HomerPlata

Nice looking bike, I wish I had Repsol fairings on mine

Sorry I can't offer any solution, but I did used to have a GS500F which had similar electrical issues (especially in the wet), so I can sympathise. It's a shame, because I loved that bike otherwise, I just couldn't trust it to start in the cold/wet without getting some expensive work done to it

When it comes to it for me, my technique will be to find a new job on more money and then give the company the option of paying me more or letting me go . That's only helpful if you don't mind moving jobs if they won't match/better the new rate though.

100% this. I've only ever had modest-to-neglible pay rises whilst in the job (not including promotions), whereas I've always moved to new places for a decent bump in salary. It's a shame that loyalty is not rewarded these days, but that's the reality of it. Take advantage of the situation if you can

Nob of the day for me is the stripy little yellow bast*rd that got into my helmet on the way to work this morning Luckily I was stopped at lights, so my little spaz-out didn't cause a crash, but I just learned a valuable lesson about when and where to open the visor for a bit of fresh air

Not exactly what you're asking for, since it's not eligible for Prime, but this is a nice cheap riveter/breaker:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CJDD0EE

Full disclosure: I didn't use it to break the chain, only to rivet the new one. I used this to break the chain:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01I4POX4Q

Their combined price is about the same as the single tool listed previously, plus you also get an angle grinder for use elsewhere...

Well done sir!

Congrats! Get the CBR, you know it makes sense

Thanks for the advice guys. All done and dusted now, with a shiny new gold chain. I did check those rubber thingies inside the wheel, they're all in good shape, tar

Thank you sir

I had a fair amount of difficulty in attempting to remove the front sprocket over the weekend (ended up stripping the thread or whatever from the inside of what-must-have-been-a-cheap 14mm socket in doing so).

I'm just on here to double-check - I am supposed to be turning it left-loosey aren't I?

Yes, but just being in the LH lane entering a roundabout does not automatically imply that you have to turn left.....(unless, of course he was indicating...)

I assumed he meant continuing round to the 3rd exit, and 'going left' just meant turning off at the 2nd, but yeah, always a useful diagram to have when you're arguing with dickheads about which lane they should be in at a roundabout

Just bought meself one of those mesh/armour thingies.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Cycling-Protector-Motocross-Protective/dp/B018QXEU76

Last rode a couple of days ago and was sweating absolute buckets in my insulated jacket I'm still sticking with the regular pants for now, just with the liner taken out.

Done

You have to bear in mind that these are a kinda 'one size fits all'.. some bars are notoriously hard to heat.. the heat being conducted away from the grips by whatever alloy has been used.. i think this is the case for some bars that are made from aluminium alloy. So, for these the heater has to work that much harder to maintain a temperature in the grips. Whereas other bars made from steel. will absorb the heat and not lose it so quickly due to conduction.

Fair point, never thought of that. I just thought it might have been a bravado thing, like choosing the hottest curry off the menu to impress a bird

Nah, not another one of those wanky internet challenges, just a way of opening the topic "who the hell gets anywhere near maximum temperature on these things?"

I can only use 40% max before it gets too uncomfortable. How high do you guys go?

....Yes, but you did the right thing. Wasn't the dog's fault, nor was it yours. Anyway, kudos for stopping to help.

Thanks mate, it was more to do with the way I strolled in like Billy big-bollocks come to save the day, only to be mangled by a tiny little creature

Me, yesterday.

There was a little Jack Russell in the road on the way home from work, both lanes stopped and a decent tailback building up. I filtered through, and felt obliged to stop. Looked like he'd been hit by a car, but was still able to walk n that.

I pull over, get off the bike, and can see that a few people there already have a plan of bundling him into some fella's car and taking him to the nearest vets. Only problem - he's very scared and bitey.

"Not to worry folks, I am here! Look at my big leather gloves, I will be fine!", I thought to myself as I attempted to pick up the little fella.

Well he absolutely savaged me Bit right through my gloves. I involuntarily called him a little C-word and dropped him. It took a woman to come over, chuck a coat over him and calmly place him in the car. Rightfully I looked a proper dickhead

Never stopping for dogs again!

Wait, you've never ridden anything bigger than a 125 and you've got a MOD 1 test on Monday?

OK folks I have just given it a trial run. I totally deflated my rear tyre set the unit to 42psi and set it running, it took 9 minutes 10 seconds to fully inflate the tyre. It shut off when it reached the preset pressure. I checked the pressure with a calibrated PCL digital inflater and it was bang on 42psi the PCL measures tenths so I was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy. Although the air going in was warming up as we went on, so that would affect pressure and I will check it again later but it would certainly get you out of a fix. It didn't get overly hot in operation, the air tube was warm to the touch but not burning hot as some can be.

So it gets a big thumbs up from me.

Nice one, I think I'm tempted to invest

yes it helps if you react to the hazards as well as perceive them.

I did, I clicked my finger on my petrol tank a couple of times. The test is flawed.

I got 90%+ in the hazard perception test, then got swiped by a car after 3 months riding. It's not an exact science

Be interested to hear if this is any good - and whether or not it would fit comfortably under the seat on a CBR 600. Nice one.

Plastic bags on your feet?

I've got one on mine, but it was on there when I bought it so I can't describe the difference.

Sounds nice though, and it's not so loud that the neighbours hate me (at least not blatantly to my face).

Wish I could be more helpful.

I echo the majority of opinions on here, go for the A2 definitely (provided that you enjoy the CBT). You will definitely get bored of a 125 very quickly.