How difficult.

Author
Discussion

RenPug

630 posts

167 months

Friday 16th February 2018
quotequote all
downsman said:
Yes, just buy a half hood with easy in zip. You just step into the car as if there is no hood and zip it up once you're in. The Softbits for sevens ones are remarkably water proof too, but you will need a shower cap to cover the half hood when parked.
Interesting, I didn't realise you could get a half hood with a zip. I'm 6'5" and I do struggle a bit with a normal half hood. Used a full roof a couple of times when I hired a Caterham before buying mine and it was a nightmare to get in and out. The half hood is better but a zipped one would be great. Off to search one out now.

CanAm

9,115 posts

271 months

Friday 16th February 2018
quotequote all
"Soft bits for Sevens" for half-hoods with easy-in option.
I only used the standard Caterham hood once, on a very cold day 11 years ago. Placed my order with Softbits as soon as I got home and have been using it ever since. biggrin

Johnny5hoods

499 posts

118 months

Friday 16th February 2018
quotequote all
CanAm said:
"Soft bits for Sevens" for half-hoods with easy-in option.
I only used the standard Caterham hood once, on a very cold day 11 years ago. Placed my order with Softbits as soon as I got home and have been using it ever since. biggrin
I think softbits also do a full hood with the easy-in option. Only driver side, though IIRC.

coppice

8,562 posts

143 months

Saturday 17th February 2018
quotequote all
You can be a masochist if you want but I never did see the appeal of getting piss wet through in Sevens. Is it some macho thing ? I did 100k in my Sevens and if it rained I stayed 95% dry and comfy under the excellent SBFS half hood - what's so clever about getting soaked and looking like a drowned rat when it's raining hard ?

nigelpugh7

5,996 posts

189 months

Saturday 17th February 2018
quotequote all
Yep half hood all the way, I bet I can count on one hand the times I’ve used the full,roof on any of my Caterham’s in 20 years of ownership.

I’m 6ft 2, and whilst it’s Tricky to get in with the half hood, it’s a damn sight easier than the full hood.

I should also mention I have tillets, removable steering wheel and low 620R is a standard S3 size though.

We did a long weekend trip to France in my previous R500, and we got caught in a proper torrential storm all the way from Fleet on the M3 to Dover, and we only got slightly wet arms,,despite it being such heavy rain we could not see 10ft in front of us on the Motorway.

This was after we got loaded on the ferry at Dover, it was still pouring out of the car all over the place!


subirg

717 posts

275 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
After about 7 years of battling with the roof, I switched to half good and shower cap. Without question, one of the best decisions ever made by me (not hard I realise)...

Aside from being easier to get in and out, it’s also way quicker to put up and take off, doesn’t steam up and takes up less space in the boot. Win win all round.

D7PNY

375 posts

162 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
I second all the comments about half hood!

I used mine in some proper downpours and it does a great job.

I'm 6ft 4 and with roadsports cage and half hood I managed fine.

I had lowered floor and tillet seat and did struggle for head room with helmet on when on track but fine without.

Dave

KurtB

50 posts

124 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
Hi Scatty,

You're committing then?! Good news mate, these guys know the right answer, go roof off! I had a Westfield about 24 years ago and absolutely LOVED it, so much so, I'm considering the dreadful sin of replacing my S1 Exige again (I always seem to get itchy feet at this time of year).

I drove the Westy with the roof up once, with the doors fitted and got very wet thighs and misted up windows! The lack of ventilation was to blame for the screens, and the wet thighs were a result of the rain going up the flat screen, along the underside of the roof and dripping off at the low point, down the dash and onto my legs. It wasn't fun. Roof off was MUCH better, even in a snowstorm (I kid you not)! The Softbits roof seems like a good idea, and if I was going Caterhaming, it'd definitely be on the shopping list.

Getting out with the roof off is possible, but you're no spring chicken (giggle!) and need to be able to lift your right knee to your forehead. Good luck and I really fancy a blast when you do it.

ATB,
Kurt

scatty72

Original Poster:

76 posts

192 months

Wednesday 21st February 2018
quotequote all
Ha ha, cheers Kurt..

I must have done my research because a half hood was high on the must buy things.

Yep, she’s up for sale. I haven’t had second thoughts yet either. You only live once and all that.

Hope you are well mate.. :-)