3 weeks later the admin answers their email and let's me log-in.........KF needs a bit better forum management. I have 1500 forums and blogs I manage to keep up-to-date, especially with member requests. IMHO
Okay so I wanted to share a few things that I couldn't find anywhere online, and the internet IS my business so it's just not out there, or at least anything useful.
THE JOURNEY - May 3rd we left Malta on a loaded up 2008 Kymco Xciting 500cc with GIVI 101 saddlebags and a GIVI 50L soft waterproof dufflebag, and I also have the GIVI B47NT Blade Tech Top Box Monolock.
We (my GF & I - total 160 kilos) are travelling to 15 countries, 100 cities, 30 of the top 100 rides in Europe, 15,000 Km in 56 days....we hope)Also the additional kit we have and will be reviewing are;
Scala Q1 Bluetooth Headsets
Garmin Zumo 340L
GIVI HX.08 Helmets
iPad, iPhone, Galaxy Note and KindleFire with TourStart, Garmin software and sending video through UStream
Sony HDR-AZ1 Headcam - this is good info for people considering buying a GoPro
Canon SX60 HS - video and pictures
InReach Satellite SMS, Social Media updates and Emergency Beacon
...and lots of other tech and goodies.
These are what I would like to share in this post;
1. Painting the plastic on ANY scooter (especially the Xciting because the gas inlet pours gas everywhere if the pump shuts off late. This washes out the colour and looks terrible. I fixed mine in a couple hours with no scraping, sanding, primer or professional application.
2. Saddlebags for maxi-scooters (especially the wide ones and the ones that do not have custom and permanent saddle-bags
3. Scala Q1 Bluetooth headsets - Better get some superglue or deep pockets
4. Travel on an Xciting with lots of weight
5. The Garmin Zumo 340L
1. Painting - so I couldn't find this information anywhere except bad youtube videos and long drawn-out directions. I have attached pics of the before and after. This bike only had 8000 mi on it so I took it apart (and I am NO mechanic!) and decided to paint it. Simple 3 step process;
1. Wash with soap and water
2. Spray with plastic primer
3. Paint (I used matte black) - the key is light coating 4-5 times and it comes out perfect!
The only note here is that you need to avoid getting the plastic primer on any metal parts as it will cause a bubbling effect, like you get when you apply paint remover, and anyone that has done this knows it's a flippin' mess!
2. Saddlebags for maxi-scooters - Couldn't find saddlebags for the Kymco Xciting 500cc 2008 model (or any of them). I bought the GIVI 101 saddlebags and a GIVI 50L soft waterproof dufflebag, and I also have the GIVI B47NT Blade Tech Top Box Monolock with light kit installed. Everything packed to the MAX! It takes a bit of work and permanent and custom hard cases would be best, but this is a cheap alternative and considering I also had my 55kg girlfriend on the back, shocks set on firm and the tire pressure at normal (Michelin City Tires). plus the fact at time I went 160kmph with ease, this worked out very well for those wondering. I'll post a pic later.
3. Scala Q1 Bluetooth headsets - Good but expensive. They drop off the helmet at the slightest touch. I have had them a few weeks and 2 have been lost. Scala won't do a thing despite hundreds of complaints that they are not attached securely enough. They PERSONALLY told me I was sh*t out of luck. So here I am on a 2-month W. European bike trip and can't even use them. Scala staff was of no help and basically left me out to dry. They are difficult to pair and I can't help but think this wasn't a design flaw, but a calculated profit-centre. DO NOT SPEND 300 on these. Wasted money.
4. Travel on an Xciting with lots of weight - As mentioned I have the GIVI 101 saddlebags and a GIVI 50L soft waterproof dufflebag, and I also have the GIVI B47NT Blade Tech Top Box Monolock with light kit installed. Everything packed to the MAX! It takes a bit of work and permanent and custom hard cases would be best, but this is a cheap alternative and considering I also had my 55kg girlfriend on the back, shocks set on firm and the tire pressure at normal (Michelin City Tires). plus the fact at time I went 160kmph with ease.
5. The Garmin Zumo 340L - These are great but I get tired of the unit not finding major cities using their search function. It couldn't find major cities like Civitavecchia?
Even in Malta where I live it was difficult to find common places. You have to find all of your destinations in Google Maps (MyMaps), download to kml, then import into the Garmin. This is redundant. Garmin needs to interface with GoogleMaps better. I am also using TourStart to integrate with Garmin and will update you later.
By the way, if anyone is interest I am posting video from a Sony HDR-AZ1 mounted on our helmets, pics and satellite tracking here;
The Big Ride on USTREAM: Matea and Gary set off for a 2-month journey on a new 2015 Piaggio X10 Executive Scooter. Watch as they venture through the top 30... constant pics here;
https://www.facebook.com/scubagary and we are official 'Testers' for TourStart here;
http://tourstart.org/about/motorcycle-riders-testing-tourstart_98 so I will be reviewing this software as well.
On a side note, I am doing a bucket list and are doing zip lines, white water rafting, skydiving, parasailing, hand gliding, driving Stelvio Pass and 20+ other famous bike rides (and recording and streaming it all from headcams), driving a Ferrari, Holland Tulip Festival, Rock in Vienna Festival, sailing, hitting top beaches and famous sites.
So you might enjoy following to watch the footage and the reviews.
GaryTheScubaGuy
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