Monday, March 30

Dear VTwin Mama,
I was approached by Sherri from Arizona who is a new rider and now owns a black Shadow.  Being new to the sport Sherri found that a black bike was not what she wanted but liked the bike itself.  She came to me wanting to do something very different and at the same bring color to her black bike as well as compliment it.

She stated that after studying my website she really like the infamous tuxedo seat (my own bike) and wanted that seat on her Shadow but in magenta, not pink.  Thus she and I started the long process of deciding what and how it was all going to look.  It is difficult for some who have never seen my work to picture what exactly what is I do and what the limitations of my trade are or how what I do comes out looking just like what the customer wants. Well it’s called “a lot of emails and a lot of phone calls” plus how ever many samples its takes, but in the end when I turn out a set like what I did for Sherri, the numerous connections were worth the time.  Production for this special set went flawlessly. The matching pocket purse was a surprise as she did not expect it.

I now do follow up calls or emails to any customer who I do custom work for so that I know that everything went as planned.  Here is what I got back from Sherri:

Hi Nanci,  Thank you for following up.  Yes!  I am very pleased with everything and it looks great.  I have been getting lots of remarks, looks, and compliments.  I even saw a man remove his sunglasses and start to touch my seat while I went into a store for a few moments.  I am surprised that a lot of men really think its great.  Thank you!  Sherri

Now, I have to admit that not everyone wants a tuxedo seat with a rose on the tank bib, but whether you want everything done in skulls, spiders, Betty Boop, Barbie or just very simple and clean looking, take the time to figure out what will make you feel good.  Themes can be fun an compliment you and your bike.  It can set you aside from the millions of other bikes produced just like yours and this can be the difference in your confidence as a new or veteran rider. Ride safe, – Nanci Rogers, Ace High Leathers

    

Dear Nanci,
We're always happy to hear about how a new customer moved from a basic idea to having you complete here dream set-up! And this is just a gorgeous set ... well done! Read and see more of Nanci's work, starting with a pair of leather gloves she did for me on my Ace High Leathers review page! – Mama

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Friday, May 29

Hi VTwin Mama,
I have a Suzuki Blvd. Trike.  I bought a Mustang seat for it.  The driver seat is very comfortable but the passenger seat is not.  After about 1/2 hr of ridding on the back seat my butt hurts.  I feel like I need more padding. Hubby and I rode for 2 hrs last weekend I thought I would not make it.  I am looking for help from people that have the same problem and what have they found was the best seat pad. Thank you for your help. – Dusty

Dear Dusty,
You're right ... there are lots of styles and all claim to be better than the other ones for various reasons. I was at the Thunder on the Beach Rally two years ago and picked up a Soft Bottom Butt Saver ... mostly because I wanted to raise up in the saddle a bit (more leg extension). Delicious, but it changed my body position to the handlebar. Now my husband uses is on his Suzuki Boulevard C90T and totally loves it (he too couldn't travel long distances without total butt discomfort).

What sold me was even in the 1" version, you could sit on it and not feel the bolt that Wayne had placed under the seat! And the cover is removable for washing. So that's my .02 worth! Let's hear from others so you have more input from people who had the same problem. You can do a bit more research by heading to this page on webBikeWorld ... they really offer "no hidden agenda" info.  – Mama

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Friday, June 26

Dear VTwin Mama,
I own a '05 HD Sportster Custom. Stock seat sux. Can you suggest an after-market seat? – tpcr

Dear tpcr,
It depends on what's wrong with the original one. If it's sticking out to the sides and pushing on your thighs, you can open up the seat and shave that side foam out. If it's hard on your butt and there's no comfort after 15 minutes of riding, you can open up the seat, shave out some of the mid section and put a gel pad in it's place.

When I'm researching something like this, I often go to the webBikeWorld site to see who they are listing links for. It's a good starting point. Interestingly enough, I don't see LePera listed and they are one of the big Harley after-market seat companies. In addition to LePera and the other list, I'd check Saddlemen, another reputable company in the industry. – Mama

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Saturday, July 11

Dear VTwin Mama,
I'm new to riding. Took my class/got my license just over a month ago and bought a Rebel 250 a week later. I was in a rush though I love my new bike. I bought the bike b/c it was light (in case it tips over) and inexpensive (under $2K).

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,
Congrats on taking the course, getting your "M," and getting Jackie the Rebel. Yahoo!

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

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Monday, July 13

For Jessica who has a Rebel that keeps getting hit in her street parking space:

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!)

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Thursday, July 16

Dear VTwin Mama,
I am looking for some motorcycle grip covers with fringe. Where can I find some that would fit my 2001 Suzuki Savage? – Trava

Dear Trava,
Fringe can either go on the grip (end of handlebar) or on the lever of the clutch or front brake. If you're just doing the lever then any lace-up will work. Lace-ups can also be ordered to go over the existing grip, but it changes the overall size of the grip by a bit (which doesn't always suit a rider with smaller hands). Some report that laced grips slip too easily.

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

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Friday, November 13

Hello VTwin Mama,
My name is Val Williams and I am president/owner of ChristianJourney.com. I came across your site and just love it. I ride a motorcycle and your site is such a help to women riders. 

The reason I'm contacting you is that my website sells a large variety of products, but one in particular that I thought would be of great interest to your readers are my high quality custom chrome motorcycle license plate frames. Once an order is placed it is shipped usually in 1-2 days. Prices range from $15.95 for the fiberglass reinforced plastic motorcycle license plate frames to $20.95 for the basic custom chrome frames. We also offer a nice custom chrome motorcycle frame with a 3D Christian fish emblem on it for $25.95. Thank you and respectfully, – Val

Friday, November 13

Hi Petra,
Yep, we let the "Dawgs" out again! Desert Dawgs rain guards, that is! This time it's Honda VTX1300 and VTX1800 riders whose legs and feet will be warm and dry when others aren't!

Desert Dawgs minimize cold updrafts, repel road spray from front wheel and flared front fender, keep bug juice off motorcycle chrome (and legs!), allow engine cooling - NO temperature restriction!, easy on-and-off - three snaps, belt clip and hook-and-loop attachments, does not affect bike handling, accommodates all standard foot peg settings, and includes Ultra Pockets for extra storage.

These are available for a wide range of manufacturer's models, including Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha. Manufactured in the USA! Visit LeaderMotorcycle to check it out! – Tracey Cramer, Top Dawg