This is the best advice for all road users but especially those on bikes, expect everyone else to do the stupidest thing and you'll keep yourself safe.
Ex biker here. Being a biker teaches you to be a better car driver. It teaches you about anticipation and defensive driving. Bikes do not have self cancelling indicators and it is easy to forget they are on. Stupid motorists can pull out based on someone indicating left. This can be calamitous for a bike rider. When you see someone waiting to pull out anticipate they may well do it and not see you. I learnt to always make sure they are cancelled and as a car driver I never rely on someones indicator going left when pulling out.
Another ex biker here. A good few years on bikes does make you more aware of what can happen, no doubt about it. However, I'm getting on for 70 years old now, so it's four wheels only these days! Those knobbly tyres on that bike will be a bit Torville & Dean in the wet James.... Oooh, you mentioned a Morgan James. I always fancied a Morgan, although I couldn't get in or out of one these days due to arthritic knees. I'm due a knee replacement quite soon....
Current biker here and totally agree riding my bike really does make you focus even in the car. I treat riding my bike that no one can see me. This is very good advise
@@Scarletsb0y The width of A-pillars these days scares me, I'm dancing at junctions trying to see out the van. I fear a cyclist is more likely to get smashed, than a biker, but both could be me one day. They've certainly made cars safer *for the occupants*
Nonsense. Bikes deliberately put themselves in vulnerable positions because they know a car will automatically receive blame so they take advantage of that.
A single tip that will serve you well on otherwise fun roads, go wide on the corners to maximise field of view, a bike can nip accross so quickly if you spot something and getting an exra second or two just makes everything that much calmer.
Used to work for Audi. We had a someone with an R8 who crashed it on a track day and tried to claim warranty for brake failure. After our diagnostics and sending the info to Audi in germany was found the customer was at fault as he had been warned by the car of the brakes being too hot yet ignored it and also found excessive handbrake operation. £30k damage on the car customer was insisting was the car until they took the loss
100% Have been on about since the 70s, When 90% of youngsters had a moped to get to work and Made them Respect others when they get a car , Excellent comments and Should be like National Service get people in the Workplace instead of on the Gaming Machines when they are 16 Apprentice was Excellent for getting Experience and you had the Added bonus of not having to wait for a lift from mum or dad talking you to work 😂 And you would like myself end up in the Motortrade for 30+ Year's until 2006 👍
I totally agree new drivers should do a probationary period on a motorcycle before getting a car licence. That's what people done years ago before they could afford a car and it makes them much better drivers.
Good point on the bike. Mine has pedals instead of an engine, but car drivers being on the other side would be handy for them to see how it feels when they pass so closely. The main thing it makes me realise is the impatience of many. I will say there are also some lovely courteous drivers, I always try and wave thank you to show the appreciation
Metzeler tyres are good have used them for years on the road and racing. Also riding a bike makes you more conscious of things going on around you being able to react to it
I'm always considering how my business would go if I had a bike crash, being a one man band, think about as well bud, car drivers are a nightmare these days.
Current biker here and totally agree riding my bike really does make you focus even in the car. I treat riding my bike that no one can see me. This is very good advise to always have when you get on the bike. Get the best gear you can afford make sure it has A or AA rating , tyres I would use are Bridgestone S21/2 or Michelin Pilot Street.
Keep safe on the bike Chops. Great recommendation on having a bike licence before a car licence. I did that and it does make your overall awareness of other road users higher. Treat every car as trying to kill you and you’ll keep safe.
Lifelong biker however, the bigger scooters are fantastic transport. So comfy, fast enough and you can stow all your stuff or go food shopping etc. My Yamaha 250 scooter was brilliant for commuting, no clutch hand distress etc..
Passed my bike test 10 years before driving. When I eventually moved over to 4 wheels, the instructor commented how good my observations were from the word go. Said that was probably due to so many cars cutting me up and pulling out in front of me. One thing he had to get me to stop doing was the looking over my left shoulder life saver when turning off roundabouts
Older bike riders just starting out, seems like a nice idea I know I've had plenty of friends either going back to riding after many years or like yourself just starting. They all did it for a short time but not one of them is doing it now. They either had an accident but most of them lost their nerve and were frightened to get back on a bike again, so enjoy it until your nerves run out.
Bike tyres: can't go wrong with any of the mainstream brands, especially on a 125cc. Michelin/Continental are premium but probably overkill, Bridgestone are widely used. Depends on availability in your sizes. Have a look at M&P unless your local trade outlet can get them for you. Ride safe.
Trader shouldn't have said a word to you bud, I wouldn't. You could tell that BM was a right dog, so basically your mate did you on purchase and trader got a result from you as well, your a saint mate.
Hi James, welcome to biker life. My advice would be to move off of that 125 as soon as possible, so quickly in fact i wouldn't spend the money on changing the tyres. Try not to be intimidated and occupy your lane, riding to the circumstances of course. Anyone you know or on your CBT course you can ride out with on a Sunday to get the miles in with? As for the next bike, from guessing you're a big guy on country roads I'd skip a sport bike. A naked or adventure bike such as KTM 390, Suzuki’s V-Strom 650 or Kawasaki’s Versys 650 A2 compliant of course. Good luck
Exposure to risk is a good promotor of defensive driving. Why all car drivers should ride a motorbike if only to understand how your driving style, how you read the road & anticipating the randomness of other drivers actions directly impacts your own, and others, survival. Don’t want to count my chickens after 42 years of accident free riding and driving, but I passed my car test at 17 and 3 months, but couldn’t afford to run a car, so got a 125, and passed my full bike test when I was almost 18. I then commuted a 125 (to Exeter) all year round for 2 years and got bigger bikes as time went by and until I could afford to run a car. Starting my driving career on a bike, including star rider gold as it was back then, despite already having a car licence, has definitely kept me alive, and considerate to all types of road user. Ride easy, and get those cheap nasty vanity nobblies off particularly now winter is coming - cold, greasy and hard rubber. I wouldn’t know what to recommend but some sticky mini-moto’s would be a good choice.
