Ttaskmaster

>a: undertaking is illegal Explain slow-speed filtering, then. I don't undertake. Even if you successfully argue that I do, I'd rather be illegal for a few seconds and "be seen, be safe". Being in the right is no consolation when you're lying in hospital, looking down at where your legs used to be. >b: unless u can use your mental powers to keep a car or van or whatever it is ur Re-read what I said. I 'scoot quickly' past when overtaking. I brake a touch when being overtaken slowly. It's not infallible, but far better than obeying the speed limit entirely and sitting in a blind spot. >c: if you come up on vehicles from behind with your lights on, a mere flash or I'm talking about multiple carriageways. Single lane overtakes are different - always on the right, in accordance with the road laws, markings etc and completed as quickly as possible.

Ah.... Let me rephrase; I often twitch the throttle and nudge the bike ahead a few feet, so I'm in front of the car where they can clearly see me, rather than off their back corner and invisible!! Even if they don't look before they change lanes, in the latter position they'll not hit me. The word 'blast' is relative - At motorway speeds on my 40BHP Cruiser, this takes a few seconds, rather than the Hayabusa 0.3 seconds it might actually imply And yes, the idea of moving ahead or backward on multi-lane roads to avoid being caught in a blind spot was taught to me on DAS. The other useful one I'll mention is overtaking a vehicle. This applies mostly to trucks, but I like to use it for everything. When overtaking a vehicle, do not pull back in front of it until both it's headlights are central in your left mirror. This is a rule of thumb as mirror positions vary, but is designed to prevent you from cutting up the vehicle you're overtaking.

What he said, including the rocking bit!! N from 2nd requires a gentle tap and is easier when rolling slowly to a stop. However, you ought to ideally have gone all the way down to 1st before stopping and then selecting N. This is the real world, though and some of us occasionally are cool enough to have the sidestand down as we stop, thus dismounting and switching off the engine all in one utterly cool manoeuvre..... Others of us feck up and drop the bike at rallies!!!! Seriously, though. Part of this is practice. If the problem is excessive, check the clutch cable adjustments against the manual. Check also that you have nice, new oil and that the sump is not overfilled - This is a common symptom that someone's been a numpty and put too much in. Don't worry, I have the T-shirt myself!!!!

If you have one, try a smaller independent key place. Often cheaper and more capable than the chain places!! Edit: Pop over here to Reading and enquire at the Key/Shoe place in the Broad Street Mall.

Age is not a factor - You can be a twat at any age. I stand by my rather extremist Jeremy Clarkson attitude toward HGV justice there, partly because I am aware of other drivers' blind spots. They actually teach this kind of thing on DAS, believe it or not. Awareness and Observation are two rather key factors in staying safe. I'll often blast ahead of a car on the motorway, even undertaking if neccesary, or drop back if they're passing but not doing it fast enough. A good pacifier is to offer a thumbs up or a wave to make sure you get eye contact. Another rider I know moves past, points to their car engine and gives a thumbs up. He doesn't give a shit, but they end up thinking, "Some nice biker approves of my choice of car". It doesn't really matter what they think, but that they see and acknowledge you. Might as well give them nice thoughts!!

Yes, it's viable. The 650 is only 40BHP anyway, so dropping down to 33 doesn't make much difference unless you're racing against an unrestricted 650. Cost is about £140 all in and can be done by any independant mechanic, so long as they supply official certification of the restriction. Incidentally, the 125 Drag is about 12BHP, so you will notice the difference when riding a 650. It won't blast away like a Hayabusa but, by comparison, it ain't slow!!! Slow control will be easier and cornering will feel more stable. However, you will miss out on being forced to time your manoeuvres and all the other subtle delights of owning a 125. If you do get a 650 and have never ridden anything larger than a 125, then take it easy. Small adjustments on the controls, eh!!

Local Uni is always a good place to start. Try Googling your area. Also - Make friends with a local mechanic.

Scottoiler is good for consistent, even lube of the chain. Chain..... errr, I always replaced mine either when the chain adjusters reach their limit marks, and/or when I replaced the sprockets. Sprockets - Look at the teeth. If they have a notably hooked appearance, then they are knackered. Very sure. I hate polishing chrome. Kinda odd for a Cruiser owner, I know.... Oh my fecky-me, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! It'll send you sliding into the road barrier, maybe....... I've not known anyone get a rusty brake disc. However, you can get proper brake disc cleaners, like my favoured Muc Off one.

