NearOn

ah thats it, glad you still getting use out of it.

Yeah, I was looking to get a link pipe made up for a Devil exhaust on the Vara. I have just checked the documentation, it was serviced exactly 2 months ago and I have done around 700 miles in that time. To be honest its just shoddy and I wont be taking my business back there again. Simple. I learnt the same with my car (a 2000 e320 cdi merc) that unless I do ALL the work on it myself, its simply impossible to find somebody who knows what they are doing on it, without trying out different parts on my expense. Since then, I have learnt more than most garages will know about the specifics on my car, and I intend to do the same on the bike. Shame I was sucked in by the service plan. Maybe im confused but didnt I buy or sell something to/from you? a top box/plate maybe?

Hey, your username rings a bell but I cant quite remember, something Varadero related anyway. If they are saying those other two things need adjusting, they should do them free of charge under the warranty, and especially as was only in for its service recently like you said. I have to say my Honda dealership are no better. When I had my Varadero which I had bought brand new from them, they were not that interested in helping me when I had a couple of issues. Its like they have the nice shiny showroom, some of the best bikes in the world, but is just the sale that interests them, their aftercare is a bit weak in my opinion.

I know is easy for me and others to say, but keep at it, you will get there. I know how pants it feels but you will do it.

Same route as me, I failed MOD 1 first time, more due to had no practice at a circuit or owt. Once knew how it was going to go, passed it 2nd time round.

You are right, there are not many around, but did see one for around £750 with 25k on the clock not long ago. The only prob if they do direct access, will leave around 400 quid to spend on a bike. And be lucky to get a old Bandit , CBR etc for that sort of money.

£480 is a good price, but if you purely have what's left over, there's not a lot for a bike and gear. Purely from my own experience although others will have different experiences which are all helpful. I went down the 125 route to get the experience. So would go a bit like this, get a 125, (Honda Varadero 125 is perfect for your height and size, same stats as myself and can pick one up for under a grand) Do the CBT, get experience on the roads with that for a year, maybe longer. Then if money is still tight, do your tests by yourself, if MOD 1 and 2 are still around then, So only cost around £100. Once passed, sell your 125 which wont have lost much value over the time depending on what it is, and then buy a nice 600 and restrict it which is cheap if do it yourself. Easy!

Sounds good, what torque range is it? I have a torque wrench which is 28 and above, think into the hundreds. But need one that is the lower ranges if anyone can recommend a cheap but decent one? Ta

I see, be interested to see what the ALDI/LIDL clothing says on it, but for the price its up for id imagine it is CE approved and is protective.

I personally prefer other makes purely because i like the look, but I would not presume a brand buys you safety. There's alot of safety laws etc these days that the gear has to pass. Lidl are also doing stuff too. http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/SID-237E042D-35E0110E/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/offerdate.htm?offerdate=18730 You realise most manufactures get out of this, by just fitting CE armour, therefore the clothing is not considered protective clothing. So what makes clothing protective? The clothing in LIDL's is not that cheap, I have seen cheaper available in proper bike shops.

I personally prefer other makes purely because i like the look, but I would not presume a brand buys you safety. There's alot of safety laws etc these days that the gear has to pass. Lidl are also doing stuff too. http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/SID-237E042D-35E0110E/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/offerdate.htm?offerdate=18730

The motorbike stuff on 3rd March now showing on the ALDI site http://catalog.aldi.com/core/main.php?&SITEID=c243d&PROJECTNR=222&PHPSESSID=712b1553cd26b639fad1aac01f2f8b6c

Cheers for that, I pretty much followed your advice this morning, (got the paraffin from B&Q), apart from havent rode it, too windy! Also I didnt have time to get to the front sprocket to clean it as have to remove the gear change linkage to get my sprocket cover off, and having not done that before, did not want to mess anything up without reading the old haynes first. Anyhow thanks again, looks much better now without the horrible yellow muck. Seriously?? The sprocket cover on my bike is an absolute sod to get on and off, but it can just about be wiggled round the gear change linkage. AFAIK, they're designed so you can get them off without having to take things to bits! It looks like may wiggle off without taking gear linkage out but didnt have time, plus started raining not long after finished, no garage , but hopefully will have another go once got some free time, which seem to have mega lack of lately, rubbish!

Cheers for that, I pretty much followed your advice this morning, (got the paraffin from B&Q), apart from havent rode it, too windy! Also I didnt have time to get to the front sprocket to clean it as have to remove the gear change linkage to get my sprocket cover off, and having not done that before, did not want to mess anything up without reading the old haynes first. Anyhow thanks again, looks much better now without the horrible yellow muck.

Bit of an update, have booked with a biking hotel in France, thanks to Nomad! Looks really good and cant wait! Roll on June!

Just wondered if anyone can help, had my FZ6 since october now. And when got it, the previous person has used some sort of yellow chain wax on the chain. Anyone know what this might be? On my previous bike I use Wurth chain cleaner and chain lube in cans, which I prefer. However seems better idea to carry on with whatever this wax is until I change the chain in the future. Cheers

Hello mate, I was actually thinking of posting a similar thread as Im pretty new to my Fazer, had 125s for a while, but never been that far on a bike. And am hoping to go away on it for a week near end of June. I too cant afford one of these touring packages or to go too far, and was thinking France or Germany. Saw another thread similar but far bigger tour. Might know a couple others who might be interested. Road trip sounds good! And my map skills are fairly rubbish so be good to go with others!

Update, finally have some news, but pretty crap news, garage been shut over xmas and new year, lazy! lol. The fuel pump has gone, and from what I have researched, they are not cheap, re conditioned ones least £400 , or salvaged around £300, so plus the labour is looking pretty crap. Once get a few quotes, going to weigh out options, as even though car is a nice car considering its age, its still only worth £1500 max.

Its still a damn sight better than a Honda Varadero 125cc! Nice work! I too did my test on my varadero, although speed wise nothing compared to my fazer, i do miss the varadero occasionally as was fun pushing it up to the max.

Is that something a novice like me can check? I am getting pretty fed up of it now, so probs just gonna let garage crack on with it whenever they can.

Update, but not a good one Well its still not working, has had new glow plugs, glow plug relay fuse changed, they are def heating up, mechanic thinks might be fuel pump as there is fuel in the engine but when turn it over, none is coming through the pipe, anyways tried 4 different garages in my area, all turned the work away as too busy and now winding down for xmas, best I could get was a garage who will pick it up tomorrow and then have it done by 3rd Jan. Just need ice to feck off and can use the bike! Proper crap few days!

lol good suggestions, think ill just get the new glow plugs fitted, hopefully tomorrow, and fingers crossed it will burst into life! Then I best check if the Fazer starts after a week sat in this crap weather!

Found em, and got 4 new glow plugs, next door neighbour hopefully gonna help me fit them, look pretty fiddly to get out.

Wish mine had of started with the new battery, mate at work has suggested heating the engine up with a heater to see if that does it, if that fails then def have to get a mechanic out as glow plugs I have no clue where to start with them.