clarke

I know my current insurance company checked my no claims electronically with other insurance companies...

Extra storage... I could have done with the ability to take more stuff when I went to Germany the other year, you don't get much on the bike for 2 people for 2 weeks. I could have gone in the car but it's not as good as the bike + once you stop you can leave the trailer behind and go for a rides.

I'd have suggested similar to you two: hairdryer, dental floss to 'slice' it off, white spirit to clean

I'd like to think Mr Plod or your insurance company would believe you, but alas we all know they won't. They'll say "Where's your certificate?" you'll reply "I don't have one", then they'll say "no certificate, no restriction" Whilst you might be able to eventually prove the bike is restricted it'll be more hassle than pulling out a piece of paper...

You need to buy a restricter kit but I believe only the trade can order them? http://www.fiinternational.com/ When the dealer installs the restrictor kit they complete a certificate to say its been restricted. You need to do what I did and haggle the restriction kit into the deal AND get them to agree to remove it for free when its up [mine agreed to the latter if it was done as part of the service] You may be able to source a second hand restrictor kit in which case there are installation instructions on the above site, but you won't get a certificate and the onus will be on you to prove its been restricted correctly if questioned.

Having had the Yammy XVS125 Dragstar and the Honda VT125 Shadow at the same time, I'd consider getting the Shadow if you're looking for a 2nd 125 cruiser. Whilst the Yammy looks better, the Shadow has more HP (and so pulls better on the hills) plus it has less chrome so is easier to keep clean. You can even get a new one (pre-registered) from Padgetts motorcycles http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200830315238620/sort/priceasc/usedbikes/cc-to/125cc/model/vt/make/honda/postcode/ls83dp/radius/60/page/1?logcode=p if you want to spend that kind of money... I believe many of the 125 Cruisers stopped being made when the new EU emissions rules came in in 2009 (It happened with the 1300 Shadow too). Alternatively if you want something to run about in the rain etc why not consider a different style of bike such as a YBR125 or a Suzuki Van Van 125 and keep your XVS for when the weather's nice? I rode a Van Van for a while last winter and it was fine.

Phil, if you get one made maybe it could be similar to this design? http://www.mchitch.c...V-Star_1300.htm -- it seems to be popular with the US riders

Hey Phil & Happy New Year to you too. I'm also considering a trailer as the other half seemed to want to take her wardrobe with us when we went to Germany. I have no idea if there is a hitch manufacturer in the UK - I did a very quick google search and didn't see any, but I wonder if these guys would make one for you? http://www.mono-trail.co.uk/ - they do say they can custom build hitches for any bike to fit their trailers. (I happen to like their trailers but they're not cheap...) One other thought could be to plagerise a US companies hitch and ask a local welder to manufacture you one?? I had a local welder make my luggage rack on the 1300 for my trunk. Let me know how you get on + good luck Take it easy Graham

You could get a 1200 restricted to 33bhp... (I did it to my 1300) I've got a 2001 600cc Fazer which is a great bike and can recommend them [though am thinking of selling it for a car (hang my head in shame )]. I also looked at the Bandit and was told they're bulletproof and will last and last. Good luck Graham

Hey Bulldog, I'm not sure whether this will answer your question directly, but hope it helps... The easiest way to tell a 'new' 2011 model is the headlight housing is chrome (the previous versions were colour matched to the bike), the frame is gloss black (previously matt black) and the handlebars have more pull back. As for the other give aways, black is available every year so is no help. I've read elsewhere the colours go as follows: 2007 - Galaxy Blue and Candy (Bright) red 2008 - Black Cherry (dark red/maroon) possibly silver 2009 - Black, possibly white 2010 - black I've put 'possibly' colours as I don't think Yamaha UK offered those here so they may be imports, however the info was here http://vstar1300.pbworks.com/w/page/5760711/Paint%20and%20Decals so I listed it. The biggest guage to it would be price as a new one is listed for around £8,300 so the unregistered ones may be offered cheaper than this? One last thing to look for is the clutch cable at the lever. If there's a big adjuster next to it then you're looking at a bike that was manufactured after 2008, the 2007 models have their adjuster (engine side clutch adjuster) behind the neck on the bike and there's a tendancy for the cable to fray there. Also the 2007 models have a clutch rattle issue that was addressed 2008 onwards... Hope that helps + good luck Graham

I had 'passing lamps' installed on my 1300 when I bought it. The dealer had wired them up to be on with the main beam, but that was a bit pointless as the main beam turns night into day...! I've since wired them to be on with the dip (normal) light so they're on all the time. The lamps do have a switch on the side of them but its a bit of a stretch to reach whilst ridding so at some point I plan on wiring a switch to the handlebars. Are you installing them on your 125 or 750? I imagine battery drain will be more noticable on the 125.

Well, I still haven't got mine back yet but can't say I'm in any rush at the moment with the recent weather - its bad enough on the Fazer + all that cleaning I'll have to do! According to the info from the U.S. its only the fuel hoses that get changed which Yammy is allocating 2 hours to do.

