Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Looking for a tidier jacket. Something sort of classic looking but has to be waterproof and spine protection (or pocket for one).

Only thing I've found without spending huge is this merlin rowan jacket, made of Scottish cloth at £229

Anything else like it, and ideas on how waterproof it will really be?

If you use a disc lock get one with a fluorescent bungy cord or reminder cable that you can attach it to the brake lever or twist grip. A mate of mine got about two feet before he remembered his disc lock and it cost him a brake lever, mirror,fairing panel and an engine casing.

I saw somone in this the other day, thought it looked simple and decent off bike.
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/194812

Not saying it's good. Just looked fine off bike.
And with anything, buy cheap buy twice or thrice.

Fashionable, functional, cheap.

Pick 2 (at the very most).

2 feet? how big are his rotors?

Edit: ignore me, my morning maths brain is slow.

I have forgotten mine before and just caused a nose dive, but I was walking mine out of a bay.

had a service last week and yesterday setting off from cold first time went for back brake absolutely nothing there, pedal went right the way down - sorted itself on next depress - air in the lines? not bled properly?

They will have forgot to do what you did after putting the pads back in. The piston will have been fully retracted and needed pushing out.

Check the fluid level anyway but what @skinny said.
A quick CSB. I was on a police motorcycle course on a BMW R80 on a duel carriageway in the New Forest doing @115 mph. On the approach to the r/a I braked and braked and slammed down through the gears to a halt 10 feet over the line on the roundabout. The right hand front Brembo caliper was hanging loose because the mechanic had failed to tighten the bolts.

You're not being paranoid at all. Get the plate if you see them again, try and take a picture and call the police. this is exactly how bikes get stolen. Thieves knocked through a breeze block wall of an outbuilding to take my mate's KtmS in west London. Exactly after being followed back like this.

Not cheap, but not insainely expensive:
http://www.claymorejackets.co.uk/index.htm

Can't speak to them personally but a while back I was looking around for custom wax jackets and these popped up as recommended on a motorbike forum.

I think all are made to order.

I wouldn't bother trying to find a cheap, stylish waterproof jacket. Just carry thin waterproofs that you can wear over anything and replace them when they stop being waterproof. Something like the tucano urbano nano is great as it packs so small. One piece will protect you better but they are usually more bulky and a bit more of a pain to put on. Successful bike gear is all about the layering.

Tucano Urbano do some decent jackets too, check out Urban Rider. It's a stupid brand name but I've never had a bad product from them. If you want a jacket that will actually protect you from most accidents, waterproof and durable then second hand Rukka is hard to beat, it's not stylish though.

@lynx @Jung @Constable_Savage @skinny @Airhead @EB thanks for the info. Nice one Lynx might take you up on that. Yeah didn't get my gloves off quick enough to get a pic of the guy. Little bastards. Almax chain and an alarm and I'd feel a lot better about it. Need to get it sorted.
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Is there any wisdom in getting an expensive lid? I'm well aware of the safety standards that all have to abide by, and the more the better, but what makes something like a Shoei pricier than a HJC or similar? Options, quality and the like?
Lids are something I have no qualms spending money on, but is it something there wisdom to it?

lighter weight, less noise, visibility, comfort etc.

Quality of fit and finish, sizing peculiarities. Arai and Shoei for example fit two distinctly different shapes of head (or at least they used too.)

I'm looking at damage repairable Ducati 1198s at salvage auctions after dismissing them from my mind some months ago. Saw one the other day and decided I did really like the look after all. Jeez. Talk me out of it.

They don't like running on their sides. Serious engine damage takes a while to show...

So it is a case of go in, try as many on as I can, and if my heads says yes, go for it. Rationally of course. Shoei sure make the wallet itch.

Once you've had good ones it's hard to go back. I used to think you had an Arai or Shoei shape head but I've switched between Arai and Shoei and for me they are both good fits once they break in a little on the cheek pads. Shuberth really does suit a smaller forehead though, they are well known for it.

Usually the differences are in the material the outer and inner are made of, optical quality of the visor, lower wind noise, washable/replaceable interiors, buckle quality, and paint quality. Ease of operation for the visor change mechanism, vent operation, buckle and sunshade operation.

I think the worst value in terms of functionality and quality are the expensive stylish open face helmets, especially those with no visor. For the same sort of money you could have a high end full face lid weighing less than a leather trimmed hat with a fancy paint job. Fine if you don't need the protection but not the wisest choice.

Downside with expensive lids is the time limit on using them, even if your Arai lasts 20 years you are not supposed to use them longer than 5-10 years as the materials of the shell and inner lose their strength.

You really notice the difference if you're riding at 100+ for a few hours, can you turn your head easily at 100 to check over your shoulder, is the helmet deafening does it stay steady or bob around/tip up in the airstream.

If you can stand the weight the Shoei Neotec is a great lid.

Friend of mine bought a cheap shcuberg SP helmet.
Let him feel my Shoei NXR.

He says it's night and day.

I went into Infinity, they were pretty helpful, one of the guys a lot more so than the other. But I went in twice and tried loads on. NXR fit me perfectly and is super comfortable.

Good write up of ratings; http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/helmet-safety-ratings-101

Amazing weight the NXR, lighter than most half face helmets and it feels better than the Neotec. Only downside is no internal sun visor which I try to always have now on a helmet after quite a few low winter sun experiences. If you wear prescription glasses a flip lid is much easier to deal with.

I bought a transitions lense for it. It's great. Better then internal sunvisor imo, as adjusts to suit the light. Internal is always fully dark.

I've got a bit of a trek coming up on Friday:

https://goo.gl/maps/EGGVfm7QSw42

600+ miles in a single day, down to the south of France.

Couple of questions:

1. Do they still ignore tinted visors?
   
2. Is filtering still illegal?
   
3. Do i need the reflectors on the helmet?
   
4. Will my arse be dead by the time i get there? :)
   
   

I'm coming back again on the Wednesday after.... i may never want to see my bike again after that.

Cool, I had no idea that was a thing. They don't have the same problem as prescription transitional where they go darker when they're cold?

I'll have a look into it as I wanted an NXR to go with the Neotec.

I don't think you need the helmet reflectors
I assume you'll be on major roads/motorways so will never see enough traffic to filter, but I have done it and seen others doing it
your arse will be dead, or just a new shape.