IOM 2017

[Birky_41]

Right so next little adventure and only 4 weeks away!

Who's going and what dates? What bikes? Having ten years off the road bike scene and going for the first time last year I learnt alot! One thing for sure bring 2 pairs of gloves as it sucks riding in wet gloves from the day before!

I'll be on my Aprilia Tuono Factory and if Im anything like last year I'll rack up over a thousand miles in the week so Im sure to see someone from here

[Birky_41]

obscene said:

31st to the 11th. First time for me so I have no idea where to watch/what to do etc. Tips all appreciated. Only thing I'm trying to decide is whether I ship my stuff over with "ship my bag", what I will need in it (all important camping chair?) and what bike Hornet or R6!

Sadly all my mates who were meant to come with me have bailed but I still can't wait

If it were me it would be Hornet for comfort. Still have plenty of fun sub 120 on that. We often sat at the pub and the field/mount bit just after the pub at the end of the mountain section. Its like old school moto-x you can literally be right next to the bikes in places as they pass at silly speeds

I took the bike over last time and luckily could put my kit bag in a friends van that went every year. If only going by bike take a decent bag or buy cheap socks/pants out there and bin them after as I wore the same tee for 4 days and...well the guys forced me to change it lets put it that way

Alex@POD said:

Wet from being too hot, right? I ended up buying a pair of MX gloves last year so I could ride around in comfort!

Sadly not going this year, I had plans to do Le Mans instead so never booked anything... Yes I am regretting it, and I will be on the phone as soon as the office opens for next year!

I wish! No rain - random day of it that got me soaked. I took leathers and textiles last year but will just take leathers this year and a rain oversuit but definitely 2 pairs of gloves!

[Birky_41]

s3fella said:

Just 4 nights of practice for me and my daughter. Fly in on Sat, go to collect the bike I have bought (!) ride it about for 4 days, ride it home!!

Hope the weather is good, last year it was beautiful, blue skies, warm, we had a brilliant few days and looking forward to it again!

It was on race week! We got one day/morning of bad weather...I had a few mates go practice week and that was a different story for anyone who was there and can remember!

[Birky_41]

Andy XRV said:

For old school viewing I'd recommend at least one visit to Cronk Y Voddy. They still allow spectators to watch from the very edge of the road and it's mind blowing. Start at the top and walk down to the cottage for the best of all worlds. Make sure you park on the outside of the circuit otherwise you'll be landlocked for duration of the road closures.

Yep that's the spot I meant. Literally you sit on the edge and they are inches from you. Amazing that it can be like that given how much health and safety crap there is now

[Birky_41]

moto_traxport said:

Might even treat myself to some new ROAD tyres rather than wear out some buggered Supercorsas!!

Edited by moto_traxport on Thursday 4th May 19:42

I'll just be slinging my supercorsa I got on the bike new. They've done about 1800 miles of winter and I've got a spare rear if I need to change it. The m7rr on the back is dead after the Germany trip and I have too many half worn tyres in my garage attic that I should really use!

[Birky_41]

2nd June to 9th June for me... I might just see you there!

[Birky_41]

meridian said:

Should be enjoying my first pint on the island 3 weeks today, around this time, probably at The Creek in Peel

Will miss the smells and sounds of the Suter MMX this year sadly, seen here with Ian Lougher smoking it off the line during the 2016 Superbike Race

They not running it this year? I don't think it even made 2 laps last year

[Birky_41]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Just had a look at the first video and then skimmed the replies, I can only see people using their bikes as they sould be used.

Great pace there Birky.

Cheers Nemesis - it was a good laugh out there and we just went out there and had fun, banged in some good times and went home

Biker's Nemesis said:

I watched the nurburgring thread video but replied to that on this thread.

Dunno how I've managed to do that! FFS, it must be my age

[Birky_41]

Once you lot start getting out there for practice/race week try get some pics/videos up

I cant wait...not long now

Just need to decide whether to fit my 2/3rd worn Supercorsa SP's and take the Rosso Corsa Rear spare for mid week change or buy a new M7RR rear and run them. Cant beat the grip of a supercorsa though...as long as its dry!

[Birky_41]

meridian said:

Radio TT (1368 am) is your friend when on the island. It's brilliant, and tells you everything you need to know about road closures, and, with incidents occurring on an almost daily basis nothing is set in stone and schedules change all the time

My advice, take a portable radio !

Yes good advice! One of my lot bought a iom specific one that's set for that station. Think it was about a tenner but it did help

[Birky_41]

I'm surprised to read that, last year it was after the races and I ended up downloading an auto redial app to save me keep trying

Still took about 4 hours of it trying every 30 seconds

I'm in Portugal at the moment but will be in iom early hours Friday morning

[Birky_41]

R1 Dave said:

I'm off there on Friday for the week and looking at the weather forecast I'm rather regretting putting a fresh set of Supercorsas on; I wish I'd gone for something a bit more capable in the wet!!

I'm there same day for a week and same tyres

Thinking maybe I should take a set of m7rr's with me

[Birky_41]

chris4652009 said:

Heading over on Friday, I Can't wait

Already booked for next year too

I can't believe that are taking bookings for next year already! I'm in Portugal so no chance of me getting online or phone. Takes ages and will kill my data. I'll just have to try once I'm back from iom

Really looking forward to it now and I'm still technically on my family holiday haha

[Birky_41]

All loaded up and ready

[Birky_41]

epom said:

Looks like it'll be an evening in the pub for all those who traveled again

Madness given England (Or Essex atleast) is 26 degrees

Im leaving to go Heysham in about 20 minutes - just hoping weather picks up tomorrow morning when Im there

[Birky_41]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Hey Birky, have a good time and post some videos up of arse kicking over the mountain and of course some wheelies.

I'm eating ice cream and posing on a gay pride bench



Managed 3 laps of the mountain and ridden all over the place

I was at Ramsey when I see the ambulance fly past up the mountain for a bad crash which turned out to be that blade guy

Weather is looooovely

[Birky_41]

Was still nice weather Friday night - we all ate waaay to much steak at a place called 'on the rocks' then got on the beers all night

7.30 this morning and everyone is up like a bunch of teenage giggling kids

Managed a quick run of the mountain which I gopro'd but I have no idea how this looks as I'm currently in a cafe as you can see!

I have no idea how that video is as it's raw and yes I got annoyed with a cbr rider not checking his mirrors

https://youtu.be/epexex5ZG_c



Three things with this picture. 1. Yes I'm in a cafe trying to upload that YouTube video 2 Yes I have a wonder woman tee shirt on 3. Yes I have a YMCA bum bag haha

Parked up now and will just explore the scenery



1000cc bikes kill tyres. The pirelli is wearing much quicker than last year on the 800cc triple

[Birky_41]

I appreciate the technology here but look in the background it's full of circuit boards and soldering irons. I guess that's the modern work bench for electric bikes



And here's June's gay mens calendar for all you a Honda boys

[Birky_41]

moto_traxport said:

To be fair even the racers aren't cutting the tyres up as there isn't the emergency stop, full lean, full noise every 200 yards like a short circuit.

I've got a few sets of part worns off Dan Cooper and the rears are worn but not demolished and the fronts are like new.

Yeh the front is wearing but still fine and the guys on track are the same



We see some beautiful classic bikes like this. I could admire stuff like this for hours



And the racers have a good sense of humour

[Birky_41]

Oldest bike I've seen on the island so far. Correct guess of the year gets a beer emoji





Some lovely scenic routes and much cake eaten today