Always say the same about other road users when it comes to bikes. Same with HGV’s. Loving the 3 series tourer. Looking to trade in my XKR for a nice estate.
@@ChopsGarage When young I passed my bike test Monday morning and car test on the Monday afternoon. My first bike after passing was a Honda CB750/4 but did the test on a 125cc. Laws have changed a lot.
You should go to a bike mechanic and they will tune a good bit more power out of that bike and chuck the off road tyres straight away as well be a massive difference
I rode bikes back in the 80’s before cbt tests etc from a few 50cc then 125cc but got my car license and went on to cars and for years I stuck with cars but then after working on the other side of the Thames and if anyone who knows the Blackwall tunnel knows, the traffic can be a complete pain. One day a van dropped a load of asbestos which shut the tunnel for hours and then who of south London was gridlocked and I decided to get back on bikes so I got another 125cc which was a classic Yamaha rd125, but a bit on the larger size I decided to take the full test passed first time and the only thing he might of failed me was a hesitated at a set of temporary traffic light in regards to filtering, but I thought sod so got to the front went back to the centre and passed, I had about 12 larger size bikes, the first was a rd350 ypvs the last was a cbr1000r the 350 was a 2 stroke that had a very scary powerband until I got the revs in my head but that did not sound loud which is what I wanted to filter through the tunnel after many rebuilds and exchanges I got to the cbr which was a powerful bike even though it was about 10 years old. The noise trick on that was the baffles could be un riveted, that was exactly what I wanted as if you are filtering through cars or vans etc you need to be able to stop or swerve in that sort of environment, is much easier and safer for me to blip the throttle to make people aware you are there, I loved biking must better than driving but in 2012 I was told I spinal stenosis which started from the top but eventually got to my lumbar and with this my nerves became messed up due to the issues with my spine, I couldn’t hold the bike up no more and stored it away and used my ml320 until I could no longer drive that again because of my legs, the car went first and after a time it was clear I would never be able to ride that again so I sold that. If anyone has a urge to ride a bike do it straight away going through the proper forms but get bike smart first before getting a big bike as many of people I knew went straight out and bought Yamaha R1’s to only kill themselves after only a few months. Sorry it’s a story but people need to learn that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine.
Bung a set of Bridgestone Bt45/Bt46's on. I run them on my Enfield Himalayan the tyres are as grippy as a big bag of grippy things. My '66 Stepway I mentioned previously, flew through its MOT on Friday, little gem of a car.
Hi James, I use Michelin Pilot Road 5 Tyres on my bike. Nice and sticky and a good all round tyre. To be honest any "good tyre brand" Michelin, Avon, Metzler, Firestone etc is better than those horrible knobbly things. You would notice an instant difference in the ride and handling of the bike. I passed my bike test in the dark ages in 1971. I did my I.A.M advanced riders test 3 years ago. Highly recommended once you get your A licence.
People pull out infront of my work van, Hi viz only works if they look. Unless you've made eyecontact with someone, they haven't seen you. It certainly wont hurt to wear hi viz gear, just dont rely on it. I've done both, I'd recommend learning to drive first, so when it comes to learning to ride a bike, you just have to learn how to ride a bike, cause you learned all the rules of the road with someone sitting beside you, with dual controls. Currently rocking michi road 5's, seem decent in the wet. All the tyre manufacturers have an all weather offering, for people who don't hide under bridges.
Used to ride all the time. Tyres are important - get a "known" brand but no need to go overboard for general use on a normal bike. I find it is good to match them front-to-rear and pressures make a huge impact. Knobbies I only would recommend for frequent off road use. If that's not you, don't bother with them.
Take care on that bike fella, main road are bad enough, the roads you're on, you got to have eyes front, side and back of your head, it's the same thing with cyclists and the not giving soace really grinds my gears 😡 Good on yiu fir the deal with Made Mike, may not have been any responsibility to do him a favour but when you got good trading partners/customers (in some businessess), its always giid to watch out for/help each other out.
Rode in the 60s and 70s. Through the winter of 62, 63. BSA 250 I OWNED. Suzuki 750 water cooled I rode to London and back in mid winter and a honda 250 during the hard 80s winter
Anlas snow and mud tyres I use on the single track roads here in Ceredigion. At 68 I want something that grips well. Used for years on my scooter's and 125 motorcycle's. AS to your comment I have always thought that bikes should be part of the driving test for cars. I find 6th sense cuts in quite often when riding through lampeter area get at least one or two people pull out in front all of various ages.
Hi James. Don't worry about the tyres unless you're going to keep it. However, if you decide to change them you can't go wrong with Michelins. A couple of hundred quid well spent.
