Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

I think a bunch of commercial vehicles work on 'MOT exempt' but then can be stopped and inspected ruthlessly at any time, so should actually be kept in much better condition.

MOT in the UK annoys me, things that are trivial to safe operation of the vehicle can stop a car from being used, yet other things can be literally hanging out and pass no worries (haven't been through the new test yet so might hold my tongue on that one!). My fav is cars that are 1-3 years old, pretty much every BMW I see in that age bracket has front tyres down the wires on the front and never get stopped and sorted out because too new for folk to suspect.
Also round here DVLA have been cleaning up on 1-3 year old cars without valid VED, folk forgetting or falling fowl of the system.

Edit; came over as a rant, not meant to be, what I mean to say is 'should own older more interesting vehicles, then don't have to submit to such things'

I think the running costs of the R80 would rule it out for daily use. I put up with the cost per mile but it's much easier to run a scooter into the ground every few years than keep a 40 year old bike in full working order. If I didn't do the work myself it would have been sold years ago. I have 2 toolboxes of specialised tools a Hanes and workshop manual which are covered in oily fingerprints from years of fettling. It's weird to think that I've been doing it for 15 years, quite a few other bikes have come and gone in that time.

Just passed my CBT today. Again.
This time I'm determined to do something with it.
Might hire a 125 for the weekend next week, then get on and do my direct access.
Yussss!

Direct Access is class - its worth it even just to muck about on a big bike for a bit. I'll never forget being told to let it rip on sliproads, had me looking forward to every single lesson.

Your vespa should be easy to get a proper date on it I would have thought. Just thinking that the px came along early 80s and the older model before that. By 84 it would either be a px or it won't.

I'm restoring an 1983 px myself with a dubious history, should be nice when done though.

When people talk about hiring bikes where are they getting them from?

I passed my das in October last year & haven't been on a bike since (for many different reasons) so wouldn't say no to hiring on for a few days...

Anyone up for helmet chat again? (fnarrr)

I really dig My Shoei's, but they're both becoming quite noisy even outside of highway trundling.
The NXR is especially annoying as I flip between Tinted and non visors, and now the mechanism is getting worn out, which leads of discernible wind noise with all vents closed.

Get some custom ear plugs.

I've been using my ones from Ultimate Ear for about two weeks now and they've completely transformed my riding experience. Essentially no wind noise up to (and a little over) 70mph in my Shoei Qwest but I can still hear the engine (albeit at a reduced volume) for gear changes etc.

They fit perfectly and I don't even notice they're in.

Worth every penny & cheaper than a new helmet!!

I've got an old Schuberth I'd recommend - thinking of going back to Shoei though( for fit ), although noise isn't too much of an issue for me . A good friend say's Roof's are worth a look.

My Caberg Duke seems quiet but I don’t have anything to compare it to. I was lead to believe I’d be nigh-on deafened by wind noise on a bike but it seems fine.

You may just have only been riding short distances or at lower speeds but i can't recommend some sort of ear protection enough.

As mentioned earlier in this thread, i have permanent hearing damage brought on my regular exposure to motorbike noise.

I had a Caberg Duke and they're definitely noisier than either of my Shoeis.

@Chak is it possible your ear plugs have worn out? Also your visor might not be sealing properly anymore, you can adjust it (I took it to a shop to have them do it) so it seals 100%, as air could be getting in the seals, which is causing the noise.

Ether or both is most likely the issue. Fix both first then move helmet.

I’m very sensitive to noise so it’s on my list but yeah, nothing noticed on a ride of 150 miles or so at legal speeds. I mean it’s loud enough to want to knock it down a bit but not ‘oh fuck my ears’, like someone revving a farty V-twin next to you.

To echo Soul, Caberg Duke lids are fucking loud.

Had one for a short while and beyond popping to the shops or petrol station, it wasn't used. Motorways were offensively loud

Edit, I have an ADV tourer lid thing and a HJC IS17. The HJC has the flip down visor, which is a devicive thing, but I think it's great. Having to wear glasses all the time, it means not fannying about switching sunglasses/ glasses as the weather dictates.

I thought the noise wasn’t too bad on my bike...

But then I rode 60 miles of countryside with earplugs in which meant close to silence other than a quiet engine sound and it was total bliss

@Soul I got some on your recommendation from last time, but as I'm abroad, it's quite difficult getting any for fitting, which is a right ballache. Saying that though, I've had a mate who does soft foam moulding make some for me. Distinct change in volume and will be going proper custom as soon as I get back on shore. This one however, is more along the lines of excess wind coming in.

@skinny You've hit the nail on the head. I care for my kit, but either padding is squashed, or there is a gap somewhere that allows this really irritating compressed upward draft come in for anything above 50. Shoei allows for adjustability?

Yes on the visor. I had the screws on my nxr adjusted. Google it. I took it to shops as cba getting it right.

Also tried a chin curtain? Makes a big difference on mine.

You can go to mos optitions and any hearing get aid place where you are and get some ear canal impressions for £20.

Post those to Ultimate Ear and in three weeks, they'll post you back the custom plugs.

I take it back about the Duke, rode in enthusiastically this blustery morning and it was pretty loud. Varied massively on head position (I’m guessing above/below airstream off bodywork) but yeah, in the air it’s not quiet.

You can cut down on some of the wind noise by using a buff and tucking it into the helmet neck but earplugs are the only real way to sort it properly.

I’ll grab some from the workshop for the ride home and see how I get on. I’ve been considering proper molded ones for a while now anyway.

Still need to go and find a summer jacket, I get hot as balls in the afternoon sun!

Expensive but this is the best summer jacket I've owned.

It made a month across the US (during a heatwave), including death valley (45 degrees indicated) and getting stuck in the desert in New Mexico for 4 hours not only bearable but pleasant.

Inner goretex jacket rivals Rapha for build quality in terms of seams, zips and materials...

I do like that site...
Big want on this bad boy for Autumn

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/307926

Love sportsbikeshop.

Super quick delivery, good prices and great customer service; especially for returns / resizing.

That's one hell of a jacket. I'm thinking about upgrading my revit goretex suit for winter but it's still holding up pretty well after 20k miles of winter riding...