Month: March 2017

Categories
Gear Reviews Hardware

Cree U2 Spot Lights Review

You know what parents are like strong opinions as to what is best for you, mildly tolerant of your motorcycle ‘hobby’, but secretly scared to death you’re gonna kill yourself on your bike. So my old man keeps seeing lots of big adventure bikes adorned with bright spotlights, and declares I must install said distinctive pattern of lights on my bike to ensure I stand out. My Dad has a few odd opinions, but more often than not he’s right.

After borking at the price of offerings from Givi etc, I decided to take a punt on some cheap Chinese lights off eBay. Very cheap at under £20 for a pair including wiring. I didn’t have high expectations, but they can’t be that bad, can they? Read on…

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Categories
Hardware

Fitting Relay & Fusebox for Accessories

After my other half had flattened her battery twice this week, I promised to wire the heated grips up properly with a relay…

When we first bought the CBF500 it came with heated grips fitted, but they were installed with no relay, so all too easy to leave them on when parking up. After my other half had flattened her battery twice in this manner this week, I promised to wire them up properly with a relay to cut the power when the bike’s ignition is off. However, the heated grips aren’t the only accessory wired in, we have a satnav, USB sockets and probably more gadgets in the future. So, to help simplify stuff, I opted for a secondary fuse/distribution box.

Tapping the rear number plate live is a good choice in case the new circuit causes a short, loosing the number plate light won’t prevent us riding.

A mate happened to have a basic Mictuning 6-way fuse box going spare – perfect for the job. My plan was to tap a switched live feed from the rear number plate light circuit, which would trigger a relay, to feed this fuse box and in turn all of the bike’s gadgets. Tapping the rear number plate live is a good choice in case the new circuit causes a short for any reason; losing the number plate light is no big loss and won’t prevent us from riding. On the CBF500 this light is connected by some bullet connectors behind the rear right-hand fairing panel. I opted to strip back the insulation and solder on a feed, rather than using a Scotch lock which has a reputation for failing. The final join was covered in heat shrink wrap and waterproofed with amalgamating tape.

Tapping Number Plate Light Live
Tapping Number Plate Light Live
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Categories
Clothing/Protection Gear Reviews

Schuberth C3 Pro Woman Helmet – Initial Review…

Schuberth C3 Pro Woman Helmet - 1
In case you forget you're a 'Woman'...
Schuberth C3 Pro Woman Helmet - 6
Schuberth C3 Pro Woman Helmet

Alright, gather round—this one starts with my missus looking at me over a mug of tea and going, “Get a new helmet for your birthday.” And who am I to argue with a woman encouraging better gear? So off I stomp to the London Bike Show at Excel, boots loud, expectations low, ready to find something that actually fits my head and my vibe.

First hurdle: getting served. I’m stood at the Helmet City stand, waiting my turn like a decent human, and somehow blokes who rocked up after me are getting helped first. Classic. Must’ve left my invisibility cloak on. So I deploy the old stage cough—deep, theatrical, impossible to ignore. Suddenly, I exist again. Funny how that works.

Now, I briefly considered whether I’d have had better luck if I’d turned up in skin-tight leggings and a branded crop top, doing the whole promo-girl routine. But that’s not me, babe. I’m here for gear, not attention for the wrong reasons. Anyway, once I had the guy’s focus, fair play—service was solid. Helpful, patient, no weird vibes once we got going.

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