I have in my hand...

... one tax rebate cheque So I'm yet another person that loves the tax man at the moment. (Lyn, take note :P )

I'm reluctant to talk about value, since I'm scared they'll realise it was a mistake, but it's from the time when i was working self employed, hence the reason I'm scared they've made a mistake. Had a VERY big grin on my face reading the letter.

Why am I telling you lot? Well, I'm looking to purchase things for the bike So I figured I'd consult the wise old (in light of recent birthdays :P) members of the .org for pointers.

I'm shopping for luggage options, a double bubble, and I'm very aware that my stock 220's have 4k service on them. I might also be tempted into a new 'zorst to rid the stock one, a louder horn, and if she doesn't moan at all this money going on the bike, the Mrs might have some supprises in store as well.

Luggage: I'm kind of wanting a tank bag, panniers & tailpack all in one. Don't really need them at the moment, but I do commute a hell of a lot, and I have the odd road trips. The storage space on the bike would be nice. But it also has to be easy to remove (not too easy with theives) in case I fancy a blat. So I'm looking soft luggage. At the moment, things are pointing towards the Oxford Humpback gear, but I'm open for ideas.

DB: I like the look of the Fabbri light smoked. All I can find though is a K5 & not sure if it'll fit. I've called the local suzuki dealership, who also didn't know, and are supposed to be ringing me back soon. They did about half way thorough this, £55 for the Suzuki one, not fitted. Apparently the K5 & K6 is exact same fitting, they just checked on two they had laying around. Again, open for ideas.

Tyres: Don't tell me, I've been searching all day, and will continue to search until I'm happy I know what I'm looking for (long distance tyres with enough grip in the wet, possibly just something to last the winter).

Exhaust: I really have no clue at all. Loud can's have never appealed to me, until I bought the SV. Even so, my work means I don't really want to p**s the neighbours off. So I'm looking for something loud, but not as a copper said to a friend of mine "That exhaust is f*****g rediculously loud isn't it?" I'm not interested in attracting that sort of attention.

Horns: I've had a little look, but nothing major, and don't really know what will fit on the SV & what wont. I'm looking for something louder than stock, which is franckly pathetic at speed (but saved my bacon this morning).

As for the Mrs, she's wanted to go horse riding since we moved out here, so maybe that, maybe DAS, but then she'd have to get her own bike as she's not touching my baby!

Right, sorry for the hugely long post, but there it is. If no-one throws out a comment, I won't be too bother, will just be forced to stumble around in the dark for a while.

Thanks in advance folks I get the feeling I'm going to be owing yet more beers...

[SoulKiss]

Gratz on the rebate

I got chased by them last year because I hit the high-tax bracket and they wanted returns done.

They seemed to blame me for moving house - well I didn't know that I had to tell the tax-man as I thought everything was between them and my employer.

Anyways I eventually did the returns (not as scary as I had thought) and sent them off.

Got back 3 statments from them reversing the situation from me owning them thousands in penalty fees and interest on made up figures (they put it at £500/year I owed) to them owing me about £120/year )

David

[Stu]

You sound like you've answered your own questions but just to reassure you, I would agree with Oxford Humpbacks - I'm sure you've seen package deals on ebay for all of them.
Can't help you on a screen, other than I tuck down a lot and like to see through them with my tinted visor. If you're like this, then yes keep the lint light - even if you don't look through it you'll be unnerved that you don't have any periipheral vision through a really dark one.
Exhausts - just to add that Blue Flame twin outlets have 1 baffle and a blanking plate so 4 choices on noise level.
Tyres - I want Metzler Roadtec z6s or Pirelli Diablo Stradas for myself - based on recommendations not experience.
Enjoy spending the free money!

Supermarket own brand carrier bag,slipped on to arm always works for me. Fabbri,dabri..pah!

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

Supermarket own brand carrier bag,slipped on to arm always works for me. Fabbri,dabri..pah!

Yes, your forearm makes a great "spare lid carrier" too. Till you come off...

Re: Goodies for the bike. A full set of oxford first time soft luggage and a smoked db screen could be yours (brand new) for £110 with a bit of careful shopping around on ebay. New tyres will make a massive difference to the way your bike handles and if you can afford to, I'd change for new tyres long before the D220s run out of tread (when I was in your position I read similar comments and ignored them, only to agree with them once I'd changed! ).

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Yes, your forearm makes a great "spare lid carrier" too. Till you come off...

Re: Goodies for the bike. A full set of oxford first time soft luggage and a smoked db screen could be yours (brand new) for £110 with a bit of careful shopping around on ebay. New tyres will make a massive difference to the way your bike handles and if you can afford to, I'd change for new tyres long before the D220s run out of tread (when I was in your position I read similar comments and ignored them, only to agree with them once I'd changed! ).

I avoided the 1st Time luggage as it only has a 1yr guarantee - vs the Humpbacks "lifetime", seems to hint at the build-quality somewhat.

If you are in no rush for the luggage, I WILL be heading to Bristol in the next month or so (not sure when, but promised some friends I would, so I could strap the humpback stuff to the bike arrange to meet you - tho it might be a bit far for you to come just to look at luggage/strap it to your bike and ride with it for a few miles.

But offer is there

David

Tyres - go for the Z6s. Ive had a rear last 7k miles and they are great in all conditions. I think it would have lasted longer but for all the burnouts I did on it too! They are that good I had another one put on when it went.

Oh, the stock front 220 was swapped to a Z6 at the same time as the original (about 4k miles on the bike) - the bike now has 12k on it and the front still looks like brand new.

Grip is good in all conditions, certainly good enough for knee down action and they give you plenty of confidence in the wet too.

My 2p worth!

Cheers for the responses folks.

I was kinda leaning towards the Z6's anyway. At the moment, I've got plenty of room left to play on the 220's, but I know that won't last long. With winter on it's way, I might buy some loose wheels & just pay for fitting & balancing when the time comes.

The luggage, I'm also looking at the Oxford Sports. Mainly because these are larger capacity.

I might also wait until the NEC bike show & take a trip down there to see prices. See what bargains can be had...

kkerr chingggg!!!!

Originally Posted by Baph

... one tax rebate cheque So I'm yet another person that loves the tax man at the moment. (Lyn, take note :P )

Noted... :P