Saxophones Carrying a tenor on a (motor)bike?

[Jay]

Waxed cotton, from Belstaff, used to be the best option for waterproofing, but not really any more. Things have moved on a lot in recent years for the all weather biker.

For years I rode in traditional biker leathers, with on oversuit on top for the rain, but now I wear a modern synthetic two piece suit. It's the most comfortable I've worn in decades of riding, completely waterproof and machine washable. Comes with proper CE armour as well, on knees, hips, elbows shoulders and back. Modern stuff has higher impact resistance than leather, and is nearly as good at resisting slide friction. I can't see me ever wearing leathers again now.

I've now got secondhand both - a set of leathers, and a set of armoured textiles. I like both really. I think I need to re-proof the textiles. And oil the leathers. The textiles can go on over work trousers so they'll be more use for commuting, plus they have warm linings for winter. But the leathers do look good and are comfortable. Just need it not to rain!

 

[Colin the Bear]

With a good oil your leathers will repel a couple of hours of light rain.

 

[Veggie Dave]

The problem with using oil, or any sort of leather treatment, on proper bike leathers (rather than the fashion stuff that some wear to look like a biker) is that it makes the leather softer and softer leather offers less protection as it tears more easily.

 

[richardr]

I didn't get rained on while riding.

Nice one!

 

[richardr]

Waxed cotton, from Belstaff

I think the name "Belstaff" is now owned by the Australian Company Drizabone. The stuff they sell with the name "Belstaff" is fashion gear, not serious waterproofs for bikers.

 

[richardr]

Leather boots were great but useless in wet weather because water got in through the zip. Again, things have probably moved on.

 

[trimmy]

Jay's worked it out:

Nice one!

The Brolly worked

 

[jonf]

Leather boots were great but useless in wet weather because water got in through the zip. Again, things have probably moved on.

Yup. Sewn in gussets (oooer) and Goretex liners. I add proofing to mine about once a year. Current boots are still completely waterproof after 5 years/80,000 miles.

 

[ProfJames]

Be careful with Nylon based waterproofs. Not only does the proofing come off, but also if you come off the friction melts the nylon quickly and if it's close to your skin you get very nasty burns. So not too serious over leathers, but not over light clothes. Carpet burns are nothing compared to this.

Cheap waterproofs are not an option. They don't last.

Waxed cotton is probably favourite. Messy, but effective. Used to be Barbour, but they've gone fashion and are now too expensive. I had Belstaff, not sure if they are still in business. Reproof after a year or so with more wax. I also used waxed cotton mittens over my leather gloves. Great. Makes things a lot warmer in winter.

But waxed cotton is rather slippery, so be careful, I nearly fell off the back of my new Laverda the first time I opened it up properly. Waxed cotton mittens, waxed cotton overtrousers and nearly 100bhp... I slid down the seat, only just managed to hang on by curling my fingers around the bars and had to wait until it stopped revving before I could pull myself back up into position.

What I also found a big plus in winter was a silk balaclava. Thin enough to go under your helmet, but really keeps you warm and bridges the gap between helmet and collar on your jacket.

I am not going to disagree with all of your comments on "cheap" waterproofs but it also depends on what you are carrying on a bike. I always wore mine over leathers or Gialli kevlar gear. Leather is great unless it is summer and you have to carry your gear around at your destination.

Bikes are dangerous but remember...impact kills.

 

[ProfJames]

Or just accept............you're gonna get wet!

 

[Jay]

Lots of firsts today. Big bike, huge roundabouts, 60+mph . Also managed to lose my instructor, so got a rest while he and the other bike found me 🙂

 

[Jeanette]

Cool, but the big question is, have you actually carried a tenor on the bike yet 🙂

Jx

 

[Jay]

Cool, but the big question is, have you actually carried a tenor on the bike yet 🙂

Jx

No, bands and lessons have stopped for the summer. Also need to be a better rider yet I think.

 

[Jeanette]

No, bands and lessons have stopped for the summer. Also need to be a better rider yet I think.

Just wondered if it was worth trying whilst you are under instruction still so any problems can be discussed but yes perhaps a little early, worth asking though, perhaps put something other than the horn in the case to start with 🙂

Good luck Jay, I admire you for going for it

Jx

 

[jonf]

Lots of firsts today. Big bike, huge roundabouts, 60+mph . Also managed to lose my instructor, so got a rest while he and the other bike found me 🙂

Ah, that takes me back. I remember when I was doing my direct access. We were split into groups depending on competence. There was me and a French mentalist paired up with an ex army instructor. We'd just been out for a blast around Kent, as we could all ride well enough (just two of us had somehow neglected to acquire licences up to that point.......) and we were heading back towards the A20 to ride back into London. I heard crackling over the intercom "****in' Hell, Jon, that nutter's gone the wrong way. Stop at the layby on the A20 and I' ll come and find........." Then silence. I had a nice cup of coffee while I waited for them.

 

[Jay]

The last I heard was 'Chris, you've missed it, go round again, J find somewhere safe and pull in and we'll come and find you. YOU STUPID COW!!' and then silence.

So I wasn't sure if that was me, for taking the wrong turn, but it sounded more like someone had done something stupid. So I wasn't sure if they'd had an accident, if I should go back and check, though I was clear I wasn't supposed to ride around on my own on the XJ6.

It turned out I'd turned one road too soon, and by the time I found somewhere straight before and after to stop, they couldn't see me from the roundabout. The walkie-talkies went out of range.

Ah well, at least it was sunny 🙂

(The SC was a woman who pulled out right in front of them at a junction, without the right of way. It's a bit embarrassing to be a woman on the roads at times . Classic quote from my 75 year old mother, when we went to Woolfest, 'oh no, the car park will be a nightmare, all these old women driving like old women'. 😀 To be fair to her, she does not drive like an old woman ).

 

[Colin the Bear]

Age and gender have little to do with driving like an old woman.

My Gran used to volunteer well into her eighties. " Helping the poor old folk ". All younger than her.

 

[trimmy]

Age and gender have little to do with driving like an old woman.

That's true, my kids say in my cab i driver like a nutter but in my coupe' i drive like Miss Daisy

"I don't believe it" !

 

[Colin the Bear]

You sit in the back?

 

[richardr]

Big bike

What bike? Was the saddle low enough for you to get your feet flat on the ground? Did it make you feel, "I want one now" or are you still content with your 125 for the time being? I hope you are because little bikes have given me so much pleasure, I'd be sad for you to miss it.