PMC

I use one of the basic rider-to-pillion types, an Albrecht AE600. I've found it to be excellent if you don't need bike-to-bike. The mike is good quality, especially for the price, we don't suffer from wind noise even on the motorway. Its even still on its first set of batteries. I wrote a bit more about it and posted some pics in this thread

I'm not sure what they mean by VOX not being suitable... many systems designed specifically for motorcycles use VOX. Either way, the Albrecht uses VOX and it works very well, even on the motorway at 80. I haven't tried it any faster, but it didn't sound like it was starting to crack up. I guess this should have a caveat that we are using SHOEI RAID II helmets and I don't know how they compare to others with regard to wind noise. I guess it could be quite different with a open face/flip front (and they have a different mike for these helmets too).

A few months into biking now, and we're really enjoying taking some longer trips out of London. Pudsey run last weekend, Wales the weekend before and Brands Hatch before that. I wasn't looking forward to taking a pillion for the first time... extra ponderous weight, responsibility for their safety etc... and indeed the first time was pretty sketchy, but from then on I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed it. Now I appreciate that for some biking is an escape, and to be made to listen someone else prattle while you're riding entirely defeats the point. However that is not me. So following the recent addition of some excellent Hein Gericke Pro Sports luggage, an intercom was next up. Decision number one: Decent kit or Cheap kit? There is definitely another bike in our future, hopefully next spring, but for now we're 2-up. An Autocom or similar would still be useful when time comes to go bike-2-bike, but very expensive, so we decided to go for a cheap rider-2-pillion system. I chose the Albrecht AE600 based solely on the BiKE review (Nov 2008). http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11513/Albrecht.jpg It came joint third with an Oxford system (which didn't get the triangle as its twice as much), below two Autocom sets which cost 3 and 4 times as much respectively. The one we bought is slightly different to the one above - ours is for a full face helmet, so the microphone isn't on a boom. http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11513/helmet.JPG The review mentioned excellent speech clarity - and indeed that is the case (though my only frame of reference is the poor and uncomfortable intercoms the bike schools use). We found however that the lowest VOX sensitivity picks up voices fine and hasn't once invaded with wind noise even on the motorway - so we leave it on that setting all the time. Its also super simple to use http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11513/Albrecht_1.JPG Just one switch for On/Off and Hi/Med/Low sensitivity and a volume control for the music input. The cable for whoever doesn't have the unit in their pocket is coiled so we had no problems being attached while getting on and off the bike. http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11513/Intercomm.JPG STOP... wait for me! The main downside, which will be common to any pocket intercom, is the inability to pause or change the volume of music while its in you pocket - as soon as you're plugged in, you cannot talk to anyone not attached to the intercom. I wasn't expecting this to be much of an issue, but it is. We turned the music off on the Pudsey run, as people kept trying to talk to me, and all I could hear was The Fratellies! A more minor gripe, is the fact it doesn't include a short 3.5mm-3.5mm cable for connecting an MP3 player. I'm lucky, I already have one, but if I didn't it might be a hassle to find one, mostly these sort of cables are 1-1.5m and I certainly wouldn't want all that extra cable in my pocket - its quite enough with the unit and MP3 player as it is. http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11513/Albrecht_2.JPG

We didn't need them expanded for the weekend (I reckon we could go away for weeks with them expanded!), but we do travel light - skills honed inter-railing around europe. We will be using them again this weekend, so I'll try and get a shot of them expanded when we put them back on. They are supposed to be 48L according to the blurb.

Thanks for all the replies guys. We decided to get a tank bag and soft panniers in the end too. Catherine still wants a box for leaving stuff in around town/doing the shopping, but these are ideal for a weekend away. We went to cardiff this weekend for a friends birthday. A pannier each for clothes, odds and ends in the tank... perfect. Its Hein Gericke ProSports range and so far seems excellent. Its a bit more expensive that the Oxford First Time kit, but felt better made. Easy to fit, expandable and waterproof (+ Dayglo orange covers for when its really wet and to aid visibility). I'm very happy. http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11513/GS500withLuggage.jpg

That would ideal if it will work. The bike already had a renntec sport rack when we bought it. http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/11513/13092008.jpg However... the manufacturer says its not suitable for fitting a topbox There is adiscussion on Visor down about using a renntec with a Givi box... quite mixed opinions ranging from "as it tubular it will probably need extra bracing" to "I've done and its fine" Has anyone here actually done this?

I really like the look of the ventura stuff, but you couldn't leave anything in it - great for a weekend away, but rubbish when you want to leave your boots, overtrousers, or helmet in the box, while you spend the afternoon in Hyde Park! I might consider investing in Givi or similar (I guess you move the box onto the next bike, and only loose the rack), but at the minute I can't confirm that Givi make a rack to fit. Thanks for help

We need some luggage for our GS500. Thinking probably a top box as it will be useful around town as well as for going away. Had a look around and can't find much in the way of options. Givi do one for the '97+ bike, which might fit, but I don't know as ours is '95. And its expensive... given how cheap the bike was I don't want to invest too much. Does anyone have any ideas? There will be two of us on the bike, so tail packs probably won't work, and would quite like a box we can leave stuff in.

