Throttled

Thanks for the suggestions. Just to clarify, I am looking for something that to dunk the parts in and not try and spray and clean on the bike. So paraffin would work well.

I already have lots of that I just need something else to help get rid of the muck that is no my bike. So far all I have managed to do is get some off and spread the rest of it about

Muck Off, heavy duty wipes, chain and then brake cleaner has had little impact, so what can I use to get two years of ingrained muck/road grim/grease/ACF50/crud off my bike? Thanks

My recommendation would be to look at the specs. You want a Cordura outer with as high a rating as possible, so 500 is fine. That just means thicker material which is more abrasion resistant. Then you want armour that is CE rated, which it is. If you do go for that suit check it thoroughly on delivery and make sure all the seems are well sown and there are no faults. It may be cheap because it was made in a hurry in a Bangladeshi sweat shop with little quality control. I would also recommend that you get freezer bags and put them in your pockets and your wallet etc in them. IME there is no such thing as a waterproof pocket, especially in a cheaper suit. I would also assume it is drizzle and not water proof. So depending on if you are a fair weather rider or not, consider a water proof over suit such as the unlined stuff from Weise http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcy ... nt_cat/274 or Spada http://www.spadaclothing.co.uk/products ... at=7&cat=2 and get a size bigger than your other kit to put over the top.

You might think that, but not all manufacturers use the same sizing. A large in one brand will be a medium in another. Go to a shop and try before you buy. With your budget they won't be any more expensive in most shoops. x2. I am a medium with IXS gloves, a large for Oxford gloves and an XL for Alpinestars gloves.

It sadly does not matter what you do, it can be defeated. The aim is to be as big a hassle and deterrent as possible. So in terms of price and size I went with the Mammoth concrete in ground anchor http://www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/Securi ... chors.html http://www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/images/PartAccessoriesImages/Security/Mammoth-concrete-in-ground-anchor.jpg

I went to see North Atlantic Oscillation and would recommend them. Sort of indie rock. http://www.naoband.com/fogelectric/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... kAhSSeR8j0

Everyone not going to the rally/can't get the time off need to be off sick that weekend!!!! One day the rally will time with my days off, but not this year......again

Nope sorry. All I know is that you will either be on the Clydeside Expressway or Arkleston Rd, Renfrew to Hillington at some point. They are the only two roads where you can go over 40mph that are in range of the test centre. Good luck when it comes.

I like the Shark designs. http://www.shark-helmets.com/

I agree leave it as it is due to the other chrome.

I doubt it as the nearest tag I have not done is a 326 mile round trip, so I cannot see me nipping out to knock off any more to boost the total. Let me know if you are heading up to Scotland though

That is Scotland done, plus the two from the North East and I am 10 points in front of Priest. Thats me for this years challenge, so its catch up for the rest of you! My next holiday is away with the family and the other challenges are too far to do in just a couple of days. Still, chuffed with Scotland for the second year in a row and doing the North West. Haydon Bridge to Alston and back up to Brampton was a great run, so thanks to whoever suggested that. I had always wanted to see the Angel of The North, so took some other photos of it without a bike http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/9014335225_6d6cc86ced_c.jpg So that was 2250 miles give or take a few, 13 days travel, two B&Bs and five nights camping in total.

Angel of The North http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/9014333025_9b8e3ba77f_c.jpg Alston http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/9015535380_28c94b212a_c.jpg

Wanlockhead http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/9006573850_b399ce48e4_c.jpg Grey Mare's tail http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/9006580054_1a0da1b5b9_c.jpg Steve Hislop Statue http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/9015507778_b75703a356_c.jpg Carter Bar http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9015512716_148aafa67e_c.jpg The Devil's Porridge http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/9014727903_3647202b0b_c.jpg Burn's Statue Dumfries http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/9017480980_a077481232_c.jpg Scotland completed

I bet on Priest. I have just done Alston and an advisary. It is a steep cobbled road and a bugger in the wet. Be careful. I did a couple of passes and fhe stopped in gear and let the bike stall as the side stand went down. Then a dodgy hill start. The road here over the moor is brilliant. Next stop the Devils Porridge.

Then get on your 125cc and start touring! I did, round Scotland. I have read and now agree that the ideal touring speed is about 50mph, you make progress, see things and don't stress. That is totally doable on a 125cc (except up steep hills ) http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2526/5733643420_e9bc66cb39_z.jpg

Thankyou. I will also be needing a Scotland one as tomorrow (Monday 10th) I set off for two days one night to finish off Scotland. I am also going to make a start of the North East and have included the Angel of the North and Alston in the route. With the good weather continuing and my wife having her plans on Monday cancelled I am just going to go for it. I have removed my own made up North West completed to make space

Yes mate i think thats what they call it. Its just south of Blairgowrie on the A93 Its the Meikleour Beech Hedge http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/b ... eourhedge/

I would recommend textiles, gortex with lots of vents you can open and close on the move, so big zipper tags. I have a Hein Gericke jacket and trousers (I don't see the exact type for sale any more) and that has worked in all sorts of temperatures and kept me dry. Otherwise take layers and consider a waterproof over suit considering the amount of rain Europe is getting at the moment.

The DamMedicaSouth pads come in various different sizes and the Bumbags4bikers are one size. They both help equally and I have used both for long periods of time.

My essentials that I cannot imagine being without are 1 - mirror extenders, loads about, some universal some bike specific. I hated the limited view and having to move my head to see mirrors whilst I was learning. Extenders mean I get a much better view and can see the mirrors easily. 2 - seat pad. I have a gel one from DanMedicaSouth and a bean bag from Bumbags4bikers, both do equally well. 3 - upgraded body armour. Ditch any foam stuff and replace with Forcefield, Knox or similar. 4 - side stand foot. Stop the side stand from sinking into softer ground by fitting a foot to increase the surface area. Usually bike specific, or a cheap option is a puck you place under the stand before you get off (easier said than done) 5 - having both winter and summer gloves, I have yet to find a universal glove for all conditions. 6 - Grip Puppies, universal foam grips that reduce vibration to the hands and for me make the grip more comfortable by increasing the circumference. 7 - a good stout cable lock for parking up in town. I figure if you can lock your bike to something criminals will go after bikes with nothing of disc locks where they can still lift the bike into a van. I use the Oxford Barrier lock.

Ooops, the hedge photo...... http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/8912863336_c22e95ce26_c.jpg

Dalwhinney Distillery, Balmoral, Glenshee and the big hedge done. There is no way to get to the castle even if you pay on a bike, so the nice chap at the gate moved the sign so I could get a photo with it. He did not get my humour when I asked if the queen was about to hold my number in the photo. The layby with the sign for the Meikleour hedge is next to the narrow bridge with traffic lights. I was really lucky with the weather with just a spot of rain at Glenshee. All the roads are great, the best new one to me being the A86 from where I camped at Roy Bridge to the Dalwhinney Distillery.

Dalwhinney Distillery http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/8901578268_341f148f42.jpg Balmoral (there is no way to get a photo of the castle itself, I asked) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8912845734_b0aacc6c5c.jpg Glenshee ski centre http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/8912235161_948ccbc2e0.jpg Meikleour Beech Hedge http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/8912235161_948ccbc2e0.jpg