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Give her a chance Duggers! Buying manufacturer branded gear is not any bad thing. I'm no Harley fan either but if someone is into them then support them into biking rather than put them off because their chosen brand doesn't appeal to you.
I don't expect everyone to like my screaming, spitting Triumph race style bike, it's not to everybody elses taste (or audible tolerance) nor do I expect to be lambasted because I needed new gloves recently and bought some Triumph branded ones (in budget, able to try before buying, liked the style - bonus that they were Tri branded). My biking buddy is into MX and endurance biking and we both appreciate each others machinery.
Anyway the short version of that is Welcome to the world of bikes Melody and hope you have a good time, stay safe and let us know how you get on with the test when the time comes.
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Dec 29, 2015 13:40:02 GMT
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Looking good! Here's mine, a 2011 FortyEight I echo everyone else regarding being prepared for people in cars not noticing you, the short shots help mind I'd definintely get a face mask if you're staying open faced, you'd be amazed how much a bee to the face hurts! I do plan to buy a visor, I just couldn't get one from Harley. I tried on some sunglasses that you can shoot with a bb gun without the bb going through, but i wear glasses to drive and they wouldn't be great for our constant overcast weather! Love the bike, the short shots look great
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
1989 Austin Metro 1994 Harley Davidson hardtail bobber
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Dec 29, 2015 13:46:11 GMT
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Give her a chance Duggers! Buying manufacturer branded gear is not any bad thing. I'm no Harley fan either but if someone is into them then support them into biking rather than put them off because their chosen brand doesn't appeal to you. I don't expect everyone to like my screaming, spitting Triumph race style bike, it's not to everybody elses taste (or audible tolerance) nor do I expect to be lambasted because I needed new gloves recently and bought some Triumph branded ones (in budget, able to try before buying, liked the style - bonus that they were Tri branded). My biking buddy is into MX and endurance biking and we both appreciate each others machinery. Anyway the short version of that is Welcome to the world of bikes Melody and hope you have a good time, stay safe and let us know how you get on with the test when the time comes. Pics of the Triumph? Sounds pretty cool to me I like Harleys precisely because of the image. Pretty much why I like Rolls Royces too. Big, luxurious and great attention to detail. Besides, Harleys sound amazing
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
1989 Austin Metro 1994 Harley Davidson hardtail bobber
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My first accident I skidded down the road on my chin. It hurt and broke both my wrists for good measures.
Helmet did its job well, gloves were effective but burned through finger tips quick.
My leathers were what surprised me, as it was a slow speed accident thank god but the full 1 piece leather suit prevented huge gravel rash and plenty of bruising. Leaving only a scuff on my shoulder and rib cage.
I don't enjoy riding with out the proper gear on I feel naked and don't really relax.
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Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
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jonw
Part of things
Can open a Mouse with a File
Posts: 768
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Top biking tips: Ride like every single other road user cannot see you and will do stupid shizzle in front of you. Never ride without safety kit Crashing hurts and is expensive BUUUT! When it's good it's brilliant and puts all the stuff above into perspective....... I'd go with that. Sound advise. Personally, I'd get a hi-viz sash for riding in reduced visibility. Will help as you (like I do) are wearing a lot of black.
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Suzuki SV650R The good Triumph T20 The Bad BMW G650GS The Ugly Matchless G12CSR The Smokey Toyota Hybrid One pint or Two?
Ingredients of this post Spam Drunken Rambling of author Bad spelling Drunken ramblings of inner voices Occasional pointless comments Vile beef trimming they won't even use in stock cubes
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I'd go with that. Sound advise. Personally, I'd get a hi-viz sash for riding in reduced visibility. Will help as you (like I do) are wearing a lot of black. That sounds like a good idea, a sash is small enough to store in my jacket pocket for such occasions.
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Last Edit: Jan 4, 2016 22:30:41 GMT by 7M.elody
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
1989 Austin Metro 1994 Harley Davidson hardtail bobber
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I'm still amazed at how much bike gear is still black or dark coloured. It's about time the manufacturers gave us some other options. given Britains poxy wet, dark climate, any help in getting bikers seen more easily, should be encouraged. But, then i still think that before your allowed a car license, you ought to be made to experience two wheeled life, to educate people to the perils we're faced with .just my two Cents worth tho.........
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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When I did my bike training I asked my instructor for his opinion on the colour of bike gear & what was best, in his opinion wearing all black on the body was a 'solid' shape which could be distinguished easier than multi-coloured gear which would blend in with urban surroundings (colour of other cars, coloured walls etc). I did a biker 1st Aid course last year & the advice was the same, all black on the body but with a white lid (to give contrast against the black..............My instructor did also say something along the lines of 'you could wear a f*cking Banana costume & some daft c**t would still not see you' :-) I wear black leather trousers, jacket, gloves & boots with a white lid, had near misses where the driver hasn't 'seen' me but so has every other biker pretty much.
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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dungbug : i'd not thought of that aspect. makes sense when you think of it, but i'm still concerned in the poor weather/light situations. Also, the instructors comment re not being seen by other road users, is never going to change easily. These people are more interested in replying to their latest post, on their phone, to be concerned with your safety. Dangerous d***heads are everywhere. Just to rub it in to you poor buggers in chilly Britain, i had a very enjoyable 5 hr ride to a bike show here, on Sat. Lots of sun, very hot......... you get the picture.........
