Post by juddyjuddster on May 18, 2011 22:25:23 GMT
Hi Rocket guys, bit of a strange one this but hoping you can help.
I have had the great guys at RTR doing the IVA for me and thankfully it has passed, more through their abilities than mine and I am hoping to pick the car up and drive back to Newcastle from Nottingham some 160 miles. It has dawned on me that I am not sure how cold a rocket is this time of year, I have a helmet but what else would you guys wear and I guess I will be traveling for about 3 hours from 5pm onwards.
I was thinking, helmet gloves, thick jacket, t shirt, jumper, jeans and maybe thick socks.
Thanks in advance for the tips, kind regards a very excited Ian ;D
Well - if it was anything like the almost 200 mile trip I had bringing my rocket back recently, you may well benefit from some waterproofs too. The classic bikers "wet weather" gear is ideal, or some other form of rain covering. Kept me pretty comfortable in some major rain storms and surface water. If you have any form of side panels on your rocket then this may reduce the need for them - but mine is still open sided. Gloves are also a good idea if it's cold due to wind chill - it's not too bad with the small fly screen so you don't need too thick gloves. Helmet is obviously a necessity if you're going to be on A roads and motorways.
I didn't half get some funny looks driving such a car through a thunderstorm though.
Thanks Fizzy, it sounds like you had a right adventure getting your car. Knowing my luck I should also see a bit rain snow and the odd hurricane. I think I will have to revert to my boy scout days a bring everything water / wind proof I can carry. Thanks for the advice I know it was a bit of a crazy question. Cheers Ian
After more than 7000 rocket miles in every thing from 30 C Le mans to massive rain storms and bitting cold you would think i should know. However, I still find it easy to get it wrong.
Head I love to drive with no helmet, but any trip on a motor way really deserves it. for a long trip i wear ear plugs, balaclava and full face lid. On small roads my sungalsses do fine
Hands for some reason I love to wear my track day gloves all the time. just thin gloves with a suede plam. on very cold days my battery heated gloves keep me toastie
top half if its hot, jut a tee shirt and a windstopper, if its cold, tee shirt, layers and layers and a waterproof coat if its wet, my all in one motor bike suit
bottom half quick drying trousers, but its surprisingly warm
feet normal shoes are fine, but if its wet i have rubber over shoes that go kart drivers wear.
the Rocket environment is much better than it looks, the aeroscreen keeps you protected and the rest is just common sense.
enjoy, and we will see you at a show or at the AMM some time
Cheers
Mattsmev
Mattsmev
Orange MEV Rocket, 1.6l Zetec SE - Standard in every way
I would second pretty much what others have said! after 350miles (come back good weather!) both with and without a helmet, the cabin is surprisingly calm and warm with the heat from the rad coming over the top of the front bulkhead. I too do prefer no helmet, but decent set of sunglasses are a must, oh and try not to smile too much - its not nice picking blue bottles out of your teeth at the end!!!
Post by juddyjuddster on May 19, 2011 20:44:30 GMT
Thanks for all the advice guys, my wife said I was more than stupid for asking about clothes but then she said take an umbrella, I hope she was joking.
I will be praying to the weather gods and if not I will have a car boot full of other clothes and tools.
Post by juddyjuddster on May 20, 2011 14:49:51 GMT
The first drive fresh from the RTR headquarters this morning, and then a 160miles back. Rain sun and many many lorries but I am still buzzing from the whole thing, what a car. ;D
Main fault I have is the engine is revving itself as soon as I prod the throttle even though the cable is slack it just revs and revs then dies down to an idle again, any ideas?
Back to work safe and sound
Thanks Paul Leighton and Liam for all the help and advice Top job good luck at the show. Ian
Post by juddyjuddster on May 20, 2011 21:44:42 GMT
Thanks Paul, it's worth a look at but I feel it maybe more than that as it was doing 50 on the motorway without the throttle open at all. I'll keep you posted on this one. Fingers crossed on the earth.
Thats a tidy Rocket Ian....and some good advice in this thread.
All I can say is always wear a helmet. I had a sizable bug hit my visor square-on at 80mph and it was messy! I dread to think what would have happened with no helmet on.
Post by juddyjuddster on May 23, 2011 22:07:46 GMT
Thanks Paul, for the praise and I know what you mean about the helmet.
I stupidly took the car out for a blast to check the grounding of pin 43 (clutch switch) as Paul RTR had suggested had worked. Well the good news is it had worked bad news I enjoyed the car so much I had gone quite far in gale force winds with no helmet or eye-ware not good. I still feel like I have grit in my eyes but I am happier than ever now. Its a quick car and thats with a ropey old 1.8l in it. Roll on the first proper blast Cheers again lads. Ian