View Full Version : is there no-one on this forum interested in bikes?
yes. i know there are some guys here who have probably ridden all winter but surely some interest from other quarters must be rising now the worst of the winter is over. I know I'm off out tomorrow to blow away the cobwebs
any takers? or are there really no people here interested in bikes?
Graeme*Kustom*
16-03-2003, 01:47
pedal or petrol?
I'm rather a fan of the push bike variety :)
Yep, push bike here. My 2 year old Trek is faring well, even though i do thrash it a lot.
danielctull
16-03-2003, 09:25
I like just riding about places. I have some friends interested with expensive giants and 24/7's.
Cos it's been so sunny in the last 4 days here, we took some pictures of them riding and stuff which you can find here (http://www.tullephant.net/pictures/130303/index.htm) :D
Graeme*Kustom*
16-03-2003, 12:48
about time I got my baby fixed up and running again, now that the weather is a bit nicer...
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/graeme/bike.jpg
That's 'Trail Monkey II' (the original 'Trail Monkey' died in a rather nasty meeting with a metal fence post at high speed...) - I built it about 4 years ago , and it's recognisably mine for all the blue bits , tradition carries on :)
mmmm blue. how much did that set u back?
Graeme*Kustom*
16-03-2003, 16:23
I honestly can't remember - I started with an off the shelf Dawes bike, and fitted a lot of neat stuff to it - when I had a crash that wrecked the frame and RockShox , I moved a lot of the stuff over and got a new frame / forks , and then just added a few other bits.
The wheels are my fave bit - using Hope hubs which are super smooth, with blue anodised rims and DB spokes. They were built by Carrick Cycles (local store) and have only needed spoke adjustment once despite a lot of heavy abuse ! The Tioga tyres probably help keep them intact too...
A lot of the pretty bits come from here
http://www.x-lite.com/navi.html
X-Lite stuff is a bit pricey, but looks great and seems to stand the test of time !
I wish they made PC cases actually - they would blow away other cases in terms of finish and style ! (except for Soldam possibly..)
Graeme*Kustom*
16-03-2003, 16:25
all this thinking about bikes is killing me - it's a beautiful day outside , but I've got heaps of paperwork and stuff to catch up on :(
multitask! just go4 a ride and do the paperwork l8er when its dark and riding isnt as fun.
Graeme*Kustom*
16-03-2003, 17:45
I'm still gonna be working when it's dark though, that's the problem :)
I'm doing product updates on the web just now though, so can't complain - I enjoy that bit !
I'm planning some mods for mine soon, first a good old clean is in order then I want to concentrate on the following areas:
- wheels
- gears
- brakes
Just a lot of fine tuning and changing some parts.
*gets cleaning kit out*
im now thinking that maybe this summer i could build a custom bike (by build i mean buy the components and fit them together). anyone know of a good site for info about this? i have seen plenty of sites selling the stuff but not much info on how to do it. i probably wont do it in the end (would probably cost too much money) but would like to look into it.
Graeme*Kustom*
16-03-2003, 19:34
usually most bits come with instructions, but I can suggest some good companies for buying bits - www.merlincycles.co.uk is one and the other was called 'wooly hat shop' although i don't have a url or phone number handy for them.. they used to advertise in MBUK all the time though.
Merlin will build you a custom bike if I remember rightly
not the kind of bikes I was originally thinking about when I posted (motorbike is just out of mothballs) but that's ok 'cos i'm a big fan of cycling too :)
It's funny how some people have to customize everything they buy whether it be a PC, a mountain bike or whatever, eh Graeme? ;)
Now I'm thinking of ways to change my bike too!!
Graeme*Kustom*
16-03-2003, 21:23
I can't leave anything alone, it's all got to be personalised. Just my nature :)
Although I don't take it as far as tatoos and body piercing ;)
well a tatoo is not really personalised seeing as most people choose them out of a book....
Graeme*Kustom*
16-03-2003, 22:11
one of my friends drew her own tatoo , which was pretty neat !
