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5 Common Wear and Tear Items on Motorcycles
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IanCParticipant
Elwood I remember you posting when you got the Saddlebags from Leatherup, I’m looking at the same ones for my Vulcan 800. How have they worked out for you?
IanCParticipantI thought it was just with me. When I had my Rebel I couldn’t beat anything, 0-60 in 11.83 sec just doesn’t cut it which is why I never lane split to the front on it. Now I have my VStrom 650 I haven’t se en anything which could beat me, 0-60 in 3.98 sec (not that I’ve done that). The first time I lane split up to the front a kid who thought he was in fast and furious, started revving his engine next to me. When the light turned green I accelerated a little faster (but certainly not pegged) than normal got up to the speed limit, looked behind me, no one was there, a new experience. I held it at the speed limit and the kid goes flying past me a few second later. I laughed all the way to work, told one of my co-workers, he told me I’d gone over to the dark side.
IanCParticipantI have a Cortech GX jacket I really like this jacket, good armor, 600 denier in most places and 1500 denier in the import one, quality is great, zippers strong, and it’s been good from 40deg to 85, get’s hot above 80 this is my fall/winter/spring jacket. I have an Alpinestars Mesh for the summer (which is long in San Diego) which I haven’t tried yet, I was not impressed with my previous Motoboss Mesh Jacket and just gave it away. Watch NewEnough.com for their bargin basements and you might be able to pick up two for what you were planning on spending for one. I got the Alpinestars for $70. Plus no hassle return policy if it doesn’t fit.
IanCParticipantI have sliders, Kevlar in the seat and knees. I wear them if I’m just running around the neighboorhod or errands at low speed. Not as good protection because no armor but certainly better than regular jeans. It’s all a trade off. If I’m hitting the twisties it’s the real riding pants.
IanCParticipantI had a similar situation the other day. Right at that moment when I was deciding to go for it or stop. I looked in my mirror and saw that I wasn’t gaining distance between me and the car behind me and realized then weren’t planning on stopping. Decision made, opened the throttle and watched as the car followed me through. The only exception around here is if it’s one of the red lights with the camera, most people try to stop for those.
IanCParticipantIf I’m just doing some local errands I probably ride in my Sliders Kevlar jeans since I usually take slower speed roads that I’m comfortable with. For longer rides, more unfamiliar roads or higher speed roads, I put on the mesh overpants over jeans.
I know the jeans don’t give me impact protection but at least it has road rash protection, compared with regular pants. I’ve also worn them all day at work so they are comfortable and they sure are cooler than two layers. It’s a risk tradeoff.
IanCParticipantYup I ride them unless I’m just doing short low speed errands. Especially going about 35 the wind noise just gets bad inside a full face helmet. I don’t hear the engine on the V-Strom like I did on the Rebel. They make the ride much more pleasant.
IanCParticipantIf you know where you shift points are on the way up. Then as you are slowing into those speed ranges you should be downshifting even if you aren’t letting the clutch out until you are almost to the corner.
To answer to your question no you shouldn’t always to into second. The gear you need for a corner will be dependent upon the corner, there are corners where I go all the way to first and other’s that I take in 3rd. Depends upon how tight the turn angle is and what the speed of the street I’m entering into are.
+1 on what matt said make sure the clutch is out before you are leaned over into the turn overwise if you let it out leaned over it will be like applying the rear brake (might not a good thing).
IanCParticipantChecked out your two links. Things are different in Chicago than California.
At the end of our MSF class we took a test and if we passed we were done except for the written test. Those two schools both look like you take the class and have to come back for the test.
I looked at the MSF Web site and their listing for Chicago is run by MOTORCYCLE RIDER PROGRAM.
See http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=ILIanCParticipantI was scared at first although after taking the MSF class I bought my Rebel about 2 weeks later and rode it home 12 miles. I did have my gf in a car following covering my rear. When I went out the next day by myself it was much more stressful especially when I had a car following me. Just plan short rides and when you start feeling tired stop for the day, don’t push it.
IanCParticipantI have a 2003 Rebel 250 and on the freeway when it’s flat I’ve had it over 70-75 but hills will kill it in 5th gear. A few months ago I took a 25 mile trip on the freeway which had hills and going up the hills I was maxed out between 60 and 65, just moved over to the right hand lane and got in line behind all the trucks. I don’t know how much you weigh but the weight makes a big difference on the small bikes (I’m 190+). Another thing to keep in mind is that the Rebel doesn’t have a windshield so your body if you are sitting up straight is acting like a big wall. To test this lean down a little like you are a riding a sport bike and watch your speedo climb.
The thing about the Rebel is 5th gear has very little tolerance to be able to hold and accelerate up hills. If I’m accelerating up to freeway speed I shift late, taking it almost to those little red lines on the speedo (that’s the engines redline), that’s where the Rebel makes most of it’s torque it’s a high reving engine. From a post on the Rebel forum I found the following “the powerband to be between 15 and 35 mph in 2nd, 35 and 50 in 3rd, 50 and 65 in fourth, and the rest in 5th”. That pretty much matches what I’ve found.
Of course at those revs it’s going to be like an electric toothbrush for your feet. All those things made me decide that it’s not my first choice as a bike for the freeway but I’m so glad I got it to learn on, and it’s a hoot around town and at slower speeds. For me the Rebel is happest cruising along at 35-55 mph.
IanCParticipantI’ve only been riding since July, unless you want to count the year in High School on my Honda CB90. My best ride was in October on my Rebel a couple of weeks before I got my VStrom. Beautiful road, I was hitting all the corners perfectly and keeping up with a rider of 30 years. Haven’t been able to duplicate that performace yet. Don’t know if it’s the more powerful bike or switching between bikes.
My worst ride was last Saturday three of us were on a curvy road in SoCal me in the lead a corner surprised me (it looked straight) I braked and made the corner, looked in my mirrors just in time to see my friend (with 3 years experience who got me back into riding) going over his handlebars. He ended up breaking his collarbone and banging up his leg. After the ambulance and cop left and while they waited for the tow truck I road home alone to get the car. The first corner I took at about 5 miles an hour and when I got to the freeway it was right lane all the way, counting down the miles. Never been so glad to get on four wheels again.
I finally took both bikes out yesterday to run errands and it was easier to do it than I thought.
IanCParticipantI started on a Rebel 250 in July (which I still have), in October I bought a VStrom 650 and my next bike will probably be a larger cruiser (Vulcan 950, Suzuki M50 or Harley Sporty) when I decide to sell the Rebel.
IanCParticipantI started on a Rebel 250 in July (which I still have), in October I bought a VStrom 650 and my next bike will probably be a larger cruiser (Vulcan 950, Suzuki M50 or Harley Sporty) when I decide to sell the Rebel.
IanCParticipantStarted on a used 2003 Honda Rebel 250, put 1500 miles on her before buying 2009 Suzuki VStrom 650. Glad I started on the Rebel. I’ve still got the Rebel though in the time that I’ve put 1500mi on the VStrom I’ve probably only put a 300 on the Rebel. She’s still fun for everything except freeway.
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