Gas up - Let's Go!

Did he get thrown out ? I'm glad it's not just me then, at least I don't have to ring up that lot who pretent to know about support Me: Hello, my internet is very slow CallCentre: Is the power light on on your router? Me: Yes, I can get to lots of sites, it's just very slow CallCentre: unplug your router form the wall, reboot your PC, plug your router back in Me: Why, it's working , just very slow CallCentre: Please sir, unplug your router form the wall, reboot your PC, plug your router back in Me: OK done that, CallCentre: now try again Me: Still the same, I can get to all websites, it's just very slow. I've checked the router and my downstream speed is 2589mb/s upstream is the usual 512mb/s. Can you check the core network ? CallCentre: OK Sir, I think it might be your PC, What is your IP address? Me; It doesn't matter what it is, I can access the network, it's just very slow. CallCentre: OK Sir, I see the problem now. Me; What is it? CallCentre; can you take out all of your telephones and move your router to the main socket. Me; No, I can't, it's working OK, just slow. CallCentre; Very good Sir, as long as it is working I'll close the call. Have a nice day.......................

Before I spend three days explaining to the guys in India that I have a problem, am I the only one getting realllllllllyyyy slooooooww responses from the Forum ? I'm also getting lots of Database errors and yesterday got chucked out completely for a while (403 errors) In the past I've had this and it turned out to be a DNS issue in the core network, just wanna know if it's me or not. Ta

I've resisted the urge to post here, but I can resist no more... Firstly the War on Terror being a sales pitch. If the aim is to disband Al-Qaeda then that is all it can be. I've read alot on this subject and without going into a protracted debate that would never end, the long and short of it is that, because of the way 'us' westerners organise our civilisations we cannot defeat them. You cannot defeat an idea with the bullet or the bomb. The 'War on Terror' and in particulaly our involvement in Afghanistan is nothing more than an attempt to take the fight to them (being the extremists) by western Governments, who already understand we cannot win this way. Hopefully they are having a more covert war on terror whilst this smokescreen is kept in the publics eye in order for us (Joe Public) to think something is being done. Al-Qaeda is a cell based idiealist group, and Bin Laden is it's financier and spiritual head, not it's commander - so if they kill him, it will make little difference. The powers that be understand this, why do you think they haven't found him yet ? They don't want to. Once he's gone the stomach for the fight (in the publics view) will die. It's a tought subject, but the only way to beat them is to take the same approach to conquest as Genghis Kahn, and the liley livered liberals of the west would never allow that. Back to Wootton Bassett, I've looked at the words of this 'group', and listend to that bloke who is organising it. He is trying to come across as a level thinking type of citizen, who is just trying to raise the profile of the 'innocent' victims. However to do this in the one place in the counrty that is the focus of returning war dead is nothing short of distatstefull. There are plenty of other places to carry out this type of 'parade' without poking the eyes of the relative and loved ones of the fallen, who do as thier government askes. It is a sick and malicious attempt to piggy back, and somehow draw a parrallel,to a sombre place that allows the huge majority of this country to reflect on those men and women who stand up for those who cannot (or will not) stand for themselves. Jack Straw has said he will not allow this to go ahead, I think it would be better if he did and kept the police well away........

Don't we all these days! I've toured Ireland a few times, across the middle, round the coast, north and south - it's a fantastic place with great people, no doubt. The first time I was over there was on a Honda VFR800 (the new one with ABS), and it wasn't a nice riding experience, pretty much down to the wrong bike for the roads, just as 2wheels describes, second and third times was on a Varadero and it was truly awesum, right bike these times! If you want that 'over the water' feeling of a holiday in a different country, but are put off by riding on the right, or language then Ireland is the place for sure....

