Should You Recommend Bike Stuff | Aprilia Tuareg 660
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- Опубліковано 30 кві 2024
- With so much biking kit and accessories and replacement parts etc available to us these days, it is often hard to know what to get, especially when you buy everything on the internet nowadays instead of face to face in a shop. Often we turn to motorcycle forums and social media to get opinions and reviews for advice... But are those opinions and reviews worth their salt? Should we even offer advice? I think we should, but we need to do it properly and quantify why we recommend stuff and explain why they work for us as an individual. I recently watched a @spicy110 video:
• Between Shills and Buy...
The video is about "trusted reviews", and well worth a watch. Anyways, it sort of inspired this video.
As usual, I was heading down to a biker cafe as I recorded this video, and it is one I wholeheartedly recommend (without any "Buyers Confirmation" going on), it is the West Beach Cafe down in Littlehampton. If you fancy checking it out, do take a look on their website/socials for their opening times.
If you have not done so already, don't forget to check out my other socials:
Facebook: / hippodrones
Instagram: / hippodrone247
Twitter: / hippo_drones
My bikes:
2023 Suzuki GSX 8S with Akrapovic full exhaust and decat
2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 with Doubletake mirrors, Evotech Performance satnav bar mount, SW-Motech sump-guard, Hepco & Becker handguard protection, Kriega US40 RackPack & US10 drybags
2020 Beta 390 RR with 2" lowered suspension by HM Racing (www.hmracing.co.uk), Bulletproof Designs radiator guards, Seat Concepts lower seat, Doubletake bar mirrors, Acerbis handguards
2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, aka "Lord Vader" which has been very customised
Previous bikes that have featured on the channel:
1984 Honda CB100N in original condition
2017 Suzuki GSX-R 750 with Yoshimura Slip-On Exhaust & modified gearing
2020 Moto Guzzi V85 TT with Zard Titanium Slip-On Silencer
2018 Triumph street Triple 765R [LRH]
2018 Beta Alp 4.0
2017 KTM 390 Duke
#ApriliaTuareg660 #Reviews #Recommendations #Motorcycle #Vlogger #HippoDrones - Авто та транспорт
Well said mate. There's so much personal choice with everything. I have a HJC and an Arai and both fit me really well.
I always tell my students to try a helmet on in store and wear it for about ten minutes as they wander around the store so that any pressure points are going to present themselves before they buy it.
I always discourage buying any bike gear online. Students also always ask what bike I recommend. I always tell them to just go down a local street we have that is full of bike shops and sit on all the bikes that appeal to them to see what is most comfortable. They might have their eye on a particular bike because they've seen reviews of it or it looks cool, but they don't know how it feels until they sit on one. And the bike parked next to it might actually be a better bike for them!
That is top advice to wear the helmet in the shop for a good while... I've found even doing that though I've still struggled with the fit when on the bike as the wind pushed the helmet into your head, in the past all helmets have given me a sore spot on the forehead, just some less than others. Seemingly so far, my new helmet doesn't do it, so I am stoked about that.
Very true Pete - well said. Not only are we all unique and different, but also context needs to be considered. Often the problem is with the question as well as the answer, no context, not enough information. And don't get me started on manners - questions asked rudely, no please or thank you and some people see a post about a bike and put up a "question" that is simply something like:
"tyres?"
I just want to slap their parents....
Very much the question can be the issue... although I've noticed on the internet that people don't often read the question fully, so offer bad recommendations to a question that wasn't even asked! 😀 Hahaha
Oh mate, yeah they get my goat they do, I wonder how they even managed to get online in the first place if their vocabulary is so bad.. how did they even ask what PC to buy? 😀 but yup, some folks parents need that slap... preferably around an hour before they conceived the kid! 😀
@@HippoDrones 😅yes - that would have been the optimal time 😆
@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger 😀
Yes I agree with the recommendations stuff. I just simply say, what works for me is....such n such..
Hey that helmet sounds really good or you did a great job cleaning up the audio. I can honestly say that I am dissappointed with my Klim helmet in the fitment catagory, the rest is lovely. My Bell helmets really fit my head shape like a glove, I just wish they made an ADV helmet comparable to my Klim.
