Tangled
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Gear for smaller riders
So, I spent part of yesterday helping a friend try and locate gear that would fit. My friend is about 4'11" tall and weighs about 110 pounds. I have to tell you, there isn't that much out there for someone so small.
At April's suggestion,he tried on some ladies jackets. A ladies size small fit him fairly well. He at least had a good sense of humor about this though. The jacket that fit the best had little rose patches on the sleeves and chest. My friend decided that if they were removed, it would just look like a unisex jacket. He said it would be just his luck that while he was waiting at a light, a cool girl would ride up wearing the same jacket.
He's going to keep looking but might have to buy that rose jacket. He has the right idea though. He's buying gear before he actually picks up his used starter bike.
At April's suggestion,he tried on some ladies jackets. A ladies size small fit him fairly well. He at least had a good sense of humor about this though. The jacket that fit the best had little rose patches on the sleeves and chest. My friend decided that if they were removed, it would just look like a unisex jacket. He said it would be just his luck that while he was waiting at a light, a cool girl would ride up wearing the same jacket.
He's going to keep looking but might have to buy that rose jacket. He has the right idea though. He's buying gear before he actually picks up his used starter bike.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Moto GP
Well, we're definitely going. O and I decided we would like to go. I don't know how much of that decision was that I wanted to go and O was willing. The problem was that we couldn't get tickets. The paddock passes we're all sold out within hours. All the packages and suites were gone, many before they went on sale to the general public. I had a reasonably priced hotel room, but no tickets. I was hoping that April would come through with some passes while debating whether I should just buy some general admission tickets that were still available.
I posted up on the CC forum and asked whether it was worth going with just general admission tickets. Christi, one of the members, posted up that she had to sell her tickets since she and her husband were moving out of the country. I sent her a pm, a little afraid of how much the tickets would cost. Here's what she sent back in reply:
These are 1 down from the top tickets sold (the top ones are the boxes on the straight)
With these tickets you get:
Turn 3 suites incl shade, drinks, food, and closed circut TV
Both pit (where bikes are stored and riders hang out) and hot pit passes (right on the track where the races start - note closed toe shoe required and no access during the start or duration of the race)
Camping Passes
Parking passes
The view:
Our accomodations:
Gen Pop accomodations:
Pit Passes:
Hot pit passes (note riders tend to be a bit grumpy just after they lost a race):
Us:
Gen Pop:
Another view from the suite - a lot of crashes happen in this corner. Downhill decreasing radius
I mean really - it can't be beat
Oh and if you get there a day early Note - those are factory Honda guys going over race strategy
These are the front straight boxes.
The only tickets more coveted than ours
Camping at the track - commute about a 10 min walk - wake up to the sounds of morning practice. There are reasonable showers and restrooms near by:
OK I'm offically bummed we can't go this year. We'll just have to catch GP in France to make up for it.
********************************************************************************
Well, needless to say, we bought the tickets. April and Jim are camping with us.....it should be fun. We are already gathering camping equipment, etc. I can't wait!
I posted up on the CC forum and asked whether it was worth going with just general admission tickets. Christi, one of the members, posted up that she had to sell her tickets since she and her husband were moving out of the country. I sent her a pm, a little afraid of how much the tickets would cost. Here's what she sent back in reply:
These are 1 down from the top tickets sold (the top ones are the boxes on the straight)
With these tickets you get:
Turn 3 suites incl shade, drinks, food, and closed circut TV
Both pit (where bikes are stored and riders hang out) and hot pit passes (right on the track where the races start - note closed toe shoe required and no access during the start or duration of the race)
Camping Passes
Parking passes
The view:
Our accomodations:
Gen Pop accomodations:
Pit Passes:
Hot pit passes (note riders tend to be a bit grumpy just after they lost a race):
Us:
Gen Pop:
Another view from the suite - a lot of crashes happen in this corner. Downhill decreasing radius
I mean really - it can't be beat
Oh and if you get there a day early Note - those are factory Honda guys going over race strategy
These are the front straight boxes.
The only tickets more coveted than ours
Camping at the track - commute about a 10 min walk - wake up to the sounds of morning practice. There are reasonable showers and restrooms near by:
OK I'm offically bummed we can't go this year. We'll just have to catch GP in France to make up for it.
