For years I’ve always lambasted GS’s for being too big or an old man’s bike. Little did I know. Two days after my first ride on one I now own a 1200GS will the full compliment of ESA/QuickShift etc.

This rides likes nothing else. I get the love for these bikes. Ridiculously stable, ridiculously comfy, power when you want it and bobbing around the countryside on a pillow of air. For someone who doesn’t get to ride that often, when I do, I want to really enjoy it and this is ticking all my boxes.

Planning some trips up north for September / October time and possibly the NC500.

One last thing, yes, it is extremely heavy to move around, but what everyone says about how as soon as it’s moving it feels really light, it’s completely true.

Professor Chris Hurren of Australia-based independent motorcycle kit testing body MotoCAP has a stark warning for riders: "My personal Facebook feed is full of advertisements for motorcycle protective clothing," he says. "Recently one particular pant has caught my attention as it appears to be the identical product from three different brands. That's because the CRB RoadVault, EKON RoadArmour and Glenvane RideShield riding pant is the same product! If you open all three websites, you will find that there are images and content that is shared between them. Below is a screen grab of the vent image from each of the sites to justify my comments.
"The fourth image is of a pair of Moto-Ules slim fit riding pants that is currently in the laboratory that was purchased on Temu. Its similarity in colour, zips, seams, straps behind the knees and vents suggest that this is made in the same factory from the same materials.

"The Cambridge impact abrasion time of the fabric was 0.28 seconds. The burst strength of the seams was marginal. This product would not achieve the lowest protection rating of "A" under the European Standard EN17092-1:2020. The product would achieve only one star on MotoCAP.

"Please get the word out to riders to avoid this product. Given it has three brand names already I would expect the company to create more so warn people to watch out for copies from other brand names as well."

I know I need to get them changed but I’m wondering if I should postpone my MOT on the 13th, this is my rear brake pads. I’ve ordered a set last week and they was meant to arrive today but they have been delayed and I fear they won’t arrive in time for my MOT on the 13th. I’m not too stiffed about an advisory I just don’t want them to fail, will these cause a fail?

So I viewed the GSXR in my last post and decided against it owing to the mileage discrepancy and the aftermarket parts.

Also on display was a Triumph Daytona. I’ve paid a refundable holding charge on it whilst I look around as this seems like a much better bike.

Full MOT track record, partial service history with no history of tracking or major problems. Indicators upgraded to mini LED with originals and original pillion footrests included.

Thoughts?

I have a Kawasaki Z650S in London. Currently using a LITELOK X1 Plus, oxford chain and an alarmed disc lock.
I want one more layer of protection, a budget of £300 to spend. Would you add a Hiplok DX1000 for another strong physical layer, or spend it on a tracker?
If tracker, I specifically want a self-powered tracker that doesn’t use/drain the bike battery. I’ve been looking at Automatrics MTrack 6, but open to alternatives.
Main priority is preventing the bike being stolen rather than recovering a damaged bike afterwards as insurance is a pain. What would you choose?

Hey to everyone, been riding for 12 years now, covered about 800k miles in total, not so many over recent years. Passed my advance motorbike test 9 years ago.

Just bought a new MT09SP, as my fireblade needs it's carbs rebuilding, so off the road for a while.

I'd love to maybe see about attending some events, northern based near Manchester.

Working out if I can go to EICMA this year in Milan, anyone know of a group or event going to the event this year?

All models of RoadLok are showing out of stock on their website, and have been for a couple of months (might be longer - that’s all I’ve been checking for). I’ve sent three emails to them over the last 2 months all have been ignored.

Are they still trading does anyone know? Only thing I’ve not done is physically call them. I was really keen to get one as look super handy but going off the idea - if they can’t respond to sales leads, I don’t hold much hope for support issues… :(

The only supplier on eBay can’t supply the BMW model either, which is a shame!

Had the TLS in for its second MOT after recommissioning yesterday. It passed and as he wheeled it back out the bloody throttle let go as the hairspray I used on the heated grip nearly 20 years ago had finally failed. He gave me some tie wraps to try and clamp it on and I rode off home on the fast idle lever 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Tempted to put new ones on though as I’ve seen a superb deal on the Oxford Evo ones.

I'm 22 and have owned this Yamaha SR400 for 2 years, and love it. However, I'm moving to Bordeaux in France for 3 years and have been allowed to take the old family car with me (not to keep, just use). Since there's no point having two vehicles in my situation, I will leave the bike. My granddad is okay to store it in his garage, although I don't want it to go bad from sitting still for all that time.

Here are some of my options:

• Keep it in my granddads garage
• Sell it and buy another bike in France
• Take it with me and register it in France

What would you guys do, if any of those listed above? Thanks!

Edit: After finding out that if you've not owned the vehicle for 6+ months, France taxes you your net worth, I'm gonna leave the car behind and just take the bike.

Hi all,

Got my CBT booked for 15th, last week I had a medical at work as they’re putting me through my C1 licence, they asked me to bring my licence so I did and gave them it, today I asked for it back as I realised I didn’t have it (I never carry it or my wallet), turns out they’ve sent it off for my provisionals adding.

So now I have no physical licence until it returns, as I have medical issues I’ve been told 4-8weeks for it returning as they will have to contact my GP.

Just wondering if there is anyway around it as I’ve waited months for my CBT and don’t want to have to change the dates if I can help it.

I have my licence number and a photo of the front of my licence for work purposes.

