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Thursday, July 29 From Valerie whose long lashes were a problem with goggles: Thank you Jennifer for your suggestion. I will look around for that helmet when I get to a state that requires helmets. I did come up with a fix. I figured that the goggles were not very expensive and if I messed them up I could get some new ones so I bought some fun foam from my local craft store then very carefully took off the foam that came on the goggles and made a pattern. then glued the new foam to the goggles. I had to double the thickness and cut a few vent grooves in the foam so that it would breath some and it worked it gave me just a couple of millimeters of room so my lashes do not rub on the lenses anymore. No more Mascara smears YEA! – Valerie (note from Mama: this is so VTwin Mama sister smart!) Thursday, July 29 Dear
VTwin Mama, Upon leaving, we stopped by where they were parked to see their rides: A Vulcan (at least a 750 or larger...can't quite remember) and a Shadow, 600cc. Do you know what they were implying? Were they commenting on a specific sound they feel the Suzuki makes? Do Suzuki's sound noticeably different from any other bike? Or were they talkin' power? Are they just bike snobs? Ha ha....Love your site, Mama. – Itchin' to get out there, but waitin' on my friend who needs a ride too! Dear
Itchin', Thursday, July 29 Dear
VTwin Mama, While I'm writing I might as well add a tip I've discovered on making traveling/camping trips on your bike a little easier. To help pack lighter, I take along those Dove facial cloths. If you've never seen them you take one out of the pack and wet it- it lathers up, use it to wash those bug parts off ya and throw away! No wash rags to keep track of...wash/dry...or have rolling around wet in your luggage 'til you get home! All the best... – Oh those saddle bags can seem so small from VA Dear
Oh from VA, Wednesday, July 28 Dear
VTwin Mama, Now I am faced with the huge choice of bikes. I was very interested in a Ninja 250 (thanks for the web page you sent), but after taking the class I am thinking more about a Rebel. Since it's impossible to get a test ride out of a dealer, I was wondering if you had any feedback on the handle/feel differences between a sport bike vs. a more classic street bike? I know from the web sites of each dealer that there is about a 4 inch difference in the seat height (since I'm 4'11 that matters), and a small difference in power. It seems possible that I am opening a big can of worms with this question, but since I could go for either bike I was looking for more of a breakdown of the +/-'s from someone with far more experience. Thank you again, – Andrea Dear
Andrea, Wednesday, July 28 Dear
VTwin Mama, I bought a Ninja 250. It’s GREAT! If
I had gotten anything bigger I would have dropped it by now. I have come
close, but thanks to the low weight (around 300lbs) and my ability to
touch the ground…I was able to catch myself and keep the Bike up. I know
I will out grow it over the next year… but I am so happy I started with
a smaller bike and I am able to learn the fundamentals and not be
intimidated by the size of my bike (on top of all the other intimidating
stuff i.e. traffic). I hear people saying I want something I can grow
into. Well the money I spent on a Bike I could grow out of is well worth
it. I am not scared of my
Bike or the power, so it is easier for me to focus on the …clutch,
shift, accelerate…part of the deal…:o)..ugggg
Thanks again, and I hope all is well
in your area soon! Dear
Rookie Rider, Wednesday, July 28 For Longing for Length on lowering a Kawi 250: You can also change the tire size in the rear to a 60 from an 80 and lower the bike about an inch and you can take the seat to an upholsterer and have 1.5 inches taken out of the seat i did this for my wife's 250 Ninja. – Danny (note from Mama: thanks for the reminder that a tire change can make a difference as well -- this is a point I keep forgetting, but now have on my Motorcycles for Short Riders page.) Wednesday, July 28 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Jacque, Wednesday, July 28 For Sue whose husband died but she wants to ride the Goldwing and maybe convert it to an automatic: My heart goes out to her. She would like to see about converting their Gold Wing trike into an automatic: she may want to check out www.adaptivemotorcycling.com. The company has a product that I believe is called "Kliktronic" and is a thumb-switch electronic shifter. She still may need to use the clutch--the site isn't that clear--but it would eliminate the need for left foot shifting. Was designed with amputees in mind. It's not that cheap ($700+) but might offer her the opportunity to continue riding. I wish her and you all the best. Warmest regards, – Bryna (note from Mama: I hopped onto the site and it seems that this device removes the shifting task from the foot to the hand, so useful in some circumstances, but not automatic. Still, this is a useful reference. As a side note, although the site is only three pages, and two are focused on this device, the Contact page clearly welcomes special needs riders to contact Tim to ponder and noodle out possible modifications to a bike to accommodate the rider. Yahoo!) Wednesday, July 28 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Vivian, Wednesday, July 28 From Gina to Garry, both who were looking to lower a Honda 599: I have spoken to Chad at Bikes2nv.com and he says he can lower this bike. I have been told that this rear suspension has no linkage, but Chad assures me it does and can be lowered using this linkage or he can fabricate linkage. He is going to the Mid-Ohio races this weekend and promises to find out more information there by talking to race teams, owners and manufacturers. Bikes2nv phone number is 614-837-4009. I haven't purchased the 599 yet because without lowering the bike I won 't be able to ride it at 5'2". Good luck. – Gina (note from Mama: riders helping other riders -- thanks for the research!) Added note from 7/29: I have since learned from Bikes2nv.com that lowering a 599 is not possible. The shock preset can be changed, but there is no linkage as such and a shorter shock wouldn't make enough difference in my case to lower it enough. Maybe next year. In the mean time I am investigating the Suzuki Standard bikes. Thank you for your assistance. Tuesday, July 27 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Robbie, Tuesday, July 27 Dear
VTwin Mama, I have a friend and his girl friend that ride motorcycles such as the Yamaha R1 1000 (crotch rocket of course). I’ve always found these exciting but my fear kept me away from them, even though my friend said he’d teach me. I thought I’d take the safe route and took the Alberta Safety Council’s motorcycle course where you drive 125 and 250 cc motorcycles of which I successfully completed it with flying colors on June 13, 2004. This was a 3 day course where you are on the bikes almost 8 hours a day. Then it was time to purchase a bike. I wanted a sport bike but did not like the weight on the wrists as well did not like how the feet were angled for changing gears so “yesterday” I finally settled on the 2004 GSX-750F Katana (sport touring - $8600 CAD). It weighs around 468 lbs but I’m in very good shape and weigh a muscular 200 lbs (weight lift and do Taekwondo). Like others I was a little pressured to get a bigger bike as originally I was going to get the GSX-600F Katana but was told I’d grow out of it too fast. None the less I picked it up yesterday, Thursday, July 22, 2004. It was wheeled out into the parking lot and I barely got the feel for this (twice around the block) when we head instead of the highway home (25 minutes) to downtown traffic during rush hour. A little scared but I tried to remember the course and since the course really only deals with slow speeds I did not too bad and only stalled twice at one intersection. Having my friend with me definitely helped as a buffer for traffic. So we head on the highway home and pull into my drive way. My wife was very excited as she likes the looks of these bikes and made sure I got the matching jacket, helmet and gloves. She takes my picture on and off the bike and by this time I’m feeling good. I successfully drove it at slow speeds and highways speeds and I was feeling confident. Now my driveway is on an angle upwards, like many are, and I back the bike out slowly. Gravity is doing its job but I have the front brake working and things are going good “until” I get to the curb. I brush up against curb with the clutch box and this makes me loose my balance and I drop my bike. No matter how strong I was I could not stop this. When she goes she goes and sure enough some damage occurs. The curb scratches the backside of the fender under the seat, the clutch box has a scratch, there’s a crack in the side marker light and a couple of chips on the faring. PLUS I feel like a complete idiot as my neighbors probably seen this and the traffic around me. And now my confidence has gone down. 45 Kilometers only (28 miles) and I drop my bike. Thankfully my friend who got me to ride is also a body guy and he says it’s all cosmetic and easily fixed. He plans to scan my bike’s color at work next week and have it as good as new. None the less I’m going over this in my head and it eats at me. I know I can’t do anything about it but learn from it. Now I also have the jitters of dropping it again or maybe not paying attention and getting into more serious trouble. I can only take it one step at a time and think back on what I learned and what I’m going to learn. I wish the best to “anybody” who is driving a motorcycle for the first time and want you to know the words that I read from the women who wrote in speak true for me as well. Thanks. – Dereck in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada Dear
Dereck, Your words are powerful because they help us understand that ANY new rider faces many of the same challenges. And we feel the same ickies when things don't go exactly right! Chin up, motor on. And trust me that you'll find this to be an amusing story somewhere down the line in your riding experience. Take another look at the bottom of the drive. Perhaps a small section could be filled in a bit with concrete to eliminate the "dent" or something else can be planned logistically that will help. If that's not feasible, back the bike down (engine off so it doesn't scare you if you hit the throttle in neutral) to the "ick" area and have your wife stabilize you out by keeping your front end straight (she could straddle the front wheel with hands on handlebars). An extra pair of hands is always useful when learning to navigate something new. Can't think of any other ideas, but know that if you pre-plan this for your next go at it, you'll be tons more successful! – Mama Tuesday, July 27 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Laurie, Tuesday, July 27 Dear
VTwin Mama, I lived in NY so I didn't get a lot of riding time in when I had my bike but I got really good with it I now live in Florida and in the process of buying a 1998 Virago 1100. Someone in this group somewhere said they thought that the virago was top heavy. Anyone else out there ride a Virago 1100? A number of years ago I sat on one and feel in love. It seemed to be balanced very well. I was able to rock it between my legs with my hands very loosely on the handle bars. When I sat on the 1998 it did feel like it might be a bit top heavy. I have not rode it yet, actually I am so out of practice that I surprised myself. I have already told my husband that I intend to take classes because this bike is so much bigger than any other that I have rode. Can anyone give me some insight on the Virago 1100? – Bonnie Dear
