| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Houston source for blue reflective tape?
|
Axiom2000
* Today * 2:48 PM |
Take a look.
http://www.reflectivelyyours.com/ |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Gas nozzle at some pumps hinder refill
|
House_of_Dexter
* Today * 2:22 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by bluremi
I'm confused: what's wrong with putting the gas nozzle just below the level of the gas tank port and watching the gas level rise in your tank? I've been doing this since day 1 and have had no spillage or anything even close to an accident.
Am I unwittingly doing something dangerous?
I've notice around here in the Dallas area...Shell stations have vapor boots that have to be pushed back to engage the pump. If you use the McCuff you don't have to hold the vapor boot back with your hand as you pump. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Houston source for blue reflective tape?
|
jguynn
* Today * 1:45 PM |
Texas law doesn't seem to have much to say about reflective tape. We are required to have a red reflector on the back of the bike but otherwise I can't find any laws about reflectors.
I know about the Black Reflective Tape, and I've got some ideas of how I might like to use it. One idea I have is to remove the factory reflectors off the forks and "black" them out with the super black tape.
I'm not so much worried about color matching to the paint as long as the blue tape will complement the factory paint. What I would like to do is turn a large part of each side of the tank into a blue reflector and parts of the front and rear fenders. I'd just like to see the blue tape in real life before I decide to purchase enough to do what I want to do...no sense in spending money on something I won't end up wanting when I get it if at all possible. |
| Houston source for blue reflective tape?
|
aa6vh
* Today * 11:53 AM |
Be sure to check out your local rules to see if blue reflective tape is allowed.
In California, for example, blue reflective seems to be okay, but red reflective showing to the front is illegal. |
| Narrow track vehicles.
|
Indiana Randy
* Today * 11:41 AM |
I hope I live long enough for these to become popular and common.
I love the concept. I wonder how they perform in the rain? In the snow? In 110 degree desert heat? |
| Houston source for blue reflective tape?
|
Indiana Randy
* Today * 11:38 AM |
John, there are a number of vendors online who sell Black Reflective Tape. It's Black in the day and reflects WHITE at night. Good stuff. You can put it on your frame or anywhere else you like that's already black and it won't show during the day. It's a possibility for you, and won't have to color-match blue paint, which is most likely not going to be easy or possible. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Motorcycle Accident Reports - WITH COMMENTS |
| Crash contributes to advancement in medical science.
|
gymnast
* Today * 11:34 AM |
The lesson learned from this crash is that it is possible to get a bike shoved up---- well the story has a positive ending.http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...SS&ATTR=News |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Sound voice box on my Aero keeps draining my batt!!! Help!!!
|
scottrnelson
* Today * 11:27 AM |
You should be looking for the original wires and follow them all the way back to wherever they were connected, then remove them there.
Separately, get a Battery Tender to keep your battery topped off. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
gymnast
* Today * 11:27 AM |
This may help clarify the context of my original topic and comment.http://tip.psychology.org/bandura.html
I question if it is possible to train effective warriors to be tame warriors. There is little doubt in my mind that is possible to train effective warriors to be disciplined warriors and that the one is nearly impossible without the other. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Sound voice box on my Aero keeps draining my batt!!! Help!!!
|
free.spirit2911
* Today * 11:01 AM |
Hi everyone!
New member...glad to be here! 
Well, I purchased my 2004 Honda Aero and the previous owner had some sort of funny sounds voice box. When you pressed the button it would makes sounds like the Woody Wood Pecker, the fox whistle and other fun stuff like that. Well, for a period of time I had to keep my bike outside and one night the sound box went crazy and lets just say Woody Wood Pecker woke up my WHOLE neighborhood At 3 am!!! I ran outside and had no idea how to make it stop other then pulling out the battery!! By neighbor who was woken up by the repetitive wood pecker took clippers and cut the wire that went from the button to the battery. I left it as it was and soon there after my battery was dead. I tried charging it and it did not hold. So, almost $200 later I had a new battery. Then this new battery would lose charge and once left me stranded, I recharged it and now I have to disconnect the battery after every time I ride. I think that there must be some wire still that is still feeding into the battery that is causing it to drain. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should be looking for? I'd really like to ride without worrying about being left stranded!!!
