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Thursday, July 2 Hi! I took the class, then bought a VStar 650. It has a higher seat, but I had mine lowered an inch. If you get the custom model, the seat is narrower, and seems lower. I am also smaller than you and did just fine. I had to ride around in a parking lot for several days before I was brave enough to go out in the street, then took it very slowly. I dropped it several times, but always while stopped, and learned to pick it up myself. Gradually I was able to ride in traffic, then finally the interstate. The 650 had a lot more power and was a lot bigger and heavier than the 250 I rode in class, but was very balanced, and easy to hold up. You might even look at the 1100, since you are going to be going to need more power, going up into the mountains, you might not be satisfied very long on the 650. I think the body style of the two bikes is very similar, and once you get used to a balanced bike, the weight is not really much of an issue. – Linda W. (note from Mama: thank you for sharing your thoughts on a bike's balance and how you proceeded!) Thursday, July 2 Hello VTwin Mama, Thursday, July 2 I also have a Shadow ACE 750 (2002) and really enjoy the ride and handling of my bike. Last year I was experiencing much of the same tipping problems she is having. Part of it was due to a health issue, which affected my upper body strength, making it hard to handle the bike when she started to tip while rolling her around during parking. The best advice you gave me was to always manage to park facing “nose” out ... to minimize having to back her up, while looking behind me-loosing my balance and dropping her. After a couple of very embarrassing parking lot maneuvers I did finally get into the swing of things, and it does not happen any more. Part of it was getting over my health problem, and building up some upper body strength, but mostly it was taking a little extra time to back into a parking space-so I could exit gracefully later on. P.S. Jill has had her pipes bored out, so she is v-loud. Not sure if she was re-jetted or not. But I did have to have the carb adjusted last year, as she was backfiring a lot, but that is fixed now. – Susan (note from Mama: thank you for letting Jill know she is not alone!) Thursday, July 2 Dear Readers of the VTwin Mama site:
For a limited time we're offering Free Standard Shipping to the Contiguous U.S. - no minimum order. Plus, if your order is $300 or more, you also receive a $30 Gift Certificate* for use on a future purchase. Your Gift Certificate is good through July 31, 2009. All you need to do is place an order on-line by clicking our graphic link above or by phone (mention you learned about this from the VTwin Mama site) at 1-800-766-4165 or 1-276-773-3131, and your Gift Certificate will be added to your order automatically. *Your $30 Promotional Gift Certificate only good toward a future order, is non-transferable and expires July 31, 2009. Free Standard Shipping applies to orders shipping to the Contiguous U.S., and may ship either UPS or USPS. Note from Mama: this discount and others are kept up-to-date on the News Page! Friday, July 3 Win a HD 883 Low ... $20 a Ticket ... Drawing is July 24th Dear VTwin Mama Readers, I know that not everyone has a spare $20, but if you
can, let's see if we can bolster sales, thus helping their program and
getting a chance to win a bike. Friday, July 3 Hi. My first bike was a Honda Rebel. I paid cash, kept it a month sold it and bought a larger bike. The larger bikes "always " have a bit of a longer learning curve, but at the same time changing bikes requires some time as well since getting used to a certain balance and power is something that is different for each bike. I found the Rebel weak at altitude climbing (I live in hills) and freeway speeds it was vibrating-more like a buzz. At first I liked the fact it was small (reminded me of an old minibike I used to ride many years ago, Yamaha 80) and quiet, looked like a traditional MC. After a bit the smallness and quietness became more of a worry about visibility-then the power issue when over 50mph or on hills. There IS a different rear sprocket that allows for better higher speed performance, I don't know if installing one would void a warranty though. The buzz was intolerable to me-though the sprocket might solve that. If you are thinking of changing bikes around over time, my theory is to go with bikes that have better trade in values and resale values. I also think if you can get what you really want, then get it. To me, it is worth the longer practice and learning unless you are REALLY petrified and really need to go easy or you might hurt yourself from stress errors. Good luck-let everyone know what you ended up doing! TTFN, – Trish (note from Mama: there's a lot of valuable information here ... it's appreciated!) Friday, July 3 Dear Petra, Dear Susan, Vibration is caused by a lot of things, including gripping the handlebar too tightly, one or both tires not being balanced perfect or having uneven wear, one or both tires not being mounted as well as it should, or its just the nature of that particular beastie. I'm sure there is a ton of other technical things like bearings, etc. that might need looking at on a 2002 model. Or, it could just be you, your weight, and that bike ... that's a darn good match, but you're ready to move on. My first two long trips were on 750s and I know that lots of folks like this size for touring because overall it's so much more manageable than a big ol' honking touring bike. That's if it's set up right for luggage carrying and tush comfort and leg extension room, etc. Let's see if we get input from other Shadow riders on vibration over 60mph ... you could end spending a bunch of money chasing down something that may be inherent to the bike. – Mama My husband and uncle are HD riders and I’m a scooter-er…I’ve got a Piaggio MP3 500. My MIL (Mother-In-Law-) and SIL and BIL are Gold Wingers. My son is a V-Star rider, and we ALL wave to everyone… I think it depends on personal preference. I’m still a VERY beginner rider, and don’t like to take my hand off the bar, so I give the ‘two fingers up’ from the bars, but the people who are more comfortable on their bikes can give more advanced waves. When I was getting used to the road, however, I used my Quad, and I noticed that nobody waved to a Quad-rider… hmmmmm, aren’t we all on the same road? – Erica. (note from Mama: yes we are, but allegiance can be tribal for some ... meaning that some stick to waving at riders on the same manufacturer's bikes, some to all two-wheeled, some include the trikes, and some make choices by the size of the scooter! I appreciate your note that as a newer rider it's important to stick to basics and wave in a fashion that is safe at your current skill level ... and we've discussed before that there are many reasons riders don't wave, so it's not necessary to jump to conclusions ... wave if the spirit moves you and know that you put positive energy out into the world when you do!) Monday, July 6 Hello Petra, I have had the dealer preload it correctly (as it was loose and lost it's preload first ride) and it seems to be all set but it tends to wobble a bit. My husband followed behind and says that it looks as though the kit is bouncing. Can anyone out there tell me if this is normal as I really don't know how this is supposed to handle. I really am not sure if this is safe. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for such a wonderful site with a wealth of information. – Rachel Dear Rachel, I myself am not very knowledgeable about the proper installation of these kits but have observed that all kits that add two wheels have some "give" to them and look like they bounce when encountering something uneven in the road surface. But let's not limit this discussion to my lack of info, as I agree, one's safety in riding is important. Riders who have added a Voyager or Tow Pac ... please chime in as soon as possible! – Mama Monday, July 6 Hello All, Dear Shauie, Tuesday, July 7 Dear VTwin Mama, 1) What type of sunscreen and lip balm do you recommend? 