Yes Emily

Yes Emily, girls can ride motorcycles!


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Saturday November 3 - Road Trip

520 kilometers, a new helmet, plenty of junk food and lots of photos of Ron's art show ... A  SATURDAY ROAD TRIP!

Photo downloaded from the web
GP Bikes first stop (after the first OnRoute
 junk food stop) for the last day of the truck load sale. I had decided it was time (after 5 years) for a new helmet and they had a mountain of them at GP Bikes, Whitby. Finally after trying on several and walking around wearing one for (what seemed like) a very long time I settled on a Shoei RF1100 that fit my round head.
Now the paint job was/is not my first choice but for a saving of 50 bucks (over plain white) I decided I could wear a helmet with images of diabolical dualism: the devil and the devine (and it sort of matches my bike.) The RF1100 has had terrific reviews and the price was, well let's just say, it was a bargain I couldn't pass up (last year's paint job - incredible savings, what more can I say!)

Artist Ron and his charming wife Lynne
Then it was on to the Kent Farndale Gallery, Port Perry for the opening of Ron's Wanderlust, Wonderlust Exhibit. Ron is a motorcyclist, former racer and phenomenal artist. I was thrilled to be invited to photograph the event, and in awe of the folks he calls his friends including the original Father Goose. Who knew!

Ron and Bill Lishman (Father Goose)
Great show Ron ... Phenominal Day (with just one more junk food stop on the way home) Everybody's gotta have one junk food day a year and this was mine!
That's right - It's Sold!
 

 

23 comments:

  1. I have a Shoei helmet and love it. Anytime you can save some coin on a helmet is good, particularly a high quality one
    .

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  2. Dar, I'm not sure how I'll like the one piece helmet in actual practice. I've become quite accustomed to the benefits of a modular design ... I guess I'll see next spring.

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  3. Congratulations on the new helmet. I've got 2 Shoeis, a Multitec and a Neotec. They're great helmets.

    I had forgotten about the goose guy. Thanks for the link to the video. What a nice story!

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    1. Erik the Shoei modular helmets were $200+ more than last years design one piece - out of my snack bracket:)
      I too had forgotten about Father Goose (did you notice he actually looks younger now than back then?)

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  4. That sounds like a great day. looking at great art and finding a new helmet.

    I like the white - it will match your bike nicely. Hopefully you will get used to the one pice full face design. I wonder if it will be quieter than a modular or did you ever think your old helmet was noisy?

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    1. I like white too - a bit more visible (the bright green was this year's colour and pricier). I am hoping that it is quieter than my old helmet which after five years I found was becoming very loud, to the point of annoying even with ear plugs.

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  5. The paint job on the helmet looks gorgeous. I had a Shoei like this (2009 model) and it was lightweight and comfy but I prefer modular or 3/4 helmets over a full face.

    I haven't had junk food for a very long time... except you would accept vegetarian sushi as a fast food alternative.

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    1. Sonja - I'm also worried because I love the flexibility of a modular helmet ... and hey, the junk food was all vegan (peanut butter cookies, french fries and corn puffs hee hee!)

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  6. Until a couple of years ago my full face helmets were all one-piece. Then I decided to try a flip-up because (among other things) wearing glasses with a one piece is a pain. But now I'll go back to a one-piece. They are usually lighter and seem to have better peripheral vision imo. So I think you'll like it.

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    1. Canajun I was worried about the fit of sunglasses under a one piece helmet, but no problem (on the test run anyway). I also was surprised at the peripheral vision as well as the design that seemingly allows more flexibility for turning my head.

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  7. What a great trip and congrats on the new Shoei - my favourite too. You and Canajun have now successfully confused me!! I'm a spectacle wearer but haven't had a flip front for a good 10 years. Thought I might look at one next year but totally unsure now, mutter, mutter.....

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    1. Geoff - it really doesn't matter what kind of helmet you wear, you've gotta take the glasses off before you remove the helmet. The modular, just a bit easier, I found, to put the glasses on (and off).

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  8. I'm a round head, Shoei full face customer from way back and so far have not had a modular though have been thinking about one, partly because I too wear specs. Thanks for the pros/cons folks! My current one got some 'scratches' this year and I need a new one for next season, so this discussion is timely for me. One nice (there are only a select few) things about our long off-season is that I've got time to decide. Mine have all been, 'last season-less popular' color schemes.

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    1. Gotta love those last season designs when they save you big dollars. The bad news is it will be 5 or 6 months before you can road test the equipment.

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  9. Karen:

    I had been looking at full face helmets but never found one that didn't ruin my glasses. I have two modulars which I have never worn. I feel that the 3/4 gives better peripheral vision, the others only have a small window which feels claustrophobic.

    I didn't realize that you had to remove your glasses when removing the Modular Helmet. My glasses always got bent or mushed up

    I'm disappointed that there is no photo of your junque food but glad that you found a great helmet for a reasonable price

    sales season is coming up, I also need a new helmet for OUR trip next year.

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. Bob, the peripheral vision in this helmet is much better than I expected - a very wide window, perhaps that's why the sunglasses fit better than I thought they would too. Now I just need the new bluetooth system - yeah sale season!

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  10. Interesting to hear about your experience with a full face helmet after using a modular for a while.

    You need to head south and rent a bike! Can't have a new purchase sit around without trying it out...

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    1. I like that idea Richard - aside from the obvious reason, having something new sit around in a box, not being used, drives me absolutely crazy.

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    2. What! You mean Bobskoot isn't the typical Canadian leaving gear in boxes for years afraid to cut off the tags!!?

      Sorry, couldn't resist...

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    3. Karen:

      OH NO ! You didn't cut off the tags did you ?

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

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    4. Gees Bob - I had those tags torn off before I left the store ...(I did save the receipt though, it's guaranteed for 5 years.)

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  11. Karen,
    I have a modular helmet and I never take my glasses off to put it on or take it off. It's the major reason I like the modular helmet. I, also, have a dual sport helmet and it really opens up the field of vision. I wear that during the summer months. I like it a lot even though I have to take my glasses off to put it on :)

    This sounds like a wonderful day...junk food and all.
    ~Keith

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    1. Keith - I must (okay, admit, I do) have a melon for a head - sunglasses always had to come off before the helmet could if I wanted to do it injury free. I was amazed at the field of vision - I hope I like the change but there's only one way to find out.

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