Thanks!!
Lady Rider Free Spirit |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
radan2
* Today * 10:52 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by midlife_crisis
[
Perhaps the attention-getting aspect of the stunt shows at the bases and the peer aspect of the stunters themselves will help raise the awareness of motorcycle safety in a group of young people who are not only at the age where excessive risk-taking is a problem, they're also participating in a job with its own set of dangers and physical challenges.
I am reminded of what a top sergeant once said, "Uncle Sam is delighted to let you risk your life--in the right place, and for the right reason." |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Tire Pressure
|
gymnast
* Today * 10:42 AM |
Scott, Bachman. You guys are spot on as regards the need for "an aftermarket tire guide for motorcycles". Every time I need tires for my car or truck I go online and check out the latest reviews, check owners forums, and make my final decisions. Buying replacement tires for my motorcycles is a far more nebulous process and involves a certain reliance on the reputation of the manufacturer, personal experience, guesswork, and the patterns chicken entrails.
It is not too difficult to locate manufacturer data on the internet, however applying that data to a specific motorcycle make model and year is often next to impossible. Add in factors such as the motorcycle gross (loaded) weight, tire wear considerations and so forth and making a good selection (let alone the best selection) gets even tougher. Comparing possible tire choices across various manufacturers and model data is a fairly random process.
Perhaps the popular motorcycle publications are too dependent on their advertisers to risk alienating any of them with a good objective examination of the the subject.
|
| Tire Pressure
|
bachman1961
* Today * 10:05 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by scottrnelson
quote:
Originally posted by bachman1961
Ideally, we could read tire reviews categorized by the bike itself, riding style, and showing performance, wear, traction and prices among other criteria.
Good luck finding tire reviews for specific types of tires that you might be interested in. I've been looking for reviews of either Sport Touring tires or Dual Sport tires and there isn't much out there. I'm still relying on opinions from people on various forums for both of those categories. I would love to find some comprehensive reviews of half a dozen brands in either category.
Agreed .. I've been spoiled by a tire site for cars, trucks and SUVs that rates them in all types of filtered qualifications, ie: Mazda Tribute AWD V-6, , all season tires. I get hits from all over the country and can specifically look at those drivers in winter climates rating them for snow and ice traction, road noise, wet, dry and tread life. I made my last two purchases based on these searches and can compare the prices with local shops versus going mail order. I've been a very happy researcher.
~brian |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Gas nozzle at some pumps hinder refill
|
scottrnelson
* Today * 10:02 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by bluremi
I'm confused: what's wrong with putting the gas nozzle just below the level of the gas tank port and watching the gas level rise in your tank? I've been doing this since day 1 and have had no spillage or anything even close to an accident.
Am I unwittingly doing something dangerous?
The only issue with that is that sometimes it doesn't work, which is what the original post was saying. Some new nozzle designs are not easy to hold in the "on" position. |
| Gas nozzle at some pumps hinder refill
|
bluremi
* Today * 9:44 AM |
I'm confused: what's wrong with putting the gas nozzle just below the level of the gas tank port and watching the gas level rise in your tank? I've been doing this since day 1 and have had no spillage or anything even close to an accident.
Am I unwittingly doing something dangerous? |
| Odds and Ends / Board Enhancements or Problems |
| Multiple bikes in user profiles
|
James R. Davis
* Today * 9:28 AM |
I can certainly accomodate that request, though I do not expect to provide the ability to list an unlimited number of bikes. Probably at least three, however. |
| Multiple bikes in user profiles
|
Gs82Seca650
* Today * 8:55 AM |
James,
As a point of clarification in regard to the above posts, will the new site have the feature they are looking for?
