Bonniebird

Thanks for the rideout and particular thanks to Jayne and Ben for organising it. Here's some pics as a memento - what a bunch of stunners - the bikes anyway

Oh, do you do that too??? Yeah, that puts me off comms, that and the swearing

Basically what they are looking for is that you are observing what's around you so, short of being like a nodding dog, you can't really do too many lifesavers. You need to make the glance more obvious than normal so the examiner can see you clearly. In terms of left indicator, right lifesaver,dunno. Obviously you need to check to your right, often more than once, when turning left at a junction or joining a roundabout, also if there is more than one lane leading up to a junction or two lanes are merging, you need to know what is coming up behind you. Another thing to be observant of when turning left is any cycle lane or cyclists filtering through on your inside or traffic slowing or stopping to the left. Hope the test goes well.

Hopefully Tango and me will make it on Sunday, not 100% sure yet tho. Forecast is looking dry - perhaps not that sunny, hunny

Less than 3hours to go and its still only had 1 bid of £300. It's amazing what you can pick up if you've time, money and garage space!!! Shame we've none of the above

Are you buying the beer???

There isn't room in the garage!!!!!!!

I have to admit to being a fair weather bike these days although getting caught in the rain occasionally or being cold isn't going to put me off - Bonnie takes a lot of shining you know. lol Used to ride in all weathers years ago when a bike was my only transport and one of my few offs was in snow on a CB100N in the late 80s. Heaving it upright, dressed in an orange babygrow while car drivers honked their horns impatiently was NOT fun

'Fraid Tango and me are off on Hols early Sunday morning so can't make it. Have fun guys and gals!!!

Hi to all Anyone planning on going to the Tailender this year, particularly camping? I know the May show wasn't all that great but if some of us from the Forum got together, I could be a lot of fun!!!! Mandy

Tango and me might go on the Sunday. It depends on car packing and weather - I'm driving to France early Monday morning.

We were at TMBF rally at the weekend. Went down the Marina this evening but it was a bit quiet. We were fairly late down there though. Bikes still need cleaning. It was a toss up between riding or polishing!!!!!

Think a halogen bulb would be a good idea. Perhaps I won't worry too much about discs then. She's not complained about the brakes, its only because me and Tango are used to discs. I had drum brakes years ago on a 100cc Honda and didn't think twice about them. She's getting used to putting the bike on the centre stand but I still think I'll get a side stand kit, maybe rig up a light or buzzer to it

Many thanks to all for a great weekend!!! Bob (Tango) and I are back home after an almost dry (if a bit windy) run back. Thanks to whoever returned Biggle's beer-soaked moustache. (either that or it made its own way back to the tent which is quite a scary thought!!!). Looking forward to next year already - might be brave enough for the karaoke then. Chin, Chin all Over and Out, Ginger (AKA Bonniebird, AKA Mandy)

Count me and Tango in providing we're there in time. We can't come up until the Saturday morning. I'm not bothered how fast we go, particularly if it's p***ing down so that makes: Akey - XT1200Z Super Tenere Willow - CBR 600 Fsport Ash - CBR600RR Sue - YBR125 Decor58 - Fazer 600 =] Ruth - SV650 (poss) Nman1 - GSXR 750 Stu - TL1000s revscasa - Fazer600 or Gixer thou megawatt - Fireblade RRW Streetfighter mojobanana - ZX12R Ninja Dan - Fireplace Spafe-gsx1400 Yorbandit - Bandit 1250GT Takanta - ???? MHarrison94 - 125 ?? tsurugi-ijin - Bandit 650 Devans Mark1fazer Boothy - Bandit 600 Ben Whitcher - SV650 Grumpy Old Git - Bandit 1250 Craig - Z1000 Jamie -SV650s Jixerman - GSXR 1000 k7 Remy - Gladius 650 bumble - cbr600fs barry r1 - r1 littlecat - thundercat 600cc Tango - Speed Four Bonniebird - Bonneville

Bike won't be at the rally I'm afraid as me and Bob (Tango) have managed to get the weekend to ourselves! Rhiannon's used to just a centre stand because of her scooter but I think it would be a useful addition. She nearly dropped it in the 6th form car park this morning apparently when struggling with the centre stand (1st trip to school). Some guy laughed at her so she's a bit embarrassed!!

Have bought a 1998 CG 125 for my daughter and it is a great little bike. The only problem is that it doesn't have a side stand which makes getting off and putting it on the centre stand a bit of a skill!! I've heard that there aren't standard side stands for these because there's no provision to fit a cut-off switch but I've seen kits with footpegs and sidestand on ebay fairly cheaply. Does anyone have any experience of these? Do you think it's a good idea to have a side stand without a safety cut-off or is she better off just developing a good technique? BTW, for future tinkering, any suggestions for brighter headlights, drum to disc brake conversions etc... Many thanks Mandy

Would agree with Bogof on the slo-mo thing. Particularly important when braking as you need to give yourself more time. It's also important to ride smoothly, particularly gear changes or there may be a clash of helmets. lol. Slow manouvering can be a bit ungainly so, if you need to park-up in a tight spot, turn round in the carpark etc.. it is best to ask them to get off while you do it - particularly on a dodgy surface like gravel. Once you are on the move it isn't too much of a problem as long as they are a well-behaved pillion and don't keep turning round to see the bike behind (voice of experience!!). A word of warning, when my daughter was younger she had a tendency to fall asleep on the back, not recommended!!!

I did pretty much the same as Roadtorque and had lessons on a 125 and then an ER5 before buying my Bonnie T100. Bob (AKA Tango) didn't have any but then he was a much more experienced rider than me before giving up. I don't think you forget how to ride and equally no amount of lessons are a substitute for just getting out there and riding but they can help to build confidence. I find I'm a lot more cautious these days (too cautious really) partly because of a greater sense of mortality and partly because I don't ride bikes every day as a means of transport like I used to. Bikesafe sounds like a good idea, or ride out with someone else who will give you honest feedback. Welcome back to biking Mandy

Would recommend investing in a scottoiler too for the chain if it is compatible with your bike. This is a reservoir of chain lubricant connected to the bike engine that delivers a measured amount onto the chain as you ride. Ditto the ACF50 particularly. My daughter's moped is kept outside under a cover (my Bonnie and Tango the Speed Four are occupying the garage). The exhaust had seen better days but I derusted and cleaned it up with Autosol then sprayed with ACF50 and it has stayed shiny - amazing stuff!!)