2) Just how hot will it be in mid day sun? 3) Is there any suggestions to keep cool? 4) How cold will it be in the mountains? Will there be snow on the roads? Icy conditions? 5) Are the animals dangerous in Yellow Stone? 6) Most important, I am not a small woman and with our luggage on the back of the bike will we have a hard time pulling the mountains. We have a 1993 HD Softail. I feel so stupid asking these questions but I am getting nervous. Thanks for any help you can give me. – Jan S. Dear Jan, 1) Each of us has different skin types but I wouldn't be out with anything less than a 30 SPF and lean toward something more in the 50 range. I dislike squirting the stuff on my hands to rub in (sticky hands) so I found a sunscreen in a stick that I can apply and go. Lip balm should have sunscreen as well. Don't forget to coat ears and the back of the neck depending on the helmet style. 2) Temps in that area you are headed for range, but I'd be ready for the high 90s and heat indexes into the low 100s. If the heat is slapping off the pavement take more frequent breaks or consider starting earlier in the day to avoid the dreaded 3pm time frame, as that's when it tends to reach it's full power. I usually like to be off the round around 2 or 3 pm if possible during summer trips. 3) Keeping cool is a matter of hydration, so always carry water and something that will replace electrolytes, as well as small snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, or energy bars. A nice neck cooler does wonders ... the kind that you soak in water and the interior beads expand and then you can wrap around your neck and redo as needed. While a long sleeve T and long pants seem contrary to keeping cool, they wick away the sweat and keep the direct sun off of you. Wind is the real culprit and of course riders get plenty of that. A bike with a windshield helps as does a helmet with a face shield. 4) Mountain passes can definitely be much cooler. Pack T-shirts, a sweatshirt, a light jacket (can be your rain jacket) and a full leather jacket with zip in lining. Don't forget gloves and if you don't want to bring chaps, then have tights ready to pull on under your jeans. Waterproof your boots. At this time of year the passes should be clear of snow and ice ... mostly it's about foggy conditions in the earlier part of the day. 5) One always has to consider that animals roam through the national parks but it's my understanding that they are looking for handouts so pull over well before you see a group around stopped cars and determine if you need to wait or can move around them. Animals like parked cars where they can smell food inside so don't leave your snacks onboard overnight! 6) You may experience a lag in acceleration ability as the mountain pass climbs, so then one just gears down one notch to get the power needed. It'll slow down the overall speed range, but it's very doable. Keep your packing lighter by doing laundry one day during the trip. Most campgrounds and motels have a small laundry room or there will be a service in town somewhere. More packing and trip tips can be found on the VTM Trip Tips pages ... sage advice from those who have been there! – Mama Tuesday, July 7 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear TJ, The best way to get on the road is to get in your car and map out a simple trip, noting all the traffic signals you'll need to handle and other road conditions. Then head out on an early Sunday morning with your motorcycle when traffic is most likely the lightest. Have your boyfriend follow on his bike or car to keep any others from crowding your backside. If you're still leery of gassing up at a station, fill up a gas container for home and gas there for the time being. I like to suggest that you take out a piece of paper and in the left column note each learning step one by one and then schedule the date you'll work on that skill and when you've completed it, note that date and have gold stars ready to paste on! Creating a battle plan allows you to concentrate on one thing at a time. It's rare that someone can just jump on a bike and go, and even if they are faster at handling the technical end of things, trust me, traffic and obstacles take time to get comfortable with. Stick with and soon you'll be riding with greater ease! One other thing that new riders find helpful ... on a small piece of paper write down why you wanted to learn in the first place or what your goal is, and tuck it into your riding jacket pocket. Whenever you feel the negative thoughts or jitters creeping in, pull it out and read it. It's positive reinforcement that all the learning is worth it! – Mama Wednesday, July 8 Hey TJ ... don't give up! I bought a 1200L 2007 Sportster brand new in Dec. of 2007. I had started a year before that on a Rebel ... within two months I was on a 650 Yamaha and six months after that got the Sportster. She now has 21,454 miles on her. I am 51 yrs. and am 5' 1". I tell you this because I don't want you to think I have some great advantage because of size or youthful prowess. I don't. I have put Progressive shocks on the bike and had the seat contoured and put the Sportster mini-apes AND pull backs on for a more comfortable reach to the bars ( yes that made a big difference) so now with a regular type of Harley boot I can flat foot her. I never felt like she was top-heavy. I did feel she was tall for me which made me feel like I was sitting atop her instead of in her and that can translate to feeling top heavy. Getting those ( nearly ) two inches shaved off has made all the difference. I tried high heeled riding boots before the things to lower her, but, getting the bike lower was the KEY. If you are, in fact, flat footed and lowering it isn't what you need, then I do encourage you to keep going in those baby steps Mama has laid out for you. This is a GREAT bike to ride. It is so much fun. So much of riding, as you well know, is a mind challenge (I hate to say mind game cuz it really is more serious than a game). So review what you know to be true about riding well by remembering your safety course info, viewing the suggested DVD and reading a few books if need be. I found that when I was taking my Experienced Rider Courses that I use my friction zone much more than others may have had to on their bikes. I really make it work hard for me in my slower maneuvers. So you may need to really take that little beast in hand and be assertive with that clutch and throttle and make it work for you. Believe me it can take it. Also, I use my whole body when I ride. Lean into those turns, swivel that head around when turning, lean in while throttling up. I guess that is what I mean when I say get assertive (not aggressive ) with her. You are the boss! You be in control! I remember an interview that William Macy did after having filmed "Wild Hogs" with John Travolta. Here is a quote that I LOVE from his interview: "It is ‘Harley humor’ that in the film I ride a Sportster which is known as a ‘chick bike’. This is the bike that the chicks (women) ride, so for my character it is demeaning. Harley guys would laugh at him. Although when you see that bike I am on, it is amazing, if that is a chick bike I do not want to meet the chick that rides it. It is a huge motorcycle." LOLOlolol!!! I think of that every time all 130 lb 5'1" of me throws a leg over. I don't think I am soo scary lookin'! Keep going TJ....let me know if you want more encouragement! – Tink. (note from Mama: first-hand accounts of recent achievements speak loud and clear .... thanks for sharing your "voice" with TJ!)
