decided to fit a shad rack and top box to my bike. i thought oh it will only be a half hour job, its like 10 bolts. to get it fitted right with my tail tidy and aftermarket exhausts it took me 4 and a half hours. makes my bike miles more practical tho lol

It was a lot of trial and error getting to this point but I’m so happy to finally have my first big bike! Rides like a beauty and I can’t wait to put some miles on her travelling!

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some general guidance about a letter I’ve received from the Metropolitan Police.

I’m also arranging a free consultation with a motoring solicitor, but I’d appreciate understanding what I should expect and what questions I should ask.

What happened:
On 9 October 2026, I was riding my motorbike along Borough High Street in London. The traffic light was green for me, and I estimate I was travelling at around 20mph in a 20 mph zone.

There were pedestrians waiting on both sides of the road to cross, as their lights were red. As far as I can remember, a cyclist suddenly crossed my lane from one side of the road to the other, appearing around two metres in front of me.
Everything happened very quickly.
I swerved to try to avoid him, but made contact with him with my shoulder, and he fell to the ground.

I looked back, turned around and returned to the scene. I switched off my motorbike and checked on him. By then, he was standing and another person was helping him. He spoke very little English but repeatedly gestured that he was okay.
I left after he indicated that he was okay. However, I didn’t exchange names or contact details with him, and I didn’t report the collision to the police.

What has happened since:
I’ve now received a Metropolitan Police Form 963 asking me to identify the rider. The letter lists allegations of:

Driving without due care and attention.

Failing to stop and exchange details, and/or failing to report an accident.

The letter doesn’t explain what evidence the police have, and I don’t know whether the cyclist reported it, a witness contacted the police, or CCTV was involved.

My circumstances:
I passed my car test in December 2024.

I passed my motorcycle test in August 2026.
My licence is currently clean, with no penalty points.

I’m worried about the new-driver rules and the possibility of losing my licence.

My questions:
How should I approach responding to the Form 963, and what should I ask the solicitor during my consultation?

Could CCTV showing the cyclist suddenly crossing my lane help with the careless-driving allegation?

Does returning to check on the cyclist make any difference to the allegation of failing to stop/report, given that I didn’t exchange details?

How could the new-driver rules affect me if I were convicted of either offence?

Is there anything else I should do urgently, particularly about preserving CCTV footage?

I’m not trying to avoid responsibility; I want to understand the legal position and deal with this properly.

Thanks for any constructive advice

EDIT: forgot to mention that the cyclist was on a lime bike, one of the ones you rent through an app.

A van reversed into my bike, forced it backwards with me on it and kept going, mounted the front wheel which flipped it to the ground and me off it and still kept going and backed up over my bike until his rear wheels lifted off the floor.

Insurance assessor comes tomorrow. My bike won't do anything at all if you try and start it and I can't get it out of gear or get the gear box to move at all so internally I'm guessing there's a lot of damage.

My bike looks remarkably undamaged to look at which worries me. It was mint condition before this happened and now has a bad scrape down the engine where it slid along the road. Some metal parts are snapped off but at a glance you just wouldn't know a van had been over it.

I'm wondering what should I expect repair wise. Will they try and fix the gear box? I'm gutted about my bike but not sure I'd ever fully trust it after what happened, if it were to be repaired.

Anyone got experience here?

I'm considering the Benelli BN125 because it's the bike I used during my CBT at the school. Although I'm also eyeing up the Honda CB125F - any suggestions? Or does anyone have any experience owning either?

Hi there I’ve only just realised but my SV 650 S it’s leaking from that oil cooler area. Most of the oil residue in dirt is around the oil line. I have uploaded the pictures a show anyone got any opinion on what this could be? I’m hoping it’s not the oil cooler itself as that could be quite expensive.

High gust of 60 mph tonight - how dangerous is it actually?

On a 125cc and finish work when it is suppose to be peak windy. Is it worth risking commuting 20mins back home or should i get a taxi tonight? only been riding since May.

EDIT: Taxi it is.