It looks cool just now, but I doubt it will in 30 years time.. :)
i love riding too, i have a downhill/ dual slalom saracen x-ile, havent really done n e thing to it yet accept put on a humongus back tyre when it was snowing over here in essex. ive been doin tricks and stuff for years, i also like going cross country around here too!
It looks cool just now, but I doubt it will in 30 years time..
one watch of "the osbornes" will show you how bad old tatoos look!
I have a Marin Rocky Ridge circa quite a while ago. Very light and twitchy. Needs quite a bit of work done in it and bits replacing, probably £200 worth of repairs.
yep, thas the thing, parts are so expensive at the moment
yep, thas the thing, parts are so expensive at the moment
Its probably got more expensive then, that was when I looked a while ago. Both wheels need rebuilding with new rims, spokes, tyres, the rear sprocket needs to be replaced, the saddle needs replacing and the rapid fire shifters and v-brakes could do with a major service.
I have 2 bikes a Orange P7 Pro with full XT Kit and other bits n bobs on it
I also have a full susser - a blue santa cruz superlight a with fox
Talas forks with 125 mm travel
Full XTR 2003 edition including hubs n chris king headset n easton carbon seatpost and bars
If i crashed it i would CRY
Its probably got more expensive then, that was when I looked a while ago. Both wheels need rebuilding with new rims, spokes, tyres, the rear sprocket needs to be replaced, the saddle needs replacing and the rapid fire shifters and v-brakes could do with a major service.
dam!:(
mikeisangry
13-04-2003, 20:42
Motorbike owner in the forum!
I've got a Silver Yamaha Fazer 600 2002 model. I'm not gonna customise it as its expensive and if you get knocked off its gonna take a wad of cash to fix the bike. Now the weather is good (for England anyway), its time to run her around a bit more. And I was one of the nut bars who rode on that Winter day when the roads were not gritted! Skiddy me do!
So far Ive only been knocked off once, and dropped the bike twice. :eek:
Biker out
:D
Ive just fully done the gears. Front mech siezed up so I took the whole lot to bits.
Working on the brakes next, thinking about discs instead of pads/blocks.
I use the bike a lot so at least I can justify all of this - more than I can justify spending £1600 on car insurance anyway!.
I'm into bikes!!!!!
Got a few now:
ellsworth truth - my baby
kona 1
kona 2
dekerf trials bike
sunn downhill bike
By the way guys, I work i a bike shop and can get bits cheap for you if you like. . . will swap for PC bits if necessary!
matt
Originally posted by mikeisangry
Motorbike owner in the forum!
Make that two :D
As it's my only transport it gets used all year round :rolleyes: can't be many Triumph Daytona 955i's with 25k on the clock :eek:
Here's a pic of one, albiet not mine, for those that are interested
http://www.hardwareuk.co.uk/download/daytona.jpg
I have remains of a ZX7-R as well which hopefully one day I'll get rid of :rolleyes:
mikeisangry
23-04-2003, 22:53
You got the bike Im aimin' to get!!!
How comfy is it? How much petrol does she drink? I need info!!!!! :D
My Fazer is nice for the time being but I want a bike that is the dogs......
Im only a junior biker really only been going for two years now.
:)
Why have you got remains? Crash remains or someting else.........
Hi guys,
Since I started the thread, I guess it's time I dropped in again :)
TazUk, the 955 is a nice bike, always quite fancied getting one myself.
Currently I'm on an R6 after deciding my previous ZX9R was going to get me licence into trouble if I kept it much longer !
Got a 350LC in the shed which I keep meaning to get going but...:rolleyes:
mikeisangry
24-04-2003, 21:28
I know this is a really crappy question and completely changing the subject but how many 'accidents' have you guys been involved in?
So far ive been in one, where a 4X4 went straight up my **** (dont take that literally). ;)
Bike should have been written off - but it took over 3 months for my insurance to pull their finger out. For someone reason the bike was repaired, of which it cost about £3,000 to repair, yet the bike only cost me £4,200.
