Saturday, April 5

Dear VTwin Mama,
Any suggestions on good riding glasses? I wear contacts. Even though I wear sunglasses with a full face helmet, I still get dust in my eyes. I've tried all kinds of glasses and still can't find a pair I'm happy with. Thanks, – Diane

Dear Diane,
I know what you mean as I too wear contacts when I ride. I'm just not sure there is a 100% guaranteed solution. I tried foam lined sunglasses and they are ok except hot in the summer with the addition of the helmet (I wear a 3/4 with face shield helmet). I'm finding that when I wear my VTM Buff, and get behind a truck spewing stuff up, if I pull the Buff over my mouth and nose, I don't get stuff into my eyes. It could be that the fabric is trapping the small particles. And then when the truck is out of my way, one way or the other, I just pull the Buff back down around my neck. The material is a micro-fiber that warms in the winter and cools in the summer, but I haven't put it through the paces for the hottest August months down here in the south. I'm not sure if I'm going to like having that layer of material or not!

Anybody have other suggestions? – Mama

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Wednesday, May 28

Dear VTwin Mama,
I just rode coast to coast, but my head was itching so bad I was going to ship my bike home and catch a plane, I talked to an old biker and he told me to put on a do (doo, dew) rag like a tight fitting stocking and it works. You have to make sure no hair is sticking out so the wind can get it. – Anonymous

Dear Anon,
We're always looking for head itch tips ... thanks for sharing what saved your ride! – Mama

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Monday, June 2

Dear VTwin Mama,
I have 2 questions. I low-sided my bike this past weekend. I'm fine & the bike is ok, but...

1. Helmet hit the pavement once, then I tumbled on grass. The helmet looks ok to me (there's a 1"x2" scratch, paint scraped off), but I don't know if it's still structurally sound. Do I really need to buy a new one?
2. My jacket has a hole in the arm (3"x4"). Do I need to buy a whole new jacket? Can I just patch up the hole? If I can patch it, where do you suggest I find material to use for the patch? – SSH

Dear SSH,
I glad to hear, that despite the tumble, that you and the motorcycle are good to go!

I doubt there is anyone on the planet in a public forum that would advocate that the helmet is ok. Any time a helmet hits pavement, structural cracks could have happened. It did it's job though, so retire it and get a new one. Consider it one of the best investments ever made!

If you want just a simple patch on your jacket, and don't have a specific leather company in your area that caters to motorcyclists, then I would head to the local shoe repair shop. You want something of durable thickness, not just a thin leather "looks good" thing one might find in a craft supply store (i.e. it should be at least 1.2 to 1.4mm thick). The shoe repair shop might also be able to sew that in for you professionally at a very small cost. Most alterations shops don't handle leather, but call ... you might be surprised to find one that does. If you do it yourself and it's a bit raggedy looking, then depending on location of the rip, consider getting a nice flag patch or something similar to go over it! – Mama

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Tuesday, June 3

For SSH who low-sided the bike and the helmet hit pavement:

Most manufacturers want their helmets back that have endured any kind of shock/hit so they can evaluate their product. Some offer financial incentive. You should be able to go the manufacturer's website and get more info. Regardless, any helmet that takes a hit needs to be replaced. – Ajax on Aero (note from Mama: aha ... an interesting comment on possible evaluation incentive ... one that I did not know about!)

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Monday, July 7

From Jordan who was getting a lot of wind buff at helmet level despite the windshield:

I took a 6.5 hour trip, some Interstate, 64 east over the Blue Ridge Application Mountains. Breathtaking ride. Working with this problem I think I have found the solution. I noticed my helmet was not true to my cap size so I put a nice foam padding in the back and a small amount in the side.  On my trip I left the windshield raised as high as it would go and then adjusted it as low as it would go. It works. Hope this will save some aggravation and a lot of windshield  adjustment to some ... lol. – Jordan, aka Wind Rider (note from Mama: aha ... the old helmet doesn't quite fit one's head shape fix! Causes more problems because when we try them on in a store, them seem to fit perfect, but then little gaps cause helmet tug that easily tires the rider. Thanks for reporting back on this issue!)

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