TC1474

Goes to show that factories are still eager to have the Police and emergency services use their vehicles. Brings back memories of some of the toys I got to play with in a previous life including some tasty prototypes http://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/enthusiasts/blues-and-twos-britain%e2%80%99s-wildest-new-police-cars-revealed/ss-AAgZ5yO?li=BBoPOOl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry, double post for some reason

Don't include Bikesafe in the list, that is where part of the problem lies for a whole number of reasons, not least because of how the concept is portrayed and is not what Phil (Curtis RIP) and myself envisaged when we wrote it. It s a good PR Excercise, but that is about it.

We have 2 issues with young riders (well actually 3 but it is a seperate issue), ne is that these days too many 16/17 year olds go on a CBT course thinking they are indestructible and know it all and will only do enough to satisfy their instructor. Secondly, unlike many of us who grew uo in an age where if we wnated something we had to pay for it ourselves and repair it ourselves, too many young riders have parents who are happy to dip their hand in their pockets and buy their kids the bikes and the kit, so the youngsters have no respect for what they have. On top of that, I think kids of today have a different mentality as well, but I digress. The third issue is that the DSA simply require riders to be taught by the numbers. It is all regimented. They have no interest in riders being taught the skills for life, it is all about teaching people to be automitans, and then once the L plates are removed many consider that the learning curve is over and they have learnt all there is to learn. Hence one of the reasons after 30 years of instructing I gave up learner stuff and just stuck with the advanced training and examining, which becomes particularly good fun when I have to examine DSA examiners Surprising how many of them I have failed and how poor their riding standards are

Whilst I am not a fan of current requirements to obtain a full licence and the happiest day of my motorcycling life was the day I conducted my last CBT and DAS course, it has to be said that what we have in terms of CBT is currently far better than when I started in the mid 70's. Back then, (and I did) I started on an unrestricted FS1E and at 17 I went straight to a 250. The dealers would rub their hands with glee, because they knew full well that within a few weeks we would be back buying new parts because we would drop the bike. Back then of course, there was a lot less traffic on the road than there is now. I was an RAC/ACU instructor and then became a part 1 instructor and examiner. The beauty of part 1 was that riders were taught the slow riding controls, braking excrcises, correct observations, and when they passed the part 1 test, we could hold onto their certificate to ensure that they returned for road training so that the majority could in theory apply for their test and stand a better than average chance of passing. It worked, and the standard of riding under the ld part 1 was very good. The downside was that it was aimed at people already riding. Then in December 1990, CBT was introduced. I was actually the 4th person to go to Cardington and obtain the CBT instructor licence (my number was 00004 ) and it was made clear that the aim of CBT was to give riders the basic skills before they were allowed on the road, which was regarded as an improvement on my era when I started. When CBT started it meant exactly what it says on the tin - Compulsory BASIC Training. It was intended to give new riders the basic skills to allow them to take to the road with more idea and skills than my generation ever had. The biggest difference was though, that back in the days of Part 1, where we could hold onto their certificate until such time as the rider attained a good standard of road riding, under CBT, once the rider had satisfied their instructor that they were up to a satisfactory standard in each element, then the instructor had no option but to issue the DL196. There was no option to make them for further training. The DSA said at the time that the target was to reduce the accident rate of new riders by something like 60% within 10 years and if it worked, then it would be introduced for car drivers. The accident rate actually dropped by something like 70% within 2 years, so it worked. However, CBT for cars has never been introduced and never will be. CBT has evolved over the years. Now riders have to do a minimum of 2 hours on road whereas when we started, f they were competent, they could do 20 or 30 minute ride and get issued the DL196 Anyone who completes a CBT in 1.5 hours now is either a liar or the training school is cutting corners (of which there are still quite a few) So, CBT is not perfect, but it is better than we used to have. The content could still be improved upon but it is better than when it started in 1990, and it could have retained some of the elements or requirements of the old part 1, but it doesn't. Its not perfect, but compared with the old days, 100% more than we used to have in place.

Wot he said.....

