wastedyears1981

I've slapped bright LED H4's and super bright LED spots on my Tiger 800XC ....... bright enough to see me from the moon. My jacket is hi-vis too. Still wouldn't put it past someone to not see me. So think the colour of my lid is irrelevant

Yeah.... we don't fancy visiting any of the big cities. We would much prefer exploring the quiet villages and finding random places to eat and the local markets. Spend most my time commuting on the bike through Sheffield.... so the idea of sat in traffic inhaling the backend of a Vauxhall Corsa or a Bus for hours, doesn't float my boat as an holiday. What sort of equipment do you take (other than the bike, clothes, and the odd spare pair of underwear )?

Sounds to me that the instructor just wants an easy cash-cow by churning Automatic Riders through his books and making his bank balance fatter. Rather than spending time with someone showing them how to safely ride a geared bike for the first time. Look elsewhere for a better school....with instructors that are passionate bike riders themselves. Don't let it put you off.... that experience says more about the instructors teaching skills, rather than your riding skills. Keep at it

Were possibly going for a couple of weeks, but won't be staying in France. Just not decided whether we turn left or turn right out of France yet

Absolutely did not know about the Crit Air stickers .... Could quite have easily been caught out of we head into a major city.

Hello all, Will be doing my first tour next yeah into mainland Europe, starting at France (seems the obvious starting point). We're keeping open-minded about where we go in the couple of weeks we will be over (routes will be dependant on where we can stop/camp). My question would be - What are your top 5 tips for the first time overseas tourer?

How did the retest go?

Absolute banging idea that. A lot I've seen on Amazon and Fleabay, reviews question waterproofing

You've got loads of places to slap twinklies on Sadly I've got a faired bandit so limited on where I could put DRLs or spots.

The LED rule makes absolute no sense. Clearly brighter and make us more visible on the road. Might look at the HB4 LED bulbs and keep a couple of halogens under the seat.... Just for test day

After my riding buddies have stated that they can't see me when I'm riding my bandit. It's not too bad when riding full beam, but id rather have the option to flash (not the pervy kind) and not ride with permanently on full. Dipped beam during the day is about as bright as a lit wet fart. Deciding to slap some DRLs/spots on the bike. Problem is ... I don't know where to put them. I have a GSF600 2003 faired bandit and struggling to find somewhere to slap them. Anyone have an ideas before I start sellotaping a maglite torch to my helmet?

Becomes a pain when the neutral switch doesn't work too. I couldn't run bike in neutral when on side stand to warm up. Had to use center stand all the time.

Faulty/Dodgy/Filthy neutral switch. Not sure if you would have the same problem, but my GSF600 Bandit neutral switch sits behind the front sprocket. This meant it got quite gunky from all the gubbings of my riding escapades. I would get false neutrals all the time, and at one point stopped working completely. Just needed taking off and given a good clean with contact cleaner. Been spot on every since.

They are too big for the speaker recess so sit on a spacer that is double sided gel taped. Was wanting something that has speakers that fit perfect into the speaker recess.

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has used a helmet Bluetooth kit with he AVG K3 SV helmets that fit. I'm currently using a £30 one I got off Amazon but the speakers do not sit in the helmet recess properly. Every time I slap my helmet it, the speakers folder my ears over. Not a problem when I use a helmet liner on my noggin, but in the warmer weather it gets very hot with the liner.

I went with a one to one instructor in the end. Only had a 3 hours training on mod 1, then a couple hours mod 2. Since being on the 125 for so long (and luckily not picked up bad habits), it didn't take much to transition my riding to the 650 (Did it on a Gladius). As for booking tests, I was looking obsessively every hour for open slots. Managed to get a mod 2 slot booked for June 3rd, but then one came open for a closer slot so was able to change it.

As an update...... passed my Mod 2 on Monday this week. One minor and spent most of the independent ride sat at temporary lights at road works. Rest of the route, every tom, dick and harry decided they wanted to make me work for it. Was in rush hour school traffic with kids running into the middle of the road and all sorts. Examiner didn't even take me on any NSL roads either. Think he decided to stick to the estates and side roads as we was mostly in 20 zones. Anyway... absolutely chuffed to smithereens I've passed. Just need to save some pennies up to get something bigger.

Finally got one this Wednesday.... Passed it with 1 minor (1mph below through speed trap for emergency stop). Otherwise all perfect even though inside I was dropping apart like a knackered old tea towel. Half way there.... Now looking for a Mod 2 date. Appears there's loads more of those available.

Hi all, More of a rant than anything else. Has anyone had problems getting in for the Mod 1. Just finished my training and ready to take mod 1. Been on a 125cc for donkies and itching to this finally over and done with. But everywhere I look, there is nothing bookable for weeks, if anything at all. Don't want to leave it too long after my training to do mod 1 as I cant really afford to take anymore lessons (I do have some funds left in case I dont pass). Has anyone else had this issue, and if so, what did you do?

I'm a lecturer within a Uni, and you'd be surprised how many papers I see get submitted that have clearly been created using ChatGPT. Students think that they can fool us. Granted its getting a little more difficult as AI is constantly learning. Ive seen some concepts discussed and referencing previous research from dates that would be impossible. When it cant work something out, it pretty much goes for best guess.

Went out to buy a 125, will be doing DAS in Feb. Got a Voge 125r in blue. For the price £3k, seem to get a lot of bike for a 125.

What did I do to my bike today........ I BOUGHT IT!!!! Sorry for the all caps rage....just a tad excited. Just got to wait for delivery.

Howdoo, Probably been done a death this subject. But looking for a way to anchor a bike. Only problem is, we don't have a garage, or have any concrete flooring to fit a ground anchor. Neither can we drill into any walls or current paving. So basically, we cannot drill into anything. What has other people done in this situation (other than move or strap two gnarly looking dogs to the front wheel)?

Not been on a 125cc for about a year and a half, but rode them most of my life on and off. Suppose it's anxiety about the unknown. I think once I'm on.... and the first time I've set off, got used to the clutch, throttle, and weight of the bike, I should be OK. It's just that fear of the first time setting and pinning the bike/myself into the yard fence. Spent 13 years in Police prior to a complete career change, so I know how exciting (or pants-filling) that can be when out on the road (had a fair few near misses, albeit not on a bike. Was once sat in the rear crew seats of a Vivaro van and someone had not shut the sliding door properly after jumping out to chase someone on foot. We set off again to go round the block to cut them off, doing about 70mph through an estate and the door slid backward and completely off its hinges going round a corner. Thought it was game over as you don't generally wear seat belts so you can get out of the vehicle quicker when needed. Luckily I fell on my arse onto the van floor in the other direction when the van went around the opposite bend. The best thing was when we went back for the door, all the local 'lovelies' were jumping up and down on it and taking the p**s

I think once I've been on for the first few hours, I should be OK. I'll have a look at the BikeSafe course, not only for the reduced insurance..... but it may keep my backside on this mortal plane for a little while longer