lib

check your grips. Mine switch themselves off if the voltage drops.

Sorry, I didn't know this thread had been done before - I did do a search! Hope it hasn't peeved anyone, was just curious since it's like how if you're walking your dog and see another dog owner, they tend to smile or stop and chat, and thought it was a nice little reminder than people do still stick together for whatever similarities. I don't mind, but then again, if I did, I wouldn't read it!

Yeah another nodding thread Yes I do (apart from scooters as they never nod back, though I would return the nod) I get a 50-50 response. Only really ever the sports bikes that pretty much always nod back. Go pas a group of bikers out and I am like Churchill's nodding dog! I found it funny that in another thread on the same issue somebody said 'why should I?' - I felt like saying in my most sarcastic typing voice 'no reason to - I don't even answer people when they say hello to me! I have soooo many friends'.

I thought that you needed to get permission from the land owner for carparks etc. otherwise it was classified as public highway? Either way, it will need to be properly off road before you can practice, because no supermarket manager will agree.

Nope, sorry, you asked us to decide now and we chose the kwak. Too late for that now...

This sounds good. I can only really do alternate weekends though and 20th of November isn't one of them. Still, I might not be able to go anyway, so I wouldn't worry about that! Hmmm, I wonder how much the tunnel costs and what the deal is for bikes, or were you thinking of the ferry?

Oops!

Haha! Big difference between the second gear speed of your 500cc and his 125cc I would guess

hey benbenben, I got a Honda CBR125 to start off with then recently upgraded to a ninja 250. Has been a good next step I think. I think you could safely be taking the roundabouts a bit faster as tbh it is probably safer to move at traffic speeds, so I think, as you say, it would be a good idea to get those speeds up a tad. I you can afford it, a course would be the safest and quickest way to go, otherwise, riding with more experienced friends would be good. Possibly try to follow a biker who passes who looks like they are riding at a steady pace (in 30 zones) could be a good idea. That is how I learned to filter and how a lot of people picked up stuff I hear. This may sound strange, but perhaps learning the physics of it may help you understand how it is safe? Look at people pushing it, then pushing 15mph on a roundabout will look tame? I understand what you mean tho; it can seem to go against your insticts. Just do it a little bit at a time, always make sure you are fairly comfortable with what you are doing and are not putting yourself in mortal danger (or those around you), but tbh you could probably jump off at 10mph most places and not do yourself more than a graze of injury. Go to an empty car park and practice for module 1. It will be good practive but also teach you some of the limits of turning, speeds and fine handling that you will need on the road, whilst being safely away from others. I would say I would rideout with you but Middlesex is a bit far and I doubt at 20mph ou could get much towards the Midlands. Though it would give me the excuse to drive through a place called Weedon Good luck on the bike. Lib.

I quite like my caberg. It has a sliding shaded visor built in, so you don't have to carry a second/alwasy have it with you.

I would definitely try on the helmet first. Some things you can buy on-line without trying them, but I would say that a helmet is not one of those things.

Thanks for the advice folks. Thanks that would be great. Any info on what the levels are and at what distance would be very handy. I actually have an sound pressure level (SPL) meter for my job. That will give me a dB readout. I haven't been able to find anything specific out either, just that the noise must be 'reasonable'.

Hey folks, So I got my second letter from the council saying they have received a complaint (probably from the same people - next door) about the noise of my motorbike. The first one said they had complained about the noise and I was not allowed to have the engine running while I took it up the path into the garden, which I haven't done since. Last Saturday daytime, I fitted some heated grips and started the engine briefly a couple of times while the bike was in the back garden. I didn't rev it and it wasn't running for more than 30 seconds to a minute. I just wanted to check that everything was working OK, as I had made (albeit minor) changes to the electrics. Now I have another complaint from the council from a neighbour complaining of excessive revving and fumes from a motorbike coming from my premises. To be honest, its really starting to p*ss me off. I don't think I have done anything wrong. It's my own house (not the councils) so as far as I can see I should be able to do what I like as I can't see it is causing an unreasonable annoyance. Unfortunately there are no strict definitions I can find of this though. I am tring to consider my options of what to do. I don't really know the process of what happens from here. Anyone experiences this? I am toying with the idea of having the council tell them to remove the ugly ass caravan they have illegally parked on their drive (as they are not allowed to keep it there). I don't really want to have a bad relationship with the neighbours, but it does look like they are going to be annoying gits regardless. Perhaps this will give them reason to think twice about complaining again. I wanted to go and talk to them, but I have been advised that it is not a good idea. Anyone have any experience of this? Lib

well done!

Yeah - I was assuming that you were putting yourself through it, otherwise, if you are booking a course the school will pre-book tests for you.

In theory, you could do your theory before your CBT, but assuming you haven't: day 1: CBT day 2: Theory, mod1 and mod2. You would have to be incredibly lucky to manage to get it all booked at the right time and find a location that you can get from the theory to the practical test centre in time. Realistically, you will want to make sure you have your theory in hand before you book mod1 and mod1 in hand before you book mod 2. The amount of time for this depends on the test centre and the times you can make. I can go in the week during business hours so I found it relatively easy to find a slot in about a week. The only way of telling how far ahead they are booking at the centre nearest you, is to ring them or use the on-line booking system. Realistically then: day 1: CBT day 2: theory day 9: mod1 day 16: mod2

They are supposed to stop you 4 times my examiner told me (I asked as, like you, I failed on the last time I was pulled over - passed now though!) I would imagine that they don't bother or forget sometimes. I noted that my examiner forgot to ask the pillion questions. Knew them, but didn't bother to point it out.

Yeah I did something similar. Don't let it get you too confident for the next one though. It's alway possible to make mistakes so remain on the ball, though obviously you should be quietly confident as it seems you really don't have any big points to address.

just relax and try to enjoy the ride! Good luck

Just remember, test instructors are just like everyone else; untrusting, prey on your fear, and are full of hate. If you don't pass, it is clearly their in ability to get along with their fellow man, rather than any fault of your own. Good luck!

Thanks for that. That does mean that it's a no go then.

Hey folks, Just looking at new bikes and I was wondering how much I should expect a to pay for this work: A new front tyre. Replace pitted brakes (front and back) Possibly replace the cans (two). Just looking a guestimate so that I can factor in the extra costs into the price. Thanks! Paul

I understand the 50kph thing because if they had a 2kph margin it would just be 48kph and you pass and ppl would complain if they got 47. Jusy a bit of tough luck I suppose! By way of advice, I would go to a car park and do the U-turn over and over. Also, take a couple of paracetamol before you go as they help calm nerves (or so I am told - it could be placebo but that works too!). Also, don't turn up too early as you will have time to stew. Try and consider your nerves as excitement, they are very similar feelings but with a different perspective. Other than that, you are a leaf floating on the wind... leeeaaaff oonn thhheee wiiiiind... I have to give lectures to 150 ppl and found that calming though was the best thing to do 5 minutes before starting. Now I have been there done that, it's OK.

If you go in and do it cold (like I did), then it's just a sea of cones! If you look at it from overhead it just about makes sense, but from the ground... just cones everywhere. I would better if the swerve bit had a road pattern and the swerve cone was a cardboard cut out of a person that you have to avoid! That would make more sense!

They said it was fed through to the computer so they couldn't give it even if they wanted to. Considering they round from 0.5 of a kph it could have been as little as 0.3mph! Oh well!