houltmac

That's the spirit Pete! If this rain doesn't ease by then I think I'll be wearing a tent! Thanks for the link Cruz, I have signed up for a newsletter and look forward to seeing more. I did check the Iron Butt UK website and it seems a little... unusable. I also spoke to my local Hein Gericke guys today (went in for a tankbag and got talking) and they said to let them know near the time and they will put the word out and give some decent discounts on any gear needed for the trip. Pretty good of them. I need to start building up to it though, so I'll be heading into Wales this weekend for a long one.

I was thinking of doing a long ride out in the UK next summer. The plan originally was Lands End to John O' Groats, but it turns out it's 850 miles, which seems so close to the 1000 mark! Looking at Google Maps it looks fun to ride from there down to Aberdeen for the night. 1070 miles apparently. Coming back could even be done around the east coast, which would be another 1000 mile day. Anyone interested in half or all of it? See if you can do the Iron Butt and 1000/24 hours or 2000/48 hours? I'm happy to do it alone, but it's more fun with others for sure. It's all just thoughts at the moment so let me know and we can organise something.

I have the same bag, have done for a few weeks now. I carry a 15" laptop in it all the time, and while I have it inside another plastic carry case, in the free case, in the bag, it has never come close to getting wet. I was warned when I bought it that it's not waterproof but I carry all kinds of computer stuff in there, a GPS, spare clothes, gloves... all sorts and it's always dry as a bone, even after a long and drenching ride. A great little bag for the cash as far as I'm concerned, and it fits more than you'd think too!

Yeah, that sounds low. I would even up mine just a tad if I ever remembered. Looking at the manual now it says 1250-1350 rpm once thoroughly warmed up, so there is your guide since it's essentially the same bike. The adjuster knob is on the right side.

Some top tips there. In short, it's all stuff you normally deal with, just be a little more careful and vigilant. Oh, and stay warm! I have a good set of kit right now, but I also have an order for some of Knox's ColdKillers range (most of it actually, including: sport pants, sport top, hot hood, undergloves and socks). Cold can be a real bitch, especially at speed in the early morning.

I have an 07 ER-6f which also has the auto-choke. I find it tends to idle around 3k-3.5k with the choke on in the morning and makes and awful racket. Then, it usually just suddenly drops to the 1200rpm it's supposed to idle at according to the manual. It's not graceful, so it's pretty easy to spot. For reference to someone with a similar bike; it might be worth noting that mine steams like a bitch when it gets wet. It's all from the radiator but all checks out fine. It's just one of those things, but it really does look like it's on fire (see http://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/view ... =3&t=26504)

Finally! I am going on Wednesday 2 Dec with Gary. If anyone else wants to meet up or ride up together then please email me! Otherwise, we hope to bump into you there.

I just love my pinlock. I don't know how people survive without them!

I have a full wet set, but risked not wearing it for saving 45 minutes on my journey to pick it up from my brothers (where I left it). Fool! Still, my non-waterproof stuff kept me dry other than my feet so I wonder if it was worth the cash for the other stuff.

I had a training course in London today and I was expecting the worst. I packed spare trainers, T-shirt, jeans and socks just in case I got soaked on the way there. I didn't, thankfully and I was warm as can be too. On the way back I was dry until the last 20 miles. Typical. I got drenched, but only had wet gloves (they are summer gloves and the liner gloves were dry), wet ankles (spray went up the trousers and soaked the bottom 1/2 inch of jean (I wore a pair under my padded trousers) and wet feet (I wear trainers still since I can't get on with the boots I bought at all). Everything I had comes highly recommended: Alpinestars T-RC 1 Air-Flo Jacket Alpinestars Street Cargo Pants Alpinestars SP-X Gloves (don't think that's right but they are the closest I can find) Liner gloves (generic, 89p) Oxford bike socks Knox Six Pack Rucksack (Kept everything dry) TomTom Rider 2 (got me there, found fuel and McDonalds) Buffs (I wore two and was super warm. Also had a cheap balaclava for my nose/chin) All great kit. Now all I need is a decent pair of boots that feel okay to ride in.

I paid around £720 I think, a few months ago. That included practical, theory, 5 days and the loan of kit including the theory DVD.

I'll be going on the Wednesday, with my mate Garry. I'll be riding the ER6 while Garry rides a Harley (can't remember which one now, it's over a year since I've seen it). If anyone is going that day then be sure to let me know.

