markandjen

Hi Openroad Thanks for the reply. Just to confirm, the date is still July the 20th. If you use the website address below and scroll down, all the details are there. If anyone would like to make a donation, please contact the people specified on the information flyer. http://www.welshbikers.org/ Thanks for looking and any support will be gratefully received. Mark

Hi Goff Voted and good luck to Simon. All the best Mark

Hello Unfortunately, I have the same problem and resorted to just moving my arms or looking round instead. Not the best but at least they don't vibrate!

Hi All If anyone is in South Wales in July, we are going to run a charity ride in aid of the Welsh Air Ambulance. The date will be the 20th July 2008 and the meeting place will be Thunder Road Motorcycles in Bridgend (just West of Cardiff). I'll post more details on here when we have it (route, times, etc). The plan is just to take a donation from riders which will go directly to the Air Ambulance as they are run solely from donations. A few people are organising it voluntarily so there will be no money taken out. Thunder Road are providing the posters we will use at their own cost and are also providing free tea and coffe to riders. If anyone is interested in coming along, please look at http://www.welshbikers.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1098 However, I will post more details on here when we have them. Thanks Mark

Hi James I have the 2000 model which is my first bike. Had it 6 months now and other than the usual checks, the only thing I have had to top us is the oil. I have just had it's 20,000 mile service done and mot with no problems. I did change the spark plugs though. So far so good with the bike. It's comfy to ride on longer rides aswell as my commute. Used it pretty much most days since I bought it in August. The only problem I have experienced is it cut out at some roundabouts after washing it but that was my fault as I let it stand overnight. I have since bought some silicone based stuff to spray round the spark plugs to keep the water out!! Good luck and have fun. Mark

Hi DJ No problem. I was waiting for the info but I don't mind dealing with Yamaha if you want to deal with the NEC? Is there a method of sending private messages on here so I can send you my e-mail address (not sure if I want the whole world to see it!!). Like I said yesterday, we shouldn't expect much if anything from Yamaha but it's worth a try. Thanks Mark

Hi Geoff Just so you have a reply - I'm south Wales sorry so would be a bit tricky!! Perhaps they're all on holiday in Nottingham!!!

Afternoon I assume you are doing this instead of me now then!!!! I can't remember who it was but someone was asking their mate who now works in a Yamaha dealer to get us some info as to who would be the best person to contact but nothing has been posted yet. Also, someone said it probably wouldn't work as Yamaha are not too interested in us once we have given them our money!! I don't mind doing something to help whether it still be speaking to Yamaha to see if they can spare space on their stand (at their cost) or whether they would contribute to a separate stand with their logos all over it. Let me know if you want me to do something. Thanks Mark

That sounds like a nice commute!! It's almost as warm as here!!!!! Unfortunately, it was only 5 degrees when we got out of the car about 30 mins ago. Taking my bike to work on Friday though so looking forward to that although it's due to be heavy rain all day. Happy riding

Hello Thanks. I think it has originated from the UK althogh there appear to be quite a lot of US members too. I only joined it recently. The people on here seem nice enough. The maxi scooters seem to be taking off now. The petrol is so expensive that people are turning to bikes and the scooters are a good starting point (only my opinion though!!!).

Morning Dr Chip Season's greetings and welcome to the forum. Hope you had a good christmas. Mark

I know it's it's not Crimbo anymore but enjoy the festivities all. I'll get the happy new year in in advance!!

Thanks eyedee. I get it now - not particularly difficult is it really!!!! I'll keep my eye open for the stickers now but I agree with you, they may be quite careful with their bike but if they're bent down with their rucksac scraping against your bike, you won't be overly happy!!

Morning I'd never heard of it to be honest but I would imagine a bit of word of mouth and perhaps some of us publicising it at our local bike shops might help increase it's take up. I can't understand how it works though! It says that if I park next to you, we lock our locks together which is as well and good if we plan to leave together but what happens if one of the bikers wants to leave? Looks like a good idea though and I'm sure it's pretty self explanatory but I just can't see it!! Thanks

Hi DJ I'll wait for Thundercat to see if we can get any information and then I'll speak to the Yamaha HQ. I'll see what they would be prepared to fund, how often, etc, etc. I'll try and encourage them to see that it would be in their best interest - by that I mean if people thinking of joining the biking world could see and hear the banter among riders they may be more prepared to take the lessons and if the leap was made as a result of over hearing us lot, then they might buy a Yamaha - perhaps we should then ask for a percentage!!! What ever, I can or can't get, I will let you all know. Fingers crossed!! Mark

Morning Thundercat Excellent, thanks. That'd be great if your mate can get some info. If you can let me know and I'll see what I can sort out. Never tried before but I'll do my best. It would be excellent to have something in place - can't have those others showing us up!!! Thanks Mark

