markandjen

Thanks both. I think I'll ring the garage in the morning!! Is there a particular type of additive or is there just the one? Thanks Mark

Thanks again - that did happen. Just got home and it was OK. I'm halfway between services but the MOT is in January so I'll ask them to give it a once over as it has also developed what is best described as a "knocking" at idle - this was before the cold snap. It did it briefly just after I bought it and the garage put it down to the carb's being slightly out of sync which he said is not a problem. It's looking like it will be just as cold tonight as my car has frost on it already so although it may sound daft, I'll try draping a blanket over the seat to hang down both sides. Do you reckon that'll make any difference? Mark

Hello Thanks very much. I leave the bike in the garage over night but there is no heating in there. I'll see what it's like on the way home in a couple of hours. I've started wearing ear plugs now and have a scarf which goes from my ears down to my chest so I can hardly hear anything so didn't notice till I tried to pull away!! Thanks Mark

Afternoon all This may be a stupid question but I was riding to work this morning (it was about -2) and the bike cut out a couple of times, once at a roundabout and then again at the lights about 1/2 a mile later. I did the normal thing, let it run until it was warm and didn't need the choke anymore before I set off and took it easy cos it was a bit chilly and the roads are slippery. The roundabout is about 2 miles from the house so I appreciate the running temperature will still be a bit low but it's never done it before. I didn't ride it yesterday but did muc off it down on Monday when the bike had cooled down on Monday night. Is it something as simple as the temperature or not?? It didn't do it again and I let it idle for a bit when I got to work and took my earplugs out and all seemed OK. I'm not a technical person so probably wouldn't know anyway!! The oil is new and full and there's half a tank of petrol. Before Monday, I hadn't ridden for two weeks but had started it twice and let it idle for 20 minutes and then rode it up and down the drive a couple of times just to keep it going! Any advice will be gratefully received. Thanks Mark

So far I have never used them. I only passed my test in the summer so was a bit worried about either not hearing the traffic or not hearing any odd bike sounds if something was going wrong. However, my issue of Bike turned up yesterday and there's an article in there which has made me change my mind. I've noticed that the only sound which seems really loud is the wind and according to the article, it is this which makes you go deaf eventually so I'll be investing in some ear plugs. My bike is pretty quiet so that's not a problem. Thanks Mark

Evening I recently joined this forum after passing my test and getting a Yamaha - not as nice as yours though!! Everyone seems pretty friendly and will offer any advice you're after. The blue underlight seems pretty cool - if you see a boy racer with it on his car you think what a waste but hopefully it looks good on the bike. Headlights on my bike are rubbish so every little helps!! Happy and safe riding. Mark

Have you seen the photo where a man and his mountain bike are tucked up in a tent and the girlfriend is in her sleeping bag outside the tent!!

Hi Mike Well done!!! It's a chilly 3 or 4 degrees for us so we can keep riding but hopefully you'll be counting down the days till spring!! Just remember to give her a bit of tlc and start her through the winter months - don't want to get the first warmish day and find the battery is flat!! I'm like Geoff, can't keep off the thing. Use it for commuting mostly and the odd fun run when I'm allowed but have still done the best part of 2500 since August. Good luck next year!! Mark

Evening Thanks for the advice and suggestions. The pillion pal seems like a cracking idea as my main worry was him falling off the back when his arms got tired! We're going to the bike show next week so will hopefully kit my wife and son out and will venture out with Sam when it's still light after school and the roads aren't so slippery and once I'm used to a light one on the back, I'll try the heavier one!! Thanks again. Mark

Hi Andy I have a nagging son who would like to jump on the back. I keep saying no as he's 9 and I'm not convinced he'll be strong enough to last more than a few minutes. I've only had my licence since August and have only done 2000 odd miles so am also not sure if I will be ready to carry him or the wife either. What sort of distances and duration do you take your daughter out for? I'd also be grateful for any advice on carry a passenger. Thanks Mark

If these MP's paid for their own cars, petrol and congestion charges, perhaps they wouldn't be in favour of it all!!