I haven't fitted a fuel processor & it runs fine (I do have the O2 mod though). I read on another forum that the onboard processor can compensate for slip-ons, though if you alter the air intake as well then the bike would benefit from a new processor (I haven't touched the air intake...)

Hey there ThaOldMan, welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've been busy! I have absolutely no idea in relation to your question, but maybe someone here can help? Failing that, check out this 650 website http://forums.delphi...com/sgmfa/start. You may fine the Webpage tab at the top of that forum useful? Happy Riding Graham

No problem + glad its getting sorted. Guess given its a Yammy manufacturing fault Yammy have to correct it regardless of whether its an import or not?? I dropped my bike off Monday 21st + its still in the shop. I dropped it off before the dealer had the parts, but he said its about a 2hr job and you get a new fuel injectoor and some new seals...

Hey Eggar, the $305 included shipping ($210.00 exhaust + $95.00 shipping = approx £195.40). It's really easy to order, but I'd send Shane an email first Contactssc​[email protected]​m just to check he has them in stock (loads of people pre-ordered them), shipping rates etc haven't changed... I ordered through SS Custom's website https://sscustom.startlogic.com/shop/order.shtml, I paid on a credit card which gives more protection than if you use a debit card. I cannot recommend Shane highly enough + have bought from him on numerous occasions. UK dealers will have you believe that its really hard to order from the US, but it isn't and you can get most things much much cheaper that way (eg I bought the saddlebags for around £600 delivered, whereas they cost £1000 in UK when I bought them). I believe Midnight61 bought an exhaust and fuel processor [delivered] from the US cheaper than what the exhaust alone cost in the UK. Shane posted it on 04 November, it was in UK Customs on 09 November, cleared customs on 15 November and I collected it on 18 November from a Royal Mail Centre, where I had to pay £38.20 VAT (no import duty) and Royal Mail's £13:50 handleing fee (£51.70). Hope that helps. Graham

I know in the U.S. many many people go up one size on the XVS1300, from a 170-70-16 tyre to a 180-70-16 & all riders who do say it offers much better performance. One tyre manufacturer, Metzeler, even list their 180 tyre as a "Stage 1 upgrade" meaning it is recommended for use on stock rims... (Heck, some over there ever use car tyres at 200 wide on the stock rim). However, (and there's always a 'however') Metzeler UK say they cannot recommend their 180 tyre in the UK due to different regulations and actively advise against it. Someone else queried whether this would have implications with their insurance & their insurance company stated they'd have to re-quote and the indication was they might not be able to offer cover... but this is something you'd have to check out yourself

Got this recently - man its LOUD (not as loud as Midnight61's exhaust though...) approx $305 + £50 VAT & Royal Mail charges, from http://www.sscustomcycle.com/ Here it is next to the stock (stock on the bottom)

Glad to hear the tyre's ok, am hoping Avon are true to their word and bring out a rear radial in our size (they already do a front tyre) The bike's now in the shop - was told I get a new fuel injector and seal rings (or something like that)... in no rush to get it back to be honest as it'll likely sit in the garage now until March

Glad to hear - I thought my eyes had gone...

My dealer lied to me when I bought it, they claimed it was made in 08 but it's clearly an 07 model, hence the fuel pipe issue, the dodgey clutch cable, the bright red colour and the knocking noise I've heard twice (possibly clutch issue that Yammy fixes in the US but won't do anyhing about here). I'm sure yours won't catch fire... how you finding the new tyre?

Got a letter from Yamaha + call from dealer about this today. Yamaha is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 XVS95/CY (V Star 950/V Star 950 Tourer) motorcycles, manufactured from October 2008 through August 2011, and model year 2007 XVS1300/CT (V Star 1300/V Star Tourer) motorcycles, manufactured from August 2006 through March 2007. There may not be a proper seal between the fuel pipes for the fuel injectors and the fuel hose that connects them due to an improperly molded fuel hose. Consequence: Over time, pressurized fuel can begin leaking at the hose connection points, which could result in a fire hazard. Remedy: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe free of charge. The Safety Recall is expected to begin on or before November 11, 2011. Any concerns check with your dealer. Mine's booked in for Friday... Graham

That'll teach me to link before reading [i'd change the title if I could...] Still 51 week suspended prison sentance for 2 years, banned for 5 years, 150 hours community service, 10 points on his licence (does that start from now or when his ban is up?) and bike confiscated... Plus imagine his insurance premiums when he can ride again!!!

Be careful what you post you could end up in prison http://www.bbc.co.uk...-herts-15572769 (if you ride like a nob you deserve it!)

No... the distance you travelled is somewhat immaterial as the bike would try to right itself but the hole made you come off [unless you went stupid distance for the speed limit!]. You may feel you were going too fast but you probably weren't - more likely you're over thinking what happened and blaming yourself rather than just looking accepting that the massive hole you hit knocked you off. As said above consult a solicitor - there are plenty of no win no fee one's (just make sure they get their fees off the other party rather than from any compensation).