Spongefinger

20 hours ago, PaulCa said:

I am coming to the opinion that us motorcyclists need to maybe step in and advise the up and coming electrically powered bicycles.

 

Sure, the stated 250W limit is fine, for actual bicycles with a hub motor, but there are loop holes via the CBT route, and imported or custom goods, allowing motor specs similar to a 125cc.... however if a 125cc can deliver, say 14.8bhp at 7,000rpm.  An electric motor can produce that torque flat from 0 RPM all the way to it's limited speed.  That's a frighteningly fast bike.  14.8hp at 200rpm is a LOT of torque.  Under 3 second 0-60 times.  On a CBT.

 

So the lines are blurring.  I'm seeing custom 'bicycles' boasting 4kw and higher.  That's 5 or 6hp, but with a solid torque curve from 0 rpm to near max rpm, it does 30-40-50mph.   Yet it looks like a mountain bike with tundra tires.  Of course it has pedals and of course the rider has no gear on.  It has flimsy cycling forks, frame, brakes, normal bicycle spoked wheels.  

 

That said.  Coming 'from' PTUs, some of them do sound like a right blast of fun.  I'd be wearing my helmet and gear though.

 

https://urbanebikes.com/collections/electric-motorbikes

I saw a video on you tube of the Zero CBT legal bike it was frightening how quick it was off the line hitting 70 in no time. Ok they are ridiculously expensive but it's worrying thinking that prices will eventually come down and 17 year olds would be able to afford and ride them. I think there will have to be a big shake up around motorcycle legislation as electric bikes become more affordable to the masses.

Cheers, 

   I 've only had it a month and because of work commitments not be on it much at all hopefully that's the case that , it's my first bike I'm just not used to the eccentricities of my bikes choke. Fingers crossed that's it  

Hi Guys , Tried starting my hornet today and things don't seem right. I've not started it for two weeks just popped to give her a turnover. I usual routine, fuel switch on ( yes there's plenty of petrol) choke on full started first push left for 5 mins to warm up. I then went to turn choke down and ever after turning down just a little bit the bike stalled. Restarted with chole on and revs flew to 4000 rpm. Lowed choked a bit and it held for a while then slowly died and stalled. Started again this time I held it at 2500rpm on the throttle. I didn't adjust at all as the revs slowly went down and the bike stalled. If you twist the throttle the revs go up fine but it won't idle just stalls.

In this video I had already started the bike once  this was not a cold start.

I know very little about mechanical side of bikes so any advice appreciated. 

I have attached a video so you can see and hear .

12 hours ago, NathFZ1 said:

@Ian Frog I've been out on it a few times with my instructor and moped riders are a nightmare. I feel as though the government should make it harder for them to qualify. Whats frustrating is that the MOD2 is basically run by civil servants and they are like robots. If you don't ride exactly in accordance with the highway code its a failure. I failed because I wasn't 2 seconds behind the car in front in a national and I was a good 5 metres away. Anyway I have another test in a week. Third time lucky I suppose.

How fast were you going in a national ? At 50mph you are traveling at 22.5 meters per second. That's way too close.

The way I see the Mod2 is this, for half a hour or so you have to stick rigidly to the rules to pass, so just do it. When you pass you can drive how you want that's your risk to take.

There seems to be an old thread on here that leans toward the engine being based on a cg 125.

2 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

The best way to learn is to do. But with motorcycles you want to make sure that what you are doing is safe (especially working on things like brakes) and also that you do things right. For example, putting spark plugs in is relatively straightforward but you wouldn't want to overtighten them and strip the threads. So it depends how much experience you have.

 

Generally the rule of thumb is the most dangerous things are the things you don't know you don't know. If you are aware of your limitations and proceed accordingly things go better.

 

If you don't have a service history assume it needs doing. 

 

I agree with Stu's advice to get someone to do it with you first time. Having a mentor who will let you do it yourself but keep an eye out and offer advice when needed is a good way to gain experience without risking busting something. 

 

Some people think bleeding brakes is a dark art - it's really very simple with loads of YouTube tutorials, just pick the method that works for you. I recently bought a neat little gizmo that includes a handy little wrench attached to a one-way valve. Not necessary but when one of the bleed nipples is in an awkward place it makes life dead simple. 

 

When pouring brake fluid or coolant you want a steady controlled flow. So one trick is to pierce two small holes in the foil cap and then it's easy to get a nice steady trickle. 

 

A Haynes manual is a good start. They aren't always correct in all details but they do provide the basics and you can read through a job before you start. 

 

 

Thanks, this is exactly the kinds of tips I'm looking for

Thanks all for advice

29 minutes ago, husoi said:

To that basic service you maybe want to add a fuel filter.

Frequently overlooked but should be done if one is fitted.

Some bikes have built-in fuel filters which you won't be able to replace that easily.

external filters are normally between the tank and fuel pump.

 

More in depth service would include brake and clutch fluid replacement, as said above sounds worst than really is.

Also, depending on bike's age, fork oil is something to consider. This is a bit more "advanced" mechanical skills but you will find plenty of YT videos on how to go about it.

 

Essential for any type of service:

Make a note on where every part goes and where you took it out from.

Pics will help to remember where things were.

For example, a brake hose passing on the wrong place could affect how brakes will work and isn't easy to find what is wrong.

Cheers. The bike had new fork seals and oil just before I bought it so hopefully that should be ok for a while.

