125cc

Fit like chief! Yep, the joys of riding 125s up this way. Have gotten on much better in recent weeks after the helpful advice here. Pretty relaxed now about riding in windy conditions (which has been every day this past month more or less ) and less worried about what other people think.

I find the visor fogs up less when I keep it clean (Fairy liquid and warm water). Wearing the balaclava over your nose Dick Turpin-style also helps. I mostly wear contacts but occasionally glasses. I usually crack the visor open one notch when stationary or at a crawl and this stops any fogging. Also leave the balaclava well below the nose when wearing the specs and this helps. As for keeping glasses clean... Isopropyl works well as it degreases too.

as its a 125 does the chain have a split link Yep. Quite a handy reference for keeping track of how much of the chain you've done...

Cheers everyone. Looks like I just need to stop being lazy and do the chain more often! Simple as that really. Thanks anyway for all the info. Much bedtime reading. Never thought of trying gear oil but there again it looks like I just need to clean/lube up more often... arf arf. 125

Hey folks. Hope you and your bikes haven't all been blown away/drowned in this awful weather we're getting of recent. One of the joys of winter riding is trying to keep the chain clean and lubricated with all the salt, mud and general crud that's around on the roads. Since I started riding over 18 months ago I've been using Tru-Tension Banana Lube which seems to work OK however it doesn't seem to be the most durable stuff at this time of year - a little exposure to rain/puddles (every day of recent...) or if the roads are ever gritted (as in, most days up this way...) and the stuff's washed off and my chain turns to a nice rusty brown colour as tinworm threatens to set in. Asking what's the best lube to use is a bit like asking what's the best beer - everyone's got their own favourites for their own reasons, and there's loads of different brands and types all offering to be "the best" solution. One thing I was starting to wonder however is perhaps the type of lubricant that I'm using is unsuitable for this time of year. I'm starting to think that perhaps the "dry" type which seems to stick a lot better is more suited to winter use. Old-timers and off-roaders use that grease/wax stuff that you heat up on the hob then leave the chain to marinate in... sounds ideal but not practical for me unless I want to remove the chain/wheel etc. every week. At the risk of starting a never-ending argument, what type does everyone find the most suitable for winter use? I think my chain on my 125 is an O-Ring type but I'm clueless if I'm honest.

Hello everyone. Hope you are well in this fine weather. Thought I'd update this post in lieu of quite a stormy fortnight which saw me get plenty practice of riding in inclement conditions. Have tried putting into practice the advice given above and it has made rather a difference. I'm also learning more and more the bike's limits (there's been a few days up here the past fortnight we've had 60/70mph winds, most of the time its been 30-40mph sustained so I've learned when's a good idea to leave the bike at home when it just gets too blustery - thankfully only two days so far but its been a good learning experience). Just trying to relax and not fight the bike, let it move and accept whatever speed I get and if it holds up the traffic its their problem, they can always pass when safe to do so. So a big BIG thank you to the posters above for your advice, its much appreciated by this less-nervous but still cautious rookie. Cheers 125cc

Having similar issues battling the tinworm on my YS125. Not surprising really, I didn't think Ching Chong Cheng quality mixed well with Highland winters but there you go. My fault for riding it through the winters. Noted the paint is flaking off the exhaust where it passes closest to the ground, think I need to get some of this VHT stuff to re-do it.

Oh yes, plenty practice today. Was gusting to 45mph+ on my morning commute... Tried to relax much more and it did help, had to drive at full throttle in 4th most of the way as the headwind was so strong and the poor Yammy wouldn't go above 50.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I suspect I'll get better with experience but I think one of the problems is, especially riding at night, I'm too tense. I'll try to relax a bit and "go with the flow" so to speak. And not worry about holding everyone up behind me! 125cc

Hey folks. Looking for some advice. I'm finding I'm really struggling with riding in moderate headwinds or crosswinds at A-road speeds. By "moderate" winds I mean anything around 20mph upwards when travelling at 45mph plus on A-roads. Directional control is difficult and I'm finding the bike very squirrelly and it's very off putting. Additionally I'm finding the 125's lack of grunt really noticeable when facing anything more than 15mph of headwind; I'm finding that I have the throttle wide open and unable to get more than 50mph at a struggle. Sometimes 40 is all the poor thing can manage, not good when you have aggressive car drivers and lorries up your chuff whilst trying to wrestle the bike. My confidence isn't good. Granted it's only a 125 so it's lightweight and barely enough torque to pull the bedsheets off so I'm not expecting much, but I'm struggling with my confidence in these conditions and don't want an accident. Live out in the sticks so using another road isn't an option. Just wondering if anyone can help me with any tips on riding in windy conditions. Thanks very much. 125cc

I like the green. Always fancied a Kawasaki for that reason - shallow I know...

I never thought of that, I may add a couple of hex ones to my set for the commonly used sizes (for me, 14, 17 and 19mm).

To be fair I am very much a rookie biker and have only been riding since August 2018 so I am very much lacking in experience; I couldn't comment on lifestyle marketing or fancy makes or different groups, however to me a bike is a bike and its just an interest of mine. As for anybody that doesn't want to chat etc. - fair enough, we're not all sociable types, that's their bag.

Will probably do the job adequately, as said anything from Halfords/Screwfix/Toolstation etc. will probably do for most things DIY. Mrs.125 bought me a 25-piece set from Halfords for Xmas, was rather chuffed.

Hope you get it sorted soon mate.

Best things about riding a motorbike:- 1) The experience. The feeling of freedom, being exposed to the elements, having views of your surroundings unrestricted by door pillars or interior fittings, the excitement of riding the bike - the engine noise, the wind roar around your helmet, the smell of petrol/oil/whatever your surroundings are. Way more interesting than driving a car. Its second only to flying an aeroplane IMO. It makes me feel alive! 2) The machinery. Whether its a 50cc scooter or a 1-litre Japanese space shuttle on wheels, all bikes are truly fascinating. Ongoing care and maintenance is also part of the enjoyment for me, like grown-ups' meccano. 3) The brotherhood. Its nice when bikers nod at each other out on the road and always say hello and have some polite chat when meeting in cafes, car parks or wherever, and are eager to help another biker in need with whatever. So much more civilised than car motoring where everyone is out to kill each other seemingly and nobody cares a jot about their fellow motorist. 4) The economy. I can't speak for bigger bikes but my 125 costs naff-all to run. 15 quid fills the tank and that does me 300 miles on average. Many smiles per gallon! 5) Scooting past traffic hold-ups at choke points and getting home quicker. 6) The girls do indeed love it as my wife attests to...

Still commuting daily up here in the Highlands, waterproofs, thermals and regular washing/chain lube keeps everything good 125cc

Hi There, Sounds a bit like an issue I'm having with my YS125 clocks. Currently waiting for the instrument panel to be replaced under warranty. Basically its a design fault, the seal is very poor and lets in water causing all sorts of maladies. Mine started randomly changing between mph and kmh before sticking permanently on kmh. Also the rev counter occasionally goes bonkers. Sounds like the MT may have a similar issue. Regards 125cc