Wednesday, July 8 One thing about animals in the national parks in SD. I was there last summer. You can avoid most of them UNLESS you go through the Wildlife Loop in Custer Park. My advice is to avoid this area on a bike (you can skip it easily and see the rest of the park). When we were there, it was about 95 degrees and there were HUNDREDS of bison on the road. No kidding, hundreds! Their babies were crossing in between our bikes, with mama bringing up the rear. The cages were all stopped in front of us, taking pictures, so we couldn't get around. I am not exaggerating when I say that I felt the breath of bison on my bare arms and could've easily reached out to pet one of their heads. Not that I wanted to! Our bikes were overheating but we were afraid to shut them down for two reasons: 1) we needed to be able to move quickly if they started stampeding and 2) what if starting them up again spooked the animals? When we finally got out of there, I could've wrung my clothes out. We were sweating from the top of our heads to the tips of our toes - from the heat and from fear! Other than that, stay off the roads after dark and just generally be alert to animals crossing the roads. You'll be fine if you follow that advice. The area you are going to has some of the nicest roads for riding in the world. Don't miss Spearfish Canyon! Have a great time and be safe! – Rose. (note from Mama: thanks for sharing more specific notes about animals in the national parks ... very useful info!) Wednesday, July 8 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Danielle, If that doesn't do it for you, take a look at the VTM Motorcycles for Short Riders list page. There you will find all sorts of info on bikes, the rider's height, and the modifications they made for fit. It may spark for further research! – Mama Wednesday, July 8 Hi VTwin Mama, Dear Itchy, Saturday, July 11 Hi VTwin Mama, Dear Elisa, Then you can practice by putting down an old piece of carpet or tarp, make sure that you have little gas in the tank and the petcock (if your bike has one) is off, and practice. There is no doubt that bikes with engine guards (also called highway bars or crash bars) come in handy as they keep a bike from laying completely flat on the ground. – Mama Saturday, July 11 Hello VTwin Mama, Two years ago I decided to ride again, got an 150cc automatic scooter, rode from April to November, had a great time, gained confidence, took off on the back roads from my home in Western MA, went through the White Mountains in NH and then rode to my sister's home in Steuben, Maine. Great trip and decided to move up a notch to a Suzuki GZ250cc in April this year. Love it! However, the accident really has me scared. I was only going about 10mph, taking a turn onto my street, felt the rear end slide (I think from hot summer road patch), did what I knew not to (hit the brakes in a turn), and went down, slid, broke my arm. Thank God I had my armored jacket on! Anyway, most friends and family are saying "Get rid of that thing." I am afraid, but don't know that getting rid of my bike is the answer. Any suggestions? Anybody been through a similar situation that is close to my age? I'd appreciate any and all responses. Thanks, – Shirley Dear Shirley, First, given your account of the event, it was just one of those quirky things that crop up from time to time when we're riding. For some it simply results in feeling a bit mortified, for others they get a scrape or two, and in your case, it resulted in a broken bone. It sounds like you're on the mend! If you had slipped on an slick patch while crossing the street and broke your arm, would these well-meaning folks suggest you stop crossing streets and/or get a walker?!?!?! I think not. You do not mention whether or not you took a riding course when you re-entered your riding journey. My suggestion is to consider the following ideas and decide which of the steps would constitute a good battle plan: 1) take a basic riding course as a review ... yup, it's
back to basics, but a good refresher for about a $100 or so. The MSF
(Motorcycle Safety Foundation) is a good place to check out. Will any of these steps make icky road patches go away? Of course not, but we're talking about rebuilding confidence and I know of no better method than getting back to the basics and seeing what one can learn. Learning, at any age, is always a good thing. So is camaraderie! – Mama Saturday, July 11 Dear VTwin Mama, I love my bike, named her Jackie. I haven't dropped her once but she's been hit while parked twice (in the past month!). I am staying at a friend's and only have street parking available to me. I parked her perpendicularly to the curb. The neighborhood is residential and there is plenty of space. My place is right near a three way stop/intersection. I didn't think I needed to be concerned. The last fall was tremendous and cost $300 to fix. I'm REALLY paranoid now about her getting knocked over while parked. I can't keep on patching her up. What do you recommend to lessen the chances of her getting knocked over and to ease my fears? Thanks!! – Jessica Dear Jessica, Yikes ... I was going to suggest you mount something that extends from the handlebar with a sharp edge so it "keys" the side of their paint job when they clip the parked motorcycle, but that's pure revenge on those that don't even bother to own up to the mistake by leaving their contact info to settle up for fixing costs. Sigh ... not a good idea, but it's fun to think about! I'm gathering that this is happening because the vehicle parked in the slot next to you is hampering the ability of drivers to see that your bike is there, even with its nose pointed out. So they pass that other parked vehicle and start moving over for a right turn and see your bike too late. It sounds like the parking slot is yours, so maybe a big orange cone set at the far outside edge of the space would do it. Or maybe you could take something that is extendable (like an old curtain rod) and tie a large red or orange plastic "flag" piece to it and extend it from the handlebar (that way you can collapse it when you're ready to ride and store it in a saddlebag or something like that. Readers, any other ideas ... we've not had this question before (that I recall). – Mama Saturday, July 11 Hi, I am Trish. I have a 2008 Sportster 1200L. I spent a month on a smaller bike (250) and when I realized it was not the bike for me. I got a 2007 1200L ... then a great op came up for a 2008 1200L so I jumped at it. DO NOT despair! I spent quite a bit of time in parking lots, and going 1-2 blocks at a time. My DH would ride it for me to a park with low traffic and I would ride for an hour or so while he photo'd birds and clouds. This went on for weeks, a couple of months, 1-2 times week. It took about 1 month before I could go longer than 10-20 minutes without feeling drained and rattled. The techniques in class work on the bigger bike - but it IS a different feel and balance. You will get it. Give yourself a break, you are a pioneer. Women mostly still don't ride their own. Be proud, you will do it. It is hard probably in part because it takes a certain amount of speed to be stable - yet the speed is scary. You wonder what's the big deal that everyone else is going more than 25mph - those speed demons! I exceeded 25mph when it dawned on me that I rode my bicycle faster than my motorcycle!! LOLOL. THAT made a difference, also reminding myself how it took a while to ride my bicycle in the street when I first got back on a bicycle. I'd ridden many miles as a kid town to town on sidewalks. Now I have a skinny tired bicycle and can get to 30mph on the bicycle. It will come, you will find your skills in due time. You DO have to learn to check your fear and not let your mind come up with disasters. There is a difference between planning ahead for an escape plan, and creating scary scenarios in which you are always the loser. Good luck! – Trish. (note from Mama: thanks for chiming in, especially about the amount of time you spent in the beginning in parking lots!) Sunday, July 12 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear June, Sunday, July 12 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear kenzo, For Shirley who has family and friends telling her to give up riding after an oopsie and broken arm: Shirley, I am a few years older than you, but in July
1998 when I was 56, (I had only been riding about 4 years) I was at a
stop sign and got fixated on the curb in front of me and grabbed my
front brake and went over hard. I broke my right shoulder blade.
