The Balding Eagle got his L Plates

[BaldingEagle]

Hi all

I have just got my L plates so thought I would put a quick hello out to all the people around. Although started a little late, I have enjoy my early mid life crisis (I’m in my early 30ish).

Just sat my BHS test up in Albany on Sunday. Was a pretty full on couple of hours, especially where the only riding experience I had was a quad and a long time ago. But after getting use to the clutch and not turning the handle bars so much (dang quads). I was away. Now sure how I passed the test but I did.

The Younger guy I was doing my test with did really well, but I’m happy to ride my own speed. I’m defiantly on my baby steps now.

The instructor said that it 5 times hard to ride a bike than a car; personally I say it more than that.

So things I’m doing this weekend

1. Finding a helmet for freakishly large head.

Gone of the days of the 4XL helmet, in my Rally days I used a 2XL to 3XL open face helmet. Either my Head has change shape or helmets have shrunk. The Guys at Mount Eden cycles where very helpful. Cycletrends on Barry point road deserves a honourable mention as well.
One shop close to K road (not using any names) said the only one they could get was a $900 Shoei. Great helmet but a little too much for me.

So, currently three front runners are.
Shoei Raid 2
Shoei XR1000
Shark S500

Must have driven to 5 different shops and tried at least 50 helmets and these so far are the ones that got on the head. There where more that got on, but once I tried get my glasses on forget it.

So quick question, has anybody had any experience with these helmets or have any advice for someone with a big head and glasses.

2. Finding what models bikes fit me

Currently are the allowed the use of my flatmates Hyosung GT250R. He Get the use my car for shopping I get to borrow the bike for ridding around car parks.
Not the best for me as it is a full fairing bike and skill level is low. Wouldn’t mind if it my own bike but not a loner
As funds allow and as bikes come to the market.

Favourite options are
Honda VTR250
A ninja
Or the Ginny 250. (Stop laughing, I think it a good learners cycle)

But it will be a case finding something fits my slightly larger frame. 6foot 2 (186cm) and around 110kgs. Joy

3. Deciding on a budget for protective gear.
Will look at this soon as already put a hole in my jeans on my first ride? Got a little close to rose bush. :doh: Hate what would of to see what happen if that was gravel.

Anyway got a long time to sort out the details now.

So if you see anybody stalling and wobbling through the car parks of Mount Eden on a black Hyosung. Wave out, it may be the Balding Eagle.

[vifferman]

Welcome, O Baldingness of Eagle! :wavey:

The XR1000 is a great helmet, but I can't advise what it's like with glasses and a huge brain encased in a largeish bonedome thingo. However (but!) my wife has a Raid, and wears glasses, and chose it because of all the helmets she tried on (including flip-fronts) it was the bestest fit. But (however!) unlike you, her cranial challengedness is at the opposite end of the scale.

[DidJit]

Welcome and congratulations on the 6L! :woohoo:

[steve_t]

Congrats on the L. I hear the Shoei Multitec is a good one for glasses with grooves in the lining for the arms. I haven't had a look yet but will need to in a bit. Let us know what you decide on

[BaldingEagle]

Congrats on the L. I hear the Shoei Multitec is a good one for glasses with grooves in the lining for the arms. I haven't had a look yet but will need to in a bit. Let us know what you decide on

Argh my white whale returns to huant me.

The Shoei Multitec is a great helmet; it was the $900 helmet I referred to above.
If money wasn’t a problem that what I what get. But it a $250 premium over the Xr1000 and whopping $600 over the Shark.

If someone is in line for a flip helmet it would be on I recommend for it comfort. After 2 hours of helmets trying it was one of the few that felt firm but not skull cracking. Rest of the helmets where up to normal Shoei quality as well (high).

[vifferman]

My wife wanted to buy a flip-front, but found that all the ones she tried on moved around too much on her head.
Mr Hitcher will have all the info on good large helmets - his gourd is, by all accounts (and his own admission) absolutely GINORMOUS.
I suspect he's busy BIKEOI-ing right now, but when he comes back, no doubt he'll chip in.

[Cheshire Cat]

full on couple of hours for a BHS test?? WTF!!! mine only took half an hour

[BaldingEagle]

full on couple of hours for a BHS test?? WTF!!! mine only took half an hour

Hi Cheshire

I’m sure that half an hour test is possible.
But remember I never ridden on a real two wheeler before going to the test.
Although knew what parts did what, I had never been on one. Used a quad on a farm a couple of times but doesn’t count.

So basic time was this
Took 30 minutes to get use to starting off and starting by myself. Include getting to second gear and back. Basically getting use to it as well.
15 minutes to get use to leaning the bike for turns. Still not brilliant at this as it weird feeling for a car driver. My time on a quad was more hindrance than help.
Another 15 for playing the brakes, and remember that last Sunday was wet so it was interesting. Thankfully bike used where GN125 so they where forgiving.

