The Bikeshite Thread

[hairnet]

On 1/9/2023 at 3:43 PM, tom13 said:

 

I would love a CT. Are these 110cc?

i know where theres one

 

[tom13]

49 minutes ago, hairnet said:

i know where theres one

 

You aren't selling yours after all the hassle are you. Keeping seeing that chap from Dorothy's speed shop talking about them ha. 

[UltraWomble]

14 hours ago, hairnet said:

i know where theres one

 

Selling yours Hairnet?

[hairnet]

Possibly

[LightBulbFun]

34 minutes ago, hairnet said:

Possibly

@Dave_Q wanna go half and half just so we can register the thing already and finally be able to sleep at night?

 

[Dave_Q]

@hairnet PM me hun with some figures. 

I almost certainly can't afford it / will lose testes but I am also well moist for it so who knows.

[hairnet]

less than the one at the top of the list on ebay

 

[Jerzy Woking]

On 1/10/2023 at 5:22 PM, martc said:

Thanks, I hope I enjoy it as well... range anxiety has already kicked in...

My commute is 45 miles each way but not at motorway speeds - mainly 50-60 mph with some urban sprawl. The Zero staff at the NEC and the salesmen are absolutely certain it will do this easily but the proof of the pudding etc etc.

I've paid extra for the upgrade to 17.3 kWh battery capacity which, according to Zero, will give a 'combined' range of 120 miles, I'm not a fast rider, happy to keep at the speed limits, and will, at least at the start, be running it in eco mode. I had similar anxieties with the electric car but after a year I'm pretty relaxed about it's range. It'll just be a case of getting used to it and knowing how to use the performance.

The SR has a smaller battery than the SR/F, SR/S or DS but also a less powerful motor (75 bhp vs 105 bhp (I think)) which not only makes it cheaper but the lower power engine should help with the range.

An extra power pack, adding 3 or 4 more kWh, can be added as an extra, although you lose the storage space in the 'tank'. I could resort to if I need (ie if I have to do 30mph to cover the 90 miles!).  But the kind people at English Electric Motorbikes are convinced I won't need it rather than spend more money with them!

 

 

I misfuelled my Honda today-put diesel in it. First time I have done that in over 50 years of riding. Massive inconvenience too.

Maybe it's God's way of telling me to go electric?

[hairnet]

1 hour ago, Jerzy Woking said:

 

Maybe it's God's way of telling me to go electric?

specsavers.es

 

[straightSix]

Only just discovered this thread. Anyway, I've done my CBT and got myself a 125 to ride around a bit and am starting to look at getting all the safety gear. How the hell are you supposed to work out what's good or not? Most reviews for helmets say things like "good value" or "looks nice" but I want to know it's going to protect my head should the worst happen. Going to get to a shop to try helmets on obviously but looking at an AGV K6, are these any good? What about gloves and jackets? Budgeting about £50 for gloves and probably a second hand jacket. Are the Kevlar jeans any good or should I get leathers? Bit overwhelmed with the choices so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[tom13]

16 hours ago, straightSix said:

Only just discovered this thread. Anyway, I've done my CBT and got myself a 125 to ride around a bit and am starting to look at getting all the safety gear. How the hell are you supposed to work out what's good or not? Most reviews for helmets say things like "good value" or "looks nice" but I want to know it's going to protect my head should the worst happen. Going to get to a shop to try helmets on obviously but looking at an AGV K6, are these any good? What about gloves and jackets? Budgeting about £50 for gloves and probably a second hand jacket. Are the Kevlar jeans any good or should I get leathers? Bit overwhelmed with the choices so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Helmets are all designed to meet a certain criteria so any of them are safe to use and should perform well in a crash. The more you spend the safer they get though they also get more features like better ventilation, weight reduction, better visors etc. 

Get one from one of the big brands and you will be fine. I had a k series agv and it was really good. When I got my arai though it was honestly way better in terms of fit and comfort. It's all down to what you want to spend.

50 will get you a decent set of gloves. Second hand jacket will be fine, just make sure the armour is still in it, as will Kevlar jeans.

