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.
After recently picking up a new helmet, it dawned on me I hadn’t posted any review of my current helmet, an AGV K4. So here we go. Of course I don’t have the expertise to give this helmet a proper safety test, so I’m merely going to cover how it performed day to day, with regards to comfort, noise and durability. To gauge safety, I always check the SHARP rating, for which the K4 scored 4 stars (out of 5).
It recently came to my attention Amazon were offering some huge discounts on Bell Helmets
. I wouldn’t normally purchase a lid without first trying it on for size, but the prices were so good it was worth taking a risk and distance sales law means returning for a full refund is always an option.
I went for the M3R, which was down from around £200 to £53. Not bad at all. However Amazon have been charging VAT on these helmets, even though they should be 0% rated being safety equipment (Amazon’s own help pages also stipulate this). After contacting them, I’ve been informed they are looking into this and should get a refund of £9 VAT, making this lid even cheaper!
Well, the helmet arrived today, all in good nick and the fit is pretty damned good, although I am an XS according to Bell’s sizing chart! I’ve not worn it out yet to compare for noise, but first impressions are good, it seems snug and comfy, either way £43 isn’t bad for a 5 star Sharp rated helmet.
It was a lovely sunny summer evening, I Managed to blag leaving work earlier, a night free from kids and my Fazer had a full tank of fuel. I really fancied a chippie tea and the Fazer Owner Club – Unofficial were riding into the far reaches of Kent. Like planets falling into alignment, everything was all set. I left central London, down A2 via Blackheath and on to Nell’s Cafe in Gravesend for the rendezvous, where I had a good natter to some of the Kent branch of the IAM (really must do that some day soon). A quick blast down the M2 took us deep into Kent, where top chap Steve led us along some nice twisty country roads before stopping off in Herne Bay for our chippie tea. Not the cheapest Fish’n’Chips, but a decent one it was, and great to sit by the sea eating whilst the sun slowly came down.
Once sated, onwards we rode along some great minor roads and twisty country byways skirting Canterbury and Dover, before finally calling it a day when we had exhausted all daylight.
Big thanks to Steve for leading this ride.
If you’ve ridden a bike in London in the last year, you are probably more than aware that Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs) are now being enforced and any motor vehicles crossing them after lights have turned red will pick up a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice). This is still very much the case, with almost every junction on Mile End Road being policed today, although no one broke the rules on this occasion.
Although MAG have been campaigning for some time, motorcycle are not allowed to cross the first solid white line and enter the blue cycle box. This is a real shame as it can often lead to bikers stuck beside other vehicles, often not visible (especially if beside a truck or coach) and then unable to get away safely from the traffic as light turn green, due to the throng of cyclists in front. I honestly think the situation needs rethinking to allow cyclists and motorbikes to share the area in from of the ASL, where they are both visible and can safely pull away. Possibly with left reserved for cyclists, the right for motorcyclists. Both groups of cyclists have been sharing bus lanes (with buses and taxis) without issue for a number of years now.
If you also believe pedal and motor cyclists should be able to wait beyond the ASL, you may like to sign this petition on the UK Gov website.
I have since discovered that a split bicycle/motorbike advanced stop line box is currently on trial over near Stratford, London.
Check it out in more detail on Google Maps here. Note the feeder lanes each side, cyclists on left, bikers on right.
In the clip I’m going to highlight an all too common hazard on the streets of London.
A couple of months ago a 16 year old kid, also named Arthur, posted on London Bikers, requesting an escort for his upcoming school prom night. Not really needing much of an excuse for a ride out, a large group jumped at the opportunity with one prominent forum member offering a pillion seat on his swish Ducati Pangile 1199. Last night was Prom night and what a night it was.
Around 30-40 bikers descended on Arthur’s house, where his family fed us all tea and biscuits. We then set off for a brief ride out around Epping forest with a quick stop at the high Beach Tea Hut, before continuing to the hotel hosting the prom night, for our big entrance. We arrived in force, made loads of noise and had few burn outs all to the cheers of the Prom school kids. We definitely went down as one of the more memorable Prom arrivals.
We then returned to Borough Market for the weekly London Biker meet, then finished the night off with a pit stop at the Blackheath tea hut. I hear Arthur pulled a couple of girls at the Prom, so all in all, a great fun night to be had by all!
Update: Check out this video compilation of the Prom Night ride, thanks to Sam Bird:
No one wants to lose a bike to thieves, so get clued up on the best security gear out there to protect your ride.
Check out my new in-depth article on Motorcycle Security Guide.
Lots of details on all the best types of devices to use and info on the common attack thieves employ. Definitely valuable reading.
A key item on the regular service schedule is the replacement of the air filter. On my FZS600 2003, this is due every 6000 miles or every year (whichever is the soonest). This year, however, I decided to fit a K&N reusable filter, slightly more expensive but it should pay for itself after a couple of years. The Fazer 600 is known to run slightly on the rich side, so the increased airflow from a K&N should balance this out.
Here’s a quick video run-through of how to replace the filter. It’s an easy task that you all should be able to tackle, don’t be put off by having to remove the fuel tank.
Tools required are minimal: an 8mm socket, T30 Torx socket/alan key, Philips screwdriver and some needle pliers (to unclip fuel pipe).
Tips as you go along:
It’s a well known fact that most bikers are more familiar with the Highway Code and generally more clued up on the road that your average car driver. Often we’ve sat both car and motorcycle tests (theory & practical) and quite commonly we are keen to advance ourselves further still, be it with BikeSafe, IAM/ RoSPA qualifications or track/offroad days. However, for all the best intentions, our subconscious may not always read signs to the book…
