pumilio

Hi there ans welcome to the forum. I can't recommend a place in Scotland, but definitely try on the helmet in a retail store to make sure it fits. A sales person can help you know what fits and what doesn't - you'll probably benefit from the advice when getting your first lid. If you consider buying it online after that, definitely factor in shipping, waiting for it, and the convenience of buying from a local shop. Good luck

Anyone offer advice on a pair of paddock stands? I want a pair for the fireblade but I have no idea where to begin shopping. Ideally I'd like a set that I could use on other bikes too - are "universal" ones really universal? Good brands and sources? Thanks in advance!

I have a Buffalo one which is great - relatively inexpensive for a full-featured tail pack and was rated highly in a recent Ride magazine survey. It is this one (though I'm not necessarily recommending M&P): http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/5580 ... ge/Buffalo Be careful if you want to use it with a back pack - back packs and tail packs don't usually work so well together.

I definitely recommend the Cardo scala rider q2 as well. I have a regular scala rider which came with my tomtom rider v2, but I recently upgraded to a q2 duo kit for riding with my wife. I've used tyre - it is awesome. Unfortunately, although I loved the tomtom (the rider was my second tomtom satnav), I had nothing but trouble with it charging on the bike and gave up after my second new cradle for my bike. I retired it to my car and got a zumo 550 which has performed flawlessly under all conditions. I also chose the scala rider q2 set over my original bike to bike set up of an autocom with kenwood radios (and a push to talk setup on my wife's bike). The scala rider setup basically is just a lot less hassle with longer lasting batteries, lighter weight and cheaper than the premium radio setup I have.

how waterproof is it? Thinking about the laptop here...

Been meaning to explore some in North Wales - it looks fantastic.

Cheap or not, it is pretty important that a helmet fits properly (i.e., snug in the right places and comfy). It would be way better to get a £100 lid than buy a rubbish £40 lid that you have to replace soon because you can't live with it. Literally. Check out Caberg, Laser, Roof + others that have some neat designs and good safety ratings, but are also reasonably priced. Most importantly, get into a shop or two and try some on and take a knowledgeable mate or ask a salesperson for help.

Nobody really needs more than a 600!

Bandits are one of the best biking bargains for the money in my opinion. I had a bandit 650 for a while and *almost* traded it in for a 1250 GT. Bandits are comfy, grunty, true all-rounders. Having said that, I don't consider either of the bikes you suggested sports tourers really. As above, I'd suggest having a look at a Triumph Sprint ST. They are a little more cash than than a 1250 gt maybe, but they have a "free" panniers deal at the moment and are a lot more sporty - the 1050cc triple engine is bullet-proof and can make you giggle like a fool... Have fun deciding

I wear one with a laptop and random other small items in it every day to work. I've never really thought about safety for it I feel safe, comfy and confident using it on the tiger (spacious, upright riding position). Reading the above, I may look into getting a backpack made for bikes...

I'd never argue with any extreme of training that was designed to make riding safer for even a single person. The problem I have with the new test is: 1) The new UK test was designed for adherence to EU-mandated standards (e.g., 50kph for the swerve manoeuvre ( ~31 mph) as opposed to 30 mph as per standard speed limits here in the UK). This is probably the single reason why the new test centres had to be built. This is retarded and will cost everyone reading this money in the long run to pay for the new and potentially unnecessary training centres, the increased "cost" of testing and training for riding motorbikes, and eventually potential decreased consumer demand for bikes and bike-related gear in the UK (resulting in increased cost and less choice to you for motorbikes and related gear). It will be interesting for example to see what sales for new 125cc bikes are this year compared to last year. 2) I've never seen a claim, much less a piece of evidence, to suggest the new test is actually designed to increase safety. Increasing safety would obviously be fantastic; there is simply no evidence this test will do so by either design or happenstance.* The result will be precisely analogous to standardised testing in education - trainers will "teach to the test" leaving even less time to touch on things like cornering at speed. 3) I think it is bordering on criminal negligence with the way the DSA has been allowed to fumble the schedule and implementation of the new test. Much higher cost of training, much lower availability of training, a national lapse in any training, disregard for the training industry, etc. etc. But that's just me. *please, someone, prove me wrong

