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Wednesday, August 1 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Boy Scout, Wednesday, August 1 For Not Sure on getting a motorcycle transported cross country and Diji who asked about shipping a motorcycle overseas: Upfront disclosure: we only shipped my motorcycle when my husband was in the Army. That means we were 'assigned' a moving company and had no idea who until they rang the doorbell. Since my father & father-in-law are both also retired Army, this last move was #42 for my husband & I combined. (We grew up during Nam & Korea.) My husband worked 4 college summers as a mover.The reality is "a good moving company" doesn't exist. Or to be precise, a UNIFORMLY good moving company doesn't exist. It's all about the crew over whom you have little choice. If I could, I'd choose the best crew from the 'worst' company rather than the worst crew from the 'best' company. The way to increase your odds of a good crew is a lot like renting a great vacation cottage: move during nonpeak times -- not from May-Sept or Dec-Jan. (School vacation & new year=new job.) Be flexible about dates -- many more want to move out the last week of the month & move in the first week. (Rentals usually begin on the 1st & closings the 30th.) Move mid-week. (Senior people don't do many weekends -- but more people want to move in/out on the weekend.) We moved my '81 Suzuki 250GT as part of our household goods from the DC area to Kansas, then to the Heidelberg, Germany area & back to the DC area. She was secured in the container & other boxes and furniture packed around her. For Europe, the size of the bike can be an issue if it doesn't fit in the standard container. (Not the SEA/LANDS the individual containers that are then loaded into them Especially for Europe, since it goes by boat, special prep is needed. Ask. I've no idea why, but I bookmarked this site; it's actually a directory & includes motorcycle shippers: http://www.movecars.com/toc/find/index.htm#motorcycles Of course, for Not Sure, you may have a friend who would ride it out! Hope this helps a little. Jem (note from Mama: how wonderful of you to share what you've learned that's always a help!) Wednesday, August 1 Hey Petra, I had a great weekend of riding. Just short trips locally, but it was the first time I had been out by myself. I felt ready, even though hubby was a little anxious. But he agreed that if I felt ready, then it was time to give it a spin! I went during an off-peak time so traffic was light and I felt pretty good. I'm more of a slow but steady person, so I'm taking my time and working on improving my skills. Further down the road though, I have to hit the highway !! I'm Ok with the speed, but it's those exit ramps with those 'decreasing radius turns' that concern me :/ I'm thinking of trying that early one Sunday morning with hubby behind me. My next question (you know I ALWAYS have a question !!! ) is one that I know everyone has different opinions on: helmets. Short & sweet, I've been riding with a half-helmet and prescription sunglasses. Well, the wind is causing my eyes to water, so I'm thinking of getting either a 3/4 helmet with a shield or a full face helmet. A friend who rides suggested goggles to fit over my glasses (not sure if I like that look ), but I'm thinking that a 3/4 helmet would provide my noggin with more protection. I've seen some 3/4 helmets with shields for as low as $75, but I'm wondering if that's too cheap? Since my funds are limited, I'm thinking maybe I should wait until next season when I can afford to get a better helmet ?? Or is a $75 3/4 helmet Ok ? Should I be investing more???? Maybe wait & get a full face next year?? Sigh, decisions, decisions. Looking forward to hearing from you, Nancy from Michigan Dear
Nancy, My thought on helmets and your eyes is get that 3/4 helmet with face shield now. Make sure it's DOT approved. You've got to solve the watering eyes thing. This is happening because you don't have a good seal between your check bones and side of the nose. Since I wear contacts when I ride, I look for sunglasses that sit tight on that lower/side area, which does the trick for me. I too normally wear eyeglasses, but don't like the goggle over glasses look/concept. We've had chatter that there are motorcycle-specific shades/goggles with prescription lenses check the 2007 postings on my Ride Gear: Helmets, Googles, Hair Smuch page! As to your upcoming highway time, yes those ramps can feel really tight and nauseating! I still pay strict attention to every detail of my riding when exiting and entering on ramps. The basics are like any curve: start out on the outside of the curved road portion (don't hug the inner curve line) so that you have room to lean through and use the whole lane on the lean amount. In most cases you can quickly scan to get a sense of the tightness of the curve and if there is crap on the road and then make yourself look at least 3/4 of the way through (fixate on that end point). If you want some pre-practice, set up a lazy but spiral curve in that empty parking lot you just need some highly visible markers to see without having to really look even piles of bright orange cheese snack crackers will do the trick! Then start spiraling . . . your hubby can stand at the end point and watch to see if you're really focused on him the whole time or not. I have found in doing some personal training with new riders, that if I also shouted "Look At Me, Look At Me" the whole time, it helped the rider focus on the end point better because you've got both the visual and audible command going! Remember that you keep your head/eyes level, not tucked down or strained up, and both head and eyes turned (but level) on the target. Your husband may want to shout "Whoa Nelly" if you're barreling down on him (ok, that's just a funny!). Many more happy practice miles to you! Mama Thursday, August 2 For Nancy who is pondering correct eye protection: I to have the same problem, prescription glasses and drying eyes. I
have found the neatest 1/2 helmet. It is a Scorpion EXO-100 Series. It has
a flip down visor that is built into the inside of the helmet. You click a
button and it pops down over your eyes. It comes down to the about the end
of your nose. So no more wind in the eyes. I'm not describing it well. It
kinda looks like a jet fighter helmet with that kind of visor. It comes
with a sunscreen one, it is removable so you can change to the clear one.
