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5 Common Wear and Tear Items on Motorcycles
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Jon D.Participant
Like yourself, I was off a bike for awhile. I would suggest that you begin with a milder ride. Any 50’s series boulevards ( Suzuki ). The 600cc sized standards, i.e. Yamaha fz6, Suzuki SV 650, or any of the other manufacturers offerings. Craigslist offers a large number of the older bikes, but shop carefully. I would also suggest Bobz Bikz in Kingman, Ks. He has sold many rides nation wide and takes pride in offering quality used motorcycles. Three members of my family have purchased our bikes from him including myself. If nothing else it will help you in negotiating prices where you live. Good luck and I hope this helps.
Jon D.ParticipantRacing home from county fair Saturday evening, trying to beat a storm front. I didn’t make it:(, Could see a pretty good updraft to my right as I was shooting down the highway ( 75mph ) , and hoping I would get on the other side of it before it crossed. As I topped a hill I already had the dirt from an adjacent field crossing the road. Slowed down, ducked behind the wind screen and found myself on the opposite side of the road with an inch of blacktop between me and the ditch, no fun. Later found out that the wind speed was in excess of 70 mph. I was less than a mile from town and ended up riding maybe the equivalent of 3 blocks and left the bike in a friends barn til the next day. Being blown off the road really increases the “pucker factor” and takes the enjoyment part out of the ride. I started out with 25mph tailwind ( pleasant ) and was defeated by the crosswind. Never before has the statement ” Keep it vertical” meant so much. I thank God and his hand holding me to the road. You other Kansas motorcycle riders that may be getting ready to ride should always keep in mind that the winds that we get in rural areas can get ya.Be alert and observant at all times. Spoke with some of my buddies at work and they have seen Road Kings sent into the ditch. Goldwing’s don’t seem to like the winds above 50mph. We do have a hazard that many people do not have to put up with. Ride safe and God bless. Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantGlad to have you out there with us. Those old Virago’s are great bikes and should give you miles of enjoyment. Ride safe and God bless.
Jon D.ParticipantI have had new and used bikes/cars/boats. Thus far ( including rebuilds ), it seems that as long as I operate the equipment under normal operating conditions for 500 miles, change oil, play with it a “little” for another 1500 miles, change oil. after that first 2000 miles the engine rings have seated well, most of any shavings will have been removed from the crank case and the possibility of an engine failure will be greatly reduced. If everything was built and manufactured within tolerance you should have years of enjoyment with regular oil changes and maintenance. God bless and ride safe. Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantMy Suzuki is a standard. I not big on the other styles of bikes. I find standars/nakeds the most comfortable for me. I have friends riding Harleys and V-stars , heck, my father-in-law rides a Goldwing. I just do not feel as though I am part of the bike like I do with the standards. DO your research on all of the standards/nakeds prior to purchase. Maintenance and repair can be a factor. Whatever your choice, have fun and be safe. Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantKInda figured on some of the reaction I’ve gotten. I have a bad disc in my neck from a ride back in 1990 from Va. to Tx. Cruisers put to much tension in my shoulders from hanging on which in turn aggravates the disc. Don’t like crotch rockets and never have. The nakeds are the only bikes really left that have the old style sit on it and ride. I picked up the B king for just over 8,000 and it only had 979 miles on it. Water cooler and oil cooler so my long rides should not have an adverse effect on the life of the engine. First valve adjustments aren’t until the 13,000 mile range. The motorcycle shop that will do the work on it can pull up the codes with a paper clip vs. a 90 dollar trip to have any of the others plugged in to a computer. So price, life and maintenance also played a huge role in my choice. Any other naked vs. the 600 realm throws you into the 1000+ cc. range anyway. If you have respect, understand your limitations, and take the time to get the feel for any bike. Then and there you are way ahead of the game. I am 42 yrs old ,so my immortality ran out years ago, But I do like feeling like a kid every once in awhile and have a ride that I really enjoy. I pray that all of you choose carefully, ride within your means, and the 4 wheelers leave you be. Ride safe and God bless, Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantI rode a 78 yamaha xs 1100 years ago, then the yamaha fz6. I really enjoy the linear power delivery of the B-king. Goes from mild to wild depending on how aggressive I am on the throttle. No surprises though with the power band vs, the fz which came alive at around 7000 r’s. Much smoother ride and seating position not much different than sitting on a dirt bike. Fun. Take care and God bless, Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantThanks for the input. actually built it for the wife. That is why the major altitude loss….my buddy says I look like a monkey !@#$%$%^&&* a football when I ride it. 36″ inseam vs. 25″ kinda causes the need for a stance change. Her favorite color is yellow so….. It was a fun build and not quite done yet. She wants some butterflies on it . She did say “no” to the yellow helmet though. Have a great Thanksgiving to all that peruse this forum. Ride safe and God bless you all. Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantJon D.Participantwill try again later if requested to get larger ones posted
Jon D.Participantgonna finish supper and get right on it:)
Jon D.ParticipantOkay guys and gals. site is only allowing for 800kb images and mine are 1.27mb jpegs. need help to get these posted for follow up on general topic. Any help would be appreciated. Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantOops! Sorry about the mix-up. Seems to me that you are sorting out the downshift problem. The Savage/ S40 is the only bike I have ever ridden that has that big neutral setting. I used to watch others (and myself) search to find neutral on other bikes, not a big problem with the S40. Anyway, my apologies and enjoy your bike. Ride safe and God bless. Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantIf I remember from earlier posts, you were practicing on your wifes S40. That particular Suzuki has a big neutral for lack of a better term. Most bikes neutral kinda feels like a half click. The S40 seem to actually have a neutral gear, Easiest way to avoid missing is a double or triple down when going from second to first. I’d sit at a street light with mine and just got in the habit of stepping down ( fidgeting essentially ) while waiting just to ensure I was in first. Hope this helps. Ride safe and God bless. Jon D.
Jon D.ParticipantThere are quite a few bikes in that zone that will do 55mph. The home page of this forum reviews quite a few of the bikes in the 125-250cc range. Since you seem to be set on “local only” riding, any of these bikes will do. Keep in mind, as your skill sets develop, your primary reason for riding may also change. That is why I pointed out the Suzuki’s. Buy once, and ride for several years. Since you don’t foresee any change will take place, I personally like the Kawasaki Eliminator. It is a pretty bike that has some size to it. Never was too big on the rebel…..The S40 rode a lot like the Eliminator I felt ,but then again, I’ve been on the back of bikes since 1984. When all is said and done, you will have had an opportunity to ride a bike at MSF. Afterwards, go take a seat on several models and choose the one that is most comfortable. If you are reaching for controls or the ground, it is the wrong bike. The final choice is yours and we all hope that you enjoy joining the rest of us on 2-wheelers. Ride safe and God bless. Jon D.
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