Wemoto!

Due to ongoing electrical problems I had to order a brand new ignition set for the Honda NSR. A brand new pattern part (not original Honda) which consisted of a new ignition set, new petrol cap and new seat lock with a set of keys for under £50 including delivery.

I did this at Wemoto, an East Sussex based motorcycle spares company founded in 1978.

I ordered the new ignition set yesterday late afternoon just before 4pm and received it this morning shortly after 9am - 17 hours later.

So impressed with them, I’m writing this.

Bikers. Get to Wemoto.

Thanks Wemoto!

She’s back…

Alicianna on the night I got her back

Since April 2010 I’ve had to resort to travelling like poor person. Amongst all the common folk. The scruffs. The peasant wagon isnt the most glamorous way to travel, even for a superstar such as myself.

For those who dont know, I was knocked off my motorbike (at low speed) as I left to go to work in the morning. It wasn’t a pleasant experience and I thank my lucky stars that only I and nobody was seriously hurt. Apart from a sore leg, a few weeks off training, a bruised ego and the following 9 months of travelling with the ordinary people – I was fine.

So I got her back on Thursday evening after spending shedloads of money for her release. Never again will I spend 9 months without my bike ever again. It was disgusting.

So just to show you bikes are as sexy as cars and women, let me show you the sexiest/coolest 5 125cc motorbikes on the market right now…

Honda NSR

Cagiva Mito

Aprilia RS

Derbi GPR

The most popular 125s have got to be the Honda NSR, Aprilia RS and Cagiva Mito. All 3 are powered by 2 stroke engines as opposed to the normal, more ‘green’ 4 strokes with you generally see around now. All 3 are easily the fastest 125s on the market, especially when derestricted. 2 strokes require a little more maintainance but when looked after, handle great and are alot more fun to ride. The fortnightly topping up of 2 stroke of oil may be a little off putting but hitting speeds of over 100mph on a tiny engine should be enough to sway your decision.

Whilst the Aprilia RS 125 is rumoured to be the quickest in a striaght line – the running and servicing costs are the main downfall. Rarely will you find one in pristine condition due to most of the previous owners being boy racers (similar to the Honda CRX if you’re a car enthusiast).

Close behind it in the speed stakes, the Cagiva Mito 125 handles beautifully “like a train on tracks”. In a straight line, the RS will win but eround corners, the Mito will just scrape the edge with the same 2 stroke power.

The Honda NSR 125, although the slowest, actually isnt all that slow. The most reliable 2 stroker out of the 3 2 strokes…

Finally – it took long enough

An hour ago I had my first ‘off’ on my motorbike. Pulling out of my drive and into the road, the driver pulling out of the side street didnt see me and went into the side of my bike going at relatively low speed (10? 20?). After making a quick phone call to my boss at work whilst still in the middle of the road and being helped up by the ever nice guy who hit me, I’ve come to a conclusionas I write this post: Cars are quite heavy when they hit you.

Fairing damage

I’ve never really thought about it but as the car hit me, it felt effortless for it to be pinning my leg to the side of the bike and throwing me off. Weird. We went through the swapping of details and witness details before the ambulance arrived. After a quick check over, I may have possible fractures to my shin and foot but a refusal to go to the hospital makes things a little difficult (I dont  like hospitals).

Not much has happened to be honest… he hit me, I fell off, ambulance and police arrived to check. I’m now in my flat waiting for the freak out to hit me.

Oh and the damage to the bike, fairing damage, snapped brake lever, indicator lens is off and scratches… mechanic will be here tomorrow night to check the damage mechanical wise.

Always Wear Appropriate Clothing

I woke up today pretty close to 12.30pm and in true ‘headless chicken’ style, ran around trying to get everything ready to go training which starte at 1pm. Not a good start I know. But don’t get any funny ideas, I didn’t turn up wearing a thong or walked out of the house with no pants on.

I jumped on the motorbike and did the 4.5 miles to the gym and felt somewhat… exposed whilst riding. I normally have a pair of tracksuit bottoms on underneath a pair of jeans then waterproofs over those, a pair of proper boots, a couple of t-shirts, balaclava to keep the face warm etc but today I settle for a pair of jeans, trainers, a t shirts and my normal bike jacket. I couldn’t help but think “If I came off now, I’m going to have more than a few bumps and bruises”. It was that paranoia that had me staying below 40mph all the way. Not that I go above that of course.

Which reminds me…

After spending a small amount of years on/off driving cars, I discovered in Thailand that riding was about 100 times more fun… cue CBT on my return (all paid for by Adidas!), a purchase of a Honda NSR 125 in December 2008 and I haven’t looked back since! Except maybe when I had the first initial teething problems you have when buying pre-owned… discovering the battery was jacked up. After a service and a brand new battery… she now runs peeerfect.

[insert appropriate smiley here]

Ride safe kids Uncle Ste says so.