It also comes in some great colors! Thursday, August 2 For Tobster who is trying to connect an iPod with a QLink Legacy: My partner and I both bought QLink Legacys a couple of months ago and had the same issue with the MP3 player. I think that you cant actually hook your iPod to it what you want to do is get a memory stick, download MP3 files into it, and plug that in. It works great and sounds great. Anonymous (note from Mama: thanks for the insight!) Thursday, August 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Okay, several seconds later, I now want my dream bike -- a front and rear lowered 1993 Softail Nostalgic (FLSTN) or CowGlide to those in the know! I do worry that the weight will go up another couple hundred lbs, but heck, I handled 580 lbs, so why not 730 and change. I really think I could learn to ride anything if my feet are on the ground. The
VStar 650 is an awesome bike, tolerable, but not the greatest for highway
travel and is happiest under 65 mph. My worry is that the 1993
non-counterbalanced engine on the Moo, may be a difficult ride.
Anybody out there ride a pre-2000 Fatboy or Softtail? I am curious
what I might be getting into. Maybe I have fallen in love with the
wrong bike. The bike is collectable, although I fully intend to ride it,
so no one is real keen on allowing a test ride! Love the website,
love the exchange of information. Thanks Mama! Dear
Leda, In terms of handling, the overview notes: "To ride, it's inevitably much like any other Softail, particularly the Classic or Fat Boy (with which it shares wheel sizes), steering geometry (32-degrees rake, 5.8in/147mm trail), forks, footboards, handlebars and almost every other relevant dimension. The only significant differences are a fuel tank almost 1/4 gallon (1 litre) larger and the addition of a hefty 93 lbs (42kg) of mass compared to the basic Softail model. With suspension springing as soft as the CowGlide's considerable weight will allow, handling falls somewhere between sedate and ponderous. Over bumps, the steering is vague and accompanied by a slow weave whenever the road turns lumpy. As with the brakes, it's adequate if it is ridden with prudence." That said, falling in love with a motorcycle, despite any perceived shortcomings, is something that comes straight from the heart. I fell in love with a '76 SuperGlide and rode it for 10 years before finally admitting that while I had many happy miles, it really was a challenging ride because the balance around fast curves was never something I considered as top notch (as compared to other makes/models). But this only revealed itself when I moved to the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range! In the flat Midwest, it was just fine and given the high level of customization, it never failed to draw attention and spark conversation! Each motorcycle has its own handling characteristics, and as I always say, the trick to becoming one with a certain bike is to start in an empty parking lot and begin riding drills right from the very simplest of skills. This allows you to really get the feel of things and put you and the beastie through various stuff without distraction. Setting up cones/markers helps you understand things like limits of the turning radius, stopping distances, clutch friction zone control, response to countersteering, the weight, etc. If you love it because your heart tells you so, go for it! There appears to be an active interest in this model, so if down the road you want to change, selling it should not prove too difficult. Enjoy! Mama Thursday, August 2 Dear VTwin Mama, But we both love a challenge, so we went for it. First, we lowered the Heritage 2 inches with Progressive shocks, added 5 inch risers, and new cables to the handlebars. Then we replaced the seat with a narrow solo seat. I could tiptoe, but still couldn't reach the brake pedal or the kickstand, so hubby strapped a two-by four block to the brake pedal just to see if I could ride it, and I did! It was awesome, and really fun! So we had my son-in-law build us a metal block to add to the brake pedal, then added an extension to the kickstand, and off I went! Then, for my birthday, hubby bought me some new HD boots and took them to the shoe repair shop. They took off the sole and heel, added one inch of crepe, and replaced the sole and heel, and the boots look and feel great! They gave me just the edge I needed, and now I can ride that bike with confidence. It was a huge challenge for someone my height, but I am happy to tell you that I really enjoying riding my new bike. Here I am on a 300 mile ride last Saturday. Linda Dear
Linda, Friday, August 3 Greetings Petra, My situation is in reverse of sorts. I started out riding my own bike and have logged many, many miles on my Kawasaki Vulcan 900LT, DixieLee. I even just recently accomplished one of my long term goals and did my first weekender with my hubby and friend to Cherokee, NC via the famous "dragon" and on up in to Maggie Valley. Some curvy roads to be sure and I did wonderful. I am so jazzed for myself. But here's the situation. My husband rides a Kawasaki 1600 Nomad, super bike with an absolutely awesome passenger seat. He is about 5'9" and weighs approx 175lbs maybe. I am a 5'4" plus size lady and weigh approx 200lbs. While we were in NC, of course if you go anywhere, you ride, but my girlfriend who rode her own there decided she was tired when it came time to go out and eat so she jumped on the back of her boyfriends bike and told me to do the same with my husband. Now, she is no small thing herself and her boyfriend, while taller than my husband, is a little bitty thing too. I have never ridden on the back as a passenger with my husband in the 13 years we've been married. Not that he hasn't wanted me to, it's just I don't think he can hold that huge bike and me up at the same time. I know how to ride as a passenger, I've just never done it with him. He says he doesn't see a problem with it, but I do see and feel hesitation from him as well. I would love to try it but have a fear that I'm just too heavy for him to handle all that and would cause us to go down. Is there anybody else out there who has gone through a similar situation or has advise? It would have been great to have jumped on the back of his bike with him and felt comfortable when we were on our trip, but I tell ya, I had not even thought about it until then. I just love riding my own too much, but for the occasional situation that could arise I would like to think we could do it. I know it's huge trust issue with me too. Can he can handle it? I see couples riding two up all the time. Little men riding plus size ladies and never see a problem. Why do you think? Thanks, LuckyLady in TN Dear