Bonnie, Tuesday, July 27 For Buffalo, NY who is seeking an auto tranny bike, but in crotch rocket style: Honda makes a sporty with an automatic transmission. I don't remember the model but I saw it a few weeks ago. I too am looking for an automatic, but I would like to see the Ridley. I'm not much on the sporty look. – Charlotte in New Orleans (note from Mama: Well, Honda makes scooters that could be argued that they look sporty (or snappy at least), but the crotch rocket style (looks like you’re riding a horse and handing onto the mane for dear life) just isn’t there. Unless I'm missing something, which happens sometimes! Of course, the person riding the bike could have been shifting so smoothly that you didn’t realize it was a manual transmission! Look at the Ridleys by visiting their site: http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com and contact them for dealers or references.) Tuesday, July 27 Dear
VTwin Mama, I live in the wonderful island of Puerto Rico, and until now I had no reason to regret the fact that it is an ISLAND (no easy access to what sounds like the unending adventures on your highways, long roads, and specially other serious women interested in riding) ... As many 40 something girls, I am trying to get into riding, bought a 1988 Honda 650 to learn, fell and injured my left elbow (now recovered), and am debating if I should maybe go down to a scooter (150 or bigger) to get the basic riding skills or insist on the 650 (I haven't considered a smaller bike given that it would be very hard to sell later). I guess its normal to be scared after the fall, specially given that it was only my second time on the bike, (and it was due also for trying to learn around the hills and small roads of my area). I would very much appreciate your opinion. – Margo in PR Dear
Margo, And windy and curvy, which isn’t
very helpful to someone trying to learn! Yes, it’s normal to be scared
after your first fall, but not to worry . . . let’s noodle out an idea
to help! Given that it would be difficult to
sell the bike, my suggestion is this: there must be some area nearby that
has a relatively straight, open area. Do you work? Does the company have a
parking lot? Would they let you keep the bike there overnight so you could
hop on it and practice until such time that you’re ready to bring it
home? If so, then have someone get that bike over there and then begin
practice. You need a clear area with no obstacles so that practice is
productive. Tuesday, July 27 Dear
VTwin Mama, I do not drive a stick shift, so naturally, I had difficulty with shifting, which I believe I can overcome. My biggest problem, however, is that I had difficulty balancing the bike (even the light 250s). I HATE bicycles - I've ridden one as a kid, but never liked it and didn't feel comfortable on it. This is the main source of my frustration, since I'm very fit and athletic (tennis, swimming, taekwondo, soccer, you name it, for many years). I have a great sense of balance which I use daily, in training - so why the balancing part is so difficult to me??? I am also pretty strong, and not too short (5'7"). I'm 29 and it good shape, I learn quickly, so why can't I get into this? I do love speed/rush and motorcycles. We had a woman in our class in her 60s (props to her, btw!) who did fine, and I just chicken out. Felt very tense, the entire time of my incomplete class attendance. My question: anyone else had to go thorough similar? Anyone out there having difficulty balancing a bike at low speeds? Is there any hope for me at all, or should I just settle for riding in the back; please let me know, as I see there are many experienced woman riders in this forum. Is there anyone who gave up or almost gave up in the beginning? Are there people that are just not meant to ride? ANY feedback is appreciated, – Perplexed Dear
Perplexed, Kudos to you for all your achievements
to date. Your letter suggests a level of frustration of not being able to
conquer something right off the bat, but if you look a little closer,
you’ll see that your mastery in many sports has to do with your body
(and maybe a small sports equipment piece of some sort, i.e. a racket or
ball). A motorcycle is a whole different
animal and demands respect – it is a mechanical/electrical beast with a
lot of raw power with absolutely no ability to read your mind or desired
actions/reactions. It does what you tell it to do, and if you do it
incorrectly, it can hurt you. In addition, cages (aka cars) have
absolutely no respect for you or the bike which makes it highly dangerous
if you are not in the mood to pay strict attention to what you are doing
or more importantly, what others are doing. Yes, some people are not meant to ride, and others battle for longer amounts of time to achieve the harmony with a bike that meets their expectations. Examine your heart and trust your gut instinct on what you hope to achieve and then go for it. We are rooting for you! – Mama Tuesday, July 27 For Sue whose husband died but she wants to ride the Goldwing Trike by herself: Really sorry about your husband. Have you checked out the Goldwing Club in your area? Go to www.gwrra.org. You will find lots of helpful people there. You can ride that Wing! – Liz in Phoenix (note from Mama: thanks for the helpful site tip -- support from experienced Goldwing riders would be very useful.) Thursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Rookie Rider, Thursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Sue, The Goldwing Trike sounds juicy! Old dogs (harrumph) can learn new tricks best by finding a private instructor. Check with local dealers or locate the nearest riding/safety course and ask if anyone offers personal instruction. Or, visit my Cool Links page to locate women’s riding organizations. Contact a local chapter for support, guidance and sistership. Sounds like it might be just the ticket at this point in life. You’ll be able to share your new riding experience with others who also share and care. – Mama Thursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Andrea, Thursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, The bikes look cool, but in our area the sport riders are either dressed like they are going on the space shuttle or nearly naked. Just curious. – Megthered Dear
Megthered, I keep in mind that all the beginning years that I rode I lived in states without helmet laws and choose to ride without. This was a choice – and at the time, it was personal, lawful, and none of anybody’s business. Of course I did not understand that it was less likely that I would cause my own problem – rather, some idiot would do me in. And that’s why protective gear is always a good idea. And then there are days where a T-shirt will do (yes, pants and boots also!) and I make the conscious decision to take the risk. Sigh. There’s a fine line and we must each decide what’s right for us at the time. – MamaThursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Tara, Thursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
MD, Thursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Terri, Thursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Buffalo, NY, Wednesday, July 21 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Volusiaman, Wednesday, July 21 Dear
VTwin Mama, I do live in the hills and commute through a pass, and I am just starting to feel that I can manage stopping on hills. I've used several of the methods discussed, recently starting to use the rear brake as the light is changing, freeing my right hand for the throttle. I also find holding the clutch just short of the friction zone works well. As I gain confidence about rolling back a little, I am tending to use your method of giving it a little more throttle to compensate for this: key seems to be to act quickly and smoothly. I did have a situation in my early months, riding up a narrow incline toward the pass, when a guy in a SUV turned onto this side road right down the middle , looked right at me and proceeded to run me almost off the road. I swerved right to the edge, stayed upright, but killed the engine, leaving me holding up the bike on a steep hill. Also had to deal with heavy wind gusts that day, so I had to keep both feet on the ground. Ended up killing the engine two more times before I got up the hill. Bless the driver of the car behind me for her patience! Anyway, my thought is that if I ever had a rough uphill situation again, I might just pull out the choke to lower the chance of killing the engine, till I'm rolling again. Any thoughts about that idea? Thanks, – Suzanne Dear
Suzanne, Kudos to you for keeping presence of
mind in a difficult situation with the jerk! Hmmmm . . . my thought is
that if you pull out the choke, you stand a good chance of flooding the
spark plugs, especially if you try to restart the bike and forget to push
the chock back in. And once they are fouled, you’ll need to yank them or
let the bike sit till they dry out naturally. The only other option I can
suggest (if drivers around you allow it), is to let the bike slowly slide
backwards in a big U so you are facing back downhill. Not sure if this is
viable, but something to consider. Wednesday, July 21 Dear
VTwin Mama, My new baby is a 600 VLX and came equipped with saddle bags, extended mirrors, sissy bar, and the best sounding pipes I've ever heard. I'm so excited I'm not sure I will sleep tonight. I love your website and am learning a great deal from it. Thanks a bunch! – Carolyn Dear
Carolyn, Here’s my new electronic biker wave
(left hand of course) to salute your continuing journey (ok, ok, it’s
not a Rembrandt, but you get the “picture,” don’t you?!?!?!?!! O – Mama Wednesday, July 21 Dear
VTwin Mama, Two years ago I got the fever again and Bought another 250 (Suzuki). It wasn't long before my husband had to have one too and came home from work one day with a Virago 1100. He pressured me for a long time to move up to a bigger bike, but I (at 4 feet 11 inches) had become comfortable with the 250. My husband is a private pilot and one of his pilot buddies came over one day with an offer I couldn't refuse, so he went home with my beautiful GZ 250. The very same day, we drove about 60 miles and came home with a used VLX 600 Shadow. I was sick. It was dirty, sported some cheap saddle bags, no windshield and was too tall for me to sit on flat footed. He took the bike to the basement where I didn't see it for about 3 weeks. Then, one day he rolled it out and asked me to sit on it. He had installed a lowering kit, front and rear, new bolt on saddle bags and a windshield. He had cleaned it up and it looked GOOD. Still not quite flat footed, I was able to raise it off the kickstand, so I took it around the block for a test drive. Hmmm, this is nice, I thought, so I asked him to roll out the Virago. For once I kept up through the gears. Within a couple of weeks, I had a nice new Travelcade saddle and some pipes and I suddenly felt ten feet tall. WOW! It sounds and looks great. And I look great on it. Admittedly, I have dropped it a few times. I haven't yet mastered tight maneuvers. My husband just replaces the pipes and we go at it again. To make a long story short, 4 of my husband's pilot buddies were inspired enough by the sight of a new V-twin Mama in town, that they have now bought bikes and join us on regular rides . Furthermore, we are currently teaching the 53 year old wife of one of the pilots to ride her new VT600. She is coming along nicely and she loves it. Thanks for the inspiration and for the informational web site. You'll never know how useful all the info has been to my husband while he tinkers with my bike. – Brenda from the heart of Georgia Dear
