Philk

Following from the thread that justa started I thought it might be helpful to understand why we are here. I looked at various sites, and this was the only family oriented and least judgmental of the ones I looked at. This was important because I am now riding with my son. So biking is not just about me going out and being a hooligan biking has a new dimension now for me. The other thing about this site was the friendly approach to newbies to biking. very helpful and again non judgmental. Finally I liked that there were so many female members. a sure sign the neanderthals havn't taken over. I have put up a poll as well but its quite limited. I hope it reflects the initial reason for joining this site. I take it as a given that we all appreciate a social belonging we get from this site, and am just interested in the reasons for joining.

Good idea but little dave (The Boy Not The BIke) keeps getting his legs stuck through the netting. Its a swine getting him off again.

WSB Max Neurkirchner. Troy Bayliss, Max Biaggi or Carlos Checa. BSB a Ducati

I'll try to get the Monday off to join you on the coastal bit through to the Humber bridge. sounds like a heavy but fun day out. 8)

How much faith do you have in baggage handlers and couriers not to drop your lid? Even once? I'm sure they'd wrap it up in bubble wrap and stuff but i don't think i'd trust it atall. And worse you'd never know. I'd always buy a helmet in person. My mate bought a mail order Arai Corsair from Japan. Saved about £190.00 and it arrived perfect. He reckoned it was well packaged, and he asked the dude to mark the package birthday present and didn't get charged any tax. But thats a lottery.

That is an important distinction. I was reading in the comic recently about the new safety standard tests, and lids are designed for specific identified impact points which are very different on a car lid to a bike lid. I would definitely advise getting something bike specific.

At the moment there is actually no legal requirement for a helmet to meet standards on uK roads. That is to say if old bill pull you they won't look at your helmet, unless of course it is obviously not a helmet. However helmets sold in the UK must have the ACU gold sticker. Some bike examiners inspect the lid for this sticker. However that doesn't mean lids with stickers from other standards are inferior. snell is a good standard. It is also possible to buy a top lid from Japan by Shoei or Arai for £200.00 cheaper and it is identical to the lids sold here but doesn't come with an ACU gold sticker. You can't do a track day in this country if your lid doesn't have a gold sticker. As a footnote gold stickers can be bought off flea bay for about a tenner. and... yes I have bought a lid from Japan when I have been to Japan, I got a Kagayama rep Shoei x spirit, and I bought a sticker off ebay. The helmet is absolutely the same as the ones sold here less a sticker.

I think thats what worries me about the story, knowing what Foggy has said in the past, the story does actually sound like something he might have said. Foggy was a good rider, but WSB is a lot stronger in my personal opinion now with a lot of talent in depth. Not sure Foggy would pick up four titles quite so easily now. Everyone knew Sheene. Who do you think the best british riders were/are? Hailwood, Surtees, Sheene, Fogerty, Toseland, Hodgson? I would strike Hodgeson and Surtees from the list. Hodgeson who seems to be a lovely bloke had an unbeatable bike for his big win. This is born out to an extent by his achievements since. Surtees belongs to an era of gentleman racer that just didn't have the competition or depth to demonstrate greatness, IMHO.

what a load of rubbish... the sun You can't compare Toselands rookie year with Lorenzo he's already had years riding these tracks. Foggy is a Gob Shite who rode well on the best bike. Its time he shut up. If he could actually motivate anyone FPR wouldn't have gone through riders like smarties and might have developed better then it did. Foggies bitter because his own GP experience was too hard. He wanted to be the big fish all the time and wasn't prepared to spend time as a littler fish to learn and PROVE himself which he didn't/couldn't. He can't stand to see a UK rider being talked about more then he is. He has a serious personality defect, and is a right pain. Look at some of the things he's said. "People recognise me in the street but don't recognise Sheen." That was him demonstrating he was a better (bitter) rider. If people recognise Toseland more it will because he plays the piano. Put Foggy back in his box with his gold and diamonds. I can see Toseland making a podium at Donny or binning it.

Glad your ok TOMO. Where did it happen m8? Must have landed on yer head to come off so lightly

if I had an R1 that would be my choice for a rep.

In the last few years they have had land-rovers with trailers transporting folks from the parking to the site so that is no problem. Unfortunately they don't put them on for the hike back so you may have to make a couple of trips. Also leaving is much improved now because they have a one way system in operation. a lot of folks take a tall flag pole made from fishing rod blanks with some sort of flag so you can find your tent ok. Be prepared to lose sleep due to noise of partying. Use ear plugs. The facilities are not as bad as they used to be as long as it isn't raining. TAKE BOG ROLL. No cash machine at donington. Well there is in the exhibition hall but it charges about a tenner to draw out a tenner. definitely check out the wall of death if you havn't seen it. You can't walk all the way around the track, you have to turn around at Redgates cause thats where the rich people lig around the paddock. During free practice you can usually sit in the stands for free on Friday. Good tip if its raining. Consider collapsable chairs and a brolly. For race day get up as early as you can and get round to Foggy esses smartish. Great place to watch and a big screen. Get a program on arrival. Encourage your kids to look pathetic and ask for freebies at every opportunity. get your picture taken with the girls in lycra, you'll recognise them from their prominent camel ... erm... I mean the writing on their clothes etc... Hope this helps.

Practice times mean nowt. 8)

KISS

Both of what they said. 8)

fair points evs.

looks like xerox Ducati are after him for WSB. Especially after Checas and Biaggi's success I think a lot of Moto GP riders see it as a good option these days. Might see others looking at making the move. Which is a good bad thing. It reduces the places for supersport riders to step up to. But the racing is great.

in the car mate hoping to have swag to cart back.

Older bikes used to have a problem with this sort of thing as wheelying deprived the oil pump of suction and caused bearing failures due to lack of lubrication. Shouldn't be an issue on new bikes. Sounds like they are having you over.

No Idea bud..... Depends when i get out of ere!!!!! when good for you??? Setting off for seaways now. Anyone there say hello. http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll1/phastfil/L1010361.jpg

I am going but will be in car as I am hoping to kit my partner out with new riding gear. Little dave (The Boy Not The Bike) will be going as well. I'll watch out for yer pink leathers.

Oops, but are the leathers clean now? Thinking of making Little Dave (The Boy Not The Bike) put his on and run around outside next time it rains heavily. 8)

anyone up for it. me and little Dave (The Boy Not The Bike) are going for our breakfast for tea. be there late afternoon.

There seems to be something wrong with bradders team. He's had a lot of mechanicals and it was the same last year. There is no excuse at that level for a steering damper "falling off". If I was running that team, and I am drawing on my experience of running engineering projects i'd be asking some serious questions.

Did anyone go last year? I'm thinking of taking my other half to get her some kit. Was there much in the way of bargains last year?