[ScottyJ]

Thanks for the info. I’m on a tight budget too. The jacket I want is $300, best price, so I’m debating about getting something cheaper with the idea of getting the higher dollar stuff down the line. As far as carrying stuff, all I use is a backpack so I would definitely love some kind of bag. Thanks again.

[ScottyJ]

That sucks. I would wonder why someone deliberately trashed your bike. To me, it sounds like more than just a drop. I don’t know what you’re riding but a standing still drop should not cause that much damage. And wtf knocks over a bike and then picks it up but doesn’t notify anyone? I would contemplate trying to get fingerprints. I don’t know but I’m upset for you.

I keep my bike in my garage at night but I work at a university and I am always happy to see my bike standing when I walk out in the evening. It only takes one #$%^&() to ruin your day.

Good luck!

[ScottyJ]

Just realized the bags from leatherup are not leather but PVC. I assume their comparative pricing is comparing them to leather bags, not really apples to apples. Still, I guess for a leather-looking saddle bag, it’s a reasonable price.

[ScottyJ]

Elwood, those bags look good for a very good price. I have “almost” bought things from leatherup.com but have not yet. You were satisfied with the quality? And are the bags just thrown on the rear fender and then held on by the seat pegs? Any other hardware needed to keep the bags off of things? Brackets? If so, what did you use? Thanks in advance.

Marlene, I don’t mean to “threadjack” your thread but hopefully you will benefit from my questions too.

[ScottyJ]

Bitch of the Whiskey Priests MC

[ScottyJ]

Ol’ Knucklehead of the Booze Junkies MC

[ScottyJ]

I’m still counting my 1000 mile intervals too. Congrats! And I hope you log many many more thousands of mile down the road…literally.

[ScottyJ]

I bought jeans with Kevlar from Cycle Gear. I found them online and then had them get them in the store for me to try. I also bought a decent mesh jacket from them for a good price. They have a really good selection of leather jackets but they ain’t cheap.

[ScottyJ]

Welcome to the board and the world of motorcycle riders. What part of town are you in? I’m north of Dallas in Allen. Some of the stores I occasionally visit are Cycle Gear (http://www.cyclegear.com/) on Central in Plano and Moto Liberty (http://www.motoliberty.com/) on 35 in Dallas. Some of the online vendors I’ve had good luck with are Motorcycle Superstore, Motorcycle Closeouts, New Enough, and Rude Dog (based in El Paso). I would look at their closeouts or weekly specials for good deals. Also, regarding Cycle Gear, they’re good about ordering things not in stock and then letting you see them or try them on before committing to buying them. I wanted to get some pants and they ordered multiple sizes for me to try on. I bought one pair and they put the other pair on the shelf or a hanger. Good luck!

[ScottyJ]

Hmm. Well I know the 900 will go over 100 mph but I don’t think it goes a lot over that speed without some mods. I am still very new to motorcycles but I sat on the 500 before I opted for the 900 and the 900 just felt more comfortable. I am very happy I did not get the 500 even though I still think that’s a fine bike. In the distant future, I would imagine I would go up in cc’s, especially if I stay with a cruiser style bike.

[ScottyJ]

A lot of north Texas looks very similar… Flat. And a lot of the brick houses look very similar too. I live about 25 miles east of Lewisville in Allen but I used to work in L-ville so I know that area fairly well.

Starting riding in the Texas summer heat was less-than-ideal but I still geared up and rode. I much prefer riding in the cooler weather.

I love my ’07 900 Custom but I really like the ’09 colors too. I especially like that new Special Edition model.

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?id=365 (Click on the pictures)

[ScottyJ]

Okay, I hit 4000 miles the other day. Getting ready to do my 4000 mile maintenance and I’m also going to convert to synthetic oil AND replace my back tire. I ordered a case of Amsoil 10W-40 Advanced Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (http://www.amsoil.com/a/synthetic-motorcycle-oil) at a good price and I plan on using that. Regarding the back tire, I guess I made a mistake in going by what the motorcycle frame and MOM said instead of what was fine-printed on the tire itself. The frame recommends 32 psi for the rear tire and MOM recommends 28 psi for under a certain weight and 32 psi for over that weight. I believe the tire recommends 41 psi and that’s probably what I should have gone with. So I ordered the Metzeler ME880 200/70HB-15 (http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/) to replace my stock Dunlop 180/70-15.

http://i34.tinypic.com/2n9fd6w.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/2cn9gf5.jpg

Hoping to go to the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show (http://www.motorcycleshows.com/) in Dallas next weekend. Anyone here going?

[ScottyJ]

Thanks for the compliments, smokeizfire. FWIW, I’m still really happy with it and I’m glad I didn’t go smaller. But I think it does depend on the person.

So I’m just checking back in to let whoever might care (no one?) that I hit 3000 miles today on my three month anniversary of buying the bike.

http://i36.tinypic.com/20tngjk.jpg

[ScottyJ]

My mirrors are okay, I guess, but I ALWAYS turn and look before changing lanes, whereas in my big truck with dual mirrors, I very seldom turn to check. Basically I can see everything in the truck mirrors while, unbelievably, it’s very easy NOT to see cars in my motorcycle mirror. So my unsolicited advice is do NOT trust your mirrors alone on your scoot. You risk a lot more than a dent in your fender.

[ScottyJ]

Cool. I took it off 35 in Carrollton / Farmers Branch area. Good luck!

[Author]

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