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I'd better give it a clean before the piccys then. Lots of fun for round town, better than I expected on fast A's. Dealers tell me they've sold far better than Yamaha were expecting.

Aaargh. Not me but my eldest just been taken off her pushbike in central London whilst on her way to work. Van driver opened his door on her and gave her the choice of his door or going under the oncoming traffic. Helmet saved her head but after X-rays it looks like a fractured Scaphoid (what else !). Plastered up for another two weeks and then second set of plates and then a decision on further treatment. The knight of the road that caused this managed to bugger off in the ensuing confusion - bastard. To make matters worse she's a professional musician and has an audition for the BBC Philharmonic in a fortnight. That ain't happening now. Always thought I was the most likely target - and wish I had been.

Decent rubber. The stock tyres the YBR125 comes with are horrible, doubly so in the wet. So if you still have the Cheng Shin brand on yours I'd give some serious thought to investing in a premium brand.

None taken ! I've still got mine so perhaps I should have persevered

Scottoiler - didn't get along with mine at all. The theory is that the vacuum generated by the carbs opens the outlet valve in the Scottoiler reservoir and gravity feeds the oil down to the chain so that lube is only applied whilst the engine is running. In reality I found on hot days the oil pissed out everywhere and on cold mornings it has the same consistency as treacle so constantly needed adjusting The flow rate can be adjusted by rotating the end cap of the reservoir where the inlet tubing from the carb enters. I was using their own brand oil as well. I believe they now do an electronic dual feed version which may be better. Would have been great had it worked.

Welcome. You can't go wrong with a YBR125, they are more or less bulletproof. Have fun, learn lots and stay safe.

Pass me the mind bleach !

This is what the .gov.uk website has to say on the subject : What this means to you To drive or keep a vehicle on the road you will still need to get vehicle tax and DVLA will still send you a V11 renewal reminder when your vehicle tax is due to expire. This applies to all types of vehicles including those that are exempt from payment of vehicle tax or have a nil rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Buying a vehicle From 1 October, when you buy a vehicle, the vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the vehicle. You will need to get new vehicle tax before you can use the vehicle. You can tax the vehicle using the New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) part of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) online or by using our automated phone service - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0300 123 4321. Alternatively, you may wish to visit a Post Office® branch..036 DVLA are unable to check the vehicle insurance details for new keepers in Northern Ireland online or by phone. If you’re a Northern Ireland new keeper, you will need to tax at a Post Office® branch that deals with vehicle tax. Selling a vehicle If you sell a vehicle after 1 October and you have notified DVLA, you will automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax. The refund will be sent to the name and address details held on DVLA The buyer would be guilty of the offence. However the DVLA database won't be updated until the paper V5 lands in Swansea and so will show the vehicle as still taxed (under the prior keepers details) so the plate won't be pinged by ANPR cameras. In reality you'll have a couple of days to get it sorted - unless you get stopped for another reason and the diligent traffic officer does a bit of delving. Armed with a smartphone and credit card you can tax it online at the time of purchase anyway.

Who have you been sharing a tent with ?

Having spent 4 1/2 hours riding this afternoon with only a 5 minute petrol stop my buttocks are complaining vociferously. Do any of you lot use a gel seat and if so did it make an appreciable difference to your comfort. I had to practically unfold myself to get off the bike at Race Leathers in Darwen and as I was just about to hobble into the shop for a pair of braces (waistline has expanded past the point where the pop fastener on my HG trousers can remain shut) a guy in a parked AMG Merc decided that I was the anti-Christ due to being a biker. Apparently we ALL ride like lunatics but the grey haired ones are the worst ! I had to laugh as his chosen target had taken a day off from creating motoring mayhem and was just then fantasizing about a hot bath and feet up in front of the TV.

Tragic. The fact that you can just see his shoulder in the final picture made for even more uncomfortable watching. Though as you say at 97 mph no where to go and no second chances.

ER-5 ? cheap as chips. See quite a few in use as A2 learners in the bike schools around here.

Why is that guy strangling a dog in the background ?

Don't know about the bike but I hope you've got a bucketload of patience

Bummer. Hope the recovery didn't take too long and you get it sorted soon. If it was easy it wouldn't be any fun .........................

Hi Martin, well done on the test ! The TRX850 weighs 190KG so you will be OK once it has been restricted. Didn't fancy an SV650 then

The bar at Liverpool Uni's Mountford Hall was unbelievably cheap, that coupled with the generous taxpayer grant handed out to us spotty oiks guaranteed a hangover on most Saturday mornings. My kids will be graduating with a huge debt to the Student Loans Company.

Like a fine wine - I've matured nicely with age. Or perhaps just turned vinegary.

I generally wait until the rest of the family have gone out before listening to my stuff - it avoids complaints about my taste. Mostly prog rock but a big fan of Be Bop Deluxe. I first saw them at Liverpool Empire in 1977 during my first week at Uni

Hello and welcome. I'd echo everything Andrew has said. The YBR is a great choice and you would have wide selection on the secondhand market. You can pick up a good clean 2 to 3 year old example with history privately for about £1200 - 1300. Take your time in looking around as they are plentiful. Bear in mind that quite a few will have been neglected/ragged and dropped but there are minters out there. Spares are cheap and widely available if you are going to do your own maintenance. Engines have a reputation as bulletproof. Should you want the security of buying from a dealer be prepared to pay a significant premium. Whatever you buy, stay safe and be prepared to be amazed at the antics of car drivers.

I had a spin round the block on my youngest daughters scooter. I just couldn't get over the idea of sitting 'in' it rather than on it. She likes it so I suppose it's each to their own. Eldest daughter lives in Notting Hill and it seems to be wall to wall Vespas there, most of them ridden by hipsters looking too cool for school so I can't imagine they do their own maintenance.

Hello and welcome. I was in the same position as you back in April as a new rider with L plates on a YBR125. I've had nothing but helpful advice from other riders and most people here in the north west seem more than happy to nod to a newbie. The only thing I'd suggest is that if your YBR is still fitted wit the Cheng Shin tyres it left the factory with then you would be well advised to get some 'proper' rubber on it. The Cheng Shin are designed solely for longevity and have a reputation for being very poor in the wet. I was amazed when I put Michelin Pilot Streets on mine as it felt much more secure.

I wish I could get away with £35 for wash, cut and dry. Costs me £70 + for my Newfoundlands, then again there is considerably more of them !

Hi Matt, welcome. I also am new to two wheels having just racked up 1500 miles on my YBR 125. I'd echo your comments about how biking improves your driving, nothing like the feeling of vulnerability as a new rider to hone your observation skills.

No need to apologise, all contributions gratefully accepted. I'm off to eBay now then. Thanks