[JackTrade]

Is it just in the clearcoat, or does it go down into the paint?

If shallow, try Quixx scratch remover. It’s pricey (about $15 for the kit, available at Walmart, etc.), but it is probably the best. Follow the instructions on the box, and the results are impressive. Even if it can’t totally buff all the damage out, it usually really reduces it. I’ve used it on some pretty nasty looking scratches on cars, and was really impressed with the results.

Sorry to hear about it and hope you’re able to get things fixed. While fairly minor on our society’s list of problems, vandalism is one of those crimes that really angers me…it’s so senseless…there’s no reason to do it, other than just being a jerk.

[JackTrade]

I have one, and they are indeed a good fit for the vertically challenged. The low-profile seat option is only 25.5 inches off the ground, so it’ll fit most any one. Also is very light weight.

Engine is a 500cc single, but it’s a “cruiser” 500ccs (it’s 1/2 of a Sportster 883 motor), so it’s not exactly comparable to a sportbike 500…but it does have a decent amount of off the line torque, so it definitely moves around town just fine. But it’s hard to overwhelm yourself, and the power is very linear.

They’re standards in style/riding position, so about halfway between the sportbike crouch and the cruiser layback. Handling is exceptional…almost telepathic.

Overall, they’re great beginner bikes…very forgiving, extremely simple to maintain, and start-it-and-go setup. Sounds like a riding lawnmower on steroids…sorta a weaker-toned sport V-twin rasp like Ducatis and the bigger Buells have….imagine something between the cruiser rumble and the sportbike whine.

On the con side, they’re not powerful, they have almost no bells and whistles, they shake like a paint mixer at idle, and build quality is famously hit or miss.

You can easily get one used w/low miles very cheaply, as they’re not longer-term keepers like say a Ninja. I’ve had mine for about 8 months now, and will likely sell it before the end of the year. For someone just getting into riding (like me), it was a great choice and I’d do it again.

BTW here’s a more complete review, with good pics:

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=852

[JackTrade]

I live in the mid-Atlantic region (Washington), and it gets very hot+humid here in the summer. I started with a Fieldsheer textile jacket, and while it was just fine riding in January, once the summer arrived, I was dying. I remember sitting at a light in May, and I could feel the sweat pouring off me underneath it.

So I got a Fieldsheer High Flo mesh jacket, and wow…first time I rode w/the liner out it was like just wearing a t-shirt (or so I imagine…I’ve never ridden in just a t-shirt). Wonderful airflow, and even while stopped, it at least lets the heat out. I got red, so that helps a little (and definitely makes me more visible). That’s it in my avatar.

Feels pretty substantial, but of course nothing like leather. Most of the decent ones can be had with CE armor in them, so while it’s not the most protective, it’s still decent. Obviously, no track will let you ride with mesh, but for around town speeds, seems like a reasonable compromise.

[JackTrade]

I do it alot on my bike…my pegs are straight below. I’ve beveled them nicely (they’re rubber coated, not sportbike metal). That’s why I’m looking for a next bike with more rearset, sportbike style ones. As long as you keep in mind what you learned in MSF (don’t push more, but don’t freak out and stand it up, and keep the throttle steady), it’ll come off fine.

Try leaning your body (or even just your head) to the inside…it’ll reduce your lean angle while tightening your turn (so you’ll not only turn sharper, but you’ll also have more angle in reserve if you need it). Just moving your head so that it’s inline with the inside handgrip will do it…I’m not advocating hanging off on the street ala road racing, just a slight additional lean.

The MSF ‘Motorcycling Excellence” book has some nice diagrams of why this works.

[JackTrade]

Your plan sounds pretty much like mine when I first started riding. I had most of my gear before I found my starter bike, and when I did get it, I practiced “the box” endlessly in various parking lots.

I like church parking lots for my practice…often deserted, except for some pretty obvious times. I stop in when I’m out and do a bunch of low speed stuff, just to keep my skills up. The parking lines can be used as u-turn boxes, and there’s usually enough room to get up to speed for emergency stop practice.

When I first started “real world” riding, I did quiet neighborhood streets, then main thoroughfares, then highways, then expressways. You’ll definitely feel when you’re ready to move up to the next level.