Brenda, Your story is just too fun! I read in dismay the loss of your beloved bike and the rat thing that took its place. What shock! What horror! What a B movie! There’s nothing like a new Sister in town to inspire others and it sounds like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Kudos to you for taking a leap of faith on trying something a little bit more powerful and giving it a chance. Send a group picture sometime, won’t you?! There’s nothing like 15 minutes of online fame (or is that exposure?!) to really cap off this mini adventure of yours! – Mama Wednesday, July 21 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Russ, Wednesday, July 21 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
SKM, Tuesday, July 20 Dear VTwin Mama, For Angela who lost a friend in a riding accident: My condolences to you, your husband, your friends husband and the fifth rider in your group. My wife brought your story to my attention and after reading it I can honestly say that I feel for all of you. Being a survivor of a motorcycle accident myself I can relate to your mixed emotions on riding again. You have probably heard the phrase "Getting back on the horse." Well, sometimes it is not as easy as it may seem. You undoubtedly have mixed emotions of the crash. Emotions of anger, sadness, confusion (How could this have happened?) and even guilt (Why her and not me or someone else?). Talking to someone will help. What you are going through is a normal reaction for a situation such as this. Even after you get back on the bike ( I'm assuming that you will, Right?) you will be faced with emotional challenges for a while. All of these can be conquered with the help of time, confidence and communications. I spent one year and eight months healing and rehabing from my accident with my main goal being that of returning to ride my police motorcycle. Even after being back to work for two months now I find myself questioning if I want to go for a ride or not some days. I feel my adrenalin start to flow when I get into rush hour traffic with my body tensing up, heart beating and my eyes checking out every conceivable threat on the road. This hyper defensive rush, as I call it, has started to subside the more that I ride. My advice would be not to lose your confidence. You are not an amateur rider. You have a few miles under your belt. Take your time and when it feels right you will get back on the horse again. When you do decide to get back on consider taking an Advanced Riders Course. I found this course a great confidence builder for my wife and myself. Do not feel guilty for taking this course or for not wanting to jump right out into heavy traffic right off the bat. For I have been riding for many years and have taken riders courses for police motor officers but I still found myself very hesitant and nervous the first few times out on my bike. If you still feel that you might not be able to do it give me a call and I will come out and ride with you folks. For the decision to ride is yours and yours only. When the time is right you will know. – Gary in WI at cobracop@yahoo.com (note from Mama: Jennifer, Gary's wife, first wrote to this site about her and Gary's accident on January 21, 2003 and has written moving letters chronicling the accident, progress, continuing concerns, as well as responses to other incoming letters from accident survivors. Gary, thank you for letting me know that you enjoy reading my site as well and for taking the time to offer your support to Angela. Your voice comes from first-hand experience but also, with some healing time already in place, you can see how time affects your decisions. These are valuable perspectives. Even if Angela doesn't contact you, know that this letter, posted on the Accident Survivor's page, may help someone else in the future. You are an inspiration to us all.) Tuesday, July 20 More for Carol who at 70 is enduring a hubby who thinks he knows best: Two feet down, one up, what ever -- YOU are an Inspiration to me! My partner remarked to me "there is not a gear low enough to keep up with you." Well, I was on my Rebel 250 ( I loved my Rebel) and yes he ticked me off. I told him that he hurt my feelings when he said that and I will not ride if I am not feeling well, tired, or upset. He tried to say something about my speed and I cut him off and said "You ride at your speed and I ride at mine." I did not ride any faster than I felt comfortable riding. He may want to fly around the corners and go on the main roads. So I said "If you want to ride with me, I call the shots." He looked at me funny then I said "when you go by yourself, you call the shots." I did not ride with him for a whole season. The next season he said "hey you want to go for a ride and you call the shots." Well that was three years ago, so not he remarks, "who takes lead?" You do what you do best and if he don't like it "tough beans". – Chromebroom, aka Jacque (note from Mama: a direct and honest statement of what you need/want is often necessary to get the point across. Thanks for letting Carol know that it's ok to put your foot down (literally!) and say what you really think so there is no doubt of your feelings!) Tuesday, July 20 Dear
VTwin Mama, We looked at two bikes this past weekend, the new 2004 Honda 750 Aero and the new 2004 Harley 883 Sportster Custom. She liked them both and is having a difficult time deciding what to look at next. Any information, suggestions, and/or recommendations would be welcome. Originally we had three items that her bike should have, shaft or belt drive, EFI and tubeless wheels. Neither of the two bikes mentioned above have all these items. I found this website thanks to Marina at www.wildguzzi.com. Marina is one of the few and the proud women Moto Guzzi riders. Thank you very much Marina. Thank You V-Twin Mama, – Mark Dear
Mark, If you haven't looked at the Suzuki Intruder 800, this might be a bike for your consideration, as well as the Yamaha VStar series, a much loved bike by many women riders (and available in different cc ranges). I really like the State 8 site for checking on motorcycle specifications, as they have a side-by-side comparison link that let's you look at two models next to each other (Yami, Kawi and Suzuki). Good luck in the continuing hunt! – Mama Tuesday, July 20 Dear
VTwin Mama, Is there a lowering kit available for the 599 or CB600F4 -- 2004 Honda? My wife recently purchased one and would like it a little lower. – Garry Dear
Gina and Garry (unrelated to each other, but the letters came in two days
apart!), Monday, July 19 Hi
Petra, Dear
Kathy, Monday, July 19 For Valerie whose long lashes cause problems with riding goggles and such: My lashes aren't very long, but I always hated it when mine would brush against my sunglasses. This is a very expensive fix, but check out http://www.flipopen.com/ This is an awesome helmet from Italy and I absolutely love mine. Gone are the sunglasses and goggles! Plenty of room for lashes and no more sunglass vibration! Also perfect for anyone with corrective lenses. Check it out! It's a little pricey at $300-325. I had to drive an hour and a half to find a dealer who carries this helmet; only one dealer in Wisconsin. Wouldn't trade it for anything and would definitely buy another! – Jennifer (note from Mama: ah, a solution from first hand experience -- the best kind -- thank you!) Monday, July 19 For Carol who at 70 is enduring a hubby who thinks he knows best: This is for that awesome lady, Carol W. who is still riding at 70 years young and wants to know if there’s a “correct” way of starting out. Allow me to quote directly from what we coaches refer to around here as “The Big Book” which is the MSF RiderCoach Guide that we take our training from. On Exercise 2, the first time students actually ride across the range: “ Power walk (a.k.a. duck walk) until speed is stable”, translated: take a couple of steps as the bike move out. And then from our Policies and Procedures for Washington State: “Starts with Both Feet on the Ground: When beginning riders move from a stop, they should move in a straight line. This minimizes directional-control and balance problems. If one foot is on the ground and the other on a foot peg, the motorcycle leans slightly toward the foot that is down. This causes the motorcycle’s initial movement, to be slight turn in the direction of the lean. The rider must immediately make a steering correction to maintain the desired path and to regain balance. This correction is frequently too large, and the rider has difficulty from the beginning. Starting with both feet down helps keep the motorcycle’s initial movement balanced and in a straight line.” Now, with that said; IMHO, I would tell you that you’re not a beginning rider and after 12 years of starting out with your right foot up and it working for you without a problem of veering as you take off (which IS a safety issue), I’d tell hubby to get off your a** about it. And again and ALWAYS ‘ride your own ride’. – HammerLady (note from Mama: that's right! Well said and thanks for sharing official guidelines from the MSF. For those of you newer to the site, HammerLady hosts an open chat forum for riders at http://www.shinnysideup.com and is a frequent contributor of polished knowledge -- after all, she is an instructor!) Monday, July 19 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
D., Monday, July 19 From Sami who was battling gravel devils and got input from the VTM sisters: I have already begun some of the techniques I've read here. I don't "hood" my front brake anymore. Coming out of the lane, I keep my feet on the pegs-with my grip looser. Coming down the lane (it's downhill) I skim my feet above the large gravel. I use my clutch primarily, not the front brake. It will take time to get comfortable with this. And no... even with a pending "wheel tax", no hope for asphalt anytime soon. : ( Thanks to everyone for their help!! – Sami (note from Mama: on behalf of all the Sisters who wrote in with advice -- you are welcome and glad to hear you're forming your own battle plan to safely navigate!) Monday, July 19 Dear
VTwin Mama, I am from NH (Seacoast) and would love to find others to ride with, my bike is highway legal, but I do prefer non-highway travel, less major highways ex. rte 95 and the like.....I am comfortable at 55-60 for now.....I am married to a supportive guy that said "go for it last." He does not ride, I'm 46 and having fun with my "scooter" look them up on the Suzuki website. Hopefully your not all laughing at me cuz its a scooter -- I would love to get a "real " bike , could have but choose this one instead, being automatic, its easier for me for now : ) Hope to hear from others in NH ......thanks. – Diana Dear