Really p***ed me off, as I had just got my Yamaha Fazer 600.
Thats a lot of bikes on the road now as the weather is decent.......plus there are too many scooters about. Dam students!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Originally posted by mikeisangry
How comfy is it?
Pretty good for a sports bike
How much petrol does she drink?
Well the petrol tank is not as big as Triumph claim on thier specs :rolleyes: 17 litres at a guess. It does about 130ish miles before the fuel light comes on so that's probably about 15 litres of fuel.
My Fazer is nice for the time being but I want a bike that is the dogs......
Well it's certainly quick, got plenty of grunt, handles well and stops :). It's not as extreme as an R1 or GSXR1000 which is either a good or bad thing depending on who you are ;)
Im only a junior biker really only been going for two years now.
Well I think it's more the ammount of miles you've done rather than how long you've been riding for that's important ;) It's my eighth bike in 12 years of riding although I do cover about 20k miles a year.
Why have you got remains? Crash remains or someting else...
Well the ZX7-R was involved in a couple of incidents but it's been sitting outside of my house for a good while, so it's probably got other things wrong with it now :( Don't really have the expertise or money to get it road worthy again :rolleyes:
Originally posted by mikeisangry
I know this is a really crappy question and completely changing the subject but how many 'accidents' have you guys been involved in?
A few :eek: none of them too serious though.
I know this is a really crappy question and completely changing the subject but how many 'accidents' have you guys been involved in?
nothing serious so far (touch wood) although my mate wrote his ZX6R off last night, ably assisted by a blind woman driver :eek:
at least he only suffered bruising but when will he be back on the road? that's the real pain in the ass:( :mad:
if anyone's interested........... my current wheels:
http://www.btinternet.com/~stephen_meldrum/R6.jpg
NICE!!!!!!! I DINT SEEE THAT THERE!
what exhaust sys u using there?
Thanks !
That exhaust is just on. It's one of the new Remus Revolution Road/Race cans with the removable baffle ie; the can is road-legal as standard but the central baffle pipe is removable, effectively turning it into a straight through race can. All you have to do is drill out the rivet that holds it in place and replace with the handily provided allen bolt. Beauty of that is the end plate still has the "E" mark on it ;)
tbh, the can is substantially better sounding than standard even with the road baffle in (without being offensive) :rolleyes:
Once it's removed it's just like any other race can....loud!!!! :D
Of course, it also revs a tad freer (dunno about bhp) and you can always put the legal baffle back in when necessary (2 second job)
Uhm depending how straight through it is will determine whether the jetting, or in the case of fuel injection, mapping needs altering ;)
The full Muzzy system on my ZX7-R is LOUD :D
Nice bike BTW :cool:
ComedyDroid
25-04-2003, 04:42
Hi guys (Smeld, TazUK, Mikeisangry)
Been reading your posts and hope you don't mind me jumping in. Nice bikes lads. Check out my own baby below. 'Blue1' is my 2000 model R1 fair weather toy that I love to bits but unfortunately threw it down the road on a tight right hander about a month ago. Insurance (NIG)really good and OK'd £3500 repairs well within a week. Still waiting to get it back tho as the shop just found a cracked sump once all the other work was done! It's my only off in 13 years of biking so can't really complain, especially as I only got a few bruised ribs.
CD :)
mikeisangry
25-04-2003, 09:53
Im with NIG - but my experience with them was not good, when i was knocked off. 3 months of me phoning them repeatedly as they never phoned back.
Nice bike Smeld!!
:D
Have any of you guys been to those race course days?
Yes, I'm quite chuffed with my R6 at the mo':D Remus claim it doesn't need rejetted but they all say that don't they? Given that it's literally a straight through pipe it's hard to believe that one.