Standards rule. But then that’s just me and the other like 5 of us in the country who like them. Seriously, they’re great for beginners as there’s little to break in a tip over and with the lack of fairings, you feel like you’re going a lot faster than you are. They split the difference between the crusier lay back and the sportbike crouch, and you can easily adjust as needed from comfortably upright to tucked in as the situation warrants.

I’ve got a Buell Blast, which I really like as a first bike, though it is admittedly primitive compared to a Ninja 250 or pretty much any other comparable bike. Does have great torque though which is great for city riding, and looks like a miniature Ducati Monster (or for those who know Buells, an older M2 Cyclone).

[JackTrade]

When I bought my Blast, as it was 1) my first bike ever, 2) it was two states over, and 3) it was snowing…

They work well, and while pretty basic, for $15/day, they really solve a problem nicely. Just be sure to get good straps and you’re all set. They fit a single bike, but have plenty of space for other storage.

[JackTrade]

…that type of accident has the potential to be much much more serious, so I’m glad her injuries, as bad as they are, weren’t worse. Hope she’s back on her feet soon. She’ll have a story to tell…much better than having stories told about you afterward.

[JackTrade]

…I’m constantly amazed at the norms of what’s “fast” in the motorcycle world and how it frequently seems totally out of context with the majority of what else is out there.

The smallest sportbike (like a Ninja 250) will hold its own with performance cars costing many many thousands more. And it just goes up from there, right up to easily-obtainable superbikes capable of acceleration/speeds comparable to that of a tiny group of exotic sportscars that very few people are likely to even see, much less drive. All in a package with no protection other than rider skill and judgement.

I understand the track use thing, as well as responsible riders, esp. on this board. I’m not against fast bikes at all, just that the performance arms race that’s developed seems at times unconnected to any sort of reality. Just a beginner’s observation I guess.

[JackTrade]

For 8 months of riding on my 2006 Buell Blast, I just recently turned 1000 miles. I take public transportation to work, etc. so she’s just a weekend toy.

[JackTrade]

Esp. on the variables part.

I think the hardest part is that most of us are wearing stuff we’ve not (yet?) crashed in.

So we base our judgements on relative knowledge of the universe of materials, manufacturer’s claims, other’s reviews, etc., but at the end of the day, it’s hard to know what’s really going to happen until it does.

With cars, seatbelts are seatbelts, and airbags are airbags (though how many does make a difference)…with bikes, there’s always the question of “is Fieldsheer = Alpinestars = Icon = etc.?”

On mesh specifically, I’d read about the melting and that’s why I always, no matter how much I’m tempted by the heat, wear jeans underneath. Also usually wear a long sleeve shirt under my mesh jacket, though as the temperatures rise, I sometimes wear just a t-shirt.

[JackTrade]

I bet now that now that you know the routine, you’ll focus on the actual riding, and pass w/no problems.

When I took the ERC skills course (which has the same drills as the BRC), I was amazed at how much easier previously difficult stuff like the “box” turned out to be. Since I wasn’t burdened by trying to understand the exercise and ride the bike as I was in the BRC, I was able to concentrate on the actual riding.

[JackTrade]

How about:

‘Busa – short for Hayabusa, the alternate designation for the Suzuki GSXR 1300. The notoriously fast, virtually uninsurable, every mother’s worst nightmare supersportbike that every internet Nicky Hayden claims to own or at least to have ridden, most often at triple digit speeds on public roads. (see “squid”)

[JackTrade]

…the smell actually makes me nostalgic and yep, jealous.

[JackTrade]

…but about the trash being thrown at you, that’s all.

I’m all for smoker’s rights (I used to myself)…but I’m not for the right to throw one’s garbage all over the place, and particularly not on my vehicles.

It’s just the thoughtlessness that gets me. I’m sure few people are mean-spiritedly chucking garbage out the window on purpose; rather, they just don’t think about how their actions could affect others.

I once popped my hood and found a full-size Dorito bag adhering to my radiator, and I’ve spent long periods of time with bug n tar remover getting gum off my rear fender…it’s no fun.

[JackTrade]

…and got 1 size up so they fit over my jeans. Fieldsheer Titanium Air. Love ’em. Have adjustable CE armor in the knees, memory foam pads on the hips. Also the legs are designed to be worn over boots, not tucked in like racing pants.

A really good pant for street wear. I’ve used them from 40 degrees up to around 90 and they work great. Not too Power Ranger-ish in style either (the Fieldsheer logo is nicely subdued).

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