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The “Five to Survive” Rule & Why You Should Use It
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SantaCruzRiderParticipant
Most states follow this same approach. You can either take a written test, get a permit and then prep for a road test, or you can complete a safety course that satisfies the DMV road test.
Going the first route provides no instruction and is really best suited for folks with riding experience. The BRC route is by far the most encouraged route on this site, as I think you’ll soon hear.SantaCruzRiderParticipantOnce upon a time, manual transmiissions were more reliable, faster and cheaper to repair than automatics. Like it or not, that’s no longer the case. Add in all the baby boomers who aren’t interested in working their knees trying to get thru the daily stop-n-go and you have situation where there is very little market for the manual tranny.
Most of the time, the only reason an auto maker even has a manual tranny (or manual windows) is so that they can post some ridiculously low price on their bargain basement model. But even then, most of the entry level cars on their lot will have upgraded windows and tranny, because that’s what sells.
It won’t be long before manuals will be special order, even on “performance” rides.SantaCruzRiderParticipantFor someone about your size, I don’t think you can go wrong with either the 250 or 500. Both are rock solid, neutral ergo bikes. But beyond that, each will feel a bit different for you than for me or perhaps anyone else on this board. Even having a few hours on a bike in the BRC will give you infinately better perspective on what feels right.
For commuting and in particular for city riding, I find an upright and more standard position to be the most comfortable. It gives you good visibility and reduces that traffic light groundhogging that can get old when you combine the sport bike bend with stop-n-go traffic.
Oh, and I’m also pushing for the Ford.April 28, 2010 at 3:26 am in reply to: What would you have done differently buying gear in the beginning? #26014SantaCruzRiderParticipantYep, got mine at Orchard Hardware.
Unfortunately, you may find that simple brass snaps are the entry-drug of self serve fasteners. Before you know it, you’ll learn how to pop in grommets and then you’ll be spending sleepless nights thinking about all the cool things you can do with strips of canvas and a few snaps.SantaCruzRiderParticipantSeriously WeaponZ — don’t make us come over there and slap that VISA out of your hands!!
You must have NewEnough on speed dial.
Let us all know if you ever decide to have a garage sale.April 27, 2010 at 10:33 pm in reply to: What would you have done differently buying gear in the beginning? #26004SantaCruzRiderParticipantI got a small snap kit at the hardware store and popped a pair into the cuffs of my overpants. The work great and help about sewing.
April 27, 2010 at 4:05 am in reply to: Trying to convince the “BOSS” that bikes aren’t as scary and dangerous as she thinks!! #25976SantaCruzRiderParticipantGood move. The GS is a beauty.
SantaCruzRiderParticipantThat’s not a spot I’ve seen padded on any riding pants. Riding is not like snowboarding where your lower contact points are your knees and butt. In riding, the contact points are more likely to be the sides of your legs or knees.
Of course this doesn’t mean your other body parts are safe from impact, but it is less likely. Beyond that, you might want to check out some underarmor.SantaCruzRiderParticipantI also like video reviews and try to check them out on any gear I’m thinking about buying. I think yours is very good. I don’t mind the informal approach and in fact find it refreshing, especially compared to video reviews that are basically commercials produced by the manufacturer.
I’m nitpicking, but since you asked, I’ll offer a few other random thoughts:
1. I really like the zooming you did on the cuff zipper and the zipper pulls. But some of the other camera work was a bit too dynamic and might benefit from a steadier vantage point.
2. I usually like seeing the inside of the jackets and any attachment to pants.
3. It might be too personal for your model, but I like getting an idea of how the jacket fits folks of a certain size, so I find it helpful when the model says something like, “I’m 6 foot and 170 lbs, and I’m trying on a large.” The height and weight may not be ones I share, but it can sometimes give me an idea of how the sizing runs.
But overall — I like this a lot and don’t think it would benefit by more equipment (except perhaps showing how it fits with the rider on a bike — which I assume you already have).SantaCruzRiderParticipantThe older Sportsters were brilliantly engineered with “peanut” gas tanks. You could rarely get more than 100 miles between gas stops, so you could shake the feeling back into your hands and butt during the 27 seconds it took to refill the tank. I owned a ’94 and never saw an issue with the vibes. Some of my sport bike buddies did get tired of the frequent gas stops, but whatever.
SantaCruzRiderParticipantBut then how do you explain the Honda Fury?
SantaCruzRiderParticipantYou mean to tell us that Harley doesn’t built the fastest, cheapest, highest-mileage, or most-technically advanced motorcycles on the planet? Wow, it’s like the veil has been lifted!
Next thing we’ll learn is that there is no Santa Claus, he’s just a fat man in red who drives a Toyota. Worse, he probably has an old Harley in his garage.
SantaCruzRiderParticipantI have to confess that my mind went there too — shame on me. But judging my the models used in the video, the beta probably has a 90 lb weight limit.
This could have some really cool applications for folks with disabilities. For road applications, I’d hate to consider the cost of replacing those tires –
Cool post Eon
SantaCruzRiderParticipantI only have 1 jacket, a vented leather Teknic with removable quilted liner.
I wear it with and without additional liners for anything in the 32-90 degree range and it’s comfortable.
No argument that it can get toasty on hot days, but I’m rarely in stop-and-go and a bit of movement helps alot. One benefit to stiff leather (at least on my jacket) is that the venting tends to stay wide open and it can flow a lot of cooling air.Worse than heat to me is when the temp comes with high humidity. Then the leather can feel clammy and uncomfortable.
As for rain, I’ve been caught in it and the jacket has dried to original condition (you have to be very careful how you hang wet leather). But I generally avoid riding in the rain and would definately agree with earlier comments about textile’s advantage in the wet.
SantaCruzRiderParticipantSo the guy doesn’t “get” the attraction of Harley — so what. This kind of rant comes from folks with way too much time on their hands and a hugely over-inflated opinion of their own opinion. Here’s a guy so in love with the smell of his own flatulence that he’s compelled to share it with the rest of us. It’s sad.
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