Carol Jadzia

My ZRX1100 does not have a center stand. If I need to remove the back wheel I often do it by using a trolly jack on one side and a bit of wood under the side stand on the other.

This may sound dodgy but done properly can be a safe and cheap way to sort it.

Otherwise buy a paddock stand.

Heres a few bad words then. Snapped valve.

My mates 2011 versys has just dropped a valve. Another guy on a 650 ninja had the forks snap off as he was riding along beside me....they just snapped!

And i almost resigned myself to buying a hypermotard when yamaha brought in the FZ09....thank the motorcycle gods for that!

I moved to the mountains now so i can fry the tyres on a daily basis. No heat issues with the FZ.

Sorry Tom, I don't know what happened to your mates bike. But forks just don't snap on Japanese bikes. I have seen many bent fork legs in my years. Head stocks ripped off in accidents.

But fork legs just don't snap. They could have possibly been damaged previously, possibly loads of wheelies or a previous accident?

Or maybe a chinese bike?

I used to collect bikes in pickups as part of my job as a mechanic. One of the scariest thing I ever did was ride a bike up onto a pic-up as a bet. Its not the getting up the ramp - it's the stopping on the pickup thats the issue.

All above advice is great. We use to straps normally from either side of the vehicle, low down behind the cab. One coming up to either side of the handlebars. Then pull them tight with the wheel straight (long as you cab bulkhead can take it) this tended to make any bike safe. Just needed to stop the rear from going side to side.

Have put bikes on diagonally as well in order to close the tail gate. Can be done (depending on the bike) but does make them a little more difficult to secure.

You can buy posh ratchet down straps. But we always used the cheaper spring loaded jaw grip straps as they were cheaper and easier to use.

As for ramps - you can buy expensive ones, everyone I know has made their own. Normally with a nicked builders plank!

The question of engine heat across different bikes is really not that much. Watercooled bikes all will get up to around 100 degrees C before the fans click in to cool the bike.

So really comes down to how the bike has been ridden. If it's not really hot due to either use or climate then the fans have no need to click in.

I used to ride air cooled big bikes like my Z1 Kawasaki. Legendary big 1000 cc four. Lovely bike to ride. But if I blasted up the motorway from home to london (130 mikes) then went from motorway to city traffic I would have to stop and let the engine cool as I would start loosing clutch and the engine would over heat. Let it cool, go and have a cuppa. Then it would be fine and able to deal with the city traffic.

I think the big thing is that all your choices are water cooled. When I started we did not have that choice

Ducati's are lovely bikes but they can suffer from poor electrics.

I like my bikes to run in the rain. I know some will say they have reliable ducati's.

I have some friends who like riding Harleys but they are really bad in the wet.

I ride a ZRX1100 here. The ER6 I borrowed on my last trip really impressed me.

I have heard good things about the Versys.

Best thing to do is go and sit on them. See how they feel.

Something else to note. I personally am not into the sports bike riding position. Gives me neck and shoulder ache after about 60 miles. I much prefer a more upright riding position for touring.

Express Taxi?

Don't know about the Z800 but to me the Z1000 felt cramped and small. I am 5' 8". The old air cooled Z1000's were much bigger and more comfortable

My list is not for those insecure in their masculinity. They're kinda small.

1. 1969 Honda C50. 9,300 miles.

Full respect to the Honda Cub, or the Thai Wave/Dream 125 modern equivalent. I would have another tomorrow as a run around. Much prefer then to modern automatics.

This guy went half way round the world on a C90. Amazing story.

I don't know what's going to happen in Thailand. That is not my area of expertise.

All I look at is what I know and can see unfolding in front of me. Certainly not going to continue to argue about it.

We will see. How this plays out. No I don't suggest anything. Just going by the evidence from elsewhere and what I can see is currently happening.

I think there are going to be many changes because the accident rates are going to keep climbing even though the money is pouring in.

Just a matter of time before more and more initiatives are put in place to try and address the issues, this is an easy target thats all.

I currently have a ZRX1100, a GTR1000 (rat combo project) and an XJ550. My Partner has a SV650

I have previously owned Honda C50/70/90. Z200, z250, MZ150.,MZ250, CB250. CB550, Triumph T100 Hard Tail Chop, XS650, XS750, GSX750, Z650, Z550, SR650, Cossack Ural M66 Combo, Honda CB550 Trike, XS750 Trike,

Kawasaki Z1 (1974 900cc), Z1000 ST, Zephyr 1100 and two GTR1000's

the evidence would suggest you aren't very good at it.

furthermore you also don't seem to be able to get to grips with the original topic and how the situation in UK pertains to it.

Well I have been employed as a center manager/ Chief Instructor Trainer for 5 of the largest training schools in England over the past 30 years. They all seem to think I did ok.

