jimbyatt

Hi all. I'm planning on doing my full motorbike test this year, got my theory test in a few weeks. I can't make my mind up wether to do a restricted license or a direct access and was hoping for some advice. A massive part of me wants something a bit quicker than my ybr 125(not silly fast, but with the ability to overtake on A roads for example and do some more 'spirited' b road rides in the sun), but the sensible part thinks, 'stick to it for a another year or 2 and then move on once the restriction ends' (and make the most of the 120+ mpg average). I'm not daft enough to think that I won't end up in hospital at some point because of bikes but I know after passing my car test and years of riding push bikes on the road that I feel more in control on 2 wheels than 4. I'm pretty sure I'll end up getting some extra training which ever way and I commute daily in all sorts of weather so am racking up the miles quite quickly. Just wondered what peoples opinions/experiences of the 2 licences were really and also if theres any recomendations on rider training in Nottingham. I did my cbt at Beacon in Long Eaton who seemed pretty good but I've no real way of knowing as I don't know anyone else who's taken their test locally.(By the way the CBT is in no way enough to let people loose on their own after never having ridden before, but thats another post.......)

I had the same problems first few weeks and it's just getting used to it and if it's new running it in.mine's much easier to get into gear now its 2000miles old.changing the oil will help too and is pretty good for the engine and gear box.the oil the yam dealer put in mine was like water.

Check for creases and or folds in the stanchion tubes.bent crown bolts are always a sign some thing is wrong,check the wheel for damage.make sure there are no cracks in the front of the frame,check the front wheel axle is straight.my rule of thumb is always reckon that if you have to ask if something is safe,it likely isn't. Probably book it into a garage to get them to look at it as you don't want to miss some thing vital.

the screw will tighten into a nut in the rubber bit and cause it to expand inside the bars.

Hi, I've got a 2010 ybr 125, done around 800 miles on it now commuting, utility and some just riding for fun and loving every minute. just wondering a couple of things really. I've been ok with servicing and I've done an extra oil change, adjusted bits and bobs, fitted heated grips and stuff but the front brake really feels bobbins. it grabs under about 20mph and doesn't do too much over about 30mph. is it worth fitting a braided hose to it to get a bit more feel to it? I know they make a difference on bigger stuff and on mountain bike disc brakes (to which i'm more accustomed)but is it worth it on my bike? I've cleaned the rotor, scuffed the pads in and made sure it's all set up right and bedded in. I noticed LOADS of water in the air box on the few occasions i've popped it out to look at he air filter, I'm carefull when i wash the bike but i do ride in rain and all sorts and the intake faces forward so it's a bit inevitable. There is a breather to the exhaust but is there a better air filter for the bike anyone knows of or again is it not worth it? I don't want to go faster, just to have the bike for a long time without it breaking down. This one may sound daft but is anyone aware of some handlebars which are a little lower? I don't want a sports bike feel i just feel i want the bars a little bit lower, I'm 6ft1 and used to riding drop bar racing bikes fast with the bars right down and just feel i'd be a bit more comfy and controlled with slightly lower bars. they look to be a pretty standard size so I assume it's just a case of looking for a different shape bar with the same tube od(22.2mm. sorry it's lots in one but I've been saving up over christmas. Any help even if it's just 'don't be daft, it is how it is' woud be appreciated. thanks Jim.

I know some stuff that comes from china is petty poor but i reckon if you say how cheaply can you build a good rain cover and how good a rain cover can you build cheaply? They may sound like the same question but they're not. My friend had some stuff machined over there and sent over, it cost less than anyone would do it for in this country but the quality was good and they resolved any issues reay quickly. When he had stuff machined over here for prototypes and stuff he really struggled to get stuff done quickly and when he had issues they were prety reluctant to help. Nothing wrong with chinese stuff if you get stuff which is worth what it costs. A £10 raincover will be ok under a shelter but as prices go up to hundreds of pounds for top ones then maybe that indicates that to get a good one you need to spend more than the £10 maybe £40-£50. that said some stuf doens't justify it's price tag, I just wanted to stand up for al the perfectly good, reasonaby priced stuff out there.

I've got a 2010 YBR125. The main things I've found on forums seem to indicate that if you're taller than about 6ft or weigh more than 11 stone then it won't go too fast. They don't rev too fast high up in bigger gears. Try an oil change as it makes a difference if it hasn't been done. Oil is less than £10 for decent stuff and it makes real a difference to the gear change and smooth running of the engine. The biggest thing I've found though is to run it on super unleaded (tesco momentum99 is good and cheap), it makes it run better and you get better economy than with nasty petrol like you find in most super markets normal unleaded stuff but it might take a tankfull and a half before you notice any difference. also if it's a couple of years old check your air filter(especially if its had a wet life and/or kept outdoors.) otherwise your only option is to get your chin on the tank and head downhill.

Hopefully you've got this sorted now but on my 2 week old ybr i've had few things work loose.have you checked the sensor which tells the engine the centre stand is down and that the stands go all the way back up. maybe check the clutch and stand sensors as if it thinks the stand is down and the clutch is out the engine will cut out.

I'll order a patch, thanks for the welcome. just wanted to be curteous rather than pitch in with 'hello, my clutch exploded today how can I fix it for 50p?', i'm not always on the computer but will be on when i can and keep abreast of happenings. Planning a few death metal patches for my bag as well as the yoc one. Obviously having only ridden 2 bikes, a horrendous chinese thing i did my cbt on and my ybr I can't speak with huge experience but so far it seems really good, front light isn't too great but it's ok and running in at 5000 revs makes national speed limit roads pretty scary but i've spent years as keen all weather cyclist and so i'm used to being a victim. The dry 15 miles I had on sunday I got home with the biggest grin I've had since hitting 55mph downhill near matlock on my racing bike.

Hi everyone. I just joined today. I' Jim, did my cbt a week or 2 ago and bought '10 ybr125 as a runaround/commuter, got it because they've a reputation as pretty reliable and user friendly and i hopefully won't be able to get into to much trouble on it whilst i get used to 2 wheels and an engine. I hope to do my proper test in the next year or so and maybe get an older bike as well as a project and to use on sunny days once i've been riding a couple years(maybe a little 2 stroke i think). I'm not entirely up to speed with using forums but thought i'd say hey and introduce myself, i've already found some usefull advice on here and my only contribution back at the minute can be to sprinkle chilli powder around your ground anchor to avoid unwanted cat mess on your lock(and gloves, backwheel, numberplates.....) on a dark morning.I Mainly joined because although i fix the car and push bikes i've never had a motorbike before and know that one day i'll find myself stuck on the simplest thing and hopefully even able to help someone with something i've encountered. Just hoping now that I'll get to ride in the dry soon, 120 miles into my new bike and i've done maybe 15 miles in the dry, been persuaded to buy waterproof everything and pretty much lost the feeling in my toes.