Sparky65

Two pics of my very lovely, new Kawasaki ER-6F.

Lynn, the only piece of advice I would give you will sound a bit strange but it's to give yourself a cut-off point at which you stop reading forums like this. Before anyone misunderstands me, this forum was a massive help to me in all sorts of ways and I'm fantastically grateful for all the advice I received. However, there comes a point when you really can't take in much more and what you need to rely on after that is the accumulated knowledge you've gained from being on the road, put together with your instructor's advice and perhaps the Highway Code. I really believe there's a risk of information overload. You've got everything squared off in your head then someone offers an opinion (or fact) that confuses or contradicts you. It starts a whole spiral of doubt in your mind and the fret-o-meter hits 11. So, my advice is to choose a moment close to Friday and then just concentrate on that nice, easy ride you're going to do. Lots of other people have described it as like having a sat-nav in your ear. They're right. Just think of it as that. Good luck Ps. Thanks again to TMBF for helping to get me through my test. Couldn't have done it without ya.

Aaah, those lovely words. Guaranteed to cause a hangover the next day (after putting away the bike keys, of course). Well done Ps. I'd add wannabe corpses to those who don't wear helmets, but each to their own.

I have thin metal legs on my glasses and they fit perfectly under my Arai Chaser but I too tried loads and loads of helmets in different shops until I got the right combination.

That's really frustrating. I did Mod 2 in Bathgate on June 9 and I don't think the waiting list was as long as six weeks. You could try there.

Did you do it from Shieldhall? What happened?

Sorry, but this is going to be a grim "f**k it" but I feel the need. Two weeks ago yesterday, a friend of 35 years was killed in a road accident near Perth. He leaves a wife and two sons aged eight and four. His funeral took place yesterday. There were so many people there, some had to stand outside the crematorium. Staff stopped counting after 500. His death (in a car, not on a bike) has really shaken me because of the suddenness of it and the fact that we were exactly the same age and both have families. I have thought about not riding but my wife insisted that I hadn't undertaken all the training and worked hard to pass my test only to stop now. If I did stop, would I never get in a car again? Would I never cross the road on foot? Of course not. So why "f**k it"? Because no matter how much shit I think I have going on in my life, there's always someone worse off and I need to keep remembering that. Thanks for listening.

I bought a shirt carrier which slips into my rucksack and keeps everything totally flat. Can't recommend it highly enough. A bit pricey but if you're using it every day, it's worth the money, imo. http://www.jamesandlongbourne.co.uk/stiffshirtselected.php?tmpordernum=57jw7slxdqhrox1y6e6e&collarid=60

I'm having R&G ones fitted on my new ER6. I was quoted £80 to buy from the Kawasaki dealer, £120 fitted. Fine by me.

Hurrah, another Sparky joins the club Feels like a great achievement, doesn't it - and so it should too.

Excellent news augustburnsred ... And from one Sparky to another, good luck tomorrow

The only time I was told not to indicate when pulling out from a parked position was if there was a junction just ahead and on the right hand side of the road I was joining. The instructor said it could give the impression that I intended to pull out and turn right into that junction. It seemed slightly odd to me but he was categoric about it. So, the default position appears to be that you should indicate but I hesitate to sound like I'm arguing with an examiner because although I passed Mod 2 first time, I wouldn't count myself as an experienced biker. I am an experienced car driver of 30 years and I would always indicate when pulling out from a parked position so is a bike any different? On a related subject, another student from my school who went right after me, failed Mod 2 because he did not indicate when asked to pull in and stop. No ambiguity about that.

Thanks for all your replies. I'll be using my Oxford Hardcore chain and lock overnight when the bike is garaged so fingers crossed all should be well. When I'm out and about I'll be using my Oxford disc lock. The other stuff, such as Alphadot and Datatool are secondary safeguards which I'm hoping will also bring down my insurance premium by a few quid. Throttled, I'm buying the bike from MCS in Renfrew. Where did you get yours?

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on which security system to add to a Kawasaki ER-6F I'm seriously thinking about buying. I'm looking at Alphadot or Datatag or something similar. The factors are: Ease of fitting/installation/application Cost Effectiveness Thanks for your thoughts.

That was the advice given to me by my instructor before I did Mod 2 last week (and passed first time). The scenario she painted was to imagine that you were in a queue of vehicles in a right-hand turning filter lane and a car was covering up the painted arrow on the road surface. If you weren't indicating, it could make it more difficult for the oncoming vehicles to be alerted to the fact that you might be about to turn right in across their path. I'm not sure how many oncoming car drivers would be looking at the road surface for a visual sign that traffic may be turning right, but I can see her point. So, best advice would be to leave it on. I reckon the only problem you'd face in a test is if you forgot to turn off the indicator after completing the turn (but that applies to any manoeuvre where you're using the indicator, not just a right-hand filter lane turn).

Seconded, me and you too

Cheers! Sights set on a lovely black ER-6.

Took it in Bathgate this morning. I convinced myself I'd failed on two counts but gave myself a big mental foot in the arse and told myself it's not over until the fat lady sings. And when she did, it was a lovely song. Not even a minor. This forum's been a huge source of advice and information since I began riding last August. Thanks so much to everyone.

I have that same problem - I hope to god I never have an off and someone has to undress me

I have loads of running gear and technical tops, ones that wick the sweat, are brilliant. I have four from Decathlon which work really well and at £5.99 each they're well worth it. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/deefuz-1000-t-shirt-58814250/ Same goes for their shorts to wear under textiles in summer or their running tights to wear in winter. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/isolate-essential-tights-129967737/

Good luck to both of you. If I had one tip, it would be to go as wide as you want on the figure of eight, which will give you more turning space. The examiner said I went so wide, he wasn't sure if I was ever going to turn - but what I did was perfectly ok, and I passed Mod 1 first time All the best!

Just got a pair of Red Route Kevlar jeans. Should have been £102 but paid £66 courtesy of a friendly dealer They feel quite thick but aren't heavy. I don't plan to test their protective qualities any time soon though.

Ian, I think you're spot on except I don't share your experience of the brakes and headlight. I passed my Mod 1 on an ER-6 and have been taking lessons on it and of course, a 125 feels like a toy bike by comparison but as I said above, it's perfect for my 17-mile commute from south-east London to west London. Does everything I need

Pretty much why I went for the YBR apart from the fact that it was 32 years since I'd got on a moped. I passed Mod 1 last week and have Mod 2 on June 9. Everything I've been told and read makes me believe the YBR will hold its value when I come to sell it. Bottom line, don't dismiss it based on others' experiences. Wait and see if it works for you. If not, you'll find a buyer.

Depends what you want it for. I bought my YBR new in January and can tell you without doubt that it sits very happily at 50mph on the rare occasions I get to take it on the open road. Would I want to push it much beyond that for long periods? No. How does it perform in close traffic when I need to get away from lights and move swiftly from dumb arses in jeans, tshirts and trainers? Nippy enough. I ride through central Lindon twice a day so open road riding isn't a big deal. Btw, I'm 46, 6ft tall and weigh 13st.