LuckyLady, There is no doubt that the sizes/weights of the rider and passenger do affect handling of a motorcycle and should always be considered carefully. A lot has to do with the arm and leg strength of the rider, and of course, a passenger who knows what to do and what not to do! I'm soooo glad you didn't just willy-nilly do this during your weekend run! Given that both of you don't want to shut down the possibility of 2-up riding, I would suggest that you ride both your motorcycles to a big empty parking lot and give it a whirl. Make sure you're both properly dressed and keep it simple to begin with, so that you can start the trust process. Nice straight runs and big lazy loops. Take breaks every 15 minutes and talk it out. How is it feeling to him? What are you noticing? And then reverse the position, with you riding and hubby dearest as passenger! Now, why would I advocate such skill building? Mainly because if one motorcycle breaks down on a longer trip, you're both in position to be 2-up. What if something happens and he can't operate his own motorcycle? Wouldn't it be nice to begin building those skills and each be in position to handle a situation?!?!?! Why, yes it would! With just that beginning practice, you can then decide on passenger riding practice on light traffic days for more speed and curves. Don't overdo it! Stop frequently and communicate. If both of you are honest, the best realities will be realized. It's useful to have a hand signal to indicate when one or the other wants to pull over at the earliest convenience (just in case their is a mental overload of some kind). Now, off you go to present this idea and make plans. I think you'll both be happy that you at least give it a try, keeping it honest and non-judgmental. You're a team! Mama Friday, August 3 For zinch33 who has a Ninja 250 with continually fouling spark plugs: I am not sure if this will help but I have a Kawasaki KX 125 and the plugs kept fouling on the bike. I would get maybe 2 to 5 hours on a plug and then have to change the plug. Totally frustrated I took the bike back to the dealer and told them to fix it. They had the bike for two weeks and could not find a problem. They told me that we were NOT riding the bike hard enough and to take the bike and ride the hell out of it and do not let it sit there and idle for any length of time. I thought to myself that did not make any sense but what do I know as I am not a mechanic so we took their advise and my son drove the heck out of the bike and it lasted two hours at the most and then I noticed him walking the bike back again. So I went over to a local dealer who stocked the plugs for me as he did not deal with Kawasaki but he said if I would buy the plugs he would stock them for me. We were using a NGK Platinum or Titanium plug (can't remember which) it's been a while since I bought them and the cost was approx. $22 to $27 each. And I had him look at the bike and explained the problem I was having so he looked at the bike and told me there could be a problem with the electrical system but he did not have the proper tools in his shop and told me I should go back to the original dealer or contact Kawasaki to find out the problem. Totally frustrated and mad by this time (I have been around bikes for a long time 30 + years and have never run into something like this). It was a long weekend and my son wanted to ride that weekend I was tired of paying so much money for plugs and my son could not ride with his friends because you never knew when the bike was going to die. I went to Canadian Tire and looked up a similar type spark plug, the old fashion kind without all the fancy numbers in front of the main numbers and the bigger electrodes on the bottom and you get two in a pack for around $5 to $7. (Added note: went from a NGK plug to a Champion). Stuck the plug in the bike and we never looked back; as a matter of fact we just changed the plug this year as the bike was getting a little hard to start but that other plug we ran for approx eighteen months and never had a problem and we are still using the same type plug to this day. We are even racing with that plug in and the bike never stops; we put in the high octane fuel and an octane booster and the bike just keeps going. I talked to the local dealer about six months after I took the bike to him and he asked me how the bike was running so I explained to him I changed the plug and he was totally amazed. Anyways I am not sure if this would help you but it sounds like you are having the exact same problem that I was having and this is how we solved our issues Regards, Danny (note from Mama: interesting! We've certainly heard that plugs in the wrong heat range can cause problems, but that a fancier version of a plug might not be the ticket is new to me and I'm hoping it will help zinch.) Monday, August 6 Sistahs Steppin' In Pride: August 25 in Oakland, CA Ride with MotoSistahs! Motorcycles line up at 10:30 am at the Pillars at Lake Merritt to lead the march. Thereafter, all bikers will provide a women's motorcycle escort in the middle and end of the march. All motorcyclists will create a Pathway of Pride throughout the march and providing an "entrance" to the park celebration. Motorcycles line-up at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Pillars at Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA.For more information, Contact Amanda at amanda@sistahssteppin.org or visit the SSIP website for more overall information on this event. Monday, August 6 For Mary who has to navigate 1.5 miles of gravel to go riding: To help our skills-learning process, I booked my husband and I on a one day off-road training course near the start of this, our first full season. My idea was to get used to having a bike moving around and sliding, without risking our faired street bikes. We never intended to ride anywhere rough on our street bikes. We both had a blast, and learnt about standing on/weighting the pegs, pushing the pegs to help anchor us into a turn, use of speed to get through problem spots, different seating positions and bracing the bike with our knees, emergency braking with front, back and both brakes on dirt etc. We visited a friend's cottage 2 weeks later. He completely omitted to tell us of about his long, very steep drive that was a mix of ruts, gravel, stones and roots complete with 2 turns. There is just no way I could have contemplated it without the course. However with the course behind me, I launched slowly down the slope with my foot firmly on the back brake and my hands lightly on the grips. I didn't fuss about my Suzuki 500GS street bike slithering, which it did with enthusiasm. No problemo! Same on the way up: stuck it in 2nd and kept the revs very high and insisted it imitate a mountain goat. Aced it (husband dropped his, is it evil to feel glad that it was him and not me?). So, my suggestion to anyone worried about gravel is to do the opposite -- wallow in it by taking an off-road training course, and have some fun at the same time. I am happy that gravel, dirt, roots, stones, sand, grass etc. are not off-putting for me now. All the best, Alexa (note from Mama: what a SUPER idea!) Monday, August 6 For LuckyLady who rides solo but wondering if pillion with hubby should be learned: Hey a situation I can actually give an apples to apples comparison answer to! My ex-husband weighed in at 320 when I first started riding with him & I was a very hefty 210. His Vulcan Classic (same bike as the Nomad without the hard bags) had a carrying weight of 570 or 580 pounds (if I remember that tidbit of information correctly very close to what we & the packed hardbags weighed together) and it still did fine. And he did fine. There isnt any additional upper body strength necessary, really; particularly while moving at slow speeds the additional weight is more easily felt, but not enough to cause fear of tipping over or loss of balance. Ive taken my son with me on my Valkyrie a couple of times and can notice a weight difference, but it doesnt change the handling much at all. If the bike does start to tip at a stop or very slow speed, you, as a passenger, could put your foot down then to help support it I did that once when the bike slid on gravel while coming to a stop at a corner and probably saved us an oopsie then. You certainly dont want to put your feet down at all while moving at any time, though. I have to admit that I kind of miss
riding on the back at times; you get to see whats going on around you
during the ride so much better. I envy your ride of Deals Gap
(otherwise known as the Dragon) I am looking forward to a trip through
there if I ever get that far back east! Monday, August 6 For Danny who offered input on bikes that won'd stop fouling plugs: Thanks Danny. I really appreciate the response and it helps to know that someone else has shared my pain. I'm BEYOND frustrated with my bike. I haven't done anything with it this year and I get jealous every time I see a bike out on the streets. I've taken it to the dealer a few times and have called them and all they tell me is I need to replace the plugs and I'm riding it wrong. Being a new rider I didn't know what to do so I trust them. Same as you, they tell me I need to ride it longer and heat it up more. I wanted a bike for pleasure. I ride it back and forth to work, which is less than 10 miles away. If it keeps breaking down on me (I've been stranded twice on busy roads when it's stalled on me) I don't trust myself to go out riding very far. I do have NGK plugs so maybe I'll try getting some Champion ones. Everyone keeps telling me to sell my bike 'cause its costing me so much in repairs but I love it too much to do that. Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it. zinch33 (note from Mama: I'm hoping this will make a difference. Remember to cross reference check between NGK and Champion to get the right one!) Monday, August 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Alisa, And here you are telling us your story and with a happy ending! I'm glad to hear that while the Rebel didn't do the trick for you, it's probably by now in the hands of a new owner (those smaller ones can sell fast!), and you're finding the Yami to your liking. Yahoo and many happy road miles to you and your husband. Mama Monday, August 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Ken, Tuesday, August 7 For Alisa who doesn't think a Honda Rebel is really a motorcycle for the highways: Why not ride it on the highway? I learned on a 1987 Rebel and rode it on I-40. I also know of a woman who rode her Rebel from CA to Buckhannon, WV to a Women and Motorcycling Conference. VTwin Sister Bobbye (note from Mama: allow me to find a balance on these statements; clearly there are examples of riders who enjoy a Rebel for all types of rides, while others have noted that the lighter weight can be a concern in higher winds and 18-wheelers going by. I always say that's why there are so many makes/models there are so many different types of riders and comfort levels!) Tuesday, August 7 For Anderson whose bike's turn signals only work after riding for 4-5 miles: You have a bad turn signal relay. It takes a few minutes for it to warm up. Then works fine. You can replace with a 2 prong auto #555 or 557 flasher, just dont hook up the green ground wire on the factory wiring harness. Anonymous (note from Mama: thanks for this insight!) Wednesday, August 8 Hi Mama, Dear
RoseD, According to the article, "Harley-Davidson has recreated the Sportsters, building what is essentially an all-new chassis around a rubber-mounting system for the engine." It's this rubber-mounting which took HD motorcycles out of the shake mode. So, if the Heritage is your dream bike, and you're considering purchasing a pre-loved one, I'd double check on that model year and definitely take it for a test ride. You may find that you have some minor vibration at the lower speeds, but it's smooth riding from that point on. Many motorcycles can be modified with bigger tanks, but if the Sporty isn't doing it for, then I wouldn't go to this expense. Still, that doesn't mean you can't get some good riding time in for practice . . . the more miles you have, the better position you will be in to judge the next motorcycle you'll consider! Mama Thursday, August 9 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
1Shot, Thursday, August 9 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Dual Sport Mom, So, I would start with a call to the local Suzuki dealer's service department. Ask if there is a lowering kit, ask if the shock has an adjustment (and how to check that it's at its lowest), or if a shorter shock is available. I doubt you'll be able to do anything with the seat as there isn't much padding to trim out. Not all dealers are well-versed on these things or don't have time to come up with creative solutions. So ask several dealers within 100 miles if necessary. If the answers are no, no, no . . . then head for an independent motorcycle shop and see if a gearhead there will take on the project . . . most likely shaping a bracket to bring the top shock mounting bolt hole down a bit. Be clear on how much lowering you would like . . . but be prepared that you might only get part of what you ask for. Mama Thursday, August 9 Good Day VTwin Mama, Dear
pousan, Friday, August 10 For Cheryl who noted that she liked the Ontario Motorcycle Safety course: I was really interested in your experience with the Ontario Motorcycle Safety course. I have obtained an M1 license but the course I have registered in (I should have asked some more questions first I guess) has only got kick start motorcycles and no bikes with automatics or heel and toe shifters both of which I would need due to my very bad arthritic knees I think I'll call the one you went to; they seemed accommodating according to your report.. Thanks VTwin Mama for the masses of information and help and support you offer! Sandra in Port Dover, Ontario (note from Mama: you are welcome and I'm glad a previous letter has given you another avenue to explore!) Friday, August 10 Dear VTwin Mama, Monday, August 13 Meet/Greet in Atlanta, GA Sunday, August 19th Dear VTwin Mama, Monday, August 13 Dear VTwin Mama, But you know what sista's -- I hope to take what I can from that course (with my driver's permit) and apply it to my HD 883 Sportster. Practice, practice, practice, drop, get up and practice some more ... what else am I supposed to do? Give up? No -- not me. I was the only one who failed out of twelve. Oh well -- is it the end of MY world? I should hope not!!! Happy riding gals -- and safe riding. Pass or fail ... keep going! La Mala Dear