I think just being on a bike is nostalgic for me. It reminds me of when my dad would load me the trailer on the Gold Wing and we would go camping for a couple days and just roam around like nomads. That trailer was pretty dern cool, it was a little camper when opened and assembled.
I never do any post audio correction, is why I like to get it as good as I can in helmet. It so far does seem pretty good, although it does make the bike engine sound a little quieter, but the voice audio is close enough, but will tweak my set up a little still. I have actually blocked up a couple of the chin vents with earplug silicone and that has taken some of the wind noise away, still playing though.
I know what you mean about being on bikes, they are my portable happy place, but it is nice to go back to some happy places from when I was younger, I don't have many, so cling to the few I have.
Very true, loads of different scenarios for lots of different people.
I am guilty of only wearing plugs on longer runs. It's a lot less fatigueing wearing them for sure.
I even got my earplugs out the other day, and used some to block a couple of the vents in my new helmet LOL 😀
@@HippoDrones 😂😂👍
@@exeterrider so technically I am wearing them, just wearing them incorrectly! 😀 Hahahah
@@HippoDrones I don't find they work very well, not sure if I'm using them right. but horriable when you pull them out and they are covered in snot.
@@exeterrider haha... yeah, maybe putting them in too far if they come out your nose! 🤣
Very fair. It's why I always try to structure things as "here's info, you can use it to add to your decision". Very much agree on everything tho. A wise Hippo. Especially the brand loyalty nonsense.
Aye, as a reviewer, you have a responsibility... this was more based at those commencing on posts rather than those creating reviews... although I think we as reviewers need to be accountable 🙂👍
Well said. I was surprised how good my audio is from the hjc v10 because I can hear all sorts that the mic doesn't pick up. I wonder how different it will be on the new bike that's arriving.
I look forward to seeing the bike reveal mate 🙂
Hi Pete,
head shape is crucial to how noisy any helmet is. It can be as aerodynamic and well insulated as it likes but if you have massive gaps at the sides then the wind will get into it and it will be noisy.
By the sound of it, you have a round head and a lot of helmets fit round heads really well, but if you have an oval head like mine, you get gaps at the sides and the helmet in the right size ends up being very tight on your forehead. In my experience head shape is the most important thing with regard to getting the quietest fitting helmet.
I am currently looking for a new helmet, having discovered that my Schuberth C4 Pro has a massive gap on the LHS ( so clearly my head is oval and not even symmetrical ! ).
I believe that Shoei tend to fit oval heads quite nicely but I have recently tried my old Scorpion again and it is a lot quieter than the Schuberth, so am currently thinking of buying a new Scorpion and hoping that they have kept the same shell shape. It is a nightmare though, finding a new helmet, particularly if you vlog from your bike and are extremely anxious about excessive wind noise.
I always ride with earplugs and I simply cannot ride without them, it's horrendous. Probably not helped by the fact that it's always pretty blustery here !
Audio on this one is fine, so that helmet seems to work for you and all of your bikes mate 👍🏻 Congratulations. I hope that I can be as lucky !
Take care buddy,
Garry & Ruby
Hey Garry 🙂
I have an oval head as it goes, I nearly always get a pressure point on my forehead, even with past helmets that I thought were a good fit, this HJC so far does not seem to do that though, so am happy with that result! 🙂
I have a Schuberth C4 Carbon, I really wanted to like it as it cost a lot of dosh and I got their built in Sena comms kit with it too, but the visor didn't seal well so rain got in, it had a constant whistle when out on my bikes and it also gave my forehead a hotspot on long runs. Weird how things work for one person and not others, as I know many love the Schuberth helmets.
I am sure that you will find a good solution mate 🙂
@@HippoDrones So would you say that HJC helmets suit oval heads ? Never considered them because I didn't want to risk it, not knowing. The Scorpion is a tight fit but it seals well and Scorpion even have these pump up air bladders to get a really good seal around the neck, which presumably helps to keep the wind out.
Your experience of the C4 is like my own. I love the convenience of the in-built comms but the right size sits very tight on my forehead and I have gaps at the sides, particularly on the LHS. I also have a visor which doesn't seem to seal in a positive way and a constant whistle from the chin vent ( which also broke within two weeks and meant that I had to send the helmet away for two weeks to get it fixed ).