(Ability to list more than one bike).
Thanks,
Greg |
| Motorcycle Safety / Motorcycle Accident Reports - WITH COMMENTS |
| Motorcycle T-bones bicycle
|
James R. Davis
* Today * 8:11 AM |
Though I did not see this in a news report, I did get marginally involved in the case.
A bicyclist was riding in the left track of the lane on a two-lane (one in each direction) roadway and was being followed by a motorcyclist who decided to pass him on the right. That was just when the bicyclist made a right turn onto a side street and, of course, the motorcyclist T-boned his bike.
The bicycle, as you would expect, was totaled. Its rider was thrown 20 feet and suffered some serious road rash and bruises.
The motorcyclist died at the scene.
Guess which rider was wearing a helmet.
|
| Odds and Ends / Board Enhancements or Problems |
| Multiple bikes in user profiles
|
James R. Davis
* Today * 8:00 AM |
There is very little chance that I will be writing any meaningful new code for this site as I am at least 3/4s of the way toward completion of an entire replacement suite - the new site is written in ASP.NET instead of ASP, uses the C# language instead of Visual Basic, and lots of enhanced routines and features. It would be a serious distraction to do coding here unless it is to solve a functional issues. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
midlife_crisis
* Today * 7:49 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by radan2
...The fact is, the number of young soldiers, sailers, airmen, and Marines that have been injured or killed on motorcycles is very high, rivaling in some circumstances the rate of battle casualties.
In fact, there was a news article in 2008 reporting that 25 Marines were killed stateside on motorcycles in the previous 12 months, more than the 20 who had been killed in action in Iraq in the same period.
All but one of the fatalities were on sportbikes.
From a statistical sampling perspective, of course, the comparison is relatively meaningless: but it's attention-getting, and it does put the problem in perspecive.
As a sportbike rider myself, stunters and the idea of stunting tends to "rub me the wrong" way, insofar as it's one of the ways that sportbike riders justifiably earn the scorn and hatred of the general public. So, gymnast, the article you linked to initially affected me the same way as it did you: a bit of "what were they thinking?????"
But I agree with some of the other comments: stunting is a skill and, in a "proper" non-public-road environment, isn't really such a bad thing. I went to an amateur stunt show a couple of years ago at a church event and actually enjoyed it.
Perhaps the attention-getting aspect of the stunt shows at the bases and the peer aspect of the stunters themselves will help raise the awareness of motorcycle safety in a group of young people who are not only at the age where excessive risk-taking is a problem, they're also participating in a job with its own set of dangers and physical challenges. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Tire Pressure
|
SkootchNC
* Today * 7:41 AM |
I was always under the impression..... OEM tire pressure ratings were a compromise, between tire wear, and handling. Not, an absolute.
My owner's manual states:
"Dunlop tires only"
Solo rider 36 PSI front 36 PSI rear
Rider and one Passenger 36 PSI front, 40 PSI rear
I switched to the Dunlop Elite-3 for both, and have followed the max pressure listed on the sidewall
40 PSI front and rear.
In the case of the Dunlop D-407f. There had been many reports of pre-mature tire wear.
Since this tire was introduced,both the side wall, and Owner's Manual have increased the recommended air pressue to 41 PSI front and rear. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Narrow track vehicles.
|
D R
* Today * 7:33 AM |
The "cockpit" looks like something right out of a Sci-Fi space fighter.
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/nis...r-concept/#2
I'd be interested in taking one for a spin. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Tire Pressure
|
scottrnelson
* Today * 7:28 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by bachman1961
Ideally, we could read tire reviews categorized by the bike itself, riding style, and showing performance, wear, traction and prices among other criteria.
