Topic: The Motorcycling Thread

[dkaz]

I have a Bell helmet too. Great protection, but man is it uncomfortable after an hour.

I've only worn a non full face helmet once in Vietnam because that's all they had. There are times where I may ride slow enough that I would risk wearing a 3/4 helmet or something but hey even though my face isn't the number one reason I attract the ladies, it still looks better than having wire hold my jaw together.

[Triple Bob]

I have a Bell helmet too. Great protection, but man is it uncomfortable after an hour.

Then you've got the wrong helmet. I've worn my old bell helmet for 8+ hours and it was fine.

[dkaz]

I have a Bell helmet too. Great protection, but man is it uncomfortable after an hour.

Then you've got the wrong helmet. I've worn my old bell helmet for 8+ hours and it was fine.

Only HJC fits me well and I wore it on my 1475 km day no problem, but it doesn't come in ECE/Snell in my size. I put ECE/Snell certification over comfort.

[Jaeger]

This came in the mail today. It remains to be seen when or whether I will have a bike.  But I've now got a lid and will take the course and get licensed - so definitely something to look forward to in the spring.



Did everyone else feel that a full face helmet felt claustrophobic af the first time they put one on?

Great choice. If it doesn't wobble, or rip your ears off, it's the right size.  The foam packs down a bit after the first year.

Doesn't wobble. Feels a bit like it's ripping my ears off going on, but fine in that regard once it's on.
It just feels weird having my head fully encased. But of course that's the point.

Photochromic visor was a selling point for me.

[dirtyjeffer]

Doesn't wobble. Feels a bit like it's ripping my ears off going on, but fine in that regard once it's on.
It just feels weird having my head fully encased. But of course that's the point.

Photochromic visor was a selling point for me.

sounds like a good fit for you then...it should be snug, but still comfortable...if it's too loose, it can wobble/move around at speed which is not good.

[Arthur Dent]

My helmet was always comfy. The biggest issue was the top of my head would get itchy after a while. Argh.

[Jaeger]

Doesn't wobble. Feels a bit like it's ripping my ears off going on, but fine in that regard once it's on.
It just feels weird having my head fully encased. But of course that's the point.

Photochromic visor was a selling point for me.

sounds like a good fit for you then...it should be snug, but still comfortable...if it's too loose, it can wobble/move around at speed which is not good.

 

[dkaz]

Oooo HJC C91 is ECE approved in all sizes to 5XL. I might get one.



Edit: Embedded image

[dirtyjeffer]

Oooo HJC C91 is ECE approved in all sizes to 5XL. I might get one.

https://www.hjchelmets.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/C91-solid-NGREY-side.png

that's a nice looking helmet...it's also not $1000, which is nice too.

[blur911]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFg2oSM9EhM&feature=emb_logo

i'm sure it's a great bike, but who buys these???...you need to have watermelon sized balls to ride them...i mean, there's cheaper ways to kill yourself if that's what you are looking for. 

in all seriousness, these always have been an epic bike...but not very common around here...probably something like 230-250 HP?

160-170 WHP

ZX14R were putting down 190 WHP!!

i'm talking about the new one coming...i think it's predecessor had 208 HP?...it looks like it may be moving up in engine size too (to 1450cc?), which is why i'm thinking the HP number may move up with it...even if it is in the 200-220 HP range, that's still bananas.

New Hayabusa is 187hp, down 7hp  from 194 to meet Euro5 emissions.    The biggest change is electronics to tame the beast.

[rrocket]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFg2oSM9EhM&feature=emb_logo

i'm sure it's a great bike, but who buys these???...you need to have watermelon sized balls to ride them...i mean, there's cheaper ways to kill yourself if that's what you are looking for. 

in all seriousness, these always have been an epic bike...but not very common around here...probably something like 230-250 HP?

160-170 WHP

ZX14R were putting down 190 WHP!!

i'm talking about the new one coming...i think it's predecessor had 208 HP?...it looks like it may be moving up in engine size too (to 1450cc?), which is why i'm thinking the HP number may move up with it...even if it is in the 200-220 HP range, that's still bananas.

New Hayabusa is 187hp, down 7hp  from 194 to meet Euro5 emissions.    The biggest change is electronics to tame the beast.

I read they were hitting the top speed agreement easy...so instead of focusing on more power, they retuned for low and mid RPM power improvements

[dirtyjeffer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFg2oSM9EhM&feature=emb_logo

i'm sure it's a great bike, but who buys these???...you need to have watermelon sized balls to ride them...i mean, there's cheaper ways to kill yourself if that's what you are looking for. 

in all seriousness, these always have been an epic bike...but not very common around here...probably something like 230-250 HP?

160-170 WHP

ZX14R were putting down 190 WHP!!

i'm talking about the new one coming...i think it's predecessor had 208 HP?...it looks like it may be moving up in engine size too (to 1450cc?), which is why i'm thinking the HP number may move up with it...even if it is in the 200-220 HP range, that's still bananas.

New Hayabusa is 187hp, down 7hp  from 194 to meet Euro5 emissions.    The biggest change is electronics to tame the beast.

odd, the article mentions "more power"...maybe they mean more usable power (in terms of its delivery?)...either way, when you get up in those areas of power on a bike, it's all bananas anyway.

[DriverJeff]

This came in the mail today. It remains to be seen when or whether I will have a bike.  But I've now got a lid and will take the course and get licensed - so definitely something to look forward to in the spring.