********************************************************************************
Well, needless to say, we bought the tickets. April and Jim are camping with us.....it should be fun. We are already gathering camping equipment, etc. I can't wait!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Sport tourer?
I would like to have a garage full of bikes. I just don't have the room. I've been thinking about a sport tourer though. Maybe this one:
I wonder how much a good used one costs? I also like many of the larger bikes BMW makes but the idea of my feet dangling 6" off the ground does not appeal to me.
I wonder how much a good used one costs? I also like many of the larger bikes BMW makes but the idea of my feet dangling 6" off the ground does not appeal to me.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Inspiring
This rider was involved in an accident almost one year ago. Her story is inspiring:
http://www.sylviastuurman.nl/motor/majorcrash/english.php
http://www.sylviastuurman.nl/motor/majorcrash/english.php
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
A Small Accomplishment
Two years ago, I was the only person riding a bike to work. Last year, I'd occasionally see another bike in the parking structure. This year, there are at least three active riders.
Each day I rode the bike to work, I always struggled with the decision of where to park. Do I take a real space in a parking structure that is always crowded and fills up quickly? Or do I create a space in some nook or cranny and hope not to be ticketed or overlooked?
Disliking both options, I went on a campaign to obtain a MC parking area. Here is the result:
Cool
Each day I rode the bike to work, I always struggled with the decision of where to park. Do I take a real space in a parking structure that is always crowded and fills up quickly? Or do I create a space in some nook or cranny and hope not to be ticketed or overlooked?
Disliking both options, I went on a campaign to obtain a MC parking area. Here is the result:
Cool
Monday, May 08, 2006
Helmet Shelf Life
Yesterday, a fellow rider came by the house. He was debating whether he would join Terrie and I for dinner since it would be dark in several hours and he had his dark shield on his helmet. I offered to let him borrow my clear shield if it became too dark since I had recently installed a light smoke shield on my helmet.
He promptly said it wouldn't fit since he had an Arai RX 7. I told him I had the same helmet and it should fit. He immediately picked up my helmet and started examining it for date of manufacture while asking me when I purchased the helmet. He said an older helmet wasn't as good as a newer helmet.
I told him that both Arai and Shoei both warranty the integrity of the helmets from the date of sale and that I was aware I was purchasing an older RX 7 at the time I purchased the helmet.
After he left, however, I decided that the fact that a warranty existed did not really answer the question of whether an "older" new helmet was as good as a "newer" new helmet. So, I did some research.
Some on the motorcycle forums felt that a set rule of 5 years from date of manufacturer should be followed regardless of whether a helmet was new or used. Others took the position that a helmet was fine, even though it was 20 years old as long as it had not suffered an impact. Some believed that helmet shelf life restrictions were invented by helmet manufacturer marketing people as a ploy to get you to buy a new helmet every few years.
Here's what I found from my research:
First, since 1974, all helmet manufacturers are required to stamp the month and date of production on the chin strap. It is not unusual for a new helmet to arrive at a retail store with a 1 to 2 years or more older production date. I think a good rule to live by might be to purchase a new helmet if your helmet is pre-1974 and has no production date stamp on the chin strap.
Second, I think you should examine the safety standards that were in place when your helmet was manufactured. In general, the newer standards are more stringent and allegedly produce a safer helmet. If you have a helmet that was manufactured when there were few or lesser safety standards, you should consider purchasing a new helmet.
Finally, I think you should examine how the helmet was treated, worn and maintained. Is the helmet used frequently? Is the helmet left in a hot garage or storage area when not in use or left exposed to the elements? Is the helmet regularly cleaned and maintained removing grime, body oils, etc? Does inspection of the helmet reveal any faults such as a frayed chin strap or indentations/compression of the inner shell? Has the helmet suffered any impacts?
I think the factors listed above are important in deciding whether to buy a new or used helmet and to determine whether a new helmet with an older production date is the right helmet for you.
He promptly said it wouldn't fit since he had an Arai RX 7. I told him I had the same helmet and it should fit. He immediately picked up my helmet and started examining it for date of manufacture while asking me when I purchased the helmet. He said an older helmet wasn't as good as a newer helmet.
I told him that both Arai and Shoei both warranty the integrity of the helmets from the date of sale and that I was aware I was purchasing an older RX 7 at the time I purchased the helmet.
