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5 Common Wear and Tear Items on Motorcycles
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Zim_the_GiantParticipant
I believe you’re right (about the bike, that is). The high red line would give it a big power band, making the 250cc’s a little less noticable. However, I’ve noticed in my novice adventures that a lot of people like 250’s because they can get 70 miles on a gallon (sorry for the standard measurements, madjak). At 10.5k rmps, would it really still be that efficient?
Zim_the_GiantParticipantSo, went to the dealership and picked up my bike the other week. It’s sitting in the garage, taunting me. My MSF class starts in three days, and I couldn’t be more ready (or excited!). All I can say is, thanks guys. I never would have made it this far without all of your insight. I don’t plan on leaving this small but productive forum, if I can help it. After all the help I got getting started, I hope to be able to give back a little bit.
Zim_the_GiantParticipantExactly, Jeff. At 70 mph, one travels 80 miles in an hour and nine minutes. I think I’ll be okay, at least for a couple months.
Anyway, I went back to the dealership yesterday to sign on the dotted line, and so that my lady could see the bike, and if I scooched all the way back on the driver’s seat, the leg angle wasn’t bad at all. Maybe it was just my hyperactive imagination that made me think I had less room than I did. Either way, I’m going to go down to pick it up after the weather gets warmer, and (hopefully) after I get the BRC under my belt. Probably going to trailer it up, since I don’t want to do 75 mph highway riding as my second experience riding a bike. The thought makes me shudder. So she’ll wait for me til mother nature decides to get rid of this snow and zero degree weather. Hopefully, soon. I really do appriciate all of you guys’ input on this. I can’t wait til spring!
Zim_the_GiantParticipantThank you Jeff! I’m hoping for a tax return this year, so who knows? Maybe the forward controls would be mostly covered by it. I can understand what you mean about highway pegs. I don’t know how tall you are, but if you know the dilema I face, it’s nice to stretch out for maybe 5 or 10 minutes every hour. I guess, though, that’s why most guys take “butt breaks”.
Zim_the_GiantParticipantTwo feathers don’t weigh much more than one feather. XP
January 26, 2011 at 10:42 am in reply to: One possible tactic for cars making a left turn toward you #29153Zim_the_GiantParticipantIf it adds to the discussion at all, me, being a rather logical chap, with little motorcycling experience, finds more sense in the standing on the pegs and doing a slight weave than aiming directly for the driver (this seems to make the bike’s head-on silouette even smaller, in my mind). HOWEVER, in my interpretation of Jeff’s scenario, starting in the right travel lane and angeling towards the left would make that lateral movement, or, “weave” that was mentioned. However, if the driver does notice and yield to you, you’ll be the one still headed for him. Probably not the best position to be in, but what do I know? I’m just the newb.
Zim_the_GiantParticipant^^^^ I lawled
Zim_the_GiantParticipantI took a trip yesterday morning after work, and talked to the salesman about the Vulcan 500 LTD. I sat on it, and liked it so much, I put a deposit on it and am in the process of finalizing. It’s ALMOST everything I could ask for. It’s definitely more comfortable than the other bikes I’ve sat on, and of course, it’s gorgeous. However, I’m still a bit concerned about leg room. It was better on the Vulcan than the other bikes I looked at, but there’s always room for improvement. My question is this: Are there aftermarket kits to fit highway pegs on a bike such as the Vulcan? I know I’m just a beginner, and I’m smart enough to get some miles under my belt before using them, but I’m looking down the road a bit in asking this. Thanks again for all of the advice!
Zim_the_GiantParticipantTrails: Every little bit helps! I’m pretty mechanical, so I’ll probably be able to figure out what I’m looking at before long (it helps, being the son of an auto tech). Though I’ll remember to ask the dealer about those service manuals. Maybe I can get one out of him, if it’ll take money away from his competition. XP And as for gear, I was planning on winging it anyway. No harm, no foul.
Jeff: I’m looking seriously at a Vulcan 500, as a matter of fact. Water cooled, even though it is carbed, but everything I’ve read has said that it doesn’t need rejetted. I’ll keep the other bikes you mentioned in mind, if my meeting with the dealer doesn’t work out (Though it’s hard to picture myself on a scooter XP).
madjak: My old man, being the wise old greasemonkey that he is, recommended Haynes manuals, based on his years of experience in the auto repair trade. There was a new Kaw Vulcan 900 at my local dealer, and I couldn’t help but stare for a while. If I like the 500, maybe that’d be a second bike? The salesman actually said that if I was looking for my second bike, he’d try to put me on that one.