All good points about the backpack. In terms of back pain... well, I'm already there from work. I don't find a backpack uncomfortable or heavy or annoying since I am used to wearing one everywhere anyway. In terms of crashing though it's a definite point taken. I'll look into saddlebags or the like again at Christmas, but for now it's all I can afford. I have the stand by the way, and I am looking at getting a GPS sooner rather than later.

Thanks guys. I have seen the video and I knew what to do, I just assumed it would really be as simple as that I guess. I think I'm just grumpy and out of patience after a long day at work. I just did it much easier, but it's still not as smooth as I had hoped: 1. I have to take these little covers off, which is just an unnecessary hassle I hadn't thought about 2. The bike specific fittings aren't nearly as tight as I imagined, so I have to hold the whole thing in place while leaning over the bike trying to do up the thing 3. The two halves don't slide together as easily as they might, perhaps this will loosen in the future As I said, I'm just grumpy after a long day. I'm sure I'll try again at the weekend and it will be super-smooth. Cheers!

My new Abba stand arrived today and I was so excited. Sad, but true. Anyway, I went to fit it just now and it just doesn't seem as simple as advertised. The fittings (bike specific for my 2007 ER6) are loose enough that the two halves won't stay put, and the whole thing just wants to fall over while fitting because of the lean of the bike on the side stand. Once it's up it's rock solid, but it's a 2 man job and takes about 10 minutes. I also need to remove some side panels, which is only 1 bolt per side, but it's a pain in the ass I hadn't envisaged. Has anyone else got an Abba stand, or experience of one? Am I doing something wrong?

Saturday sounds good for sure. PM/Email me or my phone is listed privately on the forum.

I'd love to come with you guys. It would be the longest trip I'd have done since I got the new bike. Sadly I am working Mon-Fri for the foreseeable future without a day off. If you guys fancy a 2-4 hour ride one Saturday then let me know for sure. Just be gentle, I'm new

I nod to all bikes and maxi-scooters. I also nod at non-chav mopeds (very few there) and hot women on vespas (though they don't understand at all and just look puzzled). I do find that sometimes on my commute I am so busy looking for a way through the traffic I can go without noticing bikes in the heavy traffic until it's too late though. I feel bad then.

Thanks for the link. I didn't spot that post. Great stuff guys. I like the look of the Muc-Off Chain Doc and was planning on trying it when I get paid. Anyone have any experience with that particular product?

Not very good, but a couple more shots from my iPhone: Thankfully I now have a proper tax disc holder

Congrats on passing! Have you booked your Mod2 yet?

So I went on a bit of a spending spree today to make myself feel better after the drop yesterday. I got: Liner gloves - I don't know if they make a difference but I was very chilly yesterday going to work at 7AM. Mud stand thingy - The garage floot is crap and totally uneven the only place I can put the stand down. A new plastic cup should help create a flatter surface for the stand and also stop it slipping. *HOPES* Cover - Went for the cheapest cover in the shop (£20). Haven't tried it yet but the guy said he used one and it was fine. Oxford made it and it's for use just in the car park at work. Backpack - I was toying with tankbags, tailpacks, saddlebags and all sorts but at the end of the day I think the backpack is cheap and practical. I need to carry laptops and keyboards and stuff for work (I'm an IT consultant/technician/engineer/cleaner/coffee boy/thingy) so it makes more sense to carry stuff in a backpack I think. Plus it's way cheaper. Getting the pack on is a laugh, but it's good and secure with waist and chest straps. It's supposed to carry a helmet in the webbing on the back too but I can't see how it's possible. Next up I think are a stand (perhaps the abba?), a GPS (TomTom Rider) and then a new exhaust I think.

Bad luck mate. Nothing you can do about that. I made a small mistake on my first Mod 2 attempt that just killed it for me (left an indicator on). It felt so bad, so bad I can't describe. Still, I went back 2 weeks later and passed without issue and felt better for it. Hang in there, won't be long.

So I spent all last night clearing out and re-arranging the garage so I could fit my new bike in there when I picked it up today. It fits wonderfully. I tried pulling straight in, but getting it tight to the left wall without touching it was tough. I backed out (also tough) and turned around. Long story short(er) I managed to back it in no problem at all. I was wondering what everyone else did? Is it common to find backing in easier?

Not much to show in the garage (which took me all last night to get spacious enough), but it's raining and miserable outside Just a few hours old... to me anyway