Unfortunately not all motorcyclists are angels. I live in Portugal and you see some total pratts riding in shorts and tee shirts with no regard for other road users. Wife saw an incident were a motorcyclist was following a car at 50 kph and couldn't get passed because of traffic conditions. When he eventually over took he kicked the drivers door several times then sped off doing a wheelie.The car driver pulled over and stopped as did the wife but unfortunately no body had the bikers reg number. I have ridden motorbikes from the age of 16 and finally stopped at 69. Reason being that riding the bike in 35 degrees wearing full motorcycle gear is a tad uncomfortable and the bike wasn't getting much use.
As a bike rider for many years, the smaller bikes like yours are a lot harder to ride than a litre sports bike and a lot more skittish on the road. When I think back to when I first started riding when young with stiff locked arms, wondering why I couldnt corner very well, oh and late braking when trying to corner and wondering why the bike wanted to go straight on
I have said for many years that everyone who wants to pass a car test needs to do 12 months on a bike first so they understand just how much more vunerable 2 wheelers are compared to cars.
cars are legally required to manoeuvre around a bike as if it's a car - and give that amount of space. If anyone is inside that box aound you, they are automatically stuffed if an incident occurs within - the rule also greatly changes areas of overtaking on roads as a result, making it much chearer when to 'go for it'
Bike Tyres, I only ever use Michelin Pilot Sport or Pirelli Diablos, They Stick to the Tarmac Like Poo to a Blanket and Very Confidence Building in the Wet and Cold, the Pirellis have Dual Band Rubber, Soft on the Outer Part of the Tread for Grip and Harder in the Middle for Mileage.
Try Dunlop TT 100's front and rear, also change the front mudguard if you intend to ride in the rain. I agree, car drivers should experience riding a bike, I have always said they should learn to drive a truck.
Hello from Ireland again James. Yes you're dead right about, what Customers do to the cars once they go down the road. I have sent you an email about a car of yours. Great video again as always James 👌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
The bike riding coin has two sides, bike riders do not appreciate that cars cannot react at the same speed as a bike, they can flit between cars and lanes cars cannot react at the same speed try but to, also bikes move fast and car drivers do NOT expect that……it is incumbent on US ALL to drive and ride with CARE and CONSIDERATION for others. Both cars and bikes have those who are adrenaline junkies that DO NOT think of others. So, be careful.
If that bike is Chinese they come with rubber tyres. I think it was continentals that I used to use. Go to a small bike repair shop and they will likely give you excellent on tyres. Here I use a company called John Parker motorcycles incorporated into passbike but they are miles away from You. Edit one thing to be very aware of. New tyres need 100 miles to wear in, they will be slippery for the first 100 miles. No one told me, I didn’t come off but fishtailed the rear several times!
There is something about ridding a bike totally agree you need to get off that 125 asap a bit of advice be careful ridding this time of year with the leafs on the roads especially round bends
Bike before car is a great idea. The best thing to do is treat every other road user as an idiot, because believe me your going to meet a few on your biker journey
Michelin make a good bike tire. Get the one that's hard in the middle and softer rubber on the edges. Sorry don't know what they call them as I sold my bike over 4 years ago. I had a CBR500R but couldn't afford car reg & bike reg as just recently retired at the time.
Not been o a bike now for a good few years, when I got a new bike Japanese then goi g back to early 80s first thing you did was change the tyres, Japanese standard fitted one's were called nippon never grippers 😂 not good when it raining.
My experience with Hyundai is that they will use everything possible not to honour their warranty. This is as much a problem for the dealership as it is for the consumer. I had a lemon i30 from new… from day 1 it had issues. Each visit to the dealer ultimately required input from Hyundai HO in Korea to move forward. 9 months and multiple unresolved faults later, Hyundai offered a full refund
As you say bud, trade goes both ways, how did he help you out on the polo that was burning loads of oil? You should have kept that fiesta, cheapies sell super fast, as someone once said (!)
Once you get a real bike James i.e 500cc and above you won't have to worry about cars overtaking you 😊. Get rid of those off road tyres James they are lethal in the wet. Good set of medium compound avon tyre's will serve you well
What's happened to the 'Sold as seen' ? I haven't bought a car in over 10 yrs (06 bmw 320cd / 10 VW Passat b6 estate) both meticulously looked after. So I'm not sure if the SAS is exceptable nowadays 🤔.
I agree (although I don't think they make the Roadrunner anymore, so Roadriders instead). I've been riding for 46 years and have Roadriders on 4 of the 6 bikes I currently own.
With the bike I would suggest you treat it to an application of ACF50 or similar. It will protect the metal and bolts from corrosion. As winter riding will make a bike look very tatty quickly, especially a Chinese bike.
James you need to invent a Chops Black Box that you can hide in your sales cars that records all the data.Whats the story of the Red Jag convertible or did i miss a video?
50mph on a 125, see if you can find someone to let you have a go on a lovely old RD125 or AR125 two strokes, great fun. Riding now since my 16th birthday before the days of CBT. Almost 40 years ago now.
Hyundai guy must have gone into 1st at 50 mph and smashed to engine. My mate does the opposite, he's in 5th at 20 going up a hill, cars vibrating and banging.
Not hard to do that speed in second gear trying to go into 3rd won't go in give it a good push now it's in first ! Engine management light flashing, limp mode.
