NearOn

It might a bit more nippy through the gears but overall, the Varadero has a top speed of 72mph, where as the CBR is 70mph. Again very little difference so not much point in changing the Vara for a CBR in my opinion but really comes down to what your personal preference is.

I also had a 2008 125 Varadero, if you mean trade it for a 125 CBR I would say no isn't worth it, and the 125 CBR does not have the big bike feel of the Varadero.

TC - 01 Littlecat - 02 Mealexme - 03 iWannaGoFast - 04 Augustburnsred - 05 Stu - 06 mojo - 07 iiisecondcreep - 08 Susieque - 09 techno - 10 Bogof - 11 rennie - 12 yorbandit - 13 Keith565 - 14 whitedevil - 15 Karimura - 16 nman1 -17 Rebel Rach - 18 Green - 19 GOG - 20 Bonniebird - 21 Throttled - 22 Randomobject-23 Tango - 24 Nellie - 25 MickeyGW - 26 Mk5Centurion - 27 Craig-28 medtec - 29 GarethNW - 30 Theboyparker - 32 Fozzie - 33 Bumble - 37 Byangoma - 40 R1Barry - 41 TnT - 42 Voodoo - 46 RiffmasterII - 50 Remy - 54 Decor58 - 58 Rushwind - 59 Timmy Tiger - 69 MrBlonde71 - 71 Seawolf84 - 84 Silverspring - 88 Boothy - 93 Borgy95 - 95 Polecat - 101 JellyBelly12345 - 123 Duane69 - 141 UK190 - 190 DocB - 212 Sigil - 599 corsa120 - 649 Dave33 - 650 pinki-88 - 666 Devans - 749 croup - 755 JamBerryKing - 777 brewster - 840 Jota - 888 NearOn- 909

I see where you are coming from as majority of people with good income could get one on finance. But for me personally I would have to win the lotto due to mistakes made with finances when younger and now paying it back so even with my love of bikes, price has to come into it which is a proper bummer!

Excellent review! And if I won the lotto, would be first bike I bought. I know some people will find the look odd but to me it looks amazing. Keep enjoying it

Keep at it, you will get there. Is bit hard to comment on those two situations they failed you on without detailed description of what happened. They don't want you to fail, but they have their rules to adhere to. And they should give you good feedback on where you went wrong. They did this on my MOD 1 when failed it.

Second that, have had my Motrax Delux now over a year and a half. Unlike the Oxford one which ripped during the Winter 2 years ago, the Motrax is much better made, and was more than fine during the Winter, covers the whole bike completely, has a strap that connects under the middle of the bike, and has slots either end of it for chain to go through. Also when I got mine it should of been £45 but was on sale for £20 so was a bargain, keep an eye out online for one!

I think this is where individual experiences and likes come in to it. My opinion of the Multitec is the opposite to Roadtorque's, and is also the only Shoei I have ever bought so far. Granted the double D Ring is a bit of a pain if going from the one touch button system, but easy to get used to and just as secure. The strap pads look fine to me and not much different to most helmets. The cheek pads are very comfy compared to my previous Caberg and AGV lids, and make the helmet slip on like a glove. But I do think the head liner should be removable so can wash it. However I personally cant see why this lid if well looked after would not make 5 years, and even further. Where I think it excels compared to my experience of other helmets, so far only being a Caberg and an AGV SV S4, is in terms of wind noise and wind buffeting. I was out on the bike today, and pretty damn windy just at a standstill today, but at high speeds, obviously national speed limit only , the wind noise/wind buffeting is far less than my caberg and AGV and impressed me. I too would not pay nearly 400 quid though for it, that's why I got mine new much cheaper, and with the extras just by searching the net. My previous AGV lid was not far off that price, and the wind noise in that was ridiculous, I wonder if the Givi is as light and what its like at speeds, not heard much about Givi lids before.

Have you tried the Shoei Multitec? Before I did I was pretty set on either a Qwest or a XR1100, as was not sure wanted a flip front again, had a caberg before. But the Multitec for me was even more comfy, and my glasses fit perfectly in it. Bit more expensive, but also apparently the best flip front lid out there in terms of minimal noise and buffeting. Mine hopefully should be here tomorrow

Just buy the book version, is a tenner really going to bankrupt you, is something you can refer back to, has lots of information not just about the tests, and also lend any friends who decide to take the test. I still have mine, and 2 people so far have also borrowed it before their tests, is a tenner well spent.

Long as its restricted to 33bhp, you can ride it once passed the test on your 125. Get restrictors for pretty much most bikes these days, 600s seem to be most popular to restrict.

Over the weekend, have tried quite a few different lids, and by far the only one that my glasses sat perfectly in was the Shoei multitec, was such a good fit. But nice price too, £350 in the shop, cheapest online £300. So a bit more saving yet, only planned to spend around £150. Still gotta try a Raid 2 but nowhere sold them as is a previous model, but going to try a place I think might have old stock left on Monday.

thanks for info, Ill try a few on, made big mistake with last lid, got it for birthday, an AGV one, from online, never tried one on at a store, and when got it thought id cope with it as glasses did not fit very well, but I simply have not worn it, kept picking up the old lid, lucky enough sold it tonight on fleabay, and only lost £40! on it, so happy with that.

Nice one, going to try that lid, and the Shark one tomorrow to see what they are like.

I am looking into changing my lid as want something that my glasses will fit well with, and apparently the Shark Vision R has a specific fitment for people who wear glasses. Also wondering what wind noise is like on them, any help be appreciated or if anyone knows of a make of lid that suits glasses wearers. Cheers

I would go with a Hornet, but probs cos I had one not long ago. For £1500 you could get a nice 99 or even maybe 00/01 Hornet. Though obviously this time of year more popular so prices be at their highest.

I look a bit like you so yeah I would say butt ugly

I'm just wondering what colour visors people have, as I am thinking about getting a black one for the sunny days, but I am not sure what the Police are like with them these days? I do have a sun visor within the lid, but isnt quite the same as a full black or mirrored visor.

I have the RST Rift leather jacket, which is quite similar, and is best jacket have owned. Is warm enough for winter and now warmer weather is here, is nice for the sunny days, as can remove the extra liner. As OP said, the price is good, and for me is good value for money.

Be good to hear which one it is, ill have a look, The Cider Shed, now the Brewery Tap I think, is just round corner from me, tho I have only seen a few bikers there, but would make a good meeting spot. I can also recommend Bacton on Norfolk coast, they have a lot head out that way on a sunday I think.

Norfolk is fairly good for riding, is crying out for a good biker friendly pub. If I win the lottery ill open one up in Norwich!

I live in Norwich, but as work shifts, and 99% of weekends, dont often get on many rideouts. But do know alot of people ride out to and from Maccy Ds at Beccles. infact on a weekend its absolutely packed! Not sure of any biker pubs in Norwich area, but are some further out, will have to try dig their names out again. The pub on riverside road, next to car garage, wilco I think, used to have a biker meet there but they have left or even pub is shut now.

You can easily pass it on your own without all that expense, obviously training is a good thing, but there are also alot of free things to help pass it. You are right if pass on 125, restricted for 2 years to max 33bhp. All depends how quick you want a big bike. I personally did it all myself with just help of forums and a book, Learn to ride, and this was because could not afford all the lessons etc. Plus plenty of practice on a 125. End of the day best to go with what feels most comfortable for you.

Where you heading? I have a 50/50 chance of making a rideout saturday, got some family stuff during the first part of the day to do.