Featured What you been doing with your TRIUMPH today??

Turned the LED's on for the first time today ! WOW ! ...J.D.

 

Today I waited until 10am for it to ‘warm up’ to zero Celsius, then after brushing the frost off my bike seat headed off down to the Cotswolds



Rode on quite a few new-to-me roads, some planned and some forced by random road closures, and after 6 hours and 180 miles arrived back home.

 

Me I spent all day continplaten burning the ba###rd bike calmed down abit from that but still it's a thought

 

That's a long ride for such a cold day, @brown mouse! What gear do you wear for a ride like that of today? Beautiful photo, BTW.

 

She gets an LED headlight tomorrow. I'll post a picture when I am done. ...J.D.

HERE IT IS:

 

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.

 

Finally attached a belly pan.

 

Looks good!

 

Went for a coastal ride today.

 

Gorgeous - that belly pan really brings the look together, looks even better in the wild!!!

 

Thanks Mrs V. much appreciate.

 

Not really one for gaudy colours, Koko .. but as Mrs V. points out, it looks "together," well done !

 

Thanks buddy!

 

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.