Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes...and travels...mostly on bikes!
Oh summer where for art thou? Ren is missing the warmth of summer but when it returns he'll be complaining about the
amount of traffic on the roads.
What's New?
Why So Complicated?
What happened to the good old days when oil was oily and coolant was watery? Ren is pondering science or rip-off?
Northern Ireland Thumper Club Rally
CrazyFrog is going overseas. How's that work out for him and what kind of tourer is a Jawa anyhow? Nowt so queer as folk.
Adventure Overland Show April 2019
In the interest of shameless self promotion Ren has been back to Stratford On Avon.
I'm Influential I Am
Ren is full of himself because one couple actually listened to him once. Beware the run-away ego at Adventure Overland.
What An Easter Weekend
It's been a peculiar Easter this time for Ren. Definitely not the usual script.
Coming Home
How did Ren never realise what a great road the A5 is? Anyway, he'd best get home.
The Ikea Effect, Breathlessly.
Ren is getting Zen as well as realising he's not the man he still thinks he used to be. Is appreciation relative to effort?
Wiring Loom Mysteries
It's a bird's nest of tangled wires for Pete. They're only extra lights but it looks far more complicated than it should.
Getting To Gwern
Ren is hoping this trip goes better than the last one. Sharon has been replaced by aliens. Just another ordinary weekend then.
Capel Curig Camping
The convenience of Wales and the company of friends brings Sharon and Ren back once more.
See More What's New
Latest Posts
Why So Complicated?
RobEll said :-
As it's also an offence to attempt to prevent individuals from exercising their rights e.g. Consumer rights; consider referring the case to your local trading standards department to investigate the consumer protection breaches that may have arisen from the actions and poor responses, from the businesses involved. Perhaps the apt. regulator can make companies listen where legitimate concerns exist.
16/5/2019 8:06:26 AM UTC
I'm Influential I Am
Hammo said :-
Agree with you totally.
Adeventures have to be our own, not everyone has endless funds. I've been fortunate to have ridden for a long time & adventures thru the years have been related to the money available. Now I'm getting older the aches and pains are becoming the limiting factor.
My recommendation is do what you can while you can
Ride long and safe
15/5/2019 11:27:04 PM UTC
Long Term Review of the Honda SLR 650 - By Ren Withnell
Ian Soady said :-
Rob of this parish solved the problem by having several sheds full of SLR650s when he enthused over the model. When he went over to the dark side he flogged them all off. If he's still around he might know where the bits went.
The SLR is a pretty simple bike and most bits are either similar to something found elsewhere (brakes, bearings etc) or could be made reasonably cheaply by a decent engineering shop. What are you short of?
15/5/2019 3:29:58 PM UTC
Long Term Review of the Honda SLR 650 - By Ren Withnell
Upt'North said :-
Tony, difficult to know where you have tried but if Silvers can't find it then try CMS in the NL. Easy to use Web site and prices are usually OK.
Also set yourself an alert up for auction sites just incase that elusive part shows up.
Don't limit yourself to Europe either, some parts are cheaper from the US even after postage.
Hope it helps.
Upt'North
15/5/2019 9:32:08 AM UTC
Long Term Review of the Honda SLR 650 - By Ren Withnell
Tony R said :-
Had my SLR 650 since 1997 and it's still going strong and a dream to ride ( which I do on a daily basis ) but unfortunately it's getting harder and harder to find parts for it. My local Honda dealer does a great job trying to find parts but even they are starting to run out of luck. It would be upsetting to take it off the road due to lack of parts. If anyone can point me in the direction of any suppliers I would be most greatfull.
t-r-@hotmail.co.uk
15/5/2019 9:18:56 AM UTC
Keeway RKS 125 Review 2013
Ilan said :-
Thank you. Im a mtb rider for the last 22 years and im trying to use the tx125 as my transportation to my work 3 times a week 40 km each direction offroads. Dont want to be on the traffic. Prefer to ride in the nature. Its an experiment and i hope il like it. The motorbike is doing well until now but he and i are working hard (;.
Enjoy your new motorcycle and drive carefully.
