The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread

[TimmyMallett]

DuckSauce said:

My insurance company is paying out on my crash this week and I'm looking for a replacement to my MT09 (2013)

I really like the Triumph Street Triple, but I'm not sure whether I should go for the cheaper and older 675 or get some extra finance and look at the 765 newer model

I have around 5k to spend

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=74&t=1987561

[DuckSauce]

TimmyMallett said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Thanks

[NNH]

How do I tell if my air(/oil)-cooled engine is running hot? I spent yesterday taking an advanced skills course run by a LA Sheriffs Department rider on my R1100S, which involved a lot of low speed manoeuvres on a 30C day. Every so often I'd go for a 25mph lap of the training grounds on the basis that the bike probably needed it, but I wouldn't know how to recognise overheating if it happened.

[KTMsm]

On an air cooled bike other than "smelling / feeling hot" I'd fit an oil temp gauge if I wanted to keep an eye on it but TBH I suspect you are worried about nothing

The smell / feeling of overheating is something you develop after owning various crappy cars / bikes for years

[RockBurner]

NNH said:

How do I tell if my air(/oil)-cooled engine is running hot? I spent yesterday taking an advanced skills course run by a LA Sheriffs Department rider on my R1100S, which involved a lot of low speed manoeuvres on a 30C day. Every so often I'd go for a 25mph lap of the training grounds on the basis that the bike probably needed it, but I wouldn't know how to recognise overheating if it happened.

You might get 'pinking' - which is the petrol-air mixture 'pre-igniting' - ie burning in the cylinder head before the spark has fired, due to the heat of the metal. This would lead to a particular noise (hence the term) which is a bit like someone tapping a hammer on a sheet of metal at high speed (it's reasonably distinctive when you hear it), and a loss of power (not a complete loss, but a diminishing amount of output).

[tim0409]

I bled my front brake today, and found it difficult to detect a change of fluid colour (although I’m pretty sure it was lighter); I took out most of the fluid in the reservoir with a syringe, so I’m wondering if the old fluid I bled into this 500ml bottle represents all the old fluid in the line (if that makes sense)…

I topped up the reservoir a number of times, but it’s my first time bleeding brakes so just want to be sure. The bike is a 650 BMW single.

[Speed addicted]

tim0409 said:

I bled my front brake today, and found it difficult to detect a change of fluid colour (although I’m pretty sure it was lighter); I took out most of the fluid in the reservoir with a syringe, so I’m wondering if the old fluid I bled into this 500ml bottle represents all the old fluid in the line (if that makes sense)…

I topped up the reservoir a number of times, but it’s my first time bleeding brakes so just want to be sure. The bike is a 650 BMW single.

Yeah, I’d say that was plenty.
I usually empty the master then refill with fresh fluid, by the time it needs re-filled again it enough to have flushed through the lines and calliper. I do this for each calliper.

[tim0409]

Speed addicted said:

Yeah, I’d say that was plenty.
I usually empty the master then refill with fresh fluid, by the time it needs re-filled again it enough to have flushed through the lines and calliper. I do this for each calliper.

Many thanks, that’s really helpful.

[Challo]

We are in the process of downsizing to a 1 car family as I WFH full time. My GF works for a large car/bike brand and I have the option of get a bike on a short term lease if I want. As I might have the occasional need to get into the office, or visit customers I thought getting a bike would be a good option.

I have a full bike licence, but haven’t ridden for 20years. Can someone advise how much it would cost to get some basic clothing etc. Thinking maybe £300-£400 for a helmet, gloves, jacket, boots.

Does that sound about right?

[RizzoTheRat]

I'd say £300-400 would be doable but relatively bottom end kit. Roughly speaking you're looking at £100 for a basic HJC helmet, and maybe similar for a cheapish jacket.

It's worth having a hunt on e-bay, quite a few people buy a bike and all the kit and then decide biking isn't for them, I wouldn't buy a second hand helmet but you can get some bargains on decent jackets and trousers.

Depending where you are, Infinity have a discount warehouse in Camberley that has a lot of end of line stuff and discount prices. I'm assuming other chains have similar discount stores around too.