 

[New POD]

2 minutes ago, tom13 said:

Helmets are all designed to meet a certain criteria so any of them are safe to use and should perform well in a crash. The more you spend the safer they get though they also get more features like better ventilation, weight reduction, better visors etc. 

Get one from one of the big brands and you will be fine. I had a k series agv and it was really good. When I got my arai though it was honestly way better in terms of fit and comfort. It's all down to what you want to spend.

50 will get you a decent set of gloves. Second hand jacket will be fine, just make sure the armour is still in it, as will Kevlar jeans.

 

https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/helmets/agv-gp-tech/

Or you could get the facts on every helmet sold and make an informed choice. 

You ain't wrong though, the more expensive the helmet, the more likely it is to have 5 stars 

[New POD]

16 hours ago, straightSix said:

Only just discovered this thread. Anyway, I've done my CBT and got myself a 125 to ride around a bit and am starting to look at getting all the safety gear. How the hell are you supposed to work out what's good or not? Most reviews for helmets say things like "good value" or "looks nice" but I want to know it's going to protect my head should the worst happen. Going to get to a shop to try helmets on obviously but looking at an AGV K6, are these any good? What about gloves and jackets? Budgeting about £50 for gloves and probably a second hand jacket. Are the Kevlar jeans any good or should I get leathers? Bit overwhelmed with the choices so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/helmets/agv-k6/ 

If it fits it looks good. 

https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/get-the-right-fit/

[Iamgroot]

You can get a very safe helmet for not much money, open two tabs and have the sharp 5* list in one and Google the helmets in another and you will be amazed.

The biggest things I have found that you get as you spend more on helmets are weight reduction and noise reduction in my experience.

Whatever helmet you do buy, I would say get one with a visor that accepts a pinlock insert, it changed my world, no more steamy visors with the pinlock fitted.

Also, a lot of manufacturers use two "shell" sizes, a smaller one for smaller size heads and a larger one,  if you are lucky enough to be able to get the smaller shell size it will make your head a smaller target for wind, obviously this depends on your head size and the manufacturer's change over point, my friend took advantage of this by changing manufacturer and says it made a big difference to him, sadly I'm genetically 87% Klingon so I will never get my in a smaller shell size even without the padding 😕

[Barry Cade]

I'd say forget the make and just try on as many as you can and get one that's comfortable, and most importantly, fits properly. Too many people are either brand snobs, or worry about the looks. I do like AGV helmets though,  good quality and they fit me well. I remember years ago, I decided to spend a bit on a helmet and always wanted a Roof Boxer. Bright red to match my BMW... ordered it online and got it a few days later. Stuck it on my head , flipped the front down and it squashed my nose. Gutted. I've got an LS2 now which is about 3 years old and I like it a lot, but its getting to the point it needs replaced so I'll be shopping myself soon. I also really liked a Caberg I had, but it was matt grey.. the bugs really made a mess of that. 

Think about the strap too, if you want D rings or a clip type. 

I use kevlar jeans and just carry waterproof trousers under the seat, have a long and short textile jacket and winter and summer gloves. Try and find a jacket with a zip in liner. Heat in summer can be just as bad as cold in winter. 

[Barry Cade]

I'm usually not bothered about the latest and newest bikes, nothing nowadays really does it for me, until this came along.. really really like it. Never had a Guzzi yet!

[MiniMinorMk3]

If anyone is looking for a Velosolex or an old British lightweight bike then you might want to check out Spicers auction next Saturday.

Spicers | Upcoming Auctions | The Graham Atha Motorcycle Collection, Over 60 Motorcycles, Mopeds And... (spicersauctioneers.com)

There's even one of these up for sale

[hairnet]

12 hours ago, Iamgroot said:

 

sadly I'm genetically 87% Klingon/mekon/tefal so I will never get my in a smaller shell size 😕

have that trouble too - 64 and can only be japanese - all italian and most cheap charile lids have been no go - agv i thought might have been a goer as always wanted rossi rep

even their biggest xxl wouldnt fit - prolly most other mfrs large

*cries into arrabiata and canneloni

[Iamgroot]

38 minutes ago, hairnet said:

have that trouble too - 64 and can only be japanese - all italian and most cheap charile lids have been no go - agv i thought might have been a goer as always wanted rossi rep

even their biggest xxl wouldnt fit - prolly most other mfrs large

*cries into arrabiata and canneloni

MT helmets can be had with a 5* sharp rating for not much money and fit our "prize winning" Swedes, quite light, sadly quite noisy, but good for big heads with big noses and small wallets.