Ilan from israel
14/5/2019 10:15:39 PM UTC
Keeway RKS 125 Review 2013
Ilan said :-
Thank you. Im a mtb rider for the last 22 years and im trying to use the tx125 as my transportation to my work 3 times a week 40 km each direction offroads. Dont want to be on the traffic. Prefer to ride in the nature. Its an experiment and i hope il like it. The motorbike is doing well until now but he and i are working hard (;.
Enjoy your new motorcycle and drive carefully.
Ilan from israel
14/5/2019 8:34:21 PM UTC
Why So Complicated?
pocketpete said :-
Following Rens problems with Coolant I had similar problems of the local dealers offering me the wrong coolant fortunately Ren had published his findings these are a few email conversations with Honda who clearly dont have a clue.
To:
Thank you for contacting Honda UK.
We are very sorry to learn about the situation.
We can take this matter further to the attention of our Head Office where our colleagues from Customer Relations will be able to investigate this and offer advice.
In order to do this, please provide us with the reg. plate and VIN of your motorcycle, the names of the 2 Honda dealership involved and the different coolants they recommended. Please feel free to include any other relevant information.
After receiving that information, our Customer Relations team in Bracknell will provide you with a resolution.
Thank you in advance.
Honda Customer Service
Honda UK
My registration is MC1##### which is a 2016 cb500x.
I don't have the vin number handy.
I was offered Castrol coolant at hunts motorcycles burnage Manchester and motul coolant at robinsons of rochdale.
Neither of the coolants were silicate free oat compatible coolants which is designed for aluminium block engines to prevent internal corrosion.
I have used both dealers in the past and found them helpful indeed hunts even offered to order the correct coolant in for me. I cannot fault hunts who have always been more than helpful with superb staff.
My concern is that they are putting incorrect coolant in engines which are covered by warranty. Or selling the incorrect coolant without informing people of the possible corrosion.
I picked up the correct stuff from halfords within a few minutes by click and collect. Halfords own brand silicate free OAT standard coolant.
Interestingly whilst looking for the correct coolant I came across someone who had had exactly the same problem.
http://bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=984
They also were given the wrong coolant by a dealer.
Cheers
__________________________________________________________________
Dear
Thank you for your quick response.
We appreciate all the details you sent us and I believe my colleagues in the Customer Relations department will find them very helpful.
As agreed, I have forwarded the situation to our Head Office for further attention. They will look into the matter and provide you with a resolution within 3 working days.
Should you need to contact us again regarding this issue, please quote your unique reference number: #######
Thank you for contacting Honda. If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
____________________________________________________________________
Good Afternoon
Thank you for contacting Honda (UK) Customer Relations.
I understand your question was in relation to the type of coolant used in your CB500X motorcycle and there was a concern that this may have affected the engine.
I have raised your concerns with our team of motorcycle technicians, and they have explained that the coolant you have used shouldn't be causing any issues, but if different types have been mixed together then that may possibly be the problem. It would be very helpful if you could send a photograph of the types of coolant that you are using and have used previously, so we are able to offer a further diagnosis and a recommendation on what to do moving forwards.
Thank you once again for contacting Honda (UK).
Kindest Regards,
Customer Relations Co-ordinator
___________________________________________________________________________
I have no idea what you are going on about, my email was Totally clear on this point. Please actually read it and answer the question I asked.
Which was why are your dealers offering the incorrect fluid for my bike when using the incorrect one may cause damage to the engine.
I am happy I have put in the correct fluid no silicates and OAT compliant But not happy your dealers are offering the incorrect fluid and seem to have no idea what is the correct fluid.
It's simple really if mixing incorrect fluids can cause damage to this type of engine block why are your dealers offering fluid that is capable of damaging the engine. When my bike has been serviced by the dealers have they put the correct fluid in mine or other customers bikes.
This is not isolated cases as the link I gave you shows and indeed the forums show similar cases.
____________________________________________________________________________
I apologise if you felt I didn't properly understand your previous email.
