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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> A question of priorities /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1400740647 Message started by iamgodzi1la on 05/21/14 at 23:37:27 |
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Title: A question of priorities Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/21/14 at 23:37:27 To start off, I'm really liking this bike. It's slender, lightweight, and waaaaay more nimble than my sport bike friends thought it would be. It's insured, registered, inspected, and it's been looked over by a professional mechanic to ensure it doesn't just fly apart at 70mph like my old Chinese scooter did. It's running strong. I've been riding it to work and back, and it hasn't given me any trouble that I didn't give it first. But now that I'm putting it to use, I've realized that I'm missing a few things I need. I need safety gear. I've got gloves, boots, and a helmet that's probably purely decorative, but I need pants and a jacket of some sort. I need a shorter, flatter handlebar and... whatever all those switches are called, particularly the left hand controls. The handlebar on there now feels like I'm wrestling a longhorn down the road. The blinker switch doesn't return to center so I end up always indicating in one direction or other. I need a speedo on the handlebar. I don't like taking my eyes so far off the road to see how fast I'm going, or to see if my blinker is still blinking. I need a windscreen. At speed the gusting wind we get here in Austin feels like it's going to yank me off the bike. By big 2XL non-motorcycling jacket doesn't help. I need to make the bike fit me. The front end needs to come up a couple of inches, I need extended forward controls, and something must be done about this seat. I have threads for how to do these things bookmarked. My question is what should I do first? For instance, an aerodynamic jacket could alleviate my wind problem as much as a windscreen, but summer is coming up and there's a pretty good chance I'd risk the road rash on a 100+ degree summer day even if I had a jacket. Or should I focus on fitting the bike to my shape first? If I need to downshift in a hurry and can't because I have to physically lift my foot up on the lever I could develop a need for an armored jacket real quick, whether I have one or not. Or that handlebar could pin my knee to the tank and ruin my day. I don't even have a budget, here. I went overbudget the day I bought this thing. Whatever happens next will happen one piece at a time and a couple of paychecks apart, unless I can scavenge what I need, so I need to prioritize. As experienced motorcyclists, if you had to piecemeal like I do, what would you do first? |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by verslagen1 on 05/22/14 at 07:35:26 let's take a look at the beast... With these long risers you can strap anything to 'm and get some protection. I got 1 of those freebee travel bags and straped it to the bars before I put the flyscreen on and almost thought that was enough for me... but I'm not 6'3" but even a m/c jacket open in front for ventilation will feel like your pulling a parachute. If you're gonna wear a jacket in the heat, it needs to be mesh. As far a pants goes, you can wear 2 pairs of levis for a while. Find a pair that fits over what you normally wear. If you can get a pair of those fire hose pants... even better. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/iamgodzi1la/206c5598-caef-41f8-861a-36900ed17864.jpg?t=1398832841 http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/iamgodzi1la/2f60ae14-f84b-42ca-a923-3e66ecdd21a6.jpg?t=1398833712 Handlebars are probably your next cheapest mod, check with your friends. You're probably want 30" wide... try a broomstick bar. you need 1" diameter. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by old_rider on 05/22/14 at 13:53:39 First I would say, you need to find a motorcycle junk yard nearest to you. Some of them let you take the stuff off you want and are fairly cheap, vrs. one that does all the removal and charges extra for labor. Craigslist...ebay... good tools to use. I have found tons of stuff on craigslist and cheap to boot...folks usually just want to get rid of the stuff they have and will settle for less just to get it out of the garage/shed. Also, go to a few poker runs.... you can find all kinds of scooter trash there and some are really good folks, a few could point you to someone who has a few items for sale. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by S-P on 05/22/14 at 14:55:42 626A666C646F71623A676A0B0 wrote:
