The OE plastic case saver is rubbish and would not be of any use should the chain break or derail.
Does anyone know where I can get a steel case saver in the uk? I've seen the Sandman ones and they look well made and stylish. Is there a uk supplier or should I buy direct from USA? Not done that before. Is it straightforward?
I can't really help you with advice in the case saver as its not something I have bought or looked at. I have bought a few small items from America before and they have been sent as a gift on the customs form to avoid and taxes etc. shipping is usually fairly quick and if you are lucky you won't have to pay any import tax but just be prepared that there maybe a little bit to pay.
I have now ordered the Sandman one from the USA (and one for my mate). We have bought the complete case saver and front cover (called the freedom guard). Have paid about £80 total for the 2, inc delivery. Not sure if we will also have to pay an import tax?
I have now ordered the Sandman one from the USA (and one for my mate). We have bought the complete case saver and front cover (called the freedom guard). Have paid about £80 total for the 2, inc delivery. Not sure if we will also have to pay an import tax?
Hi Steve
I buy quite a bit of stuff in from overseas and it all depends on what your supplier is prepared to put on the Customs documents.
The Chinese are happy to hugely understate the parcel value and that can mean paying no VAT or import duty at all.
The Americans are a bit less obliging and tend to insist on putting the full value.
If thestated value of your parcel is over £16 then you pay 20% VAT plus, possibly, Import Duty, plus a Parcel Farce (if your seller uses USPS) handling charge of about £8. Killer eh?
Saw your post Fri night but waited til today to reply. You see, today was my first actual trailride on the WR. Previously, my only usage off tarmac had been last Sunday at the excellent Somerset TRF Funday in the Brendon Hills. It seemed like a good opportunity to try the bike out. I came away from the Funday slightly disappointed. The bike didn't live up to my expectations.
I hadn't had time to really prep the bike for trail use. Gearing was stock, bars stock (too low for me) and the Funday was not really the type of riding I like.
Fast forward to today. Gearing and bars still stock, so I picked a route mainly on bigger more open trails into Hants/Wilts. Much better! I definitely need to lower the gearing. I had nearly 70 (indicated) in 5th today (on the tarmac!). I will put a 12T on the front (13T standard) until the chain wears out, then put the 13T back, with a 46 or 47 or 48 perhaps on the rear with a longer chain (43 standard).
On the plus side.... clutch/gearbox very slick, brakes excellent, suspension superb. I think I'm going to love this bike. I just need to tweak it to my usage and height.
After all, I was 15 years on the DR, so it's a big change for me.
For some reason when you google wr250 r or x euro forum or just forum it only finds the us one, perhaps there is just not many of the bikes around and no problems to post about????
For Google to rate the URL, I know that at least one criteria is that it will get a much higher presence if it appear as a link in lots of other websites.
Real glad to hear that your experience was good with Sandman as i've had my eye on his case saver for a while. Nice to also hear he'll play ball re: postage too.
Here's to hoping he's still around in business, live and kicking now, 2014 soon to be 15 !
Your photo makes me ask........... Why did Yamaha have to spray that lovely aluminium frame black? It would look much nicer just lacquered and not ten yeard old after 6 months.
I really like the design to the Sandman and think it probably looks like it won't have quite the potential for mud build up in it like the stocker can. At least you can see if it did. Really nice and strong looking too. I must order one A.S.A.P, just got to decide on the choice of colours and finishes now available. I like the odd bit of blue jewlery on the bike, but maybe need to be careful of over cooking it. It might end up looking like a badly decorated christmas tree, stars and all
Just like the frame, i do like the aluminium and steel look, so maybe it'll be the silver Sandman.
...absolutely Steve! Why did they spray the EU frame black? I love a good alley looking frame and lacquered would have been spot on. What really makes me smile thou is that everyone in the states loves our black frames and wishes that they could have the choice. I guess the grass is always greener. I don't think they realise that the black rubs off so easily and then looks aged. To try and combat this, i'm using frame and also swing arm protectors from www.shedworks.net
They are made from some kind of plastic and only cable tie on, but are a great, really snug, perfectly moulded fit. We'll see how they hold up after a good kicking over the next couple of seasons. Can't complain at about 25 quid a pair.