What is the best and worse part/accessory you've bought?
Discussion
The best thing I've ever bought was GoreTex.
I got a bargain on a HG Suit back when they were struggling and I had very little cash. It lasted me 4 years, 60,000 miles in all temperatures down to -3 (with a lot of layers and heated inner gloves), one off and never ever leaked. My brother has done 5k in it and it's still going strong. No fraying or dodgy zips. Just once a season clean and re-proofing. Lots of pockets and storage and removable liners.
Replaced with a Dane GoreTex Pro Shell suit for x10 the price. Doesn't soak up the water and give you damp out, but much less features and pockets and within a year a ribon / tab stuck in the trouser / boot area and I had to cut it off.
Still, both have kept me warm and dry.
A close second would be Pinlock and a Kreiga R30.
Worst thing I have ever bought was some Aplinestars SP-1 gloves. 6 months in and the graphics came off, 13 months (1 month out of warranty) the thumb and middle finger on the right and thumb on the left split at the seams.
I've had much worse things, but A* gloves are relatively pricey and the perfomance was dissapointing.
I got a bargain on a HG Suit back when they were struggling and I had very little cash. It lasted me 4 years, 60,000 miles in all temperatures down to -3 (with a lot of layers and heated inner gloves), one off and never ever leaked. My brother has done 5k in it and it's still going strong. No fraying or dodgy zips. Just once a season clean and re-proofing. Lots of pockets and storage and removable liners.
Replaced with a Dane GoreTex Pro Shell suit for x10 the price. Doesn't soak up the water and give you damp out, but much less features and pockets and within a year a ribon / tab stuck in the trouser / boot area and I had to cut it off.
Still, both have kept me warm and dry.
A close second would be Pinlock and a Kreiga R30.
Worst thing I have ever bought was some Aplinestars SP-1 gloves. 6 months in and the graphics came off, 13 months (1 month out of warranty) the thumb and middle finger on the right and thumb on the left split at the seams.
I've had much worse things, but A* gloves are relatively pricey and the perfomance was dissapointing.
terry tibbs said:
worst
Sdoc 100 power gel - just crap never does what it says on the videos/literature
Really? I've always found it very good. Although you do use a lot more than expected, but it outrperforms normal carshampoo and Muc Off.Sdoc 100 power gel - just crap never does what it says on the videos/literature
Totally agree on the Held front though. Great kit.
Best
Halverssons Panzar jacket, very warm and waterproof, not funky or trendy but does its job
RICHA TG2 leather jacket and pants, is funky and trendy and fits well.
Rear wheel roller - Makes chain lubing a doddle now for those with limited space.
Kreiga r30 bag, it really does hug you and 'lift' the weight.
Worst
Most if not all the jeans I have, RST & Richa, to tight, too baggy, too hot, never got a pair I like.
Shark S600 helmet, my first helmet and for my DAS, makes me look like I have a mushroom on my head, very tight inside.
Halverssons Panzar jacket, very warm and waterproof, not funky or trendy but does its job
RICHA TG2 leather jacket and pants, is funky and trendy and fits well.
Rear wheel roller - Makes chain lubing a doddle now for those with limited space.
Kreiga r30 bag, it really does hug you and 'lift' the weight.
Worst
Most if not all the jeans I have, RST & Richa, to tight, too baggy, too hot, never got a pair I like.
Shark S600 helmet, my first helmet and for my DAS, makes me look like I have a mushroom on my head, very tight inside.
Best: Heated grips.
Literally the best thing ever on a motorcycle if you have bony f
king claws for hands like me. Even the £30 R&G ones are amazing, I'd never have a bike without them.
Worst: tyre roller.
Everytime I turned the wheel the whole bike became increasingly unstable until it inevitably reached the end of the roller and threatened to fall off entirely. It was only about £20 but it was fking useless. Even on ADV bikes, a paddock stand seems hugely easier and more stable once you get the hang of it.
Literally the best thing ever on a motorcycle if you have bony f
king claws for hands like me. Even the £30 R&G ones are amazing, I'd never have a bike without them.Worst: tyre roller.
Everytime I turned the wheel the whole bike became increasingly unstable until it inevitably reached the end of the roller and threatened to fall off entirely. It was only about £20 but it was f
king useless. Even on ADV bikes, a paddock stand seems hugely easier and more stable once you get the hang of it. Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
Best: O2 sensor bypass resistor - Completely transformed my Blackbird's lowdown hesitant weirdness to a lovely smooth power delivery at all speeds
For my Blackbird I'd 1000000% agree with you! Absolutely sorted that out! Required for all 2003 onward FI Bbirds.Best accessory full stop Gerbing heated gloves.. they are simply awesome.. its like riding in summer all year round
Worst *ank Thomas gortex boots.. holed on the gear change pad in less than a year.. useless waste of £125
Best:
Optimate 3 chargers. Utterly brilliant compared to the oxford rubbish that i put up with before
Oxford heated grips. I fit them to all my commuter bikes.
The RST mesh jacket i bought for the hot weather this year. Bliss
Worst:
Oxford battery optimisers. They get hot. They break really easily. They don't actually work.
Those aero backpacks that were "80% off" or similar last year. Bought and then never worn on the bike because it's so awful.
Optimate 3 chargers. Utterly brilliant compared to the oxford rubbish that i put up with before
Oxford heated grips. I fit them to all my commuter bikes.
The RST mesh jacket i bought for the hot weather this year. Bliss
Worst:
Oxford battery optimisers. They get hot. They break really easily. They don't actually work.