Oh I forgot I've also got some Hood ND4 Jeans and a Forcefield Pro L2 back protector. I bought the jeans as they seemed to offer the best protection I could find in jeans and I bought the back protector off the back of the RiDE recommendation (after checking its comfy)

I have Dianese D-Dry textiles, Sidi Black Rain boots and Racer summer gloves (need to get some winter gloves ASAP). Catherine has Bering textiles, Gaerne boots and Joe Rocket gloves. We both have Shoei Raid II helmets. We chose this stuff because we wanted textiles for all year riding (leathers maybe next summer). After that it was all about getting something of good quality that fitted well. I originally wanted HG textiles based on the recommendations of others and the price, but it was all cut too generously for me. Catherine chose all her kit almost solely on fit/comfort. I say almost, cos she wouldn't be seen dead in stormtrooper boots or anything pink regardless of how well it fits more info on the kit we bought here if you're interested

Catherine did her CBT/DAS in boots like these.

Its fairly complicated, you can find all the details somewhere on the forum, but basically: - You have to take a 1 day course called a CBT (both on a parking lot and on public roads) to validate your provisional entitlement, then you can ride... - 50cc at age 16 or 125cc at age 17+ with learner plates - to go above 125cc you need to take a theory test and a practical test - the theory test is multiple choice and most people find it fairly straight forward - the practical test is on the public roads and includes an emergency stop and U-turn (to test slow speed control) as well as general riding. - if you are under 21 you will be limited to 33bhp for 2 years, if you are over 21 and take the test on a bike with at least 47bhp then you can ride anything. - In march next year the test is chaning to include an additional section off the roads, which sounds a bit like your test with riding a slalom, figure-8s etc. There will still be a ride on the public road to assess your general riding. - I am not sure what the deal is with transfering licences, I'm sure someone here will know though.

I'm with rennie, sounds like hitting a false neutral to me. It happened to me a lot on a 125cc I hired. Next time it happens, check whether the neutral light has come on... if it has you maybe need to be a bit more robust with your left foot

Too right... I'm not saying biking isn't good value, it just seems to bring out in me a desire to spend that cars never did! Once I have replaced the bits I broke dropping the bike... I need to get some WD-40, chain lube, cleaning products, anti-rust paint for a few bits I've found under the seat and finish off my nacessent maintenence kit (still need a tyre pressure gauge, socket set, etc etc) AND then there's all the accessories I still want, like a rain cover, fly screen, luggage... further down the line (next year?) an intercom and satnav... oh dear, its all gonna cost more than the bike!

I've got the Forcefield one. Ride magazine best buy, it's about £80. It's quite bendy, which makes it comfy (and suits me cos I have an odd shaped back). http://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/images/force3-big.jpg

Catherine and I might be up for Northampton to London leg (well half a leg). Not sure yet, but I'll PM Phil once we know for sure (and have a front brake!).

I have the Sidi black rain evo boots. Love them so far, but only been riding for a few weeks.

I have some Hood Jeans, the ND4 version with kevlar lining throughout, rather than just on key areas. I also have the Knox hip and knee armor they supply as an optional extra. They seem to be good, though I haven't had an off in them. The woven kevlar lining makes them much less breathable then the knitted type (used in some of their jeans, and by Draggin' etc). Better protection, but once you are off the bike on a warm day, you will sweat!

This is quite hard to answer as it depends on your attitude to value. I decided to get decent kit right off the bat, as I figured if I bought cheep stuff I would only end up having to replace it all next year. All I can really do is tell you what me and my missus spent, with the caveat that you can certainly get stuff cheaper. £1300 for both of us. You can see details here. (2x Helmet, Gloves, Boots and 2-piece textiles) I think quite a few people here rate Akito kit, which is a bit cheaper than the stuff we bought. I found Shoei helmets to fit me best (start around £200), but if you're lucky and Lazer, Nolan or HJC ones fit you, then you should be able to get a decent one for less

I used 2 bungee cords to attach my backpack (smallish, about 30 litres) to my bike for the 90 mile ride home at the weekend. It didn't move an inch, but the cords were pretty tight.

My girlfriend had the same problem, she has small hands and found the hard knuckle armor didn't sit comfortably. In the end we found these Joe Rocket Ladies Highside gloves, they are cut small and don't have hard armor - she loves them. http://www.kneedraggers.com/image_storage/6/83/683774deb38bf0f1d02173604a173a48_rough.jpg We got them from Infinity in Clapham

Slightly late I know, but hey I've been busy! Catherine and I passed our CBTs. Catherine took two days though - by the time she was ready to go out on the road, there wasn't enough time left. But its all to the good, now we're onto the DAS, she is much better at U-turns than me (even on the 500cc, despite her being tiny). Anyone who is thinking of learning in London, I can recommend Metropolis highly. They are very professional, have very experienced instructors and use new bikes (we've been on '07 CGs and '07 CBF500s). We are on their "Super Six" course, which includes Theory, CBT and DAS. Its not cheap at 680 quid, but if you need any extra training they give it to you free (Catherine didn't have to pay for the second day of CBT she did). Anyway we are well into the DAS now - test on Friday, I'll report back on that once we've passed (we are going to pass...) p.s. compared to some others here, my CBT was very dull, we rode round a playground, did some figures of 8, went for a saunter round Chelsea, did a few U-turns, job done.

If you know you will want to upgrade after you pass, why not save some cash and buy decent kit to begin with? I went for a Shoei Raid II for £180 (10% off the £200 list price) - gets great reviews and 4* in the new SHARP safety ratings. I think this is a good balance of price vs quality.

Is there somewhere you online you can watch the MotoGP in better quality than the appalling flash vids they have on the MotoGP website? I've only got into watching it this season, but I was so pleased when I found out it was on EuroSport rather than one of the channels you have to pay extra for.

Sure they didn't just pocket your £100 and told you "Its well hidden, you'll never find it"