After he left, however, I decided that the fact that a warranty existed did not really answer the question of whether an "older" new helmet was as good as a "newer" new helmet. So, I did some research.
Some on the motorcycle forums felt that a set rule of 5 years from date of manufacturer should be followed regardless of whether a helmet was new or used. Others took the position that a helmet was fine, even though it was 20 years old as long as it had not suffered an impact. Some believed that helmet shelf life restrictions were invented by helmet manufacturer marketing people as a ploy to get you to buy a new helmet every few years.
Here's what I found from my research:
First, since 1974, all helmet manufacturers are required to stamp the month and date of production on the chin strap. It is not unusual for a new helmet to arrive at a retail store with a 1 to 2 years or more older production date. I think a good rule to live by might be to purchase a new helmet if your helmet is pre-1974 and has no production date stamp on the chin strap.
Second, I think you should examine the safety standards that were in place when your helmet was manufactured. In general, the newer standards are more stringent and allegedly produce a safer helmet. If you have a helmet that was manufactured when there were few or lesser safety standards, you should consider purchasing a new helmet.
Finally, I think you should examine how the helmet was treated, worn and maintained. Is the helmet used frequently? Is the helmet left in a hot garage or storage area when not in use or left exposed to the elements? Is the helmet regularly cleaned and maintained removing grime, body oils, etc? Does inspection of the helmet reveal any faults such as a frayed chin strap or indentations/compression of the inner shell? Has the helmet suffered any impacts?
I think the factors listed above are important in deciding whether to buy a new or used helmet and to determine whether a new helmet with an older production date is the right helmet for you.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Dropping your bike
It's almost inevitable. At some time or another, most of us will drop our bike. It can be something simple such as forgetting to put down a kickstand. Or a drop can be due to a number of factors such as a tall bike, an uneven surface and a turned wheel.
I'm somewhat of an expert on the subject as you know if you've read my profile.
A woman posted on one of the forums I frequent. She's set to take the MSF course soon but she stated that her biggest concern right now was how to prevent herself from dropping the bike.
She had a number of helpful replies. Here was my reply:
I have owned three bikes and could not flatfoot any of them. Here's what works for me:
-I never stop with the wheel turned
-I wear boots that give me an added height advantage and have great traction such as the Daytona Ladystars
-I pay careful attention to the road surface when I stop my bike. I avoid sand, gravel, pine needles and other debris. I look out for oil or other fluids on the ground. I look for a flat smooth surface and try to avoid inclines.
-Most important for me, I spent a lot of time in a parking lot learning to shift my derriere on the bike seat when coming to a stop so I can firmly plant one foot solidly on the ground.
-Even though it might not look cool, I never try to back up while sitting on the bike. I put the kickstand down, get off the bike, lift the bike upright and then slowly manuever the bike into position. I keep the kickstand down as a safety measure.
-I do ask my friends for help if I need help. On one group ride, the ride leader warned us that the restaurant we were going to had an uneven dirt and gravel parking lot. He graciously offered to ride/walk my bike into the parking lot when we arrived. I was the only rider who initially asked for help. Several riders had some difficulty in the parking lot though. So, when we left the restaurant, the ride leader ended up walking three bikes out of the parking lot.
-Another word of advice....if the drop is inevitable, step away from the bike if you can. The last time I dropped a bike, I tried to save it even though it was well past the point of no return. I got pinned underneath the bike and broke my foot despite wearing motorcycle boots.
In response to my post, one fairly new rider disliked my next to the last point. He felt that asking or accepting help was limiting myself as a rider:
"I think [asking for help] is OK when you are unfamilar with your bike, however, when you get comfortable on it, manuevers like the one above need to be done often in order for you to grow and become a better rider. Dropping the bike is inevitable so accept that fact and learn how to quickly upright it or learn the best way to dismount from the bike when it goes down in gravel/dirt. Standing while riding in these conditions provide much more stability and control so that should be considered too."
I agree with his advice that you need to practice the riding skills that give you trouble and find ways to overcome any problems. Practicing has increased my confidence in my ability to stop the bike safely in a variety of conditions. For me, it's not so much a factor of becoming more familiar with my bike as it is a factor of trusting myself and my abilities. I do think increased practice goes hand in hand with increased confidence.