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/nocharges4bikes/ Hi All Someone has posted this on the prime ministers petitions page. I have put the link on MCN aswell but it would be good if as many people as possible can sign it. They allegedly need 750,000 signatures before they'll look at it - not sure how accurate that is but if we can bump it up a bit it might help!! Thanks Mark

Evening all With the price of unleaded averaging £1.02 a litre where I live, I was wondering if anyone had any plans to try and get some fuel protests going? Someone on the MCN website suggests boycotting Esso and BP but if they're the cheapest nearest you, it doesn't seem practical to ride / drive further away to pay more. With the extra duty on fuel imposed by the government in October, together with the plans for pay as you ride on the roads and our road fund licences, we're being taken advantage of (in my opinion!). I couldn't make the protest in London in October to lobby against road prices as we were out of the country but if anyone knows of any plans for fuel protests, please could you put them on the forum and hopefully something will get done. Have a good weekend everyone. Mark

Forgot to say - glad you and bike are fine.

Afternoon That's a bit of a wish list you have!! While I was having my lessons in the summer I almost bought a Ninja 600 (maybe a Z6R - can't remember all the models) on ebay and really wanted a Triumph TT600 but got talked out of both. Probably wise to start with what we have and if I was being sensible as I reach mid 30's I would progress to a FZ6 but as I hone some sort of biking skill (hopefully) it would be nice to go sportier. Don't think I'd trust myself though - people don't buy fast bikes to go slow!!!! Just been out to a meeting so had a bit of run out - only 40 miles there and back but the weather is OK so all good!! I talked my wife into letting me decide at the bike show as to what I'll have next and then by the time the loan is paid off in 2009, the ones we see in the next few weeks will be on the market as second hand - perfect. Only thing is, I'll keep changing my mind which means we'll have to visit the bike show next year as well - what a shame eh. Should just enjoy what we have now really. My bike is 7 years old so I just hope it lasts. I'm no good at mechanics so do my basic checks they recommend in the book but I'll be lost if anything needs doing. Anyway, leave you to it. Have a good day. Mark

Hi Bex Hope you and bike were not too bad. When I first had mine (and still now really) I was tentative on some roundabouts and sharp bends but reading magazines and the odd thing on here you pick up some tips to build the confidence. I'm finding the white lines are slippery in the mornings with the dew but other than the odd scary moment, I've stayed rubber side down so far. What's the distance on your commuting? I have about a 30 mile round trip. Go down the motorway on the way to work and A roads on the way home! Have only been on a couple of proper rides due to wife and son commitments but am hoping to have a bit of a spin this weekend - wife in work and son at the top gear show in the NEC with grand parents!! The bike show is a bit of a trek for you isn't it - still worth it though if you see something to buy! What sort of thing are you after? I have to wait till the loan is paid off first before I can buy - trying to convince Jen (wife) to have lessons but she prefers a convertible car while she's still young. I would imagine the ice will hit us before you but I'll hang on as long as I can before the car keys come back out. Nice to talk to you, take care Mark

Afternoon The bike seems fine to me!!! The only thing I have to compare it to is the bikes we learnt on but I've done about 1500 miles now since I passed my test in the summer and am loving it. I have orders to leave it in the garage though when it starts getting frosty!! I'm like you, I always smile when others nod or wave back. I feel guilty if I've missed someone as well - very sad!! We're off to the motorbike show later this month and after seeing some photos, I'm quite fancying the R6. My wife wants to be a pillion when I've had more practice so perhaps that isn't the best choice. I'll have to wait a couple of years though but there's no harm in having a look!! Hope you're getting on well with the bike and riding. Have fun. Mark

Hi Geoff and Bex Well, I wish I had as much to choose from as you!!! I only started my biking in August so with the expense of everything only have one set of clothes which are: Forma boots - very good but quite a lot of stitching on the front which chose to leak recently. Sprayed them with Nikwax which seems to have done the trick. No linings or anything but just wear my normal socks - warm enough. KBC Helmet - can't remember the model. Only has a clear visor. Vents are excellent. A bit tight at first but worn in a bit now. Clothing - Ixon textile jacket and trousers. I had my lessons in July when we had all the rain and they didn't leak at all. They don't have a waterproof lining or anything but are fab. The jacket has an internal zip and the trousers have a removable lining. Started using the lining in the trousers recently. Just wear my shirt (on work days) or t shirt with a thermal top underneath and a rugby top and that is fine - even in the chilly mornings. Gloves - have a thin leather pair which I wore until early Oct. No lining or anything but really comfy. Bought a pair of Revitt windproof and water proof gloves which are pretty good. Still get chilly fingers but nothing too bad. Also wear a illuminous bib now it's dark on the commute. Better to be seen before you're run down eh!!! Going to the bike show for a nose round to see if there are any bargains at the end of the month. Might buy boots but really happy with my wardrobe!! Have fun both