About 1 hour for the test.

Good chance that I a slow learner though

Also thanks for your PM, can’t reply back yet, not trust enough yet by the group :shifty:

[The Everlasting]

Congrats,I too just did my BHS test..:D

[Cheshire Cat]

Hi Cheshire

I’m sure that half an hour test is possible.
But remember I never ridden on a real two wheeler before going to the test.
Although knew what parts did what, I had never been on one. Used a quad on a farm a couple of times but doesn’t count.

So basic time was this
Took 30 minutes to get use to starting off and starting by myself. Include getting to second gear and back. Basically getting use to it as well.
15 minutes to get use to leaning the bike for turns. Still not brilliant at this as it weird feeling for a car driver. My time on a quad was more hindrance than help.
Another 15 for playing the brakes, and remember that last Sunday was wet so it was interesting. Thankfully bike used where GN125 so they where forgiving.

About 1 hour for the test.

Good chance that I a slow learner though

Also thanks for your PM, can’t reply back yet, not trust enough yet by the group :shifty:



OK....I wasnt trying to pick at you or be mean. I was just wondering why the one in rotorua was so short.

[BaldingEagle]

OK....I wasnt trying to pick at you or be mean. I was just wondering why the one in rotorua was so short.

No offence taken. Just trying to show where the time went.

Showed the parents my learners last night, have not been that much in trouble with mum since I burn the tree down in the back yard when I was 8. (bee hive, petrol and a match. Good idea at the time).
Dad was more happy. He wants to see her reaction when I ride up the drive way for the first time.
Oh fun times, no matter how old you are mum are still mums. Yesh.

[Cheshire Cat]

No offence taken. Just trying to show where the time went.

Showed the parents my learners last night, have not been that much in trouble with mum since I burn the tree down in the back yard when I was 8. (bee hive, petrol and a match. Good idea at the time).
Dad was more happy. He wants to see her reaction when I ride up the drive way for the first time.
Oh fun times, no matter how old you are mum are still mums. Yesh.

Good on yah!!! :banana:

[marine0089]

Was a pretty full on couple of hours, especially where the only riding experience I had was a quad and a long time ago. But after getting use to the clutch and not turning the handle bars so much (dang quads).

Congratulations BaldingEagle.

I went quad bike riding in Taupo the other day (great fun, fully recommended) and when I told them i've only ever ridden a 2 wheeler they made sure to drill into me that you have to turn the bars as leaning does nothing.

Apparently people that have 10+ years exp on 2 wheelers have the most trouble picking it up on the quads.

Shame they didn't drill that into my girl who is used to leaning from road biking.... :doh:

[Hopeful Bastard]

Well done man! Mums soon get over it.. Or they show that they get over it but really, They dont. I love riding on an L plate. Stick between 2 cars and sit on 100k :)

Enjoy the freedom of 2 wheels!

[varminter]

[QUOTE=BaldingEagle;1129518269]Hi all

I have just got my L plates so thought I would put a quick hello out to all the people around. Although started a little late, I have enjoy my early mid life crisis (I’m in my early 30ish).

Early 30's, for goodness sake, my sons are older than that:eek: I've been riding for a year and a half (sounds longer than 18 months):bleh:

[Grasshopperus]

So, currently three front runners are.
Shoei Raid 2
Shoei XR1000
Shark S500

Favourite options are
Honda VTR250
A ninja
Or the Ginny 250. (Stop laughing, I think it a good learners cycle)

But it will be a case finding something fits my slightly larger frame. 6foot 2 (186cm) and around 110kgs. Joy



Hi dude, I recently went through the BHS, learner license, gear, and first bike fun too and I'm also the same size and age (round about) as you, let me give you my findings.

The Shark s650 (s500 is not in production anymore apparently) fits a big head easily. Less than $300 new too. A lot of what you get with pricey helmets is a lighter more comfortable helmet but that's moot if the $300 one fits you fine.

Quasimoto gear is pretty cool looking leather and getting good gear with armour stitched into it makes you feel more safe and confident about getting out of the driveway.

Decide what type of bike you want. Normal looking like a GN250? sporty like a ninja or that hyosung, or cruiser-style like a honda magna? I knew I wanted a sports bike so I went to heaps of shops and just sat on the ones I wanted to try, drove a couple and then made my choice. For what it's worth, the ZXR250A (C model is OK too but not as big I think) fits tall guys better than most 250cc sportsbikes. Use the search thing at the top of the KB page for specific models of bike and see what the pros on this site think about them.

Good luck and grats on the license.

[Dirty Heathen]

Ended up getting a HJC FG 15 really nice helmet.

