The ACTUAL cost of a car

[Linford]

It will be a lot quicker but you won't be nice and warm! It gets very cold at speed when you are just sitting there, i.e. not pedaling!
20 years ago I used to take my 125 to Birmingham from Coventry every day, it was a 30 minute commute. I had planned to do it year round, come the middle of November I gave up, I had started to struggle to break because my hands were so cold and I had all of the gear on.

Like cycling, the clothing gear has changes a lot in the last 20 years. You can get heated gloves, vest, leggings, socks etc There is no need to freeze when doing bigger mileage.

 

[Matthew_T]

Delivery company are picking up the bike today. They have been very good and given me the best price. I should have it by tomorrow morning.

 

[Linford]

That top line reads like you know it all already, boy how wrong can you be. 45 years of motorbikes and cycling tell me there is very little comparison between the two.

Dress for the accident not the journey.

Couldn't agree more with this sentement. I subscribe to the mantra AGATT (All the Gear, All The Time)

If it is too hot to use it, go buy some gear with removable liners, or the new ish 'Mesh' suits which have armour in them) or cycle instead.

Training is what will keep you upright and lower your risks.....what you learn by your own volition will only be enhanced by listening to those who have learned to read the road and better understand the limitations of the machine and human ability to control them.
Don't listen to those who say gear isn't important, it makes the difference between a clean wound and a dirty one in the eventuality it goes wrong.
Real road riding skill is when knowing when to 'not' go fast than too with out any regard for the consequences.

Oh, no such thing as summer and winter tyres. Just get some decent ones which are branded like Pirelli, Dunlop, Metzeler, Avon etc. Those tyres look nasty TBH

 

[fossyant]

Certainly change the tyres - you know how crucial tyres are on a pedal bike, so don't scrimp there.

Pansies motorcyclists. Sheesh, us pedal bike riders have just lycra to protect us (and some nice scars) !

 

[Firestorm]

Dont scrimp on the tyres , check out forums with owners of the same machine see what they recommend. Also other owners will be able to advise on what to look out for re faults etc.
Other tips as I said on another thread , be more vigilant at roundabouts with petrol stations. Overbanding and white lines can be slippery at speed.
Look ahead , not just for other road users but for manhole covers pot holes etc, you line through bends will be different than on a cycle

 

[Matthew_T]

Dont scrimp on the tyres , check out forums with owners of the same machine see what they recommend. Also other owners will be able to advise on what to look out for re faults etc.
Other tips as I said on another thread , be more vigilant at roundabouts with petrol stations. Overbanding and white lines can be slippery at speed.
Look ahead , not just for other road users but for manhole covers pot holes etc, you line through bends will be different than on a cycle

I'm going to sign up on a motorbike forum just so I have the backing to ask a few questions if I need help.

 

[cd365]

Like cycling, the clothing gear has changes a lot in the last 20 years. You can get heated gloves, vest, leggings, socks etc There is no need to freeze when doing bigger mileage.

Heated gloves is the day I admit I'm old!!

 

[Linford]

Heated gloves is the day I admit I'm old!!

Old is a relative term. If you are over 30, you 'ARE' old...according to my youngest.

 

[cd365]

Old is a relative term. If you are over 30, you 'ARE' old...according to my youngest.

That made me laugh.
I'm over 40 so I must be ancient!!

 

[Boris Bajic]

When I was a courier (1980s), there was an old chap who lived out near Heathrow who used to manufacture heated gloves based on the designs of suits for WW2 Bomber Command aircrew.

He also wore a helmet with a perspex disc in front of the visor. The disc would spin in the rain and autonatically clear itself and remain transparent at all times. He said this was also an aero-industry technology but I have no idea whether it was. He said that some aircraft used something similar. He was a feature of motorcycling to the west of the capital and most couriers had met him or had another new tale about him.

He would try to hawk his products to motorcycle retailers. I believe his name was Maurice Seddon. He may still be among us, but that was thirty years ago and he was not young then. I hope he is still around.... Heated clothing is not a new technology.

 

[Matthew_T]

Well the bike arrived today. V5 wasnt with it but the seller has just sent me an email about it.

It does run (thank god!) and weighs a hell of a lot (I have already dropped it).
My dad is a bit worried that the age doesnt meet the appearances (lots of surface rust on the chrome for a 2.5 year model). We both agreed that my mum will go insane when she finds out.
My dad is also concerned about it being stolen.

 

[Matthew_T]

I have done a check and the vehicles isnt stolen, and the VIN meets the numberplate.

 

[Linford]

Why isn't the v5 with the bike......or the portion of it you need to send off. Surface rust...it is a cheap chinese copy...you get what you pay for

 

[Matthew_T]

Why isn't the v5 with the bike......or the portion of it you need to send off. Surface rust...it is a cheap chinese copy...you get what you pay for

The seller is sending the V5 in the post. He said that he forgot to give it to the delivery driver.

My dad said that it might say on the V5 if it is SORN. And if it isnt, I need to insure it first before I can declare it. I cant get insured because I havent taken my CBT yet.

 

[Linford]

No sorn statement on the v5. Take a pic or scan it before you post it on to dvla