I would not argue that point. My mother (who has been dead for about 18 years now) had very fine whispy hair by the time she passed away and she was only 62 and it was thinning all the time. She also went silver haired where I am going grey. I have not spoken to my father in 15 years, but by all accounts he still has a thick head of hair and very little grey. So I would not/could not dispute your theory

Being on its way out is better than having gone Must admit, baldness doesn't bother me. My cousin who is in Australia turned 60 yesterday. He has the same diminishing hairline as me (He is 3 years older) and he has a massive pony tail. He can't understand why I take the p1ss out of him

These sort of stories make me embarrased sometimes to admit that I served. Well done to the Met for getting rid. FAO Mr Brightside. Martin, can you enlighten any more on this. Sounds like it has been going on for a while. http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/cop-sacked-for-making-racist-and-gay-slurs-and-ignoring-call-to-incident-in-which-man-was-stabbed-to-death/ar-BBtAhjV?li=BBoPOOl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The term liner usually refers to the styrofoam liner which is how I read your comment and hence my comment. If you mean the outer comfort lining (the bit between the styrofoam and your head) the that is a different matter, but even then there are very specifications for different makes, but by and large, don't mix in cheek pads as part of the fixed element of the lining. Quite a few firms do 2 size shells, but it is rare for al sizes to come to the UK because UK head shapes are different to say European or North American and the importers have learn what sizes the most popular even if it means they lose the occasional sale.

You do not get carbon fibre liners, that is the shell. The styrofoam liner is what the helmet is lined with and is the shock absorber. There is no harm in compressing it with your thumb as you will not be able to exert enough pressure to affect the protection it affords, and in any case you are only compressing it in a localised area. On the first point, read my response above, it is not about messing wth it, it is just a case of accelerating the bedding in process, and the only aspects of the liners that tend to vary in size is the cheek pads, so you cannot change the whole inner lining unless you feel that you can rebuild it t EC22/05 standards (whch only the factory are allowed to do) And before you say anything, in my capacity as a consultant to a couple of well known helmet brands, the remedy I suggested is regarded as perfectly acceptable.

Helmet is the wrong shape for you....Or you have the wrong shape head for your helmet What you can do is if you can identify the area in the helmet where the pressure is being caused, then you can compress the liner a bit with your thumb and accelerate the bedding in process. It will give by about half a size and it will mould to your shape if you leave it as is, but it will take a bit of time.

New series coming out in 2017. Apparently it will fit between the Kirk and Picard era http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3600149/A-new-adventure-CBS-presents-teaser-video-Star-Trek-series-promising-fresh-heroes-villains-2017.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Biggest cause of wind noise. Badly fitting helmet or a helmet that fits but is the wrong shape for your head. Ear plugs can help and reduce noise levels, but whilst people use helmets that are the wrong shape and/or size the probem will remain, hence the reason why Police riders have to have audiometric tests every year. But noise levels are also subjective. One persons noisy helmet is anothers super quiet hat. AGV for me are the quietest helmets on the planet, but nothing even comes close to the old Everoaks which were silent because of the way they covered the ears. It is all about trial and error, a little bit of luck and experimantation.

Never take out insurance. Never will. Like many others have said, cost of insurance againt replacement is disproprtionate and most are not worth the paper they are written on anyway.

The reason it has to be renewed is because when CBT was introduced back in 1990 to replace the old part 1 test (which in my opinon was better) the DL196 (CBT certificate ) was valid for life with no need for any further training on the assumption that 99% of riders would take their test quite soon afterwards. In reality, people did not take their test, and so they introduced the rule where riders who failed to take their test within two years would be disqualified from riding for 12 months and then have to do CBT again, but this was short lived as there were a lot of complaints from people who had no desire to obtain a full licence but relied on theor small powered machines for commuting to and from work. So, they reintroduced the 2 year rule with no disqualification period, the presumption again being that the majority of people who did CBT would be looking to pass their full licence test sooner rather than later. So which would you prefer? Re-take CBT or be disqualified for a year and still have to re-take CBT? That is a very brief potted history. Happiest day of my riding and instructional career was the day I conducted my very last CBT and DAS course. CBT is not a test, it is a course of instruction where you are required a level of knowledge and competence in each element of the 5 modules. You therefore cannot ass or fail, you simply have to satisfy your instructor that you are competent. The riding test however is that, A Test..... In respect of doing Direct Access or Accelerated Access, you cannot avoid doing the theory test. If nothing else, it makes sure that people at least look and learn the Highway Code at least once. Also bear in mind that when CBT was introduced, there was no Theory test or Direct Access. It was just CBT and the full licence test as there was no restriction at that time either.

