Categories
Videos

Sixth Sense Skills – Tip 14 – Fail :(

What a shit morning. My biker sixth sense wasn’t with me today…

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Whilst quietly filtering through some suburban traffic approaching the A13 I managed to drop the bike. Again. I was just about to start filtering past a queue of traffic when a car decides to do the same thing and pulls out on me. I panic braked, locked up the front wheel and down she went. All very low speed (as usual), didn’t even hit another car, they just carried on oblivious. Grrr. Totally smashed the fairing, crash bars did their job, but various other bits are scuffed.

FazerSmashedFairingSept14

New fairing is on order, but a bit skint now, so do us a favour and click on some of my banners and affiliate links. Much appreciated.

Categories
Motorcycles

The Big British Motorcycle Renaissance

What on earth is going on? After being totally obliterated in the ’70s by a wave of imported Japanese bikes, the British motorbike manufacturing industry seems to be making a bit of a come back. We’ve all seen Triumph return to great success, but now many more British brands are hitting the market with brand new bikes that look pretty damned good.

Categories
Gear Reviews

Bell Racing M3R Helmet Review

BellHelmet-M3RAfter wearing this helmet almost every day for the last month, I think it’s about time I stuck a review of it on here.  I initially bought this helmet as a cheap stop-gap measure, after dropping my old AGV and putting a nice crack in the outer shell – doh! Amazon was running an 80% off discount on many end of range lines and although I’d rather buy a helmet in a store where I can try it on, the price was so good I decided to take a gamble.

The Bell M3R is fairly mid-range and generally sold for around £200-250. Amazon price was £44 + VAT. Hold on one minute, why is there VAT on a helmet?! Personal safety gear is exempt in the UK. I ordered anyway and raised the issue with Amazon customer service, who after a couple of weeks refunded me the VAT.

Categories
Uncategorized

Wildlife

Usually when I pull up after a ride, I find I’ve collected a lot of wildlife along the way. For a change today, I found this one still alive.

Cricket

Categories
Riding

Evie’s First Long Ride Out

On Sunday, the weather was dry, sunny and perfect for a ride on the bike. We set out early, to make the most of quieter roads and avoid the unbearable midday heat and set off into deepest Essex.

This was Evie’s first proper ride out, having only been on short journey’s around local streets to get used to riding pillion. Decked out in a Hein Gericke textile suit with armour, RST boots and Caberg lid, she was more than prepared. We briefly stopped at the High Beach tea hut, but got bored waiting for it to open so dashed off straight to Finchingfield, via Ongar, Leaden Roding and Great Dunmow, a popular run for all bikers. Evie was a good pillion, quickly got the hang of leaning with me around all the twisty bends. Just a bit wobbly as she was looking around lots.

In Finchingfield we popped into the Bosworth’s Tea Rooms for a quite bacon buttie and coffee, Evie had a sausage sarnie and juice. Very nice and far better espresso than High Beach. Fed and watered we set off home and were back for noon. There’s definitely plenty of good arguments for an early Sunday morning ride out.

Categories
Courses/Tuition Maintenance

A Night at OMC’s Basic Bike Maintenance Course

Last night I finally made it along to the Oval Motorcycle Centre’s (OMC) Basic Maintenance and Inspection Course. Something I’ve been meaning to do for some time, but never got round to it. The course covers all the basics of bike maintenance, starting with electrics (switches/lights), then blitz’s through, tyres, brakes, bearings (wheel, head race & swinging arm), chain, forks/shocks and finally control levers and cables.

Although the course is pitched at complete newbies, it covers an awful lot, such that even though I’ve done quite a few maintenance jobs (changing filters, downpipes, balancing carbs etc) I still came away having learnt much. From stuff as simple as a more efficient way to lube my chain, to stuff completely new to me, like the ins and outs of different head race bearing and spotting when they’re knackered. It was also a great chance to ask questions on simple stuff you’ve seen, but were never sure if it was OK or not, like the way you hear brakes pads catching slightly as you push a bike – are they supposed to do that or are they sticking?!  (They’re supposed to)

Categories
Uncategorized

Witness to Hit and Run Car Crash

A couple of weeks ago I witnessed a car rear-ending another car, all low speed and not too serious. However, the one driver just hurled abuse at the other in front then fled the scene. I had their registration number and was more than happy to help out with a witness statement. As such I’ve recently been filling in forms for insurance and the police. Out of curiosity, I just put in the reg plate into the Gov.uk vehicle enquiry page and got this:-

UnTaxedCarCrash

So, now I know why they fled the scene; untaxed, no MOT and undoubtedly no insurance. The poor lady run into was very distraught and the Police would not have been able to trace this driver had I not passed on the registration number. Having had a few incidents myself where no one has stopped, I know first hand how much extra hassle it is without an independent witness. So please, if you do see an incident, no matter how minor, do stop and offer your help. It may be a bit of form filling, possibly a court appearance, but it can help rid the roads of dodgy drivers. Ultimately, put yourself in their shoes, you never know when you may need a witness yourself.

Such hit and run offences ultimately impact premium prices across the industry, so it’s definitely in everyone’s interest to combat them. See our guide for other tips on lowering insurance premiums.

Categories
Riding

My First Ride on the Motobike

I was a bit nervous at first but when I started moving, my belly was aching with laughter! I went round the block 5 times (It was really fun!) Once I had to get off I begged Dad to go once again but he said NO. After that me and Dad got an Ice-cream, It was the best day EVER. A week later I went again to brownies and back! When everyone was jealous, then before we went I waved.

Categories
Maintenance

Motorbike Pre-Ride Checks (BOLTS)

  1. Brakes:- Roll bike forwards and apply brakes. Checks pads have some wear left, look out for the groove in middle of pads, it should still be visible.
  2. Oil:- Check the oil level is between the min-maximum lines. You will probably need to put bike on centre stand and maybe warm up engine for couple of minutes first (check you manual).
  3. Lights:- Check all lights works and are clean. Hold you hand over rear lights or look for as reflection against a nearby wall as you apply brakes.
  4. Tyres:- Check tread levels, 1mm across 3/4 the tyre width (more in many EU countries) and for any obvious damage. Ensure  tyre pressures are correct too (see manual for exact values).
  5. Steering:- Handles bars should freely move left and right without fouling against anything or being hindered by wires/hoses.
Categories
Maintenance

MOT Passed

My trusty Fazer has just been in for an MOT, passed with flying colours, no advisories at all. Always a relief. Even though I knew the bike was sound, there’s still an element of worry that sits at the back of your mind.

Turns out, I’ve put on exactly 7000 miles since last years MOT. Not too shabby, definitely a well used bike, and I’m glad I upped my annual mileage on my last insurance renewal.