Hells Nerds Motorcycle Club

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Gear

This is not the Belstaff you’re looking for.

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Was that title a little too abstract?

After watching the first four episodes of Long Way Up on Apple TV my main takeaway (outside of everything I talked about in my newsletter review) was that I need a winter jacket for my motorbike. I really liked what Ewan McGregor was wearing. But £700? Really? Does it come with a second hand DT125 and a flight to Turkey? No. 

Luckily I found an almost identical jacket called the Spada Staffy.

Here it is being shown off with my best catalogue pose.

The cherry on the cake is that there are new ones on Ebay going for £97. Half price! Double stitched, thermal lining, body armour, rain channel and storm flaps are just some of the features. First time out in it on the bike and chucked it down. Luckily the jacket passed the test. I stayed warm and dry even without the thermal liner. It’s rare that I’m this chuffed with a purchase. I do have a shorter Belstaff summer jacket. Love it. Plus it only ripped a bit when I fell off on the Devil’s highway. But when a very similar jacket costs £600 less then I think Belstaff need to take a look at their pricing.

[Update: I dropped my Triumph Tiger the other day. Sorry I mean I had to ‘lay it down’. Fast. Rider error. The elbow pads protected me from any bruising and the arm cloth has a scuff but no tears. YOu do know I’m doing this intensive testing just for you right?]

Motovlogging Experiments

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I thought i’d share my recent experiments testing the Rode Pro Lav into the GoPro Hero 7 Black.

This 14min video (you don’t have to watch it all) is comprised of a few clips pieced together as I test this set up for the first time. I’m hoping to use some kind of system like this on future motorbike trips.

My YouTube channel is not set for monetisation so if you see any adverts it’s not my doing. Thanks for watching.

Seat Modifications

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I’m planning a UK motorbike trip that will require me to carry luggage on my 2008 Triumph Scrambler. It’s not normally very good at that.

The seat I have is very thin, made of leather and not really conducive for long trips.

I thought about picking up a new seat but then remembered i’d kept the original from before I customised my bike. It’s a thick solo seat and rack. White trim on black vinyl but easily modded.

So I dug it out from storage and sprayed it to suit how the Triumph looks now.

I think it looks great. Let’s see how long I can keep it that way.

The Bell Bullitt

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I picked up a new helmet for my 2018 Hells Nerds ride in the US.

I have had my eye on the Bell Bullitt for a while now. I wore an open face helmet on the 2017 Devils Highway trip and there were times it really got on my nerves. It was not the best fit and although happy to be wearing it on the one time I did hit the deck, it wouldn’t have really helped me in a faster, harder crash.

Yes I bought the Bell because of the styling but it’s also a huge leap up in terms of quality and safety. It’s no way the safest helmet available, but if you want to be 100% safe don’t ride a motorbike. No helmet can save you from a traumatic brain injury, but it will certainly increase your chances of survival.

The Bullitt fits well, offers great vision, stays put at speed, and makes me look like an trainee astronaut popping home on his lunch break. It is quieter than an open face helmet but I still feel my face is free and visible. Although I don’t have the science to back this up, I think other drivers notice faces on a subconscious level. I wear an open face helmet around town in the UK because I feel I’m noticed by those that are aware and can shout at those that are not. I’m hoping this helmet will offer me the same. With the added safety of the chin bar. 

I’ve noticed new wind sounds I’ll have to get used to, but I normally wear ear plugs on long rides. It’s well vented and well made like the Ruby Belvedere Concorde I have used in the UK for the last 10 years. If this fares well in the deserts of New Mexico It may become my goto lid. 

Technically I don’t have to wear a helmet in New Mexico. Three states in the US have no helmet laws at all; Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire. But many of the other states like NM only legislate for those 17 and under. Even in the heat I’d rather not take my chances. I’ll be full face helmet, kevlar jeans and upper body armour all the way.

[Update: The helmet did me proud. Although it would occasionally become weaponised in the bright sun causing other riders to squint like cowboys, it worked great in the heat. It did earn me the temporary nickname of ‘Disco ball’ but thankfully that wore off. (I swear it was matt grey in the online photo when I bought it.)]

~ Christian @Documentally Payne