bippo

For those cold days: I wear a long sleeve Helly Hanson base layer which is good for wicking any sweat away from my body, thus helping to keep you warm. It's also fast drying and doesn't smell. I then wear a bigger long sleeve HH t-shirt which complements the base layer. Then it's just on with some cheap bike jacket (thermal zipper liner included). That combo keeps my top half warm (but not dry). My hands get cold, but then again I only have 80 quid winter gloves. That doesn't bother me though. However, once I have my full licence and a more long term bike I will be getting hand guards and heated grips to try and help on longer journeys. I will also eventually try buying some more expensive gloves that have greater waterproof properties, which I personal favour over the warmth properties. For my feet I have forked out for bike socks - Alpinestars ones. For 18 quid a go they aren't the cheapest but their winter socks pull up to my knees and keep everything warm down there. I also have touring boots which are completely waterproof. For my legs, I bought thermal leggings which I pop on under my trousers on particularly cold days. They do the job, however longer term I will be saving up for some proper winter bike trousers. For my head I wear a balaclava. I look like a pillock when I take my helmet off at a petrol station, but it keeps my cheeks, chin and neck warm. I also wear a Buff which I love. Understand you can get Buffs with a waterproof outer which may be worth investigating as mine would get wet in rain. Anyway with the Buff pulled over my nose I can ride in cold weather with my visor fully open on an unfaired bike at a constant 60mph which is quite refreshing - so that gives you an idea of how warm the balaclava / Buff / full face visor combo is. In terms of keeping dry, none of the above does that. So just like Ken, I have waterproof pull overs that I carry around. Even with the most expensive waterproof bike gear I believe I would still use these as they dry much faster, plus help to keep the road spray crap off your more expensive gear. Mine are a mid range Alpinestars set and cost me about 80 quid in total. The longest rainy trip I've done in these was 220 miles in one go. The weather was horrible - loads of spray, traffic and heavy rain. However when I got to my destination I'm pleased to say they didn't have any leaky seams or 'weak' spots. The ONLY wet part were my hands and about an inch of my cuffs as I hadn't sealed the jacket around the gloves properly. It tucked up well around my neck too so I didn't get and nasty cold drips down my back. As a result, only the gloves spent the night drying on the radiator. Winner! Sorry for the long post! But hopefully the above will give you some idea. At the end of the day, one persons solution may not entirely work for another person. For me, my priority is keeping dry. With regards to warmth, I'm not a person who feels the cold, so I don't need to wrap up excessively, but I have purchased enough stuff, that, when worn together will keep me comfortable. Out of all the 'warm' clothing I mentioned above, the thermal leggings are the least used in my collection as the long socks mean only my thighs get cold which personally doesn't bother me. Certainly though on long trips, or trips where you won't be able to get warm at the end of it, I'd say prepare yourself as best as possible and don't cut corners.

Thanks! I'm saving up for its service prior to leaving and will be replacing anything that needs it. I believe the front tyre will need replacing by then as its still stock (not very good on a cheap YBR). The rear is an after market (puncture) which still looks good at the mo. Thanks Drewpy - I've mapped out the main route today and it looks like I'll be going down some nice roads. I'm also going to map out a more meandering route which will take in some quieter roads - perfect option should the weather be nice!

Hey, thanks for the message! Duely noted about the air filter. The bike will be going in for its 3.5k service before the trip. It's a decent garage so I'll be letting the mechanic know about my intended adventure. Regarding luggage I'm taking soft luggage. I have a small tank bag so I can carry my essentials and map. That isn't the most waterproof in a proper downpour, but I just put everything in sandwich bags which works fine. On the back of the bike I'm taking a couple of small roll-top panniers. They are just Oxford ones and not too big. I have used one before on a 450 mile round trip which was just strapped to the rack. For one half of that journey it pissed down constantly and I was on the bike for many hours navigating non motorway roads I'd never seen before. I'm pleased to say the contents of that roll-top bag were bone dry at the end so I'm really pleased with them. I've tested the panniers on the bike and they fit securely which is good. I've also test packed and have more then enough room to carry my stuff, bike maintenance and camping equipment. At the moment it just looks like the tent I'll be strapped to the luggage rack due to its size. The choice to camp wasn't my original intention, but if you're going to do an adventure, might as well do it properly! I'm saving up for a different roll-mat as the pack size is much smaller than my current one. Then all that's left to buy is the tent. Once I have them I'll be able to do a proper test pack and will be using it as a cheeky excuse for a dry run one weekend!

