bippo
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Posts posted by bippo
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Weight of a bike is one thing that plays in my mind now after I dropped my Tiger in mud. In comparison to Slices bike mine was 210kg / 462lbs - but my god did I struggle to get that back up! I don't know how some folk make it look so effortless with this bigger bikes!
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It may not be the best model, and I genuinely feel sorry for the youngster who do want to become bikers - but personally I'm glad I went through the training I did to get my license.
Obtaining your car license is a joke in comparison and without a doubt agree that needs to change. My car is ridiculous really - I can browse the Internet, Facebook, text and manage emails all via the in-built touchscreen?! What the hell is that about... They haven't even tried to build a safety net which prevents it being used when moving, in gear or whatever. Ultimately though I don't understand why you really need that level of connectivity in a car, but hey that's the way of the world now...
You can hold your own on a smaller bike - plenty of others here enjoy smaller bikes. Granted they aren't really good for motorways and the like, but they are dull roads anyway.
That said, I did notice a difference in behaviour with and without L plates when I still had my YBR. People would bully me a little, probably just assuming I was a youngster under the lid (as opposed to someone who had been driving for over 10 years at the time). I guess it's just human nature for some - you see drivers getting irate with learners and I agree, those green P plates turn you into a moving target.
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Of course Jimmy! No issue with me. :-)
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I may be mechanically pants Airhead (handlebar risers...!) but something like this is the least I can do for the other folk on here!
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No problemo. Just to let you know that I'm in Barcelona with work. Returning back next Wednesday night. If you do win and they are happy to wait until collection next Thursday / Friday then consider it done. Only about 50 miles from my place.
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Pudsey, near Leeds? I'll gladly pick them up for you Jimmy - just shout if you'd like me to help!
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I'll likely be abroad with work during that time. If not then I'll try to come but won't be riding the bike. Hear far too many horror stories of bikes getting stolen from supposed secure parking at such bike events...
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Drewps has possibly the best club t-shirt... I was rather jealous when I saw it at Squires! That's the top we need for the next YOC meet...
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Plan some time thinking about what you want out of a bike, trawl the net and then spend a day trekking around different showrooms to look at the ones you're interested in. Every showroom I've been in have been a relaxed bunch who are happy for you to ask questions and spend ages sitting on bikes. Things like that will really help you out.
Blackies right - the Triumphs are great and if I had the money / space I'd still own my Tiger. Engine is effortless and smooth. I miss mine but the Street is a riot - incredibly easy to ride.
Really liking the new Yammys they are churning out now too... A much more enticing selection than the likes of Honda and Kawasaki.
You're lucky Capt, there is so much choice out there! Enjoy finding the one for you.
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Capt, any decent garage will let you have a test ride. When I got my Tiger, I only had my full license for a very short time and they offered a test ride where one of the sales guys followed on another bike. I didn't even have to ask.
Originally I was sold on a Kawasaki ER-6f, but actually I would have got bored of the bike in a short space of time. The engine vibrated through the pegs, sounded like it was getting strangled at motorway speed and didn't really excite me.
Whilst I've not ridden an XJ, like most newbies it was on my list. However sitting on one in a showroom it felt dated and heavy for what it was. They weigh the same as my Tiger did but it didn't feel right. Don't get me wrong, they are a tried and test model and I love the look of them, but if you've not ridden one, give it a try.
Appreciate you aren't in it for the speed etc, but just knowing you'll be comfortable on it and it doesn't expose any annoying habits to you personally will really help your decision. So speak to a local garage, you never know.
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Ouch... My heart stopped when I dropped my Tiger. My foot slid on some mud and had no choice but to let it drop, bloody heavy and impossible to prevent once gravity got a hold!
Hope you can get the scratches out and it wasn't too tricky to pick up...
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No, no, no. I mean other people's actions annoy me more in a car as opposed to on a bike. So someone pulls out on me in a car vs. doing the same on the bike and it annoys me in a different way.
I feel so lucky to have my bike license and a bike I'd never in a million years dreamed I would have owned. So for me personally I'm sure subconsciously that drives my behaviour? I don't know....
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I'm not referring to your particular post Drewps. Each situation offers different reactions and unless we witness it, we can't really respond to what you did was right or not.
A while ago there was a similar thread on here and the amount of people who were immediately on the defensive and saying how their wing mirrors should get kicked off, bla bla bla. Personally I don't believe this should be our default reaction to every situation out there, but likewise I'm sure some would say that about the way I react.
For me personally, the angry reaction isn't my default when I'm riding. It is when I'm in the car, for some reason...?
