Riding Through Fire !!

[Blue Flame]

A bit long but I'm in a chatty mood today. :D

As I have not been out and about for a wee while I decided to take the bike out for a wee blat yesterday.

Phoned my sister up and arranged to visit.

She stay's in Ayrshire so I trundled over the Forth Road Bridge and in doing so nearly got my knee down for the first time just going in a straight line :shock: The wind was rather severe :wink: Anyways.... I headed along the M8 to junction 4 and then cut over to the A70 to head to Ayrshire on the twistier roads. Had great fun but it was a bit stop and start cos of villages and roadworks and on some of the more exposed roads the gusts of wind were having a bit of an interesting effect on the bike.

After a particularly long wait at a set of roadworks where they were using a convoy system to get through the works I decided to stop for the obligatory fag and photo opportunity.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gran****son/Photos_files/Nov2006001.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gran****son/Photos_files/Nov2006002.jpg
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gran****son/Photos_files/Nov2006003.jpg

Passed through a number of villages and at one house it looked like there had been a serious fire as the Fire Brigade and the Police were still on site yet the fire was out. I hope everyone was OK

Got to my sisters and as usual we gabbed too long and I turned for home just as it was getting dark. Now I have ridden in the dark only a couple of times before (mainly on motorways) however I have not had any problems..... but last night I was not a happy chappy. Riding along the unfamiliar A roads in the dark just didn't feel safe. I couldn't see far enough ahead to anticipate bends or indeed check out the road conditions and I felt myself getting slower and slower as time got on. Was even getting a headache with concentrating on the road ahead that much :roll: Does everybody else cope OK with riding at night?

So anyway after a while I came across the M74 at Happendon and decided '**** it' and headed up the motorway.

All through this journey home the night sky was quite spectacular with http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gran****son/Photos_files/firework.jpg going off all around me however at one point I looked into the distance and though what the **** is all those lights in front of me?

Next thing I know I'm riding through fire. Some prat had lit a large bonfire too close to the motorway and all the burning embers were floating across the motorway. That was a fun end to my day. :lol:

[Stu]

You boys will do anything to keep warm :lol:

[northwind]

Does everybody else cope OK with riding at night?


No, that's why I always light massive bonfires right by the road.

I don't like riding at night on unlit, unfamiliar roads much. Never had any actual problems, accidents or anything with it, but it still unsettles me a bit. Good headlight bulbs can help, I fitted Osram Silverstars and they're better than standard, but still not as good as I'd like. The forks help too, since now if I brake it doesn't stand on its nose and point the headlights 5 feet away.

[Stu]

Does everybody else cope OK with riding at night?


No, that's why I always light massive bonfires right by the road.

I don't like riding at night on unlit, unfamiliar roads much. Never had any actual problems, accidents or anything with it, but it still unsettles me a bit. Good headlight bulbs can help, I fitted Osram Silverstars and they're better than standard, but still not as good as I'd like. The forks help too, since now if I brake it doesn't stand on its nose and point the headlights 5 feet away.

Seconded, the bulbs not the bonfires :roll: Oh, and adjust them as high as possible without dazzling oncoming drivers to see as far as poss.

[Blue Flame]

No, that's why I always light massive bonfires right by the road.


So it was u ya git :lol: :lol:

I didn't feel safe at all. Even on full beam I couldn't see much !! Will replace the bulbs as and when they go on me (Yes I am a miser....that's why I have never replaced my perfectly working stock can :roll: ).

Just gonna stay away from night riding on unfamiliar roads in future (Oh and riding on Bonfire night as well :lol: )

[Stu]

Well at least raise them a bit

£12 on ebay BIN incl, postage :roll:

[Blue Flame]

£12 on ebay BIN incl, postage :roll:

**** me. I can get a crate of beer for less than that. :wink:

[Stu]

OK with a crate of beer inside you, you're not going to see very far anyway :lol:

[northwind]

Pair of silverstars is cheaper than another new spine :)

[Blue Flame]

Pair of silverstars is cheaper than another new spine :)

:lol: .....True....... Will still prob leave it till the bulbs need replaced cos I am lucky enough to be able to choose between the bike or the cage.

OK with a crate of beer inside you, you're not going to see very far anyway :)

:lol: :lol:

[colinbal4]

Hmm, a similar experience riding along the A71 last night just before midnight on the way back from the Blackpool trip. After seeing this weekend the difference Kilted Ginger has made to his headlights with new bulbs, I want to do the same.

I'll start a new post.

[Stu]

Wish I seen this first, wouldn't have repeated myself :lol: What's KG got?

[Kilted Ginger]

Wish I seen this first, wouldn't have repeated myself :lol: What's KG got?

Phillips GT150 H4's

They have a blue coating so they look blue only when not switched on, also replaced the sidelights but cant remember what to. Paid £20 inc post for the headlights think halfords do them for about £25.
Chalk and cheese compared to the stocks. 8)