Mallory1

Hi All, I bought my 99 Fazer FZS 600 about a week ago and will be commuting about 30 miles daily on it - both dry & wet weather. I'm getting her serviced and suspect new tyres are needed due to tread wear. Any suggestions about what I should go for as I'm totally ignorant in this area. I'm also married with 4 hampsters so anything costing more than the price of a kidney is a non starter Cheers .

Absolutely! I'm sure the fine officers of the PSNI would calmy engage with tthem and use all their powers of persuasion to gently point out to them that they're being a slight nuisance and would be much better calming down and going home to watch some tv.

Baby monkey ...... baby monkey ...... oh, frig. Can't get it out of my head now. Thanks

And what ???? Whenever I get the magic "come upstairs" look from the wee woman, I'd leave these boys for dust .......

commuted daily on a 125 for ages before I got my Fazer 600. Understand the lack of poke thing only too well - friggin hated being overtaken by the world and his granny

welcome

It's only my personal experience but I thought the same when I started on my 125 - I commuted daily on it + I found the cumulative effect of wind noise did have a -ve effect. I've read some comments from much more experienced bikers singing the praises of earplugs and I have to say I've been won over myself. I find they give you a much more comfortable 'environment' when riding whilst also protecting your hearing. That said, if it's just a quick ride you're gonna be ok - I'm thinking more about long(ish) daily commutes. Also - one thing that I have learned recently (and I know this will be old news to many) is never to brake in a bend if I can help it. I've been really trying recently to brake / adopt road position / accelerate through & out of the corner.. This has made my riding so much safer & controlled.

XJ6 Diversion .... mmmmmm ........me wanty!! Welcome

Welcome wagy. My mate's first bike was a virago 125 - lovely looking bike that really didn't look like a 125 at all to most people. Hope the preparations go well and you fly through the test ... ride safe

we don't have the CBT here in N Ireland but a good friend is taking his road test this week and is understandably nervous- it really is a matter of confidence and reminding yourself that you are up to the job .... good luck!!

welcome & all the best with the direct access

welcome aboard

Welcome I initially commuted roughly tye same distance on a vara 125 and most recently on my Fazer600. I ride in all weathers except snow / ice. My personal tips would be: 1. Take time to ensure all your clothing is securely fastened etc before setting off (assuming it's fit for purpose) as a small gap can freece you to death after ten mins on a cold morning, 2. Use ear plugs - I didn't initially and I swear it was starting to affect my hearing. It's surprising how much you do get used to them and they make a long ride more comfortable. 3. No brainer - as Thumper600 rightly says above - keep her maintained. 4. Assume that all drivers never see you - and that on wet days, it's usually Rent-a-idiot week & they're all driving to the convention 5. Personally I invested in a Hein Gericke high vis jacket and I'm fairly convinced that it does raise your visibility to other road users - and thus your odds of getting a telegram from the Queen one day Ride safe. 5.

The tears were literally rolling down my face with this - nice one. Was trying to concentrate on what 'er indoors was saying before going to bed too - brownie points, nil!

would it be wrong to suggest sometimes ignorance is bliss?

Just wondering what etiquette you all adhere to when passing another human being on 2 wheels. I'm still amazed at the friendliness of some bikers who would acknowledge you in the midst of a force 10 gale while others give the impression you've kicked their cat, stolen their wallet and slept with their wife! And what about those mopeds ? Do they ignore us bikers out of fear or some odd inverted snobbery ????

Despite the bad press that Northern Ireland sadly gets, I commute every day by bike and rarely have problems filtering. Many drivers pull in ( I do think a lot of drivers like the friendly wave mike1949 is talking about - I know I did as a driver) At worse, the blind ones just remain stubbornly in the way. I did hit some fellas wing mirror a while ago when I was getting used to my new bike and honestly felt awful as I had to keep going on due to traffic (no damage done mind you to either bike / car) I hate the thought of adding to any -ve image of bikers in general. A friend of mine vividly remembers as a child sitting in the back seat of his dad's fiesta alongside his brother. His dad told the boys "wait 'till you see this" and proceeded to cut up a motorcyclist. He then sat on as his father came to a stop and watched the same biker dismount and walk back to his dad's car having reached the next set of red lights. With tears of laughter rolling down his face, my friend told me that all he remembers next is the biker tapping on the driver's window and a few moments later his dad turning round to him and his brother wearing what used to be an intact pair of horizontal glasses and having a face like a busted onion. Priceless.

welcome

Welcome my friend ... Max cc 150 ???? I've only just upgraded to my first 600cc bike after being terrorized by 80yr old speed demons on the motorway How do you cope ???? Oh wait ...... beautiful scenery , wonderful weather and no motorways. Ok ... you win

welcome

I note your interests ..... clearly a person of refined taste and high culture ))

Good advice ..... will do

Sad as this sounds, the bikes never really caught my eye. I always liked the gear - the jackets give you great shoulders and the helmet makes you feel like a spaceman Second to that, watching Long Way Round totally captivated me. Thirdly, watching bikers pass each morning in commuter hell while I sat in my comfy 2 litre TDi Skoda superb biting the steering wheel. That said, when I took the plunge and took lessons I knew I would either love bikes or loathe them ........ I still remember shouting "woo-hoo" in the sweaty helmet issued to me by my bike instructor as I hit warp factor 25mph on the wee Honda cg. I now commute every day by bike and my faithful but jilted Skoda sits faithfully in the drive praying for ice & snow.

Thanks PeterC. You live and learn I guess. That said, I'm getting the new bike serviced and the garage are going to waive the fitting cost of the kit while doing the service.

Thanks folks drewpy - I've only just noticed the YAMAHA 'letters' in your post - I think I've achieved the 'Y' a few times but the 'H' would be wishful thinking !!!!