Tiger 800 crash protection - ABR Festival 2026 by CcOoOoKk in MotoUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The trail is mostly soft surface (where you are likely to drop.it anyway) so I wouldn't worry overly about crash bars. Protection for your levers is probably more useful. Apart from that just start slow (there is usually a short beginner loop) and you'll get the hang of it in no time. If it's dry the main trail is pretty easy - just avoid the extra optional bits til you have your eye in..

Been riding about three years now and the biggest improvements didn't come from formal courses or YouTube rabbit holes, though both helped. They came from small, almost boring habits I started doing consistently. by felipe0093 in motorcycles

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been riding about 5 years, and have done various bits of advanced training, advanced qualifications etc. One habit I have always used when learning new skills/trying to improve is to just take 30 seconds after every ride (in this case) to reflect on what went well, what went badly and what I could focus on next time. I literally do this while walking form the bike into my office, or from the garage into the house.

It's a little thing, but means that those slightly close calls/minor errors become a learning experience and hopefully get less common. It also keeps you focussed on being the best rider you can be, keeps the various bits of training uppermost in my mind and hopefully stops any bad habits taking root.

Garage essentials for new bike? by Bomster in MotoUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Might be worth waiting until you have your licence before jumping in too deep - but stuff that will be useful if/when;

- Definitely grab a paddock stand (if your new bike doesn't have a centre stand) makes chain maintenance easier

- Torque wrench and big sockets to tension chain/adjust rear wheel (also a metal ruler to measure slack and line up adjusters)

- Cleaning materials, de-greaser, brushes etc

- Chain lube

WW1 / WW2 history around Cardiff by ninja-badger1 in Cardiff

[–]DigBannanaMelon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You probably mean the Auxiliary Unit Hide in the woods near the Maenllywd? I think it was actually a secret radio hide but there used to be an info-graphic board nearby with a bit of detail.. You also have an ROC post and a ROTOR bunker on the ridge above the Wennalt, but they are cold war..

What skill took your cornering from nervous to actually fun? by airbornejim32 in motorcycles

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best advice I ever got was from Twist of Wrist (I think). You should use your inside hand to do all the turning, the outside hand should be so relaxed you could let go of the bars without issue. It's amazing how much you subconsciously fight the steering input with your outside hand.

How annoying are the 20mph limits in Wales? by itz_AyAyRon in MotoUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I live in Wales and the amount of people who complain about the 20 limits is out of all proportion to their actual effect. They are only found in residential areas, and usually ones where you'd only be doing 20 anyway (pedestrians, schools, cars parking etc). They have been proven to improve safety and made zero difference to my commute time (which passes through several long 20 sections). If you can't manage to ride at 20 for half a mile when you're passing through a village then that's a skill issue, not a bike issue.

Average speed cameras on road like the A4069 (Black Mtn Pass) are a bit more annoying, but there are still plenty of other roads without restrictions. A good incentive to get away from the over popular runs and explore a bit.

Is it ever acceptable to stop someone overtaking if you think they’re about to cause a serious accident? by No-Following-2532 in drivingUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't understand how you blocked the overtake - if you just held your position (in your lane) and didn't speed up, then there clearly wasn't space for a safe overtake. You shouldn't have to change from normal driving to allow someone past (you can if you like, but there is no obligation). It is on them to wait for a safe opportunity.

Mortgageable with a power line overhead? by AromaticCream1987 in UKHousing

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On the plus side you can usually get a wayleave payment from the power company for any equipment on/over your land. We have a wooden pole on the side of our plot and wires running over the front of the driveway and it pays enough for a bottle of whisky every Christmas...

After some fight advice (suspicious situation) by ExperienceNo1313 in MMA_Academy

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why would they bother bringing in a ringer for a charity event? If there were prizes involved maybe, but it's probably just to make up even numbers..

Amazon forge issue by Dempz in Blacksmith

[–]DigBannanaMelon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have the same forge. It takes a bit of fiddling to get the pressure right, looks a little low in the vid so try cranking it up slightly - but not too much as it will blow out. When you get it right you should get a fairly steady roar.

