Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

I'd never buy anything from metropolis. Complete twats. No idea about the training though.

Kickstart Rider Training, who now appear to be called East London Motorcycle Training.
http://eastlondonmotorcycletraining.co.uk/
7 years ago they were bloody excellent. Real emphasis on safety, control and assertiveness.

I had a CBT with Metropolis. It was a fucking shambles.
I also had a few with Scootech in Roman Road who were very good, but I don't think they do training any more.

Advantage Wimbledon were well spoken of by a friend of mine who did CBT recently. I'm too old to have had any experience of training. 'It was all fields...'

Fields were the best training. Or the local estate car park...

Fields were the best training. Or the local estate car park...

A honda 50 stripped to the bone and an old quarry, skills for life!

A honda 50 stripped to the bone and an old quarry, skills for life!

Throw in a couple of tours on the cut-throat South London pizza circuit...

Another big up to metropolis.

But don't buy a bike there, or use them for parts....or servicing.

Camrider in Hendon if you're any way north, very nice blokes.

There's only one day better than new bicycle day...

Sweet!

beautiful!

Just climbed off it. My wrists hurt and my face from smiling so much. It's amazing how much technology can come on in 14 years (old bike was an '89). Only took it to 8k out of 15.5k, terrifying yet confidence inspiring pulling away or overtaking. Reading this thread partially inspired me to do my DAS almost two years ago now. Found myself laughing most of the time on the bike, so much fun.

600cc?

Yeah. Arguably the ZX6R (636) would have been a more suitable road bike with more usable power, but I just couldn't ignore the part ex price I was being offered. Possibly the extra R will help with retaining the bike's resale value, but that really is me thinking with my sensible hat on. Although it does have a slit lap timer on the dash.

Is it all top end scream though?

Yeah it's supposed to feel gutles below 7-8k but it feels lively enough riding it the first time.

Went for a blast in the country yesterday, kind of forgot I'm still meant to be running the bike in!

Drizzly rain + getting stuck behind crap drivers on country roads + cold = I realised how shit my cheapo Takai helmet is. It was constanly fogging up and the visor seems to hold onto the water - with previous helmets a look over my shoulder at anything over 40mph has blown the water off - so visibility was shit.

Hence I've treated myself to one of these:

I know it's still an entry level helmet but I tried another colourway on in J&S yesterday and it's much higher quality than my current one.

The clear visor its coming with is antifog but I don't seem to be able to find an antifog tinted one, might have to go with these pinlock things, anyone used them?

which model is it? I got an AGV Skyline this time last year to replace my Caberg 'first helmet', its a lot better, but still has a long way to go to be perfect. I wish I had £500 so spend!

That's awesome, I follow someone on Instagram who paints helmets, fuel tanks and jackets, reminds me of him

http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/user/8145876/

which model is it? I got an AGV Skyline this time last year to replace my Caberg 'first helmet', its a lot better, but still has a long way to go to be perfect. I wish I had £500 so spend!

It's a K3. Like I say, I'm sure a £500 helmet would be unbelievably better but I ain't got £500 and this is gonna be luxury compared to the Takai!

That's awesome, I follow someone on Instagram who paints helmets, fuel tanks and jackets, reminds me of him

http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/user/8145876/

That's awesome, I have a Davida that's got a few chips in it, was thinking about painting it myself but not sure I'll be able to do it justice!

Any recommendations for learner 125s that would suit tall people? googling is turning up the Varadero, but I'm after something that looks a bit more like a transalp.

There's only one day better than new bicycle day...

Fuck yeah.

Thanks, and it's green!

The clear visor its coming with is antifog but I don't seem to be able to find an antifog tinted one, might have to go with these pinlock things, anyone used them?[/QUOTE]

I have a pin lock thing on my Arai. It was a bit fiddly to fit, because I was paranoid about putting fingerprints between the layers. Now it's on, it works perfectly.

Its just over a week until my 2nd foray into france on the bandit. I've installed a small screen since last summer, and i won't be going avec pillion this time so it should be more fun (and a bit quicker).
I've ordered some fresh oil and filter to do this weekend, and i'll check tyres and chain before i go. Is there anything else i might have forgotten? I don't remember preparing anything last year, but i may have just forgotten.
Riding Birmingham - Eurotunnel - Calais - Brittany then back the same route (ish) after a few days.
I hope it doesn't rain!