Something useful for you touring lot -- and Disco Dan, of course

[Big Dave]

No use for any of that stuff at all - I don't even have a mobile phone.

For my own bike I want a speedometer, a tacho, an odometer, a neutral, oil and indicator warning lights and that's IT.

No trip computer, no fuel gauge, no gps, no phone, no heated anything, no screens, no bodywork - bike, wheels, motor, handlebars, me.

All that other stuff is just degrees of softness in what used to be a hard man's game. ;-P

[skidMark]

I know, that's what I do when I'm riding for pleasure. But when you're commuting and you have to be at a certain place at a certain time to meet somebody or take an exam, it's a bit of a pisser.

um look at the map before you leave like i do only once ever have i had to take it out of my bag again

[xwhatsit]

um look at the map before you leave like i do only once ever have i had to take it out of my bag again

Why are we arguing about this?

I know you think you've got a big dick and an Eidetic memory.

However, some of us ride Hondas.

[xwhatsit]

No use for any of that stuff at all - I don't even have a mobile phone.

For my own bike I want a speedometer, a tacho, an odometer, a neutral, oil and indicator warning lights and that's IT.

No trip computer, no fuel gauge, no gps, no phone, no heated anything, no screens, no bodywork - bike, wheels, motor, handlebars, me.

All that other stuff is just degrees of softness in what used to be a hard man's game. ;-P

Ah you great blouse. My neutral warning light blew

Get what you're saying, though. I'm a bit of a contradiction -- compsci student who loves gadgets and flashing LEDs and stuff like that. However I'm slowly trying to assemble a bare-bones café racer, where you don't really even want a proper seat.

What I really want, I think, is two bikes. One for commuting and work, where a GPS and lots of storage and stuff would be terribly useful. And another for play; like you said, just me, two wheels, handlebars and a motor. Maybe a frame, too.

[skidMark]

Why are we arguing about this?

I know you think you've got a big dick and an Eidetic memory.

However, some of us ride Hondas.

it's ok i'm sure it's not by choice

[Wolf]

Fucking left hand controls huh? If this was the US of A I`d sue them for discrimination.

Dude, just turn it upside down...

[Blackbird]

I bought a Garmin 76 CX hand-held GPS recently, mainly for when Mrs B and I are legging it round in foreign climes (oh yes, and as a cool toy )but the NZ auto-routing software is brilliant. It must be based on satellite imaging because even the private road behind my office on our manufacturing site is shown on it!

[Templar]

We got a Garmin Zumo for a trip we're planning at end of year. I love the thing, damn mint. We have been househunting for our first home for a few months now, and it makes it so easy to visit open homes.

I'd love to say how it performs on a bike, but still waitin on that part of the equipment but think the GPS is awesome.

My touring bike (until the latest ETA of July anyway):

[90s]

I use a sophisiticated GPS, although to you it might look like a map in the top clear pocekt of my oxford tankbag.

And of course I never look at the map because I am a man. Oh yes.

In fact I took part in one of the original SatNav design studies for users navigation systems conducted by HUSAT in the early or mid-1990s. I was required to drive to various locations where I would open an envlope giving the next address. I then went there, etc. We were fully supplied with maps and had to describe our navigation style after (no actual satnav was in the car).

One night in the pub I was approached by a drunk guy who was laughing his head off - said I entertained his team no end and was a total star. Turns out he was the team leader and the car was secretly fitted with 6 cameras to observe behaviour. He said I drove randomly at speed for hours, singing my head off to tapes I'd brought with me.

Still, works for me.

[Disco Dan]

I use a sophisiticated GPS, although to you it might look like a map in the top clear pocekt of my oxford tankbag.

And of course I never look at the map because I am a man. Oh yes.

In fact I took part in one of the original SatNav design studies for users navigation systems conducted by HUSAT in the early or mid-1990s. I was required to drive to various locations where I would open an envlope giving the next address. I then went there, etc. We were fully supplied with maps and had to describe our navigation style after (no actual satnav was in the car).

One night in the pub I was approached by a drunk guy who was laughing his head off - said I entertained his team no end and was a total star. Turns out he was the team leader and the car was secretly fitted with 6 cameras to observe behaviour. He said I drove randomly at speed for hours, singing my head off to tapes I'd brought with me.

Still, works for me.

oh my! That would have been funny!!!

...tank bags are handy... ...I have to pull over, remove gloves.. remove hi-vis, remove back pack... take out map.. find where I am... memorise the next 2-3 intersections... put everything back on... continue... absolute pain.

....must get me one of those gps thingies...

[TS99]

We got a Garmin Zumo ....

Seen those in the flesh, nice bit of kit, but waaaaay too expensive. $1800 buys a lot of gas and a lot of pootling around... i'd rather get lost tks!

In case you're feelin rich (like templar) try here for a looksee https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=135