Gas up - Let's Go!

I don't understand. I've been riding my bike every day for the last god knows how long.

Toilet

Hmmm.... U-Tube ??? Berkshire's a long way to go, and I'd have to try to ride home laughing uncontrolably too.. I can supply you with a Childline banner (kinda like bunting or flags on a string sort of thing) Why not setup a JustGiving page, when you reach say £100 you do the dance Video it and post it up there ??

Yip - it is the Holy Grail as far as riding a bike goes...... If you disagree with the contents of this book, you are a certifiable idiot.

Yes, I'd pay good money for that ........ but only if you dress up as an Alien.....

Doh! I'd have been up for that, alas I'll be stuck in a tent at Applecross that night!!!

I bet you it will! My IAM Instructor can turn his Busa in a gap of about 16 feet. I can now do a full circle in the same. It's all about practice, balance, controll and a bit of helpfull instruction. Instead of applying constant pressure on the rear brake (like they teach you) feather it, the bike kinda 'jurks' and feels unstable at first but it allowes the bike to use a bit of power to pull round. Probably haven't explained that very well...... The bars won't make any difference to the abilty of the bike, full lock is full lock! But they will alter your riding possition so that you have a little more confidence. If you try it on an open carpark, you'll probably find you can turn the bike in a tiny space, try to do the same turn with some lines on the road and it's almost impossible! It is all in the mind, I tell you..... Why do you need to do it? well it depends on you I guess, it looks much better when you ride into a place, do a really tight turn and ride out, while the other guys are busy doing the back and forth shuffle. If you need to do a U-turn on the road it's much quicker and safer to do it in one smooth action rather than pushing the bike backwards. BikeSafe in Cumbria (Carlisle) have some spaces, and it's free - worth the investment of a couple of nights and the ride out. You'll get some instruction from the IAM on the rideout day too, they're great guys. Get youself signed up for it here: http://www.cumbria.police.uk/makingcumbriasafer_10153.htm

and that is an offence under the road traffic act - you realy should have taken the index number and reported him/her of course it wouldn't have got anywhere, but if they did it again it can be used ot show a general disregard for the law and road safety. Good to hear you're OK though, we lost a guy up here yesterday morning - head on with a flatbed van, lasted until he got to A&E.......RIP.

I'd second that. A woman who can hold a conversation, have a laugh, and be a mate. I'm lucky I found mine second time around (first was a miserable cow - but huge puppies) and (apart from the hot pants and the legs) it was here confidence that got me. I was divorced then single for a good while (before Sue) and I was pretty much the same, I'd been with the miserable cow since 17. Once I got over it I had a ball, and that's when the good things started happening. Don't do the rebound stuff, it nearly always ends in tears (not always though)

A bit late on this, you do have a great bike there, big smiles and fun factor all in together. Firstly, the problem areas. HT lead from the coil, it will work it's way loose. Before winter take the tank off (two bolts under the seat) and tighten it up (it just crews in). I wrapped mine in self amalgamating tape and it's been fine since. Spark Plug, ditch the current one and stick an Irridium one, they burn a little hotter and improves starting. Battery - the bike will eat batteries, if it's over 2 years old then replace it before the winter and get an Optimate/optimiser/oxfimister doesn't matter which one, cheapest does the same job, and make sure you use it always when the bike is standing. Fuel tap, before you stop the bike, turn the fuel off and let it run a while. If the bike is going to stand (anything more than a week) then run the bike until it cuts out. For some reason these bikes don't like having the fuel tap on, it's a sod to start if you have . These bike were born for the dirt, they will do stupid speeds on dirt (almost as fast as on tarmac) in the right hands and you have a huge choice in off-road rubber. I use mine for off-road and I've fitted Michelin Enduro Comp III & IV, these tyres are just on the border of legality, OK on road (but you get a tank slapper at 60+) but awesum off. RUnning the Pirelli rubber is good on road and reasonable off (don't like mud). You can SuperMotot the bikes at a cost, but to be honest I can't see the reason in it. They only imported these bikes for 2 years, and if you go to any club meets (ADV, HU etc) you get alot of admiration from the Overlanders, I think these bikes will become a classic in much the same way as the old Tenere or Africa Twin as time passes. I've pitted the TTR against Huskies, KTMs and WR's and they certainly hold thier own for a 600cc machine, off course being air-cooled they are considerably lighter than other bikes in the same class (KLR, Dominators, Tenere) and with this comes improved 'chuckaboutability' The tank is a real letdown though, expect to get around 100km before reserve. Acerbis do a long range tank at around £300, and these almost never come up second hand (I know - I've been looking for two years!). If you look for any modifications (luggage, crash protection, screens etc) you will struggle, most guys have created 'on-off specials' although Off The Road in Germany do a bit of stuff. If yuo get the chance, take the bike into Wales, or the Lakes where you can get to grips with some knarley lanes and see what the bike can really do.

Good choice in bike fella. I'd try the local bike breakers, ebay search or google search to start with. You should be able to pick one up somewhere, these bikes have been around a while now.

I agree. We have the wrong sort of people in this country; Why not replace the lazy layabouts that would rather take handouts than get a job , with those who are willing to work. Re post on the Eastern Europeans - I'm sorry but I know of a farmer who has tried to recriut locals to work the land, now he has a pile of Polish guys earning the same money, but work harder and take less tea/fag/can't-be-arsed breaks. In my experience, the Polish guys put in a good days work for a fair days pay. It's an arse-about-tit country we live in....