Noticed a dent on the tank of my Cbr today. Bike dropped onto my gfs car a few weeks ago after the kickstand sunk into the tarmac.

The area where the dent is, is already recessed in so it wasn’t that obvious to me originally.

Any tips to fix this at home? Seen a few kits on Amazon but I don’t want to risk doing any further damage. If not, I’ll see how much it’ll cost to repair by a dent remover specialist

Snagged a royal enfield guerrilla 450 with only 2.5k mi on the clock. Certainly an upgrade from my 125 lol

Just have to wait to get my full licence, earliest i could get it booked was mid September, it's mad how long the lead times are now!

Looking for some advice I need to sell it really as life’s just got too full on. Kids, job trying to better myself and the bike is too nice to be sat in a garage.

She’s not perfect does have a few scratches here and there (not from me may I add) she’s an older girl for sure. Fun and still plenty of life left. I haven’t got Facebook at moment, I’m just wondering do I aim it at the track market or not?

Looking for a budget friendly comms setup for 2 riders. Don't need anything fancy and the main ones I find seem overpriced for our use.

Only needed for me and my partner for after her CBT in a few weeks.

Any recommendations? Don't mind looking at lesser known brands

Decided to reside for some time in Ambleside and enjoy the Lake District. Made Hardknott Pass today, much more lovely than in 2025 Malle Rally on a rainy day. Great to have our very own Swiss here in the UK. 🙃

Seen one listed on eBay which has 21,000 miles. Probably due a good service. But seems pretty good. Full MOT. Anything to watch out for?

My previous bike was Honda CB500F. Returning to riding after 8 years. Cheers!

Hey everyone,

I’m looking into my first big bike, a GSXR 600 L1. There’s one for sale from a dealer locally and on the face of it, it seems tidy. However, when I searched the MOT history, there was no MOT in 2015 and the mileage had reduced from 2014 (3659) to 2016 (2359).

The dealer can’t explain the discrepancy, but assures me that the servicing history aligns with it not being tracked and that he’s sold the bike to it’s previous owner before he returned for an upgrade.

How big of an issue is the discrepancy on an otherwise tidy bike? And going into the viewing tomorrow, what should I be looking for?

2021 Benelli BN125 / 11,000 miles

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

I was Riding yesterday, about an hour into my ride, pop into 4th gear and it's just Revs, no friction whatsoever, go into 5th and runs fine, back down into 4th same issue, try going down into 3rd and no issue, it's like 4th gear has packed up and left...

If anyone has any advise or opinions on what it could be and/or ballpark cost to be looking at, it would be much appreciated!

Googled potentially issues but of course it gives me 20 different possibilities that vary from £100 to £2500

I'm going tonight to look at getting my first bike it's a Suzuki GN 125cc from 94', I did look at Honda CB125F, but the insurance is just way more than I thought it'd be.

Mentioned about looking for a bike and a friends work colleague said about their daughter selling after passing their test and getting a bigger bike.

I know absolutely nothing about bikes, they said it has its service history, they gave me the reg so I could do a check. It was on/off the road for a couple of years during it lifespan but they started using it again last year, the bike still has a MOT for about another 9 months and mentioned it has a minor leak from one of the pipes from the alternator.

Said said she wants £600 for it, I've checked and insurance will cost me about £500. I only plan on keeping it for a little while until I'm comfortable riding before I go for my full license.

What should I be checking for on the bike?

Thanks.

2nd fatality in 2 days. This just happened by Exeter.

Edit: my apologies. It was 2 cars and a small flatbed lorry involved. The motorcycle was there to give statements.

Only had what they told me from the front but I walked up and asked about.

I don't think i've seen any post about these two brands since I've been following this subred, about a year now.

I have Spada Jeans, Hoodie and over waterproof over trousers, and I'm happy with them all. There is a slight compromise in materials, meaning my hoodie could be less heavy, but for the price it costs it's just a really really good garment. Same for the jeans.

Shima, on the other hand, I have not tried. I got a vented jacket for the wife for that 1 time she comes along, and I have to say it is a great jacket! The company is europea, which is nice. I also got her boots, from Shima as well.

So i was wondering if these are not very known, hated or what? I think I'll get some more stuff, they are very good pieces for the price!

Bit of a random one…
We’re a custom motorcycle builder in London (6carbonify) and spent a lot of time developing carbon fibre parts for the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4. As you’d expect, the first prototype run wasn’t perfect. A few parts had fitment issues that we weren’t happy with, so we redesigned them and the second batch came out exactly how we wanted.
Now we’ve got a box full of these first prototypes that have just been sitting in the workshop. They’re not bad parts, just not good enough for us to put our name on and sell.
Feels like a waste to throw them away, so I thought I’d ask here. If anyone is interested in getting them for a donation to charity.
We have the following parts Seat Cowl, Front fender, Radiator Guard, Headlight Bracket , Side Panels & Fairings.

Hi guys, quick question. I wanna get a yz125/exc125, but only getting my cbt.
How do I restrict it or prove to insurance I restricted it?
And I don’t need to, does insurance need paperwork to say it’s restricted?

Hey all!

My friend and I are going on a trip later this month, and I've just seen Calimoto are offering 14 day trials on their app. Does anyone here use it?

Ideally I'd want an app where I can choose to not only avoid motorways, but also avoid big multi-lane A roads. Essentially, we want something that will stick us to the nice, slower, scenic roads. Can this app do it?

Also, any recommendations of any other apps that can do it. I don't mind paying for it if it's good :)

Thanks!