[Challo]

RizzoTheRat said:

I'd say £300-400 would be doable but relatively bottom end kit. Roughly speaking you're looking at £100 for a basic HJC helmet, and maybe similar for a cheapish jacket.

It's worth having a hunt on e-bay, quite a few people buy a bike and all the kit and then decide biking isn't for them, I wouldn't buy a second hand helmet but you can get some bargains on decent jackets and trousers.

Depending where you are, Infinity have a discount warehouse in Camberley that has a lot of end of line stuff and discount prices. I'm assuming other chains have similar discount stores around too.

Cheers Rizzo. I am based in Reading, so Camberley is not far at all so will pop in and take a look.

[RizzoTheRat]

If you're going that way there's also J&S and The Motorbike Shop virtually next door to each other in Farnborough, both of which have a decent range of kit, but less discounts than Infinity's warehouse.

[Challo]

RizzoTheRat said:

If you're going that way there's also J&S and The Motorbike Shop virtually next door to each other in Farnborough, both of which have a decent range of kit, but less discounts than Infinity's warehouse.

Cheers. I have a https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/ up the road from me as well.

[black-k1]

Challo said:

RizzoTheRat said:

If you're going that way there's also J&S and The Motorbike Shop virtually next door to each other in Farnborough, both of which have a decent range of kit, but less discounts than Infinity's warehouse.

Cheers. I have a https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/ up the road from me as well.

While a new helmet has to be top of the list, check out the likes of eBay for other second hand kit. There seems to be a lot of people who spend a load of money on new kit only to give up biking a short time later. Some real bargins on good quality kit availalbe.

[AJHDingo]

This may sound daft but have a look in your local charity shops, picked Held Jacket / Trousers and RST gloves plus German leather trousers and boots all CE for a very little compared to new.

[Challo]

Thanks All.

Just need to the OH to find out details of lease options, and what bikes I can potentially order.

[Zarco]

Challo said:

RizzoTheRat said:

If you're going that way there's also J&S and The Motorbike Shop virtually next door to each other in Farnborough, both of which have a decent range of kit, but less discounts than Infinity's warehouse.

Cheers. I have a https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/ up the road from me as well.

SBS in Reading had barely any stock on display when I visited last year. They hadn't been open long so perhaps it's better now, but I wasn't impressed.

Traditionally I've gone to Infinity in Farnborough. The Helmet City in Oxford is very good too (not just helmets).

[KTMsm]

Zarco said:

SBS in Reading had barely any stock on display when I visited last year. They hadn't been open long so perhaps it's better now, but I wasn't impressed.

If you roughly know what you want, you can order it to be delivered to the store so that you can have a look at it when you visit

Obviously not much help if you are in a rush or don't know what you want

[Zarco]

KTMsm said:

If you roughly know what you want, you can order it to be delivered to the store so that you can have a look at it when you visit

Obviously not much help if you are in a rush or don't know what you want

I really wanted to look at a selection of one-piece leathers at the time. Didn't really know what I wanted but had an idea about getting an A-Stars airbag suit (I didn't in the end).

Just seemed a bit pointless having a reasonably big store with hardly anything in it. It may have changed since then. They could do well as Reading hasn't had a bike clothing shop since Hein Gericke went pop a few years ago.

[Seight_Returns]

Ditto the suggestion about buying second hand gear on Ebay - people do indeed seem to get excited about biking, buy loads of new kit and them dump it at huge loss when they decide biking isn't for them.

I've built up a really good kit of leather, textiles and summer mesh at a fraction of RRP by doing this. I've sold on some stuff that didn't fit at a small loss and put a couple of poorly chosen purchases in the bin - but on balance I'm happy with what I've got.

I prefer not to buy second hand boots and gloves - and used helmets are obviously a no-no, but lightly used jackets and trousers are often as good as new after they've been through the washing machine with Nikwax. D30 and Knox Armour inserts are always available cheaply on Ebay to freshen up older gear that has less flexible armour inserts.

Set up some watch lists, see what stuff goes for and take your time - there's always some mug who overpays and it doesn't have to be you (although on occasions it has been me!).

Edited by Seight_Returns on Wednesday 22 June 22:33