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Kymco Vitality 50
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Sean_DParticipant
… and what you are describing is exactly what I started doing. Mapping out some neighborhood rides in light traffic. First to a local elementary school lot to practice, then to a High School further away to practice, then some destinations around the neighborhood and have been spreading out from there.
But I like to practice in parking lots, particularly on the weekends. You can usually find an empty lot around your neighborhood on the weekends. High Schools, many churches are actually empty on Saturday. Found a closed down grocery store with a nice lot.
I picked up some of those practice cones at a local sporting goods store. You can find the BRC course layouts, such as the limited space maneuvering exercise, online. Here and elsewhere.
http://www.daytonamotorcycletraining.com/range-layout-exercises.htmThese are the cones I picked up…
http://www.amazon.com/Nike-10-Pack-Training-Cones-Red/dp/B000RNQBHQOne of the High Schools and the Community College near my home are used for the BRC course, so they both have the painted outlines already in place.
Sean_DParticipant… so it looks like it may stay in place fairly well. But, that being said, they do mention to keep one hand on the bike while rotating the wheel and to enlist the help of a friend to further help stabilize the bike.
I am thinking about ordering one for my wife’s bike. I have a center stand on mine, but she doesn’t. There is a Motorcycle Show and Swap this coming weekend in Colorado. I am hoping maybe they will have a booth and demonstrate it.
January 27, 2010 at 3:44 am in reply to: Are 250 motorcycles suited for carrying around 2 people? #24249Sean_DParticipant– Allow more time and space for passing.
– Be cautious when turning corners, since clearance may be affected.
– You’ll need to brake sooner than normal when carrying passengers.
– The extra weight of your passenger will increase the stopping power of your rear brake.
– You’ll need greater clutch finesse and more throttle when starting from a stop.
– If your passenger is heavy, it will take longer to turn, slow down, or speed up on your motorcycle.
– Avoid traveling at extreme speeds.
– The effects of the wind will be more distinct. Be prepared to counter the effects of wind when appropriate.
– Exercise caution in quick stops, as a passenger can move forward and bump your helmet with theirs.
– Before riding, practice low-speed clutch/throttle control and normal and emergency braking in an open area, like a parking lot, with a passenger.Sean_DParticipantIt may be that long before I get around to ordering that additional pair anyway.
I contacted Hood about the Concept 6 and received this reply:
“We have been working with our Aramid suppliers over the last year to design a range of jeans that will be available wholesale to the shops and the Concept Six jean has gone into this range so we have been unable to offer it from Hood. We do however still have some men’s and ladies sizes still left under the Hood label.
If you would like to order them please call us on 01953 861166.”So, it sounds like whomever is supplying the Aramid will be selling their own branded jeans (manufactured by Hood) in the near future if I am reading into that correctly.
Sean_DParticipant… why leave the rest of the pointless nonsense?
Sean_DParticipant… I couldn’t track it either. Misspent youth? Too many drugs.. too few.. I dunno . Made no sense to me though. Maybe Eon is right.. that message is a result of what happens when you become Viagra dependent?
Sean_DParticipant… I really love the Concept 6. I don’t know why they cancelled it, though it was their most expensive model. Maybe they found everyone was ordering the K7 instead as a result? I should email them and ask.
I like them much better than my Draggin Jeans in both fit and finish. I don’t like the way Draggin Jeans just velcro the armor in with no pockets. Hood has armor inserts at the bottom of the pocket. http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/html/original_range.html
My big feet keep catching in the armor in the Draggin Jeans. The Hood Para-Aramid lining areas extend further than the Draggin Jeans as well. I haven’t crash tested either pair, so I can’t say which would hold up best if the worst were to happen.
The Hoods are well made and are one of the most comfortable pairs of jeans I own, even with the armor in. Particularly after it molds its shape a little.
If you do go that route let me know which pair you order and how you like them. I want to order another pair and would like the feedback on one of the other models. I have been going back and forth between the black K7 and the H2 since sometimes I need something a little dressier than just the jean.
Sean_DParticipant… like the dealership tour, treasure hunt for over priced gear and cake.. oh yes.. don’t forget the cake (/remove tongue from cheek)
Just kidding.. just kidding!
I took my course through a private company. Iron Buffalo Motorcycle Training in Colorado. The course was $235 (but I actually got a 15% discount on some special). I was able to get scheduled when I wanted due to the number of classes they run. We were skill tested at the end and the DMV testing was waved. Got a discount on insurance for taking the MSF course, so the cost of the course is moot. Regardless of what the initial outlay was, you will make it back and then some. Also got discounts of up to 50% at some dealers on helmets, jackets, gloves, etc. So again, made up the cost of the course. Taking the MSF was a win-win all the way around.
Sean_DParticipantHmm.. I can see that leaving its perch on your helmet in a hurry at speed.
