And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
I've not cleaned mine in the 15 months I've owned it......The rear number plate is getting a nice dirt covering now!
Aluminium frames/components help but I tell myself I only do it because the only 2 times I've ever washed a motorbike (or had it done for me), it was stolen (or attempted) within 3 days....
Aluminium frames/components help but I tell myself I only do it because the only 2 times I've ever washed a motorbike (or had it done for me), it was stolen (or attempted) within 3 days....
Not sure when my next commute is going to be. New job as of 15th January and other than a few office orientation sessions I'm going to be working from home.
Mrs Steeler is not all that impressed...
The bike has been cleaned, ACF'ed and put in the garage. It's weird not being out on it most days. Absolutely not missing the actual commute though!
Mrs Steeler is not all that impressed...
The bike has been cleaned, ACF'ed and put in the garage. It's weird not being out on it most days. Absolutely not missing the actual commute though!
Mr OCD said:
The trick is to not let the bike get to dirty... during the week if there has been a lot of rain and at this time of year that means dirty roads I will rinse the bike down as soon as I get home which is sufficient to prevent dirt build up. At the weekends I'll give it a proper clean and check over that takes an hour. Once you develop a method it is straight forward to keep a nice bike looking good regardless of use. Every Spring I strip the bike down and give it a good deep clean.
It's a bit of effort and time, but that is how I've kept my bikes immaculate in over 10yrs of commuting. I do try and avoid road salt though at all costs. e.g. when the gritters have just been out or frost / ice overnight. For that there is the car.
I appreciate the advice. I'll definitely be able to give it a rinse as soon as I get home, not so sure that I'll be able to avoid the salt though. It's a bit of effort and time, but that is how I've kept my bikes immaculate in over 10yrs of commuting. I do try and avoid road salt though at all costs. e.g. when the gritters have just been out or frost / ice overnight. For that there is the car.
Next commute will be Tuesday morning, but my motorcycle fizz has been re-ignighted, so will probably get out on Sunday for an hour or so.
Today's highlight was... taking the ZZR1100.
It's more complicated and takes longer to take the motorbike than it does to take the push bike, so it's a rare thing.
However, I found a flimsy excuse (it hasn't been out for a month and I had a large bag to take), so I took the long way to and from work.
Splendid.
Parked up next to the resident ZZR1400 and had a natter about "what gear am I in...oh wait, it doesn't matter!"
Lovely cold ride home just having a play around the ring road!
It's more complicated and takes longer to take the motorbike than it does to take the push bike, so it's a rare thing.
However, I found a flimsy excuse (it hasn't been out for a month and I had a large bag to take), so I took the long way to and from work.
Splendid.
Parked up next to the resident ZZR1400 and had a natter about "what gear am I in...oh wait, it doesn't matter!"
Lovely cold ride home just having a play around the ring road!
Serious amount of filtering this morning, traffic backed up a few miles as the M6 didn't look like it was moving and therefor grid locked the surrounding roads. Cold but mostly dry so all good
kiethton, 15 months! ha ha. I wonder which PH'er has the record for that, mine is probably about 1 month. Do you clean the chain?
kiethton, 15 months! ha ha. I wonder which PH'er has the record for that, mine is probably about 1 month. Do you clean the chain?
Cbull said:
kiethton, 15 months! ha ha. I wonder which PH'er has the record for that, mine is probably about 1 month. Do you clean the chain?
hahaha I know! - I spray it with lube when I remember......other than that no 
Morning run in definitely had a little more traffic but with dry roads was still pretty quick, having a non-square rear tyre definitely helps the bike to actually go around corners, so much more fun!
Time in was only a couple of minutes slower than last week too!
Traffic back to normal today, no real incidents to highlight. Minimal other bikes about, of those that were we're clearly all winter riders no one bothering me and I'm certainly not bothering others unless I have cause to. I guess unlike others I was lucky?
In early 2018 in London one thing is still clear the lowest common denominator driving is still on average the silver diamond TFL badged minicab.
In early 2018 in London one thing is still clear the lowest common denominator driving is still on average the silver diamond TFL badged minicab.
Started back to work last week but was working from home, so first time back on the bike for a few weeks. Crash on the M4 meant loads of backed up traffic, so yet more filtering for miles. I doubt I would be at work now if I was in a car.
Despite changing the speedo sensor, the speedo is still not working properly sigh....
Despite changing the speedo sensor, the speedo is still not working properly sigh....
Got overtaken on a single carriageway by an Audi A2 of all things, oh the joys of commuting on a 125 
Caught up with him sat at the lights less than 200m from where he overtook me and obviously never saw him again once I filtered past him.
Gotta love a pointless overtake.
Caught up with him sat at the lights less than 200m from where he overtook me and obviously never saw him again once I filtered past him.
Gotta love a pointless overtake.
Edited by wjb on Monday 8th January 19:59
wjb said:
Got overtaken on a single carriageway by an Audi A2 of all things, oh the joys of commuting on a 125
Caught up with him sat at the lights less than 200m from where he overtook me and obviously never saw him again once I filtered past him.
Gotta love a pointless overtake.
If you've got an L plate you're a target for drivers, I had a 4x4 towing an empty car trailer overtake me in a 30mph zone when I was on my 125 a few years ago. I was doing 30mph!! Caught up with him sat at the lights less than 200m from where he overtook me and obviously never saw him again once I filtered past him.
Gotta love a pointless overtake.
Edited by wjb on Monday 8th January 19:59
You soon realise just how dangerous 125s are on open NSL roads, no power to make safe, quick overtakes, and every 3rd driver assumes you'll be dog slow and can only do 40mph...
Today's highlight was that my clean bike stayed clean today
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