You are right ... the pain is horrible. There were times
that I thought my arm was glued to my side, and I could not move it away
The doctor told me it would be 3 to 6 months before I could ride
again. I was back to riding about the middle of October.
Please don't listen to family and friends. If you had listened you
probably would not have started riding in the first place. Monday, July 13 Dear VTwin Mama, If I cannot find a lever I will likely sign up to have the decompression surgery done on my left wrist to alleviate the carpal tunnel (I had the surgery done in '88 on my right wrist and it was very successful), but that would still leave me with my small hands trying to cover a long reach. And, I wouldn't be able to ride during the healing and recovery post surgery period. Has anyone found a clutch lever that would be more suitable for small hands on a 2009 VStar 1300? Thanks, – Karen Dear Karen, Monday, July 13 I have found that parking ass to the curb puts the front out far enough for a visual from traffic. Also, it makes it easier to get the heck out of dodge when you need to! – Unkle Joe (note from Mama: I agree, this usually takes care of business in both situations (!) so I'm wondering if the smaller Rebel is just that much shorter in overall length (from say a bigger cruiser) that people can't see it. I'm at a loss as to what else could be happening!) Monday, July 13 Dear VTwin Mama, Monday, July 13 Hi Petra, Dear Cher, Monday, July 13 Bikers for Babies, Braxton County, WV, August 22nd Dear VTwin Mama, Who: March of Dimes & the Braxton County Convention and Visitors Bureau (WV) What: 1st Annual March of Dimes Bikers for Babies! Bikers for Babies is one of the newest events for the March of Dimes, and it is the fastest-growing. Last year, over 50 Bikers for Babies events took place, with 40,000 participants nationwide raising almost $2.5 million. All Bikers for Babies events are sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association. Some groups that participate include the Harley Owners Group, American Gold Wing Association, and American Bikers Aim toward Education, Christian Motorcyclist Association, Riders of Kawasaki and Bikers for Christ. Bikers for Babies provides an opportunity for motorcycle clubs, dealerships, vendors and individual motorcyclists to make a positive contribution to the community and to the motorcycling image -- and do what they love to do! When & Where: Braxton County CVB will host this event with a pre-party with live music on Friday 8/21 from noon - 10pm, then they will host the March of Dimes run on Saturday 8/22 from 9am-4pm ending at Microtel Inn/Gassaway and the Braxton CVB will host the post party show with live music on Saturday with prizing & the Davisson Brothers on Sunday 8/23. Finally a STATEWIDE West Virginia run, where North meets South Destination 67-Flatwoods, WV! Don’t Miss It! Why: The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. The March of Dimes does this through programs of research, community services, education and advocacy that save babies' lives. The March of Dimes is leading the fight against premature birth with research funding, focused education, professional training for health care providers and advocacy for expanded health care coverage. Contact: Tambra Cheman, Director at 1-800-313-2911 or email tcheman@marchofdimes.com. Registration is at www.bikersforbabies.org or www.marchofdimesevents/wv. – Tambra Cheman Tuesday, July 14 Dear VTwin Mama, So last year for our anniversary my loving husband, knowing how much I love to ride, bought me a trike. He has a Harley that I ride with him often, but it is very hard on me and my condition. The trike is a Harley front and a VW back engine and transaxle. I love it, but before I can ride it has to be modified. It is standard and currently has a foot clutch. We need to move the clutch onto the 1 inch handlebar. We need the clutch handle, mount, and no less than 80 inches of clutch cable, up to 84 inches if possible. The VW is a '69. I don't know the year of the Harley. Where can I find the parts I need? We have 2 rides planned with our church in late August. Would love to have it ready by then. Thank you very much for your time and answer. Have a blessed day. – Angie M. Dear Angie, Yes, you could just get a standard hand clutch lever and run the cable down, but an automotive clutch pressure plate is a lot stiffer than a motorcycle clutch pressure plate, and if a strong man like A-1 wouldn't want to be shifting that way, I can bet you're not going to be able to pull and shift. It's a pure mechanical action that takes a lot of strength. The normal way to go when you want a hand clutch is to convert using a hydraulic system. It's a hydraulic hand clutch lever, flexible hydraulic tubing to the triple tree, and then steel hydraulic tubing to the bell housing area where a slave unit must be mounted. This requires welding and bending and gets very involved. The alignment of the slave unit must be precise and takes a bit of work to get the whole system working right. Not to mention welding a bracket to support the slave unit. He also mentioned that another option is called an auto stick. Lots of parts, more expensive, but an option. Google "VW trike autostick" for more info ... I saw one video clip at Big Bob's site that talks more about it. – Mama Tuesday, July 14 Hola VTwin Mama, Problem: When we ride the Harley trike at a curve the bike would not turn ... it took my hubby straight across the other lane and put him in a ditch. When we bought the bike at the end of May they put a new front suspension and stabilizer bar. What could be the problem? It has happened twice, we are taking the bike back to have it checked but I like to know what I am talking about when it comes to shop talk. Any resources I can read? I am also taking an online motorcycle repair course so that my son and I can repair our own ATVs, dirt bikes, etc. Thanks for listening, – Tammy Dear Tammy, A front end that won't turn is checked in this way: they jack the front end up so the front fork is free to pivot. If there is a slight drag, it could be caused by cable routing or a wire harness that has gone stiff. If there is a feeling of notching as the front end is turned, the steering-head bearings (two sets, top and bottom) need to be replaced. It is dangerous to keep riding if this is the case. So, you noted that you had a new front end on the bike so what could have caused the premature wear? Too much pre-load and the bike will feel heavy at low speeds and hard to ride in a straight line and will also ruin the bearings before their normal time. Pre-load is basically how the steering-stem adjusters are tightened. It uses a castellated nut ... which if over tightened easily puts several tons of pressure on the bearing with just a slight twist of the adjuster. I read all of this in my "motorcycle Bible, The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance by Mark Zimmerman. I cannot, of course, say for sure this is what it is, but it sounds like something in the bearings froze up and so the replacement is still what will need to be checked most likely. By the way, the stabilizer bar is highly unlikely to be the cause as it's function is to absorb bumps in the road and keep your front end from bouncing around. I can't see how this would lock up the whole front end. – Mama Tuesday, July 14 Dear VTwin Mama, When she told him she took the course he asked her if she was going to ride … she told him no. In '05 when we got together, I was still green to motorcycle riding, but was hooked and she would ride on the back. After we married, we bought her a bike and she was so afraid to tell her father but finally did. He was so happy ... he wanted her to ride and see him as soon as she could. He was so proud and supportive