[mhl]

I’ve started with 125cc, moved up no long ago. It was not a classic though, but supermoto (Yamaha XT125X, this one, around 10 bhp as well), and it’s been (and still is) a great fun around the city. It’s light and maneuverable, and it gets me up to 70 km/h easy and in no time (and we’ve got 50 km/h speed limit here in the city), though I’m 5’9 and 165 lbs . With some throttle work I can get it up to 100-105 km/h, so it can be ridden along the highway as well – but it’s not quite comfortable up there. But for the city – just great.

As you’re a bit heavier, it may go a bit slower for you, but I’ve been riding it with my wife at the back – together we’re just about 250 lbs, and I’ve never felt that bike struggling under us.

[mhl]

Yep, that’s right, the heel is wide and comfortable and provides plenty of support. My wife’s able not just stand on it, but even catch a bike if it’s going to the side without any problems (well, until it’s gone far enough, of course).

Regarding the shifting – it’s not a problem for her now at all, though it took some time just to get used to the feeling. But you’d have to spent some time getting used to the new shoes anyway, I’ve been changing from Raytek Xenon to JR Streetburners to Sidi Vortice myself and had to spent a couple of rides breaking each of new shoes and getting used to shifting/stopping in them.

One thing about the Icon boots you have to keep in mind, though – they’re quite narrow in the ankle, so if you have wide feet it will take a while for you to break these boots in and start feeling comfortable. And they’ll restrict your movements during this time quite a lot, though after that the boots are just fine. To speed up the process you may just wear them around for some time, before getting on the bike, they’re comfortable as a general-purpose walk-around boots as well.

[mhl]

My wife had troubles flat-footing her bike, and part of the decision in buying these boots was the high solid heel – it just gives her more confidence and allows to stand firmly on the ground. But again, she’s spent her whole life wearing shoes with serious heels, so me and you, lacking the same experience, are certainly not the best judges here For what it’s worth, she loves these shoes and wears them every time she’s on the bike.

Regarding the protection – you’re right, they only have some padding in the impact areas, but as I’ve said above – they’re solid enough and saved her a couple of times already.

[mhl]

Actually my wife rides in black Icon Bombshell boots and she loves them. They look great – I don’t know why you’d think women won’t want to wear them – a lot of her friends said “damn, I want the boots like these right now!” They’re not in the same level of protection as Sidi boots, for example, but they do have a reasonable padding in all impact areas, and she’s hit the leg a couple of times at the curb during the trainings, and fall under her bike twice – with no big worries except some bruising.

The downside – this patch on the left boot for the gear change lever wears quick enough, and if you hit the ground in these boots a couple of times the scratches become quite visible on the shiny leather.

[mhl]

I’m rebuilding a seat for my wife’s bike right now with ProPad’s gel inserts. Not because of comfort, but just to make it lower and easier for her to ride. She’s gonna take it for a test ride tomorrow, and I’m making photos to document the project on the way, so if there’s any interest – I can explain later on what and how I did and share some before/during/after pictures.

[mhl]

That’s a great review, thanks a lot. As I don’t really need that liner, I guess I’ll be fine with S&S one.

Though I’ve found another mesh jacket with additional protection in leather on shoulders/elbows – Cortech’s GX Air Series 2. Anyone has any experience with Cortech gear? Judging by the price – the quality should be on the level, but you never know until you actually try it.

[mhl]

So how do you like this S&S jacket after you’ve actually used it (if you already had)? I’m choosing a mesh jacket for myself now, and I’m down to the last two options – S&S Hang’em High and Shift Air Avenger. As it seems like Hang’em High is the same as Moment of Truth just in different styling, I’d love to hear you opinion on it.

Maybe someone else here has Air Avenger as well and would to review it?

[mhl]

Actually there’s the third and more reliable way to find out – there’s “does it fit my bike” check on Xena’s website (just select any specific alarm there and you’ll see it). It will take you to this fitment chart, where you can see if your bike is listed (CBRs are).

Also on the same page you can download and print the pdf chart with holes and dimensions, that you can then put next to your brake rotor and see for yourself if/where the lock you need fits.

[mhl]

I’m not in the US, but half across the world in Cyprus. We have some guys from the UK hosting a moto school (they’re retired moto police instructors or smth like that), but they’re in another city and everyone’s expected to turn in on their own on their own bikes. So until I’m up for a task of intercity commute, I’m doing my drills here using everything I can find.

[mhl]

I’ve found exercises from “Ride like a pro 5” video training quite useful, as they gave me more confidence in low-speed maneuvers, and you have to start thinking and looking in the right direction before you’re able to do them right. Then there’s “Riding in the zone” book that has some drills on various topics, including more advanced stuff like clutchless shifting, etc.

I’ve also heard good review about the new book “Maximum Control: Mastering Your Heavyweight Bike”, but haven’t checked it out yet myself. And, of course, Hough’s books (“Proficient Motorcycling” and “Street Strategies”) are great as a general “motorcycling theory course”.

I’m still very much a newbie myself, and we don’t have any MSF-like courses here where I live – so after an initial crash course from my friends I’m learning it on my own. If anyone else have any great learning materials to share – I’ll be very grateful.

[mhl]

Suzuki looks not too bad, thanks for pointing that out. Guess I’ll have to find one of them here and take a look at it.

[mhl]

well, two bikes will be a bit overkill Not to say I just don’t have enough space in my parking lot to stuff them all in, and there’re no closed/guarded garages here to store the bikes. Good thing that you’ve noted that about handlebar fairings, haven’t thought about it myself before.

[mhl]

ok, thanks for your input, guys. Can’t say that I’ve made my mind, but getting my food for thought. While I’m not going to use it for daily commuting (working at home I’m not doing much of a commuting at all), but still I’d like to be comfortable riding around the town a couple of times per week and taking it out to the twisties in the mountains for the weekend or a highway ride to the sea.

Looks like there’s a variety of aftermarket options for the windscreen, but I can as well take off some lower fairings on the faired model. Too bad the local Kawasaki dealers only have faired version on display, but – well, I’ve still got enough time to think about it and make up my mind.

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