[Munch]

LOL….. I am sitting here looking over my gear knowing I am riding in the morning at 25 degrees and trying to figure out why 45 seems cold. I always have to remind myself about being conditioned or acclimated to the temperature zone you live in.

[Munch]

might need to have some one take off and lube or replace it for ya.

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Look in the MoM , if you don’t have one most bikes have a label either under the seat or somewhere on the bike that have some basic info for your bike.

[Munch]

As far as your bike goes. Check for a draw somewhere on the bike. If it’s getting a charge and running but dead again after sitting. Sounds like you got a draw on the battery that’s slowly killing it.

As far as posture goes. Most of the bent over half question mark postures you see are from the guys who think it looks cool and use their rides mostly for the week end or just for bar hopping (bad idea to begin with) and spend little to no time in the saddle. For a comfortable posture it would be good to get a set of risers for your handle bars that also have some pull back so you can sit more up right. As far as getting up off the saddle for bumps……2 things, either adjust the coil pre load to soften the ride or (with the proper handle bar adjustments made) just get yer but up.

I can understand the “not for me ” realization though. When I took my 9 in to get it’s 10k check up I tried some sport bikes on. Was curious because of the differences in riding styles with both posture and rider inputs needed. Let me say it just will not work for me. My feet do not turn in like that to get on those itty bitty foot pegs. Another thing that was very uncomfortable to me was the tank in the chest……I know risers could solve that problem too….. but eh…. the rest of the tank makes a dive to a very uncomfortable to close to proximity to other parts of my anatomy that I just will not unnecessarily put in peril. I first sat on the GS500F , then thinking ok not all are the same then found a Ninja 250 then a bigger 600. After knowing it would never happen for chits and giggles sat on a Gixxer….. yea poser was just oozing out of that seat and I had to just laugh. The biggest disappointment was sitting on the Kawi Concourse 14. Had always liked the bike and really considered getting one. Same problem with this bike that I had with the others….. darn. Oh yea…they had a Sporty there all decked out in Screaming Eagle performance upgrades…. sat on it and my friend told me I looked like a circus bear on a bike…. It really did feel like a ten speed was under me. Sorry Elwood, hats off to ya for having this thing….. even better that you got your new one.

So yea I can understand “not getting it”.

[Munch]

Howdy! Sorry about the Texas thing…..but heck there are always exceptions to the rule.

[Munch]

I am inclined to thinking a new clutch.

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I didn’t say not to use the fronts at all…. just not to jamm on it… this will assist in shortening the distance.. and yes you can steer with the front loosed up to a degree. Pull that front brake too hard and you have 2 options both is up to big man upstairs. Cruisers really aren’t all that less likely to lock up but you do have other way to counter that, one is there is decent weight back there and 2 something I was taught by a gray beard was to slide a bit back on the seat (when reason sticks in your mind) to get more weight back there…
Only reason I can talk on this specifically….. I had to encounter this last week……dang rut season.

[Munch]

Really have to be careful with this topic folks. There is a lot of varying situations that will call for a different reaction…that’s where saddle time and practice helps.
Some things that will change the correct answer:
Cruiser or Sport
Dry high traction surface
Wet slippery limited traction
Gravel or loose traction
Direction of intended travel (or trying not to)
Speed of travel
Traffic congestion
Reaction time and acting on it
So many varying degrees of changes that can be made there is no ONE umbrella answer. For instance if you are on a semi slick road with plenty straight travel distance and need to hammer the brakes ( lets say Deer) more back brake might be more prudent. Sure the rear will skid and can fish tail but if you get enough practice at it (like those of us in rural areas) you know how to keep it from going wide, and to stay on it until stopping. Though this would also be a good point of argument for the ABS crowd. Jamming the front brakes are a good answer here also though most instincts will be to naturally lock up all the oh shit muscles and a slight turn and loss of traction in the front will bring you down quickly. Practice the hard stops as mentioned above and you can minimize that risk. However we are addressing beginners, not gray beards.
Change any of those variables and the right answer or “close enough for government work” answers can apply.

[Munch]

“I don’t quite get why waterproof gear is that important since you can just wear a cheap rain suit over the regular gear”

Not sure where you are located but places like the SE US. Pop up Thunderstorms can and will catch you in the most un practical places. Hauling at highway speeds with traffic is not a cool time to try and dip off to don the pull over rain gear. If you try to beat it out to get to a bridge… chances are your going to get wet before hand anyways and kill the need for the $40 rain suit. I have Frogg Toggs that go in my Saddle bags for when it is just to damn hot to go for full on water proof priced gear, but to be honest those are for the days where the rain chances are over 70% otherwise I just enjoy the cool down of the rain (oh yea cruiser w/windshield = no feeling like I am getting pelted by kids throwing rocks). Another reason also is depending on what your plans are, cargo space is a premium on bikes…yours more so then mine. If you plan on doing some quick errand shopping you will need just that much more space.

[Munch]

Nice……
Others you may have missed…
Left sleeping on the couch, dogs get to go in your room.
You somehow missed the steak dinner by 15 mins and there seems to be nothing but vegetables left.

[Munch]

Find a hosting site like Imageshack or photobucket and upload it there. Then use the links from the site to get them on here.

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Sweet, we will have to get a ride sometime. I ride constantly…few things stop me….Ice/snow, my kids and Lightning. Rode into work this morning as a matter of fact. Love all the looks I get in wet and cold weather!

Stick around great group we have here….very little drama, if there is any usually me and Elwood just kicking up debate in a gentlemen fashion . You ever see a guy on a Blue and Black cruiser be sure to wave… might be me!

[Munch]

I would agree with ya but I re confirmed my cruiser guy status yesterday at the dealership. Got my 9 tuned up oil changed and a new front tire. Whilst waiting I decided to try on a couple of bikes. The Suzuki GS500f…… I don’t know if I have ridden horses to long or I just aint built that way or what but there is no way a sport bike will ever happen for me. My feet just don’t tuck like that. Whats up with the itty bitty pegs? Tried a Bigger Ninja and even tried to squat on Gixxer…… nuh uh…aint happenin. Next step around the corner was a Kawi Concourse. I had been eyeing a Connie for a while..however but test tells me “Oh hell no!” Same problem…ergos do not fit an old country boy such as myself.
Now the real winner that had me stumbling for the door in a bid to save my credit rating…… The Kawi Nomad 1700….. man what a Cadillac. This bike scr3eams comfort touring. It’s a cruiser thing I guess.
I do agree however on smaller for starters. Talked to a guy today that was thinking his only option for a first bike would be a Suzu C50t. Took a while and he almost budged but he is hell bent, just hoping he aint hell bound when all is said and done.
My style is not zipping through town on the biggest or smallest bike for the sake of speed. I like the open air, cinematic view of the world. I like touring and taking loooooong scenic routes at my leisure.
BTW…. Where in Central NC? I am in the Triangle area.

[Munch]

loosen the nut usually the “castle” nut which should relieve the stress on the rear “axle”, with a mallet or other such tool, drive the rear wheel forward enough to give the chain slack (assuming it’s chain driven) and work the chain off the sprocket. Then pull the axle rod through the swing arm and wheel assembly then voila……. reverse process to install.

Note: Pay attention to chain tension before starting removal process.

[Munch]

Its well tolerated, especially after they see the flags.

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