Did everyone else feel that a full face helmet felt claustrophobic af the first time they put one on?

Great choice. If it doesn't wobble, or rip your ears off, it's the right size.  The foam packs down a bit after the first year.

Doesn't wobble. Feels a bit like it's ripping my ears off going on, but fine in that regard once it's on.
It just feels weird having my head fully encased. But of course that's the point.

Photochromic visor was a selling point for me.

Right on.  Yeah, the photochromatic visors are awesome.  I've had more than a few occasions where "I'll definitely be parked well before dark" only to find myself after sunset squinting through a dark-tinted visor.   

As for the ears being tortured, yeah, that happens until both your helmet and your ears break-in a bit.    I took a long road trip shortly after getting a new helmet a few years ago, and after pulling the helmet on and off several times in a day for fuel, bathroom and food breaks, my ears were really tender by the end of the day. 

[Brig]

I have photochromic sunglasses, and they're great as well.

I guess the snugness is similar to some boots where you have to wear them for a while to have them mold to your feet.  Never occurred to me that it would apply to riding helmets as well, but it makes sense.

I bet if bespoke helmets are a thing, Jaeger will be tracing his noggin to sent to an artisan for a custom fit.   

[Jaeger]

I have photochromic sunglasses, and they're great as well.

I guess the snugness is similar to some boots where you have to wear them for a while to have them mold to your feet.  Never occurred to me that it would apply to riding helmets as well, but it makes sense.

I bet if bespoke helmets are a thing, Jaeger will be tracing his noggin to sent to an artisan for a custom fit.   

  Don't give me ideas!

[dirtyjeffer]

there might have been a change to some insurance companies recently regarding "sport bikes" so be sure to get quotes before buying anything...my boss's daughter's fiancé just sold his Ducati sport bike...34 years old, rode and licensed since he was 16...perfect driving record...insurance went from $2400/year to $6000...he decided not to renew and sold the bike...i bet if you live in Alabama you could get it for $300 and drive it year round...it's a racket in Ontario.

[Jaeger]

Right on.  Yeah, the photochromatic visors are awesome.  I've had more than a few occasions where "I'll definitely be parked well before dark" only to find myself after sunset squinting through a dark-tinted visor.   

As for the ears being tortured, yeah, that happens until both your helmet and your ears break-in a bit.    I took a long road trip shortly after getting a new helmet a few years ago, and after pulling the helmet on and off several times in a day for fuel, bathroom and food breaks, my ears were really tender by the end of the day.

I wonder why photochromatic visors aren't more common as standard equipment?  I use them exclusively for cycling glasses because I start most of my rides at sunrise if not earlier.  Tinted shades would be damned dangerous.  And on a motorbike helemet wouldn't they eliminate the need (and cost and weight and potential ventilaton compromise) of built-in drop down shades?  Anyway, I have no doubt the helmet will take some getting used to.  I am mildly claustrophobic and that probably explains my initial unsettled reaction to have my head fully encased in something very close-fitting.

[Jaeger]

there might have been a change to some insurance companies recently regarding "sport bikes" so be sure to get quotes before buying anything...my boss's daughter's fiancé just sold his Ducati sport bike...34 years old, rode and licensed since he was 16...perfect driving record...insurance went from $2400/year to $6000...he decided not to renew and sold the bike...i bet if you live in Alabama you could get it for $300 and drive it year round...it's a racket in Ontario.

Good point.  Might as well inquire about the Tirumph now as a base line.  I can't really see anything displacing it.  I don't think it could reasonably be described as a sport bike, but insurance companies are weird.

[dirtyjeffer]

there might have been a change to some insurance companies recently regarding "sport bikes" so be sure to get quotes before buying anything...my boss's daughter's fiancé just sold his Ducati sport bike...34 years old, rode and licensed since he was 16...perfect driving record...insurance went from $2400/year to $6000...he decided not to renew and sold the bike...i bet if you live in Alabama you could get it for $300 and drive it year round...it's a racket in Ontario.

Good point.  Might as well inquire about the Tirumph now as a base line.  I can't really see anything displacing it.  I don't think it could reasonably be described as a sport bike, but insurance companies are weird.

i would imagine the Trident isn't going to be that bad...it's a street bike and the engine size isn't too big (660cc)...the Ducati was one of those actual sport bikes (1000+cc?)...now, if you bought the new Hayabusa, that would be another story.

[blur911]

there might have been a change to some insurance companies recently regarding "sport bikes" so be sure to get quotes before buying anything...my boss's daughter's fiancé just sold his Ducati sport bike...34 years old, rode and licensed since he was 16...perfect driving record...insurance went from $2400/year to $6000...he decided not to renew and sold the bike...i bet if you live in Alabama you could get it for $300 and drive it year round...it's a racket in Ontario.

Good point.  Might as well inquire about the Tirumph now as a base line.  I can't really see anything displacing it.  I don't think it could reasonably be described as a sport bike, but insurance companies are weird.

i would imagine the Trident isn't going to be that bad...it's a street bike and the engine size isn't too big (660cc)...the Ducati was one of those actual sport bikes (1000+cc?)...now, if you bought the new Hayabusa, that would be another story.

State farm used to have 2 categories,  either smaller than, or bigger than, 600cc .     Every company makes up their own rules depending upon what demographic they don't want to cover.   My present auto company won't insure old bikes. 
I just paid my bike policy today, $684