Diana, I don't have the time right now to read through my Auto Tranny page, but I'm sure I've heard from people with your choice of bike, so scan through the postings and see. Meanwhile, I found this Scooter Club index on the Internet and there's one in NH! Check it out to meet like-minded riders! – Mama Tuesday, July 13 For Concerned Hubby who wants to help his wife have the best beginning riding experience possible: First of all, what a thoughtful sweetie you are!! I did the same thing on my VTX about two weeks before I was to take the course -- I just couldn't wait! No experience but anxious to try so my hubby and I took it to a parking lot and I was fine for a little bit but then I stalled it as I was doing a slow turn and BOOM down it went. I got out of the way and wasn't hurt other than my pride (nor was the bike WHEW!). I started thinking maybe I got too big of a bike and was afraid to go near it again. I stayed off it until I went to the course. Let me say, I learned so much (including confidence!) at the course and had so much fun that after a few days on that little 250cc bike I rode for the course, my bike didn't seem so big at all. I'd hold off on looking for a smaller bike until after she takes the class because she is likely to feel very differently afterward. Good luck! – Cathy (note from Mama: there is nothing like the shared experience and thanks for the sage advice on waiting till after the course to reassess the situation!) Tuesday, July 13 Dear
VTwin Mama, For example, we were coming back from the beach the other day. We had gone to visit my sis, and as we were leaving it looked like rain was going to hit us. Last year I was terrified of riding in the rain. I had never done this....What am I going to do I thought. This bike is going to skid and get away from me. Well, I got baptized on the way home from my Brother's house last year. Torrential downpours....Oh my God! You know what...it wasn't so bad. Yeah, I had to wring out my shirt when we stopped but, I made it. Yeah, the steel bridge was scary and yes those white lines are slippery. Thank you MSF for telling me that. But, I survived. So, my sis is terrified that it may rain...never mind that I am riding a motorcycle. I told her I would be fine. I don't choose to ride in the rain but, I could handle it. Amazing to get to that period. Anyway, we beat the rain. But, I rode my own ride. We took the highway to beat the rain. Every time I caught up to him, he would speed up. After a few times of this I said to myself, "you know what...He can ride as fast as he wants. I am riding my own ride. 55 feels comfy and that is what I am doing. I will get there. And I did. So, today with Chris. I was worried that these 2 boys on the V-Rods were going to be too aggressive for little ole me on my Heritage Softail. Well, I kept up for the most part. I didn't let them push me. I apologized for being a Weanie. You know what Chris said to me, "how long have you been riding?" "This is my third season", I replied. He said, "You ride pretty good". And I was riding my ride. What fun! So, Ladies....Ride Your Own Ride. Even when you are with people you have never ridden before. At the end of the day, Chris wanted to know all the things I had learned in the MSF. Oh yeah, I met his wife when we got to his house. She is thinking about riding her own too. We had a great conversation. And what a great day! I rode my own...I wasn't intimidated...and it felt good. And I felt respected. How much more could you ask for??? Thanks for the great site and the encouragement Petra! You do wonderful things for us women riders!!!!! – Shani in NH Dear
Shani, Tuesday, July 13 Dear
VTwin Mama, I am close to 70.....and my husband now is shouting at me that I start off wrong and will kill myself. I have always started off this way because of the safety course. He says it is something I made up......why would I make something up that has always been harder for me? Maybe, IT IS IN MY MIND. Can you tell me? I learned in safety course that before taking off, you put the bike in gear while holding the clutch and front brake, put your left foot back on the ground, put your right foot on the pedal next to the rear brake, and release clutch while giving gas. He says......this is dangerous......and I should put the bike in gear and once it is going put both feet up simultaneously. Please provide me the correct way of start off.........I've had this right foot method hard-wired into my brain all of these years...........but I want to do it the correct way. I HAVE never dropped the bike while riding it. Aloha, – Carol W. Dear
Carol, So, should we generalize that men are know-it-alls and feel the need to "instruct" or should we just understand that he is not keeping an open mind to your stellar safety record in starting off?! I'm sure that your years of marriage have gotten you to a place where humor is the best response, so maybe constructing a little "ditty" for this one would be appropriate. How about, "Back off ol' man, I'm a rebellious rider with a Rebel to boot." Or try, "Maybe you have to be rigid with that Softail, but by Rebel allows for greater freedom of choice." Or the more direct approach, "When I crash on a start-up, I'll ask for your advice." Hmmmm . . . Meanwhile, kudos to you for starting to ride at 58 and keeping it going at near 70. I'd be proud to give you a biker wave any time! You represent the best in women's spirits and we are happy to call you SISTER! – Mama Tuesday, July 13 Dear
VTwin Mama, Keep up the good work, because it sure brightens my day to read that there are so many others out there that have struggled in the same ways I have, and if I can make it at 58, they certainly will as well. It also saddens me when I read that one of our sisters have lost or sustained injuries of a family member, or friend, or even themselves in a motorcycle accident. My prayers are with them. Sincerely, – Marlene from Ohio Dear
Marlene, The sites that show bikes not quite flat on the ground I believe are illustrated in such a way to make the procedure more photographable. Still, when the bike takes a nap (or is lazy in gravel), the same set of rules apply. Rarely is a bike completely flat, as it will have encountered the tank or foot pegs, etc. I encourage you to begin to become one with the weight of the bike. Perhaps you've read before my thoughts on sitting on the bike (not running) and leaning it to the left and right to gauge the weight and get a real feel for it (have a partner straddle the front end to give you some measure of reassurance). See how much your leg can really hold and how far you can handle that thing. Then, get a piece of carpet and have hubby help you learn. I can guarantee you that he wouldn't want you stranded without help when this relatively simple technique is a real skill to have under your belt. So, gather some courage and something to lay the bike on, and get cracking. No, it won't be as easy to pick up as a bike with guards, but why not take the time to figure out what you ARE GOING TO DO if you need to do it. I'm sure between your husband and yourself, you'll find the best way yet -- for you! You will not believe the piece of mind it will bring. This is your Mama talking! – Mama Tuesday, July 13 More for Lucy who dropped her new bike on the first try out: Lucy have no fear and don't be upset over what you did. I have been riding since April, passed my MSF in mid June and was doing just fine until this past Sunday. I was walking my bike out of it's spot in the garage on the right side. When I came to a stop to put it down on the kickstand, guess what? The kickstand was not down. Guess where the bike went? Right down on the side of my car! The damage to the bike was a popped off windshield and a loose mirror. Once I got a neighbor to help me move it away from the car and pick it up, it was the car that lost! ($700 to fix) I was so angry and upset with myself for not checking that kickstand. Bike is fine, I am going to buy crashbars for it to make it easier to pick up. But I just keep telling myself not to keep upset over it. I thought my husband would be furious but for the first time he wasn't. He just told me that it was going to happen and to try to be more careful and keep my bike away from his. This coming from a man who has a temper and has never dropped his bike! We are all beginners, no matter how long we have been riding. We all have new experiences everytime we go out. And for heavens sake remember this one, NO ONE IS PERFECT!!! We all make mistakes. – Donna (note from Mama: and there you have it! It happens! Cool advice from hubby to stay clear of other bikes until you've "got it down to an art form" though!) Yes, I know the feeling of dropping a bike as well. I just recently up graded from a Rebel to a Shadow VLX-D, and the very first DAY I had it, I was at a stop sign, about to turn right, when the handle bars turned in and the bike went top heavy and over I went. I scuffed the muffler a little and broke the rear blinker. I was SO angry with myself. But I made myself get up, did a little bit of umm would you say temper dance, and got back on and rode around. I still get nervous at the same corner but am doing better with it now. It just takes practice and more practice!!! Good luck! – No Name (note from Mama: ah, an anonymous contribution to the oopsie stories! I like the little "dance" idea -- gets the icky out and the silly back in, as well as shaking it off so you can concentrate on the task at hand!) Monday, July 12 More for Angela who lost a friend in a riding accident: I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I was very moved by you sharing your story. That in its self takes courage to share with others what you are going thru at this point in time. Everyone grieves in his or her own way. I hope you can find someone, some way to help you deal with this. Maybe in time you can eventually get back on your bike, eventually in time maybe you can do a ride for her, in her memory. But you and time will be able to tell what is going to be best for you. Please know you and your friend are in many thoughts and prayers. – Tara (note from Mama: grief is indeed an individual journey -- thank you for letting Angela know that her timeframe in dealing with it is ok.) I read your story of what happen to you and your friend, and my heart goes out to you and her family, but Angela you have to re-read what you wrote and will see what I see in your story. As a much older Harley rider - I see you as a Hero. Because you were looking ahead and saw what was happening, you backed off your throttle and probably don't remember but I bet you tapped your brakes, at least enough to get the attention of your fellow riders who were with you. It could have been really bad for all of you, but your quick thinking and actions saved the rest of your group. You have to get back on her and not let this eat you up, because it can destroy you, there are enough of us out here to help you get thru this, go ahead and cry and throw things, but get back to what you love - your friend would have wanted it that way. You can call me anytime. I salute you, You are a true "Lady Rider" – Jacqi (note from Mama: thank you for pointing out that in fact a greater tragedy was averted by alert riding on the part of Angela and other riders in the group. It's easy to overlook what went right when on another level something went very wrong.) And from Angela: Last week Thursday the three riders who were with her (my husband, myself and a friend) rode our motorcycles and escorted her body to the cemetery. This was very healing. I know that I still need to process this event and I will take your suggestions and write. I also belong to a Women's Motorcycle club and have been talking to them about it. – Angela Kosar (note from Mama: Angela has been a long time participant of the VTwin Mama site. Your courage is inspiring Angela -- know that we value that and continue to keep you in our collective prayers.) Monday, July 12 For Lucy who dropped her new bike on the first try out: I know the feeling!
