End of an Era :(

This weekend had a mix of emotions, because i changed my motorcycle. It was almost a difficult decision because my Gladius had been faultless! It was a great bike and never let me down. It just wasn't ultimately the bike i wanted to own for a long period.

the bike was fast, agile and smooth along with being very forgiving. It was a great teacher. the things it weren't were, comfortable.. i mean the ride was quite hard, and the seat was not very nice after 30 mins.

i had always wanted a bike to take me touring with my son, and even he admitted that the Gladius was not set up for it. His bums ended up number than mine.

a couple of weekends ago i had took a ride down to a Triumph dealer in Ashford(Kent) with the intention of test riding a bike to get a feel for what i was after.

i test drove a "Triumph Tiger 800" and straight away it was a fit.. Both Hazza and myself were blown away by the ride and the bike.

so, with the help of my wife, i managed to get 1... yes i know amazing right.

Triumph Tiger 800 (Big Poppa)

What an amazing piece of machinery, comfortable and can soak up the miles with ease. A total transfer of feeling and experience compared to the Gladius.

The first commuting day today, didn't go as planned though... i had set the alarm to go off earlier to give me a bit more breathing space to come to terms with the bike through London, but it didn't go off... i woke to look at the clock to see the time as an hour later than expected.

i shot out of bed, like a shock had been through my body, and was in/out the shower like it didn't exist... it is a wonder the soap did actually touch my body :)

the dog missed out on his walk and i was on the bike and racing toward work. the whole journey i was stressed and on the back foot. i even managed to stall the bike 3 times...

it can only get better :)

BikeSafe London - The Joy

Well what a great weekend in all. The highlight for me was when I undertook the “BikeSafe-London” motorcycle training course. It is a day’s event around London where you spend the day in briefings and riding with Motorcycle police officers.

The initial briefing is about 1-1.5 hrs and is very useful, and in my session was a real laugh. We had some real characters and an eclectic bunch of people. We saw some interesting videos and a fair bit of “psychology” was involved. Once we got the initial greeting done, and a mug o’ tea down us, it was time to go out on the road.

We were paired up with an officer for the day, and were advised on the various hand signals going to be used. I did notice that there was no use of intercoms.. Instruction was based upon signals from the officer following behind. The idea was simple. It was to encourage concentration and proper use of the rear view mirrors.

I was so, so nervous as I chose to go out first, so I was on my best behaviour. Speed limits, control, lifesavers….but because I was nervous I missed some opportunities to “Filter” where I would normally have done.

The rides were more in town, and this brief session was for the police officer to assess our riding style and pitch where the afternoon was going to go.

We arrived for lunch at a “Franky n’ Benny” which was actually a real nice lunch. It was here the officer briefing each of us on his initial observation.

He noticed my nervousness, and started to illustrate to us how to extend our vision and how to initiate proper road positioning.

We got back out, and I was ready now for it, and much more relaxed. As we were leaving the service area the heavens opened and Hail and rain poured in such a torrent that my visor could have been under water!!!

It lasted about 10 mins, then the sun was out and stayed out for the duration. I was trying to put into practise what the officer had told us, and surprised at how much easier it made riding on the roads. Mainly because it provided me with an extended view of the road ahead and potential hazards. It was also noted by the officer as at the next half way briefing he was pleased with my progress.

We continued the afternoon going mainly round country lanes, faster and faster. (Within the speed limit) It was fantastic leaning around the curves and bends at decent speeds all the while feeling totally confident of my abilities and the bikes handling. I was really pushing myself.

We ended back at the police station where we gulped down another brew and had a last safety briefing and given some freebies. Which are very good indeed. A team photo was taken and then we all parted ways. I ended the day signing up to become an IAM member and training to take my IAM test. This was on the advice of the office with me for the day. They right out a report and score us on each aspect of riding control.. My report was glowing, and the scores were really good.

He was impressed, especially as I had not been riding for long. I fully encourage all fellow bikers to do this day, as above all it is a great days riding.

http://www.bikesafe-london.co.uk/

Leather Suit

I realise I have not posted much hear for some time. With work, play & riding I have simply forgotten to include updates.

Well, I want to share my recent acquisitions. As a post-Christmas, Christmas present and early birthday present I have got myself sort with a 2-piece set of motorcycle riding leathers.

From Harpers based in “Leigh-on-Sea”, I found an extremely good value and comfortable custom fit set of leathers made by “WOLF”.

The story was a simple 1, I went out with my son for a looksee around for some bike leathers and due to the limited number of localish stores that happen to stock a decent range of supplies.

I turned up at “Harpers” and found that the “Wolf” leathers looked fantastic and they fit without too much customising. When I had pranced around stretching here, and lunging there I decided that these were the set for me. It was always going to be a hard product to purchase for me as I have a waist size creeping past 40, and calf muscles that a larger circumference. This meant that most sets I tried fit in the wait, but ended up too long, but mostly the lower leg did not fit.