@@alundavies5171 I had a TS50X C reg at 16 I still have the frame at my dad's house and most of the other parts. My first bike after passing my test was a kawasaki KMX200 I still have found memories of that bike. It flew through the gears like a moto-x bike. and did 100mph before you knew it. Just been re nicksealed and had a dep sport exhaust.
No way I would have bought anything with tyres like that on it. Don’t forget you cannot change tyre type unless insurance are happy with it. In other words is there a factory option with road tyres on? Doubt there is but if you aren’t happy now, wait until 5e frost and ice arrives, that’s when you learn just how much road surface you need to avoid or and up sat in the road or worse in bits in hospital.
I doubt whatever company makes these awful tyres is even around to sell another set. Probably Chinese factory specials. I'm sure Michelin or another brand will make something that is fully within spec for the bike and the insurance company. The tyres that came on my 13 year old car are no longer available. But Michelin had me covered with primacy 4 tyres.
Best thing ever while riding is BE SEEN get yourself a yellow reflective lid, when out riding very easy to see the Police use them be seen be safe so many fools on the road, when we go out in groups (not so much now) very easy to spot and see, when biking you have to think for every one.
He money shifted the Hyundai!. surely your warranties should work the same? If a garage plugged in found the data that shows they caused a fault then you wouldnt pay out? It will only be the same software any other dealer can access and see
Get yourself a reflective tabard, James, like you probably wore while CBT training, to go over your leather jacket. As a workplace first aider, I wore my FA's tabard out riding - car drivers appeared to be more cautious when clocking this - for some reason. Maybe it was because it was yellow and green 😉 ! Said for years that a CBT - at the very least - ought to be done before going for a driver's licence, yep!
@@ChopsGarage just make sure you ware safety gear all the time, my son Learn the hard way. 20 years on sill walks with a limp. ( car doing u turn took to avoid traffic jam )
I agree that a lot of drivers do not understand the way to co-exist with bikers. Especially young drivers. BUT. I also think that the few idiot bikers bikers who do not help themselves and ride like they think they are Barry Sheene when they don't have 10% of his ability and ride like fannies.
@@ChopsGarage nice mate. It's weird. It's nice to take a test to actually get a licence that is just for the rider. Was a great feeling when I got mine... Great channel btw. Vids are really interesting and a great insight into something that I totally had the wrong perception about!
Top tip chops when your out on the bike. Treat every other road user as a idiot and you won't ho far wrong 😊
This is the best advice for all road users but especially those on bikes, expect everyone else to do the stupidest thing and you'll keep yourself safe.
Ride defensively, the roads full of idiots majority in cars 🤷🏼♂️
Totally agree 👍
@@UKDagnar Safe.
Hardly.
Just drive a modern, safe car properly and maybe you won't become a statistic.
I have always thought like this try driving a bus for a living.
Whole new appreciation of awareness no passengers have a seat belt remember.
I’ve said to you before, I love this short and regular format mate. No buying cars for content, just a diary of your day. Great 👍🏼
Cheers glad you like it
Ex biker here. Being a biker teaches you to be a better car driver. It teaches you about anticipation and defensive driving. Bikes do not have self cancelling indicators and it is easy to forget they are on. Stupid motorists can pull out based on someone indicating left. This can be calamitous for a bike rider. When you see someone waiting to pull out anticipate they may well do it and not see you. I learnt to always make sure they are cancelled and as a car driver I never rely on someones indicator going left when pulling out.
Another ex biker here. A good few years on bikes does make you more aware of what can happen, no doubt about it. However, I'm getting on for 70 years old now, so it's four wheels only these days! Those knobbly tyres on that bike will be a bit Torville & Dean in the wet James.... Oooh, you mentioned a Morgan James. I always fancied a Morgan, although I couldn't get in or out of one these days due to arthritic knees. I'm due a knee replacement quite soon....
@@Brian-om2hh Totally agree, far better awareness skills.
Current biker here and totally agree riding my bike really does make you focus even in the car. I treat riding my bike that no one can see me. This is very good advise
@@Scarletsb0y The width of A-pillars these days scares me, I'm dancing at junctions trying to see out the van. I fear a cyclist is more likely to get smashed, than a biker, but both could be me one day. They've certainly made cars safer *for the occupants*
Absolutely bike before car! An appreciation of vulnerability is critical knowledge.
Agreed
Nonsense. Bikes deliberately put themselves in vulnerable positions because they know a car will automatically receive blame so they take advantage of that.
@@PointNemo9always play the victim. Seen many a bike RTC which the biker was to blame but the car driver was blamed for.
A single tip that will serve you well on otherwise fun roads, go wide on the corners to maximise field of view, a bike can nip accross so quickly if you spot something and getting an exra second or two just makes everything that much calmer.
Used to work for Audi. We had a someone with an R8 who crashed it on a track day and tried to claim warranty for brake failure. After our diagnostics and sending the info to Audi in germany was found the customer was at fault as he had been warned by the car of the brakes being too hot yet ignored it and also found excessive handbrake operation. £30k damage on the car customer was insisting was the car until they took the loss
There are chances out there
100% Have been on about since the 70s, When 90% of youngsters had a moped to get to work and Made them Respect others when they get a car , Excellent comments and Should be like National Service get people in the Workplace instead of on the Gaming Machines when they are 16 Apprentice was Excellent for getting Experience and you had the Added bonus of not having to wait for a lift from mum or dad talking you to work 😂 And you would like myself end up in the Motortrade for 30+ Year's until 2006 👍
I totally agree new drivers should do a probationary period on a motorcycle before getting a car licence. That's what people done years ago before they could afford a car and it makes them much better drivers.
