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2 wheel GAF UNITE!
- Thread starter Flo_Evans
- Start date
I have a full back protector but to be honest I rarely use it as it takes up so much space. All my jackets have those foam inserts though, for whatever good they do. Usually I wear Dainese leather trousers and one of my leather jackets, or Hood kevlar jeans + armour with a leather jacket. If it rains I have cordura waterproof gear, that also has huge removable mesh panels for summer riding
I think that mesh gear you can get with armour and cordura on impact zones only is a good compromise for hotter climates. Never really gets warm enough in this country for that though
The closest I come to squidding it is wearing my super short CE motorbike boots, kevlar jeans with no armour, leather jacket and short gloves instead of gauntlets.
Just returned, we were in the city for a week, which really I think is the minimum time you can spend there. I think any European used to public transport can manage to get about easily enough (google maps has all the train/subway schedules anyway), you should go for it next year for sure. Your situation is actually the same as mine two years ago, as we were going to take this trip in 2015 when we ended up buying our place instead.
I certainly will! How is the riding there? I have wanted to go out for a couple of years now as it seems 1-2 weeks riding around the country would be good fun.
I think that mesh gear you can get with armour and cordura on impact zones only is a good compromise for hotter climates. Never really gets warm enough in this country for that though
The closest I come to squidding it is wearing my super short CE motorbike boots, kevlar jeans with no armour, leather jacket and short gloves instead of gauntlets.
Just returned, we were in the city for a week, which really I think is the minimum time you can spend there. I think any European used to public transport can manage to get about easily enough (google maps has all the train/subway schedules anyway), you should go for it next year for sure. Your situation is actually the same as mine two years ago, as we were going to take this trip in 2015 when we ended up buying our place instead.
I certainly will! How is the riding there? I have wanted to go out for a couple of years now as it seems 1-2 weeks riding around the country would be good fun.
LeroyPantwether
Member
I hear you all loud and clear, but to be fair I'm not out there squiding it up. I ride what basically amounts to a scooter - even after many years of riding much faster bikes. I have to wonder, would you Guys throw on all this stuff to ride a Vespa to the market? What do you all do with your spine protector, leather pants, gloves, jacket, etc when you go somewhere like a movie or the store? You just carry all that shit with you?
For a scoot I'd just wear some lightweight Kevlar jeans and a leather or mesh jacket. You can walk about in those easily enough and stuff your gloves in your helmet
But eh, I'm in England. In the south of France people just wear shorts on their scooters. When your climate is hot, it's almost better to wear less gear and avoid heatstroke
I once wore full gear in a 40C heatwave. Never again.
But eh, I'm in England. In the south of France people just wear shorts on their scooters. When your climate is hot, it's almost better to wear less gear and avoid heatstroke
I once wore full gear in a 40C heatwave. Never again.
clockworkinyou
Banned
Was finally nice enough to pull it out of the garage.. Haven't ridden yet, waiting on my pants, jacket, and new tires. The Dunlops on there now are still the stock ones; only 1700 miles on the bike, but I'd rather put new tires on. 2009 CBR600RR ABS, all stock except for OEM Seat Cowl, ASV short levers, Honda CF Trim kit. I'll keep it mostly stock, maybe add some sliders and spools.
And found a 9 year old picture of my 08 in track plastics from my first track weekend ever : D
What's everyone using for oil and chain cleaner? Simple green was junk when I tried it, and hated working with kerosene. Maxima's chain cleaner any good?
And found a 9 year old picture of my 08 in track plastics from my first track weekend ever : D
What's everyone using for oil and chain cleaner? Simple green was junk when I tried it, and hated working with kerosene. Maxima's chain cleaner any good?
rockinreelin
Member
Yup all it takes is your first accident to turn you into an atgatt zombie. I got road rash and a broken tibula (thank god it wasn't a weight bearing bone) when I crashed going 15 mph on a bike. At least get some shoes that protect your ankles and a jacket and pants that can outlast a skid on the tarmac. Road rash sucks even if it is minor.
