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Thursday, May 8 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Tammy, If you do qualify to hold a raffle, then the concern is that you can sell enough tickets to cover the value of the bike. Do you have a plan in place for this? Depending on the year/make/model of your motorcycle, may I suggest that you contact the local Harley-Davidson dealer owner and inquire whether they purchase used bikes. While some will only take trade-ins, depending on what you've got, there may be interest. Even if they don't, you could continue your conversation by explaining your need and see if that H-D dealer has an upcoming event where they could work in a raffle on your behalf. If that doesn't pan out, ask for the contact of the head of the local HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter. They may be able to assist as their contacts range far and wide and they may know of someone who is looking for your make/model bike. Another thought I have ... I now see that some used auto dealers will offer used bikes for sale. It might be possible to advertise the bike but with that auto dealer's contact information, and when it's sold, they would get a small percent commission. I'd make some phone calls and see what's possible. – Mama Thursday, May 8 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Jen, So, if you've never been a motorcycle at all, then I would definitely take a riding class. At this time of year, classes in the area may already be filled, but one can get on a wait list. For a full overview of what to consider before taking a class, I offer my Learning To Ride A Motorcycle article for $3.95 (which is found on the same page as the riding class providers). That's not to say your Dad can't teach you, but just realize that not all riders make good instructors! If you take a class, which is most likely given on a 250cc bike (or 492cc for the Harley-Davidson course), then you'll have the input on how well you did, how comfortable you feel, and whether you should do your initial 6-12 months on a similar size bike or can move up to a mid-range (500-800cc) bike. If you're going to have your Dad teach you, then I'd look in the classifieds for a 250-500cc used bike. In this case, your inseam will give you clues if a bike will allow your legs to reach the ground flat footed. For instance, you're 64" tall and probably have an inseam of about 28". So, given that you'll be straddling a bike, which pushes one's thighs out about 2" before the legs can go to the ground, any bike with a seat height over 26" is going to require some help. The first thing is to make up the distance with a pair of riding boots with a nice solid sole of an inch or two in height. Looking at the Motorcycle Seat Height chart, you'll see that a Honda Rebel or Yamaha VStar 250 (formerly called a Virago) would fit nicely and are more often on the market as a rider moves up in size. In this chart you'll also find weight information and pricing for a new one. Still, while looking at used bikes for sale, the chart will quickly help you understand what the seat height reality is. Of course you'll still need to gauge your arm reach to handlebar controls and leg reach to foot controls. I'm hoping this gives you plenty of ideas on how to get your adventure in motorcycle riding started! – Mama Thursday, May 8 From Won't Quit whose Ninja 500 wasn't fitting right: I am so glad I found your site and I have some great news. Last time I emailed I was so upset about my ride on my Ninja. Well I decided that riding was going to be part of my life with my hubby but I had to find the right bike. I DID! I sold my Ninja to a really great lady as her first bike ... I hope she enjoys it as much as she said she will, and bought a 2007 650 Boulevard S40...and I LOVE IT!! I really think this bike was built just for me. It has a 27" seat, enough power for long rides, it's like sitting on a couch it's so darn comfortable. Went out twice on Sunday for 45 minutes each time. Good country road riding, barely any traffic, and my husband and I had a blast. I am looking forward to Mother's Day. Last year my hubby and I went for a ride on his bike ... this year I AM ON MY OWN BABY!! My kids are happy for me too. The main thing is to anyone who thinks they just can't do it, is not to give up. If riding is something you want to do, you will!! Just don't quit! Loving it and thanks so much, love the site. – Won't Quit, aka Karen (note from Mama: well, well, well ... I was hoping a lowering of the Ninja would do it for you, but it's not the first time I've heard of a rider reconsidering their options on style. There are definitely occasions when one has to let go of a bike that just isn't making one's heart sing! Congrats to you on the S40; I've heard lots of great things about that model and wish you many happy road miles, including this Sunday's Mother's Day ride!) Thursday, May 8 Dear Readers, "Cameleon Power-Sport Apparel singlehandedly took on the women’s motorcycle apparel industry — not only by introducing innovative technology for protective apparel, but also by challenging the stereotype of women riders clad in rough-looking black leather. The line, with the tag line “Where Fashion Meets the Motorcycle,” includes elegant leathers and figure-flattering protection that crosses over from the bike to all areas of women’s lives. When owner and designer Kristina Jones graduated with her MBA in 2004, her husband gave her a motorcycle as a graduation gift. She quickly became frustrated with the ill-fitting, hot, bulky apparel that was available. Jones began researching protective apparel, and started Cameleon in 2006, outsourcing marketing, public relations, customer service and shipping. The company started with a single product, the Invisible Armor jacket, and since has designed an Invisible Armor pant. Next came a line of trademarked Ride Safe shirts in performance fabrics, with reflective inks that glow in headlights at night. Sales have grown 200 percent since the first year of business, with garments sold online on the company’s web site. Plans are in the works to find key retailers in each state that are actively targeting the female demographic and recognize the need to offer women more options and styles than basic black. “To help this cause, we have created a point-of-sale DVD that educates them about Invisible Armor, why it’s