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I find I get more annoyed by other road users when I'm in the car. When I'm on the bike I'm so much calmer and forgiving of folks that do things I don't agree with. Not really sure why... Guess it's a mixture of me knowing I'm more vulnerable on the road and knowing I have the power to get past them and filter through traffic if needed? I don't know, I just find it therapeutic so generally avoid the car now.
I clock up quite a few miles on the motorway (so dull). I'm a pretty boring rider - but if someone does something to annoy me I brush it off. Just let them carry on with their day. The best part for me is when someone notices me - lorry or car, if someone sees me in their mirror and doesn't pull out in front of me, or flashes me into their lane, or say thanks because I've let them out etc I always give them a huge thanks back when I can. Makes me so insanely happy that they saw me or acknowledged my act of kindness.
I always try to think in my head that no one is perfect, we all make mistakes. Granted there are some pillocks out there doing silly things like texting or obviously flouting the law but for me I just let them go and carry on with my day.
Might sound lame to some bikers, and over time I've seen responses on here from folks about smashing mirrors off etc - but I know that if I was to do that I'd end up coming off my bike or something ridiculous! So for me I know that wouldn't work.
I have had some stupid things happen, like when I used to commute into Central London daily - a posh car around Chelsea not liking the fact I'd legally filtered to the front at traffic lights. So when they turned green, trying their best to get back in front of me and push me off the road. Pointless getting stressed, angry and reacting. At the end of the day I know I'll end up even further ahead at the next lights. Lol.
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Cool, well keep us posted on progress!
My bikes have been new so not really one to comment but when looking for cars Autotrader has served me well. Don't forget about MCN either.
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Trust me, I'm far from sensible when it comes to buying bikes, ha ha!
Sounds like you know what you want though, and you know your financial situation far better than us. So go for it and enjoy it!
Planning on getting a new or 2nd hand XJ? Are you going for the Diversion / F?
As Slice said... Once you get that, enjoy justifying spending copious amounts of your hard earned cash on farkles... Ha ha!
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Defo Slice! How about aiming for the XJ around April / May? Really not far away and gives you a couple of months to sort the YBR. The good weather is only just making its way in and you'll have a riot blasting up to Glasgow on it!
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Yes patience is a tricky bugger...! Ideally I wasn't planning on buying a new YBR, but the deal and ease of it all was good, plus I didn't want any hassle on my work commute to Leeds in the depths of winter. Some interesting roads over the Pennines at 5am in winter I can tell you!!
Do you already have plans for a different bike after the XJ in 16-18 months? Just out of interest.
If you *could* pay the YBR off with a months pay, then why don't you stick with it for a further couple of months? That way the weather will be better for an XJ, the YBR will be easier to sell and you'll have even less of a lump sum to part with. Easier said than done, I know!
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I got my YBR on finance as I just couldn't wait after getting my CBT! I paid it off when I was getting my DAS and sold it privately. Didn't take long to sell.
Gave me the most amount of money to get out and buy my Tiger. It's painful waiting but defo worth clearing your finance and selling it privately. Nothing stopping you just getting another finance deal for the XJ.
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Buy a neck tube and wear it up over your nose. Will help stop the sniffing.
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Michelin Pilot Sportys are a good tyre for the YBR.
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Beautiful pictures!
Is Nikkita enjoying being the older sister Noise?
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Was going to say Drewps - I recognise that place! I rented a flat in Monton when I first moved up this way. 10 years ago now?! Wow, time flies...
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Congratulation Andy!
Tamworth isn't a million miles from me. More than happy to buddy up with you if you want to get some practice in, but don't fancy tackling the winter roads on your own.
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These bike laws make no god damn sense. I just want my A1!!
in The Bar
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Exactly as DDT says. Some bikes do have more visual presence than others, but as long as you own and assert your position on the road it shouldn't matter too much. People used to pass me on my YBR, and looking back, at times I did used to tuck up to the kerb as I felt bad holding people up, but you soon learn to just ignore those thoughts and press on with more assertiveness.
Watching the latest video Capt put up - you see an example of this from his housemate at a roundabout. She is taking the first exit but is squashed up to the left of her lane whilst waiting to pull out. Luckily Capt was behind her in a better position - but situations like that just ask for some car drivers to bully you off the road.
Finally - most of us have, or do currently use small CC bikes for regular commutes, so you aren't alone... Capt is a daily commuter into central Manchester in his YBR and I used to do a daily 80 mile cross-country jaunt on mine into central Leeds.