Davidtav

Well this was me about six years ago. I contacted a local bike school and spent half a day with them. Basically because I wanted to know if I actually still wanted to do it. I did. They put me on a Kawasaki Z650 and one on one I went around North Yorkshire with an instructor. Very good investment. I recommend you do similar. And because I felt the Z650 suited me that is the type of bike I purchased.… I now have a Suzuki V Strom 650 which at 6 foot 2 does fit me really well. Hope that is helpful

There are many folks on here much more knowledgeable than myself. But here are my thoughts: posture is important. You are an integral part of the motorcycle. I keep my forearms fairly horizontal. And I sit close to the tank. And grip the tank with the knees. And keep the balls of your feet on the pegs. And understand counter steering. There is no other way. You don’t want to be fighting against it. Works for me. So far!

Since I have had eye surgery. That is retinal detachment surgery in 2023 and cataract surgery in 2024 I have found glare from oncoming headlights an issue at night. In fact I try to avoid driving at night these days unless I really have to. And I don’t really use the motorbike in the dark at all. Maybe occasionally. So anyway this week I had an eye test at Specsavers. And as you probably know they offer 2 for 1 on glasses. So I have ordered two pairs of varifical spectacles. But one pair with a yellow tint which is supposed to be good for reducing glare when driving at night. I’m intrigued as to whether it will be of benefit. And in truth I’m a little sceptical. But I will give it a go and update this thread on the effectiveness when I get them.

Bit off topic. But this thread about selling a bike reminded me of when I sold my Yamaha SR125 in about 1997 I think. I’ve mentioned this before on the forum but here’s what happened: So I’m living in Essex and had advertised the bike in the Loot. And I only had one person interested and she turned up on Saturday morning. A young woman with a young guy. Turns out it would be her first bike. She worked at a London hospital. I think it was St Thomas’s but doesn’t really matter. Anyway she had brought a doctor friend along because apparently he knew about bikes. He kept looking at his watch and they explained that he was actually on call and shouldn’t have left the hospital. And couldn’t stay long. And then his pager went and apparently he had to get to the London hospital pronto. “Can I take the bike? “ It’s an emergency.”Anyway I just said “Yes take the bike.” Gave him the helmet and jacket I was including with the bike. And he disappeared on my bike. And the girl said “I suppose I’ve bought the bike now” and gave me a cheque for the full amount … and the cheque cleared fine and I never heard from them again.

When I bought my current bike I didn’t part ex the old one. But the dealer offered to sell my bike for me for a flat rate of £200. And it is for the reasons expressed in this thread that I thought that was a good deal. I didn’t have to deal with buyers at all. I did give the dealer authority to offer test rides at their discretion. And I believe that was done. But I didn’t have any of the bother of dealing with a buyer. Handling the cash etc. Just got a nice phone call after a month with an offer which I accepted … when the time comes if I get this opportunity again I will jump at it.

Contact the company and ask for an early settlement figure. And go from there.

I was thinking that if anyone is touring to Scotland. Along the Kintyre peninsula. Maybe stop here for a coffee? Send me a pm … and also thought maybe the forumites might like a ride out to Dave’s place? Just an idea

I think I could have predicted those findings. The only thing that is surprising is that some of the aftermarket exhausts are actually quieter than oem

I would try to find a specialist broker you can visit in person rather than just doing online quotes. Good luck

The Mini has been vandalised a few times over the years. Car has been keyed a couple of times. It is slightly eye catching and for some reason has attracted idiots like that. Fortunately the roof has never been damaged. The roof is probably the best bit of the vehicle actually. It was completely replaced by BMW under warranty when the car was 3 years old. Because the heated rear window had developed a fault. They replaced the complete roof!

I’m in a strange situation I know. In 2012 I was suddenly widowed. I stopped working. Took my pension. Rented my house out and bought a bigger boat and went sailing. I have done some Homes Under the Hammer stuff since then and basically I’m still on my own. I still have my boat. I live in an amazing house. And just about pay the bills

I know. Fortunately I’ve been relatively lucky. No major issues so far.

