Stuno1

Sticking your knee out and not shifting your body wont do anything fella. You need to shift your body over to help the bike lean more easily. Sticking the knee out is just a gauge to know you are close to the ground and possibly about to stack it! If it makes you feel better then carry on doing it! Stu

Moved from arai viper gt to nexx xr1r carbon as I tried it on and loved it. As i stated in another thread it is a bit let down by quality of things like chin straps and vent mechanisms but it is an epic lid for the price and what it offers. Try on the ones you like and go from there. Ill by both arai and nexx again in the future. Also worth considering use. I am a fair weather/track day rider so the nexx offers more of what I need. Stu

Probably a bit late but thought I would add my experience of moving from Arai to Nexx XR1R carbon... Update on Nexx XR1R Carbon Vs Arai Viper GT. Comfort: The nexx really is a very well made lid, very comfortable. Due to the light weight I give it the edge over the Viper GT. Both are very well made interior wise and feel great and snug with well made comfy materials. Viewing port: Compared to the Viper GT the nexx lid viewing port is mahusive!!! REALLY big, noticeably bigger than my viper GT lid. This makes doing life savers a lot easier, view of the road ahead when tucked in is great and peripheral vision is great as well. Buffeting: I get less buffeting with the nexx lid than my viper GT due to the more narrow and more aerodynamic shape of the lid. The Viper GT has a rounder flatter shape than the nexx so more susceptible to wind buffeting. Also the Arai pushed it's self in a bit at high speed and the breath deflector touches my nose. I don't get that at all with my Nexx lid. Wind Noise: Noise level is pretty much the same as my viper GT. Air flow inside the helmet isn't quire as good as the Arai when the air ports are open but it is still good and you notice the difference when the nexx ports are open. I get less wind on the lower portion of my face with the nexx lid. The Viper GT lets wind in under the lid and drys my lips but the nexx has a very good skirting that hugs the neck closely and a wind stopper (under the chin) that comes close to the neck skirting so almost no room for air to come through. I get similar amount of wind through the top of the visor from both lids BUT I have adjusted the nexx visor (moved the points it attaches to the lid further back) so that it now hugs the helmet more closely and this has reduced the amount of wind coming in through the top of the visor and is now better than the Arai. This is something that is not possible with the Viper GT. Build quality: I do think the Viper GT is a better built lid and you can see that in some areas. Don't miss-understand me, the nexx lid is top notch but the aria is that little bit better when it comes to the way the vents are incorporated in to the helmet, the way the interior poppers in to the helmet etc. Velcro interior is good and does allow for more flexibility but you can't help but think it was done for cost as opposed to flexibility. Overall: The nexx lid is a fantastic bit of kit and looks the nuts, it is mega light and well made. I am very very pleased with it. For £300 I really don't think there is a better, lighter, good looking helmet available. I may buy aria again in the future BUT if nexx keep developing lids like this that I like the look of then I won't buy aria again. The only thing that would take me back to aria is the volume of designs on offer. Hope some folks find this useful.

My examiner hinted to me that I should filter when we hit traffic. That is a minefield of fails IMO so I just sat and waited. When he asked at the end why I didn't filter I said exactly that! He was fine with it.

Top work mate. It is indeed an amazing feeling!

You need a mild abrasive that is safe to use such as t-cut. Be careful as too much rubbing thins laquer! Stu

Did my first track day last year at silverstone through 'Focused Events' and it was amazing. I to went in to the 'novice' section but the level of riding was better than i anticipated. The guys in novice section had 5+ track days under their belts already. Advice: 1. If you have access to a trailer or van use one! I rode there and back and was shattered at the end of the day. Also, if you do bin the bike, and rode there you are stuffed! 2. Take plenty of water and food to keep your energy levels up throughout the day. Preferably sports drinks and some energy bars as well and lunch. 3. You will need leathers and one piece or 2 piece is up to you. Personally i have 2 piece as i use leathers all year around and you have more flexability in terms of taking off the jacket etc. You will need to make sure the leahers have a zip that connects the 2 piece if you go that route and the zip must go 3/4 around the suite. 4. I would not bother with spare levers. if you bin the bike that will be the least of your concerns! 5. i didnt do tuition but I went with guys wjo are experianced so they gave me pointers. 6. If you can go with people then do as they will ahve tips, tools and advice to offer. 7. Make sure you at least take a tyre pressure guage as you need to deflate and reflate your tyres. 8. HAVE FUN and relax. Some people ride like mentalists but most are good spirited. Just dont go out all guns blazing. Take the first 2 lads (after sighting lap) to get the tyres warm and get used ot the track. You will naturally improve session by session as the day goes on. Enjoy, take it easy and post pics once you have been Stu

Doh! Will do next time

Had an all day ride today with 2 mates. Was sooooo good to be back out and have decent weather for it. I always wanted to ride to my school ever since i was there and used to see loads of bikes riding through the village (kimbolton). Here is a pic :0) http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/IMG_0919.jpg On the way home we stopped at santa pod and watched some 'run what you brung' races. Mixture of stuff from lambo's to corsas to busas! Was a top day. Hope the rest of you made the most of the good weather. Stu

