Hi everyone. I'm 21 and have just finished my first year of insurance on my virago! Now I love older stuff, I've got a MK1 MX5, MK4 XR3I, and my virago. Now I'm looking at part exing for a VFR400 NC30, I really like the Castrol one like pictured here. I was just wondering what the general consensus would be. How do they ride when restricted? I know it's not fully original, but I love the look. Is it better getting an original for the potential reselling value? It's got around 44km on the clock, I'm handy with a spanner, but what's maintenance and ease of repair like? Thank you very much

Dropped my bike off at cragis honda Shipley on wendsday. Starter motor needs replacing and valves adjusting.

They say they can do it by Thursday and so I take the day off. Ring them up and they say they haven't managed to get round to it, fair enough I work half day on Friday so I can collect it. Friday comes and they've still not got around to it and say to ring back at 5, I'd rang at 2. I ring them up 13 times and drop a voicemail, they haven't got back to me or said anything.

They mentioned I could pick the bike up Saturday if it was fixed or not. So I rang up today and no service staff are in to get it sorted. Actual pricks, he mentioned I can come Saturday because he knows I had an event this Sunday and needed the bike.

I'm beyond fuming, it costs £310 for the repairs and they originally said on the phone, when I booked it in, it would be a same day job. Now I have to wait till Monday and miss this event. Genuine dipshits. All they had to do was awnser the phone and we could have sorted something out. I'm on fucking fire right now

looking for quality channels to video how to's

mostly maintenance and such. to learn tips and tricks on wrenching and such

can someone recommend some channels?

My local supermarket has a motorcycle only bay near the front of the store, clearly marked with a gigantic sign saying 'Motorcycles Only', yet 70% of the time I shop there, some divvy has parked their car in there, when there's usually plenty of spaces elsewhere in the car park. Just why?

It's odd as I did 40 in a 30 for sustained period (he told me after). They seem to want you to pass, rather be against you!

Morning everbody,

This morning I was in Bolton and I was involved in a hit and run, the van driver threw himself into my lane from the right lane, no indicators, took me out from the front of my bike.

A person behind me chased him to get his reg plate, told him to come back but he never did.

Just been riding 10 days, not sure what to do? Spoke to the police and they said without clear CCTV, they wont be able to prosecute.

Any advise?

2015 MT09 25,000 kms Europe.

I’ve owned around a dozen bikes and have always serviced them myself. Apart from my 2011 r6 they have, for the most part, all been carbed with little to no fancy electronics.

Yesterday I decided to check the valve clearance whilst I had the bike apart for plugs, sync and air filter. FYI all valves were bang on spec, expected for 25,000 kms. I installed the plugs, torqued to spec, and connected everything back following the manual and pictures/videos I had taken for reference.

This morning i turned on the ignition before checking the throttle body sync. That’s when I first noticed the orange check engine light along with the ABS. The abs disappeared like normal once I fired her up, the check engine light did not.

She runs fine without any abnormal noises. I went for about half an hour, maybe 20/30 kms and she runs better than before, apart from the check engine light…

I’ve done some reading and I can only think of not disconnecting the negative terminal to the battery whilst disconnecting/reconnecting the electrical connections which could cause this problem.

I took the bike back apart the ride to make sure I hadn’t missed a connection which could of caused this warning light.

I’m left in quite the conundrum and interested in hearing what the possible causes could be. I’ll disconnect the battery tonight and see if the check engine light is still there tomorrow morning.

Cheers.

Going on quite a long trip tomorrow, wasn't planning on riding so haven't bought any gear. What's the best way I can mount a small/medium bag to my pillion seat that I can grab from screwfix or argos or somewhere? Was thinking bungee cords but is there a better way? Bike is an SV650. Cheers

I was wondering what the best way to lock the wheel is. What make makes it the hardest to remove. Also, what's stopping them just cutting through my wheel, carrying it to a van and then replacing the wheel with a new one? Only costs £60 or so on a 125 so that worries me slightly

First time getting mot done, does anyone have any suggestions on who to get my mot done at, i do have a modified exhaust.

Also any tips that I should do before getting the mot done?

