This Week in the Saddle - November 24th 2024

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My current motorcycles are:-
2014 BMW R1200GS
2023 Kawasaki Z900 RS SE
2019 Triumph Speed Twin
2019 Royal Enfield Custom 650 Interceptor
2022 Honda GL1800 Goldwing Tour DCT (Airbag)
2021 Suzuki GSXS125 (OK, that's the Mrs bike!)

Please be aware I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way in motorcycles or anything else. I'm just an ordinary biker like you probably are. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is important to you, please verify it via a knowledgable third party....the videos I post are just my opinions and are no more valid than anyone elses.

[leskirkland]

Thanks Andy. Alway enjoy your little talks. Passed my test in 1982. Yes it was a man with a clip board, looking bored and sitting on a garden wall in the sun while ride round in circles. First one way and then the other. Great days. Still riding at 77years old on a Yamaha MT 03.

[davidstiglitz]

Andy, This format is evolving into something really fresh and entertaining. I wonder how long it will be before cheap imitations emerge! Fabulous job. Gives your overall YouTube presence a real leading edge. love it. Thank you.

[Sinshiro]

As someone who lives in a country where -20 C during winter isn't unusual, just adding more layers of clothing can infact work against you in the cold.
They key to staying warm is to have an insulating layer of air trapped between your body and the outer layer of your clothing, the outer layer needing to be windproof of course.
So having 4 layers of clothing can infact be colder than only 2 if you missing that important buffer of air.

[Busybee-ttqu]

Andy great content I passed by test in 1965 on my Royal Enfield Crusader 250 cc . The examiner just stood on the corner of the street I rode round the block, did some hand signals at the junctions ( no indicators) then an emergency stop when he threw himself in front of my bike waving a clip board a couple of questions on the Highway Code job done. Full licence ride any cc bike after that. And before the test he even sorted out some gloves for me to wear. As my riding gear consisted of a open faced helmet, donkey jacket, jeans, Wellington boots rolled down off white fisherman’s socks and a pair of safety goggles borrowed from work. Still riding today at 75.

[mattWallJsy]

It would be worth mounting the wheel chocks on transverse rails, so they’re adjustable and removable. Enabling more variety of bikes/bike to be carried. 👍🏽🏍️🏍️

[johntapley]

In terms of keeping warm on a bike, I agree many layers are good but can be a bit restictive. A couple of years back I invested in a gillet to wear under my jacket. It keeps you warm without resticting your arms. Another old school trick was to wear a pair of tights under your trousers. Keep up the good work.

[GaryBickley]

Loving this format. Passed in 77, man with a clipboard!

[phillipwilliams]

Nice Goldwing. I passed my test in 1980, and yes, the emergency stop was conducted by the examiner jumping out in front of you waving his clipboard. Rumour has it this all stopped when an unfortunate examiner jumped in front of the wrong motorcycle and ended up getting severely injured.

[SimOvScot]

Another very welcome and enjoyable episode thanks Andy. I have found that hand guards are a positive step to reducing the flow of cold air over the hands on naked bikes and makes heated gloves more effective...lots of aftermarket options out there, and they can be quickly removed again when the warmer weather arrives.
Really looking forward to your on-road review of the Desert X. In addition to what will hopefully be a great riding experience, I think it could have a very good 'look back' rating👍. Cheers, Simon

[fortheloveofbikes]

Hi Andy, you could really do with Tie down points in the front corners of your enclosed trailer. That way when you ratchet strap the bikes down it will hold the bikes in the most forward position and you won’t even need to secure the wheel chocks to the base. If you use the current tie down points the bikes will want to slide back. Get yourself a couple of the handle bar straps (ebay or amazon) if you haven’t already done so, they’re ace and work really well. The only time the above isn’t needed is with trials bikes as they’re so light. Good luck and have fun 👍🏻

[martinhughes]

Beautiful looking Ducati, the desert X the service and maintenance cost frightens the life out of me, I done my test in Wales in 1975 the instructor would send you on a round loop stop ask you some questions send you on the same root opposite direction, like you mentioned he chucked his hand in the air 😮 emergency stop time, CCM looks stunning but Really expensive

[davidoakes]

I had the same trailer. Three tips (shame I can’t attach a picture to help explain). 1) stagger the chocks so that the handle bars of the two bikes don’t clash, 2) add a third chock in the centre to make fitting the larger bikes on their own easier, 3) add more tie down point in the centre so two bikes can be strapped in easier. Bonus point, always load the left bike 1st. Have the left on slightly more forward than the right.

I have a photo of my set up if you want it

[bsmukler]

I have t tried the Mono yet, although it IS enticing. I rode my base DesertX from California to the Arctic Ocean in Northwest Territories over varied terrain and through daunting weather conditions, all without a single hiccup. I loved that machine so much that I bought the DesertX Rally (even taller, and I’m only 5’8”), and the upgraded suspension is truly a huge step up in handling, making it fantastic for railing around mountain roads. I really look forward to your review of the Discovery edition.

[stevethebikinggrandad]

Today In The Saddle, love it. I hadn't even considered that one! 😂

I don't have much in the way of winter gear, or any heated ANYTHING on my two bikes, so mine have been confined to the garage for the last week or so. I do still ride throughout the year, but only usually local short rides in the middle of the day when it's the warmest part of the day!

I'm over 50 now, I have a car. I really can't be doing with riding in bad weather just for the sake of it, too old for all of that! 😁

[HaBank-qi]

I got C6 Pro three weeks ago from other recommendation. Took my time with the wiring feed and then fitted the cameras and leads. Very pleased with it.

[TheSizzlingBadger]

Really enjoying this format, I think the culmination of your biking and YouTube experience over the years is really coming together well now.

[stevegordon]

Evening Andy. Just settled down before and watched the ‘show’. Great stuff as usual. If it means anything in order for you to continue with this concept, you definitely have my vote.

[donsmith]

The trailer floor you can get adjustable runners to tie down and I think you will need one down the middle between two bikes, enjoying the channel thanks

[brianbiker]

I find this an interesting format, gives the channel a more spontaneous feel, which contrasts nicely with the reviews and other features which are obviously more ‘scheduled’. Nice work, and good job at mixing the format up a bit 👍🏻

[RealHooksy]

32.5c here today Mr Flyer 😎
We did have a few spots of rain though, so it’s not all beautiful.
Ducatis look good btw.