I did a lot of research before buying the C4 Pro and people were saying that the C4 had nowhere near the quality of the C3 and also that the shell shape had gone more rounded and less oval. I bought it anyway because I found a special offer and thought it worth a punt.
I am pretty sure that I'd love the C3 Pro ( still available in some places ) but that had an older comms unit than the C4 and I don't fancy having to buy BOTH all over again.
I have a Sena 10S lying around for any other brand of helmet I buy. I suppose I could buy a basic C3 without the built in gubbins and add the 10S myself. But anyway, lots of people felt like the C4 was a major drop in quality and comfort, compared to previous Schuberths and your experience is extremely similar to mine and seems to confirm that !
The annoying thing about helmets is that even if you go to a brick and mortar store and try it on and then buy it, you still have no idea what it will be like on the road in terms of noise, sealing and longer term comfort. It really is a bit of a lottery and decent helmets are far from cheap ! In all my years of riding, I don't think I've ever found the perfect helmet !
Cheers Pete,
Garry
I assume it is as it fits my head and I don't get a pressure point on my forehead, but I also don't notice any pressure on the sides of my head, so if it is oval, then it is less so than others I have tried.
I fancied having the comms as I thought it'd be nice on longer rides to have music to listen to and have satnav directions to my ears. I've never been one for chatting to others I'm riding with when playing bikes, prefer to have a good natter at stops over a brew. HJC do one for this new helmet, I'm not sure if I'll get it though as it is just another thing to have to charge on trips... but I may... I am impulsive like that LOL :-D
Yup, I have had better luck with helmets fitting buying blind online than in recent times going into a physical shop and trying them on for overall on bike comfort, noise and quality... but I feel I have gotten lucky there, so still think there is benefit in going to an actual shop if it is an option.
I occasionally recommend bike gear at my end,but usually after I've tested it harder than most! 🤣👍
Because something says it's waterproof, doesn't mean it'll keep me dry in Scotland though! 🤬🤣✌️
Haha... yeah "waterproof" and "Scotland waterproof" are very different standards! 😀
Interesting term 'buyer confirmation' and true.
Nice to see some cows out on the land, been a long winter for them, stuck in the sheds.
Get a Bridgestone mate. 🤪
Aye, I am sure I have been guilty of it myself in some of the videos I have made in the past. Something I shall try to be mindful of if I review any purchases in the future! :-)
Yeah, the land has been way too soggy for them sadly.
Hahaha :-P
Absolutely agree. Ive now discovered that I have a Shoei/Arai/Airoh head. That said, Airoh Wraap fits like a glove. Airoh Commander fits like Iron Maiden so even smae brands arent even the same shape.
I had an RPHA 70 but after 2 rides had to sell it on as it juzt didnt fit properly.
Sportsbike Shop are good. They tell you to take the lid home and sit in it for an hour and then see how it feels. If it dont fit bring it back.
Helmets are chuffin expensive though and weve all been in that budget section where have to wear what you can afford. Good to be out of it now though thats for sure.
Aye, I wasted well over £1500+ on bad fitting helmets in the past.
@@HippoDrones that sounded like a serious amount at first but for decent quality lids thats only about 4. Bugger me, helmets are so expensive!
@@dynamotightstar3472 Yup, silly money, and a silly fetish to have... I do like new helmets 😀
Get a bloody goldentyre Pete for fucks sake 😁 you're waiting for your spring we're still waiting for autumn, the weather needs to go home it's drunk
Hahahaha 😀
Weather is all over the shop mate
I recommend things as part of my job, and one of the first things i do is find out the customers requirements. You can be talking to them for 15 minutes, having an idea what they need, and they'll say something that completely changes what would be best.
Doing your own research and looking at multiple reviews is the best way to find the right gear. Helmets and clothing in general need to be tried on. Everyone's a different shape.