of his little girl. After she had ridden the Hyosung 250 for about 6 months (great learning bike for a beginner sportbike rider) I bought her a Ducati Monster 800 for Christmas (the bike she wanted). She is now an inspiration to those ladies she works with and several now ride and is looking at becoming a Rider Coach herself soon. If your site would have been around in '96, maybe she would have had the confidence to ride then. By the way, her father, mother, my wife, and I all went on a motorcycle ride in Hawaii while on vacation…1st time he has ridden since the accident…she inspired him too. As a separate note, as a rider Coach for Motorcycle Safety, I would just want to know what protective gear all the people were wearing when they had their accidents…I don’t care about thinking you look cool, it’s all about the fashion show of protection…leathers (preferred but textiles work), boots, and of course the Full Face Helmet. Thank you for your site, – Charles (Garcho) Dear Charles, I am so heart-happy upon learning that your wife's father than decided to ride again, as following an accident it really does pose a lot of questions about risk and desire. So here's a big cheer to you, your wife, and your wife's parents ... I can only imagine how big those grins where in Hawaii ... it just had to a truly joyful time together. – Mama Thursday, July 16 Hi there VTwin Mama, Dear aerohead, He notes that lugging the bike, which is running the bike in too high a gear for the load, i.e. going up a gear before the correct speed range is reached, "will cause the bike to overheat as the engine struggles to develop enough torque to pull the load." Besides minimizing lugs (if that's a real term!), here are some other thoughts: 1) you could be running a too low octane fuel ... and
you may even want to try another brand of gas if you tend to fill up
locally at the same place. I hope these ideas open up the channels of inquiry! – Mama Thursday, July 16 Hi VTwin Mama, Dear Sandra, So, my advice is to head to the local dealer and take another look at a stock Nightrain and sit on it and see how your leg position is. Then I'd consider converting back to the stock air cleaner or having the parts department open up their vast resources of parts books and determining if something slimmer can be found. The only reason I'm not suggesting anything in particular is because it's hard to gauge things in the aftermarket parts catalogs, which don't call out dimensions. – Mama Thursday, July 16 Sorry I missed the first post but it’s been a busy summer since I missed most of last year’s riding season with a broken arm! MY story: MORAL: I've been telling people to take away their daughters' credit cards and buy her a motorcycle – it's obviously safer!!! – Jo (note from Mama: the last line is too too funny!) Thursday, July 16 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Trava, On the grips themselves, that is usually done by replacing the solid grip end cap with one that has the fringe incorporated into it. Not all grips are manufactured this way though. Some are solid pieces and so we are back to your original question about replacing the entire grip. On this Iron Braid page I see ISO Grips available for the S40 (formerly the Savage). It's the ISO Grip by Kuryakyn, model 6240. The remodeled Kuryakyn site (thank goodness, the old one was a pill) doesn't list the S40 in their list, so I'd call and double check that 6240 will fit. With those you'll be able to choose your end cap and the many colors and lengths! Now that you have a viable option, you can always head to the local dealer's parts department and let them open up the Kuryakyn catalog for you ... I'm only seeing black fringe from Kuryakyn, but the end cap is universal and that should be easy enough to find from a specialty shop. – Mama Thursday, July 16 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Sara, One other thing to do is to check your current cables and estimate how much "extra" length might be available to cover that slightly extra distance (or if you're at the dealer's, look at a floor model with the parts person). Usually a matter of a few inches of pullback isn't going to require new cables, but now you know what to look for and ask about. – Mama Saturday, July 18 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Shirley, Saturday, July 18 Hi Mama, Dear Dave, Can someone be self-taught (as I was, which by the way, was a Kawi 750)? Certainly ... with your daughter's excellent balance skills (staying on a horse while barrel-racing is an art form!), and most definitely if she already knows how to drive a manual stick-shift car, some parking lot practice should get the practical handling skills learned fairly quickly with you and her brother as guides. However, not all teachers are created equal when it comes to patience, and patience is an essential tool during those first lessons ... so keep that in mind and be honest about your temperament. A good DVD guide, after first doing those duck walks to get the clutch and throttle coordinated, and starts and stops smooth, is the Ride Like A Pro DVD. This will allow her to learn even more about the handling characteristics of any motorcycle purchased. And as teachers, you can run through the drills as well. Now, as to which motorcycles to consider. Since you're taking about area day rides and limited amounts, buying something used, inexpensive (but running), and that fits makes sense. The clue here is the leg inseam. Let's say your daughter's is 29". Then any motorcycle with a seat height about 27" or lower is going to allow her to straddle that bike and get her feet firmly flat to the ground (with a decent pair of riding boots with say at least a 1" sole). Sure, you can lower a bike, but the point here is to not futz around with it too much. With that type of information in mind, take a look at the VTM Seat Height charts. You'll see that sport-style bikes tend to start at a seat height of over 30". A nice standard style in a sporty look is the Buell Blast at 492cc. In the cruiser section, I see a nice mid-range 583cc bike in the Honda Shadow VLX. Now if you open your local newspaper's classifieds, you'll have a tool to get a bit of quick info so you decide if it's worth looking at. I'd like to point out that a 250cc bike could work as well ... sure, you're running at the top end of the engine when over 60mph, but then again, if you're imagining "lazy cruises" to take in the beauty of the area, it would suit. Just a thought. – Mama Saturday, July 18 Dear VTwin Mama, There are others who park elsewhere - but the maintenance dept ALL ride MC's and this is a very safe exclusive spot, right by the primary maintenance area, so they are around all the time. And there is shade in the 100+ temps. Occasional bird visits too - oops. Look at all the red ones! The woman getting on her bike to go home is a CT technician. The other with w/shield is mine, one is a male OR nurse's, one is a cardiology echo technician's, one is an ER technician's. About half of the E.R. nurses - men and women ride bikes, as well as several Dr's. One rides a Valkerie, his wife's is a VTX1300. They are painted as positive and negative images of each other's bike. His L-plate says nurturer, hers says nurtured. It is very true that lucky doggette. It is fast becoming mythology that ER people stay away from bikes. A patient told me that in one of the Dr's offices all the nurses ride and it looks like a female HA club riding in when they open the office! He got a kick out of the idea they were in scrubs and lab coats in a few minutes later looking angelic again. TTFN, – Trish