Good for you, it's the best way to sharpen your skills. Always a good place to start. None of them. Don't get me wrong they are great bikes and very very capable. But for a novice off roader, it's kinda like just passing your test and getting on a track bike. You'll grow to hate it, and for Green Lanes it's just a bit too focused. The WR's are a serious off-road bike, what you want is something less snappy, easier to look after and that doesn't need a service every 20 hours!! Despite what some may say, on the green lanes of this country what you need is a trail bike, and with the road sections between lanes getting longer, you need a bike that has good road manners too. If you want to stick with Yamaha then look at the XT600's, or the TT's. With the TT's you have a choice of engine sizes, 250 will be ok but don't expect anything like the power of the MT. The XT660R is very capable too, and has great road manners. I run a TT600RE, these bikes are pretty hard to get hold of now as they have the same sort of weight as a 400 (DRz) but the power of the 600, being airheads they don't have the extra weight of the cooling system. The 600 (same motor as the XT600) is livelier than the 660, well at least until you've stuck 20,000 miles on it anyway (or opened up the air intakes and fitted a Power commander) so you'll see a huge improvement on your 0-60 times!! Expect to pay around £2500 for a 2005 TT600RE. Alternativly there is the ubiquitous DRZ400, very capable off road but they have a reputation for being uncomfortable after a couple of hours. of the Honda XR's, again very capable. IF you are looking at a second bike then the WR's will be a great choice, but I wouldn't use one for commuting.

Been like that for the last two days, just when we got rid of the last lot of ice.. On Sunday I ride..... no matter what the weather. No such thing as bad weather, just the wrong tyres!

Brilliant! The first year I actually saw new years day!!! I'm getting too old to suffer these hang overs, so 4 pints of G&T and a couple of glasses of Red.. (that's one small measue and neary a pint of 'T') Up at 8, cleared the house and the decors will come down today.. Happy new year fella's and lasses. Get the bikes out and make this year the best riding yet... Head up, rubber down.

Maybe I should have qualified that statement a little ! What I meant was 'struggling to get everything through (due to the ammount) along with the extra mail and esential suplies' We can only go by what is reported in the media, yes I know it's as accurate as a sun dial on a wet day, but that's all there is apart form folk like yourself who can comment on this from another angle. I guess it makes no difference now, as given that the royal mail can't get a letter 100 miles in 2 days, anything sent now will no doubt miss any Christmas parcels anyway.

I recall something a year or two back where a guy had a similar experience in (Morrisons ?). They made him take it off and it was damaged in the store, he argued that Morrisons were at fault as if he had kept it on it wouldn't have been damaged. Morrisons had to caugh up the replacement cost of the lid. I've had similar experiences in filling stations, and on one day when I was in a realy arsy mood I walked upto the kiosk and told the halfwit behind the glass that my bike spits out a squirt of fuel as it reaches the top of the filler neck, just before the fuel filler nozzel cuts out, and that my visor is PPE as a result of thier faulty equipment. I then told him I would happily remove my lid if he would accept all responsibility for whatever followed. Funny how people back down when you ask them to take responsibility..... To be honest though, I can see why you'd want to keep you lid on for short periods, like filling up, grabbing a pint of mike from the newsagent etc, but I can't understand why you'd want to walk around a supermarket with it on ? How the hell do you avoid those grannies with wild trollies ?? For all our society rules pay lip service to equality, it's bolloxs. Fat people are exempt from wearing seatbelts, as are taxi drivers - why? sikhs don't have to wear helmets, and muslims (or even those claiming to be)can get away with walking through an airport security check without showing thier face, so what's the use of a passport ?? You gotta love this country.....

I just thought Paul was having an 'episode', so I thought maybe best to leave him alone, the big white val will be alonge soon.

If a job's worth doing, then is far easier to do it right and thorogh first time, rather than coming back over and over and over. The guys who work with me hate me for it.... I've just picked things up over time, reading, listening and asking the right people questions. Not all the answers suit everyone, but I do try to give sound balanced opinions and advice. Oh, and talking to seasoned travelers is always useful.

