Pie man

with helmets there is a baseline 'quality' where it has to meet the standard. over an above that you are paying for care in design. safety over and above the baseline. A longer service life. small things like replaceable or swappable parts that improve 'fit' or washable parts. A level of Quality control the cheaper brands cannot manage. A meaningful warranty. Even a larger choice of sizes in smaller increments. proper testing for the real world.

With clothing (excluding leathers) much the same applies.

I tend to go for the best that I can afford.. high end. because it lasts and lasts, I ignore waterproofs that do not employ Goretex. because their lifetime guarantee is worth having. AND because they are incredibly fussy about who they allow to use their product. because they back everything they make they insist on the best workers and quality control. Unless i get lucky at sale time I wouldnt even look at anything at the low end price-wise. because i want materials that can protect my skin, bone and muscle.

I wont touch anything from Amazon, because i want to examine and try on, before i hand over my hard earned, Though i have been known to try on and then seek out the exact same item online at a marked discount.

i do tend to get my moneys worth.. the most expensive item of clothing i have ever bought is now 10 years old and as good as new. It has never leaked and kept me comfy at 3c and tolerably 'temperate; at 30c. I also tend to buy more of one thing.. ie gloves. i have gloves for all conditions and chop and change them.. which means they last donkeys years. I have 2 season winter gloves. Gloves that are spring.autumn. (both goretex) and 3 other pairs to fill in the gaps. Nearly every pair of gloves i have were bought in sales. heavily discounted. Om the type to buy end of season winter gloves in April that wont be worn until the following November. Or summer gloves bought in October. and so on.

thats what i do.. what you do is up to you. its your cash.

Rate of diminishing returns - you can get a 5 star Sharp rated hjc with a drop down internal sun visor for £70 - mine is great.

 

 

You studied economics then?

And got to agree with you on HJC! Great helmets! Particularly for Shoei heads!

I used Shoei for years......and yes, they are better than HJC!

But not four times better if you use the pricing points as the yardstick!

 

Studied 10 years in the school of Internet mate!

It's how I value all purchases. I love spending money but like to ensure I'm getting a good deal, hence my staunch support of the rpha 11 at its £250 price point.

 

Another agree with the HJC Helmets. I swear my HJC RPHA-10 is quieter and comfier than my Schuberth C3 Pro

OMG I love the RDGA, it has to be one of my favorite routes. I have done this a few times, we usually stay in St Maxime for a couple of nights then take the Route Napoleon home.

 

Getting to the south of France involves a lot of motorway, too much motorway.

 

Maybe on your routes, but there are other ways, as you probably know.

Stripped out the Eastern Beaver PC8 power unit, removed the tank bag/tank lock, removed the Keis remote control and heated clothing cables and all other accessories, the Bavarian Mudslinger is going in two weeks

The ship is sailing while you're in the cabin though?

 

No not yet, no cruising, all cancelled so far till October, but Monday we should depart from Liverpool to Belfast and stay there until further notice.

We are what they call skeleton crew, minimum people on board (90 something people) just to keep her warm and ready.

 

90 as a skeleton crew? Ye god's, we only have 23 to do the whole thing normally. Course it's easier to pump 150,000 odd tonnes of oil than look after a couple of thousand geriatrics so I guess a goodly percentage of your crew is cabin crew.

 

oy oy savoloy we love cruising (never thought I would be saying that) We should have been taking the P&O Iona to the Fjords this summer, sadly not to be.

OMG I love the RDGA, it has to be one of my favorite routes. I have done this a few times, we usually stay in St Maxime for a couple of nights then take the Route Napoleon home.

Just got on the ship today in Liverpool, now I have to be isolated in the cabin next 14 days. Just finished isolation after iron trip, now again. Good thing I got penthouse cabin

 

The ship is sailing while you're in the cabin though?

 

And yes I am in the cabin next 14 days what ever they do or where ever we go. And payed as well, thank heavens

 

I think I have seen your ship today.

Well, I've booked a test ride this weekend. Taking out the mighty Katoom 1290 Adventure Sport. Looking for something different, and with a bit more spirit than the old Bavarian Mudslinger.

