Fao: Bikers!

Post by **Hippy** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:04 am

cheers class, pretty interesting site.

An RVF is out of the question really, just too much money, slightly bigger and more expensive to fix.
Hence the NC21 instead of 24 or 30, parts for the nc21 seem to be much more available than the 24, if i could afford one, i'd get an NC30, but i cant

Heading off to go look at this bike now, will let you know how it goes. Although i'm not going to make an offer today.

Post by **Nellyboy** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:05 am

If you can be bothered read the police roadcraft manual, its a lifesaver literally.

<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Road ... 011341143X" target="_blank">here it is</a>

Post by **Hippy** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:40 pm

Cheers, will read up when i get a chance.

Went to see the bike today, looks pretty good for a 20 year old bike.
Starter motor was sticky and took a few attempts to start, exhaust was leaking at the joint with the manifold, and the bike hadn't had an oil change since the guy owned it (2 years), the oil filter was rusty as hell, not too good! I assume plugs and leads are in the same condition.
Other than that, the bike was sound, had that distinctive honda whine, but no unusual rattles etc. gearbox engaged every gear fine!
The limiter on it is a throttle type, just a screw in the handle that stops the throttle turning all the way.

I was really surprised how small the bike was though.

I reckon given the small problems, i could knock it down to Â£650 ish money allowing.

Post by **Screwy** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:33 pm

Hippy wrote: Cheers, will read up when i get a chance.

Went to see the bike today, looks pretty good for a 20 year old bike.
Starter motor was sticky and took a few attempts to start, exhaust was leaking at the joint with the manifold, and the bike hadn't had an oil change since the guy owned it (2 years), the oil filter was rusty as hell, not too good! I assume plugs and leads are in the same condition.
Other than that, the bike was sound, had that distinctive honda whine, but no unusual rattles etc. gearbox engaged every gear fine!
The limiter on it is a throttle type, just a screw in the handle that stops the throttle turning all the way.

I was really surprised how small the bike was though.

I reckon given the small problems, i could knock it down to Â£650 ish money allowing.

I would be a tad cautious looking at the lack of basic maintenance , Hondas run there cams directly into the heads no shell bearings , That said Â£650 sounds about right if Ebay completed listings are anything to go by and Hondas as a general rule are quite reliable , boring yes

but reliable

As for training DAS is one way but expensive , You could go for an A class licence if you weren't planning on getting anything bigger for two years , bit boring though , but after two years you can ride what ever you like .

You've been driving for a fair few years and mostly your Triumph which in my opinion is a plus , as it's a real drivers car that requires more forward thinking and general road skill than an air conditioned,sound proofed,ABS braked modern car with cup holders

Once you get to grips with riding a bike you should be fine .

Riding kit , everything said in other post's , decent helmet is a must . I don't do designer bike gear like Aria ,Shoei etc Just make sure it has a BS kite mark and ACU gold star that allows it to be used for racing and it should be fine . If it's made from polycarbonate (Most cheap helmets are) replace every two years . It goes with out saying though to replace after a crash even if it looks unmarked .

And to finish , Motorcycling is more fun than driving a car , Unfortunately you're on the outside of a motorcycle so even a minor accident means a trip to casualty

Post by **Nellyboy** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:05 am

<a href="http://www.400greybike.co.uk/Forum/default.asp" target="_blank">This forum</a> looks to be popular for 400cc imports like the NC21.

Might come in useful.

Nells

Post by **Hippy** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:27 am

The A-Class license doesn't seem to be much cheaper than DAS in the places i've looked, it's basically the same course, just on a smaller bike.

My lesbian neighbour has kindly offered to give me a few quick lessons on her suzuki this week, hopefully then i'll be able to guage how quickly i'm going to pick it up.

How you doing with those pics tumble?

Post by **Hippy** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:56 am

Any opinions on the Yamaha FZ400?
There's one for sale near me. Â£450, 1988, 6 months T&T, has been run on a track. Comes with spare wheels and spare fairings.

Post by **Eagle** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 3:12 pm

Hippy wrote: My lesbian neighbour has kindly offered to give me a few quick lessons this week

Sure you shouldnt be keeping this information private?

Post by **andrew** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:54 pm

Haven't read all the replies (gotta rush library closing), but just thought id chip in and say im doing my cbt at the end of the month, YEY me

gonna grab an rs125 to bash about out and drop no doubt

Post by **Screwy** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:15 pm

Hippy wrote: Any opinions on the Yamaha FZ400?
There's one for sale near me. Â£450, 1988, 6 months T&T, has been run on a track. Comes with spare wheels and spare fairings.

Ex trackday/race bikes aren't a good idea in all honesty , Basically it's been thrashed

If your going to do the DAS I would wait until you've passed the test then review your options .

Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:37 pm

yeah a nice CBR600RR, YZF-R6 or a nice Duc 748 would be delish

Post by **Jase** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:38 am

Myocardial Infarction wrote: yeah a nice CBR600RR, YZF-R6 or a nice Duc 748 would be delish

As would a good life insurance policy to clear up the mess !!!

Track bikes, as Screwy mentioned, will have been thrashed within an inch of their life and then left in the shed for the rest of the year! As Screwy mentioned see how you get on with your test before getting a bike as your whole outlook on biking will change. You may well want to start on a 125/250 to get more confidence before screaming about the road thinking your Rossi

Post by **Hippy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:43 pm

Whatever i do, i wont be getting a powerful bike, if it's not a 125/250 then it'll be a restricted 400 or 500.
I'm just in 2 minds weather to get a 125 and do my CBT or just to go for the DAS and get whatever bike i want.

If i'm only going to buy a 125 or 250, then i may aswell save some cash and just get my CBT., and by the same token, it'd be a waste of money to do my DAS and not to get a bigger bike.

The thing is, smaller bikes seem to be just as expensive as bigger bikes, but there's less choice.

Post by **D3s3rt_F0x** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:04 pm

Nice one Hippy, Ill be hoping to do one of my bike tests probably when im finished at uni and got some extra income, certainly something ive become more interested in lately but dont have the money at present.

Lets hope when it happens I have better luck with bikes than I do cars

Post by **Screwy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:47 pm

Hippy wrote: Whatever i do, i wont be getting a powerful bike, if it's not a 125/250 then it'll be a restricted 400 or 500.
I'm just in 2 minds weather to get a 125 and do my CBT or just to go for the DAS and get whatever bike i want.

If i'm only going to buy a 125 or 250, then i may aswell save some cash and just get my CBT., and by the same token, it'd be a waste of money to do my DAS and not to get a bigger bike.

The thing is, smaller bikes seem to be just as expensive as bigger bikes, but there's less choice.

Pfffft restricted , Once you've ridden a bike you will know if it's for you or not , If it is for you , you wont be satisfied with a restricted anything