The leathers I tried on at “Harpers” were in black\white or black\Silver. I liked the black\white but they did not have the sample size available.

It is then that I found out that they make them to order anyway, and took measurements to make any adjustments necessary…. Wow… and to top this I just happened to mention that my favourite colour was orange, and they then said that I could change the colour of the suit…. Double wow..

I almost threw my money at the sales assistant and ordered a set there and then.. I was so excited. My suit was to be made mostly in black with orange flashes. I have various posey photos attached of myself in the leathers, including a couple of excellent photos of my son on the bike.

Whilst I was paying I spied a fantastic orange/black Shark helmet which I had to have to complete the ensemble.

I am so pleased with my purchase, which requires now to be worn in the get the leather just right.

Walk of Shame :(

Valentines Day 2013. It started as a great day, with the roads drying up, sunning peeking aside fluffy clouds and the house all quiet because everyone else is at work or school.

i had taken a days holiday to sort of a special dinner to be prepared for the evening, which meant i had to go to the shops. as the weather was at its best in months i forced myself to make the decision to take the bike out and go to the bigger supermarket rather than the local mini-mart.

this did prove to be the right decision as the mini-mart had almost nothing of what i wanted anyway. i had decided that after the dog walk, shower and breakfast i would visit my nearest "Hein Gericke" store. For those that do not know this store, it is the last of chain of shops dedicated to bikers and their equipment. i was on the window shopping trail for a 2-piece leather combo for the summer which the missus had promised to help me buy as a Christmas present.

i was disappointed at the stock levels, and was promised by the manager that they were waiting for their new spring collections, which is why the levels had dropped. Not totally a wasted trip, because i got some good advice on my intended purchase and a little ride to boot.

as i left , i noticed that i was skimming the tank of the engine close to dry, and had calculated in my head that i could carry on the next leg of my trip and fuel up at the end.

i have previously got 186 miles out of a tank of fuel with approx "62mpg" regular riding. These 2 stats are pretty static and rarely change. so i was about 10 miles shy of this figure which was where my destination was and fuel stop were. i was confident, really confident.....!

so confident that in fact on the A127 Southend bound 6 miles short of my target, the engine decided to cough.....

at first i though i had rode over a hump, as the bike lurched but then it happened again.... Oh Jesus H....the bike lost all power and i little choice but to pull over into a nearby layby.

Bugger, Frack....... i had only managed 181 miles and the tank was dry...

after the initial embarrassment, i had a 2.5mile shuffle along the side verge in full motorcycle kit to the nearest petrol station on the opposite side of the carriageway..

i was sweating and knackered, but finally manage to enter the forecourt and the shop to purchase a gerry can. which by the way i had to pay for before getting my petrol and queueing to pay again. The stupid attendant even asked me a second time in about 10 mins if i wanted a free coffee... i had to reply.. "remember me from 10 mins ago... NOOOO".

as i was doing this it was hard tp excape the sniggers from the rest of the clientele which consisted of mainly tradesman. it was bloody obvious that i had run out of fuel, and was a biker.....

so, the shuffle back to the bike again, and i was pleased to see it was still in the layby. i emptied the can into the tank and carried on my journey. Rather than throw aside the jerry can i managed to squeeze it inside my rucksack wrapped in a tesco carrier bag.

the only downside really is that the bag stunk of petrol afterwards.

i have learnt a lesson here, rather than run the bike to the limit, always try to leave 10 miles in the tank...

Wilder Riding

It appears, that the brighter weather brings out the numpty in me where riding the bike is concerned!! i meant this because as the weather is brighter, warmer and drier my kahuna's seem to have grown a bit bigger.

i am taking more risks with the space i have, by taking on smaller gaps and tighter spaces but not just that, taking them faster as well... Now this highlights my inexperience still, because a few times i get myself into a little trouble and have to berate myself.

i drive sensibly in the Wet/Cold/Ice etc.. Because i have a respect for the fact the roads are NOT grippy. i hope because i have realized my behavior that i can make changes now.

the problem is... i am not the only numpty :) i am driving like am because it appears that everyone else on a bike or moped is also taking the opportunity to blow off cobwebs, because i have been cut up etc. by more scooters than usual.

Now, i am not an aggressive rider anyway and will always take the 40-45 mph cruise rather than the 55-60 mph weave.. i tend to be moving into the weave pattern instead lately.

i think i need to also consider an advanced riding course, because there are still a few things i am not happy about. The main being corners...! i take them OK and have not had any bother, it is just that i have no confidence to take them at a reasonable speed, and the right line, and smoothly.... i seem to take them too slow. That is OK in the wet winter, because that is sensible, but because that’s all what we have had for the last "Many" months, i have not had the opportunity to practice cornering properly.

i am hoping that this will rectify itself if the drier weather stays with us.

On another note, i am now on my 3rd set of winter trousers... because the 1st and 2nd set all leaked, and leaked badly. The store though have been excellent and have changed them without a quibble. i highly recommend "HARPERS - BENFLEET, ESSEX" great and helpful staff.