La Mala, True, the test portion of the class didn't go quite as well as you had hoped, but it's not money down the drain. You did learn a lot. Like what drills to practice, where your strong and weak points are, and most importantly, how much you really want to be a skilled, polished, and confident motorcycle rider! You're on the right pathway; just remember to take it step-by-step and don't overload yourself with artificial time tables. The end goal is to be a good rider, not to be a rider by a certain day/month/year! Mama Monday, August 13 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Anon, The best we can do then is to maintain a non-judgmental view as there are plenty of people who do get it ... and those who don't will learn sooner or later that the tribe will help when needed despite their steadfast disregard for protocol. For newer riders: never give a wave if you can't confidently release your left hand and maintain good control of the motorcycle ... safety first. Mama Monday, August 13 Dear VTwin Mama, I want to get a smaller bike to practice on and get my confidence up, but my husband prefers I learn on what I have. How do I get over the fear of the power of that bike? Do you think riding a smaller one will help? Thank you for your time. Robin Dear
Robin, Certainly the 1200 has a lot more horsepower than the 250cc motorcycle you probably rode in class. However, and trust me on this, it's just as easy to drop a smaller bike or pop the clutch unexpectedly and get into a bind as quickly if you're not following the basic rules of riding skills. The perceived fear of the extra power is clouding the fundamental truth ... you need more practice. And that means going back to the drill sequence taught to you in class. Each motorcycle has its different handling characteristics and the current beastie demands your respect and trusts that you will learn the nuances step-by-step. Duck walk that 1200 until you're good and sick of doing it. You know that your clutch friction zone and throttle control will become more coordinated because you've done this. Over and over. At the same time, think about your head position. Is it level and straight ahead? If you find yourself looking down (either with your head or just your eyes), now is the time to break the habit. The pavement is there, you know it is there, and there is no reason to look down and confirm this every few seconds. You go where you look. Even if you are going straight forward with a slow, controlled stop plan, if you look down, you are much more likely to end up there. There are lots of letters on this site that acknowledge that by correcting this, the problem (the oopsie drop) is largely solved. Most importantly, don't get impatient with your learning curve and don't let hubby dearest set a timeline for where you should be. Take each step with incredible joy and say, look what I accomplished today. Look what I get to try next time. I will get there safer and more confidently if I take it slow and easy. And I will be a better rider for it! You did not indicate why getting a smaller motorcycle is not in your husband's "plan," but if it's about $$ (and I apologize if that's not it), you could look into renting a 250cc bike for a day. Both bikes to the practice lot. Try a drill on the small one, try it on the big one. Don't overload too much. Consider renting several times over the course of a month or so until you feel right about everything. Still costs $$, but not like buying, even used. If the reason is something else, I go back to the thought that this is YOUR experience, YOU need to feel right about YOUR learning pathway, and the only person who knows what is needed is YOU. It's time to speak up and be honest about what YOU need! YOU CAN DO IT! The reason we know this is that we've been there before you and can attest to the fact that it took time but was well worth it, but not always easy. Mama Monday, August 13 Hello VTwin Mama, Dear
Tarek, Tuesday, August 14 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Heather, Tuesday, August 14 For La Mala who didn't pass a riding course but is not deterred: I too failed the safety course a year ago, at age 54. I wasnt the only one that day and think most classes have people that fail. In my class there was someone that had been riding over a year that failed. However, I was stubborn enough to not give up. I got a 600 Honda Shadow and went to a large parking lot almost every day for a month and practiced, practiced, practiced. I retook the test and passed. Since then I purchased a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and have read as much information as I can about riding and improving skills and still go to the parking lot to practice. This has helped me tremendously and although I have a lot to learn, I ride to work almost every day and my husband and I take at least one 100+ mile ride on the weekends. One of the best on-line sites for tips and techniques is The Master Strategy Group. The safety courses put so much information into so few hours its hard to remember it all. Oh, and my biggest hint? NEVER use the front brake when turning and going SLOW! (parking lot speeds). Its an instant down on the grounder! It only took me 10 times down and lots of reading to get THAT one! Talk about slow learners. Our riding friends now refer to falling down as doing a Carol. Give yourself credit for showing up and completing the course. You learned a lot and with practice will get it. Be careful and dont go over your head because you think you should be able to handle it. As my husband tells me, ride your own ride. A year from now you will look back at the course and be amazed at your progress. Good luck, keep at it. Weve been there and know you can do it! Carol (note from Mama: thank you for this encouraging letter to La Mala!) Tuesday, August 14 Dear VTwin Mama, I have grown a lot since then and have ventured out on my own a few times. The farthest I have gone is from Novato, CA over the Golden Gate Bridge to Hwy 92 to Hayward and back. I have to tell you the best part of the ride was coming over the Golden Gate Bridge ... there was a couple on bikes in front of me and I could feel the excitement they were feeling ... it was a beautiful morning and each of them were standing up to over look the water. It was so cool to feel a part of that and to feel confident enough to go out on my own. I still freeze up going around turns, but each time I do I tell myself, you can do this, just breath and look were you want to go. Sunday I went for a ride with my husband and a neighbor and at the start of the ride I asked where our we going and don't wait for me I will be there in one piece at my own pace. This was the best lesson I have learned since I started riding ... is to ride my own ride and the hell with whoever is in a hurry; I'll get there in my time. Janine Dear