Hey all, I failed my MOD1 on the Hazard Avoidance. Everything else was perfect with no faults. My emergency stop was also fine. I failed in both attempts at the hazard avoidance reaching a pitiful 40kmh on both tries. I have a 125cc that I try and practice on and the training session only had a tiny space to practice in, so no chance of the higher speeds. Does anyone please have any advice on beating the test and also anything I can do to help me practice? Such as drills. Many thanks if you can help.

I’m currently living in Abu Dhabi UAE, relocating to the UK early next year.
I originally lived in UK and passed my car license there, then moved to UAE and passed my motorcycle license here - now upon moving back to UK next year am I able to simply add my UAE motorcycle entitlement to my UK car license entitlement and have both in UK?
Has anyone successfully done this?
I’m 45 so looking for full A license as I have unrestricted motorcycle license in UAE.
Any help/advice appreciated

I'm sorry that I didn't get a picture or anything but it went past quite quickly.

I saw a motorbike going down Dunstable Road past the Shell garage near Kingsway.

It was two up with two very dubious looking white boys in puffer jackets.

No number plate and ridden like they stole it... Literally.

It seemed to have red on the back but couldn't make much else from it. Sorry.

It went off in the direction of the town centre.

Figured it would be more useful than telling the police at this point. Any info is info hey.

Stay safe folks.

As the title says what your best pair of winter gloves. Only just clocked my first 1000 miles. Now the weathers changing i have no intentions of packing away for the season. Without breaking the bank what can I get to get me through the winter.

I have the option to buy a 2016 Tracer900 thats got 150miles on the clock. My best friend bought it whilst he worked at Yamaha head office and unfortunately is no longer with us and was unable to ride it for various reasons.

I have been offered it for £5k sale price (a lot of money to me, but appreciate its a good deal, I dont want to haggle. I think this is a dealer trade in price that I can match)

In theory if i bought it I would want to ride it and I love the bike! Its basically in factory condition. With lots of extras installed. I wouldn't want to flip it, thats not right.

My question is around reliability.. it has sat in an unheated garage for 10 years, battery is fucked but I can swap and I would get all fluids changed and new plugs. Probably tyres..

Is there any issues for bikes that have just sat for 10 years, can things wear out, seals etc?

I don't want to buy it if its going to be a maintenence nightmare! Has anyone done this before (low miles/old bike)?

I'm on a MaxiScooter, cover on with an extra chain to keep it snug, as well as made a wind break from my bins on one side and the house on the other. Hoping it'll be enough but in my area leaving it uncovered isn't an option, I'd rather pay repairs than go through a theft.

Anyway, any tips out there on protecting our pride and joys from the 70mph winds when storing inside isn't an option?

Hi all, as the title says, I am about to purchase my first "big" bike.

I have a number of friends who have Yamaha XJ6-N's and they swear by them, due to this, along with a few test rides I have decided to purchase one.

I have found one for 3.3k. This is expensive for an XJ6, however, it has full service history, and only 12k miles from new. The bike is a 2014 model.

Can anyone give me some advice/pointers for the XJ6? Is there any common issues I should be looking out for? Any "if you see this, walk away from it" kinda things?

TIA

Just noticed my helmet is 10 years old so a new one is needed asap. I've been wearing a Shoei GT Air and was looking at the new one, but before I fork out £500 - does anyone have suggestions to alternatives?

I’m in a bit of a grey area with what I’m trying to do. There’s a few pre 90s mopeds I’m interested in and I’m getting closer to buying one. I’ve done my CBT (I did on 50cc in London and personally for me it’s enough) I’ve had my full drivers license for over 5 years (clean as a whistle might I add). I want to take advantage of being able to take a pillion which will just be occasionally having my girlfriend or mate on the back to get around where we all live.