It's a BIG change from the ZX9 tho and I do miss the sheer grunt of the bigger engine but the R6 experience is more intense and, if you're in the mood, it's amazing what it can do. On the other hand, the trundle to work can be a bit wearing at times as it doesn't seem to appreciate the idea of riding at much less than full throttle :rolleyes:
Insurance ...... what a rip-off! I dropped by less than £70 last year going from a ZX9R to an R6..... and don't even mention R1's........how many people keep their bike inside the house, ffs!!!! :confused:
Just plain ludicrous what they get away with.
mikeisangry
25-04-2003, 13:37
Bike insurance will always be a rip off........my first quote, fully comp for my fazer was £2,500! :eek:
Until women stop driving cars, insurance will always be high. :D
The company i'm with is cheap - but cheap price means cheap service. :rolleyes:
I really like the look of the R6's but i like to "cruise" about quite a bit rather than full throttle all the time. To me they don't seem that comfy but I am six foot 2........
I just like me Fazer at the mo.........then Ill move onto a nice Triumph. :cool:
6'2 + R6 = pain!!!!!:(
I'm 5'11 which I think is about the limit....certainly comfy enough for me.
It's also remarkably torquey but all of the controls are like on/off switches so you'd either love it or hate it. RIght now I love it :D
Now if I could just get the cash together for one of these little beauties too, I'd have a bike for all seasons and a HUGE grin :D :D
The new ZX6-R looks pretty cool :)
http://www.amasuperbike.com/image/kawasaki/02/6r-1.jpg
http://www.amasuperbike.com/image/kawasaki/02/2.jpg
http://www.amasuperbike.com/image/kawasaki/02/6r-2.jpg
If you've been knocked off your bike and it's not your fault get in touch with these guys, they'll handle the claim for you and it wont cost you a penny ;)
http://www.ridersupport.co.uk
Alan - Phil Bev
25-04-2003, 16:01
New to this - not new to bikes..
We've got a 2000 Ducati 996 RS race bike ( ex BSB INS / phones 4 U ) that's the biz. 160 kgs / 165bhp @ the back wheel and it cost a lot of £'s !
And we do trackdays if you're ever in South Wales see www.race-club.co.uk
ta
Alan
Coordinator
Phil Bevan Racing / Trackdays.
Originally posted by Alan - Phil Bev
We've got a 2000 Ducati 996 RS race bike...
Show off :p
Would that be Neil Hodgsons old bike by any chance?
Hahaha! Just what I was thinking :p
ComedyDroid
26-04-2003, 00:55
I've done 2 race school days. Cadwell Park on a Yamaha FZR400 and Donnington Park (full GP circuit) on a CBR600. Both good fun but Donnington Ron Haslam school excellent and can recommend.
Smeld's got a problem with R1 owners it seems :p
I keep mine in the garage as I can't get it up the stairs to my flat :D Why keep a decent bike outside where toerags can nik it or idiot car drivers can park on top of it when it can be kept safe under cover :confused:
Anyone going to the IOM TT this year? Hoping to myself.
Smeld's got a problem with R1 owners it seems
Only problem I've got with R1 owners is that the insurance companies made it impossible for me to be one, with their ludicrous requirements:mad: I draw the line at taking the bike into my living room every night! Don't understand why a garage isn't good enough for them. They let me insure a ZX9R relatively easily 2 years ago:confused:
No IOM TT for me this year I'm afraid but I recommend any "TT virgins" go for it if they possibly can. It's a riot in every sense :D
ComedyDroid
26-04-2003, 16:20
Only problem I've got with R1 owners is that the insurance companies made it impossible for me to be one, with their ludicrous requirements
Sorry Smeld, thought u were popping at the owners rather than the ins companies :o
I had a GSXR750WS before this and struggled to insure that for a sensible price. It's true some brokers just laugh down the phone when you tell em what bike you've got but I got a pretty good deal in the end with NIG thro Cofield (Express Ins). Being 37 with max NCB (down to 4 yrs now after claim) obviously helps but garage, alarm & datatag all help as well - I payed £460 FC and you can pay monthly. They were very quick and efficient with the claim too so I'm pretty impressed with them so far.
mikeisangry
26-04-2003, 16:31
Originally posted by ComedyDroid
Being 37 with max NCB (down to 4 yrs now after claim) obviously helps but garage, alarm & datatag all help as well - I payed £460 FC and you can pay monthly.