Was pretty funny was sitting at intersection on main road when guy turing right in a van started waving to me was the HJC rep lol.

[Hitcher]

Congrats on the L. I hear the Shoei Multitec is a good one for glasses with grooves in the lining for the arms. I haven't had a look yet but will need to in a bit. Let us know what you decide on

Remember that Shoei's sizing on the Multitec is a full size smaller than for their normal full-face lids: A XXL Multi is the same fit as an XL normal.

Resign yourself to the sad fact that if your cranium is XXL or larger, you will never find a flip-front lid to fit.

[Hitcher]

The Shark s650 (s500 is not in production anymore apparently) fits a big head easily.

No it doesn't. There are only two helmet manufacturers (money no object) who make helmets that fit large heads -- that's HJC and Shoei. If you want either of these manufacturers' lids in a choice of colour, delivered in reasonable time and at a good price, buy them online ex-USA. Don't worry about doing the local trade out of a dollar. If they wanted to sell them, they'd stock them.

[BaldingEagle]

No it doesn't. There are only two helmet manufacturers (money no object) who make helmets that fit large heads -- that's HJC and Shoei. If you want either of these manufacturers' lids in a choice of colour, delivered in reasonable time and at a good price, buy them online ex-USA. Don't worry about doing the local trade out of a dollar. If they wanted to sell them, they'd stock them.

Hi Hitcher and others.

Have you got any recommendation for web pages as most I can find will not ship outside the US or freight charges are so high they are I might as well get the 3XL Raid 2 that Mt Eden cycle can get for me.

Thanks Rhys

[vifferman]

WHere did you try? I just googled "motorcycle helmets" and turned up some that ship internationally and looked OK. Some merchants will only ship using tracked international couriers though - that added another 50% to the cost of my rear shock. Also, US internal freight is relatively cheap, but international isn't, unless you aren't in a hurry. I had a free item shipped from Canadia at the cheapest rate - took four months.

Weigh it up - if Mt Eden have a helmet that's OK for you, is it worth the hassle and waiting to get a different colour from overseas?

Did you try Motomail too?

[BaldingEagle]

Hi Vifferman.

Yeah the ones I found via google had “shipping price given when paid” or huge amounts ($100 in one cases) as they only did by fed ex. I guess we are talking about a reasonable size item here.

I will go back to the North shore tomorrow, to try the Sharks again. If that doesn’t work then I will get Mount Eden Cycles to get the Shoei in.

Want to get something soon ish. As I want to get to the car park and practise.

[Hitcher]

Hi Hitcher and others.

Have you got any recommendation for web pages as most I can find will not ship outside the US or freight charges are so high they are I might as well get the 3XL Raid 2 that Mt Eden cycle can get for me.

Thanks Rhys

www.ridersdiscount.com.

I ordered a Shoei RF1000 (XR1000) XXXL in Antracite on a Thursday evening and wore it on a Wednesday night ride the following week. NZ$560 delivered. If your local bike shop can beat that, buy off them.

[Jenral]

I got my HJC AC-12 El Diablo from http://www.bikebandit.com/

[BaldingEagle]

found one that fits and at a good price to.

got lucky and they found a S500 (not air version)

anyway it feels pretty good hasn't got the red band on the forehead that I got with the shoei. :buggerd:

there is a few piont you can see it a liitle bit cheaper, not removal lining but venting is good and it fits (sigh of relief) :calm:

[Highlander]

found one that fits and at a good price to.

got lucky and they found a S500 (not air version)

anyway it feels pretty good hasn't got the red band on the forehead that I got with the shoei. :buggerd:

there is a few piont you can see it a liitle bit cheaper, not removal lining but venting is good and it fits (sigh of relief) :calm:

Why are you sticking up pictures of my helmet???? :whistle:
Been using one the same as that (same colour even) for the last couple of years. I still like it, can't see any reason to change yet. Wouldn't mind a pinlock visor oe somethign similar to prevent fogging up at the traffic lights on winter mornings though.

[BaldingEagle]

[QUOTE=Highlander;1129527735]Why are you sticking up pictures of my helmet???? :whistle: QUOTE]

why ??? So beeping happy i found one :2thumbsup.

Only took two weeks, 8 stores, 2 headaches and god knows how many different types tried.

anyway got to enjoy the little victories. and they said this is the only XXL they ever imported, so was lucky I got it

Next stop riding gear, then boots. at the moment I think quasimoto is the best for the price

then save up for my own bike, can't keep borrowing the flatmates for ever

[Dirty Heathen]

Good your getting all the gear first I did same thing other wise you know you will be tempted to ride without the proper gear.

[wingrider]

Have a look at 1tonne
http://1tonne.co.nz/

I have there gear and most impressed.