I bought an Airhawk seat (the one for medium cruisers). It straps to your stock seat. Much more comfortable. I'm looking forward to a long ride now... |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/22/14 at 18:46:20 So first find a pick & pull. I know of one in Dallas. The google says there was one in Austin but they've been gone a while. I'm sure I can find something, though. If not, my family is near Dallas. I can make a road trip. I didn't even think of trying to strap on a homemade deflector. If I can just get some of that wind off my chest I'll be a lot happier. I could maybe even zip-tie a frisbee on there and get some relief. I can adjust the brake pedal and I think the shift lever, too, so they'll at least work with my feet for a little while. I can play around with those this weekend for free. Assuming that works out, it'll free up funds for some armor. I don't know how much armor cruiser riders usually wear, but I've got plates and screws in me from falling off a pedal bike at about 12 mph, so I want something on me when I'm moving at highway speeds for sure. I'd wear one of those bear-proof suits if I could get one. Project Grizzly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLUdtF7aG7o Thanks for the advice. I'll let y'all know how it goes. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by old_rider on 05/22/14 at 20:08:38 Frisbee? make sure you get the big one, and paint it red and blue with a big ol' star in the middle... Custom baaybeee !!! |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/22/14 at 20:31:48 I bet I can find that frisbee. My wife said I should go to a toy store and get a Captain America shield. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by jcstokes on 05/22/14 at 20:35:00 The Jacket and stuff are the most important and look on the roadside for discarded high vis vests, or if the budget stretches get one at a safety gear shop. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by LANCER on 05/23/14 at 17:52:00 3F373B3139322C3F673A37560 wrote:
That was my first thought; hit Wally-world for it; besides, it has the COOL FACTOR going for it too !!! ;) ;D |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/23/14 at 22:54:11 If it w3as a rat bike you could use a small trash can lid & some rattle cans, |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by WD on 05/23/14 at 23:31:21 Turn signal switch has a center button, tap it to return to center. You want a set of narrow drag bars? Cover the shipping if I remember to put my return address on the package. ;) They are off a Sportster, year unknown. They came with the riser set I added to my 98 LS650 and I was going to make jug line weighs out of the bar after I got around to chopping it up.... I like wide bars or high bars or high/wide bars, more control. PM me if you want to try the handlebar. Also have a stock take off buckhorn bar. That bar you'd have to pay for... takes a box instead of a tube to mail it. Oh, also have some spare aluminum bushing stock you can make seat risers out of, can toss those in cheap (free). I'd guess to ship both handlebars and the bushings would run between $10 and $15. Drag bar and bushings probably $5 to $8. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by mpescatori on 05/26/14 at 04:49:08 7F777B7179726C7F277A77160 wrote:
Hi Godzilla, MPesc here from Rome, Italy. :) I honestly can't mail you anything from here, waaay too expensive! (I could fax it... ;D ) Advice from experience, however, is free 8-) so here goes. 0. HELMET !!! I put this in at #0 because it's far too important not to have it at the top of the list. I ride with a FF helmet, flip-up chinpiece. Pictured: my flip-up helmet and "not-me-supermodel" on my "other" bike" (no, really, that's really my other bike! :D ) http://image.motorcyclistonline.com/f/images/10207200+w799+h499+cr1+ar0/122_0702_01_z%2Bmotorcycle_helmet_guide%2Bmodular_flip_up_helmet.jpg They're great for the winter, keep the cold and the rain and the wind off your face BUT you can actually talk to people! Make sure it comes with a built-in "flip-down" sun visor - beats sunglasses by far! 1. Gloves: for the winter, thick tough LEATHER gloves. Silk/synthetic liners if it's really cold; for the summer, thin lightweight LEATHER gloves. Forget all that "Mad max armored padded" synthetic stuff, it won't protect you when you fall and drag your hands on rough hot asphalt the way leather does. I've seen bits of fingers literally torn off people's hands when the synthetic gloves ruptured at the seams :P Leather won't do that. That's why the good Lord gave us skin instead of linoleum... ;) 2. Jacket: for the winter, a THICK armored jacket with elbow, shoulder and backplate inserts. Waterproof. The really good ones have a zip-off internal vest for when it's really cold or getting warmer. Pants: Jeans look nice and tough etc., but they are the #1 cause for road rash when the fabric doesn't rupture, they are tough allright, but very coarse; a set of riding pants (or chaps) may be an option. If all else fails, #30+ denim (Levi's 501 are around #16 I think) 3. You need dragbars; the stock dragbars are almost straight, 1" diameter, and about 22" long (wide) - I changed them to 32" dragbars, excellent. Old bars http://p1.bikepics.com/2006/05/31/bikepics-599511-800.jpg New bars http://p1.bikepics.com/2013/07/29/bikepics-2581964-800.jpg Can't see much, pic wasn't intended to show handlebars, hope it helps 4. Speedo: ideally speedo and tacho go hand in hand. Here's my setup http://p1.bikepics.com/2014/01/14/bikepics-2632730-200.jpg Unfortunately, while the tacho works OK, the speedo underreads by a good 10% :-[ so it's a no-go, I reverted back to the tank-mounted OEM unit. Still... you can experiment. You'll need a Suzuki GS/GT tachometer cable for the bar-mounted speedo. 