what the hell you need a mobile for....
 

is it this modern world, where every one has to be in mobile reach all the time, cluttered up with all this electronic gadgets........

The last thing on my list of essentials for travelling is a mobile any way, and if I carry a mobile on my bike it's surely will be switched off, rather dump it at home.

Yah... take an intercom right, but with out it's much more fun...... riding along listening to the wind is rather more entertainment than having this stupid chat around spoiling the ride out..........

Remember years ago, if you walked down the road passing the old whirred granny talking to here self.... this days there are youngster talking to them self plugged a mobile in to there ears...... last year they had a hand glued to there head hasty chat walking up the road......

What are we riding bikes for if not getting a rest of this mad world.........

I quite agree old boy !

The time for a phone conversation is NOT whilst riding the bike .
AND I have discovered since buying a modern bike , that I don't like fairings and quiet exhausts much either .
I prefer not being buffeted by turbulent air from a fairing and I really like to hear the pipes growl on the bike when I give it some welly .

PS, I have grey hair and talk to myself . [ it's the only way to get an intelligent answer !]

Hmm... never thought about that........ ;)
but sounds quite right.......... makes sense..... :)
and further more... no one is interrupting.... grate...

PS, my whiskers are grey too....

"""""""""""PS, my whiskers are grey too...."""""""""""""""


Things can only get worse - ha ha !

I find I get less turbulence with a fairing but I use full touring fairings , always have..

Talking to yourself is fine, It gets worrying when you start telling yourself jokes you haven't heard before :)

I too carry my phone switched off and in my panniers. Only ever turn it on when I want to make a call. ( less than 6 times a year)

Yes, they start coming out of your ears... :(

Originally Posted by Dodger View Post
"""""""""""PS, my whiskers are grey too...."""""""""""""""

Things can only get worse - ha ha !

Ahhh yes... forgot that.... needs trimming from time to time... ;)

PS, by the way how do you know ? are they tickling you too ? :)

Thought and observation
 

Thought that came into my head while out in the Atacama

If I run out of petrol or break down would a mobile help? Nearly everyone in S.America has one and the people here are so friendly that I'm sure the next vehicle along will use theirs to get aid, so don't worry about it.

Observation in busy traffic Guatemala

A Chinese step through goes by with Mother steering, daughter sitting side saddle on pillion with toddler on her lap. Mother has mobile out and is texting a message :eek3:

Unfortunately no time to photograph it, but the image is burned into my brain.

I never used the phone in North=South America, but coming up africa and now in middle east I am using it all the time to SMS friend or whoever. Otherwise I love the fact that there is a calculator which tells me how badly I am getting ripped off at the money changers at all the borders.

Mobiles are great!

Have used mine several times to get my bike transported when it broke down. The alternative would have been VERY long hikes to get to a garage/public phone.

Also, on the occasion you want to phone home when travelling they are a lot handier than going to one of those phone shops.

Matt :)

My wife and I seem to be unique among our friends that we only use a mobile phone for emergencies (or when she sends me out to Asda and I forget which shampoo she wants).

I despair of riders who want intercoms, bluetooth & iPods while riding; for one thing, it's simply dangerous. I think you need all your senses when riding, including hearing. You wouldn't cross the road without looking, would you?

For emergencies, for long trips to while away the boredom, for helping when you're lost or broken down, fine, but otherwise, try using your common sense, enjoy the scenery you're going through, interact with the locals.

Years ago, some biking magazine editor wrote about going down to Cornwall on his GS (of course) for a rally and having his bluetooth so he could make calls while he was riding. What's the point? Go in a car!

Rant over, my round I suppose.

mobiles
 

I don't want to have my phone while on a tour, but i remember my dad used to have some sort of microphones headsets that he could talk to my mom on her bike, what is it that i am looking for, and yes i want to talk to my husband while riding, so he can enjoy whatever i just saw....LOL,plus we both ride with 10 year old and a 6 year old....?c?

Karl, I will text you the answer to your question !! ;)

Good post!
I despair when I see my 3 kids constantly sending texts to their friends - give them a ring, I say. Blank looks all round!
I always take my mobile on the bike with me but it is never switched on - only in case of breakdown.

Ditto Monsieur ditto.
My daughter rang me with a question recently and said she was rushing out so could I text her the answer !!!
Sorry but no I don't do text stuff.
I have to admit I did try it once just for the tea shirt and badge award but it took forever.
Bring back the quill pen I say.