Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

I've done some credit card tours around the Alps on an R6 with a Kriega US20 for luggage. If you are happy to pack light and expect it to be reliable then go for it. You'll be happy that you're on a sports bike when you hit the right roads.

Kriega's waistpacks are also really good for keeping a few valuables in and anything you need quick access to as well.

Sorry to hear that, inchpincher.

On an unrelated note, how feasible is it to get a full motorcycle licence if you don't have a driving licence? I do have a provisional though - I'm just not 100% certain if it is cat A or not...

I'd like to do a 5 day intensive course and direct access so I can just get on with it.

Agree on the Kriega packs, waterproof too.

Makes no difference. As a cyclist with road sense motorcycling isn't that much different.

Agreed, I've been all over Europe on a GSXR1000. Aside from the occasional numb bum, it was a joy.

+1 for Camrider, very good bunch of guys.

Yeah and I guess I'll never know until I get out there. I do like that idea of light touring for a first long distance jaunt and challenging yourself whilst not overdoing it. One way to look at it is the discomfort you'll experience on the bike is all forgiven for when you retire to a proper bed hopefully.

I was pretty comfortable really, the only thing I need is to straighten my legs out every now and then on a straight stretch of road. The limited tank range works in your favour in this regard too.

I did it that way round. Passed my bike test 6 years before my car test.

Your licence will list your provisional entitlements on the back.

Is anyone interested in a 125? Most probably for learning.

Fortunately/unfortunately my mate has passed his full licence and is now looking to sell my bike that I leant him while I'm away. I was secretly hoping he'd hang onto it until I got back.

He's probably going to trade it in, but in case he goes for a private sale I thought it was worth posting up here.

Details:

Derbi Mulhacean 125cc
C.4k on the clock
MOT/tax until Feb next year

Before I gave it to my mate I put a new battery in and Lynx kindly cleaned the filter and replaced the coolant... he may have well done a couple of other things, but shamefully I was beyond hungover at the time. It ran well and has got my mate to/from Kingston to Notting Hill most days this summer. Since my mate has been using it he has done the following:

• New Sprocket and chain
  
• New throttle cable
  
• New Clutch cable
  
• New rear brake calliper
  
• Serviced a couple of months back
  
  

All in all I think it's a great learners bike. It's got a practical high riding position for the city and is pretty nippy. Also although it's obviously not a 'big' bike it looks bigger and more proportioned than most 125s.

When I handed it over the main negative is that cosmetically the bike was a bit battered in places. I'm pretty sure most can be rectified, but if you're selling it within 6 months cause you've got your full licence you might not care that much.

One thing to add is that if you buy it and still have it in June next year I'll buy it off you.

Looks like this:

Any questions drop me a PM

Carb was cleaned too.

Going to try and ride some Green lanes tomorrow - anyone know of any good routes within 20miles of central London suitable for a beginner? I'd like to do the pilgrims way perhaps one day, I understand you're allowed to ride down quite a bit of it.

Popped both fork seals on the CR - motherfucker!

I hate doing fork seals. Think I'll probably just take the loose legs down the shop. Need to find someone to have them finished by wednesday though. Double arse.

Sure they are popped? Lots of people claim that cleaning the seals or getting them to re seat the lips of the seal and cleaning out any crud.

Should not be more than 2-3 hours, even with messing around. Less time if you use the self tapper in the seal trick.

Yeah - oil gupping out of both. With all the running around to get oil and seals, probably easier to let the shop do them. A friend recommended fitting neoprene sheaths to the fork legs so might do that.

If it is mud and dirt then maybe cheap gators would be better as the neoprene seems to hold grit and water in a nice grinding paste.

This sort of thing the neoprene sheathes seem better for the rear shocks as it encase the open spring so the inner rod and seals are kept dry and paste free.

Yeah, it's mostly dry dust and sand here so I might leave them off altogether. Bike had been unused for a bit before I got it, most likely they'd just got a bit old / brittle.

Oh and short rant on US mechanics...has no one here heard of torque wrenchs / Loctite? Everything is done up GORILLA tight...nearly bust a blood vessel undoing the front axle....Christ!

Oh you didn't say that...yeah it is your fault for not lubricating them ;)

Yeah noticed that on cars inported fro dry states I always thought it was corrosion of some sort not ham fistedness.

Finally gave in and bought a ktm. Been an itch since i saw the first duke. Got a 690 sm with single akra pipe at a good price on the bay. Saw someone else post about getting a supermoto a page or so back, will let you know how it is when i sort out insurance - and it stops raining.

Rode it about 1k when i got it and locked the rear riding it back into my street in the dry. Engine braking on a big single might take a bit of getting used to...

Feels like a rocket powered bmx. Got a bit of commuting to do next month and it should do about 60 mpg, i'm trying to convince myself it was actually a sensible buy given what i need it for. Got a fully comp quote of 120 quid as well which seems pretty mad. Like I said, a sensible buy.

Now just need to clean out the carbs and get the cb750 running , it's been standing for about 2 years, so i can sell it. Though as soon as it runs i'll want to keep it. Must resist.

B.

There are two schools of thought with a KTM, one it that it will explode expensively and the other that it will bring out the inner retard. KTM singles are known as super retard bikes. From experience, loads of fun wheelie and stoppie at a whim. The bikes need a bit more care than normal but lots of fun. Off roaders are different to ride than road bikes, but once you are used to them the are a scream.

Oh and yes imagine a bmx that you don't have to make the brum brum noise ;) Enjoy

Most serious owners I knew had 2 KTM's, one for spares. They do have a hooligan rep. Used see quite a few rolling stoppies through speed traps in London.

I think the recent ones have improved quite a bit. There's quite a few that come up for sale with 20k on them. Of course, could be the 3rd engine.... The 690 is definitely a whole lot smoother than my mates 640 but then thats all relative.

My legs are pretty long and i find the seating position much better than any of the more sensible bikes i've had. I used to get cramp in my hip after about 30 mins but the ktm feels much better.

We'll see.

B.

I think the 690 engines are pretty solid. The pukka supermoto KTMs definitely had a rep for being grenades. Weirdly the 2 strokes seem to be mega reliable? Dead cool bikes though, I'd have something from the Orange locker given half a chance.

Epic bike racing:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBjlGsq_sf8