JackDM

I think we deserve details - and a photo would be nice. I didn't screenshot the receipt for obvious reasons but this is what I've ordered and it was within my £300 budget which is an absolute bonus.

Thank you very much, I've just found exactly what I need and at the right price too.

Hi folks, I'm trying to source out panniers for my bike (2013 Honda CB500X), planning on doing a few trips this year but struggling to find a set of panniers that wont break the bank. Now ignoring the price and manufacturer, here is the style I'm looking for: https://www.motorcycleplanet.co.uk/products/1476-givi-trekker-outback-37-ltr-side-cases-obkn37apack2/ So pretty much: - Hard case. - Opens from the TOP and not the SIDE. - has fixed strapping points (Not necessary but desireable) - Oh and the price . . . Panniers and rack for less than £300 would be ideal. I've tried looking on Gumtree - nothing, and I've also tried ebay to find second hand items but ebay is not what it used to be, you look up panniers and it's all full price brand new items sold by small companies/businesses. Any help would be appreciated otherwise, I'm gonna have to fork out £750 according to the above website (tried explaining that to my missus - like talking to a brick wall, she's not having any of it)

Hi Neil Mid August is the time that I'm looking for, it's the only time I have a few weeks off from work unfortunately, so will be missing the NW200. Cork looks do-able, I've incorporated it into the plan. Wasn't actually planning to go to Derry, instead I'm thinking of spending half a day fishing in Lower Lough Erne, then just head straight to Port Stewart for the Night and ride the NW200 route on my way to giants causeway. Can't say I'm surprised about the taxi drivers, aren't they like that everywhere?

This website calculates the total cost of Tolls for a given route: https://www.autoroutes.fr/en/routes.htm?itiFrom=Calais&itiTo=Pinoso%2C+Spain Might come in handy.

Hi folks, I've fancied a trip to Ireland, never been before so thought I'd mark out a rough plan and see what you folks think? The attached map is roughly the route that I would take and is a mixture on/off motorways. Are there any detours/alternative routes that are recommended? I'm trying to keep the trip 8 days max. The rough outline is as follows: Ireland: Total accumulative distance: 708 miles Day 1: [Falkirk] - - > [Cairnryan] - - > [Larne] - - > [belfast] 4 h 55 min (166 miles) https://goo.gl/maps/gCain41Se3k Notes: P&O Ferry from Cairnryan to Larne charges £37.50 for a 1-way ticket which incl. 1 Motorcycle & 1 Adult. - Book into accommodation at Belfast – loads of bars/pubs to visit at night _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Day 2: Sightseeing Belfast Notes: “Visit Belfast” visitor centre | Many POI’s to see, a second day in Belfast may be worthwhile. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Day 3: [belfast] - - > [Newcastle] - - > [Kilkeel] - - >[Dublin] 3 h 12 min (134 miles) https://goo.gl/maps/Rvax1q91zF32 Notes: Newcastle seems like a nice place to stop then a leisurely coast drive to Kilkeel and onwards to Dublin. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Day 4: Sightseeing Dublin Notes: Dublin Visitor Centre | Huge city with many POI’s – spending two days in Dublin may be necessary. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Day 5: [Dublin] - - > [Lower Lough Erne] 3 h 13 min (124 miles) https://goo.gl/maps/BAh9Txv27FH2 Notes: Plenty of accommodation options available around this area. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Day 6: Days fishing Lower Lough Erne Notes: A rod license and permit to fish for trout is required – short term licenses can be found here: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/short-term-and-tourist-rod-licence-prices-daera _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Day 7: [Lower Lough Erne] - - > [Giants Causeway] - - > [Larne] 3 h 24 min (141 miles) https://goo.gl/maps/nnWbFx5gQZK2 Notes: Leisurely ride to Giants Causeway then spend a night in Larne before heading home _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Day 8: [Larne] - - > [Falkirk] 4 h 22 min (143 miles) https://goo.gl/maps/UKhbbahAX7o Notes: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

See I never ride with my jacket fully zipped up, I just wear a snood around my neck to protect against the wind. I mean a throat mic certainly wouldn't be an issue for me, the problem I have is since posting this thread - I cannot for the life of me find a proper set of throat mics, all the ones on amazon look fake and I can't find these expensive ones you mention, it's like they're banned from public use

.....but what are those three figures.....? Asking the real questions

Just out of curiosity, Anyone here ever used a laryngophone (throat microphone) for communication? At work I have to use a radio and at times when it's too windy, I press the radio microphone against my neck and use it like a laryngophone so that 'Control' can hear me clearly, it then dawned on me that, that could be a great idea for clearer communication between the guys when out on the bikes riding at higher speeds. I'm currently trying to find a set to buy online and was curious what you guys think of this idea? Jack

