bippo

So I paid attention and think I fall into Tasky's "karate kick" move - although mine doesn't look as cool as that sounds! The Tiger was quite tall and when it had luggage on the back I used to mount it like a horse. Left foot of peg, 1st gear, grab handlebars and front brake, stand and swing. The side stand was plenty strong enough, but I wouldn't do this on the Street Triple as it's made of cheese. In line with what Tasky was saying about mounting as a pillion - mine was quite different. I rode as pillion for years before getting my licence, so ample practice. Biker ready - front brake on and wide two-legged stance. Check both pegs are down and biker is certainly ready. Left hand on riders shoulder to steady, left foot up on peg, Lunge with right - up - bring right foot round (and maybe over a top box) - right hand on riders other shoulder, and sit. With practice that move can be done very quickly and without rocking the bike around much. You look like less of a pillock. I get my pillions to get on my bike like this. All personal preference though at the end of the day. For example my old instructor had a leg injury so would swing his foot into the seat and slide on his bike...

Get a video to satisfy Slice and the other chaps in here, ha ha! In the meantime I'll report back as i don't really think about what my leg is doing...

Straight leg?! Perhaps only if you're John Cleese, goose-stepping about the place... With luggage on the back, defo a bend at the knee. With the Tiger, defo a bend at the knee and a momentous tip-toe on the other leg. I just have a back pack today so I'll report back after my ride home, but pretty sure I fall into the "guy" category your mate mentions... Not quite sure what that makes me... Bent perhaps?! Oh dear...

Yes, DDT is quite right, it's a RAM Mount. Not an attractive piece of kit, but certainly practical. I only installed it a couple of weeks ago. Handlebar space is rather limited on the Street Triple. Originally intended for it to sit centrally on the bars but it didn't fit with my tank bag and completely obscured my speedo. So I had no choice but to mount it off to the left. In order to do that I needed to get a separate bracket that attaches to the handlebar clamp. I don't have sat nav so it's intended purpose is for my phone which I'll use as a sat nav. I'll only use it on long trips, but am just leaving it on the bike. It's a workhorse anyway so can be forgiven for looking a little ugly...! I didn't find the components expensive, well made, don't vibrate and lifetime warranty and able to mix and match with a wealth of components. Swings and roundabouts, but all-told it's cheaper than GPS and I'll use it more.

I'm sure my bike doesn't thank me for it Blackie...!

Made it safe and sound. It was very cold, but the risers have made the trip a lot more comfortable. No pain or numbing! And now to admire Airheads work...

Well thanks everyone for the offer of help. Airhead sorted it out for me - it was simple (as I suspected), but I feel better for not doing it myself... Bike felt much more comfortable on the ride back - despite the freezing fog and slippery roads. I'll be leaving shortly for the ride "darn sarf" so will be able to give proper feedback then. Just not looking forward to this fog over Woodhead... Thanks again Airhead!

Congratulations Noise! Glad mum and baby are doing well!

Thanks for the heads up Blackie. Can't wait to fit them, this bike isn't as forgiving as the Tiger! I'll likely be doing another Iron Butt this year, as well as my Scotland trip so I'm purchasing some things that'll make it easier on me. Every little helps! Currently sorting the fender extender, although may have to sand it down a little - clearance doesn't look great. Will see when it's back on the bike Sunday morning.

Cheers Tasky! So kind. You're a cracking bunch on here. I am actually heading down that way on Sunday evening for work (hopefully, thanks to Airhead, with a fitted set of risers). Small world isn't it...

That's ok Captf! Well if you pass through Glossop and see a Street Triple with blinging high bars and a grinning rider - give me a wave, ha ha!

Yeah Airhead looks out for me on our annual Squires meet so I'm in good hands Slice! Sunday morning is perfect timing because I'm heading off down south in the evening for work on the bike, so it'll be a good gauge of how well it works. My fender extender also arrived today, but I can fit that myself, so not all that useless!!

You are local! Sunday morning sounds fantastic Paul - you legend! Are you happy for me to head to yours? Otherwise the work would need to be done on the road at my place (no garden). I'll PM you. Thanks so much!

Thanks Slice - for the gesture and also for not ribbing me, ha ha!

So then chaps - a 20mm bar riser kit has arrived through the post today. I find on long jaunts the Street Triple puts a little too much pressure on my wrists. I know for a fact that the kit will be simple to install, but I was wondering if someone could help me out? I appreciate how silly that probably sounds but the last thing I want to do is get into a pickle. As a result, I was wondering if anyone who's local to me would be happy for me to swing round and work on this together? I will naturally provide drink or cash as a gesture of thanks! All the necessary parts arrived with the kit and have been reliably informed by others with this installed that cable lengths are adequate to accommodate this increase - so it should be straight-forward. It also came with instructions and I have the original bike manual. The supplier has confirmed that I need a 17mm spanner and 8mm allen key. Sounds easy-peasy doesn't it? Yep! I know... I'm happy to do the work myself, just under guidance from someone who can sense-check my thinking and jump in when something goes tits-up as it usually does when I'm performing my own tasks on the bike. So - give me a shout if you're willing to help a gal out! Thanks, Nina

Well fingers crossed things improve by the end of Feb, sounds like a good adventure!

Cool - you'll have to keep me posted on your progress, in the event of you do it before me! No stress about doing it on a 125 either. In a way it's more fun. Took my YBR on a trip in something like October / November. Weather was horrid with dense fog over some high roads. Something like 9-10 hours to reach my destination. I just remember screaming at the bike as it struggled to maintain 50/60 up some hills. Was a giggle!

Great info, thanks so much Blackie! Will come in handy when I start planning. I'm sure I'll call on you and Jimmy for some further advice closer to the time!

Coolio - are you guys doing it on you 125's? I'm not sure of my route yet, all depends on how much time I can get off work and all that jazz. Can't wait though, really wanted to do it last year.

Cheers Tommy! Yes I got as far West as Irlam before heading North. Not really anything left of the snow and roads were pretty dry so all in all it made for a nice ride.

Thanks, will do! Want to include a trip to either Shetland or Stornoway, depending on what I plan. Never been to either and as lame as it sounds it'll be the first time I've been on a ferry with the bike. Really can't wait. Was intended for last year but work got in the way.

Yeah it was a great day for it Blackie, although very cold in places. Took a while to regain feeling in my fingers when I got back home. Despite glove liners and heated grips. Planning a camping trip to Scotland later this year so I need to get all this "cold weather" practice in now, ha ha!

That aside, managed to get out for a ride today. A few iffy roads still round the Peak, and I needed to shovel a path for my bike to get onto the road at the beginning, but all good. Enjoyed myself! I was getting some serious withdrawals... Even escorted some other biker over some of the roads. Was pulled up by the roadside having a break and he stopped to ask what the roads were like. I don't know was my response as hadn't been over them yet. So he said he'd follow me... I'd like to think it was so he could admire my rear end, but really I know it was just so he could see me bin my bike on the ice first...! All good though, and allowed him to continue past me whilst I dropped off for home. About 200 miles all told.

Lol...! You guys! My dad is a sucker for bread and dripping sandwiches, used to give them to us when we were kids. His Golden Syrup sandwiches were my fav. A rare treat through from my dads childhood.

Suppose if your main motivation for riding a bike is cheaper commuter costs then as Cynic says a newer 125 might be the way to go. Great selection these days with fantastic low running costs. Although if your motivation is the desire to ride bikes for pleasure then you'll find the lower mpg tends not to come into play. Getting a bigger bike has its own associated costs as Cynic says - lessons, test etc so make your decision based on your own motivation. Let us know what you decide!