Helmet drag..?
I noticed a strange phenomenon when I was out of Sunday. Despite me telling myself that I'd only wear my Bell open face when I was out on lower-speed rides, I found myself "making progress" whilst wearing it. I know. I know.
What I noticed though, was that there seemed to be a lot less loading on my neck; usually a real problem for me. I know the Bell is quite a bit lighter than my Arai full-face, but I expected the drag from the wind to be greater, especially as the front isn't smoothed (it has my podgy face sticking out) and it has a peak.
If it reduces neck strain, the move to regular open face use may be an acceptable trade off.
Anyone else found similar?
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/mot...nt_prod/420250
I bought one of these following a tip from another thread on here a while back.......18 months on and I'm been so pleased with it. Can't get over how light and comfortable it is without looking too sportsbikey.....if you know what I mean.
Cant wait for the report Tony. Hope you enjoy the Thruxton as much or more than the Beemer. I’m sure you will, just different reasons to enjoy. Regarding the tyres, if you felt they were potentially unsafe or past their best, deffo get them changed, why wouldn’t you. Riding full of confidence with new rubber underneath you is way better than wondering what may happen on the next bend or sudden stop. Oh, and a new vid on the new bike please
Stuart
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
That's only slightly heavier than the Bell open face so I might give one a try when the Arai is due for replacement.
It's the amount of effort needed to hold my head against the wind that interested me which shouldn't, I'd have have thought, relate that much to helmet weight. More aerodynamics.
Thanks Stuart. The ride with the new tires fitted is nothing short of sublime! The suspension is wonderful and the handling is up there with that of the Street Triple.
I’ll add a photo when I get home and I’ve recorded a video but it will need some editing before I upload it.
New bike looks great T.
I was supposed to be at Cadwell Park yesterday & today but as the forecast was poor, I decided to give the Gixxer track bike some much needed TLC.
Oil & filter change, callipers off & gone to Powerhouse to be refurbed & new fairings fitted, so we've gone from this sorry state
to this
Fingers crossed it stays looking this good for a while.
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
Are you going to retrofit OEM ones or aftermarket stuff like Oxfords?
Stuart
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
That's a nice looking lid, I like the idea of it being light. I like the flip type helmets these days, wear my Shoei less and less. Almost bought the Shark Evoline 3 but was reccomended that the LS2 Valiant was a better design. It's certified as both a full and open face helmet which some flip models don't seem to be. It is quite heavy though so I may have to look at something lighter.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Took my GS for a major(ish) service at the dealer today. When I went to collect it they said "It's all fine but we didn't change the plugs because we haven't got any". FFS, a BMW main dealer with no spark plugs...
So... what bike should I buy?
I passed my Mod2 yesterday but have ridden 3 bikes in the last 30 years, all of them in the last three months: CG125 (CBT), YBR125 (practice and pootling) CB650R (Mod1/Mod2). I enjoyed riding the CB650R but it's not the bike for me. I know I don't want either a 'cruiser' or a 'crotch rocket' but I don't know what I do want. I do keep going round the Ducati Scrambler/Monster, Triumph T100 (Bonneville, Street Twin, Scrambler), Moto Guzzi V7, Fantic Caballero 500 loop with each of them being my favourite for about 30minutes before I see a nice photo of one of the others.
My local used bike supermarket won't let you touch, never mind sit on, a bike at the moment and I really don't want to buy a bike on reviews alone. The outlier in my choices is the XSR700 which stopped me in my tracks as I was walking round the superbikefactory. There's just something about it that I think looks gorgeous but - and here's the issue - I could buy it, sit on it and hate it even before I've started it up.
I'm talking to myself really but I really need to find somewhere that I can at least sit on a few bikes.
:-)
A mate took out a couple of bikes while his was in for service recently.
Triumph Street Scrambler - loved it, had a grin from ear to ear,wouldn't want to take it to Scotland.
Triumph Tiger 900 - comfortable, competent, would do Scotland
Based on my recent experience the BMW F700GS is pretty darned good too.
Something for the ladies...
https://triumphfactoryoutlet.com/pro...ss-steel-watch
From the Triumph Outlet, ladies wrist watch reduced to £25.
It appears to be a chronograph without buttons though, so I'm not sure how that works
I said this to Tony 18 months ago, but have you considered something larger in capacity? Just because you passed your DAS on a 650 doesn't mean you need to stay in that bracket.
