Kit Update August 2008
August 15th, 2008
The mornings are getting colder now so I’ve fitted the fleece liner into my BKS jacket. Its made a huge difference to the 5am starts. The jacket is alot bulkier but the fleece feel to your skin is lovely. Felt totally snug this morning. I’ve been wearing the jacket in most weathers since taking delivery of it back in June. When the weather is bad I wear my Icon reflective sleevless jacket over the top of it. This helps keep the worst of the weather off of it and obviously makes me stick out like a sore thumb to the numpties in their cars. I’m really pleased with the SPS. Its a seriously well made jacket and will last for years to come. It’ll probably do me for the best part of my biking life. Thats assuming I don’t change shape :-0
Ive not been using my Shark Evoline helmet on the Buell much. It just doesn’t seem to work well on the colder days. This is due to the amount of open space at the bottom of the chin guard. I get a sharp jet of cold air right up into the helmet which at 5am is not a nice thing. Its fine on the hot summer days when its warm and dry but in the cold, its a no no. I might eBay it as I’m not sure it’ll get much use over the winter. I’m using my Arai Astro R all the time. The R is an excellent helmet. I feel so secure inside it. It’s warm when required and cool too on the warmer days. The venting is excellent. I would definately buy another one when this one is worn out.
I’m still wearing my biker jeans alot. I’ve got the Icon jobbies with integrated aramid on the crash zones. Their style fits nicely with the Buell. I have another pair of jeans with aramid fitted into the arse. My problem with those is that they are too hot at the moment. I suspect i’ll be wearing them more once autumn arrives.
Boots wise, i’m still wearing my Hein Gericke ankle boots. They are really comfortable on and off the bike. I walk to and from the office in London so a pair of ankle height boots are a good compromise for me. They suffered badly when my last bike, a Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport kept dumping oil on them but it’s definately helped em stay water tight 
I’ve bought a new disc lock for the bike coz my last Abus Granit 68 would not fit it. The new one is an Abus Granit quick 37. Ive also bought the optional mount for it and have mounted it in front of the number plate. The down side is that it gets the crud hitting it off of the rear wheel. The good side is that I have a disc lock at hand when ever I need one. I didnt want to carry it around in my pocket just in case i had an off…. I disc lock and ribs dont mix…
3 Responses to “Kit Update August 2008”
Captain Slow August 16th, 2008 at 7:20 am #
Nice website and blog Paul. I see you get wet too on your way back from Ursus Americanus last weekend. I dropped in to work for a shift handover and then got caught in the wet by Girton and had to don the leggings outside the Crematorium.
Regarding kit, I am using a Spada all-season jacket, but to be honest it’s rubbish. 20 miles and it’s leaked through at the armpits, so my next move is to wear my leather jacket, ever-present Forcefield back protector, and a full length Hi-Viz jacket on wet days. After that it will have to be off to the dive shop for a pukka dry-suit.
Trews are currently MJK leathers, made to measure about 15 years ago, and ordered at their BMF Show stand. The arse is a bit saggy, but otherwise they are great. I also have a pair of Hood kevlar lined goretex style textile jeans, but they are only shower-proof, and v hot in the summer.
I managed to find a small tail bag at Peterborough Hein Gericke for £14.99 which is similar shape to the back end of the Buell seat. I use this to store my chain and side stand footplate.
I am going to use my next weekend at work to experiment with aircraft sealant to lock the cheese grater holes.
paul August 16th, 2008 at 9:49 am #
Morning Captain… Please you like the site. Its just a bit of jun and a place to think bike when the missus is watching crap on the TV…
Managed to get home from work yesterday and spent a good hour cleaning the Buell down. Very relaxing after a busy week… Sounds strange but it is…
Weathers been a bit rough this week hasn’t it. Got soaked externally but am nice and dry under the bike kit.. That’s the main thing.
Paul
Corporal Wot Wot November 10th, 2008 at 9:39 pm #
Hiya Lordy, thought I would join you in your playground – like you a good place to talk bikes while the missus is watching all the soaps…
(
Clothing for me this winter is textile waterproof trousers and a new BLH winter jacket. Gloves by Dianese for the really cold snaps and some new waterproof Stylmartin boots which are super comfy and so easy to get on and off.
If I changed my lid I would still go for another X-Lite. Started with the 901, now using a 902 and just love the locking visor mechanism. Shame they no longer produce them so I’ll keep an eye out on old stock.
Still considering the Duke 749 to go with the Ulysses. Vastly different bikes but both put a smile on my face.
Cheers
Cpl