Aw Beav...you're gonna get it now (meaning expect folks to hammer you on helmets/appropriate gear.) Here in the States (and most places) most riders are all about "ATGATT ("All The Gear, All The Time.) Now me...I'm not a fanatic on this...if I'm putzing across town at slow speed I'll go w/ just helmet and gloves but, if out enjoying the bike on back roads and at-speed then sure, I at least have the helmet, gloves, a riding jacket/jeans and at least ankle boots. Nice bikes and it looks like a great place to cruise around. Enjoy!
here in GREECE, to wear a helmet or gloves should be doing long journeys over 10 kilometers (if we live in the city then imposed) Of course we're wrong ... but here we go for swimming
IMO the most important protections (after your riding skills, your attention, your grit in riding and your self-control in dangerous situations) are the helmet and the back protector (which could be also worn underneath a vest). If you brake your skull or your spine, your life could be ruined forever; if you rub/brake one of your legs, probably the consequences will not be so serious. Six months without playing soccer or scars on the skin are not a tragedy... . Anyway, if you feel like not wearing a helmet I think that not doing it is ok; mine is just a suggestion.
Riding my new 2003 TE610E from Melbourne to Canberra, 13-14 Aug. This taken at Holbrook in New South Wales about 9:30am on 14th
This one taken at the 1867 Prince Alfred Bridge at Gundagai. This and other bridges were built over the flood plain of the Murrumbidgee River, after the original town was washed away.
Trip report? Not much to report really, but thanks for asking! The ride was 700km over a 24 hour 2pm -2pm period, staying overnight about halfway. Being winter in Australia it was pretty cold or the first hour on day 2. Unfortunately it was simply me returning home with the bike bought I interstate, so all riding was done on Tarmac and most on a really born freeway with a 110kph limit. The bike ran well and I am really looking forward now to riding on gravel roads in the Canberra area, on a bike suited for it with dual-purpose tyres. TgecreR Metzeler Karoo has had it from a legal wear perspective (like this before I set off) after probably only about 1500kms use by the previous owner who raced for Yamaha in S Africa. Cheers, Dave
Added a 610 to the group this weekend. Other than every single light being missing or broken and a hacked up exhaust, she seems to be in decent shape.
Did a great 190km circuit yesterday with a friend _ my first time off sealed roads with the TE610. The fairly bald rear tyre didn't limit too much. Trip photos here :https://www.flickr.com/photos/smoooooth-lll/sets/72157646347656660/