Ive got a few years yet before my insurance gets that low, Im only 20! :p It took me a month just to find someone who would insure me........for less than £2,500. On a Fazer 600, with all the security stuff as well.
Probably the most annoying thing is when I had my accident I was given a GS500 K2 as a hire bike..............:( Now those bikes are just a pile of s***!
ComedyDroid
26-04-2003, 19:29
Unfortunately there's no substitute for age, grey hair and wisdom as far as insurance is concerned - I'm OK on the 1st 2 :D
Courtesy bike? A nice idea. A GSXR1000 or an R6 to play on would have been great but all I've got is me car :(
Sorry Smeld, thought u were popping at the owners rather than the ins companies
No problem.
Right now I'm with Carole Nash and my R6 is costing £419 , 35 yrs old (yes, some grey showing but at least it's still there !), full no claims, full security, etc, etc. At least it doesn't have to be in the house like they wanted for the litre class bikes :confused:
Given the choice, I think my next sportsbike would be an Aprilia Mille. Now that's a beautiful bike:cool:
It's such a shame about the insurance thing as it's putting off the younger guys.
My insurance on the Kawasaki dropped nearly £900.00 when I moved out of London :eek: They wanted over a grand for TPFT :rolleyes:
Often a visitor to the site (and the shop), but for some strange reason, missed the forums recently. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS ONE!!!
Anyhows, '99 Fireblade, that's my weapon of choice. I've always been a Honda man, and the 'blade is truley a great bike. I'll try to remember to upload a pic in the morning (that said, I have noticed a distinct lack of Honda peeps on this thread, so I hope you don't all start having a go! :( )
And just to crack the myth, my 'blade is showing the ravages of a Scottish winter right now. Hopefully by next weekend i'll have most of it rectified. It's only cosmetic, but it does detract from the beauty of the bike.
Oh, and if any of you guys are around the Irvine area tomorrow then pop into West Coast Motorcycles, they've an open day, (Sat and) Sun. I bumped into mechanic/boss bloke, James (by the way, a very good mechanic - long story). Mostly Aprilia stuff i reckon, but take the license along, and for a small fee you'll be on the twisties with a Mille, or Falco, whatever takes your fancy (hmmm...... any Edwards reps, big chap?)
As for Insurance, the 'blade is notorious for appaling quotes. I have full no claims, and I am 29 summers long. Worst quote was £1600 FC by some bunch out of the back of MCN, best was CIS Insurance for £550 FC. If you have Life Insurance policies etc with them, or your family members do, check them out............. they'll love you!
I'm off to bed, take care folks.
Originally posted by Sticky ...I have noticed a distinct lack of Honda peeps on this thread, so I hope you don't all start having a go! :(
All my bikes up to the ZX7-R were Honda's :) Borrowed my then bosses Blade for a couple of months a few years ago, very nice bike :cool:
No anti-Honda bias here........... prevously had CBR600, Firestorm and........................................ an MBX125 many moons ago :p
I do think the Honda build quality thing is certainly overstated at times. Don't remember my Firestorm being all that great. I'd say the R6 is better in that respect :eek:
mikeisangry
27-04-2003, 15:53
Im not a big fan of the Honda's, but Im young, tall and stupid. :D
Yamaha's are my game at the moment, they just seem to have a little more class than most of the other manufacturers........... :p
ComedyDroid
28-04-2003, 06:46
I learnt on an NSR125R and then enjoyed nearly 5 years on a tremendous VFR750F. Never had a Blade but the new CBR600RR looks absolutely choice. Very interested to see how it will fare against the R6 and ZX636R.
