Stuno1

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....

Fancy a new lid but not sure which one to get. Clearly i will try them all one but juat wanted peoples opioions who have them already ) Choices are.... Xlite lid: X602: http://www.racevisors.co.uk/categories. ... 790&c=190& X701: http://www.motoin.de/Helmets/Integral-H ... 12106.html Scorpion exo 1000 Air: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=scorpi ... 66&bih=685 Shoie xr1100: http://www.helmetcity.co.uk/Shoei-XR110 ... AZEDS.aspx Leaning towards the scorpion for features and looks..... Stu

Did my first day this year at silverstone. Any day in the novice section shoukd be ok. Silverstone was great as is a wide track with plenty of run off. Ideally go to a track with good amount of run off! I used it 5 times over the day... Also as mentioned above do a full day. Takes a few sessions to get used to the track and build confidence. Best thing i have ever done though. Amazing fun. Also either get time with a instructor or get an experianced mate to ride behind you and give you pointers. Stu

thank god for that this was going on far too long without a helmet joke Love it! Too true... Seriously though a more expensive lid is prob the way forward. Having said that my shark lid (cost £170) leaks (a tiny bit) if i am going 80MPH and look to the side to clear the visor. Does noit leak a lot but a tiny bit of rain comes through. I am buying Scorpion lid in the next 2 months which costs £300 and is all round a better lid. If you are riding every day invest in a lid mate. Stu

Archos mate. Love them...Look at their site. Stu

I have the RS ones and i really rate them. Superb protectiona nd really comfy. I rode with them in 2 degree temp in Jan and was fine temp wise. Just slapped on some thicker socks and no issues at all. Got mine from George White in Swindon. Go for it )

Edz top and bottoms for me. Bought both of eBay new for under £30 Stu

Went out today and had a wicked time as always. Never picked up so many flys! Stopped over an 'on your bike' and had a look at some nice bikes there. Great weather...Loved it!!! http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/6cabeb69.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/d6eabcf0.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/ac7756cc.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/f9c40869.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/ce72cdbb.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj149/stuno1/f7c9ce54.jpg Stu

Bike is out :0) meet at ace for 9:15. Pm me with your number if you are coming along :0) Stu

My bike is currently blocked in by a bloomin car. Will be knocking about tonight so hopefully get it out...Doing my head in. Stu

Yup come along. Looks like it will be a immense day weather wise and hopefully we can get some good pics in by the coast :0) Stu Yes you do! Lol

Looks like it is going to be a ride to the coast in the morning and back to London for no later than 14:00. Meeting point and route etc will be updated tonight/tomorrow :0) Stu

Any more for anymore? Any ideas? Weather looks good ) Stu

Maybe Sunday morning ride to the coast? I am going to put this up in the 'London bikers forum' as well to try and get more riders along :0) Stu

OI'm in Sat morning would be good as i have a bit to do in the afternoon. That work with you? Ill get darren on this as well so will be at least 3 of us. Not sure about area though as i live in uxbridge and darren is in watford Stu

If you can get to a bike show do that and buy end of season gear mate. Alternatively find a place that sells it. I bought mine from George White in Swindon. Loads of choice and good prices. I have the shark s900 lid and it is good. It will have more padding and may be quieter than cheaper lids. Stu

As above mate I'll be out with Darren this weekend if you and mark are up for it :0) Stu

Sad to hear that happened mate. We can catch up on a ride another time. Stu: Im pretty much up for a ride whenever the weathers not horrid and even sometimes when it is. Good stuff. Where do you live dude? I found it was the crud we had to sort after the burglary that was the frustrating part. Police forms... Insurance company calls... Replacing stuff... Gay!