Sean_DParticipantIf you are interested in a kevlar (para-aramid) lined jean with Knox CE armor at the hips and knees. I ordered a pair for myself (Concept 6 which appears to be discontinued) and really like them a lot. Choose the size and color and then type in whatever waist and inseam size you want them finished to and they make them to order. Much better protective coverage of the para-aramid than Draggin Jeans, better implementation of the knee armor as well by putting it inside a pocket. Very comfortable and the size is perfect.
Sean_DParticipant… as the Brammo Enertia is the Zero S. This one kind of caught my eye after seeing the video on Jay Leno’s Garage.
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/clips/2009-zero-motorcycles-zero-s/1120652/Apparently they have Dirt, Dual Sport and Street Versions
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s.phpI don’t think that it will replace the combustion engines in terms of range for awhile, but many folks are making trips to work, school, the gym, store, etc. well under the 60 mile range. I think even in its current iteration the range works fine for a definite target market of folks as their only bike and as a second bike for even more.
My wife is a good example. The majority of her rides are to school and back. 16+ miles each way on roads with a speed limit of 45MPH. Still has plenty of range left to stop at the gym or the store or wherever and plugging it in at night is no different than throwing the tender on.
Sean_DParticipantAbsolutely. The 883 and the Bonneville are often compared as competitive products. I test road them both and liked them both. I think either one would make a nice first bike to learn on.
The issue I had with the 250 is the frame was too small and I felt cramped. I had issues with muscle spasms on and off in my hips during the two days trying to maintain that cramped seating position. Never a good thing. Luckily we got enough breaks where I could stretch it out, but there is absolutely no way I would ever have considered owning one. If a bike causes you discomfort it will eventually lead to distraction.
Actually I had a couple to deal with during the course. The freaking helmets they give you to use were killing me. Definitely the wrong shape for my head. The pressure point the thing put on my head during the course left a tender spot on my forehead for like 4 days after. I tried the next larger size, but it just rattled around loosely. Choosing the proper helmet for your head size/shape definitely goes a long way toward ergonomics. My current helmet fits me like a glove. I am probably going off-topic now though
Sean_DParticipant.. rule of thumb. But to offer a counter suggestion, you might to at least consider a Triumph Bonneville. Yes it is an 865cc, and yes it weighs 500lbs, but you would never know it to ride it. It is well balanced, agile, forgiving and does nothing unexpected.
Someone gave me the suggestion to try one out in a forum as I was looking for a bike for taller riders. I thought they were crazy suggestion a 865cc 500lb bike to an absolute newbie who had only just finished the MSF course. But I did some more research and came upon a review in Web Bike World from MSF Rider Coach Kenn Stamp.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-reviews/triumph-bonneville-se/
Ken raved about the Bonneville for new riders, even going as far as saying ” I would love to teach new riders how to ride using the Bonneville SE over ANY of the current crop of training bikes the MSF allows….”
I just had to take one for a test drive after reading that. The dealer set me up on a 7 mile route involving a little urban, highway, throughway, traffic. First bike I had ridden since the Rebel 250. I came back smiling ear to ear and purchased the bike that afternoon. It has been a great bike to learn on. As Kenn says a very “Friendly” bike.
I am sure there will be folks on here that will disagree with me suggesting the Bonneville 865, but I have to say as the first bike I have ever ridden outside of an MSF parking lot, I actually found it much *easier* to ride than the Rebel 250cc and more confidence inspiring to boot..
Edit: I should add that my 5’8″ wife, who took the MSF course with me and is as brand spanking new as I am, has also ridden it extensively, despite the fact she has her own 650cc Twin. She loves the heck out of it.
Sean_DParticipantWell I don’t think he actually mentioned lacking skills. I won’t try to put words in the OP’s mouth, but I think for some people it is a mental thing. The eldest of my two sisters would be a good example of this. She purchased a scooter for herself with the intent of riding it downtown. She thought she would save gas and parking by commuting in what she thought would be a fun and fuel efficient way. As it turns out, the first time she took it outside her neighborhood and into traffic it terrified her. Now she takes it only around the neighborhood. She still says it scares her. Here is a case of someone who probably shouldn’t be riding.
Just read a forum post over the weekend. I can’t recall if it was here or elsewhere since I read a few. The poster purchased a used bike with almost no miles on it. Apparently the original purchaser bought the thing, rode it home, decided it wasn’t for her, and garaged it until the new buyer purchased it. Another case of someone who probably shouldn’t be riding and realized it.
Sean_DParticipant.. I think it originally appeared in “The Spoof.” At least that is where I originally saw it. It does appear to have an older date stamp than most of the current reposting around the web. But then again.. it was submitted to The Spoof by “Fuzzy Duffy,” who has his own site called The Best News Site Ever, where it also appears. So maybe it is his original piece?
http://tinyurl.com/y9wj4nm -
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