The Balding Eagle got his L Plates

**BaldingEagle** · 17th November 2009, 09:52

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.

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** · 17th November 2009, 10:04

Welcome, O Baldingness of Eagle!

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** · 17th November 2009, 10:08

Welcome and congratulations on the 6L!

**steve_t** · 17th November 2009, 10:26

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** · 17th November 2009, 12:36

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 17th November 2009, 12:39

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** · 17th November 2009, 12:41

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

**BaldingEagle** · 17th November 2009, 13:40

Originally Posted by Cheshire Cat

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

**The Everlasting** · 17th November 2009, 16:06

Congrats,I too just did my BHS test..

**Cheshire Cat** · 18th November 2009, 07:52

Originally Posted by BaldingEagle

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

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

**BaldingEagle** · 18th November 2009, 08:12

Originally Posted by Cheshire Cat

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** · 18th November 2009, 08:15

Originally Posted by BaldingEagle

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!!!

**marine0089** · 18th November 2009, 08:55

Originally Posted by BaldingEagle

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....

**Hopeful Bastard** · 18th November 2009, 16:27

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** · 18th November 2009, 19:25

[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

I've been riding for a year and a half (sounds longer than 18 months)