Bought my bike before MSF and headed over to the parking lot with
hubby to get started. In the
first five minutes I dumped it twice!
Just for dumb things. I
was initially terrified of the bike and my nervousness translated into
brain and body freeze. Took
the MSF, and have been practicing for the last couple of months.
Even post MSF, I dumped it on a right
turn (they seem to give me fits!) but fortunately very slow speed and no
damage to me or the bike. It
can be overwhelming... so much to think about and remember as we're trying
to learn how to handle these wonderful beasts! I
remember the first time I forgot to be nervous and I'm driving around in
circles in my beloved parking lot and I'm grinnin'
from ear to ear cause I'm finally starting to
feel relaxed and comfortable and it is SO MUCH DARN FUN!!!
There are a bunch of women riders out there who are tremendously
supportive and who have gone through the same things... I would encourage
you to hang in there. We know
you can DO IT! Welcome to the club! I also had my first drop this weekend. I had posted earlier looking at an Intruder, but found a V Star custom 650 that I fell for and got that one instead. Picked it up on Friday and put 600 miles on it over the weekend. In spite of it having a smaller engine and being pretty light, I dropped it at a stop sign making a sharp right turn. Got a few scratches on the turn signal and broke the ball tip off the front brake lever. My pride was bruised along with my right leg, but I consoled myself with the fact I at least picked it up without help. The NEXT day we pulled into a place to eat dog tired after riding a while, my foot got under the kickstand somehow and I ALMOST dropped it again. Definitely practicing in a parking lot helps, but most importantly these are learning experiences. It sounds cliche' and I would have loved to be one of the new bike owners who never dropped their bike, but it happened and we should be proud we are at least out there riding, not sitting on a couch someplace. Incidentally, my husband who also got a new bike (Silverado 1100) has not dropped his but jumped a curb and had some interesting "off-road" experience as a result. Please get back on. Remember you are not the only one to have some spills, even though it feels that way when you are sprawled on the ground with your bike and people are looking at you. If it happens again, just remind yourself that a lot of the witnesses don't have the guts to even try riding in the first place, grin a big grin and watch the jaws drop when you pick that puppy up by yourself and hop back on. See you on the road! – Haven (note from Mama: you are right -- the "dropsie club" is a rite of passage, and no one is exempt!) When I first started riding I dropped my bike every 50 ft., take it slow, start by just letting the clutch out and fell the bike catch. Then let the clutch out and go a few feet. Do these little things to get your confidence back. Just keep practicing, riding is a skill, the more you do it, the better you'll get. – Angela (note from Mama: true, so true!) Wednesday, July 7 For Angela who lost a friend in a riding accident last weekend: Angela, what a tragic story! My heart goes out to all of you. I hope you're able to get back on your bike. I've had the jitters after an incident a few times, but nothing like that. I guess I don't really have a lot to say, just sending out support to a sister biker. – Li in Florida (note from Mama: each heartfelt message of understanding and condolence is worth it's weight in gold.) I just read your letter and experienced a myriad of emotions in about one second flat. I got chills and tears, my stomach sank and my heart jumped into my throat. I am so sorry to hear of your friend’s passing. I know you must have been horrified and I completely understand your feelings about not ever wanting to ride again. This September will be the second year anniversary of a crash that my husband and I survived. An oncoming car turned left in front of us with no reaction time at all for my husband. He said that all of a sudden he saw a front quarter panel in front of him then his vision went black. He remembers two impacts then being airborne then next remembers “waking up” in the ambulance. Me, I was behind him on my own bike and saw the whole thing happen. (The whole story is in the survivors section of this website.) Words can’t adequately express what I thought and felt. I am a paramedic and have “scraped” up a fair share of people from the highway following similar collisions. Knowing what I know and seeing what I saw, my first thought was that there was no way he survived. Miraculously he did. Since then, however, not a day goes by that we aren’t reminded of the crash. He will never have a 100% recovery from his injuries. Neither of us will ever have a compete recovery from the mental trauma. Even at work in the ambulance when I get paged out to a motorcycle crash my stomach does a flip/flop. (Part of my own healing is at work when I get to provide the care to my patient that I couldn’t to my husband. It’s not the same, I know, but it helps a little.) We both sought out counseling. He was stubborn to admit he needed help, but now is glad he gave in and did it. Don’t be worried if it doesn’t work for you. Different people need different “help” for their experiences. Group counseling may work. I found writing to be an excellent outlet for myself. I sat at the computer every night and wrote emails to friends and family updating them on my husband’s condition. I wrote essays to myself – dozens of pages just trying to figure out what I was feeling and how to deal with it. I wrote in to this website. Petra and many, many wonderful VTwin Mamas out there wrote in to console and counsel me. I am still so very grateful for their outpouring of support. We bought new bikes this past spring. We’ve barely put 2000 miles on since the first week of April. I like to blame it on the weather, but there are some days when we just don’t have the nerve to take them out of the garage. Neither of us pushes the other. If one of us isn’t comfortable for whatever reason then we just rent a movie and hang out – even if it’s a gorgeous day and we can plainly hear the road calling! We’re at a certain comfort level right now and as time passes I’m sure we’ll put more and more miles on. Until then we’re taking it easy. Our friends have been very supportive. I’ve joined a local chapter of Women in the Wind (Sisters of the Moon) and they’ve been a great source of strength for me too. If there’s one more piece of advice I can give it’s don’t second guess yourself. Don’t play the “what if” game with what happened. It’s a terrible tragedy, but there’s nothing you can do to change the past. Sometimes just realizing that simple truth is the hardest part of the healing process. Above all be kind to yourself and listen to your heart. It will tell you when you’re ready. My heart is with you. – Jennifer (note from Mama: to reach out when your own heart is breaking and you continue to work through your own issues is one of the most courageous acts I'm privileged to witness at this site. It reminds me what is truly important: caring, sharing people who are there for each other.) Wednesday, July 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, I tried to go out early this morning for a short jaunt around the block when I tipped over again. This time the bike wasn't even running. My foot got stuck under the shifter for a quick second and I just plopped over. Jeez.....it wasn't pretty. So now I have 0 confidence and am afraid I have scared myself bad. I called around yesterday for a motorcycle safety course which includes actual time on a bike (8 hours) and found that all classes are booked for 2004. I could leave my name and number in case someone cancels. So.....I'm depressed. I may not get back on that bike and turn it on until next year. What a humbling experience. – Lucy Dear
Lucy, To regain confidence, try this with the help of a friend: with the bike turned off and in neutral, sit on the bike with your feet firmly planted, with your friend facing you and straddled over the front wheel and with a light grip at the center of the handlebar to help you steady the bike. Now, gently lean the bike to the left a bit, then to the right, then a little bit more each way. Feel the weight of the bike, how your leg needs to be positioned to take the weight the easiest (and with the most control). Now, roll or duck walk the bike forward and back. Now add a little lean and/or turn of the front wheel. In each instance, your task is to become one with the weight of the bike so that you understand your capabilities and limits. This is especially true if the wheel is slightly turned to one side and you feel it's tipping. How will you handle it? Where does your foot need to be? Learn! Now you're in better position to go back to that parking lot and begin again. But before doing so, may I suggest (as the riding courses are booked) that you purchase the Ride Like a Pro for the Ladies video. Lots of important skills demonstrated by a women on a very large bike -- and by seeing someone do it and explain it (and that you can watch over and over), you'll be that much more informed for your next excursion out! Many women, both new and experienced, swear by the video. It's a good thing! To paraphrase the Tom Hank's line in that movie about the women's baseball league during WWII (the name escapes me just at the moment) -- There's no crying in motorcycling. Now, go do it! Go, go, go! – Mama Wednesday, July 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Tina, Wednesday, July 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, I have a problem that I have not seen anywhere. I hope you or some of you other ladies can help with. I have very long very light eyelashes. I have to wear mascara or it looks like I don't have any lashes at all. My problem is my lashes rub on the inside of my sunglasses and goggles, causing mascara smear on the goggles. What can I do to prevent this. I have foam on the glasses to keep the wind, dust etc. out of my eyes is there any way to increase the distance between the goggles and my eyelashes? Thanks, for a great site! – Valerie Dear
