more digging and found, as with most things BMW, they use their own brand, so ordered some of fleabay

Thanks for that Stu, I wasn't sure but recall something about from the past in the grey matter ..... Just ordered the above product

I need to top the coolant on my Beemer up. The coolant currently used in the bike is Castrol, however, I can't seem to find anywhere local that stocks it. Is it OK to top up with any brand of pre mixed coolant? .... Probably a stupid question this one but I've never really thought of it until now, I've usually always had some left over to use

A good article and worth a read. Personally I always go with the manufacturer recommendations, IMHO doing that gives me some defence if I'm involved in an RTC and they start looking for things wrong with my bike, I also see it as the people testing them at those pressures have more experience in that field than I ever will, and also, my bike handles fine using OEM pressures. The exception to the rule for me is when green laning, if the lanes are muddy I tend to drop the pressures right down to give me more traction, in fact they're dropped to a level that wouldn't really be acceptable for road riding. But for off roading like that , there is no book, or one rule fits all advice. That tends to come with a bit of experience, mostly learned from others doing the same sport, and getting a feel for your own bike and how it handles, mainly trial and error.

Crack on and get it done mate …. A work colleague started his road to getting his licence at 55, you’re never to old

My uncle bought me an old Honda SS50 when I was 14. I was riding it around the fields on his farm, I remember him telling me that if I can ride it around the fields without falling off, I’d be a better rider when it came to riding the roads. Both my uncle and my dad rode bikes. I started on the road when I was 16 and passed my test at 19. I’ve never been without a bike since, I’ve had some brilliant bikes and also some heaps, where getting them to start was a bit of a lottery. I was also brought up with the TT, which probably explains my passion in following road racing events.

North West 200 Dates have been confirmed and it looks like it's all going ahead this year https://www.northwest200.org

If our Pizza delivery guy is anything to go by your not wrong! He doesn't even wear gloves. I often wonder how his employer would be viewed if he was to be involved in a serious accident, as his employer there must be an element of vicarious liability there, surely they should insist on minimum requirements for PPE, if nothing else but to cover their own corporate arses. I know when I was riding a bike as part of my job I had to wear all and only PPE supplied by my employer, it was part of my contractual agreement.

I may be wrong but I don’t think these locks are for sale yet? I read something on Bennett’s website about them, I thought they were still in the production stage? They look good though

Never used EBC so can't comment, EBC brake pads are good. I have used Brembo discs and they were pretty good, not cheap though, but they were a marked improvement over OEM, I got them from SBS.

Yes, I thought the same, a lot lighter and easier to carry than the massive chain I have at home. As s-westerly said, they're not going to stop someone who's determined, but that, along with a decent disc lock should be enough of a deterrent. Not much more that can be done really, at least it shows the insurance company I tried. These liteloks aren't cheap though.

I'm going down to Middlesex to see my brother, he's recently moved house, which means my bike is going to be left parked on the street overnight. Now I do have a good quality disc lock, but I was wanting something portable that I could secure the bike with, preferably to a lamp post or something similar. The bike chain I currently have is far too bulky and heavy to use other than at home in the garage, I've therefore been looking at these Litelok's that can be joined together to give more length. Is anyone using them or know anyone who is, if so, are they worth the money? TIA.

Thats how you say it with a mouthful of marbles

Thanks for that, I'm gonna sleep better tonight armed with that information The only bike I've ever had nicked was an RD350, I never got it back, and like you, was glad about it, I personally wouldn't want it back after that.