Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Yo motorised people.

The rear shock of my motorbike, who is a bit tired and that I am considering to get refurbished at some point, is maintained by an bracket/sort of hinge that is squeaking because old and not lubricated.
I'm just back from a short trip to france and at low speed the squeaking has become more and more noticeable... annoying...

You can see here how it looks:
http://cdn.partzilla.com/diagram/suzuki/09/59/0067.png
I bought a spare one for very cheap, coming from a bike that had a lot less mileage than mine. It looks like it has no play and the bearings look good. So I'm going to swap them. I've been advised to use marine grease for this (mainly because where it is, it gets a lot of projections from the roads, salt in winter, etc...)
What marine grease should I use?
Would this work?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marine-Waterproof-Grease-Aquaslip-500g-PREVENTS-CORROSION-RESISTANCE-TO-SALT-/301011309125?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item4615ac1245

Thanks!

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Should be fine. I have a decades old tub of boat trailer hub axle grease for exactly the same purpose.

unless there are cartridge bearings there?

No cartridge bearing, some kind of needle roller bearing, but you can take them out bit by bit from their housing, to be cleaned and greased. Buying that marine grease now...

Thanks!

Any tips on getting affordable insurance? I've used MCN compare and thought I'd ask incase there are any insurers offering good deals who aren't on comparison sites.

what bike are you getting?

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/moped-gang-raise-it-up-uk-ace-cafe-london

THE UK'S TEENAGE MOPED GANGS HAVE A NEW SUBCULTURE

what bike are you getting?

Initial I was thinking of getting an er6 or an sv650. The er6 was the preference. Now I'm thinking CBR500R. I'll have to have a proper look at them and get a ride to see which I prefer when the time comes to buy. The irritating thing is that the CBR quotes are a good £200 more than the other two.

Any tips on getting affordable insurance? I've used MCN compare and thought I'd ask incase there are any insurers offering good deals who aren't on comparison sites.

Tell them it's garaged, don't take commuting, lie about having received cheaper quotes?

I don't want cheap invalid insurance. I do wish I had a garage though. Also, all my jobs for the next two ears are within 2.5 miles fromy flat so I'll not be needing commuting anyway. Doesn't really save much on the comparison which is irritating.

I don't want cheap invalid insurance. I do wish I had a garage though. Also, all my jobs for the next two ears are within 2.5 miles fromy flat so I'll not be needing commuting anyway. Doesn't really save much on the comparison which is irritating.

When I insured my KTM I found that for a lot of insurers removing commuting didn't make much difference, then I found one where it did. Massively.

If having a motorbike is going to be more of a pleasure than a necessity couldn't you leave it at your folks' place - they have a garage no? Or rent a lock up? Might not make the whole thing much cheaper but at least the bike would be undercover.

http://youtu.be/enZcd_9UPAA

moped crew in Richmond park last night yo!

they supposed to be skilled?

honest questions.

thinking of chopping the Kawasaki ER6 in for maybe a street triple, or the new Kawa Z1000 later in year - anyone tried the street/speed triples?

Had my CBT cancelled on me today and rearranged to next week. Probably a blessing in disguise with this weather - though next week is looking a bit dodgy too!

I'm wondering what would be best in people's opinion... Buy a little 125 and pootle around getting my confidence up, or saving my cash for a bigger bike and doing the DAS. Personaly I'd elect for the former - though a couple of bikers I've spoken to told me that they just don't feel safe on 125's and recommended doing the DAS ASAP. I'm not in a tearing hurry though I would like to get a bike capable of doing some touring and taking my other half around on, so getting shot of those L plates sooner rather than later would be quite nice...

If having a motorbike is going to be more of a pleasure than a necessity couldn't you leave it at your folks' place - they have a garage no? Or rent a lock up? Might not make the whole thing much cheaper but at least the bike would be undercover.

I'll have to have a gold think about that. A winter outside versus a winter in the garage will probably be quite noticeable. If the insurance comes down massively I'll consider it.

Had my CBT cancelled on me today and rearranged to next week. Probably a blessing in disguise with this weather - though next week is looking a bit dodgy too!

I'm wondering what would be best in people's opinion... Buy a little 125 and pootle around getting my confidence up, or saving my cash for a bigger bike and doing the DAS. Personaly I'd elect for the former - though a couple of bikers I've spoken to told me that they just don't feel safe on 125's and recommended doing the DAS ASAP. I'm not in a tearing hurry though I would like to get a bike capable of doing some touring and taking my other half around on, so getting shot of those L plates sooner rather than later would be quite nice...

I was undecided before doing my CBT. By the end I'd made my mind up. You'll probably make your mind up also.

I'm guessing you're going for the big bike option ASAP rusty?

This is actually second CBT - I did it 15 years ago when I was 16 and itching to get on the road. Overwhelming memory of being shouted at by the dick of an instructor for an hour while out on the road. I ended up getting flustered and taking the wrong exit at a mini roundabout. Still managed to pass though.

Taking this next one at Eastside riders on Lea Bridge rd. Anyone had any experience of them?

Yeah. 'Big' bike option got me but as above, I'm leaning toward a bike which could be ridden with an A2 licence. I'll make up my mind once I've got my licence in hand.

Just had another look at quotes and there's a 66% saving if I keep it in my parents' garage (15 minute drive/ride away) compared with on the street at my address. Surprisingly cheaper than my car insurance.

Living less than 3 miles away from work this definitely seems like the option I'll go for. Thanks for the advice.

Had my CBT cancelled on me today and rearranged to next week. Probably a blessing in disguise with this weather - though next week is looking a bit dodgy too!

I'm wondering what would be best in people's opinion... Buy a little 125 and pootle around getting my confidence up, or saving my cash for a bigger bike and doing the DAS. Personaly I'd elect for the former - though a couple of bikers I've spoken to told me that they just don't feel safe on 125's and recommended doing the DAS ASAP. I'm not in a tearing hurry though I would like to get a bike capable of doing some touring and taking my other half around on, so getting shot of those L plates sooner rather than later would be quite nice...

If you buy a 2nd hand 125, its unlikely to lose any value while you have it, so the extra experience won't cost much.
if you cycle a lot, you might not need the experience mind.

thinking of chopping the Kawasaki ER6 in for maybe a street triple, or the new Kawa Z1000 later in year - anyone tried the street/speed triples?

Street Triples are an absolute HOOT - some of the most fun you can have on 2 wheels. I've not ridden a speed triple but my chum Chris has one and loves it. It replaced a Superduke that was apparently 'great when it worked'

Dunno about the Z1000s...they looks like the proverbial blunt instrument...

Track day booked for Bedford Autodrome on Monday, I've borrowed the GoPro from work to so will upload the footage. Hopefully the rain will stay away!

Had my CBT cancelled on me today and rearranged to next week. Probably a blessing in disguise with this weather - though next week is looking a bit dodgy too!

I'm wondering what would be best in people's opinion... Buy a little 125 and pootle around getting my confidence up, or saving my cash for a bigger bike and doing the DAS. Personaly I'd elect for the former - though a couple of bikers I've spoken to told me that they just don't feel safe on 125's and recommended doing the DAS ASAP. I'm not in a tearing hurry though I would like to get a bike capable of doing some touring and taking my other half around on, so getting shot of those L plates sooner rather than later would be quite nice...

I've known enough people who went straight from DAS to an expensive and painful accident on a powerful bike that they had no idea how to handle. If you think the 125 route is the right one then it is.
It was for me, definitely. It took me a long time to get used to the 33bhp of my first big bike, though by a year I was itching for more power. After 7 years I still don't think I'm the master of my Triumph.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-uvBvHpXdw