In case it is of use to anyone here is a site you can download the service manual for most bikes free (except mine)

http://www.manualedereparatie.info/en/categorii/

My wife passed her CBT in November, so we bought her a 2009 CBR125r - But she's fell out of love, and feels unsafe on it even with me shadowing her on my bike, so, after 2 months, it's gone. - I didn't want it hanging around making her feel bad.

But, we still need a "Small" bike to trailer with our motorhome (We used to have a Scooter for that purpose)

The 125 was replaced last week with a MINT 1997 CBR400RR FireBlade with MOT certificates back to 2001 and only 15,000 miles - Light enough to load onto the trailer single handedly too. - It's a bike I've always wanted to own since i was a Teenager and i LOVE it. - a Completely different experience to my 2009 VFR800 V-Tec but so much fun.

Now waiting for the weather to get better - Dad and i are insured on both bikes, and he's really looking forward to getting out riding with me. - Can't wait. - Will post some photo's of them together when we have a dry road, probably around May time...!

Al.

My wife passed her CBT in November, so we bought her a 2009 CBR125r - But she's fell out of love, and feels unsafe on it even with me shadowing her on my bike, so, after 2 months, it's gone. - I didn't want it hanging around making her feel bad.

Wonder if she might feel more comfortable on something less prone and with a bigger physical presence?? I have a Suzuki Gladius and ( apologies to any blokes on here with one) think it is a great "Girls bike" - very easy to ride, fairly low seat height, not too heavy but powerful enough to be fun.

I also belong to a group of female bikers called " Curvey Riders" - they organise loads of ride outs for us girlies. Loads of female solidarity - maybe worth a look??

It was at the North Wast 200 in 2011, was short lived Ryan blew his engine up as he passed me and spread oil over a fair distance then it rained heavy non stop they couldn't get it cleared 6 hours later they abandoned :( the shot looking down just catching bike going past was very fast he followed bikes with camera and took shots as they went past at about 1.5-2 meters from them. Here is a vid off my mighty old mobile at time same spot he was standing next to me. Ironically this was just when Farquhar's engine went pop and oil trail started right where I was, you can see the flag going out. :(

Just uploaded it, it's 2 little clips joined together the marshal was hopeless to be polite the spectators had to roar at him to get flag out as he hadn't noticed....... Then he stood more or less hidden but they did slow right down so must have some eyes on them.

If you have never been its fantastic no tickets etc just pitch up somewhere along the course which runs in a triangle through 3 towns 12-28th May this year. http://www.northwest200.org/

Also the Ulster Grand Prix fastest road race in the world(ticketed) on 12-17th Aug http://www.ulstergrandprix.net/

There are many more tbh Armoy is one of the best smaller ones 26&27th July http://www.amrrc.com/ To be a spectator as close to the bikes as possible Armoy prob wins

Unlike the IOM TT you will not see bikes setting off racing a stop watch all alone but a grid launching and in the UGP a massive pack elbow to elbow into first corner!

The THUNDER! of bikes passing you inches away is powerful!

might have posted this vid before but its well worth watching again the start is how close you can get yourself. 1:36 ish shows the full effect.

Watch it in HD or else!!!

Awesome what a heart warming sound as they roar past :p - some serious wobble on's there though and one or two scarey offs

Soundtrack impressive too - enjoyed that thanks Fubar.

Awesome what a heart warming sound as they roar past :p - some serious wobble on's there though and one or two scarey offs

Soundtrack impressive too - enjoyed that thanks Fubar.

I will show you wobble lady!

Watch it all but big wobble BIG BIG BIG wobble at 2:59 but do watch it all some great footage in there of some of the smaller circuits, gets a bit boring in last part of vid as it goes to some wee island and some lonely race at lower speed........ :p

Normal rules apply 720p

Wow !!!!!!!!- are we quite sure we weren't watching one of these ??

More wobble than a weeble and didn't fall down !!! - how the heck did he stay on that??

Fantastic footage.

BE GONE SNOWY COLD WEATHER - I WANT TO GET MY BIKE OUT TO PLAY

Wonder if she might feel more comfortable on something less prone and with a bigger physical presence?? I have a Suzuki Gladius and ( apologies to any blokes on here with one) think it is a great "Girls bike" - very easy to ride, fairly low seat height, not too heavy but powerful enough to be fun.

I also belong to a group of female bikers called " Curvey Riders" - they organise loads of ride outs for us girlies. Loads of female solidarity - maybe worth a look??

I would rather she gave in gracefully, that be unsafe and be more likely to be involved in a RTC... good thoughts tho!

Al.

Back from work the other day, nice 200 mile ride home, a bit nippy though. It helps having my girlfriend on the seat though just in case an emergency shag is needed :-)

Finally dug out a couple of pics...just realised how few I have!!!

