u/RicoRico1290

I was painting a motorcycle panel using Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover primer and then a ColorSpec base coat. I sprayed the base coat within the recommended recoat window, but after the second coat the surface started developing a weird cracked, dry-mud / alligator-skin texture across the whole part. They were not there when The primer dried. The primer and topcoat seem to be reacting badly even though I followed the timing on the can. I’m trying to figure out whether this is solvent attack, an incompatibility issue, or just too-heavy coats, and what I should do to fix it and avoid it next time.

Do you guys leave your helmet on your bike when going shopping or when it's out of sight in Sydney?

Any specific lock you would recommend?

I feel that the helmet locks under the seat is a weak spot. (This is an illustration only picture)

Looking for something more substantial.

Thanks

Hey everyone, long-time car guy, first-time rider here (Lams). 🙏(Edit: Not AI written, just a guy with Autism who writes so he can easily read decided test. Nothing wrong with writing through AI).

Here's my situation and I genuinely can't decide — would love some real-world input. (Will really appreciate if you read to the end)

About me:

🧍‍♂️ 181cm, 95kg, based in Sydney, Australia.

🚗 Daily driver is an old Lexus ES — I like comfort and refinement.

How I'll actually use it:

✅ 80% commute — Sydney traffic, 30 min each way, 15–20km. Start Stop. Busy roads to work. No highway to work.

✅ 20% weekend rides — ~50km at 80–110km/h, nothing crazy. I will stick to the rules.

My dilemma in 5 questions:

🎯 1 — Cruiser or ADV? (I don't like naked)

I'm torn between the Kawasaki Vulcan S and an ADV like the CB500X, V-Strom 650, or Versys 650. Different worlds, same budget. Which camp am I in for my objective above?

🎯 2 — Which will I outgrow slower?

Cruiser or ADV — which type actually stays relevant longer as skills develop? I don't want to flip bikes every 12 months.

🎯 3 — Resale reality check

Buying used around $5-6 K. If I ride it 2-3 years and sell — what am I realistically walking away with? Anyone done this math?

🎯 4 — ADV seat height is killing me

I sat on a V-Strom 250 and felt like I needed to lower it 5cm just to feel safe at stops. Has anyone lowered an ADV and lived to tell the tale? Did it wreck the handling? What's the best way to do it without ruining the bike?

🎯 5 — Half-faired nakeds — do they exist here? I would buy a half faired motorcycle in a heartbeat, if it looks like those old sport touring bikes.

I love the look of bikes like the Honda CB400 Bold'Or lowest in the picture— that classic half-faired naked style. Beautiful. But I can't find anything like it in the Australian LAMS market. Am I missing something or is that style basically dead here?

💡What's pulling me each way:

The Vulcan S appeals because of the low seat, the multi-position handlebar/footpeg adjustment, and honestly — it just has presence to me. But I'm nervous about stop-start Sydney traffic on a cruiser going through busy lanes. Is that a real concern or am I overthinking it?

🛵The ADV bikes make more practical sense on paper — upright position, more use cases, better for mixed conditions, I can take them also camping or to the beach. But they all feel a bit tall for my comfort at standstill, and I'd need to spend extra lowering one before I even start riding and make the seat more comfortable.

TL;DR: 🌵

45-year-old new rider with joint pain looking for a comfortable upright bike for short commutes.

ABS?

Considering Honda Hornet 250, CBF250, older cruisers, maybe Rebel 500 later.

---

✅I am a new rider, 45 years old, 180 cm (6 ft), 95 kg (209 lbs).

*I love the naked bikes with full front fairing looks like in the picture. Or the small cruiser shape.

🎯Looking for a motorcycle, but I also have a medical condition that causes joint pain, so sport bikes are probably not for me. I need:

- Upright riding position

- Comfortable suspension

- Easy ergonomics

- Soft Clutch.

📝Usage:

- Daily commute: around 15 km each way

- Weekend ride: about 40 km highway, limited to 90 km/h

💡My questions:

1. ABS or no ABS?

   In Australia, bikes with ABS are often $2k–$3k more expensive, especially smaller bikes.

I found some really nice Honda CB400 examples at reasonable prices without ABS, but the ABS models are almost double the price.

Can training substitute ABS?

For example, if I spend 10–20 hours properly practicing emergency braking, does that realistically compensate for not having ABS as a beginner rider?

Also, if ABS is not absolutely essential, would you recommend older bikes like the Honda Shadow or similar cruisers?

🌊2) Engine size:

I’m mainly looking at 255cc or less because insurance jumps up a lot after that here.

But I’m open to exceptions if the bike is learner approved, manageable, and not too aggressive. Ideally the rules for learner approved:

- Around 180 kg bike 54 Hp.

- Around 200 kg bike 58 hp max

- Easy clutch

🛵3) Resale:

I’d also like something that will be easy to sell again after a year once insurance becomes less painful for me.

So far:

🙏I absolutely loved the riding position of the Honda Rebel 500, but insurance is very high for me right now. Might be a “later” bike.

- Also considering the Honda Hornet 250 / CBF250.

Open to suggestions from experienced riders, especially from people who started later in life or deal with joint pain.

(The emojis are just to break the wall of text)

Hi everyone,

Anyone has thoughts on living with Honda Hornet 250 long term?

I am, a new rider, in the market for one but worried that 250 is too small and I may outgrow it fast. Does it feel underpowered in traffic? I am not looking to race anyone.

I will only be doing a 20 km commute daily at 60 kmh max and maybe 100 km in the weekend at 80 kmh. Would appreciate your input.

If that matters, I am 183 tall (6 feet) and 94 kg heavy.

Hi everyone. In a recent accident, I fractured my ribs and heavily bruised both legs as seen. I fell on my side and the bike slide away.

Looking at the gear in the market, can't find something that cover the ribs and inner legs. Is that a gap in protection gear? Or am I looking at the wrong places? (AMX and MCAS). Thank you.

Go easy on me, guys. I am in the ER thinking why this happened to learn from it.

(Images from Google maps) I am a journalist so excuse the details.

#Location: Sydney, Ryde, Victoria Road toward West Ryde.

It was my first time to ride my motorcycle (125CC) at 2 pm today after getting a Learner license last week.

I approached a corner doing 30 Km/h, applied break before it and was looking where I am heading, and suddenly the bike slid and hit the concrete barrier on the left and I felt under it. Now I know why this is almost the only bit of road in Ryde with a concrete barrier around it.

*A UTE stopped, and the amazing driver stopped the traffic and helped me up.

*I felt like I was hit with a massive hammer on my upper rips, how come motorcycle jackets don't have protection on the side of your chest?? Also scratched on my knee and have a swollen ankle and leg. I consider myself blessed it was not worse.

*The UTE driver pointed out the gravel, dust and an oil spill on the road while he took my motorcycle off the road, then he left. (If you are reading this, thank you very much.)

*When I felt slightly better, I called the Ryde council to report the spill. They told me Victoria Road is not their jurisdiction and it's a state owned road. The guy on the other side felt my frustration with his answer, and said he will check if there is a team member who can go check.

I called the RMT road management centre to report and they said they will send someone to clean the spot.

I managed to hop home as I live nearby and when the sharp pain in my ribs increased I took myself to the ER.

Stopped on the way near the crash site, and the lane was cleaned.

Injury isn't bad, I was given a tetanus shot, and waiting for my ribs x-ray results.

Was that avoidable?

What do you do when you spot and oil/sand on the road.. I didn't spot it at all.

Any drills going forward that I need to do?

Thank you.