Hey Scott, welcome to the forum. Hope you manage to sort the problem...

Hello Alan - welcome! I won't be able to help you out there, but post your techie questions up in the workshop area and I'm sure someone will be able to guide you.

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum!

Hey Mitch, welcome to the forum! A few guys with that bike on here, so sure you'll get some hints and tips. Recommend you have a gander through the forum search.

Hey and welcome to the forum! Lucky bike being treated to such a cozy home during this weather... ;-)

Hey Rossco - welcome to the forum!

Hey and welcome to the forum!

Here, here!! I used to rent a new build flat near Manchester, however as with most of those flats it backed straight onto a council estate. I often used to see benefit theiving scum snorting coke in their back gardens, without a care in the world. They drove an M5 too... Plenty of other nice cars across the estate actually - a far cry from the working folk in my flat block! They also found it fun to come and smash our car windows etc on a near weekly basis. Needless to say I moved away as fast as I could!

Hey and welcome to the forum Haley! I have a YBR too, fun little bike. Enjoy and stay safe!

Hey Brig, welcome to the forum and enjoy your new ride - your wife sounds like a keeper!! ;-)

Great intro Steve. Welcome to the forum!

Hey and welcome to the forum! Start up a project thread in the relevant section so you can share your progress and pictures with all of us.

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Thanks, well I've given it some thought and I'm going to camp! It does mean that I'll probably be aiming for May instead of March as I have a few things to buy that I need to spread across pay packets, but never mind. Certainly after my packing test run (when I was working off staying in B&B's) I'll have enough room for the additional stuff needed for camping. It'll just require some more logistical planning and a test run to a nearer campsite before setting off on the long trip.

Hey and welcome to the forum!

Hey and welcome to the forum!

Thanks Mike! I love Polzeath, so am looking to stay around there. Alternatively I'll look around Crantock or Perranporth. Thanks! I've really planned my packing down to the bare bones, and already wondered whether I could ditch some of it... Very different mindset to going away in a car! Thanks Davie! Although I'm a girl too... so perhaps our 'interests' are slightly different!! Ha ha! ;-)

Thanks Sacha :-) Your 'maintenance' kit is duly noted and a flashlight will certainly be bought along as I'll be riding in the dark at some point. In my trip down and back I plan on just topping up as and when I see a petrol station - the little bike will want all the rests it can get! But on the plus side, I can get around 170 miles out of the tank before I start worrying about fuel, so it should be ok.

This is great information, thanks so much. I'm torn between two options at the moment: A. Staying in a B&B which means I'll be able to do this sooner. I also test packed last night and I have more than enough room across my two 15 litre pannier bags. B. To camp. Option B is my preferred as it feels like more of an adventure. It does however mean I have a few more things to purchase up front, so although it'll be cheap when I'm away it'll push the date slightly. The good news is that with my test packing last night I'll have room for the tent etc on the rack!

Hey Camel - welcome to the forum!

Hey all, When Spring shows its face I'm going on a road trip! I'm using this trip as a chance to build up my experience before working towards my full license. Also, I found last years 450 mile jaunt so much more fun than the car (despite the speed, constant rain, fog, cold and navigation of non-motorway roads!) I'm in the planning stages at the moment. I don't yet know when and how much time I'll be taking off work. What I do know is that I've narrowed it down to Cornwall. I'll be cleaning and servicing the bike before leaving, but I was wondering if you guys could let me know what sort of things I should carry in my armoury for bike maintenance? So far I'm thinking: - RAC card - chain lube - WD-40 - zip ties - duct tape - bike tools I'll also be making sure tyre pressure and suspension are adjusted accordingly for the additional weight, although I'll be doing what i can to pack as light as possible. Finally do you guys have any helpful hints and tips for a 1000+ mile trip? I've never done anything like this before on a bike. Thanks in advance for your help - I'm really looking forward to doing this on a 125 - it'll make me appreciate a larger capacity bike once the L plates are torn up!