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Jan 23, 2016 18:20:54 GMT
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I picked up this little beast to learn on! A 125 Lexmoto 2011 with only 2000 miles on it. So I'm getting some miles under my belt now. Just round the garage site at my other halfs work for now. It's really fun and great to learn a new skill! Yay!
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
1989 Austin Metro 1994 Harley Davidson hardtail bobber
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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Jan 23, 2016 20:48:13 GMT
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Just to rub it in to you poor buggers in chilly Britain, i had a very enjoyable 5 hr ride to a bike show here, on Sat. Lots of sun, very hot......... you get the picture......... I love riding in the cold & wet, even more fun when there's a layer of snow on the ground :-)
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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Just to rub it in to you poor buggers in chilly Britain, i had a very enjoyable 5 hr ride to a bike show here, on Sat. Lots of sun, very hot......... you get the picture......... I love riding in the cold & wet, even more fun when there's a layer of snow on the ground :-) Methinks someone may be telling porkies, just a smidge there !!! If you're not & you really do like riding when there's a layer of snow, then, Sir, i take my hat off to your superior riding attitude !! My experience of riding in the snow left a lot to be desired, & was finally curtailed when after cracking my visor open, to ease misting, the opening started filling up with snow !! At that point, i admitted defeat & headed home. Don't get much chance to repeat that where i am now. Tropical rain on the other hand.........
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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I love riding in the cold & wet, even more fun when there's a layer of snow on the ground :-) Methinks someone may be telling porkies, just a smidge there !!! If you're not & you really do like riding when there's a layer of snow, then, Sir, i take my hat off to your superior riding attitude !! My experience of riding in the snow left a lot to be desired, & was finally curtailed when after cracking my visor open, to ease misting, the opening started filling up with snow !! At that point, i admitted defeat & headed home. Don't get much chance to repeat that where i am now. Tropical rain on the other hand......... I rode for 3 winters in a row, had snow during 2 of them. First winter wasn't too bad, had a 125cc at the time. Second occasion there was a lot more snow and I was riding a 600cc, which was interesting.......Pulling away from a side junction was a fun experience :-) At the time I only had the bike to get about on so needed to ride whatever the weather from when I started riding, kinda glad I did as I'll happily climb on the bike regardless of what the weather is doing.....I know a lot of riders that won't ride if it's remotely damp/cold (which it often is in the UK), some don't like riding in the dark and so on. :-)
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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DUNBUG ; The final part of your story is very similar to my own. I didn't own a car for 10 years, just made do with a bike - although I did have use of my old mans Mk2 Escort van, for when the conditions were super hideous. The part about some riders giving up on the riding at the slightest signs of iffy weather are a bit sad really. Get yourself knitted out in some half decent wet / cold weather gear & get out on the roads. It'll make you a more competent rider, because you've experienced wet, greasy, icy surfaces. I completely get you, re trying to pull away too - I was on a GS550........ Ah memories.....
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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DUNBUG ; The final part of your story is very similar to my own. I didn't own a car for 10 years, just made do with a bike - although I did have use of my old mans Mk2 Escort van, for when the conditions were super hideous. The part about some riders giving up on the riding at the slightest signs of iffy weather are a bit sad really. Get yourself knitted out in some half decent wet / cold weather gear & get out on the roads. It'll make you a more competent rider, because you've experienced wet, greasy, icy surfaces. I completely get you, re trying to pull away too - I was on a GS550........ Ah memories..... Haha, I passed my test on a GS500, fond memories of those :-) It seemed like the thing to do, when I got my car license (many years ago) the ol man virtually forced me to go out when the weather was cr*p and it was dark just to get confident. Glad of it now so did the same with a bike, this is probably why I stuck with a 125 for 14 months before going for my test and moving up. A lot of new riders seem to want to jump on a big machine quickly, I reckon spending some time on a small engined machine is time well spent. Making a mistake at 30mph-40mph can be a lot less painful than 80mph+ :-)
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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I picked up this little beast to learn on! A 125 Lexmoto 2011 with only 2000 miles on it. So I'm getting some miles under my belt now. Just round the garage site at my other halfs work for now. It's really fun and great to learn a new skill! Yay! How's the riding going? :-)
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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Jan 31, 2016 15:52:37 GMT
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It's going well thanks. I feel like I need a bit more room so I think next time I'm going to move up to the indistrial estate
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
1989 Austin Metro 1994 Harley Davidson hardtail bobber
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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Sept 23, 2016 6:56:36 GMT
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I have one of those 'funny bars' on my bike My old Kawasaki (above) is now for sale, not after much. PM me for details.
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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I now have a bit of an update! The Lexmoto went to pay for more wedding stuff so I got about 10 goes on it in all, dropped it once so I guess not too bad. I bought a visor 😊 Then today I went for a free taster lesson with DART in Chesterfield which was great! Although I've ended up booking my CBT with Compass as recommended further up, they charge no extra to learn on their Harley! My CBT is in too weeks, I can't wait, it's so exciting 😀.
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
1989 Austin Metro 1994 Harley Davidson hardtail bobber
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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Great news, enjoy the day
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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