Hi all,

  I got my first bike (2000 hornet) about a month or so ago. I'm looking to do some basic maintenance on it. I'm very new to doing anything like this below is what I had planned.

Oil change, new oil filter, new air filter, chain  lube , new spark plugs.

Because I'm a novice I have no real idea of how much of this actually NEEDS doing but I'm guessing it can't hurt to do it all.

Also is replacing the brake fluid a job best left to someone who really knows what they are doing ? Obviously mucking about with the brakes can be quite hazardous !!

Is there anything I missed at all?

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers.

I did CBT at 49  (now 51 took year to get full license due to covid ) went onto DAS and now own a Hornet 600. I personally wouldn't bother getting a 125 if a big bike is your goal just go DAS route. Everyone learns at different rates and how your CBT goes should give you and your instructor a good idea how much training you may need to get through. Bigger bikes feel more grounded and stable and gave me more confidence particularly out on the road.

1 hour ago, Blackholesun said:

Yep failed twice and now can't afford to do another one just yet....very frustrating as god's conspire against me !

 

Can't you just rebook it yourself and do it on your bike if you get someone else to ride it there and have the insurance and all that ...

I believe you can, if you can get insurance.

1 hour ago, Pie man said:

Sorry to hear. I'm sure after you have talked it through with your instructor, you will be ready for the next one. 

They say many fail just after leaving the test centre due to being nervous. Keep trying, You'll get there . 

When I went to do mod 2 a guy a couple of tests before mine was told to go right out of the test centre....he did onto the right hand side of the road and stayed there driving up the road. Test was cancelled after a couple of minutes.

On 23/09/2021 at 21:03, rightstuff said:

Looks like Rochford 

Yep. Passbike

14 hours ago, JustinW said:

It is possible your 125 won't be fast enough to get up to the required speed in time for the speed recorder on Mod1. You have to go round a bend and accelerate up to a speed sensor 32mph before doing swerve and emergency stop. There's a diagram on the web somewhere showing the distances so you can try it out.

I believe that's why they added the tolerance making it a minor to come in just under the required speed rather than a fail.

A girl who did her Mod 1 with me used a scooter and she had to wind it on all the way round the curve to ensure she reached speed whereas with the big bike you can wait until the are out of the curve and then give it some welly.

1) What kind of bikes do you like ! 

2) I posted elsewhere the cost of my gear. Although I wouldn't recommend getting a second hand helmet unless you know it's history.

Helmet - £50 from friend

Jacket - RST from XLmoto reduced to clear £59

Gloves - £25 ARMR Moto Ikedo from the sportsbikeshop 

Trousers - £55  Spada Milan-Tex from the sportsbikeshop

Boots - Course Shorties £44 half price sale XLmoto

And have great fun at your CBT

Just filled up at Morrisons in Harwich all fuels 5 minute wait. 

Have you tried contacting a WK Bikes dealer for assistance?

6 hours ago, JDD1991 said:

Thanks. I didn’t sign anything prior to starting my practice session. 

That's a bit worrying but could be in your favour that you didn't sign some kind of disclaimer. The school I used have a contract and will charge you up to £500 of damage you cause.

7 minutes ago, Liveware Problem said:

 

Simular mileage too then!

 

Yours looks a nicer example I must say, enjoy

Cheers. I have been looking for a bike for about 2 months nothing quite fit the bill price wise or grabbed me. As soon as this popped up I knew I wanted it...i was so lucky that the guy was happy to deliver for free ( about 50 minutes away) !! Otherwise between his and my work schedules I never would have been able to get over to pick it up.

41 minutes ago, Fish said:

Quoting the insurance is misleading to be honest. Some get ultra low prices and some get quote like mortgage prices.

Very true,but as I said this is my cost. I looked into insurance prices before I even started my das to ensure I could afford it !

5 hours ago, Liveware Problem said:

Same bike and model year as my first bike you paid only £100 more, I'm curious what the mileage on it is?

Around 32k I believe.

38 minutes ago, Medina27 said:

 

That's fine by me. I just wanna take the L plates off and carry the wife on the back 

 

Can this be done? What test do I need?

Ah, well that info changes the cost . Yes it will only cost you the price of the test as you will be able to use your own 125. The only foreseeable issue is if you realise 2 up on a 125 is no fun and you want to get a bigger bike and you have to do it all over again.

2 hours ago, Blackholesun said:

Tbh I'm pretty skint atm so putting any tests on the back burner for now...if I did my mod 1 on a 700cc bike can I do a mod 2 on my 125cc just to get the L plates off and Never do a CBT again ? Just wondering as it's only £75

Nope you have to take Mod2  on the same size bike you did mod 1 on.

 A 5 day das is around 650-750 round where I live but the amount of hours a day training consists of varies from school to school.

It's very difficult to do full license not through a school, even if you are good enough you still need to get a full powered bike to the test centre and find someone who will insure you.

5 hours ago, Medina27 said:

Am I missing something here?

 

Mod 1 & 2 = roughly £95

 

So why are people paying over £800 to get on the road?  

5 hours ago, Tiggie said:

£800 sounds steep! A 3 to 5 day das is around £480 in West Yorkshire.

 

Training, lessons on how to pass the test, use of bike schools motorbike and insurance etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Queues blocking roads out of every petrol station in my town in Essex today where most have now run out and shut except Tesco's .