Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

How many different bikes have you ridden? Such as sports, tourer, dual sport. Also differing engine configurations such a single, twin, v twin both types triple, four, v4 and two and four strokes?

I understand it's modified to turn it into a long range tourer, but I can't really forgive them for turning a nice bike into such a monstrous eyesore. If they want to carry that much stuff, why not get a trailer, or a car?

I think the whole thing about going up through the ccs is bullshit, half promulgated by manufacturers as it helped them sell more bikes. I went from a 350YPVS to a TL1000S - probably a solid 75-80 HP between the two. Very nearly killed myself several times on it in the first year, but that was really nothing to do with not being an experienced rider, because I was. It was entirely to do with being 18yrs old and a complete twat.

Point being: if you're a safe, conservative rider on a 400, you'll be the same on a 1000. In fact, you'll probably be more so as it's so much faster.

If you're a conservative beginner, you'll be just as much at risk on both.

If you're a twat, nothing's going to change the way you ride other than the passage of time (even that doesn't always work.)

Bigben - you and I have shared a lot of bad metal.... :) I loved my CD200 though - you could get the pegs down, 2 up in the wet. No ground clearance whatsoever.

You're talking about going from one relatively fast bike to another though.
Going from 47bhp to 125bhp is a lot different than going from 11bhp.
I don't think anyone's a safe, conservative rider on a 125 for too long. Pretty soon you get used to constantly ragging the tits off it. You have to learn to be conservative all over again on a big bike.

Anybody got any recomendations for a screen to pop on my naked bandit to ease a long slog down some motorways?

.......

Ah the joy and bravery of youth....I believe you would be doing that with what ever you rode. Anyone who claims not to have done stupid things at that age is either lieing to themselves or had a boring time.

Anyway didn't the TL kill you? Ah you were safe as you weren't married as it was such a widow maker. ;)

Anybody got any recomendations for a screen to pop on my naked bandit to ease a long slog down some motorways?

Firstly have you tried sticking a soft ball between the clocks? That help to start with.

Had this on the bindit and other single headlamp bikes
http://files.bs-motoparts.eu/img/0/puig/cockpitverkleidungen/anbau-0869n.jpg

Which I then replaced with this and was a little better
http://www.motogm.com/GetImageDetail.aspx?Filename=/Foto/14019_fabbri_A133.png&text=1

Got this on the Duc's cos I like them, this is the latter surround as the earlier isn't as good looking. But this only fits the duc as the way it mounts on to the top yolk on the indicator mount. But is the best from experience.
http://www.ducati-motorcycle-parts.com/Images/products/Acc-Catalog/126-136/Ducati-Monster-Fiberglass-Headlight-Fairing-69921141AA-AC-AF-AH.jpg

You're talking about going from one relatively fast bike to another though.
Going from 47bhp to 125bhp is a lot different than going from 11bhp.
I don't think anyone's a safe, conservative rider on a 125 for too long. Pretty soon you get used to constantly ragging the tits off it. You have to learn to be conservative all over again on a big bike.

I experienced vespas and modifying so, am different to you lot. I also didn't have to wear a helmet which makes things feel really faster, IMO.

I found bigger CC bikes were more stable than the smaller bikes but then I didn't have bikes for 10 years as I couldn't get insurance as I rode bikes on my italian licence not my GB one.

love this

1 Attachment

Want a go on an F2 sidecar?

lynx, i reckon you could make it happen as well. and as the thought of whizzing round a track that close to the ground dawns on me, i dont mind admitting i'm too much of a scaredy cat for it :-)

at the moment at least.

Someone I know is looking for a passenger/pillion and he mentioned the manx too.

Theory test booked. I think I'll ride a 125cc for a little while and then get a CBF500 or similar. The irritating thing is that my main use for the bike will be commuting as I graduate this year and start work in August and all the potential hospitals I will be working in over the next two years are either cycling distance or motorway commutes so I wouldn't get much use out of a 125cc.

Do want

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ8fTgQvrMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTM1vHVUVOY

Loving the extra drama in the first vid.

I need some help getting my bike back on the road. Its' a 2010 Derbi Mulhacen 125. Which I have now realised is a bit of a pain as parts aren't easy to come by.

I'm leaving the country, but as luck would have it my mate is getting back into bikes and needs a 125 until he gets his full licence so I can give it to him for the year.

Price is a major factor. I'm a bit stuck with this, either I give it away to a dealer/someone for a project. Or I get it back on the road, help my mate out and he can sell it down the line.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and apologies if I'm about to clog up this thread.

Problems:

1) won't start
2) right hand brake lever is snapped
3) the throttle grip is stuck/bust

1) won't start

It hasn't been ridden for almost 2 years. I tried to jump it from my car, but starting it just seemed to rinse any charge held. My guess is a new battery.

Is there anything I need to be aware of re changing the battery? Or should it be a relatively straight forward switch.

I'm looking at this one as it is cheap and seems to be the correct year:
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/DERBI-125-Mulhacen-Cafe-2008-2010-Exide-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Battery-YTX7L-BS-/00/s/MTQyMlgxNTE5/z/wUgAAOxy4dNS5prB/$_12.JPG

2) right hand brake lever is snapped

[URL]http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/ad106/hugo7_photos/c1f855fe.jpg?t=1329155934[/URL]

I understand I can just switch this with a generic one, or even just replace the lever section? Anything I need to look out for?

3) the throttle grip is stuck/bust

When the bike was knocked over while it was parked the end cap somehow managed to push the plastic of the body in on itself. I've tried and I really can't see any solution other than cutting it off and replacing it.

First, what is the proper name for when I'm searching? Just the 'throttle'?

Next, how generic/specific a part is this? Does the whole thing need to be replaced and can I just get a generic part?

Apologies for all the questions all and any help much appreciated!

Cheers.

ps if someone knows someone reasonable I could pay to do the work, I'd probably consider that too.

I found this website which seems to stock parts.

Re the battery; is it worth taking a punt on one of these trickle chargers first to see if I can charge the old battery?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DERBI-125CC-Mulhacen-125-4T-07-11-12-VOLT-MOTORBIKE-BATTERY-CHARGER-/400614596730?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item5d467da07a

jambon vids

the camera sounded like it came off worse than the motorcycle

Would there be any option in giving it to your friend for them to sort out? That way they're getting a bike and it's back on the road, the work needed doesn't sounds too extensive. I suppose it depends what your friends mindset is to undertaking a project, it could be a little daunting as a first biking experience but possibly quite rewarding for them?

In other news it's looking like I'll be collecting a SRAD 750 at the end of the month, albeit a newer one than above (fuel injected).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CW4GjTzPp4

Congrats but you know the supermoto would have been more fun...

I have a bit of a strange situation where I want to lock my motorbike up in a heated shed and plugged into a battery oximiser. Not an unreasonable request, but the alley I have to get the bike is down is 80cms wide. A lovely Honda XR 650r for example wouldn't fit. You can kind of see it in this photo from last weekend:

Power ranger fail....lack of matching leathers and the white helmet without black out visor.

Having been in a similar situation I just unbolted the handlebars and steered with my hands on the forks.

I don't know...