We do, just as long as it doesn't upset any minorities (although I'm not too sure what a minority is any more !) -> White hetrosexual 2.4 Children types are however fair game........ Like you say, people (anyone - even Americans!) should live by our rules when they come here, he is unlikely to so he's not getting in !

Me neither, I stopped discussing them some posts ago. I was talking about your attitude - it's wrong and from what you say you wouldn't pass and Advanced test, ergo you can never be a 'good' driver. You really should read a post, think about what is said and then come up with an argument. BTW, my riding is fine, I have the right attitude to other road users. I suggest you get yourself on a BikeSafe course and maybe learn something before spouting off crap.

but why do I think there's more truth there than first meets the eye......

I would agree with that. Don't know where you live, but check out the BikeSafe courses run by the Police. With what you've said in your post I would suggest that one or two of those accidents are avoidable with the right training. You should also get a discount on your insurance of around 10% when you've completed them. You can also look at the IAM 'Skill for Live Course', details are all on the website www.iam.org.uk, had you signed up last week it would have cost you £109, but now it's up to £139. For this you get Advanced Training on all aspects of your riding, it will restore your confidence and give you some leverage with your Wife / Kids. You will learn how you can avoid what appear to be unavoidable accidents - honestly. You will find your speed will reduce, but you will get to your destination just as quick. Get yourself a copy of Roadcraft for Motorcycles ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Roadcra...779&sr=8-2) to sharpen up on your observation and planning skills. This is the cornerstone of the Police Motorcycle Advanced Riding Course. Training is the key to rebuilding your confidence - but you need to get back on the bike and ride it!

Your tablets running low again.....

If you make that same statement to am IAM observer, he will tell you that for that reason alone, you are a bad driver. And if you are unfortunate to do that to an unmarked Police car you are going to find yourself in front of the local Magistrate facing a dangerous driving charge or obstructing a Police Officer in the course of his duty. If you were to do it in front of some riders I've met (in the past) you are very likely to have an altercation. Being right does not make you good or safe. I've had my rant about farmers the 'Good for Britian' speach (I do kinda like that) was all about attitude to driving Attitude is everything, if it's not right you will never make a good (read safe) driver or rider. no matter how much you try to argue the case.

You could pass your test ? Welcome along Harry.

Attitude has everything to do with being a good driver it is the cornerstone of the IAM, ROSPA and the Police , Courtesy projects a non-agressive persona, and can difuse a situation before it has time to begin, this is what being a good driver/rider is all about, tied in with Experience, Observation, Planning, Skill and the application of all of these together makes a good driver / rider. When a lack of courtesy is evident, it begins to cause stress and that's when people start to make bad judgment calls and this will lead to accidents. Being a good driver / rider isn't about being right, it's about treating the road in a manner that makes it safer for you and everyone else (in that order). Anyone who has undergone any form of further/advanced training will understand this. If the CBT, or any other 1st time training package started with attitude then we'd be heading the right way. It is considered basic training (i.e. bike control) , but the wrong attitude to the road should be sufficient to remove anyone's right to ride / drive on the public roads. If everyones attitude was right, bad driving / riding wouldn't cause an issue, Oh christ, I've got my rose specs on again......

Isn't Oldtimer around that area too ?? Group riding can be great, but it's very easy to get sucked into someone elses ride and ability - ride your own ride fella. I thought there was a bike club in Blackpool?? maybe that would be a good place to start ??

I'm sorry, but,,,, There is no way a 16Yr old can ever be considered a good driver - ever, no matter what. Skilled maybe yes, but good no. To be considered a good driver you need experience (it is learning from experience that is one of the key points in making a good driver) at 16 you have no experience at all, so a crutial part of the equation is missing. I live in one of the most rural places in England, and to be fair, balanced and honest 9 out of 10 agricultural drivers have no respect for other road users. When was the last time you saw a tractor pull into a layby to let the queue of cars behind past ? How often do you see a light board on a trailer, and if you do how often does it work ? How often does the flashing hazard ligh actually work ? How often have you come up behind a tractor and stuggled to see the mirrors past the dangerously overloaded trailer, how many times have you come round a corner to find the road 1/2 inch deep in mud from the field that was plughed a week ago? I could go on al day but the key point is all about observation and information TUG, Take, Use and Give ; they never ever give information. Tractors are very dangerous, and yet they let underqualified people loose on them. Crazy!

Have a look for the tell-tail signs, * Peg rubbers (not even sure if these bikes have them!) * tyres, at that mileage you'd expect them to be the originals, but they'll be a bit cracked and perished in places, so it's possible they've been changed, ask about them. * Corrosion, if there's lots of it then ask why. Might be an explanation, but again if it's a low mileage bike that's only been out on dry warm days then yuo shouldn't see any. * Seat, loo for wear, and the bar grips too * Look in the hard to clean places, under and up so-to-speak * Look at the odometer , are the digits in line (not sure if this is an issue with these bikes, but really they should be all in-line) Generally just use your common sense, ask lots and lots of questions (even when you already know the answers), if it look too good to be true, it may well be, but that doesn't make it a bad buy. The big question you are looking to answer is "is this guy on the level?", if so then you can trust the answers, if you do think he is , then you've got to be sure about the bike. question, always ask the questions you know the answers to - easiest way to see if you're being bull sh77ed.......

Get you old fella to put the same post up on XT660.com - you will get an answer, there are 100's of folk on there who've done the same mod.