Valerie, Wednesday, July 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Rose Tuesday, July 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, Her husband led, she was 2nd, I was 3rd and so on. The ride up was great -- we were going about 70mph. About an hour into our ride -- I always look ahead to see what's going on -- I noticed cars hitting their brakes, so with caution, not watching the riders in front, I got off the gas. Suddenly I see both riders in front slam on their brakes, I hear skidding and screaming and I cannot believe what I am seeing. His bike fishtails and the back tiring is smoking, her bike the back wheel locked up she went sideways down, across the road, under a tractor trailer. Her husband and I consoled her until the paramedics came, they took her to a helicopter which took her to a trauma center. She died later that day. I was shocked. She was the force that got me into riding, she gave me all her old Harley Lady magazines to read, supported me and now she's gone. I was able to stop. I rode home from the accident so we could take two cars to the hospital, yet I feel afraid to ride my bike now. I have been riding three years now -- is this normal? Please share your experience and how you got through it. – Angela in NJ Dear
Angela, We have a special page on this site called the Accident Survivors page -- where women have shared their own personal experiences and asked many of the same questions you are asking. A first step might be to read through these and know that you are not alone in your feelings. If there is a particular woman who you would like to communicate with, I could send an email on your behalf to see if she is willing to email with you. While I am not a trained professional, one aspect of having witnessed such an event is the very normal survivor's guilt. You made it, she didn't. She was the more experienced rider, so why did you survive? Why did this happen at all? Had you been further up front in the group, would you have had the skills to avoid it? Perhaps it is this question that makes you wonder if you'll ever ride again after three years of being on a bike. Only you can answer that. While it often times seems glib to say, "seek professional counseling," the fact is that if you feel you don't have anyone close to you that you can discuss this accident with (and sometimes someone not related allows for more honest communication about how you really feel), you might want to consider talking to someone who can help you sort through all of your feelings. In some areas, there are accident survivor groups that meet, as this type of grief is not always handled in a short timeframe, but is rather something that takes time and repeated talking through to find peace within. Depending on your husband, your friend's husband and the 5th rider, perhaps this is something you may wish to seek together. It was a shared experience and perhaps everyone who survived would benefit from a "neutral" professional person leading the group to talk about what happened. No matter how you choose to work through the grief, please don't beat yourself up if you can't even look at your bike for awhile. I would consider that very natural. At some point you will begin the process of determining if you want to ride again. Listen to your heart and trust your gut instinct to tell you what you would need in terms of a support system to go out for a ride again. If you decide to give it up, do so knowing that this is your decision to make as you see best for you. You have nothing to prove at any point, ever. Our hearts and prayers go out to your departed friend's husband, family and friends. It is a sad moment of reflection for all of us. – Mama Wednesday, July 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, I notice that when I'm at a full stop and go to make a right turn, my turns are pretty wide. I have found that speeding up helps me make a tighter turn, and if the bike is in motion my turn is normal. I didn't know if there was advice that may help me make tighter right turns from a stop (besides speeding up and practice). Secondly, I would like help figuring out an overheating problem on a 2001 Honda Shadow Sabre. The bike will overheat when the temps aren't that high (in the 60's) and the bike has been moving (if we're sitting in traffic you can imagine it overheats that much quicker). There isn't any visible leak, but we refill the reservoir after the bike has been parked for a while. I don't know if it makes a difference, but the bike sat outside (although covered) over the winter and so we're thinking it's the seal. Are there any other ideas what could be causing the bike to overheat? Thanks! – Lil Me Dear
Lil Me, I'm just not expert enough to help with a cooling system that seems to evaporate coolant, but can suggest two things: this is so important that it's worth a discussion with your local dealer's service department. Also, if you don't have the maintenance/service manual, get one. This is the exact perfect reason to have it, as the entire cooling system would be laid out with all relevant parts called out, along with troubleshooting tips, routine maintenance, etc. Again, the dealer might have the book or check my Reading Sources page for sites that offer them. – Mama Tuesday, July 6 For Jennifer and her 1100 VStar which has some higher speed vibration: I also have a 2004 1100. I have no vibration. Mine runs really smooth. So, I would get that beastie (Mama's word) back to the shop for a look see. Hope that helps. Pat on the back to you Petra, I enjoy visiting this site. – Liz in Phoenix (note from Mama: it's so great to get feedback that let's another reader gain more perspective. Thanks for your input!) Tuesday, July 6 More for Kerry who noted how different dealers can be with a customer: We had similar experiences looking for our scoot. The one closest to us was indifferent at best when we (two women) showed up and asked about the model of Suzuki scooter we wanted. Kept trying to steer us toward the bigger one. Ah, no...One sales guy at another place would barely give us the time of day and suggested we return when we were closer to buying and at hours convenient to him. (Other folks in the same dealer were nicer.) We went to another dealer out of state and about 40 miles from our home (close to where Lynn grew up) and wound up putting money down on the spot. They gave us a fair price right from the get-go, didn't bat an eye at the fact that we were clearly a couple and then even delivered it to us--at no charge--when it seemed we'd need more practice before riding it home. They didn't give us lesser service or give us attitude because we were clearly only looking at the big scooters and not the traditional bikes. Now we are happy to ride to their dealership for service. :-) It definitely pays to go to a dealer you feel comfortable with. We even go to the local Harley shop for some things (state inspection, some gear) and are treated well. – Bryna (note from Mama: the vote is in (!): dealers with bad attitudes and salesmanship are OUT; it's worth traveling a little to see which dealer is there for YOU!) Tuesday, July 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Ladykruzer, Tuesday, July 6 For Haven who might want to start out on an Intruder 800: I ride a 1995 Intruder 800, bought an experienced bike. I started out on a Rebel 250 (also an experienced bike) and I loved it. My Intruder is a black beauty and just the right weight and height for me (I am in-seamed challenged). It has more power than a few of my friends' bigger bikes. It handles great, a little wider turn due to the angle of the folk. The clutch does not need the "jaws of life" to use. The friction zone is not as large as the 1200 Sportster (that is sitting in my drive way). I ride my Intruder every chance I get. So, if you have any questions about the Intruder, ride it once and you will riding it for a long, long time. Oh, one more thing Haven, the bike sounds great too :} Ride Safe. – Jacqué (note from Mama: every time I see this bike out on the road, I think, "what a great looking and handling bike." Thanks for sharing your first-hand experience!) Tuesday, July 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, With a experienced driver along to coach her, we trailered the bike to a large, deserted parking lot last Saturday for her first ride. After a couple of times choking it out with the clutch, she started out beautifully, staying in first gear, and negotiated a slow turn at the end of the lot about 150 yards away. She stopped perfectly, and stayed there. I found out later that she had gotten into second gear by hitting the heel-toe shifter. She stopped and tried to change gears but lost her balance and the bike rolled over. She got out of the way, and was unharmed. However, when we got there, she had gotten the bike up. (God, she's only 150 lbs!! With a 650 + lb bike!!) She was shaky and very nervous. I could not get her (Gently, of course) to try the bike out again, saying that the bike is just too much weight (she is 5'4" and flat footed on the seat with no arm reaching). Do you think that the MSF course might have an impact on her thinking, or is it just too much bike? I tend to think it is not, and that it is just inexperience. Would a smaller bike for her to practice on after the MSF course be helpful? If so, what size? Due to disabilities, I cannot and have never ridden a bike, so it is hard for me to know. Thanks in advance. – Concerned Hubby Dear
Concerned Hubby, I'm not surprised to hear that she wanted to take the beastie out before taking the class -- it's natural! And there is no doubt in my mind that what happened (the dropping of the bike when something was out of whack to her) is also normal. When all is going well, it's fun. It's knowing what to do when something is amiss. And the riding course will give her a wonderful opportunity to actually learn to learn! By that I mean, she'll be put through riding drills that gradually work through the basic maneuvers (stops, starts, shifting, gentle curves, tighter 8's, etc.). She'll then be able to apply the very same steps with her own bike in the parking lot, but with more confidence. It's true that many riders prefer to get some time under their belt with a smaller cc bike to start with, but like many, there are just as many women who start out on bigger bikes (me!). I'd say to hold off on that decision until she takes the class and then ask her what her gut instinct is telling her. We believe greatly in the gut! So, the bottom line is that your wife bit off just a little bit more than she was ready to chew and is now paying a price for it (nervousness). Let's remember, however, that in a few weeks she'll be learning under the watchful eye of qualified instructors who will be there for her at every step (and on a much smaller bike)! And she'll be with other new riders -- a comraderie of shared experience will boost her morale as she can laugh and cry with others going through the same thing. Kudos to your friend who tried the initial coaching. If you feel your wife would benefit from an extended support group, it's time to hop over to my Cool Links page and at the top you'll find the logos and links to the many women's riding organizations with local chapters. See if there is one in your area. Continued mentoring from other women might be just the ticket that allows her to keep "talking it out," so to