How much for a pair of sock?! Socks are socks, aren’t they? As a self confessed cheap skate frugal shopper, I purchase almost all of my socks and underwear from budget supermarkets opting for whatever socks seems study enough to last a while. So when Soxsmith asked me to review some technical motorcycle socks, I was very interested to see how they stacked up and if they’re really worth the extra outlay. Yep, I must be getting old to appreciate being given socks… Continue reading “Soxsmith Comodo Motorcycle Sock Review” »
All posts by Arthur
Cold Tyres, Low-Side, First Scrape on the FZ6
Didn’t have a great start the other morning. Should have known better.
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A case of cold tyres, rushing around, late for work and too eager on the throttle. Literally the second left turn after leaving the house, trying to gas it to make a gap in the traffic and back wheel just span up, low sided and off the bike went sliding down the road. Gutted. Continue reading “Cold Tyres, Low-Side, First Scrape on the FZ6” »
Rev’it! Sand 3 Textile Jacket Review
The lowly motorbike jacket is an underrated garment we all take for granted, yet it has a tough role to perform. A good jacket must first and foremost keep you well protected from impacts, slides down the road and whatever the weather throws at you. On rough days, it should keep you warm and dry, and on hot days keep you cool. Finally it needs to be comfortable to wear and crucially, look good. No one is going to enjoy a jacket that’s badly fitting or looks a bit naff. Some of you may splash out on a jacket for each season, but others starting out on two wheels will likely be on a tighter budget and will be after a single all weather jacket. Similarly, if you’re planning a long tour or just commuting at the mercy of the British weather, then you really need one jacket that can cover you from all eventualities.
The Rev’It! Sand 3 jacket aims to tick all the boxes and provide an all seasons jacket in the mid-price bracket for around £360. Provided for review by Fortamoto.com (the well regards Amsterdam based motorcycle store), I’ve put it through it’s paces over the last few wintery weeks in London. Read on to see if it lives up to promises. Continue reading “Rev’it! Sand 3 Textile Jacket Review” »
End of an Era – Fazer Sold
And so it goes, all good things come to a close. Last week was the end of an era as I sold my Yamaha Fazer FZS600. My first bike since passing my full bike license back in 2012 (crumbs how time flies!), and a bike I’ve ridden almost every day since then.
The bike has done me proud, one I’ve always been able to rely upon, easy enough to ride as a new biker, yet fun and powerful enough to keep up with my growing confidence and skills. I had some up’s and down’s, a couple of off’s as my skills developed, but the bullet proof Fazer just kept going with modest repairs. The Fazer was also a breeze to work on, giving me chance to learn a lot of basic maintenance skills too.
It’s a bit daft how one can get all emotional about a bike (or any vehicle for that matter), but when so many fond memories are wrapped up in a bike, you do build up an attachment that can make it difficult to sell. But alas, needs must, times change and my old Fazer FZS600 had to be moved on. I got a respectable price as it was sold to another young biker looking for a their first big bike, I’m sure he’ll get much enjoyment from the Fazer.
Here’s some photos of a few of those key memories from my time with the Fazer.
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- Fazer owners rideout
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- A maintenance session down at OMC
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- Ace Cafe Toy Run
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- Brands Hatch track day
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- The fateful off…
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- Getting the kids involved
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- On tour passing through the home counties
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- Summer ride out to Essex coast
Cheap Chinese Heated Vest Review
When it comes to staying warm on a motorbike, the traditional option is to layer up, loads of jumpers and thermals, but end up feeling like a Michelin man with restricted movement. These days however, there’s loads of great electrically heated gear on the market, from gloves and socks to vests and pants. All nice thin layers that keep you toasty without bulkiness. The only problem is, much of this serious gear comes at a serious price.
It’s at this point you may have noticed a lot of very cheap heated clothing on eBay from China. It can’t all be that bad, can it? So in the name of research, we picked up a heated vest for the princely sum of £20 (delivered). A far cry from big name brands costing £100-150 or more. Read on to see if we wasted our money or found a little far Eastern gem.
Year End Pitstop
With a new year dawning, let us take a quick pitstop to look back at the years past adventures and look forward at future adventures planned. 2018 was a busy year for me with my main day job, involving many trips abroad to San Francisco, San Diego and Berlin and almost trips to Belgium and Switzerland, but these I managed to delegate to others in my team.
The longer trips to California were great as they afforded me time off to hire some bikes to explore the San Fran Bay area more. First a big Harley Road King from Eagle Rider and later a Triumph Bonneville T100 from Dubbelju. Very different bikes, but both a lot of fun in their own ways. I was pleasantly surprised how well the Bonney could be hustled around the winding forest roads, whilst presenting an air of relaxed sophistication. California has some epic scenery and roads to explore, from the sweeping Pacific coast line, huge Redwood forests to nearby mountain ranges. If you’re in the area, definitely get yourself a bike to explore, you won’t regret it. Continue reading “Year End Pitstop” »
Yamaha Faze-Off – 2003 FZS600 vs 2007 FZ6 S2
I’ve had the 2003 FZS600 for many years, but I recently picked up a 2007 FZ6 S2 a couple of months ago. Both formidable and affordable commuter tools that promise plenty of fun on the twisty roads too. But how do they really compare? On paper, they appear similar, both inline 4 cylinder 600cc sports tourers, but the devil is in the detail and only when used daily do the differences become pronounced. Continue reading “Yamaha Faze-Off – 2003 FZS600 vs 2007 FZ6 S2” »
Biker Down
A couple of weeks ago I was out leading a ride with my local IAM group, snaking up through the Essex countryside to the Krazy Horse custom bike shop and cafe in Bury St Edmunds. The morning had started wet, but gradually the sun come out and dried up the roads well. It was a cracking ride, we all had a spot of lunch at Krazy Horse and a lovely ride back to Ongar, before all going our separate ways home. It was as I was riding a few miles from home that I came across a scene that all bikers dread. Continue reading “Biker Down” »
Howto Temporary Repair a Puncture
Totally gutted. Less than a month old pair of Michelin Pilot Road 5’s with a bloody screw stuck in the rear tyre. Very annoying, but it need not screw up your whole day, if you know how to temporary plug a tyre, you can be one the move again with minimal delay. This howto will step by step show you how to repair a tyre with a temporary plug that will get you home or to a garage for a permanent repair.
Ring Analogue Air Compressor Pump Long Term Review
Keeping your motorcycle tyre pressures correct is crucial to keeping your bike handling well. When down on pressure and you can really notice the handling go down hill, with cornering suddenly feeling unnatural and tyres squaring off faster. As such every biker needs a good pump they can rely on to keep tyre pressures on spec at all times. About a year ago I picked up this Ring analogue air pump from Screwfix for just under £20 quid and has since been put to good use in that time. Read more to find out my final verdict after a year of use. Continue reading “Ring Analogue Air Compressor Pump Long Term Review” »