keith1200rs

When I bought a BMW R1200R after a 10 year gap, so no no-claims bonus, insurance was less than £200. Depends on where you live, garage etc.

409B Electrosolve also comes in a 12oz aerosol.

Plus there are other contact cleaners from companies such as Ambersil, Electrolube & Molykote

Just to add, 60-65mpg on any of them if you aren't silly.

I was in a similar position 6 years ago - 60 years old and returning after a 10 year gap. Bought a BMW R1200R, then RT and now on the RS. The RT is the best touring bike but the R and RS more fun. While the RT has the biggest luggage capacity, the R and RS with panniers and top box aren't far behind.

I know a police biker who was run in to the back of while stationary with flashing lights going. You can never guarantee to be seen. 

I don't want any distractions in my field of vision which hinders me spotting hazzards.

34 minutes ago, geofferz said:

Does it tell you whether the raincloud is gonna dump its load all over you though?! 

I find that with two almost identical radar maps, on two weather sites, one can say it's going to rain and the other that it's going to be dry.

Check who the company is authorised by. Possibly Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority. Then complain to the company. If/when you get nowhere, complain to the relevant authority. Even if their terms state they don't fix punctures if you don't have a spare wheel, the relevant authority can decide that is unreasonable. 

Traction control can control the brakes and throttle. It can't help if you simply take a corner too fast.

1 hour ago, Yorky said:

My BMW R1250RT came standard with a centre stand, and for a heavy bike it's quite easy to use, even for a shortarse like me.

Near where I live a BMW RT blew over in the strong winds we had a month or so ago! It now seems to be parked closer to a nearby wall.

I'm amazed how many people think sitting astride a bike while filling it with fuel is a good idea! Never. 

I always fill on the sidestand. Tried the centrestand and didn't notice any difference. 

58 minutes ago, S-Westerly said:

Still wouldn't like to pick it up though

I've picked up 280kg with no problem. Fortunately I had looked at videos of the techniques beforehand. 

1 hour ago, Capt Sisko said:

I guess this depends on how robust you feel your side stand cut out switch is. If the internet isn't full of known problems, then it'd probably be okay. If in doubt I'd tend to use the switch designed for the job.

I've never heard of any problems and have been doing it that way since 1976.

Go to any audiologist (hearing aid supplier) and get them done properly rather than DIY. cost from £100 to £150. I prefer the softer type from Starkey - nearer £150 last time I had them done. Tell them why you want them and the sound reducing insert will suit motorcycling. 

Always, unless I am planning to put it on the centrestand instead.

I wouldn't leave my bike outside uncovered.  My bikes have usually had to sleep outside and I have always covered them and they seem to survive well.  Just make sure the cover doesn't trail on the floor and stop air circulating.

1 hour ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

We were on a ride near Knutsford when she ran over a thorn and got a slowish puncture. The slime did nothing to mend the tiny hole made by the thorn but it did manage to totally clog up the valve. So having mended the puncture I then tried to inflate the tyre only for my pump to explode in my hand due to the valve being clogged.

I had a similar experience with slime. Never again. Puncture proof tyres work well but are very heavy.

3 hours ago, S-Westerly said:

Gerber multi-tool

Many years ago, while driving in my car to Strasbourg, my car sheared a bolt on the alternator. Result was not charging. I used my Gerber multitool in some services to saw a tree branch up and jam it by the alternator and tension the belt a bit. I got to Strasbourg (and delayed putting headlights on until I really had to).

It's not just the "banned" dogs you need to watch out for. Good job I carry a first aid kit.

When my sister had a heart attack in her early 50s many years ago, I bought a book to help me understand why. She had none of the risk factors. I cannot be certain but I think the book was by Malcom Kendrick (I remember it was by a Scottish GP) so may have been "The Great Cholesterol Con: The Truth About What Really Causes Heart Disease and How to Avoid It". I found it interesting but I will probably be shot down for saying so. There are other books along similar lines but that is the only on I've read.

Visor tear-offs? Depends on helmet- they only work on single curvature visors.

The reason for using dry nitrogen is the absence of moisture and larger molecules than oxygen so slower leakage. Moisure will boil altering the pressure and also potentially increase corrosion. 

2 minutes ago, Bender said:

Air expands when heated so it has to increase tyre pressure, it's why some fancy things use nitrogen it has a much lower reaction to temp changes and doesn't drop pressure over time as much, most of what you breathe is nitrogen.

I think the reason for using pure nitrogen is not to do with pressure changes with temperature- all gases are the same and governed by Boyles law,as I recall.

Welcome from Scarborough. Depending on where in North Yorkshire you are, there are some good roads, also straying into East Yorkshire 

Shop around. Online you can get 2yd for £108. Last time I looked locally ( a few weeks ago) 6yd was around £260 but you can see them for just over £200 if you look online.