I just wore my waxed cotton motorcycle clothing with their thermal liners and extra layers of 'normal' clothing underneath, but I do have some battery operated heated socks and also heated grips which make all the difference. With the clear blue skies you get quite a bit of radiant heat from the sun so it feels a lot warmer that the air temperature. Also, according to the weather forecast it was about 6C from lunchtime.
I got some heated gloves for my birthday last year they're great. Nothing fancy, just £30 ebay specials, not waterproof but just the job on cold dry Winter rides. 3 heat settings with the battery in the cuff and lasts around 3 hours on the hottest setting.
So I was going to go out yesterday but I got cold in the morning doing other things, so that put me off especially with heavy looking skies. Today was a different kettle of fish. Weather and sky looked far better. I got the 675r out and gave it a quick prep as this was the 1st ride out for 2023. Tyre pressures were a bit down but otherwise all good. First destination A1moto in York.
A quick look around some overpriced bikes and shiny tat but then down to the important stuff ...... BLT and Latte
From there I went to Infinity to try some helmets on as tempted to treat myself with mine being over 6 years now. Previously I was a "Shoei head" so was naturally drawn to a GT air 2...... Ah but..... The Arai Quantic actually felt a nicer fit. But the Shoei visor attachment is still better for a quick detach and swill under the tap. Oh no I thought this was a simple done deal, but no, so bought neither and will now have to ponder over them.
The 675r still brings a smile to my face and I couldn't foresee any of the other bikes, both new and nearly new, offering more. The rawness is it's appeal! Oh, plus the underseat exhaust keeps your right buttock toasty if you keep it reving Today the roads were very mixed so the odd little wheelie or lock up under braking all adds to the experience. No abs, no traction control, odd squirm and slide..... within reason has to be good doesn't it A loop round of 75 miles or so seemed a fair start to the season and back home in daylight with only slightly chilled hands.
Looks like a great day - being of far less experience than you, I was extremely conservative taking my Honda out the other day as I was keen to avoid squirms and slides . The roads are so very slippery at present; but hoping the wet weather forecast for midweek materialises to given them a thorough wash.
I did a similar comparison a year or so back. I have always been a fan of Arai helmets, I have several other cheaper brands and Shoei has been recommended to me on a few separate occasions. I too hesitated because of the difficult Arai visor attachment and removal, which hasn’t changed much since my old 1990s Supervent. I also like the internal tinted visor option on other helmets. HOWEVER, the slightly cheaper Arai Debut won the day for me for comfort, shell size and I have also retrofitted a new Pro Shade, which is fab.
The Arai had a bigger, easier to put on, opening and once on felt nicer than the Shoei. Don't get me wrong, the Shoei fit nice and certainly acceptable but the Arai had an edge. The Shoei drop down sun visor was a bonus but an additional £100 for the Arai sun visor was taking the p155.
Electrics ?? Sit the fuel container next to the *****ing thing and stare at it with a raised eyebrow ! I've found walking past, totally ignoring it while muttering " bastard .. bastard ... bastard is a help. Doesn't help make it go .. helps the tank being smashed in with a hammer though, before the petrol treatment !!!!