Good point on the bike. Mine has pedals instead of an engine, but car drivers being on the other side would be handy for them to see how it feels when they pass so closely. The main thing it makes me realise is the impatience of many. I will say there are also some lovely courteous drivers, I always try and wave thank you to show the appreciation
Yes I always very much appreciated the acknowledgement that you have given loads of space and waited
Metzeler tyres are good have used them for years on the road and racing. Also riding a bike makes you more conscious of things going on around you being able to react to it
Cheers
I'm always considering how my business would go if I had a bike crash, being a one man band, think about as well bud, car drivers are a nightmare these days.
Current biker here and totally agree riding my bike really does make you focus even in the car. I treat riding my bike that no one can see me. This is very good advise to always have when you get on the bike. Get the best gear you can afford make sure it has A or AA rating , tyres I would use are Bridgestone S21/2 or Michelin Pilot Street.
Keep safe on the bike Chops. Great recommendation on having a bike licence before a car licence. I did that and it does make your overall awareness of other road users higher. Treat every car as trying to kill you and you’ll keep safe.
Lifelong biker however, the bigger scooters are fantastic transport. So comfy, fast enough and you can stow all your stuff or go food shopping etc. My Yamaha 250 scooter was brilliant for commuting, no clutch hand distress etc..
They do appeal
I did bike, car, HGV then PSV, all many years ago. Riding a bike teaches you a lot about hazard perception and reading the road.
Passed my bike test 10 years before driving. When I eventually moved over to 4 wheels, the instructor commented how good my observations were from the word go. Said that was probably due to so many cars cutting me up and pulling out in front of me.
One thing he had to get me to stop doing was the looking over my left shoulder life saver when turning off roundabouts
Older bike riders just starting out, seems like a nice idea I know I've had plenty of friends either going back to riding after many years or like yourself just starting. They all did it for a short time but not one of them is doing it now. They either had an accident but most of them lost their nerve and were frightened to get back on a bike again, so enjoy it until your nerves run out.
Bike tyres: can't go wrong with any of the mainstream brands, especially on a 125cc. Michelin/Continental are premium but probably overkill, Bridgestone are widely used. Depends on availability in your sizes. Have a look at M&P unless your local trade outlet can get them for you. Ride safe.
That's what my brother often says: it's tiring having to really concentrate when riding a motorbike - takes the edge off the pleasure.
Trader shouldn't have said a word to you bud, I wouldn't. You could tell that BM was a right dog, so basically your mate did you on purchase and trader got a result from you as well, your a saint mate.
Hi James, welcome to biker life. My advice would be to move off of that 125 as soon as possible, so quickly in fact i wouldn't spend the money on changing the tyres. Try not to be intimidated and occupy your lane, riding to the circumstances of course. Anyone you know or on your CBT course you can ride out with on a Sunday to get the miles in with? As for the next bike, from guessing you're a big guy on country roads I'd skip a sport bike. A naked or adventure bike such as KTM 390, Suzuki’s V-Strom 650 or Kawasaki’s Versys 650 A2 compliant of course. Good luck
Verseys 650 would be great for james
Cheers mate appreciated
I was a biker when I was younger but I wouldn't have one for a pension today, there are too many idiots out there and Dr. Death is looming.
Exposure to risk is a good promotor of defensive driving. Why all car drivers should ride a motorbike if only to understand how your driving style, how you read the road & anticipating the randomness of other drivers actions directly impacts your own, and others, survival.
Don’t want to count my chickens after 42 years of accident free riding and driving, but I passed my car test at 17 and 3 months, but couldn’t afford to run a car, so got a 125, and passed my full bike test when I was almost 18. I then commuted a 125 (to Exeter) all year round for 2 years and got bigger bikes as time went by and until I could afford to run a car.
Starting my driving career on a bike, including star rider gold as it was back then, despite already having a car licence, has definitely kept me alive, and considerate to all types of road user.
Ride easy, and get those cheap nasty vanity nobblies off particularly now winter is coming - cold, greasy and hard rubber. I wouldn’t know what to recommend but some sticky mini-moto’s would be a good choice.
Always say the same about other road users when it comes to bikes. Same with HGV’s. Loving the 3 series tourer. Looking to trade in my XKR for a nice estate.
I’d love to have a laugh James, show us you sat on your bike 😅
I've been a biker since 1978. You have to have more awareness on the road, started off on a 250cc , and worked up to a honda Cb1000r, great fun.
James, Avon tyres, hard to beat on any bike, watch tarmac over-banding and wet manhole covers, they are lethal.
Cheers
@@ChopsGarage When young I passed my bike test Monday morning and car test on the Monday afternoon. My first bike after passing was a Honda CB750/4 but did the test on a 125cc. Laws have changed a lot.
Being a mature rider definitely makes you a more observant road user in all vehicles.
