Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Haha sick

There are some decent looking fairing kits for the grom that turn it into a mini sports bike

Best of luck 🤞

I know nothing about motorbikes, why are the two headlamps on this different?

Maybe one is dipped beam, the other full.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235107548926?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=X5XyWJtgTlq&sssrc=2051273&ssuid=X5XyWJtgTlq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Got this listed on eBay, happy to do a chunky LFGSS discount!

Anyone have any experience with Honda Pan Europeans? Quite fancy a leggy mk1 with matching panniers for not much money. Boy I must be getting old.

a mate of mine is on his second one i think - if you have any specific questions I can send them his way. I know he loves it for commuting on the a27, and that you shouldnt keep chewing gum in the cup holder thingy

I've had similar thoughts about early 2000s exec-barge BMWs... they're just so cheap and they must be a very pleasant way to cover distance!
This is in my local adverts for €2,500 with only 33,000m on it!

1 Attachment

What is a braided frame

Sounds like a translation issue...

Make sure they have the gearbox/rear diff recall. That is the major one I remember.

Did my advanced course on one, good bikes; handle well, quick enough and comfortable. Big old lumps though. Iirc they were susceptible to rust on swingarm/ shock area.

I’m also pondering an ST1100 or R1150RT for luxury motorway wafting.

I like ABS and the fact that it’s always disconnected on BMW’s puts me off. Love the electrically adjustable screen tho, and adjustable seat etc.

But the Pans look a bit nicer imho. Gold wheels FTW!

Hello, long time listener first time caller.

I’ve never ridden a motorbike but now want to get a full licence. I think the attached means I can ride a 50cc with no cbt/L plates/licence (left side) and have been able to since 2013 (and right hand side provisional means I can ride a 50cc with L plates and have been able to since 2000?)

I think I would just do a direct accesss course, so I could ride anything, and don’t have to go back, and then buy a 125cc to ride for a while until I can ride something bigger safely.

As far as I can tell I need to do my CBT, then theory and practical tests. Presumably it’s easier/better/quicker to go on a short term intensive course? I’ll just call up somewhere local but does anyone have any good suggestions / is there a better plan to get my licence or anything I should be aware of?

Thank you in advance 🙏

Edit: PS I’m 6’6” so what 125 will I look least stupid perched on?

1 Attachment

I had a test ride when the mk 1 was a new model. At the time it seemed characterless and car-like. But I'm older now so I would probably love it for being so relaxing. Brilliant fairing. Brisk acceleration with very modest engine vibes. It must be one of the least tiring bikes to do distance on.

It's obviously no Ninja 600, but like that it's not full Goldwing. I can't see it happening soon, as the CRF would have to go, and have never owned a practical bike which this definitely would be. The performance wouldn't bother me either, for once, all-day armchair comfort tho...

I’m 6’6” so what 125 will I look least stupid perched on?

None and if you do an intensive course right after your CBT, at no point will you be content on a 125 "for a while".
Skip it and get something bigger right away

What was your insurance like with this? Is it the one with all the storage space ever?
Finally - can anyone confirm if ULEZ compliant?

I’m 6’4” and felt comfortable on a Honda Varadero XL125 after doing a CBT. Though as folks say above, if you’re going straight to the big stuff, maybe hold off buying a 125 - could always rent one post-CBT to get a bit more time in the saddle if desired.

I never got round to doing a direct access course at the time… one of these days…

My insurance is about £130 a year, and yes this is the one with a huge storage space!

It is indeed ULEZ compliant.

ABS and the fact that it’s always disconnected on BMW’s puts me off

Do you mean disconnected? Or just the flashing light when you start the bike before the ABS has done a self-test?

The 1150 models have BMW ABS 2, which you could probably write a book about. Lots of people here must have their own experiences of it? IME it does work when you grab the brake too hard. Which can save your life in an emergency stop....so that ought to be the end of the matter.

The problem I have is that when I brake to a halt on an uneven surface at low speeds, the ABS sometimes gets confused and thinks the front tyre is about to skid, so it releases the brake. At a Give Way the surface is often worn and bumpy, so the ABS may send you out in front of oncoming traffic, completely out of control. Not funny. I wonder whether anyone's been killed by it? This is just my experience of ABS2 - I'd love to hear some other opinions.

I always get ABS 2 removed and tell myself to brake skilfully, and fit stainless hoses to give me more feel. Which might sound like a great solution if you're confident. But I doubt that many people can rely on it unless they get lots of practice braking to the limit. Which I definitely do not.

People who are very good on a track switch off ABS and all the other electronic aids even on the S1000, because if they practice the same corners again and again they can beat the computers. But IMO you have to be realistic about how crap your braking technique may be when you're an old git on the road and tired and thinking about something else.

Cos linked brakes sort of kill the feel and when the abs goes wrong it is very expensive to fix.

250/300 seem like a laugh.

Ron haslam race school used r125 for the first day.

Not sure about the average Joe being better than the computers. Then I've never liked the linked abs as fitted to many bikes.

What if you knew no better? As this is all you have ridden? H100 had shite brakes and terrible rubber.

CBT, then theory and practical tests.

Sort of. You can do the theory without a CBT, but I think you need a CBT to be able to do a direct access course. You need your theory before you can book your mod 1 & mod 2. For a direct access they'll take you out on a small bike first.

Tips:

1. Book your theory tonight
   
2. Download a theory test app that includes the hazard perception - there is a technique to doing it
   
3. See if you can find somewhere that does an intensive direct access with a CBT in one go.
   
4. Don't bother with a 125cc. Even if you want a smaller bike after passing your test you'd be better served by one of the A2 bikes or a 350cc or something.