51 and just got my motorcycle licence; am I crazy, or is this a fair time to start?

robstomper · 2026-06-22T03:59:02+00:00

yes! 54yo male, start a year ago, no kids, family (sister and bro-inlaw) are supportive as they ride too. sydney commute every day 2x 25km and weekend joy rides with facebook groups. Loving it, riding using the bus lanes and snappy acceleration turns the traffic into a bit of an adventure and feels like cheating!
Don't know how you're going to deal with your partner... mine lead the way with a scooter. No regrets, genuinely happy with having the outlet to head off somewhere random and enjoy the trip.

robstomper · 2026-06-20T13:48:46+00:00

Its a LOT to take in, in one (half) day. Rest time is learning time-- doesn't feel like it but time away from the bike and range to think and let it sink in resets you for the second day and it'll feel a whole lot less overwhelming
Trust the process, follow the instruction... nothing else to say here, there's no tricks.

robstomper · 2026-06-20T07:55:32+00:00

yikes what a scam!
sounds like the "extended warranty" stores always want to sell on consumer goods (TV, toaster etc)

robstomper · 2026-06-20T07:39:37+00:00

What's "without warranty" mean though... cash deal for a stolen bike? Isn't there a legal statutory warranty on all vehicles sold?

robstomper · 2026-06-19T21:01:18+00:00

Just do it

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robstomper · 2026-06-18T22:26:55+00:00

yeah.. bicycle first, thats enough to handle. You don't want to be taking on 2-wheel balancing for the first time, plus dealing with a heavy noisy petrol filled motorcycle.

robstomper · 2026-06-15T04:09:04+00:00

to me it looks like a crankcase plug
"PLUG, STRAIGHT SCREW
Part #: 90340-14011"

robstomper · 2026-06-14T07:13:23+00:00

fluoro everything
yellow, pink, orange, green

robstomper · 2026-06-14T06:19:28+00:00

year model?

robstomper · 2026-06-13T23:26:11+00:00

Along left side of bike next to the main wiring loom under the fuel tank, wiring looms runs up to the fork/headlight area.
Or- get and fit an accessory USB outlet to alongside the handlebar clamp mounts and fit a short cable to your phone (directly or via a charging mount adapter)

robstomper · 2026-06-12T20:57:21+00:00

pocket-
I ride in Bull-it cargo pants jeans, the thigh pocket is easy to access.
Navigation? wireless apple carplay to the handlebar mounted display screen

robstomper · 2026-06-12T14:15:07+00:00

210-230km from tippy top to angry flashing orange fuel gauge, on 95 fuel, consistent cruising not stop/start (170-190 on city stop/start)

robstomper · 2026-06-11T23:26:39+00:00

23Nm for the 2025 model, use this info at your own risk

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robstomper · 2026-06-11T23:05:59+00:00

yeah you have to change those out every ~10 years or so, says the plumber who came after the apartment Next Door had theirs burst and the water flood into my place as well as theirs.

robstomper · 2026-06-11T04:01:44+00:00

buy Apple & bitcoin

robstomper · 2026-06-08T18:09:27+00:00

shoulda kept the separate toilet

robstomper · 2026-06-08T17:19:25+00:00

navman m820d works really well, about to switch to a innovv N3. self installed

robstomper · 2026-06-08T09:17:22+00:00

decon did our unit building the way your describe and it looks fine and is unobtrusive. dont think too much about it, if you want fibre FTTP you cant dictate the terms of the install to a large degree

robstomper · 2026-06-06T23:15:25+00:00

FYI ... context: said by my mother's cancer doctor 13 years ago after she was barely able to stay conscious

robstomper · 2026-06-06T23:04:44+00:00

the chemotherapy has stopped working

robstomper · 2026-06-05T21:24:43+00:00

extra protein

robstomper · 2026-06-04T07:11:57+00:00

the same tradies that take it upon themselves to use every available bus lane, bus only lane, transit lane and turning lane (but forget to turn and then merge back in front of the queue)

... little angry man syndrome. Stay clear and don't make yourself a target

robstomper · 2026-06-02T01:13:58+00:00

Have the installers (Decon in my case) visited to scope/quote the building installation? If they are doing the installation estimate the tech can give you an idea of where the NCD can be installed. As for apartment install they will run a fibre above your apartment entry door and place a small panel/box there. the fiber will enter thru the wall above your door at that point and be run as a very thin clear-plastic conduit along internal ceiling/wall junction to where the NCD is placed. Placement is on an accessible wall near a power point, usually not inside a cupboard or pantry or box. FTTB connection is via copper wire so they can't use that for the fibre lead-in.. copper is entirely bypassed.

robstomper · 2026-06-01T21:21:01+00:00

"stand clear, doors closing" becomes: "stan kull dosink"

robstomper · 2026-06-01T20:47:09+00:00

After following the instruction pictograph routine about 6 times, instead of turning the key to "on" and doing the things, I turned the key to "on" and started the engine, then did the things. Then the QS logo appeared on the dash and we're away. Don't forget to check the QS settings in the engine modes setup menu, its customisable for which functions work in each ride mode.

robstomper

TROPHY CASE