Afternoon all We went to the motorbike show at the NEC and noticed there were owners clubs there for Honda, Suzuki, Harley, etc, etc but none for us!! We were also quite disappointed at the Yamaha section so was wondering if anyone would be interested in having a Yamaha owners club there? As I've said on numerous posts(!!), I'm new to this biking world and love talking to bikers and would have really liked to have seen a stall for us. If anyone's interested, I don't mind getting hold of Yamaha to see if they would fund it or have a little section of their stand next year set up as an owners section. There seems to be a great cameraderie between bikers and certainly bikers of the same manufacturer so if others can have somewhere, then so can we!!!! Alternatively, if you've looked at it in the past, tell me to shut up!!! Thanks Mark

Evening Sorry to hear about the messing about you're receiving. My bike is almost 8, and I am also new to biking and wanted a bike which would be good to learn on and build my skills and confidence. I went in to a Yamaha dealership a couple of weeks ago and they were the complete opposite - they had bikes there about 15 years old they were servicing and couldn't do enough for me. I would have thought the Yamaha policy would be the same worldwide and perhaps yours just can't be bothered!! You're in an unfortuate predicament because if you were to buy a Suzuki which was 7 years old, they sounded like they'd do exactly the same!! I didn't want to buy a new bike until I've had a few years practice. I would send an e-mail or letter to the Yamaha HQ in the USA and failing any sort of assistance, write to the HQ in Japan. You could probably get a copy of their servicing policy from their customer service department. I'd also say how unhappy you are and perhaps they may give you a discount!! At the end of the day, the choice is with the rider as to which bike they buy and if you are happy with the whole package, generally, people stay loyal to that manufacturer. Let us know how you get on and good luck. Happy (and safe) riding Mark

Hi Jim Hope the commute is going well and you're still enjoying it. I bought my clothing from a local bike shop which although is no good for you I thought I'd tell you what it was!! I bought an Ixon textile jacket and trousers, Forma boots and buffalo summer gloves and revitt winter gloves. I had my lessons in the summer when it was pouring down most of the time and the jacket was excellent. It was only £70 and has the protection but I didn't want to spend a fortune incase I didn't take to it - I had never ridden a bike before my CBT. The jacket or trousers haven't let in any rain yet and the trousers have a liner which I'm wearing now!! Just put a few layers on under the coat. Did buy one of those Oxford wind and waterproof neck gaiter thingys which is also excellent although it does feel a bit odd (as I've only had it a week) when you're taking your life saver, it pulls down on your nose so I now only pull it up to my chin as it was getting on my nerves! I've had to spray the boots with Nikwax as they have loads of seams on the front which let the rain in but that seems to have done the trick. Can't really afford to buy anymore at the moment. My commute is about the same as yours depending on if I go the quick way down the motorway or the longer A road route!! I'm loving it and hopefully all will go well. Good luck in your CBT, lessons and tests.

Hi Gav Thanks for the tip. Do you spray it on and rinse off or do you use a brush or anything? My plan was to clean it properly and then lube it all up. When I bought the bike it had a scotoiler installed so would I need to do anything else? Thanks Mark

Hi Yoda I'll print off your note and give it to Jen!!! I had the hose on fine spray and tried to just get the underneath - I know the water will go every where though which is why I started the engine for a bit. However, from this day forward I will spray with WD40 before and after washing. In the summer, I always take it for a spin before parking it up to allow the water to blow off but it sorts of defeats the object of cleaning it and then taking it back out on the mucky roads. Thankfully, there are people like you lot to point me in the right direction so I'll learn!! I have also bought some brake cleaner and chain lube. Someone has advised me to clean the chain with whitespirit before lubing it so assuming this is correct advice, I will be spending a few hours tomorrow doing that. Thanks very much Mark

Thanks Robbie. Bloody amateurs - I only hosed it down to try to get rid of the grit!! I'll stick to the sponge from now on!! Thanks for your help. Mark

Afternoon What sort of mileage do you do per day? I've only had a licence and my bike since August so I think Monza may be a bit out of my league this time but I'd certainly consider something in the next few years. It's a cracking idea though and I'd love to join you all one day. Thanks Mark

Hi Robbie Thanks for your advice. It's interesting you say that, they had gritted the roads on Monday so after the bike had cooled down completely I hosed it down, sprayed muc off everywhere and then hosed it back down after a couple of minutes. I did hose it down longer than normal to make sure the grit was out. I also had never used muc off before although I know that isn't the problem!! I then let it run for 15 minutes or so to allow things to dry out and chamoied the body work down. Did the problem go away when you stopped steam cleaning it or did you have to do anything? They haven't gritted any of the roads by us so I drove the car today. Going by yours, Yoda'sand Gav's advice, I will ring the garage and give them all scenario's and see what they say. Thanks Mark

Evening Thanks for the advice. Reading in the owners manual, it says to fill up before you store the bike so perhaps the two weeks with no use other than letting it idle resulted in condensation inside the fuel tank??? Unfortunately, as this is my first bike and I am new to it, I will take to a garage and ask them to do what you recommend. I know that is lazy but I really do want to let the bike last and would prefer an expert to do it. Thank you though for taking the time to advise me, it is much appreciated. I'll be back on when I get to work in the morning - may take the car and not use the bike until I can take it to the garage - don't want to make it worse. Speak to you tomorrow! Thanks Mark