Dear Trish, It's interesting to read your note about some people's perception that hospital care givers don't ride. I know from letters I've received, especially ER nurses, that they give great thought to the risks after seeing people come in with wounds from not wearing appropriate riding gear. It's a good reminder in the middle of the main riding season. – Mama Saturday, July 18 I have experienced the same thing and ended up getting different pipes (Cobra Streetrod), but it also means you need to get the bike re-jeted, which helps with the power and sounds nice. For the vibration I installed Kuryakyn ISO grips which really helps. Hope this helps, – Kirby (note from Mama: a solid set of notes ... thanks!) Saturday, July 18 I have experienced the same thing and ended up getting different pipes (Cobra Streetrod), but it also means you need to get the bike re-jeted, which helps with the power and sounds nice. For the vibration I installed Kuryakyn ISO grips which really helps. Hope this helps, – Kirby (note from Mama: a solid set of notes ... thanks!) Sunday, July 19 Hello VTwin Mama, I have a Suzuki Blvd and was considering going to a Burghman 650. You advised me to go back to my instructions in my MSF class and proceed from there. To start out with the "duck walk" and go from there, and if I still felt uncomfortable with shifting, to consider a smaller bike, like I had in the MSF course. I only stalled out once! I was able to downshift, upshift, start and stop, with minimal probs! I am 53 years old and had never been on a motorcycle as a driver before. I am a living example! Believe me, if I can do it, just about anyone can! Thank You! – Sandy Dear Sandy, I'm glad you've healed from knee surgery and I am soooo happy to hear that you are giving that Boulevard another shot. And it's just fantastic to know that going back to the very basics and learning the handling characteristics of your Boulevard is really paying off. You are an inspiration to us all. Yahoo! – Mama The Clevver might be something to consider. – Roger (note from Mama: aha ... reduce the amount of pull tension by 33% and increase the friction zone by 50% ... very nice! And it will fit a lot of VStars including the 650, new 950, 1100 and 1300. It won't however, reduce the distance between the handlebar grip and the outer edge of the lever ... small hands are still going to have to stretch the distance.) Monday, July 20 H-D Ride Free Guarantee Until August 31st Dear VTwin Mama, Monday, July 20 Amazing Opportunity for Beautiful Women Who Ride Motorcycles – Ride at Sturgis! Note from VTwin Mama:
Although the motorcycle company is not named, I am in contact with a
credible person (Leah Petersen) representing this opportunity (and
putting this team together) and feel that posting the call was
appropriate. As you know, all women riders are beautiful ... in this
case the company is calling for a narrow range of us but that's no
reason to penalize those that qualify. Each of us pursues opportunities
in life and walks through the doors as they open. Onward! –
Mama Thursday, July 23 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Lori, Friday, July 24 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Ryan, Friday, July 24 Dear VTwin Mama, Should I continue my search for another of this size, or do you feel I should be spending some time on a 250? Is it just the matter of getting used to the feel of the cruisers? Would I be able, with practice to adapt easily enough to this size since I have no prior riding experience? I'm only 5'3" and weight 125 lbs. The fact that my feet were flat on the ground on the V-Twin made me feel in control, but the weight of the bike, or maybe the size of the tank is what made me uncomfortable. I would love any suggestions you may have. – Lady Di Dear Lady Di, I'm sorry to hear that you couldn't get the title issue cleared up on the auction bike, but from what you've told me, looking for a bike in the same category would work. You mentioned surprise, but not total fear. Just like you probably started on a bicycle with training wheels before moving on, getting a feel for the weight, brakes, and clutch/throttle combo is a very necessary first step before taking on traffic and other road conditions. Onward sister ... you're headed in the right direction! – Mama Friday, July 24 Bikers for Babies, Greater Cincinnati/NKY, August 22 Dear VTwin Mama, The ride is about 60 miles long and an after party will follow with live entertainment, beverages, food, vendors and a raffle. More info at www.bikersforbabiescincynky.org. Any one with questions can contact me at 513-769-3588 or by emailing to kkasee@marchofdimes.com – Kara Kasee Saturday, July 25 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Andrew, In 2008 I begin the Fit Chart initiative ... to gather photos of riders sitting on their motorcycles and asking for inseam data, but classifying it by overall height. So those charts are fairly complete with the information ... but as always, it's an on going effort and every person who contributes really helps the next person doing research! – Mama Saturday, July 25 New Coffee-Table Book: Chicks on Bikes More women are riding motorcycles than ever before, a trend illustrated in the new coffee-table book Chicks on Bikes by photographer Christina Shook. The book will be released by Paper Wings Paper Publishing on August 20, 2009 at the International Women and Motorcycling Conference in Keystone, Colorado. Preview and pre-order the book at www.ChicksOnBikes.us. Hardback, 156 color pages, $24.95 Chicks on Bikes is the first book to visually chronicle the culture and lifestyle of real women motorcyclists. The photos and stories range from sassy young racer girls, wind-roughened seniors, leather-clad outlaws, chic corporate climbers, grease-covered mechanics to motorcycle fashion designers. In the past, women on bikes have been portrayed in the media as bikini-clad sex-objects or clinging to the back of a male rider. Classic movies have shown them as sluts and outcasts. This book casts aside stereotypes and takes a look at who real women riders are today. The photos and writings convey the women’s passion for riding as well as revealing often surprising thoughts on the risks and rewards. Chicks on Bikes author Christina Shook is a professional photographer who specializes in “slice of lifestyle” photography. She says, “I created this book to reveal the spirit and character of real women motorcyclists. As a rider myself, I had a unique opportunity to delve further into this rich culture and shatter the stereotypes.” Shook’s photographs are part of the permanent collection of The Women’s Museum in Dallas, Texas, and have exhibited in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Dear VTwin Mama, Teddy Bear was a passionate rider and support of many motorcycle and veterans' groups, as well as putting together the beginnings of the Pride and Passion group before becoming very sick. Her family has had a custom Harley gas tank made to hold her ashes and after the service, we'll be riding to the Arbuckle area to spread some of her ashes to say goodbye. We would love for everyone in the area to join this memorial ride. Meet at Cross Eye Moose on SW 104 and Western at 9:15 a.m. (10601 S. Western, OKC) or at 10:30 a.m. at Teran's at 920 W. Cherokee St. in Lindsay (NW corner, Hwy 19 and Hwy 76). The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. in Lindsey at the Greenhill Cemetery. We will be taking donations for an American Cancer Society memorial stone to be placed in the memorial garden, but this is not a requirement to join the ride ... please just join us for a great ride and great send off she would have loved. Contact me at angel-miller@ouhsc.edu or call my cell at 405-408-0337 for more information. – Angel Miller Monday, July 27 Dear VTwin Mama,
* The new Road Glide Custom model looks lean and mean, with a slammed suspension, 18-inch front wheel and a new 2-into-1 exhaust system.
