Motors Motorcycle Mayhem

I think I waited until my 6th bike until I dropped one, it was my 3rd new bike, although I did write off my 4th bike which was my 2nd new one.

 

Several people have already told me that I will inevitably drop one of my bikes. That and the comments posted here are not reassuring.

 

I've never dropped my bike.

 

I wasn't even sat on mine at the time, that's the worst part. Approx 37000 miles with one drop isn't too bad though I think.

 

Yup, managed that one as well.

Oh it sound worse than it was.

Lets see...

I dropped the first bike in front of an audience, trying to take off in style (beeing the only young bloke on a bike) with the disk-lock still on it.
So I practically tipped over at standstill. No damage but harmed pride.

Tipped over the second bike at standstill

Oh! I think the third one was unharmed!

Tipped over the fourth bike at standstill once, stopping somewhere where there happened to be a hole where I wanted to plant my foot.
It also tipped over by itself on rain-soggy grass at one point.
And I ruined a brake caliper, driving off with the disk-lock on.

Had a crash with the fifth bike, at low speeds, somebody bumped my rear wheel from behind, no real physical harm but some sprains. *knocks-on-wood*
And tipped it over while pushing it around in my garage.
Fifth bike also tipped over by itself while parked on gravel.
Also damaged the front fender PUSHING the bike with the disk-lock on.


All in all: I should have stayed away from disk-locks, cause more harm than good they did.

 

Or use a reminder cable, perhaps?

This is exactly the reason I didn't get a disc lock, I know I'd try to ride off with it still attached! At least my shackle lock is a little more visible.

 

None of them came with one

Anyway, the last time I did this, a fluo green cap came off the disk lock, which I now put over the ignition

Old dog...new tricks

 

You could try one of the motion-detecting ones. The decent sensitive ones (e.g. Abus) will start beeping and wailing with the motion of getting onto the bike(if not lifting the bike up off the side stand), so you are unlikely to miss it.

 

Gave this a damn good wash on Saturday, shortly followed by a little ride up towards Caerphilly. Some lovely roads around here*...

*Except when you get stuck behind a bus...



Looks so much better for it. Can't wait to get rid of those L plates though...

 

Took lots of pictures today - it's sunny down here in Andalucía!

http://imgur.com/gallery/ypjFG

 

Just passed my Mod 2!

Bike shopping time!

 

'Gratz!

 

One of us! One of us!

 

Edz, you're based in London aren't you? We should go for a ride out when I get a proper bike.

On that btw.... how much do you reckon I should spend (buying used)? Also, recommendations - I like hipster style old bikes and cruisers mostly.

 

How confident do you feel right now? I mean first bike you don't really need to spend more than about £2k and that'll get you something pretty tidy. Perfectly doable on £1k too.

Money no object/within sensible range, Yamaha MT07 would be my first bike of choice these days. Tidy examples are around for about £4k.

I do not subscribe to the first bike must be a small bike theory - if you're safe enough to ride you can mostly ride anything.

 

Yep, East/North-east. And I've just (this morning) replaced the reg/rec and battery on mine, so I can ride again!

An older Japanese 'SJM' would probably go for a reasonable price, and if they're looked after they'll last a long time. Aim for the 'higher end' model, as with older bikes the price difference will be minimal but they're more likely to have been well looked after. Suzuki Bandits and Honda Hornets have a good reputation. Cruiser-styled bikes I'm not so familiar with, but the Honda Shadows, Suzuki Marauders and Yamaha Viragos seem to be popular. Or you could go bonkers and get a Honda Valkyrie (essentially a naked Goldwing).

I'd also second the MT-07 as a very fun and relatively cheap bike.

 

Nice work

My own practical tests are a little further away than planned - I didn't realise when I resigned that I would sacrifice my as-yet-unpaid deferred bonus. FFFFFFffffffffffffffffffffffudge

 

The 600 was my first bike after passing my test 15 years ago.
My main opinion on them now, after riding it again at the weekend (it stayed in the family, has been the 1st bike for 3 so far) is they're bullet proof

 

N+1!
N+1!
N+1!

Oh no, it's your first....just N then

 

What is an N+1?

I'm thinking of an XV950. Is it mental to get a bike that bid for my first one? Found one I think I can get for about £4500.