I feel a lot more confident and secure when I got my MC pants with protectors on.
maxheadwound
Member
And found a 9 year old picture of my 08 in track plastics from my first track weekend ever : D
Awesome photo. The track kit on the bike looks awesome.
Awesome photo. The track kit on the bike looks awesome.
Fallout-NL
Member
Well, the tarmac doesn't really care what you're riding. And I'm assuming it's a scooter in the motorcycle category, does 60mph, right?
Anything under 10 kilometers, I take my bicycle actually. (And I don't own a Vespa). If I do go on a relatively short trip, to my parents for instance, a 10km ride often becomes a 25 to 30km ride and I wear my kevlar pants, leather jacket, gloves and helmet always.
Leather pants I hardly ever wear because I own those kevlar jeans. As for the rest, yes I take that with me. Spine protector stays under the jacket, gloves go in the helmet. If it's warm I hang the jacket and the protector over a seat somewhere. It's a minor annoyance, but I don't feel save riding without that stuff. (I never feel save actually, but the joy it gives me still outweighs the anxiety).
To be clear though, not telling you what to do. This is just how I try to mitigate some of the dangers.
Yeah you should. My XB12Scg also still had the original front tire on it (tire was produced in '08, though not even worn out completely). Had it replaced this weekend. Totally transformed the bike.
Ah nice, yeah we'll probably end up going in a year or two. Totally still want to see it.
maxheadwound
Member
The new updated R800GS is not a bad looking bike. I know its not the most powerful of the 800s out there but it does look like it will take you anywhere without much trouble.
thesoapster
Member
Oh nice. CE-rated, too. So, there you go. If you don't want armored perforated leather pants, you can get armored, abrasion-resistant jeans from Knox
Fallout-NL
Member
Yup or Rev'it. I've got knee and hip armor as well.
zorlaczerohero
Banned
Anyone on here got a Triumph Scrambler? I'm thinking of ditching the cruiser, I want something to hit the fire trails and back-roads in the mountains where I live. Not interested in full off road just something that puts my feet under me, is lightish and I can put some AT tyres on, but also will be nice to ride on-road.
Choices are either get another cruiser (Maybe Triumph Rocket 3) and then buy a cheap old off road bike or just go the dual purpose route, maybe an adventure tourer but not keen on the looks. If a scrambler could handle it that would be the perfect situation, just not sure if it would!
Choices are either get another cruiser (Maybe Triumph Rocket 3) and then buy a cheap old off road bike or just go the dual purpose route, maybe an adventure tourer but not keen on the looks. If a scrambler could handle it that would be the perfect situation, just not sure if it would!
I had a Bonneville, and really the (old) scrambler was just the same bike with a different exhaust and some fork guards. It's more off-road for show I think. Not too sure about the new one but I assume it's the same
I believe the Ducati Scrambler desert sled is supposed to be fairly capable off-road... but the Triumph and BMW scramblers are more for looks
I believe the Ducati Scrambler desert sled is supposed to be fairly capable off-road... but the Triumph and BMW scramblers are more for looks
zorlaczerohero
Banned
The new 500 is a really nice looking bike, trying to get into the Vulcan S, HD Street 500 market. Think it's probably nicer looking than both.
maxheadwound
Member
Some eye candy, this looks like the new full carbon S1000RR
maxheadwound
Member
It is a bit busy but I am a sucker for naked carbon. Also red makes it go faster lol
Nope. It is widely known that is yellow that makes you go faster.
Fallout-NL
Member
I thought it was obscene amounts of displacement.
BriareosGAF
Member
"Waste" -- now we know who the real heretic is!
maxheadwound
Member
Here we go
HellforLeather
Member
Here we go
I respect the BMW for how amazing it is as a bike....but I cannot say its a pretty machine.
That exhaust is just flat out ugly and the lack of symmetry really bothers me.