* Updates to the 2010 Street Glide model include a
larger front wheel, slimmed-down exhaust, and a new tail light assembly. For more information on the 2010 models, go to http://bit.ly/YfDwa. Best, – Laura Vecchio, Harley-Davidson Note from VTwin Mama: well, it looks like we're starting early this year ... usually I don't start updating the comparison charts until October or so! Any way ... the 2009 to 2010 comparisons are now officially underway at the 2009 to 2010 Motorcycle Comparison page. Tuesday, July 28 Dear VTwin Mama, Here's my dilemma. I bought the bike from a young man
who removed the rear turn signal & taillight. Basically, he
installed a small rear taillight above a vertically standing license
plate on the lower left side of the bike. He completely removed the turn
signals. When I bought the bike, he did give me the original parts that
he removed. Dear Shaunie, I am a strong believer that riders should get a full service manual for any motorcycle they ride. It contains soooo much useful information such as routine maintenance with step-by-step instructions, specific sections on how to work on all the systems of the bike, troubleshooting charts, and the all important parts and electrical diagrams. For about $25 you've got a great resource at your fingertips at all times! On my Education Center page you'll find a number of online sources or you can call your local dealer's parts department for availability. Another resource I use quite a lot, as I don't have a library of every motorcycle on my shelf (except my own of course!) is BikeBandit.com. For many makes and models, BB stores original parts diagrams at their site. You click on OEM Parts, then the manufacturer of your bike, then the year, and then the specific model. Then you can look to see what they have. So, I took a look, but I don't think it's going to help you as the diagrams call out the break down of the parts, but it's not clear to me how they are mounted. The next thing I thought of is that the Shadow Spirit has been in production for some time, so I'd call the local dealer and see if they have the current model on their showroom floor. Then you can visit and take a look at the set-up. It should be the same as these things rarely change. If a sales person walks up, just tell them what you are doing. Either take some close-up pictures or bring a pencil and paper and sketch it out (as it can be difficult to remember everything). If you take pictures of your current set-up and the "spare" parts you have with you, it'll really help you figure out what's what! Make a special note about where the wires are running too. This can be hard as it's all underneath. But give it a shot ... it'll get you one step closer to getting it back to factory original. If you get the feeling this might be a bit much for you to handle, then simply head to the service department and describe what you need and ask for a quote. For them it could be quite a quick job and require only 1/2 hour of labor (as you have the parts!). So $50 or so might get the job done. – Mama Tuesday, July 28 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Anita, If you're looking for something with a bit more embellishment, do a search on the term or take a look in the big aftermarket catalogs, like J&P Cycles, and shop to your heart's content! – Mama Tuesday, July 28 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Lauren, My approach would be to look at the financials. What is it going to cost to convert your Fatboy? One could do the conversion with a standard paint job that most closely matches with your main custom paint scheme. Then you could have that painted to match at a later date. Trike conversions come in two flavors: 1) adding an "outrigger kit" with two more wheels, like the ones from MTC Voyager at $4,095 or 2) a full conversion that removes the rear wheel like from Lehman Trikes (this is the dealer locater to call for a quote). Next I would take a look at the Kelley Motorcycle Bluebook value for your area. Yes, you'll take a loss, but with the "number" in front of you, you can make decisions. I'm also wondering about your local H-D dealer. Given the very few miles on it, maybe you would want to consider approaching them for a trade-in. Not all will do it, but with the current economy, they may be more open. Give them back the Fatboy and get the H-D Tri-Glide Ultra Classic ($30,000). So, make a chart: Now you have best guess numbers that spell out your options and you can make some decisions! If selling the Fatboy is your best pathway, then run an ad to see who pops out of the woodwork! – Mama Tuesday, July 28 Dear VTwin Mama, I did the east-to-west and back ride on my 2005 Harley Springer and will probably do the north-to-south and back ride on my 1993 Nostalgia (or "Moo Glide," as Harley affectionately nicknamed her when she was produced). The Moo Glide was Harley's only special edition 90th anniversary model produced, so she's somewhat rare to see on the road. She's beautiful: black and white paint with a black and white cowhide one-up seat, black-and-white cowhide inserts on her black leather saddlebags and various other black-and-white cowhide trim. She's a cross between a Fat Boy and a Heritage and is a cinch to ride. The Springer is a bit heavy on the front end (I'm relatively tall (5'8") but weigh only 125), so she seemed to get heavier with each day of my coast-to-coast ride. I'm sure my stilettos, extra jeans, jewelry and additional unnecessary Barbie items in my T-bag didn't help matters). Actually, the only time she felt overwhelmingly heavy was when I had to get her up off her kickstand when she was parked on a slightly declining surface. Once she's up and level, she's a great cruising bike. By the way, I ended up sending three boxes of the Barbie stuff home over the three-week trip. I found no need for five pairs of jeans, countless tops and one long, dressy skirt (in case I wanted to dress for dinner). I did keep my stilettos, however. A Barbie-type can never be without her stilettos! A black T-shirt and dark jeans with stilettos will take you anywhere. As I put 350-500 miles on the bike each day, I quickly realized at the end of the day that I didn't want to dress for dinner--all I wanted was a hot bubble bath and a comfortable bed. I wouldn't part with my rain gear, however, as I had three on-and-off days of rain on the trip out and three similar days on the trip back. I LOVE my Harley rain gear. It keeps me totally dry in driving rain. It takes up a whole saddlebag, but it stays put in my saddlebags. The jacket is good to layer over my other jacket when it gets cold and the same with the pants--they layer over jeans for added warmth. Both bikes were beautifully chromed and accessorized by my late husband, Jay, who bought me my first Harley (a 2000 Night Train) for my 50th birthday nine years ago. He died suddenly and too young of a heart attack four years ago. The