My list of things that beginners (and experts) should know.

[Trinith]

Can americans just hop on any bike right from the start without needing to sit a test?

We need to take a written exam to get a permit, after that, we can purchase and ride a Busa right out of the dealer.

.......That's seriously fucked up

Actually, you don't even have to do all that. I bought 3 bikes, tagged and insured them, and rode them for almost 4 years, and I never took any tests or got any licenses or anything of that nature. You can buy, license, and insure ANY bike here without a license. Only thing you can't do, technically, is actually ride it. But if you're smart about it you can ride for ages without a license.

[Scram_UK]

Can americans just hop on any bike right from the start without needing to sit a test?

We need to take a written exam to get a permit, after that, we can purchase and ride a Busa right out of the dealer.

.......That's seriously fucked up

Actually, you don't even have to do all that. I bought 3 bikes, tagged and insured them, and rode them for almost 4 years, and I never took any tests or got any licenses or anything of that nature. You can buy, license, and insure ANY bike here without a license. Only thing you can't do, technically, is actually ride it. But if you're smart about it you can ride for ages without a license.

The cops in the UK are TIGHT in comparison.... They run automated number checks of all the vehicles infront of their car via some scanner, to ensure they all have Tax , insurance and a legit driver

[Trinith]

Can americans just hop on any bike right from the start without needing to sit a test?

We need to take a written exam to get a permit, after that, we can purchase and ride a Busa right out of the dealer.

.......That's seriously fucked up

Actually, you don't even have to do all that. I bought 3 bikes, tagged and insured them, and rode them for almost 4 years, and I never took any tests or got any licenses or anything of that nature. You can buy, license, and insure ANY bike here without a license. Only thing you can't do, technically, is actually ride it. But if you're smart about it you can ride for ages without a license.

The cops in the UK are TIGHT in comparison.... They run automated number checks of all the vehicles infront of their car via some scanner, to ensure they all have Tax , insurance and a legit driver

Yeah, they don't do that here. Just because the vehicle is registered in my name doesn't mean I'm the one operating it, so checking license status via reg plates doesn't really work, and if something did come up...I don't think it'd constitute probable cause to warrant a traffic stop.

[djs1990]

Hmm if anything comes up in the UK it gives the police the right to stop you, say if your tax is out of date by one day, though in saying that it would take a pissed off person to actually fine you for it, long as you have a good enough excuse

[Bloodkraze]

Hmm if anything comes up in the UK it gives the police the right to stop you, say if your tax is out of date by one day, though in saying that it would take a pissed off person to actually fine you for it, long as you have a good enough excuse

For something cheap like an expired plate 1 month afterwards, or a shade past the illegal tinted window limit it'd take an asshole cop to pull you over and ticket you. Other than that they will use those reasons to pull you over if they suspect anything else.

If I've watched enough cops, I can tell that while the cops here have computers, they're more likely to get someone back at the office to run the numbers so they dont have to type and drive.

[Trinith]

More often than not the computer in the car is used for report generation. They almost always call back to dispatch for DL/plate number information. In fact, I've yet to see a cop not use the radio to find out who you are.

[Bloodkraze]

Well, I don't spend enough time in cop cars to actually research this stuff, Trinith.

[Scram_UK]

I dated a cop for a while.... Just thought i'd throw that in there . Lead to one disastrous incident where my dad walked into my room to find me handcuffed to the bed

[Azriel]

Just thought i'd throw that in there . Lead to one disastrous incident where my dad walked into my room to find me handcuffed to the bed

photos or it did not happen 

[orgAn.d0nor]

Just thought i'd throw that in there . Lead to one disastrous incident where my dad walked into my room to find me handcuffed to the bed

photos or it did not happen 

Here's the backside of the aforementioned officer.

[Lexx0r]

For something cheap like an expired plate 1 month afterwards, or a shake past the illegal tinted window limit it'd take an asshole cop to pull you over and ticket you. Other than that they will use those reasons to pull you over if they suspect anything else.

Different case in England. Its safe to say - anything little or big - PC Plod will rear end you until you cry. England cops are such asses. Even about little things. I guess there only following the law.

[Azriel]

Just thought i'd throw that in there . Lead to one disastrous incident where my dad walked into my room to find me handcuffed to the bed

photos or it did not happen 

Here's the backside of the aforementioned officer.

may i give you a +1 for this sir 

absolutely awesome

[kwaka]

hi just wondering the best way to break in my bike its a 2008 250r ninja only done 600kms(bought it of a lady that got pregnant and cant ride anymore) it says in the manual to not go over 4000rpms for the first 800kms is there any great danger if it does, by accident or course. Then at 1000kms take it up to 6000rpms. Any help would be appreciated thanks.

[Ataylor0]

hi just wondering the best way to break in my bike its a 2008 250r ninja only done 600kms(bought it of a lady that got pregnant and cant ride anymore) it says in the manual to not go over 4000rpms for the first 800kms is there any great danger if it does, by accident or course. Then at 1000kms take it up to 6000rpms. Any help would be appreciated thanks.

There wont be any damage if you go over the advised revs for a few seconds. But if done constantly it can damage a brand new engine and make it need more servicing, or if it is done constantly possibly even ruin it.

[Jarl]

hi just wondering the best way to break in my bike its a 2008 250r ninja only done 600kms(bought it of a lady that got pregnant and cant ride anymore) it says in the manual to not go over 4000rpms for the first 800kms is there any great danger if it does, by accident or course. Then at 1000kms take it up to 6000rpms. Any help would be appreciated thanks.

Uh oh.

The break in question!

Some people reckon you should break it in soft. This is bollocks. Break it in hard- that is, ride it as you would normally, but with more gear changes and rev variation than usual. Set off in first to redline, then stop and go second to redline, then third to redline, and try to avoid constant high revs, though since you're already at 600km's it should be fine with this. Also avoid revs that are too low where the bike can't develop any power and you lug the engine. Also, do an oil change! They should be done very regularly on a new bike; far more so than the owners manual recommends.