I passed DAS in June 2018 and went straight to an R9T. Then added an R1100 GS in June 2019. Then added a Multistrada 1000 DS in June this year. I wouldn't waste my time with anything under 1000cc because there is so much more interest and choice out there, particularly in the used/youngtimer classic market at >1000cc.
Last edited by j0hnbarker; 25th September 2020 at 16:41.
I think you’re not a million miles away from Staffordshire Triumph (ST6 5PB)?
They have a good selection of used bikes - and obviously they sell new Triumphs - and they have a pragmatic approach to the current situation.
Just down the road you would also find Potteries motorcycles who also have a good selection of brands, new and used - although I’ve not been in there during Covid times so I’m not sure how they operate.
Just back home from Triumph North London for a short recall visit for the Scrambler. As I pulled in I recognised the bike parked next to mine as being as being the Speedmaster owned by Captain Rambunctious of YouTube fame (if that's really fame).
Anyway, as the only 2 customers waiting for our bikes I spent a good hour chatting away with him, what a thoroughly nice chap. Clearly some will find his YouTube persona a bit grating but in person he's obviously not quite so OTT but still very positive and outgoing.
He's off on his own ride for this years DGR (The tweed butt challenge) tomorrow doing 500 miles in one day.......not sure I'd fancy doing that on a Speedmaster!
https://youtu.be/GaMpefHG7fs
Tony - have you seen the Thruxton TFC they have in there????
Each to their own, but I'm not sure that's the very best advice for someone looking for their first 'big bike'. I got carried away with the whole 'Long Way Round' thing back in 2008 and bought an R1200GS as my first 'big bike'. I ended up selling it within a month as it was killing my confidence.
WYes I have - Ben was making sure I knew it was available again at the time I was testing the red Thruxton. In other circumstances I may well have bought it but I was looking for a cost neutral change, which I managed to achieve in the end by sticking with private deals.
In the real world, what is the difference between an 800cc Ducati Scrambler and a 1200cc BMW R9T?
If we were talking about 1000cc sports bikes I would agree. FWIW I wanted a GS as soon as I had passed DAS but quickly realised once I had sat on one that I would need some time on something physically smaller first. I had the year with the R9T then bought the 1100GS (with 30BHP less than the R9) once I was a little more confident.
Just had a call... Rocket 3 ready for collection tomorrow...😈
Just got the Street Scrambler back from the warranty work. And recall work. And a new tube. And black engine bolts.
And I appear to have ordered s pair of PIAA driving lights for it.
Not entirely sure how I'll fit them, but they will go on somehow.
Other than the fact they look great, I'm not entirely sure why I've bought them either, as I've never even ridden the bike in the dark.
Oh I know; it's because they look great.
I certainly haven't ruled anything out just based on capacity. I'd consider a bigger (cc) bike particularly if it was a bigger (size) bike. I'm a bit of a Clydesdale at 6'1" and close to 17st. I've also had some pretty powerful cars in my past and never left the road or picked up any points so I know throttles don't have to be on/off.
37 minutes according to Google Maps. I might nip in there tomorrow.
I have to admit I've written Royal Enfield's off on a complete misunderstanding. There's a Herald Classic 400 that keeps parking outside my house but, for reasons I can't quite explain, I've got it in my head that it's an Enfield. And when it's parked next to my YBR125 it doesn't look much bigger if at all. So I'll have to give my head a wobble and add them back into the list.
edit: and it looks like Potteries Motorcycles (close to Staffordshire Triumph) are Royal Enfield dealers so I could nip in there too...
Last edited by MakeColdplayHistory; 25th September 2020 at 18:56.
I’m afraid this advice is poor. If you’ve only been riding for a couple of years and wouldn’t waste your time on anything under 1000cc, then either you’re the next John McGuinness or you’re not getting the most out of your bikes.
What have you done to develop your road skills? Rapid Training, for example?
Correct... I used to think that recommending a litre+ bike to a newly qualified rider would be madness, and when it comes to Blades, GSXr’s, R1’s and the like I’d have to say that it would be madness.
But, my 1200 Bobber, and Speedmaster are so easy and un intimidating to ride, that I’d quite happily recommend that type of bike to a new rider..👍
Loving this:-
https://langenmotorcycles.co.uk
(no affiliation)
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Quick question... my bike goes in for a service on Monday week, after which it will be getting the Freddy Trott treatment including an all-over application of ACF50. Going forward, though, i was just reading about GT85 - anyone use it on a routine basis and - if so - can you share your thoughts on the benefits or otherwise? I'm particularly wondering whether applying it to the chain after cleaning/lubing provides a bit of extra corrosion protection without any detrimental side effects.