steve 1052cc

Really must try to get up to date still use the original version, chalk a piece of slate & damp cloth for delete. Works for me

Buy a manual and do the servicing your self that way you know it's been done properly and you wont get ripped off. Servicing, changing brake pads ain't rocket science.

It's not rocket science doing a basic service on most bikes buy a manual read it and do it yourself that way you are sure the service has actually been done, not just an oily rag wiped over the oil filter to make it look new and the spark plugs wiped clean and yes I caught one dealers out that no longer trade several years ago doing just that. if you have to take your bike to a dealership mark the disposable items filters plugs etc with a marker or correction fluid then check after they return it that's the easiest way to catch them.

The problem with off road training is it is just that all it can ever do is give the new rider the very basics of riding a bike. Perhaps in the CBT there should be a compulsory amount of hours on road training. Having been an instructor though a few years ago you can only teach so much, hopefully enough to keep new rider out of trouble until they made their mistakes and have learnt by them. I agree with training for new riders, but it must be remembered good as most instructors are they don't possess a magic wand which can be waved to instantly provide the experience that builds up over many years, and dare I say it a few of those experiences are often very painful I know some of mine were. One piece of advice I was given when I started riding was treat all other road users as complete idiots and you wont often be disappointed. I think a licence in stages as for motorcyclist depending on age would be a good thing.

Were you sold the new shocks as specific for your model of bike, if so bearing in mind the others might be the original shocks and 33 years old they could have compressed the spring with age fatigue and wear or be adjusted to their softest setting or have you just compared them with the old shocks still on the bike, the weight of the bike would compress them an inch or so. Though i do agree with the last post, a bit of independent advice would not go a miss if they were not sold as model specific.

Tried the bunch of flowers trick backfired spectacularly wanted to know why the flowers and what had I done and back to the doghouse.

I spend quite a lot of time in the dog house so mines fit fitted with an Xbox, lap top, tele, and fridge aahhhhh perfect peaceful bliss.

Unfortunately campa man I'm old enough to have been lucky enough to start riding 250cc at 16 before the law changed to 17 for 250cc and 16 for 50cc. Forgot to say did not need to wear helmets either. First time I rode my Honda CB72 250 was on my 16 birthday to work from one side of Nottingham to the other no lessons just a few hours on a field on a BSA Bantam.

When I first started riding 16 year olds could ride 250cc on L plates pass your test while you were 16 and then unlimited. I was riding a 500cc T500 Suzuki just before my 17th birth day. Should we have been allowed to ride unlimited bikes at 16 no probably not, 3 riders I knew were dead before they were 18 all bike accidents. I was one of the lucky ones stayed alive long enough to get experience but could so easily have been just another statistic. So curse it as much as you like there's a lot of men walking around today that would have been just another teenage statistic if they had not changed the rules. I spent 12 weeks in hospital when I was 17 with a broken femur in 3 places, out of a ward of about 30 beds a least half were taken up by under 20 year olds as a result of a motor cycle accident.

Wont comment on finance made c**k ups with finance in the past. How many bikes have you had a go on or are you just sold on an XJ600 there's loads of different models and makes of 600s you should try several you might surprise yourself as to what you like and more importantly feels right for you. Go and get some test rides but leave your money at home so you don't make an impulse buy.

Watching Police interceptors last night they nicked a rider on a Hornet for public order offence ie giving a van driver the middle finger on a high St for closing the rider down when he was filtering through traffic, Strange the officer didn't see the van driver close the rider down and be abusive to him, rider got fined £80.

My sons partner has just past her DAS never ridden a bike in her life before she took lessons, and did not have a bike to practice on in between lessons, though she has driven a car for 10 years or so. Past her DAS last week with only one minor. Now the proud rider of a SV650. So if your in no hurry take lessons practice what you learn between lessons and enjoy you will find the test should become a breeze. Oh good luck

The crapper bike looks handy for those brown trouser moments.

Mine is one I think I will be able to keep is NEVER MAKE ANOTHER NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

I drive a 4x4 when not on my bike, something very satisfying about returning favour to drivers that bully or just pull out on on me when I'm on the bike.