I have spoken with our motorcycle technicians here at Honda (UK) and they are unaware of any dealers selling or using incorrect coolant fluid, and there have been no other cases relating to this to their knowledge. Each dealership has a Honda (UK) representative who regularly visits the dealership to check the proper standards are being met, and this includes the products used. If you feel the dealership that you have been to haven't been following this procedure, then I would be happy to pass the information onto their representative so they can investigate this further with the dealership directly.
Thank you for your feedback and for bringing your concerns to our attention at Honda (UK).
Kindest Regards,
Customer Relations Co-ordinator
_________________________________________________________________________
Well you are now aware that dealers are offering incorrect coolants to their customers.
I have as an experiment rang 3 extra dealers Wigan Chester and derby. Only Wigan offered me the correct type of coolant for my engine and even Wigan were confused until I mentioned it must be silicate free. Then he knew exactly which one it was. Chester and derby offered me standard coolant both stating it was the correct one even though it wasn't.
Try it your self ring a few dealers and ask for bike coolant for a cb500x. So far 4 out of 5 have got it wrong and only hunts and Wigan actually had the correct one available.
So to say your dealers have not misold or mislead customers is simply not correct. How do I even know if they use the correct fluid during a service if they cant get it right for a customer who actually knows which one it should be. You need to check across your dealer network.
I will be publishing my findings across the owners club and associated online forums as I have little confidence in your dealer network.
Indeed it took halfords less than a minute to identify the correct product for me.
Peter
__________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr ,
Thank you for the information that you have provided and for your feedback on this matter.
I hope that you appreciate that customer satisfaction is very important to us here at Honda (UK) and, although we certainly would never question the sincerity of a claim such as the incorrect coolant being offered at our dealerships, it is important that the information we use is always based on factual evidence. If you have a photograph of the exact coolants that have been used previously that you're concerned about and the name of those that have been offered, and also the dealerships you have contacted we can then work to provide a resolution.
Kindest Regards,
Customer Relations Co-ordinator
___________________________________________________________________________
Are you totally thick I gave you all that information in my first and second emails.
My bike has just had its 16000k service which required removal of the top radiator hose which means you have a loss of a small amount of coolant. In order to replace this coolant I required the correct coolant to match the specification in the manual to ensure that the bike is served in accordance with your warranty and maintenance schedule.
I rang the two dealers hunts and robinsons to obtain the coolant. It was at that point I was offered the incorrect coolant by both dealers although hunts offered to order in the correct coolant
I really think you are failing to understand a simple principle here. The bike I have required Silicate free OAT coolant. Your dealers offered me castrol and motul which is not silicate free or OAT.
Therefore it is certain your dealers are selling incorrect coolants for a given model and its possible putting incorrect coolant in during maintenance.
Do you not understand the significance of this?
Damage can be caused by incorrect usage of the wrong coolant!
I have already demonstrated that your dealers are giving out incorrect advice.
And a web search revealed other people who have also been given incorrect coolant advice by your dealers. I sent you the links.
As I am extremely deaf I record all calls do i have to download the calls and send them to you or is it simpler to publish them online where the world can listen to them.
I am not after compensation or a discount or anything i simply want you to understand the significance of this and get your dealers to give out correct advice for this and other models in order to prevent this from happening to someone else who may not be as technically minded.
Peter
____________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr,
Thank you for the information that you have provided and for your feedback on this matter.
I have spoken with the dealernetwork supervisor and can confirm that all the Honda dealers are fully trained in the use of the correct coolant and are supplied by Honda Uk with the correct coolants for servicing UK bikes in accordance with Honda technical requirements.
I hope that you appreciate that customer satisfaction is very important to us here at Honda (UK) and, although we certainly would never question the sincerity of a claim such as the incorrect coolant being offered at our dealerships, it is important that the information we use is always based on factual evidence. I would be grateful if you can forward the call on to us to verify what you were offered.
____________________________________________________________________
Please See attached copy of phone recording between myself and your dealers.
____________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr ,
Thank you for the call information that you have provided and for your feedback on this matter.
I have listened to the call and have sought legal advice on its contents.
Firstly it is illegal to record private conversations without the express consent of both parties.
