bippo

Thanks for that Cynic. I am going to continue practicing. I believe I'm doing the upshifts now without any adverse effect - it's incredibly smooth and I'm not hearing any peculiar noises or clunking when doing it. The gear lever always moves freely when I do that. Even when using the clutch I am gentle with the lever and never force it into the next. I haven't yet practiced the downshifts again, but as you say I need to be going a little slower, as the times I've tried the gear lever hasn't wanted to move so I've not forced it and just carried on using the clutch. I'm off work tomorrow, I'll be cleaning the bike and giving it a general once over so will have a little practice when I head out for a ride afterwards! I just want to know how to do it, I've needed it in a crappy old car before, so you never know. My dad was a lorry driver and taught me. I understand the concept, just need to bring my revs down and hopefully the downshifts will be as easy as the upshifts! Funnily enough this was incredibly easy on my YBR, or maybe that was because the gearbox had no feel... I'm still so new to all this biking malark...! Thanks again.

I'm with Slice on this one. However amusing some of the other suggestions have been, you'd be more than stupid to do anything other than follow protocol. Boring I know, but I guess that's why I work for a law firm...! You have mentioned how you've worked hard to get where you are in your career, so engage your brain before you do anything that will jeopardise that. Of course, this may have been easier to resolve if you confronted him about a year ago when all this started - not really sure why you allowed it to go in that long, but each to their own I guess.

Good one Rob, enjoy it. The YBR can be a little funky with 1st to 2nd - however, from experience mine was fine after the initial service. As a result, I can only suggest that you run it in properly, and make sure you get that first service done. I've seen many people complain about it falling into neutral, but I'd question whether they (or the bikes previous owner) ran it in properly. If, during that run-in period you find yourself pulling away from lights and struggling with 2nd, I personally found that bringing it up to 7000rpm then changing into 2nd got around the whole false neutral. But as said, if yours is like mine, after that service the gearbox should be lovely. They are great little bikes so enjoy yourself out there and stay safe.

That's cool advice, thanks guys. I'm not opposed to using a clutch (otherwise I'd have a moped), but I've seen it mentioned on here a few times. I also needed to use it once in a crappy old car of mine when the clutch gave out. Managed to bring the car into the town where I live before I stalled the damn thing, so think it's useful to know. I'm going to continue practicing the downshifts as I'd like to understand how to do it - I'll try going a lot slower than I think Noise! Regarding up shifts, so far I've practiced it when I've been alone on quiet A or B roads - it won't be replacing my normal riding, but it'll be good to know I can do it. I just want to make sure it's not doing anything worrying to the bike.

I managed 1st and 2nd! Woot!

Hope I'm posting this in the right area... So, I'm looking for some advice from you knowledgeable bunch. Basically, I've been messing about with clutchless shifting on my Tiger. I'm able to upshift through the gears smoothly and faster than using the clutch. However, I was wondering a couple of things: 1. I read on the net about people saying not to clutchless shift between 1st and 2nd. Is there any reason for this? 2. Does this method cause any problems long term? I know everything wears over time, but is it damaging the transmission prematurely in anyway? I'm reading a lot of "for and against" which is just confusing me somewhat. 3. Should I even be getting into the habit of doing this or am I picking up a bad habit? I'm not opposed to using the clutch at all, just found it fun learning this! Regarding down-shifting, well I'm struggling with that one - is anyone able to give me any tips as I'd like to understand the technique. Thanks in advance.

Trust me Slice, there is no digging myself out of that hole...!

What can I say Slice - I was smittened after seeing his helmet for the first time... Yep... I really did just go there... I'm actually ashamed of myself...!

Well done you! Let is all know when you're going - and definitely share pictures! Depending on when you go, I may well head up there at the same time and camp nearby. Really I'm just using you as an excuse to disappear away on my bike!

Well you know Foamy, I've been waiting for you to contact me, but you've been worryingly quiet... Anyway, am I right in understanding you have a new lady friend to keep you occupied these days?

In which case just go down the padlock route. Perhaps a little tedious, but it'll save you confronting him. Then if he does still wish to rummage through your bag, it'll require him breaking your property.

Do you not have lockers then? It is fucking odd that he does that, if this was done to my property, I would of had a serious word with them by now. Easy solution would be to get a little padlock. You'll have peace of mind, and he'll know you've cottoned on to him. Problem solved. Failing that, just have a civilised word with the guy, he must be a retard for behaving like a schoolyard kids. It doesn't make any sense.

HA HA HA HA!

Put it on eBay, buy Foamy a bottle of the good stuff, and watch the money flood in... Plan, Batman.

Congratulations to her, but also to you for a stunning Movember attempt.

Work... :-( But it was a good excuse to ride down! Plus I'm from Windsor originally, so get to see my family.

Ditto...

I'm down near Reading at the moment matey so just shout if you want a hand with anything.

Jeez, sorry to hear that Tasky, hope you aren't suffering too much.

I do, just acoustic though.

Sweet, not long for you to wait now! Get that insurance sorted pronto now you have the reg so you don't delay collection from your end. Bet you can't wait. I just have the standard Tiger 800, so not the XC model. That one is too tall me, plus the additional cost seems a tad pointless to justify when I personally won't be going off-road. I've taken mine down some light trails with luggage and it handled more than well enough for me!

Every engine is different Grouch, it'll be detailed in your service manual once you pick it up. My Tiger for example had a phased run-in when the maximum number of revs increased incrementally over the 1st 1000 miles. Your first service will be cheaper because it's covered in the sale of the bike. Think my YBR cost me about a tenner. They don't just change the oil, they give it a general once over, checking a few other points. If you're looking at selling the bike in the future, just swallow the small cost and take it to the dealer so it has a nice full service history. Will help a lot when it comes to selling a 125 in this market. I'm also assuming you purchased this bike from an authorised Yammy dealer? In which case they'll put good quality oil in it so again, don't worry about that.

Yeah, they should detail out what the services are and their charges inc. labour rates. The first service is usually as cheap as chips if you take it back to them. They also gave me 10% off a decent bike cover, Oxford chain and Oxford disc lock. They even chucked in a free can of ACF50, Yamlube and a few earplugs because I mentioned about trying them. All-in-all I walked out of the joint feeling pretty sweet. Had I not already bought a helmet, jacket and gloves etc they would have also been reduced too.

Thanks! I want to do one of the Iron Butt rides next year, so need to build up my stamina. Ended up with a free day so took the opportunity to just ride, and ride, and ride... ha ha! It was a tiring experience, encountered some black ice over the hills first thing in the morning, but had a grin on my face the whole time!

It sure is great riding on a calm, clear, cold day - I love this time of year when we get those kind of days! I did a 600 mile ride last Sunday, weather couldn't have been any better, although I was struggling on the motorway while making my way back home. I got home shortly before midnight and was freezing, serves me right for being ill-prepared! So this weekend was spent cleaning up the bike in prep for winter and buying a few more layers. Clothing was washed and re-waterproofed a couple of weekends ago. Bring on winter is what I say...!