Honda have always been undisputed leaders for build quality just as Yamaha were considered in last place, this was always reflected by 2nd hand prices. However, judging by the quality of my R1 the gap has all but disappeared and the Jap bikes now all seem to be on a par. Can't speak for Ducatti or Triumph as I've never had one.
mikeisangry
05-05-2003, 12:49
THis thread seems to of died so how about if I say this:
"Don't scooter riders get on your tits"
Hahaha! Don't know if it's wise to noise up the scooter bods, seems to kill a thread stone-dead :p
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4984&perpage=15&pagenumber=2
Originally posted by mikeisangry
"Don't scooter riders get on your tits"
Yep :D
mikeisangry
05-05-2003, 19:18
Originally posted by smeld
Hahaha! Don't know if it's wise to noise up the scooter bods, seems to kill a thread stone-dead :p
Maybe we could test that theory by posting "Don't scooter riders get on your tits", on every thread on the whole forum. GENIUS! :D
mikeisangry
06-05-2003, 21:05
Im now dancing on this threads grave. :p
what about Harley riders too? in their lovely tassles and bandanas?
actually, the fake Harley owners are usually worse! :D
mikeisangry
06-05-2003, 22:12
Just seeing a Harley rider makes that "Born to be Wild" song come into my head. That alone, makes it feel right to hate them.
mikeisangry
06-05-2003, 22:13
Plus it looks like they have got dead squirrels glued to their face.
Phat Boy
15-05-2003, 01:52
Went out for a ride on the back of a m8s Ducatti 996 the other day. Scared the living poo outta me. I've been for rides in some very fast cars, Westfield with Firebalde engine, Countash but nothing even compared with this bike. My m8 is trying to get me to learn to ride and buy a bike but with my history on push bikes (broke me wrist 3 times in 18 months) I don't think it'd be a very good idea. :eek:
Do it!!!!
Get the license, and get yourself a bike. Riding pillion is great fun when behind someone you trust, but being in control of the bike yourself will put an even wider smile on your face. Without doubt.
If you do go and do it, post your progress, and we'll all chip in with ideas for a bike (cause talking utter nonsense about things like that is immense fun ).
There are many schools of thought to the first bike. Buy small, buy big, buy sports, buy cruiser................ loadsa options. Remember, they'll only go as fast as you tell them. It's when things go wrong that the big ones can bite back.
The handling, the acceleration, the exhaust note, the concentration, the wind against your body, keeping the engine spinning (and the rear wheel not), "total control".................... hmm, that almost sounds like a major Japanese motorcycle manufacturer's slogan for a rather nice bike I know...........
Fireblade with 4 wheels?!! Two too many!!!
mikeisangry
15-05-2003, 21:17
I'd get a bike if I were you. No traffic to be stuck behind in the mornings...............
I'd start on a small bike - but that doesn't mean get a scooter. :D
Don't make the jump into the deep end too quick. Plus buy decent gear, no cheap crap.
And the most important thing - if you see a thing with tits driving a car, be careful. :p
Unfortunately in my time I have offered a great crash test facility to safety gear manufacturers. It's probably the best advice you can get: Get good gear, you'll live to type nonsense on PCs in the future. Sure as hell there's somebody out there that'll try to bring you off your machine given a chance.
And as summer is on it's way, it's round about the time for the tossers to come out in force armed with t-shirt, shorts, trainers, and a token helmet. Why the hell bother? Only to survive with horrendous injuries and show off the gravel rash? No thanks.
Glad to see we're still alive then !
Phat Boy - what you waitin' on? You know you want your own bike. It'll eat away at you 'til you do it so cut out the torture and sign up now :D
Due to certain circumstances mine had sat idle for 2 weeks before I went out to go to work on it this morning. Yes, you know what's coming..........bugger wouldn't start. Not a peep - it seems the immobiliser is doing too good a job and won't disable itself :(
A wee job for tomorrow then :rolleyes: Still beats a tin box though, and it's the first time I've had such a problem so fingers crossed it's nothing drastic!