Nevertheless, I still think there is something to be said in asking for or accepting help when you need assistance. On one of my first group rides, the ride leader pulled over on the side of the road and stopped. As we each stopped in turn, I realized that the shoulder of the road was very slanted. After I put the kickstand down, I tried to bring the bike upright while sitting on the bike. I couldn't do it because of the bike's angle. Now, I would simply get off the bike and walk it to where I needed it to be. Back then, I did what I needed to do.....I asked for help.
At the beginning of another group ride, I thought I might have been coming down with a cold. As the ride progressed and the weather became colder and colder and I rapidly became sicker and sicker. I was dizzy, cold and miserable. I made it home but I don't have a clear recollection of the trip back. That was stupid. I should have pulled over and asked for help but I didn't.
Bottom line, you should practice to improve your skills and overcome problems. However, I still maintain that you should ask for help when you need assistance.
I'm somewhat of an expert on the subject as you know if you've read my profile.
A woman posted on one of the forums I frequent. She's set to take the MSF course soon but she stated that her biggest concern right now was how to prevent herself from dropping the bike.
She had a number of helpful replies. Here was my reply:
I have owned three bikes and could not flatfoot any of them. Here's what works for me:
-I never stop with the wheel turned
-I wear boots that give me an added height advantage and have great traction such as the Daytona Ladystars
-I pay careful attention to the road surface when I stop my bike. I avoid sand, gravel, pine needles and other debris. I look out for oil or other fluids on the ground. I look for a flat smooth surface and try to avoid inclines.
-Most important for me, I spent a lot of time in a parking lot learning to shift my derriere on the bike seat when coming to a stop so I can firmly plant one foot solidly on the ground.
-Even though it might not look cool, I never try to back up while sitting on the bike. I put the kickstand down, get off the bike, lift the bike upright and then slowly manuever the bike into position. I keep the kickstand down as a safety measure.
-I do ask my friends for help if I need help. On one group ride, the ride leader warned us that the restaurant we were going to had an uneven dirt and gravel parking lot. He graciously offered to ride/walk my bike into the parking lot when we arrived. I was the only rider who initially asked for help. Several riders had some difficulty in the parking lot though. So, when we left the restaurant, the ride leader ended up walking three bikes out of the parking lot.
-Another word of advice....if the drop is inevitable, step away from the bike if you can. The last time I dropped a bike, I tried to save it even though it was well past the point of no return. I got pinned underneath the bike and broke my foot despite wearing motorcycle boots.
In response to my post, one fairly new rider disliked my next to the last point. He felt that asking or accepting help was limiting myself as a rider:
"I think [asking for help] is OK when you are unfamilar with your bike, however, when you get comfortable on it, manuevers like the one above need to be done often in order for you to grow and become a better rider. Dropping the bike is inevitable so accept that fact and learn how to quickly upright it or learn the best way to dismount from the bike when it goes down in gravel/dirt. Standing while riding in these conditions provide much more stability and control so that should be considered too."
I agree with his advice that you need to practice the riding skills that give you trouble and find ways to overcome any problems. Practicing has increased my confidence in my ability to stop the bike safely in a variety of conditions. For me, it's not so much a factor of becoming more familiar with my bike as it is a factor of trusting myself and my abilities. I do think increased practice goes hand in hand with increased confidence.
Nevertheless, I still think there is something to be said in asking for or accepting help when you need assistance. On one of my first group rides, the ride leader pulled over on the side of the road and stopped. As we each stopped in turn, I realized that the shoulder of the road was very slanted. After I put the kickstand down, I tried to bring the bike upright while sitting on the bike. I couldn't do it because of the bike's angle. Now, I would simply get off the bike and walk it to where I needed it to be. Back then, I did what I needed to do.....I asked for help.
At the beginning of another group ride, I thought I might have been coming down with a cold. As the ride progressed and the weather became colder and colder and I rapidly became sicker and sicker. I was dizzy, cold and miserable. I made it home but I don't have a clear recollection of the trip back. That was stupid. I should have pulled over and asked for help but I didn't.
Bottom line, you should practice to improve your skills and overcome problems. However, I still maintain that you should ask for help when you need assistance.