First things first, it's a XT660Z, not a XTZ660, that is a completely different bike! I know it's a bit pedantic but you need to be clear when you order bits...... LeoVince are the cheapest aftermarket cans you can get, and they are a popular choice loved by most who buy them. I say most as the power gains are small in comparison. They are good quality and easy to fit, after you get the OE one off that is! I've got the stock can on mine, and it certainly doesn't sound like a Flymo..... and a quick blip of the throttle can set off a car alarm. To get the best out of the power of the motor you need to free up the air intake, stick in a Powercommander and away you go.... Nothing wrong with LeoVince, I considered it, then rejected it as I'm waiting for a single cat-less can to hit the market, I don't see the point in going from a single can to a dual can setup.

No problem with the seat, it's good for about 200 miles a day, but I also have an AirHawk that I use for the more serious distances (although not if I'm off-tarmac). I find that the right clothes help, seamless undercrackers, and as seamless as possible pants. If I reide with leathers then it gets a bit uncomfortable after 150-180 miles, if I wear the HG Toureg pants I can go for much longer. I think the trick is breathable, seamless gear. I've tried all kinds of stuff but I find the Hien Gericke stuff suits me very well. I do tend to move about in the saddle a fair bit, and you'll find that in tight twisty bits, like mountian single track roads you get a way better feel if you ride it enduro style (standing up), you can make this easier by removing the footpeg rubbers (a bolt under the pegs and they come off), or better still replacing the pegs all together, I've got PivotPegz but you can get cheaper options from Ebay for around £30 deliverd (quality isn't that great but they are good value). The Tenere uses the same pegs as the Yamaha YZ 80, 125, 250, 500, WR 200 or 500. These make another great, simple mod that changes the handling of the bike, especially on loose ground. Now, what else.... Handguards ? Luggage? Suspension ? Lighting?

Not wanting to pi$$ on anyone good intentions here, and I'm sure one or two of the old (or not-so-old) soldiers will be able to comment on this, but it might be wise to hold off until after Christmas. It's widely reported that BFPO is struggling to cope, and with Christmas coming surely the priority should be letter and gifts from loved ones, however good out intentions are. I'd hate to think that a parcel from a wife/mother/daughter to a soldier doesn't get through because of a few mags that could easily have waited a couple of weeks. Wadayasay ??

If it's still any interest, the best price for a Power Commander V that I have found is a company in Blackpool called Powertech - I know of the owener and he comes with a good reputation, he also has access to a number of fuel maps, so there might be one that suits you, give them a ring.

I was thinking about OGoaB, but you must have got him all confused in your smoke trail....

Siezed ???? I take it that you did have oil in it ???? I'm sure one of the old smokers will be along in a minute (takes them a while these days..) to roll up a fag, doth their flat caps and figure out what's up.......

I hate people like you. I should have been in the US this year, but the exchage rate crash put an end to that, or rather postponed it a while. Myabe I'll get a few weeks riding in Canada when we go next Christmas. Anyway, if that is your route read, if you've not already, Lois on the Loose, by Lois Pryce. She is the other half of the Prince of motorcycle travel Austen Vince (Mondo Enduro ? Fastest guys around the world, propper around the world, not just London->Russia->America.) She did the same trip in the opposite direction, alone and without a clue! TBM is as OG says, -> www.trailbikemag.com DNA make high flow, easily maintained air filters -> www.dnafilters.com There is a guy, Scott Nettlston, he is a South African living in the UK. He has just returned from a RTW (round the world) tour on his Tenere. He was with a group of others on Tenere's (who I don't know), some of them used the HB pannier frames with Pelican Cases. The cases were fine but the frames did suffer some cracks and breaks in Russia. The good thing about these is they are easily welded in just about any part of the world. People might be starving but they can still fix the plough! I think any frames would go under the extreme riding the guys were doing. Scott suffered the problem with the rectifier and the EO engine bars. IF you have considered the Yamaha EO engine bars, then take a look at www.off-the-road.de and the sump guard. This is the product Jenny used in the Sahara last month, and is only a few quid more than the engine bars. The rectifier issue can be helped by greasing around the connector and making sure it is propperly connected (should be TWO clicks, not just one when it goes together) These bikes go all day, every day. Last year I covered 8500 miles in 19 days, I had one day off in the middle, but rode from Ooop Norf in the UK throuh northern Europe, Scandinavia, Arctic Circle, then down to Greece and across to Portugal before riding home. The longest single ride was from Southern France through Spain to Portugal, then north to Amsterdam. I did this ride in around 30 hours, covering something like 1500 miles! 80mph is about it's cruising limit, when you go over 70 the bike starts to guzzle fuel. Stay below 70 and you'll cover 300 miles between fuel stops, it drops to about 200-250 when you go above that. Fran at www.xt660.com has a deal with DNA and he can get you these direct from the makers, they also supply the PowerCommander maps to. Well, I wanted something a little quicker, and you don't have to wear your lid propperly, and you're allowed to text whilst riding, and it doesn't hurt when you fall off, so you can wear tracksuits.....