Janine, Sometimes in the beginning it can be difficult for riders to understand that the "joy" component WILL actually happen. Just as it has for you. I still remember mine, even after 27 years. I had been practicing in parking lots and venturing out locally on early Sunday mornings. Finally I was ready for a bit more traffic, and then it happened. I passed by my very first rider, a grizzled man, who gave me the biker wave. I was so surprised, but did wave back properly. You couldn't have wiped the grin of my face or the joy in my heart. That's when I knew I would be a rider for all of my life. So new riders, you've now heard from Janine that yes, it will happen, just keep practicing and reach for your goals and the joy will meet you there! Mama Tuesday, August 14 Dear VTwin Mama, Like a previous e-mailer so eloquently said , "I felt like a Freak without a brain " !!! My question is: why would the spark plugs be fouled already, since I just purchased the bike in June ? The dealer that sold me the bike said everything was checked out thoroughly on her before I purchased her. It's a 2002 -- originally purchased from the same dealer, with only 2,400 miles on it. It had been running fine until I heard it sputtering when I went to start her last week. I checked the normal stuff -- kill switch off, bike in neutral, ignition on, petcock on, adjusted the choke. Everything I could think of. Then I happened to check my gas tank and saw that the gas was extremely low. I had assumed that the dealer gave me a full tank so I was checking my mileage based on that, but lo and behold, I only had about 2 gallons instead of the 4 gallons I thought I had. I filled her up with gas, but she still wouldn't start. Even with running 'almost' out of gas, why would the plugs have been fouled so soon? Should I ask the dealer about flushing the gas tank or the fuel line? Or is this just a lesson for a novice biker? Lesson #1 - always check your sparkplugs if your ride won't start!!! And I'm gonna ask for a break in the repair price -- most of which is the durn towing cost !!! Arrgh !! PS: I've ordered Zimmerman's Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance, so I can learn some basics about motorcycle mechanics.. Thanks much, Nancy (a Michigan "Freak without a Brain" !) Dear
Nancy, A motorcycle delivers a pretty precise mix of air and gas from the carbs to the cylinders, where the spark plug ignites the mixture, thus driving the piston inside the cylinder. When we say a plug is fouled, it means that the end of the plug, where the spark is created, can't do it's job because it's being presented with too much gas and is literally being drowned! So, when you kept trying to crank it over, you kept delivering more and more gas and the plug situation just got worse and worse. Had you pulled the plugs, you could have wiped them off, let the holes they screw in air out, and probably all would have been fine. Except for one thing. Why was too much gas being delivered in the first place? The clue is in your check procedure. It sounds like you're opening up the choke to start the motorcycle. Opening the choke delivers more gas than normal, and is useful in cold weather starts. Otherwise, a choke is used incorrectly because the air/gas mix in the carb is off ... and the carb needs to be adjusted (or cleaned, etc.). Yes, there are some motorcycles who only correctly start with a specific choke open position (I rode one for awhile), but that's not usually the case. So, don't open the choke. It the bike doesn't start after hitting the start button once or twice, then you've got some adjustment or maintenance to do. Mark Zimmerman's book is going to help immensely! I consider it one of my most useful sources of information and have learned lots in researching questions that come to this site. Mama Wednesday, August 15 For Nancy in Michigan whose bike fouled the plugs and wouldn't start for nothin': I had this issue when I first got my HD. If you rev the engine with the choke open, you will foul the plugs and it will not start next time. I did this when I was new. I learned to let the bike warm up with the choke open, close the choke, then give it some gas to get rid of the rest of the chop. This is part of learning the bike. Mine will not start with the choke closed. jojo (note from Mama: thanks for that added note about revving when the choke is open and what happens.) From Nancy: I actually got my baby back Monday!!! I was all set for a fight, but the service guy was GREAT !! He was surprised that the plugs were fouled, too. He mentioned that maybe I needed to occasionally "blow out" the carbs by revving the throttle hard (while the bike is in neutral, of course). I think his theory was that smaller cc bikes run harder so maybe you tend to get some build-up?? (I don't know if I'm explaining it too well !!! ) But in the end the dealer paid for the tow and the repair work so instead of me shelling out $94 for that, I can use that money for a open face helmet with a shield.. So I'm a happy chick !! Nancy (note from Mama: hmmm . . . see jojo's note if you're going to do a rev blow!) Wednesday, August 15 Dear VTwin Mama, At Wantfacts.com, visitors view the new powersports model year line-ups across all major manufacturers. Wantfacts.com offers pricing, specifications, standard features, available manufacturer accessories and model photos for each new 2008 model and for models dating back to 2004. Search-by-feature, build-a-model and side-by-side comparisons help powersports enthusiasts find detailed information about the models in their category of choice. Visitors also have access to used retail values from NADA Appraisal Guides. Andrea Desilets, VP of Sales Dear