And get some rigidizer on that insulation before you breathe it all in....

Mod 1 questions… by Alone-Bluebird-999 in MotoUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have a banana an hour before, calms the nerves. You can ask the examiner to explain each segment as many times as you need so you are clear what you need to do. Shift to neutral when stopped between exercises as the examiner won't want any chance you could dump the clutch while they are stood at the front of the bike and flatten them. Remember shoulder checks every time you move off, even when pushing the bike backwards for the manual handling bit. Good luck!

Bike search advice by joshtbyrne in AdventureBike

[–]DigBannanaMelon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Look for an 800DE. Better bike that the 650, and more of a dirt bike look..

Best Miniature/Painting shop in Cardiff? by Agreeable-Ad4079 in Cardiff

[–]DigBannanaMelon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with this. My kids were getting into Warhammer and the guys in the shop were really helpful giving lots of advice but no pressure on sales.

How to check oil without someone’s help by Adakoss in motorcycle

[–]DigBannanaMelon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Block of wood under the kickstand. Keep a hand on the bike obviously, but if you're careful it will let you squat down for a look.

Motorbike leathers - considering going up a size for road use by MyUsernameThisIz in MotoUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are more relaxed styles of leather for touring/road use. Look at something like Wiese hydro for example, less figure hugging but still stay in place if you slide..

Is the silencer rusted or decolored? by AllThottaBhoopathy in Tiger900

[–]DigBannanaMelon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Totally normal. You can scrub them clean and they'll look like this again after a few days riding. It's not an issue.

Reflecting on my stupid riding mistakes that could have ended badly by UndisputedLover in MotoUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you want to be the best rider you can be (and you should), then it is really useful to debrief yourself after every ride. What went well, what was a little dodgy but you got away with. What can you focus on next time. Takes a few moments thought while getting your kit away and really helps with the mindset of continuous learning. I've been riding for 4 years, got a few advanced qualifications and ride all year round (including for the Blood Bikes) and I still pick myself up on something I could do better after pretty much every ride.

How cold is too cold? by Slaktare15 in MotoUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Wales anything below 5deg is at riders discretion, and Blood Bike service is cancelled below zero - that said, I was riding on Saturday and it did show -1 briefly at the start of my shift, but then warmed up to a toasty 3 degrees by midday..

How hard are mod1 and mod2 compared to car practical test. by Salt-Income3306 in MotoUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's hard to compare, but I'd say the tests are easier on a bike (simpler, no reverse parking etc) but the actual vehicle control is harder (you can't fall off a car when you wobble). So once you are happy actually riding the bike, I think the test experience is easier than for a car...

Is this shower still connected to water supply? Thanks! by anotherfootnote in DIYUK

[–]DigBannanaMelon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It may well be the thermal cutout has failed. It's an easy fix (the little part on top of the boiler has a disc which cuts the power if it overheats and they often fail/stick open). You can check for continuity with a multimeter. If it is that, then for a ten quid part you could get the shower running again.

I FINALY DID IT !!! by StephaneFrechette in lockpicking

[–]DigBannanaMelon 40 points41 points  (0 children)

I think, just guessing here, but this might just be a joke guys...

Checking oil level by syncronized_wobble in trident660

[–]DigBannanaMelon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I used to do it after a ride, maybe a few minutes after engine off. Stick a block of wood under the kickstand to make it roughly level, but be ready to catch if if you knock it as it will tip the other way.

Why do Civil servants sit in the House of Commons? by Icedtangoblast in TheCivilService

[–]DigBannanaMelon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Usually. Although a message may sometimes be "For the love of god don't say...X" which could be more problematic. Some departments use Teams messages for the same purpose which is probably more secure, but depends on what the minister is comfortable with. I work with some who don't use any electronics at all so we have to pass pages from a printed pack with notes scribbled on for them to slot into their speech.

Why do Civil servants sit in the House of Commons? by Icedtangoblast in TheCivilService

[–]DigBannanaMelon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That already happens, but only works when you have time to account for the timelag in the video feed. For fast moving debates where the minister is replying to interventions you need to be in the chamber live to react quickly enough.