Hey folks, Thanks for the recommendations, the Sena 20s seems like the way to go. I'm gonna order a few duo packs for the guys and see how this goes. Cheers - much appreciated

Hi folks, I am looking for an intercom system for long distance riding ~8 hours-ish per day, that is good for up to 4 riders travelling a mixture of open country and city environments. However, to maximise battery life I was thinking of a PTT system so that the batteries aren't drained down because the microphones are picking up road or wind noise and constantly broadcasting it. Could someone maybe shed light on the pro's and Con's of using PTT please and let me know what you folks use and recommend? Budget aprox. £400 Cheers Jack

It's not all about the stickiest tyre though! Sticky tyres need heat and that is not always possible on the road and in cold weather conditions you have no chance at all and they are awful! What type of riding are you doing? Blasting around the countryside or commuting to and from work? Are you using all the tyre and right to the limit? I’m just commuting - I don’t ride very hard, upright most of the time.

To be honest, I’m not fussed whatsoever on the wear rate of a tyre as long as it’s the stickiest rubber ever, I value stickiness over wear rate any day. I have never used Michelins before, even on the car and I hear nothing but good reviews for them - defo considering buying some alloys and saving up for michelins purely so I can feel safer riding at the start of next year.

I went for Dunlop Sportmax, cheapest but only ones I could afford otherwise I’d have went for Metzelers personally.

I absolutely hate the A9 especially since they restricted the speed limit for comercial vehicles and the addition of average speed cameras. I tend to go up the A82, even on that road I’ve seen people stupidly parking on solid white lines on dangerous sections for a picture so can’t say I’m surprised people seem to be doing it even further up - oh well. I’m actually surprised how many people don’t know how to use a single track road - have you found this? I travel all around Scotland during the fishing season and on the single track roads, it is very easy to distinguish between the residents and ‘outsiders’. Three times I’ve almost been in a collision just in the last year! one of those incidents resulted in the oncoming vehicle (driving too fast) to swerve into a ditch in the side of the road. Anyway, anti-clockwise sounds like a good shout, I’d rather get any stretch of the A9 done and over with as soon as possible. Do you reckon end of summer, start of school term is the best time of year to plan this trip for?

I have always loved the idea of touring Europe, you should tell me how you plan a big trip like that.

Did you visit any breweries or distilleries? I’ve been eyeing up the Black Isle Bar & Restaurant as a starting point in inverness, they also have a brewery just outside Inverness that I fancy visiting.

Yeh I’ve heard about the tourist boom in the last 5 years, it’s unfortunate that you can’t just go without having to worry whether you can get accomodation or not. I was camping in Glen Nevis a few years ago and I couldn’t believe I actually had to book that! I’d be planning on fishing so would likely be pitching up on the side of lochs along the route - although staying at an inn would be more ideal.

I had only just picked the bike up with the brand new tyres fitted, so the pressures and alignment were ok however, being new tyres - they always seem to have that shine to them like polished rubber which I was aware of however, when I push my finger into the rubber, there is no give whatsoever. I can push the rubber on my car tyres when it’s -1 and they’re still soft you know? I’ve had Michelins before and they’ve been good although never used them in the winter.

Hi folks, I want to plan a trip for next summer, specifically the North Coast 500. I’ve looked at NC500’s interactive map, but is there anyone here who has done the route and can tell me: - What it’s like? - What was your schedule? - Any advice for my first ever motorcycle trip? I have two weeks available but there are so many things to see and places to stay that I am absolutely spoiled for choice.

Hi folks, I recently got new tyres for the bike however, they are Dunlops, they are literally the last choice of tyre I’d use but were the only thing I could afford. I’ve had Dunlops on the car and they were absolute crap in the dry let alone in the wet. So I tried to rationalise it and thought: “maybe their motorcycle tyres aren’t as bad as their car tyres?” I was wrong. . . As I was exiting my second out of ten roundabouts home, I was literally at walking pace, straightened up, easing the accelerator on (I couldn’t possibly accelerate any slower), then away goes the back wheel! So folks, what tyres do you use and how are they for riding at this time of year? Has anyone had a similiar experience with Dunlops or other brand? I find their rubber compound to be far too hard.

My first big bike - Suzuki GSX750F - was nervous at first getting on - that quickly subsided when I started riding, great bike so far! Edit: Sticker on front of bike has been removed - that wasn’t mines lol.

Thanks alot - this is great

Hi guys, I'm trying to find shops that sell protective clothing, but all the good places seem to be down in England and I can't find anything up in Scotland. I don't like buying things online, I'd much rather try things on before purchasing. Is there anyone here that knows of any shops near my location? I can travel around Scotland but I'm not going all the way to England just to try on a jacket. Cheers

Thanks for the reference!