Is there any skunk who owns or uses a bike on a regular basis? I would really like to know where I can get custom made 'motorbike outfit'? I would also appreciate some inside information on how to be safe, good mechanics etc. PS, By bike I mean the likes of Yahama R6<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YZF-R6>, Honda CBR <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2006HondaCBR600RR-profile.png>, Kawasaki Ninja, etc.
Oh... OK. For once I thought you were talking about those 1800cc beasts on American Chopper. On Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 11:03 AM, Peter Karunyu <pkarunyu@gmail.com> wrote:
Is there any skunk who owns or uses a bike on a regular basis? I would really like to know where I can get custom made 'motorbike outfit'? I would also appreciate some inside information on how to be safe, good mechanics etc.
PS, By bike I mean the likes of Yahama R6<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YZF-R6>, Honda CBR<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2006HondaCBR600RR-profile.png>, Kawasaki Ninja, etc.
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On Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 11:03 AM, Peter Karunyu wrote:
Is there any skunk who owns or uses a bike on a regular basis? I would really like to know where I can get custom made 'motorbike outfit'? I would also appreciate some inside information on how to be safe, good mechanics etc.
I have been using a bike in nairobi for the last 2 years ... in fact i have little use for my car (usually only on weekends if i have to do a lot of shopping). for safety : -- Know the roads you are using ... be aware of large potholes and road surfaces. At night i use only well lit roads. -- Get a proper helmet, and at least a well padded jacket. -- and of course learn how to drive your bike properly, know its limits etc... ;-) good mechanics are few and far between (so get something reliable) ... spare parts can be expensive for some of the bikes you mention as they are usually private imports and there is no local dealer network. i had a bad experience with a imported used KTM which had some niggle in the engine that no one could figure out. its easier to buy a bike sold and serviced locally sold by one of the bigger dealers -- the choice isn't too vast but you can get pretty good and reliable bikes if you look.
PS, By bike I mean the likes of Yahama R6, Honda CBR, Kawasaki Ninja, etc.
There is a group of guys called "kaisha bikes" who import these performance bikes ... (i havent actually used them to import anything )
Hi Peter. Adam Magazine had a feature about bikes a while back. Let me get the details from the archives and GBTU, probably monday, kama haitakua late. I also read somewhere that there is a club for bikers here in Nairobi...Can't remember where..
www.bikes-kaishakenya.com has been my primary source of info but I needed much more information. @Clement, monday will not be late, I look forward to that mag, I was pleasantly surprised that they have a rather nice website, http://adam.co.ke/index.html, I will be sending Oyunga Pala an email soon, I've seen he's pictured there with a bike<http://adam.co.ke/editorial_team.html>, see if he'll share some tips with me. @Ashok, Thanks! I will be getting in touch with you soon for further info. On Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 11:33 AM, Clement Ongera <cnongera@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Peter. Adam Magazine had a feature about bikes a while back. Let me get the details from the archives and GBTU, probably monday, kama haitakua late. I also read somewhere that there is a club for bikers here in Nairobi...Can't remember where.. _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general
Hey I ride on a daily for on work related duties and for pleasure. My bike is a small Indian bike, perhaps below your league, but having ridden far and wide (Garissa and Kisii) so I think I can offer some input. Good gear is a challenge to come by, here are your options depending on budget: - some guys next to MPPS Msa road to Suzuki dealers on Kijabe St. For high end helmets, you may need to import them or have someone bring them in for you. - Jacket: I got a riding jacket from a mitumba guy, other options: import - Gloves, trousers: import - Laptop back: almost any PC shop you can get Samsonite or Targus. For mechanics (starting from bottom): - I get my bike fixed in Ngara by a bike mech called Mike. He's good and I've seen a CBR 1000 and Ducati been serviced there. - There's a Simo in Kilimani, near Engen. If I hadn't known Mike before I'd have been taking my bike to Simo. - Pinky also in Kilimani, at Caltex next to St Georges fixes my pals bike, - Chris in Lavington, seems to fix a number of bikes doing trans-Africa route For safety, google on safe riding and realise that there are many drivers who either dont see you or just choose to ignore you. Matatu drivers are quite alert but still give them their space (and sometimes some of yours) Anyone interested in a ride to Bujumbura in August? I hear they roast fish by Lake Tanganyika 2009/6/25 Peter Karunyu <pkarunyu@gmail.com>
www.bikes-kaishakenya.com has been my primary source of info but I needed much more information.
@Clement, monday will not be late, I look forward to that mag, I was pleasantly surprised that they have a rather nice website, http://adam.co.ke/index.html, I will be sending Oyunga Pala an email soon, I've seen he's pictured there with a bike<http://adam.co.ke/editorial_team.html>, see if he'll share some tips with me.
@Ashok, Thanks! I will be getting in touch with you soon for further info.
On Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 11:33 AM, Clement Ongera <cnongera@gmail.com>wrote:
Hi Peter. Adam Magazine had a feature about bikes a while back. Let me get the details from the archives and GBTU, probably monday, kama haitakua late. I also read somewhere that there is a club for bikers here in Nairobi...Can't remember where.. _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general
-- Gichingiri Kuria _________________________________________ www.gichingiri.com / www.sokoletu.co.ke / www.website.co.ke / www.buyanzi.com
@peter, Monday sasawa @Gichingiri, Trust a skunk to humour people... U got me there!
Hi, Unless you want to import ALL your gear, then i would suggest GIKOMBA for used leather attire. For Head Gear, as suggested, Import or Ebay. The ones sold locally (except those by Ian Duncan in Karen) are bull &*!# Only 3 people are allowed to touch my bike(s) for repair. 1. Simon Okumu - Near Engen (Yaya). He has been around Big Bikes for ever. 2. Jow Mwangi - Fixes bikes at his house in Wangige. This guy is amazing. he is the only one who is allowed to venture into the holy grail (Engine) as he is meticulous and has proper Tools. 3. Me. I only buy Offroad single cylinder, 4 stroke, non-electric bikes which are farily simple to fix using a standard tool box and in circumstances where i'm off the road and not near Nairobi (which is most weekends) I use my bike daily and go EVERYWHERE with it. I canNot stand traffic jam and there are no parking fees in the City for Bikes. The most important lesson: 1. Dress appropriately - Helmet,Gloves, Jacket. This will not save just your life and skin in an accident, but your lungs too. 2. LEARN how to FALL safely. Of course it's not fun but it has saved me many many times. I was out of action for a whole year till May coz of a stupid accident. I worry when i see first time riders buying 1100cc monsters because these bikes like a fly mama make you want to go all the way....start small and advance slowly as you learn how to maneuver the bike on different terrain. 3. Don't Lend your bike to learners. 4. Treat her like a spoilt brat coz if she breaks down she will cost you. My Shock costs 35k. 5. Never Drink and drive 6. At any one moment on a bike, you must drive defensively. You must be aware of everything around you...because On Kenyan Roads, no one respects riders. 7. I could go on and on and on. On 6/25/09, Clement Ongera <cnongera@gmail.com> wrote:
@peter, Monday sasawa @Gichingiri, Trust a skunk to humour people... U got me there! _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general
participants (6)
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ashok+skunkworks＠parliaments.info -
Clement Ongera -
Gichingiri Kuria -
Peter Karunyu -
Philip Musyoki -
ukuta ken