This is the thing. As I said in my first post these are first world problems lol … so I’m retired. As most probably realise. And a lot of my income is from rent on properties I own in Essex and Yorkshire. And my tenants drive great cars. BMWs. Not any issues with that … but contrary to popular ideas as the landlord I actually drive an old Mini and wondering about upgrading to a Dacia. Mainly because I’m ring fencing cash to upgrade the rental properties EPC … I’m expecting a shed load of incoming and no sympathy!

Yeah. You might be right. But it is basically a Renault. And looks just as well built as any car to me. They are great value and comes with an excellent warranty.

Yes it is the petrol engine. And they are renowned for timing chain problems and oil consumption as you say. However mine hardly uses any oil. It didn’t use any oil between oil changes until it had done 90k miles … it has done 102k miles now and uses maybe half a pint between oil changes. The timing chain is noisy though. …I think it might be worth sorting properly for occasional use. I have plenty of time on my hands and could do with a project.

Appreciate all of your thoughts. I’ve never done a timing chain but quite fancy the challenge. I’m definitely not a hoarder but do have the room here to keep it. MB is absolutely correct. I’ve become quite attached to this little car … fyi I’m buying a new Dacia. And I have a sneaking suspicion that in the future the Mini might be worth more than the Dacia. Who knows? This is the Mini

Would appreciate any views about what I realise is a first world problem. So I live in the Highlands of Scotland now. But have to still travel to Yorkshire quite frequently. I use the bike as much as I can. But I do need a decent car. So I have ordered a new car for March. But what to do with my current car? It is a Mini Cooper Convertible. 2012. I’ve had it ten years now. Has been a brilliant car. Put loads of miles on it. It’s over 100k now. It is basically worth very little. Was given a good discount on the new car not to trade it in. WBAC price is around £600. So nothing really. Car does need some attention. Timing chain needs replacement. Paintwork needs some attention due to vandalism over the years. … so my question is this. I’m thinking of SORN ing the Mini and sorting it out properly at my leisure. And running it a bit in the summer. It is fun with roof down in the summer. Not as much fun as the bike I know. But different. New car is not convertible. So am I just wasting my time to think of this? Or is it a decent idea? I know the Mini isn’t a classic. Appreciate thoughts.

I get the impression bikes aren’t selling quickly. A dealer I’ve been looking at seems to have had the same stock for quite a while now.

Took my test in 1995. I had commuted into London for a while so like a previous poster not a complete novice. I’ve told this story before but will tell it again … so I was teaching in a comprehensive in Camden at the time. And had to take a morning off for the test. Another teacher told the kids what I was doing (nob lol) and of course I failed. I hadn’t had any training and probably did stuff wrong. Turning up at school again with L plates still caused some merriment to 15 year old boys lol … anyway a couple of months later I passed. This time I booked an hours lesson immediately before the test

That is very interesting. I am actually looking to change my car and I will bear that in mind.

Well out of curiosity I had a look at the Moto Morini website. And there is a significant dealer network. I counted 21 UK dealers. And the warranty on the bike Henry Cole was riding is 36 months. That all sounds promising to me. The service intervals do seem short. Seems to require a dealer inspection every 6000 km. … I’m not particularly advocating these bikes. I know nothing about them. As I said in the first post though you do seem to get a lot of bike for your money.

For some reason folks seem less concerned when it comes to cars. For example, I believe Volvo is now Chinese owned. I haven’t noticed Volvos becoming less desirable. Actually the opposite. They seem to have lost their “old man” image. Just an observation

Yeah. I get where you are coming from completely. Although I reckon it is actually quite difficult to avoid buying Chinese goods completely. And there is an argument to say that if Western consumers avoided buying Chinese this would badly affect the ordinary Chinese worker immensely … I was just surprised that the bike looked so good for the price. And there are actually a few dealers in the UK … the nearest one to me is closer than a Suzuki dealer. I currently have a Suzuki. … I know it’s been said a million times but it all feels like the vibe when Japanese models hit our shores back in the day.

Anyone else watch the Motorbike Show last night with Henry Cole? I thought the Moto Morini he was riding looks interesting. Yes I know it’s Chinese. Henry said a new one is from £7k which piqued my interest. But I’ve just looked on Autotrader and a new one is actually available for £5.5k. Seems a lot of bike for the money.

I’ve wondered how Allen Millyard gets around this? For example that huge viper engined bike must be a new build I would have thought? But has a private plate. Not a Q plate