And yes this is still in relation to the original topic. Thailand has a history for taking on things from the UK. I understand the Thai Highway Code is based on UK one for example. Currently their are major initiatives underway to improve road safety in Thailand. Money is pouring into the country to address the issue.

I think it is the obvious next step that in order to raise capitol and start addressing the accident issues, impounding vehicles is an easy place to start.

as for the rest you seem to be clutching at straws for the sake of saving face. It would seem that you don't really understand the law as regards to motoring in the UK.

That would be rather unfortunate as I am paid to teach it and have done for many years. Seems the British DVSA is happy with what I say? They issued me with an instructor trainer licence.

You might be in for a surprise when you return to UK - I too have a car there.

Sorry have to correct you there. Road Tax is still attached to the car. Not the person. I have a Car that's taxed and a Motorcycle that's Taxed.

You are right that we don't carry ID. But that does not stop a car being pursued for speeding via the post. The registered owner is expected to pay. Unless they state who the Driver was. This system can be abused but the way they have changed the law now makes it really hard for someone not to be held responsible. If you sell a car or bike and don't transfer the ownership correctly then you can still be held responsible for the actions of the new driver. Legal responsibility.

No the registered owner is not "expected" to pay anything. the person who commits the offence is liable. The owner is obliged to tell the authorities who was driving the car at the time - if they fail to do so they will be charged with a separate offence, that of FAILING TO SUPPLY THE INFORMATION.

This will result in a similar or higher fine, but not an endorsement.

This is used by hundreds of companies who have fleets of company cars - for example - if one of their drivers is done for speeding - if the photo doesn't ID him and no-one "grasses" then the driver gets to keep his licence in tact and the company pays out a fine but keeps the employee who continues to earn them money.

As you say - speeding tickets are normally delivered by post - which means that motorists in uk seldom have their cars immediately impounded.

These and parking tickets etc are sent to the registered owner's address - so if you haven't changed it you will fall foul of the law above. You are not held responsible in UK for crimes you haven't committed.

A you seem unaware that the tax disc no longer exists.......

As with most things concerning government/tax etc. in the UK the catchphrase is “digital by default”

The tax disc is now no longer - it is replaced by an electronic system.

From the Daily Telegraph...

“motorists will now have to register their car online to pay Vehicle Excise Duty, otherwise known as road tax. This can be done via Direct Debit on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website, on the phone, or at a Post Office branch.

Those who don't register for the tax, will be caught out by number plate recognition cameras which track each vehicle on the road.”

Therefore the registered keeper of the car will be liable......

“Anyone who buys a used car will no longer benefit if there are months left on the tax disc, as the vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the car. This means buyers will have to renew their tax disc straight away, or risk being caught out on the road in an untaxed car.”

the TAX stays with the vendor (who MUST inform DVLC) - NOT THE CAR - who then gets a rebate for the remaining tax months.

NOW - Here’s an example of driver being responsible -

“A driver, not registered owner, can be issued a non-endorsable fixed penalty for driving an untaxed car. An owner can be fined £80 for using an untaxed vehicle (one not registered off the road) and can be charged any back tax."

...and here’s another titbit while you’re at it...

“The paper element of the driving licence, which accompanies the credit card size photo-card, is also due to be axed in January 2015.”

I live in the UK. I do agree with most of what you say only a couple of points.

It is still the vehicles that are the focus of the tax. In cities there are special tow vehicles that turn up and remove untaxed vehicles from the road.

We have specialist vehicles covered in cameras that drive around looking for illegal vehicles. If they find one then it will be clamped and towed away.

You may know of companies that have managed to get someone off on a technicality but it is far from the norm. .Gov don't like not getting it's tax.

We have a car and two motorcycles that are taxed and on the road. Another two motorcycles are SORN. I don't have to tax the two that are sorn. But I would get nicked if either was used or parked n a public highway.

They have changed where they point the finger, but not what the tax is for.

The licence was supposed to be the plastic id size one from the start. Only the wonderful Police and government computer systems did not work as planned. Hence the paper part.

I'll venture however that neither you nor Carol have ridden on this particular road .......

I already said I gave up arguing with experts years ago.

I will however continue to share information with interested people.

Hope you have a nice dry day.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31653760

A service allowing motorists in England and Wales charged with summary motoring offences to enter a plea online is being launched by the government.

People charged with a minor motoring offence such as speeding or not having insurance will be able to enter a plea 24-hours-a-day via a secure website.

The gradual roll-out of the "Make A Plea" scheme from March follows a successful pilot in Greater Manchester.

The government says it saves time and money for the criminal justice system.

Last year saw 4.5m minor motoring offences processed through the courts.

The government is also considering whether the scheme could be used for other low-level offences.

Edit - This is the UK

Always a good idea to consider Aquaplaing as well.

