Slippery When Wet

Definitely have a look around first, there's plenty on the market at mo as peeps grab the zero interest deals on the new models and have to sell their old steads. On ebay at mo: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-YAMAHA-FZS-600-...id=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-YAMAHA-FZS-600-...id=p3286.c0.m14 Just to give you an idea PS Fazer's a good choice for first bike too IMO, if you're at the faired version, there's also a few Thundercats on Ebay at mom, gives you more ideas of options

Hein Gericke do a good range, have a look at their website, also got a store locator on their if you want try stuff (which I prefer to do). http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/

Crackin' bikes Stan, if you ever feel like downsizing your collection, gissa shout eh?

Like most places, get out of the city and there are some great routes. Melbourne is yuk to navigate, OK you get used to turning right from the left hand lane (trams have priority) but ge out of the central cluster and there's some stunning scenery. Many folks are surprised at how green Australia is. The bay ride is great day trip or you can head further afield to the Yarra (mmm wine ), Dandenongs or for a weekender in summer time the Snow River national Park is superb. If you fancy a bit of off-roading these are good places to go too. Bear in mind, much of Australia still has unsealed roads, so check before venturing out, many parts of what is now urban Sydney were still dirt tracks up the late '60s so once you get rural, check for dotted lines on the map I have not done any coastal roads so can't comment, but the road to Sale looks good, or you can pack your kit and keep going to Mallacoota, cross the border and up to Bega (had my bestest ever burger in a garage/milk bar there ) ou can then do look round to Bomballa. If you fancy a riverside ride, head north to the NSW borderand follow the Murray as far as you like. In short you WILL want a bike As for whether it's better to take yours along or buy over there, if you are shipping stuff anyway and there's space in the container and have owned your bike for at least 12 months (check that period hasn't changed or you'll cop import duty), may be worth taking it/them. As you probably know, it's left hand side of the road over there so lights will be OK, speeds are all metric so KPH, but your bikes will have that. You may have to take a test within 3 months to get an Aussie license, but check this, it was dropped for car drivers in NSW, so maybe OK but check for Victoria, every state varies and you will have to register your bikes in your state. I don't think they have an SVA type test, check, the 'rego' test includes 3rd party insurance and is compulsary so you'll need to get that sorted on arrival. At time of writing the GBP/Aussie rate is around 2.55 (or 39p to the dollar) so sterling is pretty strong to the Aussie, but this can change, few weeks back it was nearly 50p. At Bendigo Yamaha they have an 08 R1 for sale at 16k, that's currently just under £6.5k so on a par with the UK at current rates, at 50p on the other hand it's closer to £8k, something o bear in mind when you send you money over. If on the otehr hand you finance from Aus salary, it dont matter, just bear in mind interest rates are steeper over there if thinking about finance and they dont have so much of a blip in sales as they dont have the registration plate changes like the UK, so the new plate status symbol doesn't exist. Right I'd better shuddup now. Have Fun!

Where are you moving to Dan, PM if you like, I live in Suffolk, work in London, have a house in Sydney, and ride 3 styles of bike, so can give you a good comparison / overview

That's a sweet lil bike matey (I've got a '56 MV in similar style, nippy lil thang)

Hello Dufferz, hope you're back on the road. Saw your pic and thought, wow that's me ... pistonbroke , ok, ok I'll leave now, welcome BTW

Hi Branman, impulsive kind of guy then ? Welcome aboard, you'll have lots of fun on the Fazer, great all rounder ( and better than a Kwaka )

If you can cope with the lower seat, try out the '55 model, new shape, upside down forks and more mid-range than 06 onwards. I went from a Thundercat to a '53 R6 and actually found it easier on the wrists coz its so agile and well balanced, but I am a lot smaller than you. I also found fuel injection made for a much smoother ride at very slow speed (ie filtering through traffic) compared to the carbs.

Why thank you I'm with Aunty Carol, have suggested he them a call, you get extra discount if you broker them down on the phone too

R1 riders...who are you insured with please? A mates just bought one and is getting 4-figure quotes for fully comp. Any suggestions ? Thanx

First of all I am IAM member and I aint a old fogie - yet! (although I'm rather fond of my woolly slippers and dressing gown on a chilly morning ) Did my test on the R6 and left the examiner standing a couple of times (one post test comment was I ride with considerable flair ) Don't be put off by talk that you have to ride fast everywhere, you do need to make progress, but No1 is SAFETY Note: You need to have had a full bike license for at least 3 months before you even commence training for IAM. If you are a new rider then I am in 100% agreement with Ttaskmaster, in fact thats the route I took. Did a half day improver training, couple of months later did Bikesafe, then went along to local IAM group with my skills for life package (bought at discount at NEC show ). My learning curve steepened immensely coupled with a huge increase in enjoyment of my riding. Bikesafe usually stops about now and re-commences in Spring. So you have plenty of time to get some experience riding in your own comfort zone. best of luck

Hi Whoof, where abouts in Sydney are you ?

First of all R6markm, once the gritters come out the R6 goes in the garage and the Thundercat comes out for the daily commute (R6 then is just for sunny weekend blasts) However if you have 1 year round bike ..... Once salt hits the tarmac, hose the bike down with cold water after every ride. I use spray clean products for fairings etc. (all ones mentioned so far are fine) I also douse the engine and pipes in duck oil on a weekly basis when the weather is bad, although I suspect FS365 smells a little better As an aside ... for those with carb'ed bikes, get yourself some Silkolene Pro FST (dry fuel additive)

I clean mine every 1-2 weeks (depending on weather) with parrafin and a brush, gets all the crap off ready for fresh lube. I use a clear, non flick, spray lube. If you do use WD40, make sure you dont get it on the brakes

CONGRATULATIONS! Hope you had a great day, was wonderful weather. Looking forward to the pics

Couple of year back we drove Up highway 5 into WA then across to Spokane, back via Yakima, Portland and down route 101. Never ventured west-east though, looks like a great trip.

+1 n the Double Bubble, a must, angle of stock screen chucks teh wind right under your chin, you'll end up with a neck like Mr T

At least a bit of common sense prevailed in the end.

Welcome Back ! So how good did your own bed feel and a soft 'Lenored' pillow smell ?

You only need to do life saver if you are turning from a major road into a minor one. T'other way a mirror check will suffice. The best tip I can give you is keep your head up and focus on where you are going ie up the road you are turning in to, DONT look down at the curb. Look up and that's where the bike will go.

How tall are you and which model do you have? I'd be very interested to know how you get on as I love the 06 model but feel it's a bit high for me (5'4'')

Hi Druid and Welcome! I have a '53 reg R6, but love the '06 model. Which model is best for you will depend in part on your size, height, weight, as there have been some key design changes over the past few years, not all mechanical so do try before you buy, it's surprising what effect some subtle changes can have. They raised the seat and dropped the bars for the 08 model, so not the best choice for short folks, or for touring. Engine-wise, anything from 03 onwards is fine for mid-range, but '55 reg on even better. Why not go for an 06 model, new shape, bit less extreme position wise, great engine, 'upside down' forks (very responsive!), cheaper to buy and insure? Whatever you choose, have fun, just don't go racing your mates who have been riding for years, you'll end up in the hedge!

They do everything different on Fraggle Rock

Hi Jon, were those pics taken in April? only the roads look wet and I got a little damp at the April Ace Yamaha day