In light of this you have failed to provide us with any evidence of bad practice as the recording cannot be used in this way.
I am sorry I cannot help you in this matter further.
Kindest Regards,
Honda UK
Legal Services
________________________________________________________________________
Dear xxxxx,
Under RIPA legislation it is legal for a private Individual or a business to record telephone calls for the following reasons.
provide evidence of a business transaction
ensure that a business complies with regulatory procedures
see quality standards or targets are being met
in the interests of national security
for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime
prevent or detect crime to investigate the unauthorised use of a phone network
secure the effective operation of the phone network.
I suspect your dealers come under several of these reasons.
Mainly to see business standards are being met and in order to prove a business transaction ie to prove I purchased the coolant or indeed to prevent or detect crime.
It may be illegal to sell something knowing it may cause damage or reckless at the whether damage may be caused. ie damage to an engine.
In any case this would of course be a civil matter and not a police matter.
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
---------------------------------------------------------
They have not answered me since this.......I Wonder why?
14/5/2019 6:16:58 PM UTC
Northern Ireland Thumper Club Rally
Ren - The Ed said :-
50 years ago I was minus 2.5 years. Of course that is using your standard earth years. Now I have perfected my super - luminal hyperdimensional drive on the CBF125 time is no longer of any consequence. 50 years ago? I seem to recall warning Jane Smith to watch out for dirty little oiks trying to do bad things.
As for the Kray twins, I tried getting them into motorcycling but they were just not having it. Didn't work out so well for them in the long run.
14/5/2019 4:29:55 PM UTC
Northern Ireland Thumper Club Rally
Upt'North said :-
And why was Ronnie Kray at the bike show?
14/5/2019 1:25:23 PM UTC
See More Comments
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Henrik said :-
Yes, southern Sweeden, westcoast, right over Goteborg, I made a typo, the name is MARSTRAND, historic place also as,..
18/5/2019 7:57:52 PM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Thanks for posting Henrik, nice pictures. Southern Sweden?
Upt'North.
18/5/2019 2:14:39 PM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Thanks for posting Henrik, nice pictures. Southern Sweden?
Upt'North.
18/5/2019 2:14:28 PM UTC
Henrik said :-
Marstarnd 2019 ,.. quick-camp ,.. we return later this year with kayaks on top of the car ;-)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/QHasX1BJbZW8AFsj8...
18/5/2019 11:48:59 AM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Do you wear a hair net so you look perfect for Sharon when you wake up Ed.
If it's Midgies........they're early, but so are our Northumberland variety this year.
Upt'North.
18/5/2019 10:49:55 AM UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I'll have to watch that when I get home... I'll be flat before the end otherwise. We've had some charging "issues" on this trip which you'll be able to read about in the near future. I'm interested in his solar rig though.
Home soon as long as the wee beasties don't eat me first.
18/5/2019 7:48:09 AM UTC
Upt'North said :-
If at first you don't succeed, throw the tablet out of the window.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Quasimotard&view=detail&mid=C57DB3CDAA5A8C0...
17/5/2019 10:51:32 PM UTC
said :-
Hope this works Ed, you'll love this guy, but just watch the first and last two minutes.
Inspirational or what.
Upt'North.
Quasimotard - Bing video...
17/5/2019 7:18:11 PM UTC
Upt'North said :-
David, your point about room on bikes is a valid one. Compared to Scooters the are abysmal. I'm fortunate because as standard mine came with about 70 litres of space, two panniers, two fairing pockets and room under the seat for compressor, puncture plugs, tool kit etc.
I suppose Honda have gone some way to address it with the NC range.
Upt'North.
16/5/2019 2:43:48 PM UTC
David said :-
Upt'North, I don't believe 250 is small, just not as big as most cruising bikes. Believe it or not I can't fit anything at all in the bike itself, I keep some wet wipes and a tire gauge in the luggage compartment. Using a tank bag and backpack for anything larger.
Sharon, thank you for the link and the compliment. I can't really afford anything extra right now seeing as I just spent an insane amount on repairs. Besides that I'll just have to start doing some trips around the place I guess!
16/5/2019 9:25:38 AM UTC