You should go to a bike mechanic and they will tune a good bit more power out of that bike and chuck the off road tyres straight away as well be a massive difference
I rode bikes back in the 80’s before cbt tests etc from a few 50cc then 125cc but got my car license and went on to cars and for years I stuck with cars but then after working on the other side of the Thames and if anyone who knows the Blackwall tunnel knows, the traffic can be a complete pain. One day a van dropped a load of asbestos which shut the tunnel for hours and then who of south London was gridlocked and I decided to get back on bikes so I got another 125cc which was a classic Yamaha rd125, but a bit on the larger size I decided to take the full test passed first time and the only thing he might of failed me was a hesitated at a set of temporary traffic light in regards to filtering, but I thought sod so got to the front went back to the centre and passed, I had about 12 larger size bikes, the first was a rd350 ypvs the last was a cbr1000r the 350 was a 2 stroke that had a very scary powerband until I got the revs in my head but that did not sound loud which is what I wanted to filter through the tunnel after many rebuilds and exchanges I got to the cbr which was a powerful bike even though it was about 10 years old. The noise trick on that was the baffles could be un riveted, that was exactly what I wanted as if you are filtering through cars or vans etc you need to be able to stop or swerve in that sort of environment, is much easier and safer for me to blip the throttle to make people aware you are there, I loved biking must better than driving but in 2012 I was told I spinal stenosis which started from the top but eventually got to my lumbar and with this my nerves became messed up due to the issues with my spine, I couldn’t hold the bike up no more and stored it away and used my ml320 until I could no longer drive that again because of my legs, the car went first and after a time it was clear I would never be able to ride that again so I sold that. If anyone has a urge to ride a bike do it straight away going through the proper forms but get bike smart first before getting a big bike as many of people I knew went straight out and bought Yamaha R1’s to only kill themselves after only a few months. Sorry it’s a story but people need to learn that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine.
Bung a set of Bridgestone Bt45/Bt46's on. I run them on my Enfield Himalayan the tyres are as grippy as a big bag of grippy things. My '66 Stepway I mentioned previously, flew through its MOT on Friday, little gem of a car.
Hi James, I use Michelin Pilot Road 5 Tyres on my bike. Nice and sticky and a good all round tyre. To be honest any "good tyre brand" Michelin, Avon, Metzler, Firestone etc is better than those horrible knobbly things. You would notice an instant difference in the ride and handling of the bike. I passed my bike test in the dark ages in 1971. I did my I.A.M advanced riders test 3 years ago. Highly recommended once you get your A licence.
People pull out infront of my work van, Hi viz only works if they look. Unless you've made eyecontact with someone, they haven't seen you. It certainly wont hurt to wear hi viz gear, just dont rely on it.
I've done both, I'd recommend learning to drive first, so when it comes to learning to ride a bike, you just have to learn how to ride a bike, cause you learned all the rules of the road with someone sitting beside you, with dual controls.
Currently rocking michi road 5's, seem decent in the wet. All the tyre manufacturers have an all weather offering, for people who don't hide under bridges.
Used to ride all the time. Tyres are important - get a "known" brand but no need to go overboard for general use on a normal bike. I find it is good to match them front-to-rear and pressures make a huge impact.
Knobbies I only would recommend for frequent off road use. If that's not you, don't bother with them.
LOL. Been riding bikes since 1982. Every rider says the same thing. Everyone should have bike experience before being allowed to drive cars
I can see why
Take care on that bike fella, main road are bad enough, the roads you're on, you got to have eyes front, side and back of your head, it's the same thing with cyclists and the not giving soace really grinds my gears 😡
Good on yiu fir the deal with Made Mike, may not have been any responsibility to do him a favour but when you got good trading partners/customers (in some businessess), its always giid to watch out for/help each other out.
Very true
Rode in the 60s and 70s. Through the winter of 62, 63. BSA 250 I OWNED. Suzuki 750 water cooled I rode to London and back in mid winter and a honda 250 during the hard 80s winter
Chop, can i give you some advice; always wear a camera when motorcycle riding.
Anlas snow and mud tyres I use on the single track roads here in Ceredigion. At 68 I want something that grips well. Used for years on my scooter's and 125 motorcycle's. AS to your comment I have always thought that bikes should be part of the driving test for cars. I find 6th sense cuts in quite often when riding through lampeter area get at least one or two people pull out in front all of various ages.
Hi James. Don't worry about the tyres unless you're going to keep it. However, if you decide to change them you can't go wrong with Michelins. A couple of hundred quid well spent.
Good point plan to change soon
Avon roadrunners are a good grippy tyre
Cheers
Unfortunately not all motorcyclists are angels.
I live in Portugal and you see some total pratts riding in shorts and tee shirts with no regard for other road users.
Wife saw an incident were a motorcyclist was following a car at 50 kph and couldn't get passed because of traffic conditions.
When he eventually over took he kicked the drivers door several times then sped off doing a wheelie.The car driver pulled over and stopped as did the wife but unfortunately no body had the bikers reg number.
I have ridden motorbikes from the age of 16 and finally stopped at 69. Reason being that riding the bike in 35 degrees wearing full motorcycle gear is a tad uncomfortable and the bike wasn't getting much use.
Bloke down the road used to chop cars, he was sent down for 6 months!
