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I admit it. I'm cheap. I'm also lazy. Taken together, these two attributes mean that I not only want something for nothing, but also expect it to be delivered and unwrapped for me for free.
Thus, I took an immediate interest in the Termoscud Leg Warmer when I first became aware of its existence. Though these items are not available in the USA yet to my knowledge, the leg-warmer concept looked like a real winner to me. Not only would it save me buying warm riding pants or chaps for the cooler months, I reasoned, but because it could be rolled up alonside the fairing I could use it for rain protection in summer too. And all for under $200! What a bargain!
I should have known better. The Termoscud is made of very high quality materials, is reasonably attractive, and seems to be unusually well-made. It even keeps my legs warm when I use it, and dry as well. Yet as an accessory it is an utter failure, and I'll probably never use it again. Why?
Because it is simply a bad design concept. When in use, the Termoscud totally blocks easy access to the dash and storage cubbyholes built into the Burgman. This is true even in the "folded" position. It also at least partially blocks either one or the other front turn signal, depending upon what angle you install it at. While there is a hole provided for access to the ignition key, I hope that said hole lines up a lot better with the keyhole on the big Italian scoots that the Termoscud is also designed to fit; it's useless on a Burgman. Perhaps worst of all for my purposes, I cannot put the leg-warmer on my bike without literally lying on the ground. The bottom hooks cannot be reached (by me) any other way. This means that I absolutely cannot use the Termoscud as rain-wear in summer, as planned.
There are positives to the Termoscud. For one, it _works_. I have ridden down to forty-five degrees in the rain with my lower body remaining warm and dry. A very nice bib-like extension is included which also helps keep the chest warm. Plus, as mentioned, the price was right; I gave just under $200 for mine, including shipping from Motorroda in Athens, Greece. (And, they managed to get the thing to me for under $30 in postage even quicker than a package ordered from Oneida, NY, the same day.) The Motorroda people were very nice, to boot; mention the recent Athens Olympics to them if you want to make small talk. The person I dealt with was still bursting with well-earned pride.
People who look at pictures of scooter leg-warmers often wonder how the rider puts his feet down to stop. I did myself, in fact. However, I can state authoritatively now that I've used one that it's truly no problem at all. It can be used either feet-down or feet-forward. Your legs stay warmest in the feet-forward position, however.
Termoscud seems very proud of their product's inflatable air chambers that prevent flapping. At speeds up to sixty MPH, I never had any flapping and I never inflated the chambers. Like I said, it's a quality unit.
And, one last note: To my knowledge, no one makes a leg warmer for the 650.
It's kind of nice having what may just be the only example of a product currently in the US; certainly it's been a big conversation piece in motorcycle shops and on parking lots. But I'll probably put it up on e-bay soon. It's a worthwhile accessory, but not worth the tradeoffs for me.
LINK: http://www.motoroda.gr/motoroda/start.asp?language=en
Thus, I took an immediate interest in the Termoscud Leg Warmer when I first became aware of its existence. Though these items are not available in the USA yet to my knowledge, the leg-warmer concept looked like a real winner to me. Not only would it save me buying warm riding pants or chaps for the cooler months, I reasoned, but because it could be rolled up alonside the fairing I could use it for rain protection in summer too. And all for under $200! What a bargain!
I should have known better. The Termoscud is made of very high quality materials, is reasonably attractive, and seems to be unusually well-made. It even keeps my legs warm when I use it, and dry as well. Yet as an accessory it is an utter failure, and I'll probably never use it again. Why?
Because it is simply a bad design concept. When in use, the Termoscud totally blocks easy access to the dash and storage cubbyholes built into the Burgman. This is true even in the "folded" position. It also at least partially blocks either one or the other front turn signal, depending upon what angle you install it at. While there is a hole provided for access to the ignition key, I hope that said hole lines up a lot better with the keyhole on the big Italian scoots that the Termoscud is also designed to fit; it's useless on a Burgman. Perhaps worst of all for my purposes, I cannot put the leg-warmer on my bike without literally lying on the ground. The bottom hooks cannot be reached (by me) any other way. This means that I absolutely cannot use the Termoscud as rain-wear in summer, as planned.
There are positives to the Termoscud. For one, it _works_. I have ridden down to forty-five degrees in the rain with my lower body remaining warm and dry. A very nice bib-like extension is included which also helps keep the chest warm. Plus, as mentioned, the price was right; I gave just under $200 for mine, including shipping from Motorroda in Athens, Greece. (And, they managed to get the thing to me for under $30 in postage even quicker than a package ordered from Oneida, NY, the same day.) The Motorroda people were very nice, to boot; mention the recent Athens Olympics to them if you want to make small talk. The person I dealt with was still bursting with well-earned pride.
People who look at pictures of scooter leg-warmers often wonder how the rider puts his feet down to stop. I did myself, in fact. However, I can state authoritatively now that I've used one that it's truly no problem at all. It can be used either feet-down or feet-forward. Your legs stay warmest in the feet-forward position, however.
Termoscud seems very proud of their product's inflatable air chambers that prevent flapping. At speeds up to sixty MPH, I never had any flapping and I never inflated the chambers. Like I said, it's a quality unit.
And, one last note: To my knowledge, no one makes a leg warmer for the 650.
It's kind of nice having what may just be the only example of a product currently in the US; certainly it's been a big conversation piece in motorcycle shops and on parking lots. But I'll probably put it up on e-bay soon. It's a worthwhile accessory, but not worth the tradeoffs for me.
LINK: http://www.motoroda.gr/motoroda/start.asp?language=en