5. Windshield: you need something that'll get the wind off your chest, not the view away from your eyes; get something NOT too wide, and not any taller than your own shoulders. That way you'll still have best visibility AND minimal buffeting. Anyway, I personally almost never cruise any faster than 90Km/h(55mph) for fuel economy... 6. Fit the bike ? OK, I understand your pain, but you didn't buy a tall enduro to begin with... ::) Have the front fork checked over and see if you couldn't use stiffer springs, thicker fork oil and new seals. THEN... carry out all the seat mods you like. As for the foot controls, I understand you may not like the seating position, but forward controls are required only if your knees stick out like you were doing squats ! :D 7. Priorities ? My grandpappy and yours have most probably both been riding with zero wind protection (windshield) but they all had a jacket, gloves and helmet of some sort. My suggestion is to prioritize as follows: A. HELMET - A GOOD helmet can and will save your life. B. JACKET&GLOVES - It's better to roll and get up, than to smear the road B2. PANTS - often the best advoce on fitting is c/o the same good quality store where you buy jacket, gloves and helmet. Visit a few and do business with the one who give you the best advice, regardless on price. C. Windshield and speedo/tacho: a good SMALL windshield+the two gauges is less than $200 D. Fit. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/26/14 at 09:40:25 Some excellent advice, mpescatori; just what I was looking for. Good looking bike, too. WD, I just might take you up on those drag bars, but I need to get another paycheck in the bank first. I have $20 to my name, and the M endorsement costs, like, $15. The turn signal switch on my bike is some crappy plastic replacement. It doesn't have the button to return to center, and pressing the switch itself doesn't work, either. Even the signals only work when they want to, and I think I want to replace the whole system, eventually, with some LED signals and controls that illuminate. No frisbee/Captain America shield/trashcan lid, yet. I took the MSF course all weekend, and then slept for 14 hours straight, and now it's storming, so all I got to do to my bike this weekend was adjust the height of the shift lever. When I got the height just where I wanted it the rod fell out, so I'll have to compromise with some boots that have a smaller toebox than these combats I've been wearing. After the way I made that tiny Kawasaki dance at the MSF course I think I can live with the footpegs where they are for now... Is that a tornado outside..? It's really blowing out there. Anyway, I get a 15% discount from Cycle Gear for completing the course, so gear just became that much more obtainable. I've even picked out the stuff I want. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by mpescatori on 05/27/14 at 05:43:50 ;) |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by Dave on 05/27/14 at 10:03:21 Don't rule out used gear if that is all you can afford. There are some great deals on Craigslist...some folks got the wrong size, some folks quit riding, some just don't wear gear......some is close out items from stores that went out of business. Some of it is new or nearly new. The only problem is knowing what fits without chasing stuff all over the place. In a store....you can try on several different sized. I thought I had a head that required a "large" helmet....I just bought a Scorpion helmet and it took a XXL to fit my head! Dave |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/27/14 at 10:18:02 it took a XXL to fit my head! Not stating the obvious here is SOO painful.. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/27/14 at 15:21:12 For me it was the other way. I thought I'd need an XL and turned out just being L. That helmet is a decade old and has been dropped a brazilian times, though. Replacing it is top priority. I've found a lot of good closeout deals on some really good helmets, and I've got some holiday pay coming for working Memorial Day (*pours one out), so I should be able to get more helmet than that bike probably requires. I've also sized myself for a Joe Rocket Alter Ego 3.0 that I think should get me through four seasons in Texas. I can wear a large tall or get by with an XL. The tough one is going to be the pants. I'm going to have to try them on before I buy. |
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Title: Re: A question of priorities Post by mpescatori on 05/29/14 at 01:04:53 "I should be able to get more helmet than that bike probably requires" At 45mph, it doesn't matter whether you fall off a Vespa, or a Ninja, or an Electra Glide, if you bang your head and your helmet is garbage, your head is hamburger... :-X |
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