Ok
Cut and Shut case 😆
As a bike rider for many years, the smaller bikes like yours are a lot harder to ride than a litre sports bike and a lot more skittish on the road. When I think back to when I first started riding when young with stiff locked arms, wondering why I couldnt corner very well, oh and late braking when trying to corner and wondering why the bike wanted to go straight on
I have said for many years that everyone who wants to pass a car test needs to do 12 months on a bike first so they understand just how much more vunerable 2 wheelers are compared to cars.
cars are legally required to manoeuvre around a bike as if it's a car - and give that amount of space. If anyone is inside that box aound you, they are automatically stuffed if an incident occurs within - the rule also greatly changes areas of overtaking on roads as a result, making it much chearer when to 'go for it'
Watch out leaves and mud on the road this time of year James especially round your area
Bike Tyres, I only ever use Michelin Pilot Sport or Pirelli Diablos, They Stick to the Tarmac Like Poo to a Blanket and Very Confidence Building in the Wet and Cold, the Pirellis have Dual Band Rubber, Soft on the Outer Part of the Tread for Grip and Harder in the Middle for Mileage.
Michelin pilot sport tyres are usually a safe bet. Tbh anything not nobbly is going to be better on the road though than those. Ride safe
Cheers
Vw up be with you Tuesday mate, 19,300 Miles on it with a bit of chops magic touch should make a nice little run around car 👌
Sounds great!
Try Dunlop TT 100's front and rear, also change the front mudguard if you intend to ride in the rain. I agree, car drivers should experience riding a bike, I have always said they should learn to drive a truck.
yes when out on a bike you have to think everyone is out to kill you! ride safe ! :-)
True
I’ve changed my Triumph Tiger tyres recently to Matis tyres, they appear to be great all rounders.
Welcome to motorbiking1
Yep a new cb125f great bike to start on
Hello from Ireland again James. Yes you're dead right about, what Customers do to the cars once they go down the road. I have sent you an email about a car of yours. Great video again as always James 👌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Cheers mate
The bike riding coin has two sides, bike riders do not appreciate that cars cannot react at the same speed as a bike, they can flit between cars and lanes cars cannot react at the same speed try but to, also bikes move fast and car drivers do NOT expect that……it is incumbent on US ALL to drive and ride with CARE and CONSIDERATION for others. Both cars and bikes have those who are adrenaline junkies that DO NOT think of others. So, be careful.
Re. the bike with all those cars choose one of them to use would be my tip 👍
I heard that all new cars will come with a 'blackbox' that will store the data of how the car is driven and performs.
Many already have one.....
If that bike is Chinese they come with rubber tyres.
I think it was continentals that I used to use. Go to a small bike repair shop and they will likely give you excellent on tyres.
Here I use a company called John Parker motorcycles incorporated into passbike but they are miles away from
You.
Edit one thing to be very aware of. New tyres need 100 miles to wear in, they will be slippery for the first 100 miles.
No one told me, I didn’t come off but fishtailed the rear several times!
There is something about ridding a bike totally agree you need to get off that 125 asap a bit of advice be careful ridding this time of year with the leafs on the roads especially round bends
Bike before car is a great idea. The best thing to do is treat every other road user as an idiot, because believe me your going to meet a few on your biker journey
I hear this
Just when I thought your content couldn’t get better, you take it higher.
Michelin make a good bike tire. Get the one that's hard in the middle and softer rubber on the edges. Sorry don't know what they call them as I sold my bike over 4 years ago. I had a CBR500R but couldn't afford car reg & bike reg as just recently retired at the time.
If it is in the warranty period it needs to be fixed. That's the whole point of a warranty.
No if the breakage is due to misuse. Warranties cover components failing before expected not abuse.
you can change from knobbly to summer tyres the companies only do it to show it a off road look bike but they legal to use summer tyres
The knobbly tyres look cool. If they are Michelin or Dunlop or Bridgestone they will be OK. Not as good as a normal road tyre though.
Not been o a bike now for a good few years, when I got a new bike Japanese then goi g back to early 80s first thing you did was change the tyres, Japanese standard fitted one's were called nippon never grippers 😂 not good when it raining.
My experience with Hyundai is that they will use everything possible not to honour their warranty. This is as much a problem for the dealership as it is for the consumer.
I had a lemon i30 from new… from day 1 it had issues. Each visit to the dealer ultimately required input from Hyundai HO in Korea to move forward.
9 months and multiple unresolved faults later, Hyundai offered a full refund
Big bikes MUCH safer
Can't believe people don't give extra room for a learner
Look for a clean honda cb500 james. Bullet proof, reliable and 60 mpg whatever you do. Enough cc to do a ton easily with your frame on it.. Enjoy.
Can't have a 500 yet
@@ChopsGarage after you pass ya loon. :)
As you say bud, trade goes both ways, how did he help you out on the polo that was burning loads of oil? You should have kept that fiesta, cheapies sell super fast, as someone once said (!)
Knobbly tyres. Be very very careful in the wet or when the gritters throw salt on the ground.
Once you get a real bike James i.e 500cc and above you won't have to worry about cars overtaking you 😊.
Get rid of those off road tyres James they are lethal in the wet.
Good set of medium compound avon tyre's will serve you well
What's the story behind the Jag Chops? Looks superb!
We got it ages ago mate there is a vid
I thought you'd forgotten the Morgan trade-up !
No lol
What's happened to the 'Sold as seen' ? I haven't bought a car in over 10 yrs (06 bmw 320cd / 10 VW Passat b6 estate) both meticulously looked after. So I'm not sure if the SAS is exceptable nowadays 🤔.
No dealers cannot sell SAS
Did i miss the video on the red Jag?
Poor gowld dust 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Be careful on your bike, I can tell you some awful scenes I have seen. Keep safe.
