This is one of the best motorcycle clothing store in London, and the last time I was in London I didnt have a chance to go but this time I made it a point to go there, and I was happy I did. This store is a very large clothing store with many different brands to try, for once I was able to try the different jackets and pants combinations available. I also saw the Puma 1000s for the first time and decided to try them. What I loved about the place is that the people working there love motorcycles and you can spend the whole time talking to them about bikes and different things, they would always recommend what they like not necessarily what they have which is always a great sign of a good store. The service was nothing short of excellent, and the funny part is that I was dealing with an Italian guy and we just kept talking about different people riding in different areas that we forgot the shop was closing so I decided to come back the next day to keep on looking. If your ever looking for a huge variety of gear and your passing through London then I recommend you stop by them. I bought a Jacket and some armor, I was going to buy the boots but I thought to just stick to my Daytonas.
Link: Sondel
What is a quick shifter?
A quick shifter is a device which lets the rider shift up without pulling in the clutch and without rolling off the throttle.
How it helps?
Basically shifting slows down a motorcycle’s pace but with a quick shifter there is no need to roll off the throttle, so the motorcycle keeps its momentum and speed going, with as little changes to the suspension, frame or other factors affecting the bike. That makes the rider significantly more effecient resulting in quicker lap times. It also helps with cornering stability and smooth acceleration.
Notes:
One thing to keep in mind which I learned the hard way, with a quick shifter you still need to pull in the clutch to shift down which helps with breaking. You also have to get the right type of quick shifter to know that it doesn’t stall when your starting off, not all quick shifters are the same, some need adjustments to make the perfect shifts, and some make automatic electronic adjustments to make for the perfect quick shifting. Read up on the product before buying it.
I got up at 8 am to meet up with Vampire in Khairan to ride back with him. I got on my bike and new it was going to be a quick ride there, we decided to meet somewhere close by to him. I took off on the highway averaging between 200-220 kph all the way there, it was nothing since the highway was some what empty on a Friday morning and I was enjoying myself.
When I got there I went straight to the Al Zoor Gas station since it is the only one with the Super Green fuel, and as I was about to fill up Vampire rode up right next to me. It was a nice surprise to catch each other at te gas station. After filling up we decided to take the inside roads from Bnaider all the way to Mina Abdulla since its curvy and enjoyable. As we were riding we got to the end of Bnaider and saw at least 50 very large white trucks with escorts, it seems the US military are moving around a lot. At the Navy base there we couldn’t take the inside road to continue to Julai’a. What was nice about taking the inside roads was the cool air that we were getting, but they wouldn’t let us through but since we got on the highway we decided to continue and headed to Hilton Manguf Starbucks. We were riding in staggered formation on the highway all the way there, and we both had a close call while riding, I slipped a little on sand and he slipped on a mud spot which we were lucky it held. When we got to Starbucks there was also a motorcycle couple there too and it was nice seeing them out, after getting a quick bite to eat and something cold to drink we continued to ride!
It was a nice day of riding, I just wish it was a little cooler!
I left work around 1 pm and I just went straight to the sea side to ride home! Suprisingly it wasn’t as hot as I was expecting, as I was riding the weater was fluctuating between 34 – 39 degrees. What was nice as I was riding down the seaside I would get a cool breeze every once in a while. It was a time when the streets were empty and I was enjoying the roads as if they were my own track! The only problem I had was the damn stop lights! There were too many of them, I rode the seaside from Shuweikh all the way to Miseelah Beach Hotel.
The only issue I had were people who were on the road weren’t paying attention, it seems the heat was getting to them even though they had A/C and I didn’t! Then as I was passing Marina Mall my gas light turns on telling me I’m almost out of gas! The problem I faced was that there isn’t any gas station in that area which has the green gas used for high compression engines! My only choice was to ride at low RPMS and keep my momentum going, even at a light I switched off the bike to try to preserve gas. I was trying to get o Bayan gas station from the seaside and with my luck I was going to make, I was hoping for it! As soon the light turned green next to Blajaat I gunned it and tried not to slow down or rev too much, keeping things steady, even at the round about I kept going. Then I cut right into Rumaitheya and I flew to the light and I made it after 14.6 kms! I was riding into the gas station thinking I MADE IT! hehehe! Then I put filled up the tank and rode around for a little while longer.