I would rather she gave in gracefully, that be unsafe and be more likely to be involved in a RTC... good thoughts tho!

Al.

Can understand that - Have had a couple bikes that I just didn't feel confident riding. Had a bit of a near miss taking a right hand turn the first time I rode a Yamaha Fazer,as I totally misjudged the power. Also dropped my XJ600 trying to maneouvre it at slow speed on one occassion. If you don't feel confident with the bike it is unlikely to work.

Hope she enoys some pillion rides and maybe returns to biking when the time feels right

Hope she enoys some pillion rides and maybe returns to biking when the time feels right

Strangely, she loves and feels really safe on the back with me!

Al.

A few pictures I took at WSBK at Silverstone last summer - not great piccies, but it was a brilliant day

http://s1088.beta.ph...brary/WSBK/WSBK

Cool pics great timing to get the off's love the last one too its my fav proper split second thing to capture, I love pictures of bikes racing further over the better! But I do miss seeing the trees, pavements, walls, houses, drains, cats eyes, road markings, pot holes and spectators within half an arms reach

Have you ever been to any of the road racing in NI or that stopwatch thing on that wee island ?? NI ones are very cost effective if you ever fancy them not as easy to get fleeced for times around races as long as you don't seek accommodation right by the circuits.

Out of interest does anyone here have and carry a "Crash Card" when they are riding? If so where do you keep it? I keep meaning to get a few and put one in wallet, one on inside of a boot other on jacket. Not a bad thing to be carrying on or off a bike. On most of my gear there are accessible clear pockets for name/blood type, I always fill these in and add "English Speaking" due to the amount I ride in mainland Europe so some of these really makes sense. Dog tags etc on same note but I dont like them if you get them side on and they take an impact.....

http://www.righttoride.co.uk/supporting/biker-ni-safety-card/

.......now I have a Monte Carlo

Last rode 1968 just before I got married.

Big Gap....

Back to biking 2003. Yamaha Fazer 600 New. (now gone)

2005. Kawasaki ZRX1200s. Still have.

2007 Kawasaki Z750s. New (now gone)

2008 Kawasaki Z1000. New (now gone)

2009 Aprilia Tuono r Vtwin 1000. New. Still have

Picture. I will try and find one. In colour?

.......now I have a Monte Carlo

Last rode 1968 just before I got married.

Big Gap....

Back to biking 2003. Yamaha Fazer 600 New. (now gone)

2005. Kawasaki ZRX1200s. Still have.

2007 Kawasaki Z750s. New (now gone)

2008 Kawasaki Z1000. New (now gone)

2009 Aprilia Tuono r Vtwin 1000. New. Still have

Picture. I will try and find one. In colour?

Black and white snaps rule! I don't recall there being any so far in the thread, you could be the first! How you finding the Tuono after the Zed?

Started with a Honda C95 back in 1968 (see my avatar) Had various bikes over the years. Now I just collect old 'uns and restore them. Currently have '72 Honda CB175, '64 Honda C200, '73 Honda ST70 and another C95!

Started with a Honda C95 back in 1968 (see my avatar) Had various bikes over the years. Now I just collect old 'uns and restore them. Currently have '72 Honda CB175, '64 Honda C200, '73 Honda ST70 and another C95!

Sounds good do you take pictures along the way of your restorations????

Sounds good do you take pictures along the way of your restorations????

I have some pics which I am trying to put on here.

My unrestored Honda C95

My unrestored Honda C95

Looks in really solid shape to start with shouldn't be needing any hard to find parts on that one!

Britishski biker here.....Triumph Daytona 955i

Britishski biker here.....Triumph Daytona 955i

I had a yellow 06 furby and I regret selling it :( but not as much as I miss the sound of my old bike :(

pics please

This is current bike, had for a few years now and taken on track once...shock started leaking and spoilt that!

I actually loved the look of this one that it replaced though...although its non starting/battery eating I was less fond of...very raucious bike to ride though, rough running but aggressive which felt far racier, the 955i much smoother/better power delivery but I would have swore the 595 was faster and loved the noise it made

Cool pics great timing to get the off's love the last one too its my fav proper split second thing to capture, I love pictures of bikes racing further over the better! But I do miss seeing the trees, pavements, walls, houses, drains, cats eyes, road markings, pot holes and spectators within half an arms reach

Have you ever been to any of the road racing in NI or that stopwatch thing on that wee island ?? NI ones are very cost effective if you ever fancy them not as easy to get fleeced for times around races as long as you don't seek accommodation right by the circuits.

Thanks - but pics are more by luck than judgement !! I have a stack of track with not a bike in sight

Never been to any of the road races - strangely have been to see a number of Hill climbs, some with side car which were exciting to watch NI sounds brill - will have to look into it - thanks for the pointer