You are very knowledgeable about the products you sell though, and have tried almost all of it by now I imagine, so can recommend with experience and not just the blurb sheet the manufacturers send out with their products. I imagine it gets quite frustrating when you show them exactly what they have told you they want and spent time with them to get that, then they pull the rug from under you and completely change their mind on what they need/want! 😀
Yup, much better to try kit on, although having done that, and done mail order, I have had better luck when taking a chance with helmets specifically than when I have spent time in a shop trying stuff out weirdly... but I know that has mostly been just luck on my part rather than good judgement! 😀
@HippoDrones yeah that can be annoying but they'll think of me when it goes Pete Tong 🤣
I'm the same, I've been lucky with stuff I've ordered online, but I probably should have gone down a size for my jacket and trousers.
@@CuriousGoose where as I should have probably gone up a size (fat belly Hippo) 🤣
Opinions are like arseholes.
Everyone has one.
Just some are more desirable than others.
Oh, good vid btw. Like how natural you can chat away whilst riding.
Aye, tis true that! 🤣
Thanks bud
My mate brought a Schuberth because they were supposed to be the quietest helmet. It is on a naked, but noisy on a sports bike.
Any of the sports helmets with lots of vents seem to be quite noisy as a rule.
The 2 Schuberth helmets I've owned were quite possibly the noisiest helmets I've ever owned sadly... I got them on the basis that the reviews said they were the quietest on test.
@@HippoDrones Were they the 'sporty' ones? I'm between 'Small' and 'Medium' for most helmet manufacturers, I noticed Schberth sizing was different to any other manufacturer I could find. I got a C3 Basic at a good price. Quietest helmet I've had so far. I do wear earplugs unless I'm popping to the MOT station. As I'm 'hearing impaired' I'd encourage anyone to wear ear protection. (I'm convinced a Bell Helmet gave me tinitus, even though I wore earplugs)
@@paullee6663 no mate, the last was the C4
Helmets a difficult thing to recommend, due to head shape. But, I always do recommend higher end helmets because of crash performance.
I am sure that you get what you pay for with a lot of helmets, although some charge more for the brand or paint job than the safety aspect. If a $1000 helmet doesn't fit right, it is potentially less likely to protect you than a $500 helmet that does fit right though. 🙂
@@HippoDrones 100% agree
@@Viper6-MotoVlogger 🙂
I think modern helmets are a lot like modern motorcycles, none of them are really bad. I think it's so subjective. I watch motoGP and many of them wear Shark or HJC or AGV, which are considered the cheaper end, but they must be good if GP riders are happy to wear them.
Yup, but they do seem to fit different head shapes, so is worth finding the brands that fit your own head.
With the racers, I'm sure that they'd not wear bad helmets with the speeds they ride at, but also like the sponsorship money some brands offer.
I actually remember in the past, there were racers that were sponsored by a helmet brand, but they didn't like those helmets, so they just painted the helmet they actually wore to look like it was from their sponsored brand. Doubt that goes on any more, but it might.
@@HippoDrones I think I read somewhere back in the day, Arai didn't 'sponsor' anyone. Any racer that wore a Arai had to pay for it. (I could be wrong, and it could be different now, it was a long time ago)
@@paullee6663 I've very much loved every Arai helmet I've owned over the years, great quality, just a very fiddly visor mechanism
I must admit I do enjoy the coast. Been a good while since I've been.
Something about being at the very edge of a country :-)
Basically, short story long, engage brain! I think it’s fine to recommend a helmet or whatever on your personal experience, it’s up to individuals to do their own research to check all the relevant things to ensure it’s right for them.
Wise words indeed mate, but where to get that research from is the tricky thing.... which is why, when offering advice/experience, it needs to be quantified as they may not know you are a giant or ride a totally different style of bike in totally different locations and weather/terrain etc 🙂
I think honest recommendations are OK, honest experiences with things are better because, as you say, we are all different in shape, size and tastes. I am much less impressed when those "recommendations" are just hidden adverts. Amphibious car! Awesome!
Hills for me over the coast, though I like both.
The joys of moving microphones. Try to ignore mine when I do the "I" video. I really should get another mic but not sure which. Would you recommend one? 😀
Aye, it is frustrating when you look up reviews of things and strangely, the item they say is the best... they have an affiliate link to it in the description! 😀 although nothing wrong with making a few quid, it does make me very much doubt the authenticity of the review.