Andrea, Thursday, August 16 Women's Bike Show in New Egypt, NJ October 13 Women's Bike Show and Celebration: Noon to 4 p.m. The bike show will be held at the New Egypt Elks Lodge, 105 Lakewood Road. All are welcome, however, only women's bikes will be judged. Registration if from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm with judging to begin at 2:30 pm. Show fee is $10 per bike with passengers being $5. Peoples Choice First Prize: Vendors, more drawings, live music performed and donated by Music By Nicole. All proceeds will benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. For more information, contact Susan (aka Tink) at scbirks@comcast.net. Thursday, August 16 For Heather who was interested in the concept behind motorcycle bells: Recently I had my first bike accident after 2 1/2 years, when I began riding. My back wheel locked up on gravel and before I could get her stopped, she threw me off, right after hitting my brother and his bike. My brother is fine, his bike has been fixed, I went to ER with a bad bump, am ok now, back on my bike! But I mentioned to my Doctor how "lucky" I was, he said "it just wasn't your day," I said "no, it was my angel bell on my bike that my husband gave me for passing my MS course!" It just gave me cause to wonder. Penny from Iowa (note from Mama: ah, the power of the bell at work!) Legend of the Bell (taken from D'Pirate Distributing in Redlands, CA): "Have you noticed that small bell on some people's bikes and wondered why it was there? It's more than just decoration - it has a specific function. As we all know, life has many mysteries that have no apparent solutions. One of the these is Evil Road Spirits. They are the little gremlins that live on your bike. They love to ride. They're also responsible for most of your bike's problems. Sometimes your turn signals refuse to work, or the battery goes dead, the clutch needs adjustment, or any of several hundred other things go wrong. These problems are caused by Evil Road Spirits. Road Spirits can't live in the presence of a bell. They get trapped in the hollow of the bell. Among other things, their hearing is supersensitive. The constant ringing of the bell and the confined space drives them insane. They lose their grip and eventually fall to the roadway. (Have you ever wondered how potholes are formed?) The bell has served it purpose. If you have picked up a bell of your own, the magic will work. But if your bell was given to you, the power has been doubled, and you know that somewhere you have a special friend helping to look after you. So, if you have a friend that doesn't have a bell, why not be the person to give them one? It's a nice feeling for the recipient to know you personally cared. The bell, plus a good preventive maintenance program by the bike's owner, will help eliminate the Evil Road Spirits." My personal note -- So there you have it, the Legend behind the bell. It's legend, it's a nice gesture from one who cares, and it applies to any bike. I think the key thing is to ride within your ability, and don't go over your head. But it sure makes for a nice story! La Mala (note from Mama: I think the gesture of giving the bell as a gift is where the true power lies; giving a caring gift is always magical!) Thursday, August 16 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Amber, Currently, the lowest seat height on a sport bike that I know of is the Buell Blast, a 492cc motorcycle that has a low seat option at 25.5". In general, sport bikes tend to have a seat height of about 30-32" and have less lowering options and typically what can be done is to get a shorter shock. Hopefully the list and Blast will get you moving forward on your research! Mama Thursday, August 16 To Carol who offered her thoughts on not passing a course the first time: I just want to say thanks for sharing your experience with me. I am happy to hear that you have had wonderful success with your persistence! I will be practicing at parking lots too, and then eventually on to the local K-mart shopping lot -- where it seems the cars zoom around much faster than normal parking lots! Thanks for the tip regarding the front brake. I experienced that on my first practice ride. I was idled at a stop, and then attempted to make a right turn -- only to panic, grab the front brake and lock it up. Of course my girl and I ended up on the ground, to be quite frank, I wasn't sure what I did at the time. But after taking the motorcycle class, I realized I grabbed the front brake and locked it. Ever since, I have been a little nervous about making turns, but since taking the course I feel a little better about having the tip, "slow, look, lean and roll". It's amazing ... look right, go right, who would of thunk? Not to mention, I mentally tell myself -- YOU CAN DO THIS! And I agree -- the course seemed to be a crash course to me. We got to do one exercise a couple of times, and then it was time to move on. I happen to learn by repetition - and the time just wouldn't allow it. We had a total of 17 exercises in 2 days. It was good that I took the course, because I now have so much more knowledge than when I first started out ... and you are right -- at least I showed up and stuck to the end. Thanks Carol for your kind thoughts. I will take the good luck you wish for me when I ride! And I wish the same for you as well. La Mala (note from Mama: learning from all the sources available to us is just awesome, and I'm glad that the sharing at this site is part of the positive experience!) Thursday, August 16 Dear VTwin Mama, The guy was nice enough to let me test ride, as I'm about to pull off, I got about 10 feet I tried to get my balance as well as get my feet up, I panicked, tried to stop and of course dropped it. I didn't buy it of course because a part of me is scared straight. (I paid the guy for the estimate damage.) My question to
you is, was I suppose to feel comfort the first time like when I sat on
it? What went wrong? It wasn't the bike of choice at all but was
gonna give it a try anyway. I don't want to give up riding but I'm at a
loss, confused and sitting here with a sprained ankle and a pulled calf
muscle. I really like the feel (sitting on) the sport tourings. Would I
feel more comfortable attempting one of those? Dear
Anon, I've heard that MSF instructors tell students that getting their license is not a license to just go out and ride, but a license to go out and practice a lot more in an empty parking lot. So, am I yelling at you? Nope. Just pointing out that at your current skill level, you bit off more than you could chew by trying to ride that Ninja. And therein lies your salvation ... you made a simple new rider mistake so let yourself off the hook on that one. But let's get you on the right track now as your ankle and calf mend. Buying one's first bike is indeed a tricky thing as really the only thing you have to go on is how the bike you used in class felt and how it feels when you sit on different bikes. You should sit on a motorcycle and take it off its side or center stand ... arms should comfortably reach the hand controls, and when you turn the handlebar all the way to one side, should still be comfortable. Legs should reach foot controls with ease and leg reach to the ground should have you flat footed, a real plus for new riders. If, while at dealers, a motorcycle you are interested in does not meet these basic needs, then the salesperson should be able to tell you what, if any, modifications can be made so that the bike fits you. In the used market, if a bike does not fit your exact needs, but is of interest, then you can have