dimmers

this does not surprise me, women take forever to get ready!!!

yep, cheapy waterproof over jacket/trousers, they aren't breathable, so you can't really wear them during the summer, but they are great in the winter and they are really waterproof, nothing gets through them. It's like wearing a full suit of plastic though, so as i've already said, keeps you very warm.

yeah, about a couple of minutes... knee armour/hip armour, trousers, back protector, jacket, boots, helmet then gloves... then off to work i go!

that was part of why it was so great back in the first few series, the special effects being crap, and it just being more about Rimmer and Lister, and how they dislike each other so much. might still check out the new series, just to see for myself, but another part of me doesn't want to ruin what i remember as being a great tv show.

yeah, great job there matey!

ok, so i used to love this program back in my teen years, and stopped watching it when Kochanski came back in... but i've only just found out that they've made even more episodes recently, like in the last few years! Are these any good? I'm guessing from the fact i haven't heard about them that they're not really that good, and that Craig Charles should have probably just stuck with Takeshi's Castle first few series were absolutely brilliant! fav episode has got to be the Despair Squid.

i can understand this completely...

cheers for the heads up! i'll keep them in mind

just ordered some of this fabsil, i now have high hopes!!! i quite like the fact that its an aerosol spray... i've used nikwax in the past and it drips/runs all over the place, and hasn't really worked that well. i'll keep you posted (love the TMBF for tips like this!

pretty good budget you've got there mate, you should be able to get a good set of gear for that price!

Ha! I hear you on that one bud - I went bonkers on fitness - went from 11 stone to 14 1/2 in a few years. Then I realised my life was shite because I was always in the gym so packed it in about 2 years ago. I'm nowhere near fit or buff anymore but I've rediscovered beer and crisps! Also, being off the protein stuff means my farts are slightly less intolerable. can understand this, i was in to weight training/strong man training for years, got up to 13 stone at one point, was really strong for my size... then had to have a bit of surgery last year, and due to what i had done dropped down to 8st 10! Back up to 10st now, but it's hard bloody work training these days, especially with a kid and full time job, i honestly don't know how people do it!!! was alright back in my teens/early 20's, all the time in the world to spend working out. Plus side of last years op is that i can't eat like i used to, and have got a much better diet, so body fat is very low... look quite 'cut' as they say in the trade Anyway... to the OP, good effort! keep going, and as others have said, a bit of weight lifting will help lower your weight, from what i remember, the more muscle you have the more calories your body burns. Good luck with it!

nice review, but it will take a lot to move me off pilot road 3s

nice one! on to the DAS now

Wise man Dimmers says it all. we've all been there and done it! (and still doing it

if you can, spend a little bit more money on a pair of gloves. Spada and RST do a very good range of gloves and good prices. Check out sportsbikeshop.co.uk, they have a massive selection, and a very good returns policy. if you're going to ride all year, then goretex gloves are well worth it, but they normally start around 100, so quite expensive. but same as the helmet really, you need to try them on (hence the good returns policy on a website is a must), and also make sure that the cuff has a good fastener, you wouldn't want your gloves to get pulled off in the event of a crash... I promise you this now though, try and buy the best gear you can afford now, as if you don't, you will only end up replacing what you buy now in a few months!

depends what you consider a reasonable price? helmetcity.co.uk have some fantastic deals on previous models... currently you can pick up some Shark helmets at very good prices... they have lots of Shark Race R helmets at 199. Shark S900 for around 100 quid. In fact they have a lot of good helmets for under 100. But if you can, i'd really recommend taking a visit to one of their stores, and getting the staff help you get a correct fit. I went to their Chichester branch a few weeks back, was like a kid in a candy shop, i tried on almost every make/model of helmet in there. regardless of what anyone recommends you though, make sure the helmet fits your head properley... for me, only Arai and Shoei helmets fit my head spot on! I love the Shark helmets, but they just don't fit my head, so i won't ever buy one.

ROFLOL

it's why i'm very tempted this year to buy some heated clothing... vest, gloves, and just be done with it! saves wearing a hundred base layers, and then you still get cold anyway. NOT looking forward to riding this winter, will be my 4th and i'm bored of it now, so the heated kit may get purchased very soon (well that's what credit cards are for aren't they? buying expensive bike gear you can't afford

Anyone hungry for lobster bike... http://m.neatorama.com/2013/10/07/Lobst ... ll/#!lp6QK

Looking well shifty in that pic glad you got your waterproofs sorted. Agree they are a faff to get on, I look like I'm trying to get in to straight jacket when I put mine on as it has to go over my head and is a little snug!

The ultimate solution is hand guards, handle bar muffs and heated grips. Guy I park up next to has this combination and he rides all year round in summer gloves that are so old they have big holes in them. The hand guard /handlebar muff combo helps stop the muffs hitting your brake lever at speed.

I spent 70 on some barkbusters for my hornet, and they really do help. I'm not going to say they solve the freezing /cold/painful hands thing completely, but they definitely help, as the wind is deflected over your hands.

For £80+?! My leather jacket cost £25! (2nd hand) . I don't think I own anything bikey that cost over £60 except for the bike! no no no... tis this one, but still more expensive than your leather jacket http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alpinestars-R ... 4d13200b63

i've got a waterproof over jacket by alpinestars, it has to go on over your head (no zip up the front), but because of that it doesn't leak... completely waterproof, and i've tested it quite a few times over the last couple of years. It's also quite long, so covers the crown jewellies!! (quick Google search will find you the jacket i'm on about)

true... i wonder if next time they'll let me take a load of different helmets out in the car, then i can try each one on and stick my head out the window whilst going down the motorway! but yeah, i wear ear plugs so not really a big deal for me.