There is a distinct possibility that I will be commuting some >100 miles per day this winter. I'm gonna need some new kit (and quite possibly a different bike, but that post will come later) What's recommended these days? I was thinking Hein Gericke Voyager, but they seem to have vanished off the site? Suggestions / Opinions / Point and laughs welcomed...... -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, catman You're going to need at *least* two complete sets of outers, you can't dry stuff overnight. Probably four sets of gloves (there's little nastier than putting wet gloves on for a long run home) . Consider electrically heated inner clothing. It makes a stunning difference. Specific brand advice will come from SWK. -- Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer as featured in Performance Bikes and Fast Bikes WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41 SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner", Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big" Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer
Nooooo! I don't think I'd get it in the garage at the moment anyway. Plus the chances of getting something that big past the financial advisor are pretty slim.
Git -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
Electrics *will* be involved, this is already a given. 4 pairs of lobster pathans on the list. Ta -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
Bloody hell. Very tempting. -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
I don't agree. I've one set of stuff; Hein Gericke Voyager and Shoei textile trousers, when it gets wet I've got a pair of custom made Altberg boots (with added goretex). I've lots of pairs of gloves, but only wear one pair; summer gloves. Get a bike with a decent fairing; i.e. something boring; K100, PanEuropean etc. Get barmuffs on it. Ride. I've got >50 miles each way and the only time I wish I had more kit is on the way home if it hasn't dried in the office. Anyway, I've just shuffled my team around so I'm next to a radiator- the other bloke in my team who commutes by bike can go **** himself; I'll be dry.
It is. But... if something looks too cheap, it generally is. That's around 1/2-2/3rds of the price it should be IMO; ok, the mileage is a bit on the highside but even so. Still, I'd steer clear of the 1100s and the 16v K's. You want a K100 or 75 RT. I'd not buy something that's done more than 80k miles or has been standing.
Just buy a cheap small car for the winter months............warmer, safer, and less money than buying proper riding gear! k
Well, that's what I'd be doing but to my eternal shame I've just sorted myself out with a train ticket instead. Anyway, the suggestion of having multiple sets of gloves is definitely a good good. Clothingwise I'm using MJK winter/waterproof trousers that are lose enough so I can wear my office stuff underneath. They're warm enough down to ~0C before an additional layer of clothing. Jacketwise I've got a HG PSX whatever Goretex jacket but that's more of a 3 1/2 season jacket and not really warm enough for the depths of winter so I wouldn't recommend it. The recommendation for a bike with a decent fairing is definitely a good one - makes a massive difference for winter riding.
I must admit that I don't really like the idea, but I should consider them I spose. -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
Somewhat what I was thinking, apart from the muffs. Good point, well made -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
Experience tells me that while I will be dry, I certainly won't be warm -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
Ta -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