the owner demonstrate its ride-ability and even take you as a passenger for a spin. Upon purchasing a motorcycle, arrange to have that bike delivered to your abode. Then identify the closest empty parking lot for practice and have an experienced rider get it there for you. If this is not possible, hopefully your neighborhood is quiet enough for you to run up and down the local side street. Now, gather yourself together and say with a bit of humor, "Yikes, THAT didn't go so well with the Ninja! But I learned something and I'll put that to good use." And then proceed. Your dream is waiting for you and a simple oopsie is nothing that should make you think otherwise. Many have gone before you and many will after you. YOU CAN DO IT! Mama Friday, August 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Just got an '03 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 with less than 500 miles on it. Problem is the choke don't choke so well unless I pull it out the last 1/8 inch or so of which I have to hold. Also when I release the throttle to shift, the engine continues at high RPM's for a spell then settles down to norm idle. I tried something to further diagnose my issues and at highway speeds I released the throttle then pulled the clutch in. Waited for the engine to calm down, then without moving the throttle, I released the clutch and the engine went back to highway RPM's as I expected, but when I pulled the clutch in again the engine continued at those RPM's for a bit. The closest I can figure from investigating is the varnish has built up in the carbs (why 2? GGGRRRR) So far I have run "Sea Foam" a type of carb cleaner thru a tank and yet no change. Hopefully not to confusing on my procedures. Thanks in advance. Eric T. Dear
Eric, From Mark: It sounds like there are two or three issues here. First the choke should stay in position, and it shouldn't be necessary to force it that last 1/8 inch. The bike has so few miles on it that it's entirely possible the choke circuit has gummed up from stale fuel or it may be that it needs adjusting and the linkage cleaned and lubricated. The "floating idle" as it's called is normally due to a lean condition or carbs that are out of synch. The first thing is to look for the simple things , a sticky throttle cable, or one that's out of adjustment will cause the problem as will an improperly adjusted pilot mixture. I'd also recommend checking the carb to manifold clamps and the manifolds themselves in case there's a leak. if nothing concrete is discovered it's time to dismantle the carbs, give them a proper cleaning and make sure they're synchronized properly. BTW with the set up the Marauder uses that last may be a job for your favorite Suzuki dealer. Mark Friday, August 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Alice, Honestly, these type of bikes are made to have a lot of ground clearance as the manufacturer built it to handle off road situations. The only other thing I can suggest, if a shorter shock or new boots don't solve your concerns, is to find an independent bike shop and see if they would be willingly to take a look and make a lowering bracket (if even possible). Mama Friday, August 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Two weeks ago, I took my first venture out on country roads. I was very scared. My boyfriend reassured me and followed me on his bike. The first time out we traveled 20 miles!!! It was great. It was comforting knowing that he was behind me. He was very impressed with the way I handled the bike. I have since ridden several times by myself down those same country roads. I do not travel too far by myself and take my cell phone with me just in case I have an oopsie. It is such a good feeling to know that I really can ride my bike and not be so afraid like I was earlier this year. Those country roads only have light traffic, but that is alright with me for now. The other cars do not intimidate me as I thought they would. I know that it will be awhile before I am comfortable enough to get out into city traffic. Maybe next year. The support from your website, the Ride Like A Pro video and the MSF courses are the best. Thank you for being there for use newbies who need support. I am hooked on riding!!! Thanks again. Petunia Dear
Petunia, Friday, August 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Yeasty, Friday, August 17 From Robin who was having problems adjusting to her Sportster 1200: Thank you so much for the helpful advice and encouragement. You are right about the skills for whatever bike I am going to ride. Especially thank you for the idea of duck walking till I'm sick of it. I did it again last night, the second time since I ended up in the corn, and did not drop it. This time I tried to give it a little throttle. I feel like I need to do this every day. I also like what you said about it being my experience and I need to do what I think I need. I keep reminding my husband that I don't have the 30 years riding experience that he has. Also thanks for reminding me about my head and eyes. There were stickers on the Abate bikes that said -- head and eyes up! As I recall the trip into the corn, I wasn't looking to where I was supposed to go. This is going to take some time to get used to the 1200L, but I know I can do it. I hope to pick up a Honda Rebel soon to practice longer trips on. I also like the idea of doing something on the small bike, repeating it on the big bike. You are a great asset to female riders. I liked reading your site, and seeing how I am not the only one to drop a bike. My husband told me yesterday, as I went out of the pole barn to practice, that if I drop the bike he would divorce me! I turned and told him -- like he never dropped a bike before. He then shut up. Keep on giving advice; you are a very encouraging person. Thanks, Robin (note from Mama: hee, hee, good for you .... he dished it out and got it right back. There's a saying that there are only two types of riders, those who have gone down and those who will go down. It happens! Meanwhile, congrats on going back to square one with your drills. I can see that you are determined to draw up a plan that allows you room to breath but grow, step-by-step. Yahoo to moving forward ... you will get to the road in your own sweet time!) Friday, August 17 From Nancy in Michigan who had starting problems: Thanks for the help on my fouled plugs problem, Petra !! From now on, I'm gonna stay away from the choke entirely when I start her up, unless it's cold outside. Also I read somewhere that I should NOT be revving the throttle immediately after the bike starts, even with the choke off. I used to blip the throttle (kind of like when you press down on the accelerator in a car a little bit after a hard start). Apparently this can also flood the carbs ??? So I guess that whole "revving the throttle" to blow off crap should be done after the bike is sufficiently warmed up ... < |