No, no, no.... The dealer is always right and they have you by the balls, so shut up, go back to bed and do what they tell you. Or, if you're like me and deal in extremes..... Go down there, tell them what lying scum they are and demand that either they fix it or you'll get Trading Standards involved. There are several acts they have violated here and TS will get correct info direct from Yamaha. Many bikes have this 'fault'. I personally believe it's the rider getting used to the bike. I still sometimes mis-gear on my bike. It happens. But not to the extent you're experiencing. It is wrong - They have a duty to get it fixed. If they don't want to, there are powerful people you can call and I'm sure another Yamaha dealer will happily accept your custom!! I believe the warranty is with Yamaha, not a specific dealer. Again, Trading Standards can advise you best on this and their services are free.

Decent Lockies and cutting shops should be able to impression the lock and cut suitable keys without having to remove them at all. They do it with cars all the time. You can even make one yourself out of a hacksaw blade. Plenty of guides on the internet that explain how - They can then cut a proper one from that. Some locks have a code on them that can be used to form keys.

Should wear earplugs anyway. Or, as my missus does, an Ipod!!!

Same reason I bought mine!! Well, that, the fit and the price, TBH. Reasonable lids. Kinda noisy sometimes, but nice. I have the old 104-V2 model. Apparently the flips are noisier...

I could get 75mph out of mine. Overtakes are very possible, but the 125 Drag will train you to do it with timing, rather than relying on power - A very good habit for riding bigger bikes. I'd suggest not modding it as they keep their resale value and you'll want a big bike very soon. 125 to 650 is quite an easy transition.

WIRE WOOL??????!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Get a very soft, lint-free cloth. If you're lucky, the missus will provide you with an old t-shirt. Women usually have lovely soft cloth-garments.... Rub the Autosol in thoroughly and then polish away to a streak-free mirror shine!! You won't need much - Just a pea-sized amount for a whole exhaust muffler, maybe a touch more. Can't help you on chain lube, though - Mine's a shaft-drive, for that very 'easy and maintenance-free' reason I'm a lazy $&@~ and hate fecking about with chains all the time. Scottoilers can get a bit messy, but you just clean regularly. They are indeed very good and most people I know use 'em!!

Coz of them, people think Bikes are dangerous. Twats are dangerous!!!

You can spray it on anything, though I'd SERIOUSLY suggest masking stuff like tyres, brakes etc. It's a water displacement solution, which forms a protective barrier against road crap and salt. The crap sticks to the ACF layer, rather than your bike, thus helping to prevent corrosion. You coat the bike with it and then wash it off after winter. Personally, Id recommend washing the bike and re-applying at least once a month, maybe more if you've been on a particularly long journey through heavy road grit. As for existing rust - A full clean, followed by a lot of polishing with Autosol will take care of surface rust. Anything deeper (ie holes in yer pipes) and the part will possibly need replacing.

My other half rides her own bike, also an XVS650 Custom. She rides in high heels sometimes. Big her up if you want, girl power and all that. I think she's stupid. But it's her choice. For anyone else who rides in less than full kit, but "only on short trips, never on the motorway" or whatever other bollocks you care to try and justify it with.... Friend of mine was an advanced riding instructor. He had a false leg. He used to show it off as an example to his students. He crashed at just FIFTEEN miles an hour... and lost that leg. Doesn't matter how fast/slow you're going. Wear what you like - It's your choice. NO amount of thinking you're cool will save you if some other twat in a cage decides not to look....... Ride safe, Woody.

That needs a proper sparky to check over. I reckon your charging system is over-charging..... and clearly boiling your poor batteries!! This is not good. Get it checked out!!

What does the manual say?

Yeah, you can modify anything to be more powerful. Be advised that it's probably illegal, though. 125s are learner bikes for a reason. The 125 Drag is pretty good, even for lanky peeps like you and me. Long trips (like London to Cornwall) will take their toll on you, but you can still have a blast. Power-wise, again it will struggle to keep up with bigger bikes, but that's coz it's supposed to. Get one, love the freedom, get used to it, get good at riding, hate the lack of power, pass your test and get a 650!!!!!

Do some Google searching. That's where you find all the best deals. Should be able to find several XVS125s for less than £1500, even in the height of 'summer'. Never tried a 250, but I bet I could.

Pah, let them ride however they want. They'll crash, they'll die, Guv-mint'll ban bikes. Inevitable. Me, I'm gonna get a MASSIVE HGV and crash up all the cars who claim they can't see bikes!!

Use a metric feck-ton of ACF 50 or similar, else you'll be riding a bucket of rust come Spring!!!

Nah mate - We just refuel roughly every 120 miles. Zero your trip meter every refuel and away ya go!!

We had something like that where someone moved in next to a busy pub, then complained about people drunk late at night. The whole pub went round one night, somewhat sozzled, and basically said, "We were here first, feck off and move elsewhere!!". The people moved elsewhere.