Phat Boy
16-05-2003, 00:36
Me m8 wants me to get a R6 but I could probably only afford either a bike or a car. Outta the two I think I'd rather get a car (got me eye on a very tasty Alfa GTV). The performance of the two don't really compare but the ability to get a few crates of beer in the back could be the deciding factor :D.
Nooooooooooooooo!!!
That's what yer mates ARE for! Ferrying of beer, and general taxi duties.
It ain't just about performance. Because you can usually means you won't! (Unless heavily provoked, in which case you WILL humiliate many many BMW drivers. Why them? Because I can easily say they are the worst right now, the BMW driver is the new Volvo driver. Sorry if I offend, but BMW drivers, as a general group, really **** me off).
Nah, it's about individuality, about doing your own thing. Suiting up the leathers, and going for a ride............... because you simply want to go for a run (and by God, an R6 is a good style to do it in). Without reason or need, just for the fun of it. It doesn't even have to be at high speed! Coastal runs in the better weather, riding with others. It's a community in itself. If you passed any other bikes on the 996, you'd hopefully have seen matey on the front wave at other riders. How many car drivers do you see acknowledging their fellow drivers?
Don't blend in, stand out. If you must, blend in with a small cheap car with good fuel economy, but don't spend the cash on a four wheeler, only to watch yer mate filter through the traffic jam on his way to a bike meet.
Man, I'm getting emotional.
mikeisangry
16-05-2003, 23:53
A special mention must go out to 4 X 4 drivers - especially women.
Little Gem
19-05-2003, 23:43
dont know what last reply was cos ive straight to post reply but i need some thoughts from you all.....i failed my car test twice and CyberDrac has introduced me to bikes. Now i feel i would like to do my bike test when i finish uni. There is no point me doing the whole package test thing cos i couldnt ride big bikes. Now the thoughts i need are ideas of bikes that would suit a woman, is small but not too 'wimpy' looking, as im only 4ft 10in but dont want to look silly on tiny bike. Any ideas, or ideas of bikes easily 'chopped' to make smaller.
Thanx
mikeisangry
20-05-2003, 16:51
Im not sure what bike you could go for, as Ive never seen someone riding a bike with your height. I have a different problem as Im 6'3 but its not a big a problem as what you have got......:D
I suppose there are quite a lot of 125 and 250 bikes, that you could get "lowered".
The question is, do you really want to get a bike as the insurance and equipment costs are quite high.....:(
You'd have to get the 250CC, with their engines restricted. As you can only have 12bhp before you have passed your test. It goes up to 33bhp after your test.
125
http://uk.yme.com/page.cfm?pageID=67640
http://uk.yme.com/page.cfm?pageID=98268
The problem with the sporty one is it probably sounds like a pig blowing a whistle.
250
http://uk.yme.com/page.cfm?pageID=67243
Im into Yamahas, but there are plenty of bikes about that could be fiddled with. I expect some of the other users on this forum will reply.
One last handy hint - when you get a bike you will finally see how bad women drivers are. :p
Your best bet is to pop down to a grey importers, Bat Motorcycles might be the nearest ones to you, they'll have lot's of cool looking Japanese home models which should be suitable, after all the Japanese aren't exactly the tallest of nations :D
http://www.batmotorcycles.com/
When you say you "couldn't ride big bikes", I take it you mean seat height, not engine size.
I suppose a lot will depend on what style of bike you like the look of, as well as what suits you.
If it's to be a low rider/cruiser style bike then I imagine the seat height wouldn't be too much of a hassle. Especially as the foam can usually be "cut" lower from the comfy seat.
If it's a "sports bike" look you want to go for, then you can't go far wrong with a 400cc grey import (or indeed an official import for certain models), post-test.
TazUk rightly points you towards BAT, they are often touted as specialists in this area, as indeed are Elliots:
http://www.elliottmc.co.uk/
For lots of info, pics, and the like, head over to the 400cc forums as a starting point.......
http://www.400greybike.co.uk/Forum/default.asp
Remember to tell us all what you like the look of, and we'll all chip in with pointless comments!!
