First bike - few questions
Discussion
Hi guys,
Just bought my first bike, went for a 2014 ER6F in bright orange, was originally looking at a brand new 2017 model 650 Ninja, but logic took over and I decided to save a couple of grand and grab a couple of year old model, still just as nice but if/when I drop it hopefully it'll be cheaper to fix! Have been picking up bits that I think I'll need second hand when I see them, so far got all my gear etc, all new minus the boots but they were a bargain, and some oxford panniers/top bag (only for use on long trips obviously) and a set of Interphone F4MC intercoms, mainly to use with the missus on the back as for some reason I decided it'd be nice to talk on a ride.
First question really is does anyone else have this intercom set, and use them in conjunction with any sat nav apps on their phone? Looking to do a decent ride not too long after passing so will need to be able to navigate! Looking at the TOM TOM GO app but just wondering if anyone else has any experience?
Secondly, the only access to my back garden is down a pathway with a right angle corner in it, I can get the bike down it by myself with a bit of effort dragging the back wheel round as its too wide/tight to turn properly, any other ideas? Been looking at a rear wheel dolly type thing but wondering if it would work! Its a paved pathway with fences either side if it makes any difference. I have tried taking it through the house but with quite a step between back garden and patio doors it makes it quite a challenge even with a home made ramp!
Passed my MOD1 26th with no faults, which I was thrilled about, and got my MOD2 9th of May, itching to get out now so fingers crossed all goes well! Been driving 7 years so hoping for the best! Cheers
Just bought my first bike, went for a 2014 ER6F in bright orange, was originally looking at a brand new 2017 model 650 Ninja, but logic took over and I decided to save a couple of grand and grab a couple of year old model, still just as nice but if/when I drop it hopefully it'll be cheaper to fix! Have been picking up bits that I think I'll need second hand when I see them, so far got all my gear etc, all new minus the boots but they were a bargain, and some oxford panniers/top bag (only for use on long trips obviously) and a set of Interphone F4MC intercoms, mainly to use with the missus on the back as for some reason I decided it'd be nice to talk on a ride.
First question really is does anyone else have this intercom set, and use them in conjunction with any sat nav apps on their phone? Looking to do a decent ride not too long after passing so will need to be able to navigate! Looking at the TOM TOM GO app but just wondering if anyone else has any experience?
Secondly, the only access to my back garden is down a pathway with a right angle corner in it, I can get the bike down it by myself with a bit of effort dragging the back wheel round as its too wide/tight to turn properly, any other ideas? Been looking at a rear wheel dolly type thing but wondering if it would work! Its a paved pathway with fences either side if it makes any difference. I have tried taking it through the house but with quite a step between back garden and patio doors it makes it quite a challenge even with a home made ramp!
Passed my MOD1 26th with no faults, which I was thrilled about, and got my MOD2 9th of May, itching to get out now so fingers crossed all goes well! Been driving 7 years so hoping for the best! Cheers
Congrats on passing your test and the new bike. I reckon putting the rear wheel on a dolly would work, or the whole bike. Those bike stand/dollies are useful to have when you get a shed/garage.
You could get some nice stands that move sideways, useful for future https://dynamoto.com.au/
or more basic garage dolly, much cheaper https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/311452213493?chn=ps&a...
Not used those intercoms, I use Sharktooth comms in my Shark helmet only on long trips where i need the nav to help me find the hotel in the evening , have just used google maps in the past and download the routes first just in case of connectivity issues. Works fine for ad hoc use.
If I was going to use navigation regularly (rather than once or twice a year) I may get a dedicated bike unit from tom tom
You could get some nice stands that move sideways, useful for future https://dynamoto.com.au/
or more basic garage dolly, much cheaper https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/311452213493?chn=ps&a...
Not used those intercoms, I use Sharktooth comms in my Shark helmet only on long trips where i need the nav to help me find the hotel in the evening , have just used google maps in the past and download the routes first just in case of connectivity issues. Works fine for ad hoc use.
If I was going to use navigation regularly (rather than once or twice a year) I may get a dedicated bike unit from tom tom
Clarkey2110 said:
Hi guys,
Secondly, the only access to my back garden is down a pathway with a right angle corner in it, I can get the bike down it by myself with a bit of effort dragging the back wheel round as its too wide/tight to turn properly, any other ideas?
Stand on left of bike, put sidestand down, lean bike over so it is on sidestand alone, pivot around sidestand?Secondly, the only access to my back garden is down a pathway with a right angle corner in it, I can get the bike down it by myself with a bit of effort dragging the back wheel round as its too wide/tight to turn properly, any other ideas?
Thanks for the replies guys. That sort of dolly would work if I had a centre stand, looking online they don’t even seem to do a centre stand for the er6 
just my luck! Sidestand technique I’m not sure I understand it but would probably make more sense when trying! Ideally I need to make the back wheel not grip the slabs as it goes round so I can drag it easier, don’t know if I could lift the back wheel onto a dolly like that one linked 
just my luck! Sidestand technique I’m not sure I understand it but would probably make more sense when trying! Ideally I need to make the back wheel not grip the slabs as it goes round so I can drag it easier, don’t know if I could lift the back wheel onto a dolly like that one linked Just to add to the post, passed my mod2 yesterday, only 4 minors so not too bad, especially considering all my instructors said the examiner is a bit of a knob! Went out for the first time on my own yesterday, and then took my rather petite other half on the back, and she loves it! Happy days all round
Clarkey2110 said:
Went out for the first time on my own yesterday, and then took my rather petite other half on the back, and she loves it! Happy days all round
Welcome to the clan .... as for the above, braver than me .... I rode for nearly a year before I had anyone on the back !!!dibblecorse said:
Welcome to the clan .... as for the above, braver than me .... I rode for nearly a year before I had anyone on the back !!!
Got a bit of an advantage here, my missus is only about 50kg and has been pillion before, cant really feel her unless I accelerate as I get squeezed by her legs!Clarkey2110 said:
dibblecorse said:
Welcome to the clan .... as for the above, braver than me .... I rode for nearly a year before I had anyone on the back !!!
Got a bit of an advantage here, my missus is only about 50kg and has been pillion before, cant really feel her unless I accelerate as I get squeezed by her legs!xeny said:
Stand on left of bike, put sidestand down, lean bike over so it is on sidestand alone, pivot around sidestand?
I have been riding for just over a month and every evening I get home, I've been doing a 20 point turn to get it pointing in the direction of our side door on the garage (up and over door has been blocked up on the inside). I have no idea if this is OK or not but I did it tonight and it took 5 seconds haha.
Can't believe I never thought of it before.
Check out Google’s Waze app, you can set it for a bike and it will estimate travel time that includes filtering through traffic.
Also the Scenic app is good for touring, you can look up twisty routes and then upload them via gpx files or manually. See the Visor Down website for lots of riding routes and gpx files that you can upload to Scenic.
The only problem I’ve found with using phone-based apps for navigation is the batter life on my iPhones. But since the iPhone 7 this is much improved. And I use a lithium external battery charger in a tank bag if I am going out of ‘battery range’.
Also the Scenic app is good for touring, you can look up twisty routes and then upload them via gpx files or manually. See the Visor Down website for lots of riding routes and gpx files that you can upload to Scenic.
The only problem I’ve found with using phone-based apps for navigation is the batter life on my iPhones. But since the iPhone 7 this is much improved. And I use a lithium external battery charger in a tank bag if I am going out of ‘battery range’.
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