Dear all,
Further to my last post,
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=14666
I have finally bought a helmet for track-day use in last weeknd Infinity\'s sales. I got a new FM Radikal in size 56 for 50 pounds. Here comes the questions.
1. It achieves ACU Gold standard. He also told me it is for competition use according to the EU code. What is the ACU standards and the EU code? I am only familiar with BSI Type A & B standard.
2. Is 50 pounds about right? He said the helmet cost 200 pounds before the sale.
I am thinking of buying a de-restricted 125 as I am living in London now (Just started work last Monday). I have not ridden since I was 19 in 1999, when I had a Honda NSR-125-R, bought in 1997. What should I buy now? I want a sporty 125, I am thinking of spending upto 2000 pounds on a 1-2 years old, nearly-new bike. I have the Honda NSR-125-RR or Aprilia RS125 in mind. Which one should I choose? Any other option?
Thanks,
Garrison
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I believe that the EU standard is replacing the BS code to come into line with the rest of Europe, and it's pretty much the same. ACU (IIRC stand for Auto Cycle Union) means that you can go racing in that helmet. Most quality full-face lids will have this- a little gold and green sticker on the base at the back. £50 sounds like a bargain, although FM aren't a top flight maker like arai or shoei and come in a bit cheaper. As long as it fits right, is comfortable and has the BS/EU/ACU approval, that's all you need. More expensive lids have sophisticated venting systems and removable liners and are more protective at high speed, but that's more or less it.
Question about the bike- do you have a full licence? If not, you can't have a de-restricted 125! If you do, I'd look at a supersports 400 (VFR, RVF, FZR,ZXR)- much easier to live with than a 2S 125, quicker and no 2-stroke oil! Or better still, a useful 600 all-rounder (fazer, bandit etc). Not too expensive, and alot more user-friendly than a screaming sportster.
HTH,
Alex (riding an RD 350 ypvs)
--
Dr Alex Mears
Seat Leon Cupra
If you are in a hole stop digging...unless
you are a miner.
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Alex, thanks for your reply.
The FM helmet has the new type of venting through the top spoiler and removable liners. Not sure about high speed protection but I am not going to test it out.
Re. the bike, I have a full licence. However, I have only ridden one bike in the past, my de-restricted Honda NSR125R, I do not trust myself with a 600 (although a CBR600 or R6 is tempting). I would much prefer to start with a fast 125 and then upgrade in a couple of years. Is that a too conservative approach?
Also, what age and condition 600 can I get for 2000 pounds?
Thanks,
Garrison
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I found a bit of a shock going from a 15bhp 125 (slower than a Metro) to a 50bhp 500 (quicker than most 2 litre cars) while I did my direct access and I've since bought a 95bhp 600 (quicker than any car with less than 400 bhp) but it's not impossible! You may want to stick with 50bhp bike, as they tend to be more reliable than a highly tuned 125cc bike and have good torque so are easy to ride.
If you get this month's Ride magazine there's a reader's survey of reliability etc for the most popular 130 road bikes in the UK, worth a read before committing yourself to a model of bike?
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Top vents are cool (in both senses!), and removable liners are good, as the interior can get a bit smelly after a hot summer of use- sounds like a good lid.
As Gareth says, a tuned 125 will be pretty unforgiving (with a very narrow power band), and quite tricky to ride on normal roads. they also tend to blow up alot (rebuilds every 10,000 miles or less are pretty much the norm).
More torque from a 50+bhp 4 stroke would actually be a better proposition, especially in London. Something like a Diversion or a CB500 might be a good start, although a bit dull! When I came back to biking in 1999 (after an 8 year break), I bought a Ducati Monster 600 (not great- heavy clutch, snatchy power delivery, horrible gearbox!), but didn't find it too tricky (and looked great). You do get used to the power very quickly. You could go straight to a CBR600 or R6, but these are very quick (over 100bhp IIRC). Then again, even a Fazer has nearly this! Really depends on what you'll use it for, and what your insurance is like (check this FIRST).
Whatever you get, enjoy it! As has oft been repeated, it's not what you ride, it's THAT you ride.
;-)
Alex.
--
Dr Alex Mears
Seat Leon Cupra
If you are in a hole stop digging...unless
you are a miner.
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