I would recommend Avon Roadrunner tyres for your bike
Cheers
I agree (although I don't think they make the Roadrunner anymore, so Roadriders instead). I've been riding for 46 years and have Roadriders on 4 of the 6 bikes I currently own.
You don’t know what damage a franchised dealer can do servicing your car when in warranty and overfilling with oil.
With the bike I would suggest you treat it to an application of ACF50 or similar. It will protect the metal and bolts from corrosion. As winter riding will make a bike look very tatty quickly, especially a Chinese bike.
Oh cheers for tip was wondering about that
@@ChopsGarageI just use wd40 all the time, these Chinese bikes rust for fun, bolts are crap.
James you need to invent a Chops Black Box that you can hide in your sales cars that records all the data.Whats the story of the Red Jag convertible or did i miss a video?
Exactly
Some people try it on, that is mad isn't it?
50mph on a 125, see if you can find someone to let you have a go on a lovely old RD125 or AR125 two strokes, great fun.
Riding now since my 16th birthday before the days of CBT. Almost 40 years ago now.
I hear they are a bit mad
He won't be legal on one of those with just the CBT.
@@chrishart8548 oh Yes you are correct, I forgot they have to be under a certain hp as well as CC
@@ggj666 was very easy to derestrict but not legal. And kind of obvious it wasn't 12hp. Also driving without a licence.
Hyundai guy must have gone into 1st at 50 mph and smashed to engine. My mate does the opposite, he's in 5th at 20 going up a hill, cars vibrating and banging.
Not hard to do that speed in second gear trying to go into 3rd won't go in give it a good push now it's in first ! Engine management light flashing, limp mode.
@@chrishart8548 more like instant 10k revs mate, blew it up!
@@roystonvehicles9129 I went off the end of the rev counter and nearly hit my head on the windscreen. First gear is a hell of a way to slow down
@@chrishart8548 I once had to do that in an old jag when the brakes failed (!)
What's happening with the Honda Jazz?
for bike tyres. i have pirelli on my trumpet which seem to work well. i had avons on my old sv 650 which i rated highly.
Thanks
When's the Ital going up for sale??
Already is on my site
when i was 17 my tzr 125 two stroke before i passed my test would do 80 on the clock easy!! seems these four strokes are bloody woeful!
But were you 20 stone lol
@@ChopsGarage at 17 i was about 8 stones wet lol
Was your tzr125 limited to 12hp though
@@chrishart8548 yes passed my test got a 250! all within about 7 days! first road bike was a ts 50x did about 28mph it nudged 30 down hill
@@alundavies5171 I had a TS50X C reg at 16 I still have the frame at my dad's house and most of the other parts. My first bike after passing my test was a kawasaki KMX200 I still have found memories of that bike. It flew through the gears like a moto-x bike. and did 100mph before you knew it. Just been re nicksealed and had a dep sport exhaust.
No way I would have bought anything with tyres like that on it. Don’t forget you cannot change tyre type unless insurance are happy with it. In other words is there a factory option with road tyres on? Doubt there is but if you aren’t happy now, wait until 5e frost and ice arrives, that’s when you learn just how much road surface you need to avoid or and up sat in the road or worse in bits in hospital.
I doubt whatever company makes these awful tyres is even around to sell another set. Probably Chinese factory specials. I'm sure Michelin or another brand will make something that is fully within spec for the bike and the insurance company. The tyres that came on my 13 year old car are no longer available. But Michelin had me covered with primacy 4 tyres.
Best thing ever while riding is BE SEEN get yourself a yellow reflective lid, when out riding very easy to see the Police use them be seen be safe so many fools on the road, when we go out in groups (not so much now) very easy to spot and see, when biking you have to think for every one.
Will do
He money shifted the Hyundai!. surely your warranties should work the same? If a garage plugged in found the data that shows they caused a fault then you wouldnt pay out? It will only be the same software any other dealer can access and see
Welcome to what us cyclists have to put up with being passed too close and cut up.
If sticking to 125 I'd swap for a yzf mate proper 125 road bike
Get yourself a reflective tabard, James, like you probably wore while CBT training, to go over your leather jacket.
As a workplace first aider, I wore my FA's tabard out riding - car drivers appeared to be more cautious when clocking this - for some reason. Maybe it was because it was yellow and green 😉 !
Said for years that a CBT - at the very least - ought to be done before going for a driver's licence, yep!
My whole jacket is reflective illumious mate taking no chances
@@ChopsGarage just make sure you ware safety gear all the time, my son Learn the hard way. 20 years on sill walks with a limp. ( car doing u turn took to avoid traffic jam )
I agree that a lot of drivers do not understand the way to co-exist with bikers. Especially young drivers. BUT. I also think that the few idiot bikers bikers who do not help themselves and ride like they think they are Barry Sheene when they don't have 10% of his ability and ride like fannies.
Michelin Pilot tyres are very good for your bike.
Cheers
“ Big Brother “ u
Great viseo mate. Where are you aiming to be in regards to your bike licence. Any particular bike your wanting to get to?
Oh and I've always used Bridgestone bt01 battleax. Sticky shoulders and harder centre (don't know if they make them in all sizes)
Prob a 650 mate next after full test
@@ChopsGarage nice mate. It's weird. It's nice to take a test to actually get a licence that is just for the rider. Was a great feeling when I got mine... Great channel btw. Vids are really interesting and a great insight into something that I totally had the wrong perception about!