Springer (which I've named "My Beloved") had been my anniversary present to him for what was to be our last anniversary. He had always wanted to do a coast-to-coast ride, so, when I took the ride, I knew it would be on that bike so that he'd get his coast-to-coast ride in spirit. I believe he was with me all the way. What a great ride! I took the northern states and they were truly beautiful. The highways and byways of South Dakota (the Badlands are phenomenally gorgeous), Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Oregon were outstanding. I never knew we had an autobahn in the US! The speed limit was 75 but no one went that "slow." The gently curving apexes around mountains and across the landscape made high speed seem as if I was tooling through the countryside at 45. I met nothing but nice, friendly, helpful people and only had one close call: a flying, killer kayak that flew off the roof of a van in an oncoming lane. I was doing 65 MPH, keeping up with the cars on the road with me, and the van was probably doing 40, which meant the kayak came at me at 100 MPH! No time to react and nowhere to go (had I had the time to react), as it happened along a twisting road through forest with no shoulders on the road, just a raging, white water river on one side filled with huge boulders, rafters and kayakers and more boulders on the other side of the road. Angels were with me as the kayak missed me and the bike by mere inches, bouncing on the street next to my left foot and skittering across the road. That was a close call. I took pepper spray along because all my friends were certain that I would run into serial killers. I can report that the only one to be pepper sprayed was me, by me. I pulled in to a motel one night, very road weary, and unpacked my T-bag and pulled out my keys to lock the bike. I pushed the key fob to set the alarm on the bike and heard a "psst" sound. I knew instantly that instead of pushing the alarm button, I had accidentally pushed the pepper spray attached to the key ring. Fortunately, it was pointed away from my face and the wind was blow away from me or I would have incapacitated myself. Girlfriends, if any of you have a desire to take a long distance solo trip and are being met with nothing but naysayers among your friends when you mention it, my advice is to let your heart lead you. A woman on a bike is never alone. She's surrounded by curious women, admiring men and women, excited little girls to see a woman on a motorcycle, and many helpful, nice people. The same people who live around you are living in other parts of this world. The chances of running into a serial killer, ax murderer or maniac are slim. Stay away from rough areas and use your intuition and you'll be fine. Anything that can happen to you "out there" can also happen to you right here at home on a quick ride to the store, so, if you have an adventuresome spirit and want to do it alone--go for it! You won't regret it! This will be a memorable trip until I die. If anyone would like to discuss how to plan for a long distance solo ride, please feel free to write! Now... off I go to begin the plans for my north-to-south ride in September! – Jan Dear Jan, Thursday, July 30 Hi VTwin Mama, Dear JJ, At the top of my Motorcycles for Short Riders list, you'll see a number of steps to consider. Which to consider in what order? Well, financial realities can play a role as well as performance and style. But with the top 8 tips at hand you can ask good questions at the dealer's (making the trip very worthwhile) and jot down notes about associated costs. Then you can make informed decisions about getting that beastie whipped into shape just for you! – Mama Thursday, July 30 What a great story. How in the world did you get 3+ boxes of stuff on one motorcycle? I would love THAT secret! How did you know there were ax murderers? I thought only I knew about them LOL. I carry pepper spray too ... just in case. I have noticed for myself, the more I ride, the less "home" stuff I "need." Your story was both touching and funny and you're a good writer. Keep us posted. TTFN, – Trish (note from Mama: I too "learned" about ax murderers from well meaning friends when I prepared for my first solo trip ... I let their fears cloud my natural instincts ... the only thing I encountered was a really big deer and I gave him plenty of space and enjoyed the beauty of the 15 minutes before he meandered off the lonely highway stretch we were on. As to max gear load ... it's all about your bungee strap-in tactics!) Thursday, July 30 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Anon, In my limited knowledge, I'm wondering about certain things. For instance, can you sit comfortably in a chair or in the car for stretches of time? I note this because on a motorcycle you don't have the luxury of being able to shift your body position. Floorboards instead of foot pegs do make a big difference in supporting yourself. Getting off the bike at shorter intervals to stretch and rest may help. My next point of concern is road conditions. What if a raised bump or pothole is encountered? Will the jarring to your lower back aggravate the L5/S1 region? Only a doctor can answer the question about the "sturdiness" of your surgical outcome. This is all I can come up with at the moment, but if you reflect on your earlier riding time, other things about it all may come to mind. – Mama Friday, July 31 Harley-Davidson Women's Day at Sturgis, August 2 Being held on Sunday, August 2nd, this day-long event will feature special seminars that include how to customize their motorcycle for fit, function and style; healthy eating tips while out on the road; and best practices for conducting a pre-ride safety check. Friday, July 31 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Jr, So, let's learn a little bit more. It's all about the ignition system that creates the spark to ignite fuel/air in the cylinder. It's also about the timing, because it has to do this hundreds of times a second! So you've got to create the spark and time it according to the engine rpm. Tricky stuff! Really old motorcycles used points and condensers (1930s through the 1960s). Then came the CDI unit, the first really true electronic system (often called the Black Box because that's what it looks like). The most modern ECMs include a digital computer and circuitry to communicate with sensors and control outputs to adjust fuel and timing in order to maximize performance (basically standard for fuel-injected systems). This is really a basic view of things but now we can see how getting a new ECM solved Jr's engine misfirings. One thing I want to note ... you should never ever use high pressure water to wash a motorcycle, and that includes those car wash stations. If water gets into a "black box" you can almost guarantee that you're going to have to replace it. – Mama
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