Third attempt at a windscreen for my SV 1000
You may have noticed that I'm posting up a couple months worth of entries all on the same day. Somehow, I got locked out of my account and I forgot my password. The "forgot your password" feature would not work and send me a reset email. After much frustration, I gave up last night and decided to start all over with a new blog the next day. Lo and behold, the next morning, there was a reset email in my inbox this morning! It came about 3 hours after my request. So, now I'm catching up on entries.
I've been trying to find a nice windscreen for my bike that works. I have a Givi. Here's O on the his SV 1000 with the Givi:
I just don't like the Givi.
I had a National sportscreen:
It did not look good on my bike. But, it looked terrific on Jim's yellow SV 650. So, he has it now.
And, he might be getting my latest attempt at wind protection. It's a Buell screen that was adapted for the SV1000 by a guy on the SV 1000 board. Here's a picture of it on the bike:
I think it looks good. The problem is that it seems to concentrate the wind and direct the full force toward me when I'm riding.
I'll keep looking, but I'll probably have to choose function over looks with some thing like this:
I've been trying to find a nice windscreen for my bike that works. I have a Givi. Here's O on the his SV 1000 with the Givi:
I just don't like the Givi.
I had a National sportscreen:
It did not look good on my bike. But, it looked terrific on Jim's yellow SV 650. So, he has it now.
And, he might be getting my latest attempt at wind protection. It's a Buell screen that was adapted for the SV1000 by a guy on the SV 1000 board. Here's a picture of it on the bike:
I think it looks good. The problem is that it seems to concentrate the wind and direct the full force toward me when I'm riding.
I'll keep looking, but I'll probably have to choose function over looks with some thing like this:
Painting a Helmet
I'm taking an auto restoration class. It meets twice a week . About two weeks ago, I was asking my teacher Mike about the procedures to follow in order to paing a helmet. After he explained, he suggested that I also talk to the guy who was standing behind me. His name is Chris. Well, Chris paints items such as helmets, skateboards, surf boards professionally. He's also studied with some of the airbrush best here in the OC.
Chris has over 30 airbrushes. I thought I was doing good owning two. He also appears to be competent artist. Long story short, he's going to paint one of my helmets as a demo in class this semester. Cool!
The problem: Which helmet should I choose? I own a Shoei RF1000, a Scorpion Exo 700 and an Arai Rx 7. I was going to select the RX 7. But, it almost feels like sacrilege or something since the paint scheme on the helmet appears to be rare:
I love the graphics on the Shoei and its bright yellow paint. The Scorpion is probably the obvious choice since it's already a bit scraped from me banging it against a wall. But, I'm not sure yet.
At any rate, I'll post up pictures when it's done.
Chris has over 30 airbrushes. I thought I was doing good owning two. He also appears to be competent artist. Long story short, he's going to paint one of my helmets as a demo in class this semester. Cool!
The problem: Which helmet should I choose? I own a Shoei RF1000, a Scorpion Exo 700 and an Arai Rx 7. I was going to select the RX 7. But, it almost feels like sacrilege or something since the paint scheme on the helmet appears to be rare:
I love the graphics on the Shoei and its bright yellow paint. The Scorpion is probably the obvious choice since it's already a bit scraped from me banging it against a wall. But, I'm not sure yet.
At any rate, I'll post up pictures when it's done.
AMA Superbike Races 4/29
I went to the AMA superbike races on Saturday and then watched the same races on TV on Sunday. One thing I noticed about the California Speedway….there didn’t appear to be an ideal view anywhere. And, they did not have large monitors available so you could watch the portions of the race you could not observe from your vantage point. I almost felt like I was watching a different race on Sunday. With TV, you miss the sounds and the flavors; you miss the atmosphere. But, you see more of the race. It’s just minus the level of excitement of being there. I think being there but with monitors might be ideal.
Here are a couple of pictures of some of the riders April and I met:
I also watched Moto GP on Sunday. I thought the finish was very exciting. I also thought Rossi did exceedingly well to come in 4th with that terrible start.
I'm looking forward to Moto GP in Laguna Seca in July
Here are a couple of pictures of some of the riders April and I met:
I also watched Moto GP on Sunday. I thought the finish was very exciting. I also thought Rossi did exceedingly well to come in 4th with that terrible start.
I'm looking forward to Moto GP in Laguna Seca in July