Fallout-NL
Member
maxheadwound
Member
Its not italia and its very clinical. As you say its a great bike but the looks is not for everyone. Have not test rode one but the guys I have spoke to say its amazing.
Waaagh!
I'd probably still collect it if I had the time or the money. Have you seen what Games Workshop charge these days? Makes Ducati ownership look downright cheap
Fallout-NL
Member
Yup, that stuff is utterly crazy.
Stevey
Member
Only Dawn of War I & II
I will likely waste an hundred more hours with III, though.Yes, this one is obviously fasterHere we go
So I'm having a real hard time sorting a few issues out with gear.
I currently ride a Superduke 1290r, I bought the AGV AX-8 EVO last summer and immediately hated it, spent 600 bucks on it and visor and cant stand the wind noise, and the helmet pulls my neck back pretty much all the time.
I'm looking to get a different full face and tried on the HJC RPHA 11 Pro and loved it, but I hear its noisy.
Tried the Shoei GT-Air and liked it...sorta, the internal visor didn't seem to lower down enough for me and caused a weird blur for my vision.
I don't know what to get...but man I hate that AGV and need to get something else.
Also,
I've been looking at a more relaxed "commuter" style jacket than my full on leather race like jacket.
Does anyone have any experience with the Icon Raiden UX jacket, really like the orange and black one but none of my local dealers have it.
I currently ride a Superduke 1290r, I bought the AGV AX-8 EVO last summer and immediately hated it, spent 600 bucks on it and visor and cant stand the wind noise, and the helmet pulls my neck back pretty much all the time.
I'm looking to get a different full face and tried on the HJC RPHA 11 Pro and loved it, but I hear its noisy.
Tried the Shoei GT-Air and liked it...sorta, the internal visor didn't seem to lower down enough for me and caused a weird blur for my vision.
I don't know what to get...but man I hate that AGV and need to get something else.
Also,
I've been looking at a more relaxed "commuter" style jacket than my full on leather race like jacket.
Does anyone have any experience with the Icon Raiden UX jacket, really like the orange and black one but none of my local dealers have it.
Fallout-NL
Member
I recently got a new helmet, a Shoei X-Spirit III. It's incredible. Even in gale force winds on the highway my head hardly moves, also hardly need to work to keep my head in position (very little straining on my neck). It's great. I still wear ear plugs though, don't think there's a helmet yet that you can wear without plugs.
Yeah, difficult. Icon is hard to get here in the Netherlands. Bought some of their gloves once, wasn't that happy with them. Expensive as all hell and (they were red) not half as red or as well finished looking as the ones they advertised.
Rev'It has some good, casual looking stuff, though they're never that clear about how well suited it actually is in terms of protection. Like it'll come with some protectors near the elbows, but no mention of anything anti-abrasive.
I've never been satisfied with wind noise in helmets, I always just wear earplugs
My Shoei GT Air was very good to be fair, but I removed the ear padding to install bluetooth, so it's just as bad as every other helmet now
Weather tomorrow look excellent, I'm back at home, and I'm biking out in the morning to a greasy spoon for breakfast. I missed the riding season!
My Shoei GT Air was very good to be fair, but I removed the ear padding to install bluetooth, so it's just as bad as every other helmet now
Weather tomorrow look excellent, I'm back at home, and I'm biking out in the morning to a greasy spoon for breakfast. I missed the riding season!
Stevey
Member
Yeah this weekend looks nice, I should have gone out today really, but was busy with other junk.
Thanks for the feedback.
I'm going to have to wait a bit to choose a helmet, I live in Canada and my local dealers deal with snowmobiles and stuff all winter, they don't get bike gear stock in for the summer until like late May.
Sad they don't let you road test a helmet to decide if you want to buy it, I've been riding long enough to understand that wind noise is always going to be a problem, but if I can relieve neck strain and reduce the wind noise at all, I would be happy.