Here is a non affiliated link to the type of mics I use, there are several similar, they vary in price a little but are all similar in function:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005BOU51Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I modify them slightly for our use, I carefully take the plastic cover off the end and then hot-glue the mic sensor down to the remaining plastic, and modify the foam deadcat to fit better now it is slimmer, that way it tucks away in the helmet better.
@@HippoDrones Funnily enough, I bought one of those recently. I haven't tried it yet. Need to work out how to get it from the camera past my chin curtain without it being uncomfortable. I considered a Purple Panda too, though that get reviews that vary from "the best thing since sliced bread" to "absolute garbage".
@@CalmBiker I recently posted some photos of how I run it into my helmet on the forum. Kinda do similar on all my helmets.
I'm failing in the crash helmet stakes, I've bought 2 in the last 12 months and the first one I don't use any more and the second one is just ok. All in all I've got 7 helmets, admittedly I only bought the last 2 for my scooter as I decided an open face, which I love from a comfort perspective, is not great from a safety perspective. My favourite helmet for when I go for a ride on my "proper" bike is a 12 year old Bell which is in great condition. In fact I've also got sick of my 8S and am considering an ADV bike. Maybe I'm just in fickle stage.
I went through a similar period of buying helmets that didn't work for me out on the bike, even though were fine in the shop. Was quite frustrating and expensive. Am well pleased with the new lid though so far 🙂
I have a Davida open face helmet, is possibly the quietest helmet I have ever owned, seals up so well around my ears, I struggle to hear conversation wearing it off the bike. I don't use that very often anymore though as I got that for my Moto Guzzi V7 and that is up for sale now.
Ahh that is a shame re the GSX 8S, how come you are sick of it? Has it given you problems, or something else? I have to admit, ADV bikes are so very versatile, but I do muchly love having a full on road bike too.
@@HippoDrones I'm thinking of doing some longer trips this year and maybe an ADV bike will be more comfortable and have more fuel range. The 8s is a fantastic bike but I'm thinking 6 hours in the saddle might be more comfortable with softer suspension with more travel. Also I want to do some light off pavement riding. I'm considering the 800 DE because the engine is so good, although maybe it's a bit heavy and the transalp might be better. Fun times will be had making the decision.
@@tonyjourneyman1944 Certainly be easier to carry some kit on an ADV bike vs the GSX 8S. I was very very smitten by the test rides I had on the V-Strom 800 DE and RE, superbly comfortable, and I'd possibly even consider one to replace my Aprilia Tuareg 660 and GSX 8S if it had cruise control, but I'll not buy a bike for travelling on without cruise control now, it makes life so much better.
@@HippoDrones I haven't got the cruise control bug yet, I'm good without it, I try to get off freeway/motorway and take the back roads. I'm still dealing with the fact that I've got a quickshifter. In fact, I have some kind of mental block about changing gear without a clutch, especially downshifting.
I was fine without it too, same with quickshifters... but now I've experienced it, I'd choose to have rather than not have. I have a shoulder injury though, and long journeys can get quite painful, being able to rest my shoulder for a bit is a godsend for my situation :-) Yeah, motorways/freeways/etc are no fun on a bike and best avoided if possible.
Haha, it took me a while to dial into the quickshifter, I rarely use it going down the box, although do on occasion, but yeah, it don't feel right to smash down gears without a clutch! :-D
Personally, if I do a review video, I'll always state.....
"This is my thoughts and opinions, yours may differ"
I also tend to say, "Do try it yourself, see what you think"
I take all reviews, as that persons opinions, not necessarily fact.
Yup, they are all just opinions, have had folk criticise some of my bike reviews because I've said xyz and they disagreed, but all comments and interactions help your channel mate, so even if folk disagree with you, it is all good 🙂
@@HippoDrones thanks for the feedback and advice mate
@@grumpsrides6074 🙂
Seems that I have a very expensive head shape, because the best fitting helmet I have tried on, was a Schuberth. / That note was t-shirt material: "To get to a nice location, sometimes you have to go through some rubbish roads." / I like tea too. Too many people are obsessed with coffee.
I drink instant coffee at home because tea is too much effort... but when I'm at a cafe, it is always tea! :-D
Ahh, that is a pest re helmet fitting, I didn't get on with my Schuberth helmets, but sadly still paid for them before finding out... doh.