Those aero backpacks that were "80% off" or similar last year. Bought and then never worn on the bike because it's so awful.
Agree about the JIS screwdrivers. An essential purchase for anyone with a Jap bike.
Worst: Furygan textile trousers. Goretex clone that had zero breathability, so was dumped after one weeks use. Like a plastic bag.
Any Oxford product, or W@nk Thomas come to that.
Best: JD Bench bike lift. LIdl / Aldi chargers - easily outlasted my Ctek ones, dirt cheap and with an LCD volt meter. Dewalt Impact gun. Every Arai / Shoei helmet I have used, about a dozen now.
Worst: Furygan textile trousers. Goretex clone that had zero breathability, so was dumped after one weeks use. Like a plastic bag.
Any Oxford product, or W@nk Thomas come to that.
Best: JD Bench bike lift. LIdl / Aldi chargers - easily outlasted my Ctek ones, dirt cheap and with an LCD volt meter. Dewalt Impact gun. Every Arai / Shoei helmet I have used, about a dozen now.
Best : Teng tool set, purchased from a Performance Bikes offer in 1987 , used on all my bikes since then and still going strong.
Worst : These throttle rocker/cruiser things, a group of bought them for a European trip a decade ago I guess, utter ste , I found it potentially dangerous too.
They all went in the bin at the first fuel stop.
Worst : These throttle rocker/cruiser things, a group of bought them for a European trip a decade ago I guess, utter s
te , I found it potentially dangerous too.They all went in the bin at the first fuel stop.
Best - Merlin Lichfield leather jacket. Comfiest jacket I've had and worn all summer with it still looking new. Also half the price of the Roland Sands one it completely rips off. And comes with armour unlike that one.
Honourable mention to internet auction bargain Daytona Road Stars - 40 quid and they've lasted nearly two seasons without leakage and really are as good as everyone says.
Worst - mainly because of the design, Klim Blade jacket. Two layer goretex laminate - not let a drop in. Except on the arms, where the most stupidly positioned vents closed by "waterproof" zips basically channel rain in. So frustrating.
Honourable mention to internet auction bargain Daytona Road Stars - 40 quid and they've lasted nearly two seasons without leakage and really are as good as everyone says.
Worst - mainly because of the design, Klim Blade jacket. Two layer goretex laminate - not let a drop in. Except on the arms, where the most stupidly positioned vents closed by "waterproof" zips basically channel rain in. So frustrating.
Best - HJC RPHA 11 helmet. This opened my eyes to what a high quality, well fitting helmet bought from trying on in a shop could offer compared to my initial Nitro helmet, which I bought online.
Worst - Constands centre stand. Useless piece of junk which is virtually impossible to use on your own. It requires someone else to hold the bike perfectly upright, in turn defeating the purpose of the stand compared to a normal paddock stand. I should have bought an ABBA!
Worst - Constands centre stand. Useless piece of junk which is virtually impossible to use on your own. It requires someone else to hold the bike perfectly upright, in turn defeating the purpose of the stand compared to a normal paddock stand. I should have bought an ABBA!
bozzy. said:
Worst - Constands centre stand. Useless piece of junk which is virtually impossible to use on your own. It requires someone else to hold the bike perfectly upright, in turn defeating the purpose of the stand compared to a normal paddock stand. I should have bought an ABBA!
I've not heard of them so had a look. They look a similar design to the Bursig one I have. I reckon you just need to keep at it as they can be fidly to start with.
Best-my Bikestop purchased Arai Rebel. Compared to the previous online ordered Duchinni, it fits properly, it's quieter, it's comfy and looks much better. Night and day-I'll never order safety critical gear online again, having a professional fit it and the ability to try it on is a must.
Worst-I've been fairly lucky but probably some gloves at the budget end of the spectrum from a small bike shop. They weren't even water resistant, my hands froze in them and I bet the protection they offered wouldn't have been um, great.
Moral of the story-don't be tight, put your hand in your pocket and pay for quality gear fitted by a pro. It'll last three times as long as the budget stuff, look after you better and be more comfy.
Worst-I've been fairly lucky but probably some gloves at the budget end of the spectrum from a small bike shop. They weren't even water resistant, my hands froze in them and I bet the protection they offered wouldn't have been um, great.
Moral of the story-don't be tight, put your hand in your pocket and pay for quality gear fitted by a pro. It'll last three times as long as the budget stuff, look after you better and be more comfy.
podman said:
Worst : These throttle rocker/cruiser things, a group of bought them for a European trip a decade ago I guess, utter ste , I found it potentially dangerous too.
They all went in the bin at the first fuel stop.
Agreed. Had one on my bike when I bought it and I was inexperienced. The bloke said it was the best thing since sliced bread. Tried for a couple of weeks but really couldn't get the hang of it, thought I must have been doing something wrong. It got caught so many times and eventually just got rid and never looked back.te , I found it potentially dangerous too.They all went in the bin at the first fuel stop.
Best - KTM 300 TPI EXC
Worst - KTM 300 TPI EXC
Never have time to ride the f**king thing as hiring a van is a pain in the arse to get anywhere, but when i do... am-a-zing!
Car is due to be swapped out to T6 Kombi, but waiting to see what is occurring at work with a TOM change before committing.
Worst - KTM 300 TPI EXC
Never have time to ride the f**king thing as hiring a van is a pain in the arse to get anywhere, but when i do... am-a-zing!
Car is due to be swapped out to T6 Kombi, but waiting to see what is occurring at work with a TOM change before committing.
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