speak. Women like to share with caring people, and this is one way to find like-minded riders in your area. Big hugs to you Hubby -- we applaud your support as well! – Mama Tuesday, July 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, A couple of days ago, my husband bought me a Honda Rebel, figuring this would be a good "beginner" bike for me to learn how to ride... I am very happy with the comfort of the bike, and some of the progress that I have made "putt-ing" around in the high school parking lot... but I am 43 years old, and never drove a stick shift car or a motorcycle, and am having difficulty "getting" downshifting... I can start out alright in 1st gear, can shift up into second and third... and have downshifted from those gears back down to first... (that is as far as I have gotten) but it is a little on the "rough" side downshifting, especially from 2nd to 1st.... My husband has only taken me out about 3 or 4 times for a little over a half an hour each time, and assures me that I will get "smoother" with more practice...but I feel like I am "missing" something... I can hear the sound of the engine when it is time to shift up, and am learning to do so pretty smoothly... but never quite sure I understand when to downshift...and how to have it be more of a "fluid" smooth transition... Is there a web site you can recommend, or some tips you can give that would help me understand better? I want to badly to be able to "get" this, and eventually one day in the future be able to ride with my husband, but as it is right now I feel kind of stupid even though he keeps telling me how surprisingly well I am doing... I do see progress, but still feel jittery and under-confident about really picking this up... I keep feeling like once I have a certain "understanding" that I don't seem to have now, I am going to say "OOOH, DUH!" I hope anyway... I don't want to take the motorcycle safety course unless it is a last resort... it is expensive where I live, has a 2 month waiting list, and is pretty far from my home...I have read and re-read both the owners manual and safety booklet that came with the bike, and will continue to practice... am I missing something or is it normal for us newbies to feel so stupid and uncoordinated? Thanks in advance for any help you can give, – Marshwiggle Dear
Marshwiggle And the key is practice, practice and more practice. The fact is that you can stop the bike without down shifting at all! The only reason to downshift is so that you are not braking the bike to a stop like you would with an automatic transmission car. And you can stop a manual transmission bike a lot faster by downshifting, a very helpful skill to have when a light turns red sooner than you expected (which is quite often!). You are gaining a measure of comfort on shifting up, so now it's time to learn something from it. Besides how the engine sounds that triggers the "oops, time to upshift," take a peek at the speedometer and see what speed you are at for each gear upshift. Now, in your empty parking lot, choose a straight line with no obstacles. Bring the bike to third and then let the bike slow to the speed where you upshifted for second gear. Downshift at that same speed and slowly let out the clutch. How did it feel? Was the bike still a little too reved up or was it a smooth transition? Now, adjust your downshift at a slightly slower (or higher) speed and find that "natural" sound you're looking for. Easy does it! The key is letting the clutch lever out slowly so if the bike is too reved up (and scares you) you can quickly pull it back in, bleed some more speed off, and let it out again. Over and over and over. What a great campfire story this will make sometime in the future! And yes, as your husband has noted, you're getting better and if you're determined to learn, this too shall pass. – Mama Monday, July 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Frank, So now I'm going to put forth an idea with no technical certainty, but a thought. Many bikes are lowered by repositioning the mounting hole of the bolt of the upper end of the shock. By moving the hole forward and down just a bit (1" or so), the bike is lowered. As I said, I'm not sure if this is something that could be done on the CM400, but it's worth taking a look at -- maybe with an independent bike shop in your area? Bikes are also lowered by maintaining that upper bolt position, but adding a bracket that effectively relocates where the shock connects, either at the top or at the bottom. Same principle, but less invasive to the bike. I'd take a look at the aftermarket parts houses (just search for lowering brackets) to get an idea of what I'm talking about. Perhaps something like this could work on your bike, but I would still advise consulting with a bike mechanic to maintain the integrity of the bike and it's handling characteristics. – Mama Monday, July 5 Hi
VTwin Mama, Dear
Mamacita, First, choppers usually have their front ends raked out considerably. Trust me on this -- you want to get some riding time under your belt with a standard front end before you tackle trying to handle this. Talk about quirky. Second, choppers have customized paint jobs, and unless you find one running but trashed in its looks, you'll be worrying about dropping that thing and ruining not only the paint job, but the highly accessorized chrome. Third, choppers usually have custom, high-powered engines meant to haul butt. Enough said. Fourth, unless you have deep pockets (big mula), these bikes run anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000. Ouch to the pocket book. And then there's maintenance and repair. Ouch, ouch. Sigh. So, don't let go of the dream, but get some riding practice and time on the road on something you can buy local for cheap (and that your feet are firmly flat on the ground). By doing this, you also will have a better feel for what your truly like and don't like, something a new rider cannot fathom until they've got some time under their belt. It's like this: ape hanger handlebars look cool, but until you've tried riding a bike with them, are you really sure you want to hold your arms up in the air the whole time on a long haul?!??! – Mama Monday, July 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Now I got kind of bored to sit behind him all the time and decide to buy motorcycle for myself. I had never ride any bike before, so I am complete beginner. But I love rides with our friends and hope I will learn well and fast to drive by myself. So I start look for good bike to start on and everywhere we have been looking for motorcycle they told me it is a bad decision buy small bike as Honda Rebel 250 or Yamaha Virago 250 etc, because I will want to certainly change it for stronger bike in one or two months riding it. Everybody tells me buy bike like 600 or 650 - it is good for beginners and it can be kept for even couple of years then. I like 2004 Yamaha V-star 650 - and I think about buying this one. What do you think about this bike ,what would you recommend, anything what could help me to start drive bike. Excuse my English - I hope I am gonna be better in driving the bike then in English language writing.:-)))). Thank you sooooo much. – Sona Vavrouskova Dear
Sona, It is true that many new riders quickly find that a 250cc bike is not powerful enough after a few months, but other women add that they spent 6 months to one year riding this type of bike before choosing their dream bike. You would most definitely benefit from taking a riding course before buying any bike. Check in your phone book or with the local community college or go to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation site for information. A two day course on the weekend on a 250cc bike will help you figure out what your natural skill level is, and from that you can determine if you would prefer a smaller bike for awhile, or are ready to move onto a bigger bike right away. No matter what you do decide, practice is the key to good riding, and practice in an empty parking lot is the best -- there are very few obstacles and no traffic to worry you while you learn the basic skills. Good luck and let us know how you are doing! – Mama Monday, July 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, My husband started riding last year on a Heritage Softail and loves it. We had decided that I would get a Lowrider for my first bike. I am terrified!!! I was nervous on some corners on the Nighthawk 250... how can I possibly handle the weight of a 600+ pound bike? I am thinking about getting a Buell Blast or a Sportster instead to get going. I would like to get something in the Harley family and these are the two most reasonable options. What are your thoughts? – Karen Dear
Karen, I can appreciate that you would love to join your husband with a cool Harley, and it may be mutual excitement between the two of you to both have Harleys. However, looking cool is different than having the skills to handle a bigger bike that is terrifying you right off the bat. You might find that getting a little used 250cc bike for the rest of this riding season would be a better approach. Get some time under your belt, learn to appreciate the bike and it's handling characteristics before making such a big decision. You'll learn so much about yourself and what you like/don't like on bikes you'll be amazed! Now, if you've already ordered the Lowrider (because I am so tardy in posting messages), then not to panic. The key will be to have hubby motor that bike over to an empty parking lot so that you can begin practicing your basic skill sets on the new beastie, just like you did in your class! Slow and easy does it -- and consider making a strap on cover for all painted areas in case it goes down so you don't add guilt about a banged up paint job to boot. We've not had positive input on the Blast (mechanically not superior) and the Sportys tend to be top heavy, although the newer 2004 models are reported to have a lower center of gravity. Still, this is not where I would start. – Mama Monday, July 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
NMC, Sunday, July 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