I got my lerner’s permit the other day, so I’m legally able to ride a motorcycle between sunup and sundown in Pennsylvania without a passenger while wearing a helmet and full protective gear… but, it’s a start! I’m really anxious to see this Vulcan 500 I’ve been telling you about. I just hope I’m not getting my hopes up, if that makes any sense at all. I don’t think I can wait til Friday to go, so it’ll probably be Tuesday morning after I get off work. I’ll let you know how it turns out! Thanks again!
Zim_the_GiantParticipantI can only hope so! I never object to saving money. But then again, who does? XP As for the Guzzi, I seem to be having trouble finding the 650 model. What did they call it? I’ve decided that my absolute limit that I want to spend is $5k, since I don’t want to be paying my first bike off for five years. From reading reviews and test drives of the VLX Delux and S40, I’ve heard that they aren’t very tall person-friendly. Not to say they’re out of the question, but that’s what I’ve heard. So, I’ll stop by my local Yamaha and Suzuki dealerships sometime in the near future to see what they have.
Thanks for mentioning apparel! It made me remember that I’ve been wondering what kind of gear would serve me well without breaking the bank. I know everyone has their own opinions, but I’m just curious: What’s your favorite and why?
Trails, you mentioned how an ACTUAL service manual would be hard to come by. What would be the next best thing? Something with a couple electrical schematics and part numbers, maybe? I’m a do-it-yourselfer, so if there was something like that floating around out there, I’d be interested. Thanks again!
Zim_the_GiantParticipantSo, the salesman at the dealer told me what I already know… they don’t make Vulcan 500s anymore. He didn’t say anything about them being able to get one in for me, so I didn’t even ask. They didn’t even have anything comparable in the size I was looking for. He tried to put me on a Ninja 250, which I didn’t fit on. He said I’d get used to it, and I couldn’t see how, when my knees are almost to the top of the fuel tank. Then he tried to get me on a used Yamaha duo sport, but I just couldn’t see how long trips would be feesible in the saddle, not to mention the un-ergonomic feeling of it. So, strike one.
However, I decided to look for one online when I got back home, and it was a good thing I did. It turns out that a dealership about an hour and a half away has TWO NEW and ONE USED Vulcan 500 LTD in stock, priced to move (the MSRP new is $5k, he has them at $3700). I called him about them, and he promised that one would be there next week for me to look at. I’m going to take my girlfriend down to sit on it and talk to the salesman about it. It’d probably be good for me to come up with a list of questions for him, and I have plenty of time to do that. What do you guys think? Anything I should be wary/cautious about?
Zim_the_GiantParticipantAin’t it the truth, Madjak? Haha I’m actually just about to head out the door to my local Kawasaki dealer to see what all used bikes he has, as well as if he would be able to get ahold of a Vulcan 500. I do plan on sitting on bikes for a while to see what I like. Who knows? I might like a dual sport or enduro bike. Anyway, I’ll let youns know what I find out. Thanks again!
Zim_the_GiantParticipantThank you everyone for your input. I’ve pretty much decided on a cruiser/standard styled bike. I do have a lady who will be riding with me, as long as I agree to ride safely and not call the bitch seat “the bitch seat”, and I would like to factor in passenger comfort as well as my own. I stumbled upon pictures of the Kaw Vulcan 500 LTD and really liked it. Madjak, I agree with you on the higher cc’s issue, since cruisers are tuned lower and I will be doing a good bit of highway riding. Actually, if my girlfriend and I get the place we want, about 35 minutes out of the 45 minute commute will be in 55 and 65 mph zones, and I’d like to not be running the machine at its limit for the entire time (reserve power for aversion).
Eon- Thanks for the well wishes. I’ll be sure to keep you guys posted on how it’s going. And I was a band geek in high school, so I know very well that practice makes perfect!
Jeff- I’ll be sure to keep those bikes in mind, and will try some out when I get to the dealerships. I haven’t completely ruled out a sportbike, and will assess one when I get to the showroom, to see if it suits my needs.
In the meantime, though, does anyone have other bikes to suggest in the catagory of the Vulcan 500 LTD? I really like how it looks, even if it is a bit big for a newbie like me. Thanks again for all of your help!
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