When I got home I took a very nice cold shower which really hit the spot since I was drenched after riding in that heat!
This has been one of the most interesting Moto GPs I have ever seen, the 2007 season had the introduction of the 800cc motorcycles. The funny part is that riders are going faster around the tracks then when they were on the 1000cc motorcycles.
Currently Casey Stoner is leading the pack but only by small lead with Valentino Rossi following close behind. Ducati have had the upper hand with their well developed engine and getting it right this year. I’m really enjoying the competitiveness of this season with things still up in the air, Casey can’t get too comfortable since everyone is aiming for crown and its still early.
Link: BBC MotoGP
I have been fixing up the 1098s with more and more parts coming out to the market, but since its still such a new bike a lot of parts are on back order so I have had to wait a lot for a few parts, and for some parts I had to wait a long time for my items.
What I have really wanted is giving Pyro a real aggressive look which will happen now since Shift-Tech has gotten the Carbon Fiber parts I want in stock. Pyro will be a combination of a black (carbon fiber) and red. I just have to be patient for delivery at this point.
Parts:
- Top Fairing Carbon Fiber
- Tail Piece Carbon Fiber
- Rear Tire Hugger Carbon Fiber
The weather has been horrible for riding for the past couple of days and the dust has settled down. I wanted to go riding but I wasn’t sure when I was going to go. I decided to get a shave my head and get a shave. It was great, 5 minutes to shave the top, and 20 minutes to get the right shave it felt great.
The weather was a litte on the hot side, and there was a decent amount of traffic, but every once in a whlie I would get a nice cool breeze. It felt like it has been ages since I last rode, I really do love riding and the feeling is just amazing, even in the heat I want to ride, my mind is just concentrating on the corners, velocity, throttle, traffic, and whats coming up ahead, all that with the music blaring, it was great.
I met up with vampire on Friday morning to go riding around 9 am, I was lucky he called so that I would wake up. Then we went from Qurtoba and rode from Bida’a all the way to Shuweikh on the gulf road, from there we went back and stopped at Marina for a quick drink! It was getting hot, and I changed my gear for the summer heat. I was wearing my Arai helmet and a Rev’It Air Jacket which was a great combination, I can’t wear my Scorpion Matt Black helmet any more because of the heat, but my Arai Haga RX-7 Corsair is a lot better and doesn’t feel as hot since it isn’t black. It was a nice day of riding, and vampire is quick learner so its only a matter of breaking in the bike and then we head out to a few other places! We didn’t see any biker on the road except for one biker who parked next to us at Marina.
I want to work on my bike, and so when the day ended early I was going home at 1:00pm and it said 43 C in the shade and as I was riding it became 45 C! I couldn’t believe how hot it was but I was still enjoying it as long as I was moving. The heat shields are doing the job, they are redirecting the heat so that they are cooking my legs now, and the bike seems to be running smoother even in the heat! Previously the normal running temperature would be around 78 – 88 F, but now with this heat it was running 90 – 101 F, which is a big difference. Even with all this I was riding and enjoying it, now that its getting hot I will be taking more showers again. In one day I took three showers because of the heat, but I was still enjoying it, it felt like a complete workout, I was drenched and felt great after the shower.
I took out the 1098S for ride after work for a little while and it felt nice, it felt a little smoother and I wasn’t sure about the heat shields but in time I will know how they operate. The levers are fantastic since they are easier, but I think I have to get used to the new clutch lever. I really like the sound of the racing clutch but I want to get a different cover for it. Overall I really like the look of Pyro right now, just a few more carbon fiber pieces and I am there, but I can’t complain and I love this bike.