I'm going to have to wait a bit to choose a helmet, I live in Canada and my local dealers deal with snowmobiles and stuff all winter, they don't get bike gear stock in for the summer until like late May.
Sad they don't let you road test a helmet to decide if you want to buy it, I've been riding long enough to understand that wind noise is always going to be a problem, but if I can relieve neck strain and reduce the wind noise at all, I would be happy.
clockworkinyou
Banned
That makes me so jealous.
I hate where I live. It's a big area for Pagan's MC - they have a house about 300 yards away, and it's all cruisers. If I go towards the city, it's all squids wearing shorts and t-shirts on their GSXRs with chrome wheels.
I hate where I live. It's a big area for Pagan's MC - they have a house about 300 yards away, and it's all cruisers. If I go towards the city, it's all squids wearing shorts and t-shirts on their GSXRs with chrome wheels.
The one thing I like about the bike culture in Britain is that pretty much anyone can go to one of these cafes and have a chat/nose at other bikes. You get everything from fully custom Harley's, to Sportsbikes and even the occasional ageing mod on a Vespa
The only guys who tend to distance themselves are the middle aged born again bikers putting 100 miles a year on their stock Harley Davidsons
The only guys who tend to distance themselves are the middle aged born again bikers putting 100 miles a year on their stock Harley Davidsons
Fallout-NL
Member
Yeah, those guys hardly ever wave. Little do they know what my tiny Buells are packing.
Shot some pics. These two were from last weekend. My new XB12Scg at the shop for its oil change, new exhaust (2nd pic) and mapping (difference is incredible):
And this one from today. Was out riding and encountered another Buell when we stopped for lunch! Talked to the owner. Always nice to meet a fellow enthusiast.
BriareosGAF
Member
I had two motorcycle encounters today while tooling around on the DRZ doing some Land Trust work. 1) A guy at the hardware store chatting me up for ten minutes talking about his motorcycle history, some Baja documentaries, other fun stuff, including realizing he drives by the DRZ parked outside my work regularly. Nice guy. 2) Guy with no helmet or gear winding up his GSX-R to 10k rpms up and down the road I live on, didn't wave even though I was standing there next to my DRZ in full gear putting some signs up on the property I steward.
Got the SV650 out yesterday too, started up without issues, so now all the bikes are out of winter storage. Tire inflation checked, chain slack checked. Soon it will be nice enough to give them all a wash and additional once over. I detailed the interior of the WRX yesterday, so much salt and grit to get out of the foot wells and mats, but now it's all beautiful... so beautiful...
Got the SV650 out yesterday too, started up without issues, so now all the bikes are out of winter storage. Tire inflation checked, chain slack checked. Soon it will be nice enough to give them all a wash and additional once over. I detailed the interior of the WRX yesterday, so much salt and grit to get out of the foot wells and mats, but now it's all beautiful... so beautiful...
It took a 2 and a half hour drive each way, but Grom ownership had been calling me since it came out and I finally found a good deal on one:
Now, to hold myself back from buying all sorts of upgrades although it came with an intake and full exhaust. I got a tail tidy on the way!
Now, to hold myself back from buying all sorts of upgrades although it came with an intake and full exhaust. I got a tail tidy on the way!
maxheadwound
Member
Fallout-NL
Member
Looks excellent Makki, congrats on the purchase. What's it like to ride?
Haha, feels good no? Recently took the time to actually clay my entire car. Results were very nice.
Haha, feels good no? Recently took the time to actually clay my entire car. Results were very nice.
Here some of us are driving a Dacia Sandero to free up cash for the bike addiction and Fallout has a Porsche... very nice!
Pity you aren't after another Buell, I heard a lot of British used bikes are getting snapped up by Eurozone countries due to the exchange rate right now
Pity you aren't after another Buell, I heard a lot of British used bikes are getting snapped up by Eurozone countries due to the exchange rate right now
maxheadwound
Member
Now I do miss my Porsche, that came out very nice. Wow