I've had 6 BMw's, 5 of them with shaft drive. I like the shaft drive, like others have said, no messing around with chain lube or chain oiler, especially when the weather is crap when touring. However, shaft drives are costlier to repair and heavier (nothing different to what others have said). Now looking to change the current BMW shaft drive with servo assisted ABS brakes for something else. The choice certainly doesn't put me off either type of propelled machine. The BM does seem to be smoother than my little MT07 commuter. Id have another shaft drive, just want something different than a BM this time, so chain drive it will probably be

That is the price for people without record, when I moved in the uk, first 5 or 6 years I did not think getting a bike. Needed a car, house, all this bits and bobs.

Mistake, I should get something old and insure it just to build up some record and ncb.

Plus EU driving licence

 

Wow, I never knew it would be so much. Hopefully prices will come down for you next year.

Prepared bike for winter hibernation, sorn it, did not renew insurance connected to ctek. In few days it’s time to go back to ship.

 

Why cancel insurance ?

Surely best to allow it to run to protect it if stolen / caught in fire and allows you to build up No Claims

 

My insurance is unfortunately over 1000 £, as I will be out of country for a wile and insurance is already due, I will probably insure my bike next spring

 

£1000

Nice here tomorrow.. and wales is reopening

 

Do we know when Wales will be allowing us to cross the border. Has it been confirmed yet

Well the weather was looking crap this morning, so I had an idea, I know, I'll take the day off and go for a ride. Started off in Lancashire, rode into Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

Cat n Fiddle, Chatsworth House, Monsal Head.

But you've got to ask yourself....."Do I really want to ride?".....because unless you really have that desire, you're just throwing money away.

 

Sound advice.

This was in 2017

I love it up there, been a few times, every two years, last there 2019. Hoping to go again soon if this years European trip is a no go

Nice looking bike. I like the Alpine Edition. I need to book a test ride on one. The Tiger is in my sights along with the KTMGT and The GSA

Excellent!

It was something you said that made me get up off my fat @rse and go somewhere.

Might aswell add the pic of Ullswater

I decided to make a pack lunch, fully fuel the bike and head off for some training. Throttle training that is. I hit the M6 for approx 100 mile to Penrith and then made my way back home without the use of the Mway. Round trip of 220 miles, no need to stop for fuel, only the sandwiches I made. Rode down past Ullswater, took in the Kirkstone Pass, Long Preston and the Trough of Bowland. Great socially long distance day.

Hello

Does it matter what quality picture you're after.

I use the Drift Ghost X when I'm commuting. An incredible 5 hrs battery life at 1080p/30fps and easy controllable by using the app for settings like loop recording times etc. Picture quality is good, but not as good as the Go Pro. IMO. With all the accessories and mounts available these days,there shouldn't be a problem fitting it either at the side or even on top, its your preference. Its small and neat.

I only use the GoPro 3 & 7 for making holiday/touring videos. More faffery IMO, but I can film in 4k/60fps with super smooth quality pictures. It can also loop record if you want it too. An abundance of accessories and mounts are also available.

I won't go for the cheapest quote just to get me on the road. I always choose LPI and helmet and riding gear cover etc. expect to pay a little more, but then again, I've had some good experience claiming

Grr. *shakes fist at Bennets*

Meerkat quote: £290 fully comp or £330 fully comp with all the extra bits

Click through to their site - £380something or waaay over £400

WTAF Bennets?

I think insurance companies are all of a muchness. I have decided to stay with Bennetts after the debacle trying to get a quote, for example from Bikesure.

I have found it difficult to obtain multi bike quotes on these comparison sites. But then again I am a techno-idiot

Spent an age on the phone explaining my requirements i.e multi-bike policy, only to receive a quote for what appears to be for one bike and 'Riding other bikes benefit' WTF is that no mention of 2nd bike. Bennets quote has gone up by £40 but can't be arsed going over all the details again with other companies or brokers. 2 bikes fully comp for less than £350, I dont think is too bad

Not today, but last weekend. Checked and re-greased the final drive and changed the final drive oil. Now the Bavarian Mudslinger is ready for sale.

 

First attempt at adding a picture too

Damn I don't suppose they will fall for "its for my mental health and well being"

Not sure but saw this earlier

A joint statement issued earlier today 10th May.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-between-the-uk-and-france-10-may-2020

Also the schengen visa info has stated. The United Kingdom citizens will be eligible to enter France starting from May 11, and will not be subject to a mandatory quarantine the authorities have reintroduced recently, the French government announces.