I do like to try to avoid the rubbish roads, but they capture us on occasion
@@HippoDrones Well, I tried it and liked it, but because the cost would have been half of my summer vacation budget I went with a cheaper alternative. I still regret trying it on though, because now I know what there is available....
@@theodorstravels ahh, yes... that does suck to know there is something out there that would be good for you but is cost prohibitive.
@@HippoDrones I drink instant coffee at home because tea is too much effort... 😲😲😲 I used to take coffee to work to save having to take milk...🤐
@@paullee6663 Haha... I stopped buying regular milk at home, I just use CoffeeMate now, powdered milk 😀
I care about the food! thanks bud!!
Haha, I am recording a video specially for you over the next few weeks/months mate 😀
@@HippoDrones Can't wait!!! 😁
@@matthewcoleman8267 😀
I don't recommend anything these days (whatever it may be) Someone will ask on social media "what helmet?" "What tyres for green lanes?" and so on... I've found that if I put forward my opinion there'll be 50 come on there to tell me how wrong I am! 🙄
That's the nature of social media, people love to criticise a lot more than help, it's actually really anti social.
Let me tell you how wrong you are for not giving your recommendation...
😂😂😂
@@NooBiker Yep, that's exactly how it goes..... 🤣
The internet is full of weirdos mate, and often even if you give the best advice, the person asking totally ignores it ang buys what they were told was not good, and 3 months later is whinging that it is rubbish/fell apart/doesn't do what they wanted from it.
@@specialcircs sadly, it is a lot like that at times.
My Shoei is great on the Kawasaki Z1000SX but very noisy on the Himalayan. My HJC is the other way around.
I'd never wear my AGV adventure helmet riding the Kawasaki 😂😂😂
Which models of helmet? 🙂
@@HippoDrones I'm in two minds as to whether you are asking or just reinforcing the point... but I'm a sucker so:
Shoei GT-Air 2
HJC IS-7
AGV AX9
😃😃
@@NooBiker 😀 just checking that you were paying attention in class! 😉
First?
Seriously - wear the earplugs. You only get one set of ears. Even quiet helmets will exceed 90db at speed.
the worst, second the best, third the one with a hairy chest! 😀
I know mate, I did actually get some custom earplugs made, but they never stayed in my ears properly and often trapped me in my helmet. I do try to remember to wear them.
@@HippoDrones Hairy chest! Haha! Are we both showing our age?
@@throttle_up 🤣
I like recommendations and reviews, but it's all down to the source. If it's someone I find credible, it's useful. So if you say you like a product, I'll check it out if it's something I'm interested in getting. I looked into those heated gloves you got a while back, because heated gloves are something I'm interested in getting in the future. On the flip side, if reviews and general use are part of a marketing campaign, it has very little credibility. In some cases, it's a turn-off, like with Ruroc helmets. While I'm generally over the "cool" helmet designs (I'm at the point where I want quality and safety from a brand I trust more than anything), I would probably never consider any of their products in the future. All because of their obnoxious marketing campaign where they seemed to try to get every mid to large US motovlogger channel on UA-cam on their payroll.
Yeah, I have to admit I cringe when I see a content creator wearing a Rurok lid too.
Regarding those heated gloves, I so wish I'd gotten them sooner, absolute game changer for winter riding, Five gloves seem to fit me better than other manufacturers too. I have no affiliation with them and paid for them myself but I can't compare them to another manufacturer as not tried any others
Got to be done yes bacon Butty you why you went out for . 😂
Hey Ro, soz been a long day, what do you mean mate?
@@HippoDrones well sometimes you really fancy something that's been on your mine all the way there. Yummy bacon butty .
Reviews are a bit of a minefield. I still prefer an owners review compared to a review of an item the reviewer has been given in return for a review.
Aye, although as per Spicy110's video, a totally independent review is better still, it is just hard knowing who you can trust to give that review.
Owners reviews are handy as they can often breakdown costs of servicing, tyre life and recommend mods and accessories, but can also be very one sided too.
I don't recommend, I give my experience on that item
That is a good way to do it 🙂
Owners bias
Yup that sort of thing 🙂👍