Great to read your report - thanks for posting it! Sounds like you are right in there - I hope you have a great season

Stoner is like a machine - his riding is unbelievable . This doesn't necessarily make the most fun racing to watch however - the most exciting race by far last year was the middle part of Laguna Seca with Rossi and Stoner elbow to elbow for a while. As for his personality, Stoner has the charisma of a wooden spoon. Maybe he'll warm up a bit with age - the pressure on him is incredible and I'm sure I wouldn't handle it perfectly either. On the other hand, Pedrosa makes Stoner look like Austin Powers.

I did a bikesafe course last year and thought it was great - I highly recommend it. I don't think you'll find a better value training course for the price either (if you live in north wales you can do it there for free). I'd say it would be almost impossible to come away without being a safer rider too. Good luck with it - schedule it early if you can.

You're doing it in the best order I think - I got a big bike before I got my licence and was choking to ride it for about a month ><. Once you get your bike you'll be all set!

It is pretty active around the midlands with smaller groups regularly meeting in Matlock baths / cat and fiddle / squires to name a few. Now that the season is improving there will be more frequent meets all over I reckon.

I shouldn't think getting used to the boots will be a problem at all - you'll want to get a pair to ride in anyway.

I definitely recommend going for it. The worst that can happen is that you go away from the test having had a ride and some constructive criticism on how to nail the test next time. The fact that you are considering your options like this suggests to me that you have a good head on your shoulders. Having said that, don't let it go to your head - get in there and have a good ride. Good luck!

I wear an illegally dark visor on the rare day there is sun! I always carry my clear one in a round-the-waist pouch - I've never had a problem.

I practised in a parking lot on my 125cc using 2 parking bays as width. I got really good at doing it the proper way (revs up, slipping clutch, back brake as needed) on the 125 after failing my first test on the U turn - most of these skills carried over to the 500cc I took my test on. I found doing the U-turn on real roads harder, not because of the distance but because the particular spot I got taken to had a noticeable camber which made it tougher for me... I think I read somewhere that the new test will have all manoeuvres off-road, which would probably mean parking lot flat and exactly 7.5 meters, etc. In any case, good luck!

Nice video - great bikes Secret Willie lovers!!

Piping in a bit late on this thread, but personally I'd definitely go for the newer bike on the basis of value for money. First, my time is valuable and no matter how you look at it, the older bike with 35k is going to need more service attention sooner than the newer bike (not for regularly scheduled services but for things that just wear out, e.g., the battery, tyres, brakes, suspension, etc.), which take time and effort to sort. This will also cost ££ relative to the new bike spread across the miles you put on it. Second, the difference valuation in the bikes is not really the difference in what you might pay for them, but the difference in what you will get for them when you sell them on and how much you'll pay in upkeep. All other things being equal, the older bike will be more expensive to keep because of existing wear on parts that will need replacing while you own it. Depreciation we might assume will be similar *to a point*, with older bikes in good shape maintaining their value after a while usually. I think it also depends on how long you'll keep the bike for. If you only want it for your summer holiday and plan to sell it on, neither bike will change much in value (I'd still have the newer bike in this case). If you plan to keep it a long long time, I think it would be better value to go newer. Tell us what you decide!

I've bought 2 different raid 2s (one mine, one wife's) for ~£200 from a shop here in Manchester (Hunt's Honda). This is for plain no graphics lids - the ones with designs are a lot more, though old stock should be discounted with 2009 lids hitting the shelves...

The exchange rate isn't in your favour at the moment. Still, there are some bargains to be had in the states on brand new, name brand biking gear. If you are going to buy a fair bit of gear (e.g., a leather suit + associated kit) you could probably break even including your flight by going in person and bringing it back in your luggage... Hein Gericke is another option without the flight (reasonable price, good quality)! If you are only interested in used bargains via Ebay - the VAT will kill any potential deal unless you get it given to you as a "gift"...

+1 on the quality of spada textiles... my jacket was cheap and has been warm and totally waterproof under hard use for 1.5 years so far...