Davidtav

It is a learner bike. Probably someone local. Community Facebook group might be a useful place to post this?

Well I’ve been on my own a few years now. And taking a pillion hasn’t been an issue. However strangely enough I seem to have met someone. And she is attractive and likes boats and motorbikes. My two main passions … what’s not to like lol Anyway, she is keen to accompany me on the bike as a pillion. And has actually borrowed a decent helmet and some leathers etc from a friend. So is obviously genuine about that. And she has been a pillion before. Now the thing is, I don’t think my bike is ideal for a pillion. If this becomes a thing then I will need a new bike. Which I’m ok with. But it would be fun to go on some short trips on my current bike and see how we get on. My bike is a 2019 Kawasaki Z650. I’m insured for a pillion. But never taken one. I’ve taken pillions years ago on a 125. And that all worked ok. … the thing that concerns me is that the pillion seat on the Z650 looks small. Now my new friend is not tall. And she isn’t overweight. But still she is an adult passenger. There are no hand holds on the Z650. Because of that, I’ve ordered this belt thing from Amazon to go around my waist. And it has two handles for her to hold on to. I’m hoping that’s going to be helpful … I’ve never touched the suspension on my bike. But there is a spanner in the tool kit to adjust pre load on the rear suspension. Should I do something with that? Should I increase tyre pressure? … appreciate any advice … and any ideas on a new bike. Thanks

Anyway it was some BKS kit. It isn’t crazy expensive. But yeah there were some downpours and kept me dry. So all good so far

I have a sneaking suspicion Mr Bullfrog that you are also a vicar. I might be wrong

And my new gear was great. There is a story to my new gear. So my biking partner is the local vicar. And he had been gifted some gear. From a parishioner that was learning to ride. Had bought all the gear. And fell off during his lessons. Vowed never to get on a bike again and gifted the gear to Wilf. And when I mentioned to Wilf my stuff wasn’t keeping me dry. It came to me. I do feel slightly guilty about this

Rode it. From Yorkshire to Portavadie where my boat is. Seemed to have every sort of weather including hail storm. Which was actually slightly scary as my visor completely turned white. And I was on the M6 at the time doing 70ish. Might have been the M74. Not sure … anyway I’m at my boat now and quite a nice evening

I’m with Plusnet Mobile. Sim only. No contract. Just renews each month … £10 a month. 25gb data. Unlimited calls. Unlimited texts. And it is on the EE network. I would recommend it

Rode it … I fancied a butty at Sedbury cafe which is a little place near Scotch Corner. So a blast up the motorway which wasn’t that exciting. But I returned home on roads new to me through Richmond then Bedale on to Masham. Well I knew the roads from there. But you get my drift. Enjoyable afternoon

I do get that point. And it may well be correct. But I think that we blithely accept this as fact. In my opinion there has been insufficient public scrutiny for such a major shift in road usage.

I know most folks think what I’m saying is a bit of a joke. But actually it isn’t. And it is a mystery to me

The thing is I’m sure there has been thousands of miles of testing taken place in all sorts of traffic scenarios. However, have they really included fast moving motorbikes flitting between rows of traffic? Sometimes in an illegal fashion to be fair. But that is a real life situation. … don’t get me wrong. I agree it is the future. But I am worried there will be casualties of adopting early technology. And they might be motorcyclists … I would feel less uneasy if the results of testing programmes was publicly accessible. All I have seen are short articles saying it is happening. Probably one of the biggest changes ever in road usage. And I haven’t noticed much discussion about it at all, if any.

That is very much my concern. I don’t know anything about the technology so don’t know if it is safe or not. But I’m decidedly uneasy about its introduction to our heavily densely populated roads.

So apparently this is legal in certain roads in the UK. And Ford are releasing a car with the technology. Am I the only one a bit concerned about this? Can this system adequately sense a motorcycle? I don't know https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/mustang-mach-e/359989/ford-bluecruise-uks-first-legal-hands-free-driving-tech-arrives

I wouldn’t be riding a bike with a bent frame.

This sounds ridiculous but cheap toothpaste will sort this. I can’t see exactly how bad the damage is from the photos. But start with wet and dry paper to remove the damage. Move up the grades to 1500 … and then use toothpaste on a cloth. It will take a while. I have had good results with Sainsbury’s basic toothpaste. Cheapest toothpaste works best … I have restored plastic hatch screens on my boat in this way. I’m sure it would sort your problem

The thickness of new pads is 4mm. Now I’m sure that the thickness left is at least 2.5mm. Maybe more actually. Certainly not less. So not even 50% worn. Although definitely looks a bit thin I’m thinking the guy doing my servicing is right when he says they don’t need doing for a while … now my mate who takes his bike there tells me he has had an advisory for brake pads. Did nothing. And got another advisory a year later for same thing. He is the local vicar actually lol … anyway I’m thinking I’m going to fit these brake pads. Better on the bike than on the garage shelf I think. But I will wait until I’m going on a long trip. … I do note the comments about doing own servicing. I was intending to do my own servicing when the warranty finished. But I’ve been recommended a good independent. And I do want to know stuff has definitely been done properly to my bike. Although im going to do the pads. And probably replace chain and sprockets as well actually

Yeah. That’s true. And I would fit Michelins as replacements

Well I don’t have much experience really. But I will throw in my thoughts anyway lol … so my Z650 came with Dunlop tyres. They didn’t inspire confidence and they noticeably squared off. I changed them at 3300 miles for Michelin Road 5. These inspire a lot more confidence. And my skills have probably improved a bit. And so I now have 10100 miles on the clock. So I have done 6800 miles on these Michelins. They still feel absolutely fine when riding. And actually I looked at them this morning wondering if they are squared off. Not noticeable. Certainly no ridge. I’m hoping they will still be ok for a few miles yet as they aren’t cheap … yes I do a lot of motorway miles frequently up to Scotland. But also a lot of miles on fast A roads etc

It is interesting that quite a lot of bikers like sailing. And quite a lot of sailors like motorcycles. Yeah I’ve noticed it

I agree with most of what you say

Watched that. Completely horrified me if the guy really intends to launch a 55 year old boat in questionable condition for a 500 mile challenging sail around the Uk. With no experience. … sometimes I think boating should be more heavily regulated in the UK

Yeah I’m not sure if Kawasaki OEM pads are sintered or not. i suspect not but I don’t know. I thought these EBC ones would be good

Thanks for all of the advice. Given me confidence to change the pads myself. So I’ve ordered some EBC sintered pads today … I’ve watched a couple of YouTube videos. And read the procedure in the workshop manual. It seems very straightforward actually. … I’ve changed pads on cars many times over the years. Yeah I think this will be ok. And thanks everyone for the good advice.

Yeah I might just do this. I am quite practical. Yeah appreciate the advice

Right. So I took my bike for a service. And an MOT. And I have the bike back. And it passed the MOT but has an advisory for front brake pads. I would actually have liked the guy to have just done the pads. But he says they are probably ok for 2k miles. I’ve had a look. I can still see the wear indicator … basically I am considering just replacing the brake pads myself. Am I entirely stupid