Davie J

Hi all, past my test on Saturday 29th-May-10 (that's another post & 1 hell of a horror story with a happy ending)& I've been a bit forgetfull/lazy about getting a cover, I did start out by looking on the internet a lot & phoning companies but I nerver received a straight answer! It seemed they were only interested if I was buying something rather than pointing me in the right direction, I even asked one company if a certain cover would fit my XVS 250cc Yamaha Dragster & all I got was "I don't know", even when I told him how long & high the bike is!!! I seem to coma across Oxford a lot & two types 'Rainex' & 'Stormex', it seems to me that Oxford are the best quality (true?), is so which 1? Will I just be paying for the name? I want one that has the holes for the chain but don't want to pay over the top, I assume It'll have to be an XL size. I've looked at a lot of reviews but I just see good & bad comments, nothing decisive. All I want to know is what's the best for the bike & who sells it the cheapest & the best size!!! Any help? Thanks David.J.Harrison

P.P.S I'd also do something about your number plate, looks like vandals have already got to it!!!! LOL

Hi, I've got the 250 version (04), I passed my test last May, I have the same indicators (each to their own, I like them)but mine has round mirrors which I also like, I agree, your rectangle 1's look bad on such a nice bike!!! I would prefer alloy wheels, I'm not 100% on the spoke wheels we have on ours. After my 2 years are up on the restricted licence I was hoping to upgrade but only wanted to go up a little, perhaps 400cc-600c but am I right in thinking (& what I've been told)that the 650cc is my only upgrade option? Enjoy ya bike! P.S, I'm looking for a cover, you recommend any?

Jeeeeeezzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!! Does there have to be an obsticle at EVERY turn? I hope there isn't as many in the way when I'm on the road!!! I've rang a few companies about the pouch & the one's that do know state there's won't take a 2 metre chain with 16mm links & many others don't know, M & P don't know at all!!! They don't know anything about there own products, it was the same when I asked them questions about motorbike covers. I'm thinking a 3 meter pouch would almost guarantee it would fit, that is if I can track one down!!!! Thanks for you help/advice.

The chain is Almax, don't think they do pouches. I phoned my 1st company on the subject of these pouches & was told it holds upto 1.8 meters, mines 2 meters & the links are the biggest I've seen. I'll try again tomorrow when I have more time. I understand you can take the pouch off the bike & take it with you & you leave the straps on the bike, do the straps ends clip into each other or just dangle? The prices seem to vary a fair bit. When I was in contact with a company that sell Ledrie procucts about the rack they were concerned about me putting a chain weighing nearly double the amount on it but now I know they can take more I phoned to order (just b4 I knew about these pouches), the woman who doesn't realy know what she's doing answered to my disapointment & said they werent sure if they should sell me 1 because of the weight but she'll ask the manager & phone me back even though I told her I wasn't going to put the chain on it (that's what i told her anyway), I told her 'not to do me any favours', she still said they would call back but never did, I've now found a few companies that deal with Ledrie so if/when I do get a rack I'll go to them. Looks like the pouch for now & I suppose that could be strapped to a rack if I had a pillion (although I wouldn't). Thanks

What a good idea! I'm new to biking so I don't know what's on the market, Ill look into them as they are also a possibility & if they prove to be right 4 the situation it will save me money at a time when the chain cost me £175, the cover looks like its going to be £45 then the lessons & test are going to be about £550! Wonder what the max length/size chain those 'poches' can take. Thanks

Thanks. All the racks I've seen (without sissy bar) ALL state 5 kilos, not 1 has been as high as 10 kilos, the 1 I'll probably go for is from a company called Ledrie (Dutch), no 1 has mentioned them where ever I ask but they seem ok, I didn't fancy the Renntec as I've seen picks of rust comming through the chrome so it's just as well they don't do a rack for my bike, the other companies I concidered were Hepco & Becker (German) & fehling (German) both, as I understand are top quality so I'm going purley on price even though the Ledrie 1 seems very good & probably as good. Where did you get your saddle bags & supports & how much were they?

Thanks you's. I wouldn't feel happy not having a chain as although I doubt someone would lift it & put it in a van, the chain will still be there for my next bike where there would be more chance of that happening. I assume it would be best to get the supports & bags from the same supplier. I'm tempted to get the rack but worried in case it breaks or the max weight refers to the fender where it bolts onto. I suppose if I get the rack I couldn't carry much more other than putting the chain in a sports bag with my work lunch & a book to read but saddle bags will allow for other things too if/when I need them. Surprised any decent heat resistent cover with port holes for the chain cost from about £45!

Hi, I've got a Yammy XVS 250 Dragstar (04), I was searching the net for a luggage rack so I could carry my 2 mtr chain around with me which weights 9.78 kilos but to my surprise ALL the racks stated 5 kilo max weight, so after all that searching I've decided it was a waste of time so now I'm thinking along the lines of saddle bags, I don't want to get trapped into bying the bars then find I have to buy there sadlle bags as others wont fit then be charged a fortune, how does it work? Please don't suggest (as other have) carrying it around my shoulders as at that weight after a while it'll get too heavy & the ride won't be comfy & I consider it too dangerous if you come off. What stops the saddle bags from swinging out as you turn? Do you have to buy the bars? Do the bars stop the bags from hitting the wheel & swinging out? All racks state max load 5 kilos!!! Is this realy true or are they just covering themselves? Whats the best opion? The rack is £69.50, I guess the frame & saddle bags will be a lot more but if it's worth it I will get them. Thanks

Hi all! Glad you posted this as I was about to do the same only for my Yammy XVS 250 Dragstar, I've had it a year this April but still haven't rode it, I've past my C.B.T but not my theory or praticle yet (just around the corner) then I thought I'd better get security so I decided on a chain (Almax) rather than an alarm but the 2 metre thing weighs 9.78 kilos so I thought about a rack but they ALL state 5 kilo max (how can they all be the same max weight?) so now I'm thinking saddle bags & at the same time looking for a weather proof cover that I'm not just paying for the name but does what it should! Would you lot chance the rack? Thanks. P.S Hope you don't mind me asking questions on your post as it's basicly the same question. How'd you get on? I wont have my bike too long so dont want to pay a lot fo rthe saddle bags. Do you need the saddle bag frame or can you just get 'throw overs?'. What stops them from swinging out when you turn? Thanks again

Hi all, I'm new to biking except the Honda MBX 50cc I had in the mid 80s, I've just got a Yamaha XVS 250cc 2004 Model for £1700 (was going for £1850) with only just over 9000 miles on the clock & in mint condition, I love the look & sound of it . Any tips & advice on this bike are very welcome. What you think of the price? I want to get a luggage rack & box that can take my 'lid' & all the other gear, can anyone tell me where I can get this from? I live in Romford, Essex, Also would it be fitted so it sits on the top of the end of the bike? I hope so as it's 7 foot long as it is & I can only just get it into my garage width ways as it is , I hope it won't make the bike longer by Protruding at the back. People seem to compare this bike to the Honda Shadow, what do you lot think of the 2? It's hard to get a new Cruiser 250cc bike in the UK unless you go for an unknown make. Thanks Davie J