different, the unique features of the jacket and fitting assistance,” says Jones. “This will allow the customer to be educated and informed in choosing the size appropriate for them, because fit is a key factor in how the jacket protects the rider.” Crash Pads, based in Astoria, OR, manufactures the products that utilize the patented pad technology, as they hold patents that allow them to sew impact/abrasion resistant padding to stretch fabric. “This patent is why every protective pad you will find elsewhere is either in a pocket, velcroed to the garment, or strapped to the body,” says Jones. Partnering with Crash Pads allowed Cameleon to bring a lightweight, flexible, stylish protective jacket to the women’s motorcycle industry. Women can now wear any jacket or sweater in their closet, because Invisible Armor fits under the rider’s clothing. It can also be worn alone as an outer garment. “All other protective apparel is sold as an under garment only,” says Jones. “This feature creates the versatility that nothing else in the industry offers.” Soon to be launched: A men’s version of the Invisible Armor jacket and pant." Kudos to Kristina and all of her hard work. If you missed Monday's announcement of her new slide pant design, take a look to see what's coming up! – Mama Wednesday, May 7 Dear VTwin Mama, I took the bike to my local dealer and they stated that it's an air bubble in the oil line and that it shouldn't hurt the engine. They told me if it gets louder they would have to drain half the oil and replace it with automatic trans fluid. I don't know if I want to trust running the engine with an air bubble in the oil line, Is this something you run across before, could it be a faulty oil pump? Should I continue to run the bike or get a second opinion from another shop? – Ron Dear Ron, Here's the deal. As oil flows through a line it tends to carry everything it encounters, including air bubbles, with it. It is in other words a self-bleeding system. If it wasn't, every time the engine was stopped, the oil would drain into the sump, air would fill the lines and you'd run the risk of having the entrained air prevent the oil from flowing. There are several reasons why some fluid-carrying systems sometimes get "air-bound" but that normally involves a pocket of air that's trapped in a bend or pocket in the system and those systems typically have bleeding devices located at those points to remove the air. You might think of a radiator or old style mechanically pumped fuel injection system. The second issue would be filling the oil system with ATF. ATF acts as a solvent and is not suitable for use as an engine lubricant. Using it in the crankcase could do some serious damage to the engine. If the information received is coming through an authorized dealer and it's supported by Suzuki, I'd really want to see the documentation. Update: ATF is highly detergent and is sometimes used to help flush out older car engines, especially when gunk and sludge have made the lifters sticky and that's probably why it was suggested to him as a possible cure. However I doubt very much that it'd solve his problem, and he could do some serious damage to his engine by running it with the sump half full of what is essentially a 5-weight solvent. I'd strongly recommend first changing the oil and filter, using the factory specified oil and an OEM filter. If the noise doesn't go away, take it to a another dealer and get their opinion. – Mark Wednesday, May 7 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Bobbye, Tuesday, May 6 Ladies Only Ride in Fond du Lac, WI on Saturday June 7th Dear VTwin Mama, Tuesday, May 6 Dear VTwin Mama, Also she wants the handle bars pulled back . If you could steer me in the right direction for a set of pull back risers I would greatly appreciate it. By the way, I have used your site for many ideas and information since I run with a short crowd. Thanks for the information. Its the best that I have found on the web. – WTD Dear WTD, You'll find a number of choices for pullback risers at ScootWorks and even a picture with one set installed on a VLX 600. A letter from November 2003 indicated that a short rider on the same model bike simply removed the side covers and rode. Upon buying another bike, the covers were once again removed, but they had crafted custom leather covers so that the "look" was maintained and components sheltered. That may be something to consider, as I do not know of lower profile (narrower) side covers available. – Mama Tuesday, May 6 From Teala who was taking a riding course for the 2nd time and a bit nervous: As promised, here's my update. Yes, I passed my second NBSC course with flying colors and I took my own Honda VLX 600 Shadow to be tested on. After some coaching from my instructors, I DID IT!. I got my big Lic, with my own bike, What a Rush!!!!!!!. It just goes to show that 'ya can't give up!! If you want it bad enough. I love the course so much I helped coach a few people that felt the way I did 2 yrs ago, Out of 9 students, 7 passed and 3 didn't think that they could, but I talked them into doing it. That was a greatest feeling ... helping someone that was were I once was. So tomorrow I'm putting two new sneakers on and I hope to be out tomorrow night relaxing and enjoying the freedom. Thanks Mama! I did write a "coach note" that you suggested and I'll always keep it in my jacket. Mama, you're right, I can do it and I did. – Teala (note from Mama: congrats and yahoo to you! Remember to take on challenges in steps so that you don't get overwhelmed and lose confidence! Readers, the coach note Teala mentions is a little slip of paper you put in your pants or jacket pocket with a positive saying like "I Can Do It" or "Work Towards Your Goals and Dreams" or whatever you want. Whenever you have a moment of doubt or butterflies, you pull it out and give yourself a mini boost!)
Held Over For More Viewing New Tools That Are Cool ... Bike Model Research Made Easier! Dear Readers, These are organized by style of bike and then ascending order of the main variable (seat height or engine cc). Together with the Fit Charts (pictures of riders sitting on bikes), Motorcycle Reviews (by and for women), and the Motorcycles for Short Rides List (real women report in about fit and modifications) ... the arsenal of tools to do research is explosive! Have fun! – Mama
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