Is this final proof that old age is catching me up?

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#31 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:18 am

Falcomille wrote:the police don't seem to give a toss as long as you've got a hi-viz jacket.

Salut
Peter

Hi Peter - sorry to take this slightly off-topic; your comment about hi-viz jackets is very interesting. Do people get stopped for not wearing them? Certainly the French cops seem to take a much more relaxed view of most things, compared to Blighty.

Agree about the tinnitus - I've been diagnosed with advanced hearing loss (loss of high frequencies, poor hearing in crowded places) so I got a set of custom-made earplugs at the NEC bike show. Haven't had chance to wear them on the bike yet, but the specs are way better than the normal yellow things.

It's probably a bit late to get serious about my hearing (horses and stable doors spring to mind), but hopefully it will protect what hearing I have left.

Falcomille · #32 Post by **Falcomille** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:45 am

Not sure about the Hi-Viz jackets yet - must try to find out... although logic says you should wear them all the time so the bastards can see you. Biggest problem for us Brits here is the "give way to traffic coming from the right" rule. Now that really IS scary! Not so bad in the Land Cruiser, but on a bike.... Just as a matter of interest, how many riders who use France know about the rule and where it is in force??

I have been meaning to get some custom blobs for my ears, for the last 5 years, but failed miserably. Now I just get the high-pitched whistling all the time, so for you younger ones - don't listen to loud music and always wear earmuffs. And ear plugs. And ear defenders. In fact.. don't listen to anything. Ineterstingly enough, when I went to the last Audio test last December, I have hearing loss at the same specific frequency as a womans voice! Yes - I have a sicknote for not being able to hear the wife!!! It's about 5 KHz I think. And this from a female Audiologist!! ACE!

Anyone else with a sicknote?

Falcomille · #33 Post by **Falcomille** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:51 am

Sorry - ambiguous reply... yes the police DO stop drivers and ask for Hi-Viz jackets IN THE VEHICLE, not just in the boot, and yes, they do On-The-Spot fine you if you do not have one, so remember when you are driving here, stick one in the glove box. And your triangle as well. I'll check on the bike situation and let you know.. although where the hell you stick you triangle on a bike - God knows? Any suggestions?

Fausto · #34 Post by **Fausto** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:15 pm

Re Hi Viz and France....

unless it's changed in the last 12 months there is no requirement to wear Hi Viz on your bike. Reading between the lines of Falcomille's post I think he's referring to car drivers carrying them in case of emergency??

Whilst Hi Viz may not be required on a bike, headlamps are required to be on all the time. Very possible to get an on the spot fine (90Euros) for that one

D-Rider · #35 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:29 pm

Fausto wrote:
Whilst Hi Viz may not be required on a bike, headlamps are required to be on all the time. Very possible to get an on the spot fine (90Euros) for that one

Is that true?
I know Austria introduced a law to make people keep headlights on all the time and, surprise, surprise, the accident rate went up.
I understand that they reversed the law and now lights are not allowed to be on in the daytime in Austria.
(Though if you're going there, do make sure I've got my facts straight - I believe I have but you'd better check for yourself)

Despite this evidence I hear that the EU are still pressing ahead with their stupid plan for daytime lights that will make sure everything is lost in a sea of illumination, increase overall fuel consumption and increase emissions.
Donkeys

Maybe the French are pre-empting the EU

Falcomille · #36 Post by **Falcomille** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:55 pm

Yup - new law came in October 1st this year requiring hi-Viz vest and triangles carried in the car, vest accessible without getting out of the car, I think the fine is up to 130 Euros, in France. This is why I need to check up on if there is a requirement for bikers to carry a vest also. Will let you know when I know.

Thumper · #37 Post by **Thumper** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:46 pm

IsleFalco wrote:I put the OE exhausts back on and decided that:

1. the bike is too noisy with the race exhausts
2. I prefer the sound of the induction bark to the banging of the exhaust
3. The bike runs smoother and better with the stock cans.
4. I am going to get rid of the race cans

I am 50 in January. I think that provides all the evidence that is required.

Thank you.

IF

Sounds like a Mid lifer Islefalco.....smile but your observations are sound sold mine recently but wish I still had it! riding onelike this instead

an armchair

all I have to do is get it working properly...probably keep me busy into retirement

Fausto · #38 Post by **Fausto** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:47 pm

D-Rider wrote:
Fausto wrote:
Whilst Hi Viz may not be required on a bike, headlamps are required to be on all the time. Very possible to get an on the spot fine (90Euros) for that one
Is that true?
I know Austria introduced a law to make people keep headlights on all the time and, surprise, surprise, the accident rate went up.
I understand that they reversed the law and now lights are not allowed to be on in the daytime in Austria.
(Though if you're going there, do make sure I've got my facts straight - I believe I have but you'd better check for yourself)

Despite this evidence I hear that the EU are still pressing ahead with their stupid plan for daytime lights that will make sure everything is lost in a sea of illumination, increase overall fuel consumption and increase emissions.
Donkeys

Maybe the French are pre-empting the EU

OK. I am talking about France and bikes here - not cars.

Having been stopped and threatened with the fine I assume it's true.

Just try riding with your light off and see how many flashes you get. I just didn't realise what they meant

Anyway - isn't this why all new bikes have perma lights that you can't switch off.

D-Rider · #39 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:05 pm

Yeah - I wasn't suggesting you were wrong.

I'd not have realised why I was being flashed either but if the cops explain why and start threatening fines then obviously they get switched on.

I think one thing's clear, we need to get a good understanding of rules, regulations and customs of the various countries before we set off next summer.

Fausto · #40 Post by **Fausto** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:09 pm

I've lost all my bookmarks (again) but I think one of the more helpful sites in this regard is Visordown. Seem to recall finding all sorts of useful info on their touring pages.

#41 Post by **Kwackerz** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:32 pm

VD, helpful?! Christ! havent heard that said for quite a while!

Firestarter · #42 Post by **Firestarter** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:23 am

Kwackerz wrote:VD, helpful?! Christ! havent heard that said for quite a while!

I've never thought VD to be helpful in any respect...

Oh, you mean Visordown? Sorry, should read earlier posts first...

D-Rider · #43 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:05 am

Firestarter wrote:
Kwackerz wrote:VD, helpful?! Christ! havent heard that said for quite a while!
I've never thought VD to be helpful in any respect...

Oh, you mean Visordown? Sorry, should read earlier posts first...

Give him the clap ..... sorry, a clap

IsleFalco · #44 Post by **IsleFalco** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:12 am

Forget all the getting old stuff. The stock cans indicate nothing. I rode to work today and pulled a decent wheelie accellerating in third gear. As this was in view of work I am now being branded childish. This makes me the oldest kid in the place. Result!

Aladinsaneuk · #45 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:36 am

lol :)

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Is this final proof that old age is catching me up?

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