Only if you haven't told them, You have to disclose any performance modifications, no matter how small the performance!

Powercommander. Then you'll need to have the bike setup on a dyno so that the correct fuel mapping can be sorted out, that is, if there isn't a PC map for the pipe you have already. It's not cheap, a PC-V (or a III), if you can get one for your bike will set you back £300ish, and the dyno time will be another £200ish. You might get it cheaper, but with Dyno Opperators you get what you pay for (pay peanuts, get monkeys). I've not used them but Dynojet UK are in Preston, and they have a good reputation. Is it really worth it for a 125 ? you are never going to release any significant power You can buy customisable ECU's but you'll be looking at well over a grand, and you still need someone to configure it for you. The chances are it's running lean (more air than fuel), you can 'fool' the bike in a simple way by replacing the air temp sensor with a variable resistor (and a bit of electronic trickery) and basically fooling the bike that it's colder than it is (then the ECU puts more fuel in). You need someone who understands electronic though, and can help build you a bike specific unit. , and, unless you've told your insurance company about your new pipe, your cover will be void too, and yes Mr Plod can work this out as well, so even if you don't have a off, you could still loose your licience over it if you get pulled (6 points will automatically mean your licence is revoked by the DVLA). Make sure you tell them!

I'll second that. Up here in the damp north (just damp now, it actually stoped rain the other day, for an hour or so anyway) the dealers have a good old monopoly, the local Suzuki and Triumph dealers are to be avoided, assuming you can actually get them to do something for you, then it will be assumed you are going to buy from them. there is also alot of attitude issues. Honda, on the other hand are very good, very efficient but they belong to a group, and this is reflected in the costs - but you get's what you pays for. Yamaha, now these guys are just right, nice and proffesional but also independant. I've had nothing but good service from these guys, they have helped me out no end. I would certainly recommend them to anyone. If you are on a budget, then anyone charging £25 an hour is going to seam expensive. Remember these guys have lot's of costs to cover (building, staff - support as well as technical, insurances, stock, etc etc) so they aren't going to do things for nothing. That's why there are places like these, so you can ask questions, find out where to get stuff cheaper and have a go yourself. Me, I do a bit of both, for the new bikes (08) I take them along to the dealer for service stuff, and to keep the warranty hassel free, for the dirt bike I do this myself and take it along for a safety check once a year (just before the MOT). As for car dealers, I find these a little more frustrating, I too had a Landy, and after being presented with a bill for £500 for a simple service, I ditched that and went to a different brand, the costs are much better, even from a dealer. If I had a 10 year old Ford Escort then I'd probably do the work myself (and join a ford escort forum!) One last thing, people deal with people. I don't suffer fools at all, that's why I have issues with the Suzuki/Triumph dealers, I tend to be fairly straight, to the point and state my requirements, I'm also confident in what I want and will research things first (mainly so I don't look an idiot) so that I know if the cost is high - if it is, I go elseware! This I think is why I have a good relashionship with the Yamaha guys, we both understand straight talking, without getting personal. One of the great things about biking, you have the choice to do what you want.