Well, after a long wait, the finished item in the form of a new DVD arrived yesterday and I spent a pleasant evening watching 3 new never seen before epidodes and re-living my youth of 50 years ago. Was it worth the wait? You bet. Lets hope that a full new series gets commisioned.

I can relate to that. I gave up cold turkey and was surprised at how easy it was in terms of not having any cravings, but the physical withdrawl was a different kettle of fish. I was surprised at just how many potential physical withdrawls that were out there, and I seemed to cop most of them. I suffered the shortness of breath, thr insomnia, the hacking cough, dripping nose, headaches, and, and, and...but what I did not realise was that the physical withdrawl symptoms mirror heart failure symptoms So whilst it probablyhelped me in terms of having no cravings because my lungs were filling up with fluid, it was not until I started swelling up and was unable to walk any further than to the bathroom that it all became clearer. Strangely enough (and I guess by coincidence) when I was in Hospital there were a couple of other people who had also recently quit, and they also thought that they were in the first instance experiencing physical withdrawl symptoms. They like me had a bit of a surprise waiting But back to your original point, the list of physical withdrawls as you say is quite extensive http://www.quitguide.com/nicotine-withdrawal.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Quite surprising really.

I regret starting in the first place.

I have hit the 1 year anniversary of when I quit smoking To say I am quietly proud and slightly chuffed with this achievement is an understatement. Here is to the next 12 months as an ex smoker.

Give Way means that you must give priority to traffic on the major carriageway. It is only of the signs and lines say "Stop" that your wheels must physically stop rotating. If you do not stop at a give way, you commit no offence if you fail to stop, but both at L test standard and advanced standard you can be criticised for failing to accord presedence to traffic on the major carriageway. In simple terms, treat "Give way" signs as a stop unless ............The view is so good that you are able to merge onto the major carriageway for example at a roundabout or a good wide open junction where you have an extended view into the major carriageway. This way, you can roll up to the line, stop, select your gear and be ready to move off safely when traffic flow allows.

I agree it is a nice area, except when visiting colleagues at the offfice based in the High Street, the car park is full and you have t try and find a space in one of the public car parks..... Then it becomes a horrible place

It is just not that there London that is expensive. It applies along the whole of the M4 Corridor and the surrounding home counties in reality. I am in the Reading suburbs. I am 20 minutes out of London by train (depending on whether I go to Paddington or Waterloo) I can be at Heathrow in around 20 minutes and central London by car in about 45 minutes. Prices here are absurd. My first 1 bedroom flat in Lower Earley that I paid £30,000 for in 1987 is now selling for £150,000 and my mid terraced 3 bedroom house with garage in a seperate block and small garden are no selling for over £300,000. Part of the problem we have is that we are in the Silicon corridor and many of the computer companies bring in staff from overseas and put theor staff into accomodation paid for by the firm which over the past 20+ years has allowed prices to rocket and over inflated values. My family (on my mothers side) live in Harrogate in north Yorkshire and they have properties like you say that are twice the size and half the price. I have thought about moving out of the area a few times, but the trouble is once you move out it would be nigh on impossible to move back if for whatever reason we wanted to. So we are no thinking that maybe when I retire (assuming I make it to and as far as retirement) we might sell up, sell everything lock stock and barrell and just move onto a cruise ship on a full time basis Surprising how many have done that as well.

It is, thank you I don't know how it changed because I copied the right link I am sure

It has become common place in recent years for people to slate the Police for all sorts of reasons. Well, for once I am going to counter that and say well done to them for a job well done. My daughter is studying forensic science at Bournemouth University. Last year she and her flat mates moved into new accomodation, but within a couple of weeks they got burgled under quite bizzare circumstances. Anyway. long story short, Dorset police were very professional, they treated the students with respect, and in fact within a few days actually had someone in custody. Transipires that the scumbag who committed said crimes was targetting student accomodatoion but was a reserve athlete for team GB which he has now thrown away. Yesterday, he was sent down for 4 years http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/1439...r_crime_spree/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; So well done to Dorset Police and thank you from a grateful father.