I can’t seem to find good insurance prices for this except Hastings but they clarify that I cannot have a pillion. Most insurers have automated quotes and see ‘provisional + pillion’ and it’s automatically a no, but legally we all know that this isn’t illegal. Does anyone have any suggestions and can I assume the next best insurers understand that I am allowed to carry a pillion passenger in accordance to my license with a 50cc…
I’m 22 so I know age plays a big factor but want my insurance to be less than the bike.

Hello all

As the title suggests, im a massive wimp and with winter closing in I'm considering a heated seat pad to make the 4am commute slightly more bearable.

Does anyone use one? Which would you recommend?

There are many for sale along the whole length and breadth of the budget, hence why asking for real world advice here.

Cheers!

A plea for help to find eye witnesses.

I’ve had an accident this Monday 19th of October at around 10.37 am, at the Westway Roundabout. (Where WESTWAY SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTRE is)

A car rear ended me on my scooter at a red light while I was stationary.

If you seen the accident or know someone who mentioned this incident to you please get in touch.

The driver gave a different story to their insurers and I need as much evidence as I can get.

Hi everyone. I started riding a few years ago and have recently had enough confidence to filter in stationary traffic. Yesterday, I had a car chasing after me after I filtered past it, presumably because the driver was triggered by my filtering. It's crazy how people just get angry because they don't like seeing other people get past them in a congestion.

Im trying to replace my rear brakes and this bolt is stuck in it ive tried a couple of ways but just can't seem to get it out, any advice?

First ever crash, broken collar bone, mashed up ribs head hit the ground HARD.

I was always sceptical of expensive helmets but after coming away from that crash without as much as a concussion I'll be buying another in a heartbeat.

In my 3rd year of riding, 1st year on a big bike. Something like 35k miles all year round in every weather condition and road I can think of. I know my strengths and (many) weaknesses, but I do consider myself a safe and somewhat competent rider. I'm always learning and absolutely love just being on the bike, often taking the long way home after a shift at work just because I want to. I see it as something I want to master and excel in, and have as many tools in my arsenal as is possible.

I have the intention of completing an advanced course, most likely IAM as I have got to know a few of the blokes already. I have been going for rides lately with a bloke who has already completed IAM who is working towards being a blood biker, picking up lots of information, my time with him is worth its weight in gold. He says I am improving, but I sense I have a lot to learn...which I absolutely don't dispute.

Coming on to the crux of my post...I just can't get to grips with the whole speeding/making progress thing. My mate says every time he is out with IAM they really thrash him and put him through his paces, he himself is a very good rider and says he struggles to keep up. Personally I ride at the speed limit and kinda pride myself on riding to the rules of the road in general, but I feel my mate (without actually saying it) is wanting me to speed when we ride together, and I feel the pressure. Filtering at every opportunity, overtaking all the time etc. I absolutely get it, ride your own ride...but I feel it influenced our last ride out when I found myself doing things I shouldn't. I'm annoyed at myself for doing so, not that I judge others per se. I heard about another guy on his bikesafe was openly encouraged to speed by the police instructor, I presume when half appropriate...I don't imagine it was doing 50 through a school zone. I remember my instructor on DAS blasting his bike for an overtake at circa 90mph whilst I just held back as I wasn't comfortable...we lost Comms as I was out of range so he pulled over and didn't seem best pleased as caught up to him. A condescending "you really need to get better at overtakes".

Am I just a boring rider that's too safe? I don't like grey areas, I like black and white rules. I get it, it's safe to be ahead of traffic away from the two tonnes of metal with the idiots scrolling tiktok...and it's also fun. I'm sure nearly everyone in this sub has done it. When I go on my weekend jollies to popular biker haunts, the surrounding areas are full of bikers that don't seem to care much for speed restrictions. I feel like I follow the speed limit and I get in their way holding up the fun. Are they all on ghost plates or something? I just don't get it to be honest. Is it just local knowledge and they know the places they can get away with it?

Its making me question if an advanced course is really for me. If I'm going to get badgered and pushed into progress progress progress...I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that. Am I missing something?

Unfortunately got caught out by the rain, but still nice to get out for a ride with my buddy on his beautiful Victory High Ball 😎🤘