A second Tenere on the forum.... Well a bloody good choice if might say so. Right, the Tenere and sprocket ratio's. I find that on the Green Lanes over here, especially the ones around my part of the world, that the Tenere does need to have a bigger rear, maybe just one tooth. However, having riden the bike for long distances over lots of fast rough roads, fire roads and gravel (Romaina, Greece, Finland, Sweden) I'd say in stock form the bike is perfectly setup in that department. What you will need to do is ditch the EO tyres (that's tires for the Americans!) and fit some TCK80's. These are prety much the best dual purpose tyre for these bikes. Insofar as a trip to the USA goes, I don't actually think you need to do anything. The bike will be fine. If you read TBM you'll see Jenny Morgan has just completed the Heroes Legend on a Tenere, this is after covering 25,000 miles in the US onthe bike before it's Dakar make-over. Just to give you some idea of the pedigree of the bike you've just bought - Jenny and her Tenere were the only ride & bike to actually ride the entire event from Paris to Dakar, leaving KTM and BMUU riders to hitch rides in support trucks, some even pushing their bikes over the line.... Jenny was place just short of the podium, not bad considering she is a privateeer. Jenny's USA trip was well documented on XT660.com, HUBB and ADVRider - Search for 'JMo' or 'JMO & Piglet' One way to get more out of the Tenere, well any 660 motor, is to increase the air input. DNA produce a filter setup that gives you around 10% more power and ooodles of torque, all for the combined cost (for filters and PC-V) of les than the cheapest set of cans! They even supply the right maps for PC-V (Power Commander V). If power is an option for you, then don't bother with cans as the biggest gains can be found in changing the air filters! I don't know what you are thinging of in the way of luggage ? There is a guy on XT660.com who makes rear racks for a few quid, well made and they give you a good platform to tie stuff down, if it's lights then I can help you with some lighting bars, take a look at XT660 there are endless different mods you can do to improve the bike even further. There are a few issues with the bike, the Cush Rubbers are crap, the OE engine bars, side/top case locks ain't great, and there is a growing issue with the rectifier connection on some bikes (if it's not connected right) - all of these are written about to excess over on XT660.com if you want to come over, introduce yourself, say helo I'm sure you'l get all of your questions answered and more. Or if you preffer to stay here I'll be happy to help you out.

Could you be a little more specific ?

and would be 'erased' in many countries of the world.... What gets me, and as I type this I'm already thinking of the outbursts, is that certain cultures come over here to the good old UK and work, they work for peanuts doing jobs that UK residents just won't do becuase they get more on benifits, that is just plain wrong. Benifits should provide a very basic living for people, to keep them alive, it should be capped at an ammount that allows people to live - period. We have a community of Poles up here, and they are the hardest workers I know, doesn't seam to matter if it's cold, wet, hot, whatever, they are there working on farms, factories or even selling stuff door to door (Betterware, paintings etc), they do it because they have pride, and would rather work all day to make enough to live on than take handouts. I doth my cap to these people. Other cultures arrive here, make no attempt to learn any language, make no attempt to get work, then take take take. My wife is a teacher, the cash allocated for books for teaching the good old taxpayers children is capped - but if they have a child who has a different religion they get uncapped funds to support that child ! Now I ask you, how is that fair ?? Personally, I don't have a problem with immigrants, there are many who come for a better life, but with it they have pride, and work. Others come here expecting the country to support them. As far as I can see the simplest way to deal with this is to limit benifits to all. You should always be better off if you are working, Tax credits for working families/people should be paid if you work, if you sit on your backside then tough, you only need enough for food, utilities, rent etc should be paid directly. Ohh I'm having a right old moan today.....

It's just plain daft, I can't believe it, why ? why hasn't this been stopped ? I mean, honestly, why do you eh ? Why do you read the Sun......... As for the poor asylum seaker, why shouldn't they have a luxury home ? you don't see them moaning on, bitching about the state of the place, they just get on and enjoy it without moaning. Our counrty is now a rich tapestry of culture thanks to these guys. If they didn't keep this house in the great condition it's in it would probably become a drugs den or something. Seriously though, they are only playing the game, as most people would. You have your chance every 5 years to make a change, the majority never does and so we always stuck with the same leaders (sometimes the colour of the tie changes)with the same lilly livered approach to immigration. As soon as someone stands up with a stronger view they are shot down as racist.