cypek

I often visit their stores in Doncaster and Leeds, got most of my gear from them and my gf bought her bike from them. Well recommended

I had some good experience with Jordan Bikes, can recommend them

That is just my reading of it though, and it would be worth you contacting DVLA to confirm this. You may need to contact them anyway as you may need to get a UK counterpart (the paper bit) of your licence.

 

I also think you can only drive/ride on an EU licence for a year before you have to apply for a UK licence.

 

spot on dave.

As MattB posted above this is not true. Holders of EU drivers licence does not have to exchange it for UK licence. I had my licence for 5 years here until I decided to do my bike tests. I was even able to go through my tests using my foreign licence and only exchanged it to get updated categories printed. If it wasn't tests I wouldn't waste my money for exchanging my licence... (as it cost around £50 IIRC). To the OP, your best bet is to make a call or pop in to DVLA and just ask them as you may just waste your money

125 route seems to be cheaper but there are some risks involved. Sure you don't have to pay for lessons but who will tell you then if you do something wrong? Can you afford failing tests for a few times? No problem with MOD1 for £15 but MOD2 is £75... Also after you pass you'll have to restrict your new bike which can be expensive and then all the hassle selling your old 125 which if you are unlucky may take a long time and cost a bit as well. DAS only seems to be expensive

Also B here. Bought cheap chinese copy-bike, rode it for about a year then went to school and did DAS. Only needed a 2-3 hours before each test and it cost me around £300 (including test fees)

I had Maxxis Touring on my ninja for the last year and they were really good. Done maybe 8k miles on the front and slightly less on the rear, but only due to irreperable puncture. I have now fitted Michelin Pilot Roads and I must say they are not too bad either. Can't really fault them but I have a feeling somewhere deep down inside that I will go for Maxxis next time again

Bought 2 years ago for around £80 (on offer in Halfords). Took me to Poland and back without any problem, good map coverage (full Europe). It has in build bluetooth but only to connect your phone as a hands free kit so only useful in car. I use it without any problem on my bike for nearly 2 years now. Recently did 80 miles in heavy rain with it, just put clear plastic bag over it. I would be mad to spend 4 times more for bike specific satnav if this does nearly everything as good. I could probably buy a £20 waterproof case from ebay but I'm too skint lol so I spent only £5 for bike mount and I'm very happy with it

Bought recently to replace my old Duchinni lid. Prices between £80-£100, got it from Lids Direct for half price so pretty happy with it. Comfy, quieter than Duchinni (still need ear plugs but that may be due to my can ), drop down sun visor - easy to operate, pinlock prepared, vents seems to be finally working, proper size breath guard and working chin guard, visor release mechanism quick and easy to use. The only thing I don't like is seatbelt strap mechanism. I can't now leave my lid strapped to my bike hanger

Overall it is really good lid for the price and if someone is on a tight budget (like I am always) I would really recomment it

http://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/images/products/medium/BoxBZ1Hazard.jpg

Bought for about £70 over 2 years ago as my first helmet. Very noisy, completely useless vents (none of them made any difference) and useless breath guard and visor change sometimes annoying. Cheap and basic lid, not really recommended.

http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/d/u/ducd801mb01_4_3.jpg

Easy to find

EBAY CLICKY

I have Challenge set I bought in Argos a few years ago and it is still working fine...

So many people wants to sign it that website seems to be down lo

MOD1 for me. I failed 3 times but only because lack of training and trying it on an unfamiliar (my gf's) bike. I was really struggling with slow ride control. Then I went for DAS and passed it 1st time after a few hours of proper training

This track is cool but shouldn't be played on your commute to work on the bike. Well it should if you want to knock 10-20 minutes off your ride.

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I would probably fall asleep on my bike listening to that

Years ago when I was going to bed I was putting that up on my casette player:

Still love anything that is fast and heavy... Like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjvohu5zJlI

My gf got those fitted: EBAY LINK I have fitted it myself, took me just over an hour. You'll have to remove all side panels and drill holes in 2 panels but it is pretty easy and straight forward job. If you want you can pop in and have a look at my gf's R125, we're only 15mins from Wake

In my opinion MOD 2 is easier as you just have to ride safely and thats it. MOD 1 is just completely pointless and stupid... (Why can't I put my foot down??? Thats why they're there for lol)

I just wonder isn't it some kind of discrimination? If we are to be restricted why not car drivers as well? All or no one...

You won't do much without going to shop and trying as many as you can... No recommendation will help unfortunately...

(...)Although I don't know about the "armoured jeans" that were mentioned. Are they worth the money over leather?

Thank you for the advice!

Edit: Also I saw that somebody mentioned a sun-visor on my helmet? Is it not illegal to have a visor that's darkened? Plus I need to wear glasses all the time so unless I buy special sunglasses, taking them off isn't a question. (...)

Armoured jeans should be cheaper than leathers but they offer even less protection that textiles. They are great in hot weather. They are just generally like standard jeans but a bit thicker and reinforced with kevlar. Many also have CE armour on knees.

Darkened visors are not illegal. At least not during the day time Also some helmets have built-in sun visor which is perfectly legal

And can't you get a contact lenses? I got them over a year ago and I feel almost completely free now

You didn't say how old are you... As if you are over 21 you could pass your test on 500cc+ bike (DAS) and then you wouldn't be restricted at all. You will if you do your tests on 125cc bike

Pretty easy job. I did it myself a few weeks ago. Just make sure you won't need any special tools. I have taken my forks apart only to find out I needed a "Kawasaki Tool" (expensive of course) but after doing some research on the internet I have bought a piece if square pipe for a few quid and it worked perfectly

Ninja

I can sell you a DVD for a £5 posted

I use an Iridium visor all the time. Even when I finish my work at 11pm It is very lightly darkened and all roads here are lit so I can see fine in it...

Kwak zx6r baby....