[Jules]

Hi Ziberzaba. Just out of interest, what bike did you get. I’m looking for a naked 250 too. Pinned it down to a couple, but just wondered what you found.

Good luck with the paint job. Looks like there’s some good advice here: http://www.chuckhawks.com/harley_paintin.htm

but from experience with cars I’d say that unless you can wield a spray can with some skill, spend the extra few bucks getting it done well. Amateur spray jobs look awful.

[Jules]

Thanks Eon, got what you mean now. I was think a modest bit of weaving might be a good idea.

I’ve also read that movement is a fundamental feature of vision. Without it our attention isn’t attracted in the first place. An interesting study I read about (by Francis Crick, one of the guys who discovered the double helix DNA molecule) showed that the human eye can track a moving object perfectly across any background. But it cannot smoothly scan across plain one. Instead the eyes unconsciously jump from spot to spot along the line of the scan. That’s probably what’s happening with SMIDSY’s. No movement means the eye jumps, missing the apparently motionless motorcyclist. Great advice for a newbie like me. Thanks!

[Jules]

Thanks for the tips and the book suggestion eon. I’ll pick that up. What do you mean by ‘horizontal movement’ though?

[Jules]

@JackTrade and SantaCruzRider,

Thanks for the advice on helmets. Had my eye on a nice cool black one, but your advice makes sense, and I want to be seen. Red or white sounds like a great idea. Love the ‘look like a LEO’ idea. Unfortunately CHP gear is a lot cooler than NZ highway patrol. I’m not an especially image conscious person, but this is not a good look…

[Jules]

Well done on losing all that weight. I know what it’s like. I lost 56lbs over three months in 2004. Incredibly hard work. Unfortunately I’ve put about 15lbs back on since then. But I remember finding everything easier after I lost that weight. Bending down, tying shoelaces, getting in and out of the car, sports, everything. I bet you feel the difference on the bike too. Be interested to hear about it, might spur me on to lose the extra 15 I’m carrying now.

I lost mine doing atkins, and whenever I feel things getting out of control, like over Christmas, I find a couple of weeks of little or no carbs takes about 10 lbs off.

Good luck!

[Jules]

Thanks for the advice guys. I’ll definitely be taking the necessary (plus a little extra) bike handling skills courses before buying. I’m more interested in comfort than speed, the bike will mainly be used for short commutes, getting round town. I’m about 5ft 8 and a bit short in the legs, so I’m keenest on the Virago. I just wanted to get some opinions on whether starting with a cruiser was a bad idea. Seems it isn’t so it looks like the Virago for me. Will keep you posted.

Jules

[Author]

Posts