Afternoon I'm new to riding but have the same bike but in silver. Hope you're getting on well with it - it seems pretty good to me but it is the only bike I've had so I have nothing to compare it to. I'm looking for a rack and top box so I'd be grateful if you could let me know if you find any where decent. I'm going to have a look in the motor bike show at the Yamaha stall. I'm from Wales though sorry!!

Evening That's a very good idea. I have added our names (Mark, Jen and Sam) and hopefully it will appear on the bike. As a suggestion - what about giving people the chance to buy a poster of the bike with their names on? If the poster is big enough (like one you buy in a shop) for people to see their names, I can see quite a few people buying them and any money made can go back into the team for next season and hopefully we'll see some points finishes next season. Anyway, good luck on Sunday and on the 4th November. Thanks Mark

Hi Just to reiterate what others have said - I'm sure everyone's thoughts who read your post are with you. When we lost our daughter, you don't know what to do or what to say. You also don't think anyone else has been through that experience so feel alone. As others have said, turn to the ones you love for friendship and support or speak to agencies like the Samaritans if that is easier for you but ultimately, allow yourself (and partner or other children) time to cry and reminisce. You will naturally think "why has this happened to me / us" but then think of the good and happy times. It does get easier but birthday's, christmas, etc bring it all back but it is important to try to move on with your life and don't feel guilty about it. For us, we have a nine year old also (he was was almost five at the time) so we had to be sure he was OK. We still talk about her and I buy flowers on the anniversary of certain dates for my wife. When my wife is having a bad day she then thinks of all the other bad things aswell though!! Hopefully, whatever we have all said on here, you will deal with it in the best way for yourself. You will find the right person / people to speak to you and whether it takes months or years, you will reminisce on the good, happy memories and you will smile and laugh to yourself. All the best. Mark

Afternoon While I was learning we were looking around for bikes and kept going back to the Fazer. The problem I have is when I'm more confident on the bike, my wife wants to accompany me now and again and she has a dodgy knee so we had to find a bike which had lower footpegs. I know what the response will be to that mind!! Not sure which weekend we're going to the bike show yet - we have a son so can't take him out of school. I want to get a rack for the back and my son wants to get some Rossi stuff so we'll head straight for the Yamaha stand. I'll try and limit myself to some water proof boots aswell but we'll have to see!! I'd been thinking about learning for a while and am glad I've done it now. I don't know many people with a bike but have been on two ride outs with the person who was learning at the same time as me and it is a completely different experience when you're not just getting to work. A commute is just a commute when you can't venture off anywhere but my first ride with them was belting down with rain and we did about 180 miles in the course of the day stopping regularly for food and beverages - excellent!! Anyway, happy riding!! Mark

Thanks. Saw a picture on MCN. I subscribe to Bike aswell so no doubt there'll be pics in there.

Will do, thanks. I'll do it later or tomorrow.

Afternoon all Had a quick look and there seems to be a few people introducing themselves so thought I might aswell do the same!!! New to biking - passed my test in August and have a 2000 plate FZS600 Fazer. Very happy with the bike and looking forward to going to the motorbike show to see what Yamaha have on show!! Can't afford another one yet though. Really enjoying biking. Even on my CBT I realised why so many people love it. Had a couple of scary moments since I passed my test and after having numerous cars thinking they can get out of that junction first, have invested in a fluorescent bib!! Every little helps! Always brings a smile when bikers acknoweldge each other although there are a few who ride straight past. If I see any of you out on the roads - you'll always get a wave!!! Anyway, I will be on this forum for most of my lunch breaks in work so I look forward to picking up some tips and anyone setting up a ride out in South Wales somewhere! Bye for now Mark