Throttled

iiisecondcreep's helmet is just so cool, but it is not for me. I went for plain silver as a ride a lot in the dark and wanted to stand out more. I like gadgets, so top my list would be this Shark helemt with built in visor and the chin part swivles round so it can be used as a full face hemet. http://www.shark-helmets.com/images/products/modeles/HE9175EWKS/full/HE9175EWKS-1.JPG

I have RST kevlar jeans with armour in the knees and they are a lot cooler than my textile trousers. I would recommend them for dry sunny days.

It should look like this from underneath... http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5537382511_47e376ed7b_z.jpg The universal fitting plate is attached to the rack with the supplied fittings which use an allen bolt through the fitting into the plate. Then the top box screws onto the fitting plate with a supplied screw which fits from inside the box, so stopping it from being unscrewed from the outside. The plate is secure as you cannot get anything into the space between the bike and the fittings, it just looks bike in the photo.

Maybe it is 20p, but I think it is 10p. I am worried now and need to check

Hmmm dono. Could probably manage all 3 really but depends on how much dissertation writing I manage to get done tomorrow Ed fancies combining it with a trip to the Edinburgh farmers market. You thinking of going to one? None, working.

So which one are you going to?

For everyone who has ridden up the A82 Loch Lomond Rd and kept going, you have missed a gem of a road. It is worth a quick diversion to ride up to Glen Fruin towards Garelochhead and then at a round-a-bout at the A814 just north of Faslane turn back and do it again. It is the military road which used to be closed to the public, but you can use it all year round, minus 1 day, now. It is perfect in every way with steep climbs, sweeping bends and superb surface. A 125cc struggles up the hills, but can still do there and back again in about 20mins. http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Paisley,+United+Kingdom&ll=56.046157,-4.732018&spn=0.08418,0.33268&z=12

I stay in Erskine. I would have said if you see a red YBR with L Plates, it would be me, but a few days ago I ended up in a line of traffic through Renfrew with two others. I nod at everyone anyway.

Epic story, brilliant thread

Erskine.

There is a nifty pump at the local garage. You set the pressure to what you want, connect the hose and it does the rest.

I realised before I embarked on my first big ride that I too went over into the higher weight for the tyre pressures. It was a bit of a shock But, I followed the guidance and spent my 10p at a garage and used their air thingy and have no issues since then. So I would say follow the advice as I have had cars which vary their tyre pressure with weight by a surprising amount too.

I try and ride/drive in spaces in the traffic. I hate it when cars start to bunch together. I like to have a safety bubble about me. Finding that extra space also helps with general observations as to where other vehicles are, and are likely to be.

I did that using a Motrax micro bar end mirror. I have never seen the kind of extensions you are looking for.

My route would be Gretna - A75 - Castle Douglas - A713 - Ayr - A76 - Greenock - Erskine Bridge - Dumbarton - A82 - Loch Lomond - Tyndrum - Rannoch Moor - Glen Coe - Ft William - Great Glen - Inverness -A9 - Carrbridge -Tomintool to Cockbridge Rd - Braemar - Spittal of Glenshee - A93 - A923 - Dundee - Tay Bridge - A92 - Forth Road Bridge - Edinburgh - A7 - Selkirk - Hawick - Gretna. That will show to you how Scotland has the best drivers roads in the UK at least.

Glad to say you can 'pass' whilst still sticking your foot out to help get round corners, twice anyway. Considering how bad I was on the test, I dread to think what the standard of new bikers was when the actual bike test was even less comprehensive than the CBT.

I got a Tech7, 26 L top box off ebay for £30. It is big enough to fit a full sized flip front helmet lying on its side. The base plate screws onto the YBR's luggage rack using the universal fitting kit. The box then fits onto that with a screw from inside the box. It opens with a key and closes without, so watch you don't leave the keys inside the box or you could lock yourself out. I got it to fit very securely, it has proved to be leak proof and has survived being frozen solid, a small crash and packed full on long journeys. However, one of the pins that keeps the hing in place came out. I replaced it with a screw that was long and thin and that will not be coming out. http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5537381821_db46cfd146.jpg http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5537382511_47e376ed7b.jpg

My ride.