No Name, You could also check my Cool Links page -- at the top you'll find the logos (and links) to all the top women's riding organizations. Check for local chapters. You might also just call your local dealer -- they often have a group or know what's around. Good luck meeting people in your area! – Mama Sunday, July 4 For Belle who is happy to share her experience with her Hondamatic: Please let Belle Swanson know I would appreciate the picture and info she has on the Hondamatic. Appreciate your time and site VTwin Mama. With thanks to both of you. – Pam (note from Mama: you are welcome!) Sunday, July 4 Continuing input on "are we rednecks because we ride" thing: I live in the south. I ride a motorcycle, i am NOT a redneck. People have different ways of thinking what a redneck is. I'm 25 years old, married with no children yet, my husband does not ride but this still does not make me a redneck. I ride for the enjoyment of it.Yes there are some Motorcyclists that I'm sure that have strong views and or opinions of their own. But don't we all. I think that man that said everyone who rides a bike is a redneck must be a little jealous, riding a bike may be something he has wanted to do but never has. Who knows what some people's reasonings are!! When I go riding, I don't care what people think of me. I enjoy the wide eyed looks and smiles from children, I love the freedom of it. Don't pay any mind to those who rather put others down for riding what they enjoy. – Tara (note from Mama: I especially like passing a carful of kids who first gaze in wonderment, then joy and then . . . when I wave . . . the smiles are so great!) Rednecks? This is funny. Most of my friends who ride, live in the city, but they all listen to country music. Me, I live in the country, but I DO NOT like country music! Go figure. I am definitely not a redneck, I just like to live in the country for the peace and quiet, and I love it out here. Whenever I go to town to see my friends, I have to laugh at the humor of it all. They all try to act country, but yet, they won't even come to visit me at my house! It's too far out in the country! So they just sit there and act like a bunch of wannabes! Me, I'm walking around with horse poo on my boots, and listening to hard rock! One thing I find is that some people are just ignoramuses when it comes to interpersonal communication. They think they are being funny, when in fact they are being jerks. They don't know what to say, so they speak when they should just be quiet. Other folks, seem to think it makes them look "big" when they make wisecracks at someone else's expense. Sometimes people just look at us "bikers" and instantaneously dislike us because they perceive we are bad people or some kind of derelicts. This is part of the reason I live in the country... so I don't have to put up with as many buttheads! But in my line of business, sales, I have to deal with all sorts of people, every day. It's hard to take the rejection and the loss of income because someone just doesn't like the way you look, where you live, what you drive, the fact that you ride, and all other sorts of piddly things people judge you on. It's too bad people have to be so incredibly judgmental. Some of the people they judge so harshly, may turn out to be the nicest person they ever met, if they would just dump the preconceived notion/judgmental baggage. So, don't give the jerk another thought, sister. He probably hasn't given you another thought, and you shouldn't waste any more time on him either. I have to tell myself this every day, except along with my rejection, comes a loss of potential income as well. And one last parting quote - "For such a small town, there sure are a lot of jerks here!" – Martin (note from Mama: thanks for your expanded thoughts on this rather interesting subject -- glad you wrote in!) Sunday, July 4 For Ritz who is short and wants to know things about the Hondamatic: The Hondamatic 400cc seat height is 81.3 cm [that's 32" folks]. I had a 1978 Honda Hawk 400 Hondamatic and anyone I knew could ride it and sit flat footed when stopped. The later models v-twin automatic trans 400cc's are cut even lower than the old Honda Hawk. I doubt a 4'11" person could sit comfortably at a stop on the 750cc automatic. – Claire (note from Mama: thanks for the input -- it's still a challenge trying to find if there are lowering options.) Sunday, July 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, Well, my husband and I went out and bought an HD Lowrider for my first bike. It is gorgeous and HEAVY. I am 5'5" so it is a good height. I am totally flat footed on it. We took it out for the first time last night just on the road in front of my house and I dropped it trying to get my feet up and go. (Before that I was just staying in the friction zone and duck walking.) In the process of getting the bike going I have a tendency to rev the throttle which really sends the bike (and rider) out of control. Then I looked down. YIKES!!! I know, I know but it is instinct. It seems to happen (over revving the throttle) when I am applying the front brake. Any suggestions...my throttle grip doesn't seem too big for my hand. It seems to be more hand position, but I don't know how to break the habit. In order to prevent a recurrence of last night I am
trying to lay down some rules that my husband will need to live by. Finally, am I crazy to try to attack this bike as my first? I really agonized over the decision and went between the Lowrider, Sportster and the Buell Blast. Everything that I read about the Sportster seemed to indicate that it was really top heavy and not a great bike for a beginner. The Blast we felt that I would grow out of relatively fast so we decided to get the long term bike. My riding instructor recommended against the Lowrider and suggested getting a used 500cc bike to practice on for a year or two. As you can see, I am looking for encouragement and suggestions. Both would be welcome. Surprisingly, I am not discouraged by this as I think that it is just part of learning on a new, heavy, more powerful bike. – Karen B. Dear
Karen, Yes, many people report that they preferred to get their "licks" in on a used, less powerful bike for 6 months. This is mainly to save the paint job on a new bike (and associated parts that have a habit of bending, scratching, etc.). But did you make the wrong call? Absolutely not! You are quickly learning to establish ground rules for yourself and listening to your gut. Empty parking lots are an excellent home to learn on. Rolling the throttle while trying to use the front brake is a "newbies" challenge and the instantaneous power is even more alarming. So, what to do?! Go out to the garage and sit on your bike. Place your right hand on the throttle and look at your hand position. Your wrist should be straight. If it is cocked down, this will be one reason you "rev up" quickly when your fingers go to curl around the front brake lever (your palm will first roll up to get the lever, but then will naturally roll even further down as you try to pull the lever in). Now, try it with a straight wrist, and keep it straight (or even slightly cocked up). See the difference?! When you go to brake, your hand naturally rolls towards the brake lever, keeping your hand from jamming on the throttle). Next, start up the bike in the garage (door open please!), stay in neutral and try braking without revving the throttle. Repeat until you've got it. As you get more experienced, you'll find that your hand can be in any position as you'll figure out to roll/cock your hand/palm up before applying the brake. Hmmmm . . . we often mention that sitting at your kitchen table, closing your eyes, and envisioning your upcoming practice session as a good tool. It lets you imagine the situations you are describing and preplanning what you will do if/when it happens. See yourself on the bike with the engine running. Put your hands out in front of you just like you would on the bike. Now, practice your sequences of clutch to throttle to brake combinations you need. Over and over until it's like your hands are doing what they need to do without you thinking the whole mess to death. Are you looking down? Of course not. Keep practicing this anytime you get a chance (looks weird, but it's for a really good cause!). Now, get thee to the parking lot. Head up and try your first sequence. I am NOT surprised to hear that you are not discouraged -- after all, this is your dream in the making and anything worth doing is worth keeping at until the goals are reached. And there are a lifetime of riding goals out there to keep you interested and happy for a very long time! We look forward to giving you your first biker waves out on the road! – Mama Sunday, July 4 For Sami and everyone else who does battle with gravel roads: I live in the country. There is 2.5 miles of dirt to get to the nearest paved road. My first posting to this site was about this very thing... my ex-husband was trying to teach me to ride on these dirt roads, before I took the MSF course. Quick summary: He told me to drive, and he jumped on back. Mistake #1. I got about 2 miles, when I got nervous going into a turn, and barely touched the front brake. Mistake #2. The bike did a slow mo sideways slide, tires going out from under us. He jumped off, I tried to "save the bike" with my left leg. Mistake #3. I busted up my leg, and was terrified to get back on a bike, once my leg healed. I took the MSF course, during which I was gripped with fear, but I told the instructors before we got started, and they helped me work through the fear. I have been riding now for over 2 years, and have not dumped a bike since. But I'll tell you what... I NEVER, EVER touch that front brake on dirt/gravel/sand/etc.! Instead, I use the clutch and get into the friction zone to take power out of the wheel when I need to. I go slow, and at least out here, I try to stay on the marks I see car tires have recently left (not ruts), because the car tires tend to pack down the loose stuff, making it more stable for me to ride. When I get to the entrance to my driveway, it is ALWAYS very deep sand... the road graders pile that stuff up right in front of my gate. And this deep sand and turn into my driveway, is at the bottom of a long hill. I come over the hill already slowing down, use the clutch to slow further, use a slight bit of rear brake, downshift (carefully!), and just before I hit the really deep stuff, I put both of my feet out like skis. I actually almost walk the bike through the deepest part. Coming up my driveway is a kick, because it is rutted, dirt, and there are rocks scattered all over the place. Then the fun part begins! The lip from the dirt to the concrete pad in front of the garage, is about 3-4 inches high from settling... so I use a 2x6 piece of wood as a ramp, which is actually fun! I have to hit it just right so I don't fall off... but I never have! It's just a personal challenge each time I come home... too much gas, and I'll go flying into the garage and hit all the other bikes.. too little gas and I'll kill the engine right in the middle of the ramp. Never a dull moment around here! It's a challenge just to get in and out of here, to begin the ride!– Martin (note from Mama: thank God I'm a city girl! Lots of good do's and don'ts here -- which I'm sure will come in handy for riders struggling with the gravel/loose sand beasties!) |
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