I had a NC30 (Honda VFR400) for quite a while, and the seat is fairly low on them. (Generalising here), they are in fact very popular with women due to the lower seat. That aside, they are fantastic bikes.
Someone once described in a magazine the NC30 as an ideal "1st bike" for new riders having just passed their test, or as the bike someone goes back to years later, once they actually have the skills to get the best from it. They are THAT good. Great bikes, handling is awesome and if most people were to be honest, in a lot of cases are more capable than the riders upon them.
In saying that, 125's and 250's are not to be overlooked. It's the same smile to the face they bring. Best thing, have a seat on a few in a dealer's if possible, and get a feel for what 'feels right'.
mikeisangry
21-05-2003, 21:22
Best thing, have a seat on a few in a dealer's if possible, and get a feel for what 'feels right'.
Its so true...
here's mine
http://mysite.freeserve.com/JB2cool/images/5-picture1.jpg
http://mysite.freeserve.com/JB2cool/images/5-picture2.jpg:D
i couldnt ride big bikes
Little Gem, if you mean you're worried about the physical size of bikes then fair enough, sit on as many as you possibly can. It's the only way and I think you may be surprised how manageable most middleweight bikes are. Remember, you need to be able to balance the bike, not pick it up! I'd suggest many blokes couldn't lift their bikes up without a little adrenalin flowing (ie; they just dropped it and are livid;)
Biggest mistake I made after passing my test was to go for something "safe" thinking I'd build up to a "proper" bike...........********...........they go as fast as you want them to and the bike I bought (Yamaha Diversion 600) was no help in getting me experienced. It was slow, difficult to start and bounced all over the place (the last thing a novice wants is to bounce round corners!). I chopped in for a CBR600 within 9 months and never regretted it.
I'd suggest you concentrate on the many 400cc bikes out there, as suggested here already.
That's my tuppence-worth anyway :D
mikeisangry
27-05-2003, 23:15
many blokes couldn't lift their bikes up without a little adrenalin flowing (ie; they just dropped it and are livid
Again Smeld speaks the truth. As its a lot easier to pick my bike up when Im exceedingly livid.
!! Yamaha Diversion 600 !! - Fat man bike!
Well it aint really a mod but heres my bikes.
of the 4 wheeled variaty though
im big on bikes, heres my RS 125....
http://www.fearthemoose.34sp.com/~jamie/picture2.jpg
:D
Originally posted by smeld
...many blokes couldn't lift their bikes up without a little adrenalin flowing (ie; they just dropped it and are livid;)
So true :D
for anyone whos interested in bikes, I give u
ridersuk.co.uk
enjoy guys, when its up and running fully then let me know what u think :D
Originally posted by Little Gem
dont know what last reply was cos ive straight to post reply but i need some thoughts from you all.....i failed my car test twice and CyberDrac has introduced me to bikes. Now i feel i would like to do my bike test when i finish uni. There is no point me doing the whole package test thing cos i couldnt ride big bikes. Now the thoughts i need are ideas of bikes that would suit a woman, is small but not too 'wimpy' looking, as im only 4ft 10in but dont want to look silly on tiny bike. Any ideas, or ideas of bikes easily 'chopped' to make smaller.
Thanx
A mate of mine is 4'11" and he rides everything from lowriders to africa twins. he has no trouble with either. he currently owns an r6 which fits him perfectly. short is not bad!
there is a lady on the IXION (http://www.ixion.org.uk) mailing list who is also short and she can give you loads of advice. Look out for Doc Sarah. (yep she is a senior doctor).
I'll post my bikey bits later peeps.
ok....
as promised, some piccies of my current bits....
http://www.slamdog.demon.co.uk/photos/trike4.jpg
the purple people eater... 1800 vw engined monster.
http://www.slamdog.demon.co.uk/graphics/cat.jpg
my modded Thundercat.
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.