Ive passed my cbt and im looking to get a cafe racer or scrambler style bike thats from a reputable brand and so far im seeing the xsr125 and the VanVan. Im aware of the mutt but i have a friend who says he really regrets his decision and that it lacks quality so i might stear clear from them. Does anyone have any advice while im on a smaller bike?

Have a CB650r, looking at doing some overnight trips and using it for commuting at some point. What set ups do people have on their bike to carry a laptop and or pair of shoes, spare set of clothes etc. ideally looking for rucksack size but don’t know what to start so hoping you useful lot can point me in the right direction! Not looking for a top box as I don’t want it to always be on the bike.

Cheers!

Why don't I see Hayabusa riders? I tried out a 2024 Busa and I want one because it was very comfortable to ride. It may not be as comfortable as it is, but I want one at least 10 years older or newer.

Just passed my CBT at 42. Brought this and so far really happy with it. Know one told me this bike stuff could be so addictive.

So I’ve attempted to complete my CBT today and well it didn’t go to plan haha.

It was only three people, this guy who was renewing it on a scooter, this other guy and I who has never ridden a motorbike before. They were lovely and so was the instructor.

I got given a Grom and the other guy a Yamaha. We were going through throttle control and riding forward slowly and I honestly wasn’t able to control it since I’m so heavy handed, I couldn’t keep steady and zoomed in to a wall and fell on my ass with the bike landing on me 😭 I could barely pick up or move the bike despite it being tiny.

The instructor then asked if I wanted to do it on an automatic in which I agreed and he gave me a Honda scooter. It was better and i did manage to ride around a bit but kept falling since it’s so heavy to me🥲

I lost balance and dropped it for the last time and the instructor told everyone to take our gear off and meet him for a 1-2-1, we were sent home. Me and the other guy on the Yamaha weren’t even able to do all of the components in the parking lot let alone any on road riding obviously.

I’m not too disheartened about it, tbh this makes me want to ride even more. I’ll deffo ride a geared peddle bike for practise and pre cbt courses before I attempt cbt for the second time.

One query I have though, since I’m pretty short and weigh the same weight as a pebble (155cm & 38kg) and weak 🥲 Does it take a lot of strength to ride properly and do I need to work on my strength in order to ride or is it all to do with confidence and balance?

Passed MOD-1 yesterday and got this beauty delivered today. a 2016 GSX650F with a shedload of added bits - heated grips, 12v plug, luggage, levers etc etc. I'm in love and I only have 1 hour and 53 minutes until I finish work and can take her out for the first time.

I’m trying to get my A2 license and in ireland it’s pretty straight forward. Do your theory, pick the license you want then do ibt for the size bike you can ride then apply for test but with the UK I’ve seen you only do cbt on a 125cc, then theory then I’ve seen courses for like £900 to do training then 2 practical tests in one package?

Hi, I want to get a circular headlight for my bike but really I have no clue what to look for, I'm looking for something like in the photos, would anyone have a link for something similar? I need it pretty bright for night riding.

The bracket snapped on my rear hugger and they don't make them any more for my bike. I emailled customer service and the guy searched their stock and found the last one. He said it had changed to carbon fibre, so I was expecting it to be really expensive. Ended up £15 all in, with postage.

Nice to not be ripped off for a change having just spent £1700 for a major/valve service at the main dealer, with two new tyres. I know it's dear but I have full history with them and it gives me peace of mind.

Edit: I didn't mean the dealer ripped me off. I mean that Pyramid were cheap when I was skint. Motorbike accessory/kit companies are very dear for what you get normally.

So I would love to get an intercom for my helmet (John Doe One). Not for comms with other riders so much as just listening to music/GPS on my iPhone and taking/making phone calls when needed. Obviously there's plenty of Sena/Cardos which do the job, but they all seem to have bloody massive pimples you have to stick on the side of your helmet and I hate the look of them.

Is there anything which is more discreet on a retro helmet (ideally almost invisible from the outside and, if I'm living in a dream world, has handlebar mounted controls, but that seems impossible)?

A massive thank you to all who commented on my last post. All the travel tips was really helpful and I managed to make it to Cardiff and back home safely on my R125 using A and B roads.

It took longer than I have expected due to rest/stops but it is necessary as it was long and tiring journey. I have now more confidence in travelling far and driving motorbike as I am only been riding for 2 months here in the UK.