Fast forward to 17:50

I can lark about on Songkran because I am very experienced at knowing how far I can push it in the wet.

I threw a GPZ 500 down a car park - just to see how far I could push the brakes in the wet. Just for fun. Nice to know your limits

General rules for riding in the wet. Double the braking distance to that of a dry road. Leave a 4 second gap instead of a two between you and the vehicle in front.

Still front brake slightly before the rear but more equal braking between the two as harder to control a front wheel slide than a rear.

It is NOT a good idea to use bright lights such as flashers and fog lights as in rain the droplets have the effect of magnifying the light. The opposite effect to Fog.

This may lead to a dazzling effect on other road users.

"check if a vehicle is legal and that the legal owner has a licence automatically.:

Few problems with that,

Road tax in UK is now with the PERSON, not the car.

A camera would have to instantly identify the driver to ascertain whether he is allowed to drive or not - this even with modern technology is not easy.....and I'm pretty sure not available to the police.

So aa a rule, you have to be stopped by police and show an ID - in UK you don't have to carry ID.

can you imagine the Thai police doing this??

The original post however is about the improvement of traffic in Bangkok - well that sort of stuff is primaily handled by the traffic wardens first and then a special police division - which of course is non-existent in Thailand

Sorry have to correct you there. Road Tax is still attached to the car. Not the person. I have a Car that's taxed and a Motorcycle that's Taxed.

You are right that we don't carry ID. But that does not stop a car being pursued for speeding via the post. The registered owner is expected to pay. Unless they state who the Driver was. This system can be abused but the way they have changed the law now makes it really hard for someone not to be held responsible. If you sell a car or bike and don't transfer the ownership correctly then you can still be held responsible for the actions of the new driver. Legal responsibility.

Found this when looking for information on the Thai Highway Code http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0140_5.pdf

The UK system is now that Police Cars and road side cameras can check if a vehicle is legal and that the legal owner has a licence automatically.

Untaxed vehicles can and are taken away and crushed.

You can pay your fixed penalty fines online or over the phone. There is talk of moving to online courts as well.

https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/advice/vehicles-roads/motoring-offences/

Carol as you said you have no clue about riding here so better stop talking, things are different here. And you might not able to get that within your next holidays here; maybe better stay in Europe then where everything is so much better organized and more safe.

Thanks for the advise but never been one for being safe me. I have friends in Bangkok, Khao Sok and Koh Samui who are hassling me to return and ride with them soon as we can.

Its a common mistake. People assume I take my work home with me.

I am paid to be an instructor.

I play in my own time.

Please tell me that's not you riding around on Songkran, one handed, on wet roads surrounded by pissed people everywhere you look, spraying them with a water gun ...

Sorry but are you unable to read or something?

Do you have anything useful to add to the topic? It's already turned to shit thanks to our UK expert.

So when you run out of capable arguments you start throwing insults.

Well done.

Me and others came up with enough reasonable arguments all of which went through your head without notice. I don't see any reasons bringing anything else into this troll overrun topic.

And where do you see the insult? You call us "Thai riding experts" I called you "UK expert". Fair play.

Xcuse me, gonna get my troll stray to get them off my skin.

Where? I have not seen any reasonable arguments for anything that would make me change anything I have posted here.

I have seen some opinions, but with no evidence to back them up

I have asked reasonable questions about experience and practical tests only to receive childish insults in return.

When the kiddies turn up to a training school and start telling us how to ride we call them experts.

They continue to have to feed us money in order to pass there tests.

Most of them advance on to becoming better riders and passing their tests.

Some of them continue to be experts.

Do you have anything useful to add to the topic? It's already turned to shit thanks to our UK expert.

So when you run out of capable arguments you start throwing insults.

Well done.

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I have like 10 unpaid Speeding CaM bills in the trash-bin ^^ many of them up to 5yr old now . . . .

I allready got a fine for driving motobike on a flyover bridge. 500 baht and they even sent pictures to my home.

How will they do that with all the bikes that drive around without licenseplates?

Is that not the route of the problem?

If the current laws were enforced correctly then the money gained could be used for improving road safety and driver education.

If that's supposed to be me then I'm a red head and can you check for ear wax while your in there. Cheers.

Did I touch a nerve to get all this attention? Good.

Another try in case you didn't get a hint:

And she's a read-head also.

Did I touch a nerve to get all this attention? Good.

That what trolls do so I'm not surprised you were seeking all this attention.

Yes I'm a troll, that's what this is all about.

Is that the best you can do?

Thanks for the pic.

Well your book reading seems to attribute all of the British Training system, proven riding skills from years of experience and practice by hundreds of Instructors and Assessors all to me.

Thanks for that I am honoured.

If that's supposed to be me then I'm a red head and can you check for ear wax while your in there. Cheers.

Did I touch a nerve to get all this attention? Good.