I have a shark s900 with built in visor and it is a good lid BUT i now also have a arai viper GT with 2 visors with pin lock. The dark visor on the arai is better quality than the flip down visor on the shark. You can tell as soon as you look through both. Clearly you dont have the same flexability (which i guess is what you are after) but i would not get another buit in visor lid. Stu

Bump it. Mine clicks when the battery has died. Get on the sucker, put it in first, hold in the clutch, press the starter button, Peddle it to 10 MPH ish, release the clutch. Job done ) Stu

Top bike, love it! Would bennefit from a tail tidy and different zorst though. Stu

I use meguires gold class leather cleaner. It is important not to use a cleaner that saps th eleather natural oils. Stu

The only thing I am not keen on is the Visor catch. Pain in the bum to use! I have not heard very good things about agv so didn't really look at them. Stu

Bad luck mate I faild for the same reason back in April. Key is to keep the revs up and if you feel it start to slow, release the clutch gently to get more drive. You can go as wide as you need to. Stu

Passed my mod 2 in April first time. I was really nervous and thought i had failed within the first 10 mins. That relaxed me and I just rode smoothly after that. My observations were the reason I didn't fail. The instructor deemed I always knew my position and others around me so I was a safe rider. 1. Do lots of observations and never forget life saver. 2. Try to relax, difficult I know but try. 3. The examiner is not there to catch you out so just ride safely and treat them as a satnav. 4. Always be on the look out for road markings and signs, especially one way roads. Road position is key when exiting a one way road. 5. Don't filter. I was notified by my examiner 'that I am aloud to filter'. It is a mine field. If they ask why you didn't just say you felt there was no need to. Enjoy and best of luck. Stu

No. If someone wants to buy a big bike after a das course let them. I did my das and bought a ninja 636. If I had to ride a restricted bike I probably would not have bothered. If they are going to ride like a knobber it does not make a difference what size the bike is, the only difference will be the speed a which they stack it! There are already restricted licences available so why penalise everyone for the sake of a few. At 21 you are big enough and ugly enough to understand your actions have consequences. Stu

The Arai viper is a different shape to old arai lids apparently and the padding inside is completely customisable. I did try a shoei xr1100 and scorpion exo1000 but my mate offered me his arai (only used for a month) at a price I could not say no to. Also came with tinted visor. I liked the fit of all 3 lids but the shoei was the least snug. All good lids. When I started riding people said they were not worth the money but I could not disagree more! Stu

With the Shark S900 I got a lot of wind on my face which was really anoying (i don't get this with the Arai). The Shark S900 has a quick release chin strap mechanism which was good but not as good as the Arai double D ring system. Also the air flow system in the Arai is a lot better. You can really feel the air when you open the vents. The aria is comfy, light, looks mint visor is ace. The anti fog element of the visor is amazing! Literallty does not fog up...at all! My mate also had a tinted visor which he threw in and the clarity through it is really really good. So much better than the drop down sun visor in the Shark lid. Overall i guess you get what you pay for and it really shows. Happy lad! Stu

As the title suggets I had my first track day today at Silverstone and what can i say...Oh my poo pants! Best day ever and most fun I have ever had!!! Wanted to do one this year to learn about my bike anf gain more confidence and it reall helped. The track is very quick but also very wide so plenty of room for people to overtake safely. Amazing track with hair pins, long straights, fast corners... I didn't get my knee down but it will come with practice. Only been riding since April. However I now have no chicken strips on the rear tyre so pleased with that (childish i know) Got some adivice and the upshot is that i am leaning the bike over far enough but my body position is not over (hanging off) enough. So this is something for me to work on next time. I saw one crash (lad low sided) right in front of me mid corner and rounded a corner to see a bike spinning down the circuit where another lad high sided, also saw a number of people off the track on the ground. Bit like a war zone at times...lol Luckily all involved walked away so no serious harm done. I definately have the bug and will be going back to Silverstone next year for definate. I truly loved it. I have a lot more confidence and understand the capabilities of my bike and myself a lot better. The speed, braking ability and amount the bike can lean is truly amazing. Luckily the weather held out and it was dry all day (until the ride home!) Anyway, here are some pics... http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/Ninja/photo.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/Ninja/IMG_0653.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/Ninja/DSC_7038.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/Ninja/DSC_5811.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/Ninja/DSC_6888.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/Ninja/DSC_6889.jpg

Always. Have an Oxford one. If I do stack it then I want to be protected. Think people who dont are mental. Having said that, the number of people I see riding in shorts etc muppets

Good work fella. All good gear. Like you I spent £900 ish on my gear earlier this year and it is my firs lot as well. Personally I went the leathers route as I am a fair weather rider. Heated grips are supposed to be good if you are riding when it is cold. Or maybe liners for your current ones? Stu

Biggest issue with the shark s900 is wind on my face and noise. Stu

The scorpion lid i like is last season so cant get it :0( The Shoie looks good. Airoh look like good lids as well. Are AGV any good? I get a fair bit of noise with my shark s900 and a fair bit of wind on my face. Stu

Ill get it sorted...thats gay...! Done....