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SidG

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Everything posted by SidG

  1. Hello all, Thinking about buying a bike in the next few months. Currently have an Mt07. First bike, have 18 months riding experience with only 6k miles under my belt. Obviously inexperienced but would love to do some touring around Europe soon. Question is use a tail bag and soft panniers on my mt07 and go for it or look at getting a used sports tourer/ adventure bike circa £6 - 7k. Concerns are heavier, more power, not suitable for a relative newb. I know the mt07 is a budget bike but it’s all I have experience on. I know people say you can tour on any bike but are others such as versys 1000, bmw 800gs or Gt, tiger 800 etc such a massive step up in quality suspension, brakes etc that make you enjoy touring much more as they are supposed to be more comfortable for longer journeys? want to keep the mt07 for commuting and occasional weekend rides but if there is bike that could do both I’d happily trade in and spend more. Or am I being naive and there is no such motorbike? The market seems full of big adventure type bikes which don’t really appeal to me, or am I being narrow minded till I try one?
  2. Just went with Hastings too. New rider as of last year. Bennets was cheapest at £235 for first year, just sent me a renewal quote for £258, thought it would’ve been cheaper seeing as I now have 1 years experience and NCD, but no. Did a price comparison, went for Hastings at £138. Excess was also half of Bennett’s.
  3. Hi all. Coming up to nearly a year I've had my first bike (MT07). I'm looking to do some basic mods on my bike (exhaust, tail tidy, R6 throttle tube) and want to do basic maintenance and servicing on it when it is out of warranty. I have very little in the way of tools and mechanical knowledge of bikes, so will be a big learning process for me. Sorry I know its a such a broad question, recommendations for good quality specific tools, or tool sets when starting out? Cheers for all the responses.
  4. Have also read throttle response snatchy, limited tank range, fantastic low end torque and great in the twisties though! But also can be a bit of a pussy cat if you want it to be.
  5. Hi all, Really enjoyed my first year of riding, wasn't a bad British summer was it? Now looking forward to doing lots more miles in 2019. I'm based in the West Midlands, so forward planning, if you guys had to pick one weekend away for riding in the UK and one week away in Europe, what would be your top picks? A very open ended question I know, but I'm trying to take my mind off thinking about how long I have to wait for winter to be over and do some longer trips. Cheers
  6. Because he's a top bloke who wants to make sure he's not giving bikers a bad name by being a knob. Appreciate that Hoggs. Being a newish rider, hopefully non-knob, do feel a bit over sensitive about certain situations. Like I said,could have misread the situation and will give the other rider the benefit of the doubt. Being a car driver for 25+ years and now a biker, do feel more exposed to criticism, but guess always been courteous (let people out, say thank you etc) I do find other drivers have a different attitude towards bikers. Jealous of not having to wait in queues, get to the front at lights and then get away quick maybe? Why didn’t I switch years ago? Boring commutes are so much more fun on a bike!
  7. Cheers for the reassurances guys. But hey ho without speaking to him, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Guess I took it too personally when I’m constantly analysing my own riding.
  8. No pedestrian crossing. Broken white lines.
  9. Hi All, Newish rider here (passed in Feb). Was out today just trying to get more miles and experience under my belt. Sitting in single lane traffic, set of lights on red, I'm about 6 cars back. Nothing coming the other way so I slowly crawl along the white line to the front to the lights. Whilst waiting for the lights to change I notice waiting on the oncoming opposite side an adventure style bike, two up, he isn't at the front of his queue, but about 4 cars back. Lights change and I move off. As I pass him I nod. However instead of nodding back, I get a very dissaproving shake of the head. I'm new to all this, I'm not one for high speeds, knee down or wheelies but what I most enjoy about biking is not having to sit in traffic and just get away from all the queues of cars. Was what I did out of order and giving bikers a bad name? I'm in my mid 40s but after my actions today should I consider wearing a hoodie, joining the bike life youths and start doing wheelies everywhere?
  10. Quite easy for me to get onto the A5 from where I am as well. You Planning to head up to the Peak District anytime soon?
  11. Thanks for the reply. I'd definitely be on for that perhaps when I have a full day. Tommorow will be just an afternoon ride. Where do you set out from for the Peak district? Cheers.
  12. Anyone up for a meet up and ride tomorrow? Passed my test a few months ago so I’m not the quickest but wouldn’t mind a steady ride out. I’m close to Walsall/Streetly. Open to suggestions for decent roads and routes. Cheers guys.
  13. Anyone doing the Easter Egg Run to the children's hospital this Sunday morning from Streetbike Halesowen? I'll be going from Streetly. Looking forward to it as it's my first group ride out. Weather doesn't look too bad either.
  14. Thanks guys! Also heard about MCA in Leicester. Will take a ride that way and go to those suggestions too. Bought a few bits from SBS, agree top service. Would prefer to try on though. Cheers.
  15. Hi Folks, Bought ok but cheapish gear to see me through DAS and tests over winter and also to make sure that biking was for me. It is and I’m hooked! but now want to get some decent gear for when the weather gets better. Looking for good jeans, urban boots and a leather jacket. Not too impressed with J and S stuff. Any recommendations in the West Midlands greatly appreciated.
  16. Thanks guys for the suggestions, really helps. Will definitely try those. S23, I'm in Walsall/Streetly, but when the weather gets better, I'll be heading out further hopefully and could do that way for a meet up.
  17. Hi all, Fairly new to forum as passed my test only a couple of months ago. Just been trying to get as many miles and some confidence when it stays dry for a few hours in the last few weeks but hasn’t been easy. Would really like to get out to ride outs and meets in the Midlands that are new rider friendly and not about showing off and high speed stuff. Any suggestions greatly appreciated as don’t really know any bikers. Family and friends think I’m mad (mid 40s) taking biking up now, but when I’m out it’s the best I’ve felt in a long time. Wish I’d done it years ago. guys.
  18. Hi Via, Same boat as you a couple of months ago but with zero experience,not even on a 125. I know easier said than done but try to relax. Everything is so much easier when hands, shoulders and back are loose and relaxed on a bike. You are paying a fair bit for DAS so just enjoy it. Once you pass the feeling of freedom is amazing. Wish I’d done it years ago. Worse case scenario you just take it again and pass as many others have done. Best of luck.
  19. My first solo longer ride on my MT07 since passing my test. Blithfield reservoir.
  20. Great shout for Blithfield reservoir BigHeavy! That bit of road leading up to it, Wow! Having just passed my test wasn't too confident on some of the tighter bends (just went quite slow) but great fun for my first longer ride. Could spend a few hours just going up and down that road! When the weather is better and I have more time will explore further that way. Cheers!
  21. No problem. Cheers for letting me know. Good luck with the lesson.
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