[hairnet]

looking at new hornet saw this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275623481349?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true

ooh mama

[Dave_Q]

Quote

Unfortunately despite my best efforts I’m fully prepared for this listing to attract all sorts of chavs and loons.

He wasn't wrong 

[hairnet]

20 minutes ago, Dave_Q said:

He wasn't wrong 

100%

[Cavcraft]

You don't need a clutch or a big engine to have fun, it transpires.

After some further adventures later this year, it might end up with a slightly bigger Lifan semi-auto (this is a 12V C90 engine) but the brakes are absolutely bollocks as it is, so maybe not. It also requires some stronger back shocks, as it's quite 'bottom outy'.

To try and help the lack of power, it jettisoned an exhaust mounting bolt today.  Probably not been serviced since the year dot, either.   

[Iamgroot]

Great bike for not much money that!

[catsinthewelder]

I'd forgotten about this thread, but just caught up on the last 10 pages.  I bought a Keeway Superlight off Billy over Xmas and have a CBT booked for Friday.

Just got to make it oil tight and a couple more minor jobs before it can be MOTed.  3 other lads from work have bought 125s this weekend (1 Honda and 2 Sinnis') and the boss has hopefully bought the forfeit bike (pink Wangye scooter) ready to ride to Lands End, then John O Groat's then back to Ludlow.

Plan is to raise a bit for Help the Heroes along the way.

[Iamgroot]

That's where it went! Well done mate, that's a fair Trek on a Chinese 125, hat's off to you

[Cavcraft]

Good luck Friday, Rich!

[Saabnut]

Good luck with the CBT and when you do the run if assistance is required.... I am a fair bit off the direct route but a lot closer to JOG than Ludlow is!

[catsinthewelder]

That's a very kind offer Nick, we are fairly prepared.  One of the lads who retired last year is going to come too in a van with a pink Chinese scooter in the back much like the Beetle nobody wants to end up in on Top Gear adventures.

Though saying that knowing there's a workshop with all the tools up there could be very useful if we snap a swingarm or something similar.

 Just did insurance quotes, one company can cover it for £71, £111 or £118 depending on cover level.  Would anyone like to guess which price is fully comp?

[5speedracer]

On 1/14/2023 at 1:51 PM, Barry Cade said:

I'd say forget the make and just try on as many as you can and get one that's comfortable, and most importantly, fits properly. Too many people are either brand snobs, or worry about the looks. I do like AGV helmets though,  good quality and they fit me well. I remember years ago, I decided to spend a bit on a helmet and always wanted a Roof Boxer. Bright red to match my BMW... ordered it online and got it a few days later. Stuck it on my head , flipped the front down and it squashed my nose. Gutted. I've got an LS2 now which is about 3 years old and I like it a lot, but its getting to the point it needs replaced so I'll be shopping myself soon. I also really liked a Caberg I had, but it was matt grey.. the bugs really made a mess of that. 

Think about the strap too, if you want D rings or a clip type. 

I use kevlar jeans and just carry waterproof trousers under the seat, have a long and short textile jacket and winter and summer gloves. Try and find a jacket with a zip in liner. Heat in summer can be just as bad as cold in winter. 

@straightSix Agree with Barry Cade on an LS2 helmet, superb value and comfort. Get a flip front so ne need to remove for petrol stations etc. £120 for this one  LS2 Scope - Solid Matt Black - FREE UK DELIVERY (sportsbikeshop.co.uk). I'm a M head, 57-58cm with a decent nose on me and have no issues at all and the internal visor works with my specs too.

For general motorcycling go for textile jacket and jeans preferably waterproof. Sportsbike shop do a decent range and again for value and quality I find Oxford clothing hard to beat Oxford Textile Jackets - FREE UK DELIVERY (sportsbikeshop.co.uk). You should be clad in decent waterproof gear for under £400. Keeping dry and warm makes a massive difference to your enjoyment, possibly even more than the choice of bike*