Category: Clothing/Protection

EDZ Ladies Merino Wool Base Layers Review

Post author By Jay
Post date November 6, 2017
No Comments on EDZ Ladies Merino Wool Base Layers Review

Alright, gather round—you’re about to hear the least sexy Christmas wish list you’ve ever encountered. Some people want lace, silk, and a bit of “ooh la la” under the tree. Me? I looked my partner dead in the eye and said, “Get me more EDZ Merino wool base layers or don’t bother.” Romance isn’t dead, it just smells faintly of engine oil and practicality.

Now, before you start judging, let me explain. I picked up my first set of EDZ Merino wool base layers—a long-sleeved top and matching leggings—at the Excel Bike Show last February. There was a cheeky little discount on, which softened the blow because let’s not pretend otherwise: merino wool ain’t cheap. But listen, I’ve been living in these things ever since, and I mean that in the most committed, borderline concerning way.

Tags Base Layers, Ladies

Clothing/Protection Gear Reviews

Schuberth C3 Pro Woman Helmet – Initial Review…

Post author By Jay
Post date March 1, 2017
No Comments on 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.

Tags Helmets, Ladies

Clothing/Protection Gear Reviews

Furygan Jet Lady D3O Sympatex Shorty Boots Review

Post author By Jay
Post date September 9, 2016
No Comments on Furygan Jet Lady D3O Sympatex Shorty Boots Review

Right, let’s talk about the eternal struggle: finding bike boots when your calves aren’t built like pipe cleaners. Some of us have legs with a bit of presence, alright? And most full-length boots act like they’ve got a personal vendetta against that fact. I’ve done the whole desperate late-night scrolling, rolling the dice on dodgy second-hand pairs—absolute circus. So when I finally landed on the Furygan Jet Lady D3O short boots at the London Motorcycle Show, it felt less like shopping and more like a small personal victory.

Now, these are ankle boots—so let’s be honest from the jump. You’re not getting the same level of protection as a full-length touring boot. If you want full gladiator mode, look elsewhere. But what you do get is a proper, practical compromise: solid CE armour, decent coverage, and—most importantly—comfort that doesn’t make you want to launch them into the nearest hedge halfway through a ride.

Tags Boots

Clothing/Protection

Replacing a Schuberth S2 or C3 Inner Sunvisor

Post author By Arthur
Post date August 20, 2016
No Comments on Replacing a Schuberth S2 or C3 Inner Sunvisor

Schuberth S2 Inner Sun Visor Somehow, I managed to break one of the clips for the inner sun visor on my Schuberth S2 helmet (same visor for C3 and C3 Pro). Despite using duct tape to secure it, invariably it would come free and start flapping around whilst I’m in the middle of riding. Less than ideal.

Today I finally got around to fitting my replacement sun visor. A little bit tricky as the pins on the hinges that go through the visor are slanted to ease the visor slotting in and prevent it from coming out. I managed to gently push one pin from behind with a piece of wooden dowel, then prise the visor out. The visor having broken on the other side negated the need to repeat on the other pin.

No matter how hard you try, you inevitably cover it in fingerprints…

Fitting the new sun visor was a bit easier, but required some coordination to slide both sides of the visor into both hinges at the same time whilst keeping them and the helmet still. No matter how hard you try, you inevitably cover it in fingerprints… 🙁

The replacement sun visor cost £35 from SportsBikeShop. Note it comes in two sizes for different helmet sizes.

Search for Schuberth S2 / C3 / C3 Pro visors at SportsBikeShop

Tags Helmets

Clothing/Protection Maintenance Riding

Whoops! I Did It Again…

Smashed her up pretty bad. Fairing number three trashed!

Tags Crash Protection

Clothing/Protection Gear Reviews

Forcefield Back Protectors Review, Armour Insert for Rukka Jackets

Post author By Arthur
Post date January 6, 2015
No Comments on Forcefield Back Protectors Review, Armour Insert for Rukka Jackets

Forcefield back protectors Rukka insert — Armour Inserts: Left, Forcefield 009; Right, Rukka RVP.

If like me, you have a Rukka jacket with a back armour insert that’s worse for wear, then you’ll be interested in this replacement from Forcefield. Well known for their quality armour products, Forcefield has a range of armour inserts in many different shapes for all manner of jackets. For Rukka back protector owners you need the 009 model, which as you can see above is a like-for-like replacement. Well, not completely, the 009 insert is slightly thicker than the original Rukka RVP insert and is CE Level 2 certified to afford greater protection.

Tags Armour

Clothing/Protection Gear Reviews

Alpinestars P1 Sport Touring Drystar Trousers Review

Post author By Arthur
Post date December 11, 2014
No Comments on Alpinestars P1 Sport Touring Drystar Trousers Review

As summer comes to a close and winter approaches, the prospect of wet riding days looms with a damp inevitability. I was fed up with my waterproof over-trousers that were no longer waterproof, and a hassle to put on, as well as causing me to slip around on the seat and more importantly, look pretty naff. Definitely time for some new textile gear. Being a cheapskate, I hit eBay and found these Alpinestars P1 Sport Touring Drystar trousers brand new for £100. They’re not current, but the Drystar range is still going strong and well regarded.

Tags Trousers, Waterproofing

Clothing/Protection

Children’s Motorcycle Fashion – Textiles

Post author By Arthur
Post date October 29, 2014
No Comments on Children’s Motorcycle Fashion – Textiles

Textiles are very much on trend this season and extremely popular out on the road. Our model wears a vintage Hein Gericke Sheltex jacket with matching trousers (eBay, £20-30), RST MX Boots (eBay, £15). The look is then finished with a Hoo Rag ‘blue digital camo’ scarf ($16) to accessorise.

The children’s Hein Gericke combo is a miniature version of the adult line, featuring the same removable lining, waterproof protection, CE armour and pocket for a Hiprotec back armour insert. However, it also has zips in the arms and legs for adding length as the wearer grows. The trousers also have an elasticated waist and braces.

Tags Jacket, Kids, Trousers

Clothing/Protection

Not Your Usual Hi-Vis

getoffphone-hiviz Definitely liking this Hi-Vis!

Tags Safety

Clothing/Protection Riding

Motorcycle Winter Preparation

Post author By Arthur
Post date September 23, 2014
No Comments on Motorcycle Winter Preparation

We may be having a particularly warm and dry autumn so far, but it won’t last long. So now is the time to start thinking out your winter preparations. At Beginner Biker Adventures, we’re not fair-weather bikers,

we’re not fair-weather bikers

it’ll take some pretty extreme weather to stop us from riding and we use our bikes to commute year-round. Granted, in London, the weather rarely gets too bad and very few roads will be impossible to ride in the winter, nonetheless, good motorcycle winter preparation ensures safe riding throughout the winter months. Check out these useful tips to prepare.

Tags Waterproofing, Winter