Mark K

What got me into bikes? A cheap quick method to get from A to B thats far more economical than a car, quicker than a car through a city, costs nothing to park (in most cases) and gets me to work in just 10 minutes! I sold the car nearly a year ago and haven't regretted it in any way. Have now upgraded to something not quite so economical that puts more of a smile on my face instead... no regrets there either!

That first trip out on your own is one to remember, go somewhere nice, rather than sit in heavy traffic in the middle of a town somewhere. Go out on some quiet scenic route and just get used to it, enjoy it

My Fazer buzzes as exactly 6,000rpm as well. From what I've read most divvies and fazers do. It's almost exactly 70mph in 6th. Easy solution is to drop to 5th.

that is awesome, love it!

on a positive note.... guess who were back together last night... Pink Floyd! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13389333

Welcome to the club

Both versions are equally great, although the first is a tiny bit more entertaining

Sounds like a brilliant deal! Check the small print and take it if you see no problems. I'm switching from a YBR 125 to a Fazer FZS 600 myself tomorrow... insurance for my YBR was £159/year and has just over a month left to run. The Fazer was quoted at £201 at renewal from my existing insurer and only £20 to switch policies over until that date - bargain!

Michelin Pilot Sportys

brilliant!!

I use Hood Jeans), they cost about £80-£100 a pair and seem to be excellent quality, and they will do them in the length you ask for. Admittedly leather will always be the safer option, but I can wear these all day long without changing, they look like normal jeans.

I did South Wales to North Devon on my YBR last year, and the return trip a few days later. This a 200 mile trip each way. Encountered no problems whatsoever other than a sore backside. It even managed it on a single tank of fuel. By car (mostly motorway) you'd be looking at a little over 3 hours. By bike it was somewhere between 6 and 7 hours due to the fact you're on much smaller roads and have a top whack of about 60-65mph. Covered 70 miles on the Sunday just passed in a single trip, again not a single hiccup, and far far cheaper than going by car.

Which is exactly what happened to my first YBR ... Bike gone, I still have the front wheel!

I ride in all weather and all year round, and started off with a £60 spada textile jacket. I have now replaced this with a m-tech leather jacket. I find leather totally weatherproof (wind/rain) whereas the textile jacket would eventually soak through in the rain and make you cold and dripping wet. A major plus my leather jacket has (which you may also find in some textile jackets) is a zip out thermal liner so it's warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

It's not a new bike thing, mine's an early 09 model, and started squeaking about a month ago - and I can't find it either

Seems to be luck of the draw, I had an 08 YBR that would do 60-65mph without any problems, and has topped out at 72mph on a hill (with tail wind ) My current 09 YBR is like yours, will get to 55mph with ease but struggles to get past 60mph. Fastest I've ever had out of it is 67mph on a hill, so it is possible in the right places. On the plus side, the gearbox on the 09 model seems much much nicer than the 08 and rarely sticks. Just to add, I'm 6ft 3, 14st! They're not restricted, they're just not powerful, they're only 10BHP and learners can ride up to 14BHP 125's unrestricted. But at 100-120mpg I'm not complaining.

I hope those guys get paid well for doing that job, danger money!

Welcome to YOC! Hoping to take my test soon'ish as well, already done the theory test. Like you I've decided to wait at least until the sun comes out in spring when its a bit warmer and a lot less wet and windy.

Welcome to YOC! I love them too, on my second YBR now (first got stolen). In the 5,000 miles I've covered in the past 18 months the only problem I've had is the headlight bulb failing on both of them. The biggest drawback I've found is the british weather and how fast it changes, looked like a drowned rat when I got home yesterday as I hit a hail storm and went out without my waterproofs on!

My immediate thought would be to check the engine oil condition and levels, and check for binding brakes.

Well, ya definitely made me laugh, almost in tears there!

If he offers 50% I'd be tempted to take it. Next time though, wear gloves!

Good luck! I'm getting tempted to go for it myself, passed my theory 2 weeks ago and getting a bit twitchy now

Have you tried an oil change? The YBR is known for 1st / 2nd / neutral selection problems, particularly when cold or when changing down fast through the gears, the solution when it sticks being to declutch until you hear a "clunk" and re-clutch and knock it into the correct gear. My old YBR used to have this problem regularly and there was no way I found to prevent it. The current YBR I have almost never sticks between gears, could be luck of the draw but could easily be down to maintenance. The previous owner had looked after it well and maintained it properly - it was garaged, had never been out in the rain, and was totally immaculate when I bought it. The one time it started to stick on occasion since I've owned it, I gave it a full oil change and the problem went away immediately.

Welcome to the forum, a very nice introduction there. I've been on the road for about 15 months and so far the novelty hasn't worn off. Like yourself I was a car driver from the age of 17 but didn't move to 2 wheels until 34 years old - something I haven't regretted.