Good luck finding tire reviews for specific types of tires that you might be interested in. I've been looking for reviews of either Sport Touring tires or Dual Sport tires and there isn't much out there. I'm still relying on opinions from people on various forums for both of those categories. I would love to find some comprehensive reviews of half a dozen brands in either category. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Motorcycle Accident Reports - WITH COMMENTS |
| What next?
|
scottrnelson
* Today * 7:23 AM |
If you look under the photo on the left side, there are seven little photos underneath. Move your cursor under them and they'll replace the larger photo. The first three show the Laptop Steering Wheel Desk in action, then the next four show huge pileups with many, many wrecked vehicles. I wonder if they're hinting that you, too, could cause a large wreck by using the product.  |
| Odds and Ends / Board Enhancements or Problems |
| Multiple bikes in user profiles
|
scottrnelson
* Today * 7:17 AM |
I would also like to see a feature change here. It's hard to list the bikes in my garage in 20 characters.
I would still like to see some limit there, though. On a few other forums people seem to list everything that they've ever owned, which is a bit much. But a short list of two or three bikes gives a little better understanding of the type of riding a person likes.
What are the thoughts on this from the person who would have to change software/database code? |
| Motorcycle Safety / Motorcycle Accident Reports - WITH COMMENTS |
| What next?
|
D R
* Today * 6:46 AM |
When I first read this, may reactions was... !
After looking at it on the website, I believe it's marketed with the intent of using it while parked (I'll bet there is a warning label stating that to absolve the manufacturer of liability.)
That being said, I'm certain we will one day, as we're cruising down the road, look at the car to our left or right and see the table attached to the wheel with their fast food spread out before them. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Houston source for blue reflective tape?
|
Night Train
* Today * 5:47 AM |
Check out an automotive striping or signing business. They no doubt have exactly what you are looking for. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Motorcycle Accident Reports - WITH COMMENTS |
| What next?
|
bachman1961
* Today * 5:36 AM |
When I find a product I'm interested in purchasing that is rated 4 stars by 198 people, that gives me some good insight.
This " lets me play guitar with both hands while driving.. " is just scary stupid... and 4 stars by 198 people?
I wonder how many of those comments are tongue in cheek just messing with people. Not enough I suppose.
I'm sure there are many business or sales professionals that do rely on it when the vehicle is stationary but it is a product destined to be abused by the careless and IQ impaired.
(Secretly), I'll wait for the model that comes with the back lighted makeup mirror and 14 inch screen DVD player. Motorcycle mounting brackets are probably extra though...
~brian |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Tire Pressure
|
bachman1961
* Today * 3:38 AM |
Where James says the manufacturer of the bike bases meaningful tire psi on the OEM tires, and Niebor illustrates his latest tire choice is a variation of 10-12 psi from the frame sticker, it seems too wide of a range to toy with.
I'd assume the starting point is at or near the tires rated maximum and I wouldn't be comfortable fussing with it beyond 12-15 percent. That puts a tire rated at 41 psi down to 35 psi as a minimal set point and around my threshold of being comfortable with extending the testing range.
This mirrors the situation with my bike where my newer tires are rated 39 and 41 psi and I've varied pressures to 34-35 range. Typically, I run them 2-3 psi shy of the max ratings. I don't have enough road experience to have rated the handling changes but I can attest to the fact that 2 psi makes a difference in the ride and thump factor. Maybe it's a placebo, but I think (in my case) -2 psi is a good balance between semi rigid and plush ride.
The Meromorph comments rings true to my thoughts on some variables;
Bike design, suspension, load rating, geometry, rubber compound in the tires themselves, weight of the rider, tire profile etc.... each bike design has it's own personality and handling characteristics and once the OEM tires are smoke, it's a whole new ball game (beyond the manufacturers intentions).
Ideally, we could read tire reviews categorized by the bike itself, riding style, and showing performance, wear, traction and prices among other criteria.
I like Oreos , are they chocolate or vanilla ?
~brian
|
| Motorcycle Safety / Motorcycle Accident Reports - WITH COMMENTS |
| What next?
|
gymnast
11/19/2009 11:22 PM |
I didn't know where to post this, so I thought I would get a head start on things and post it in the Crash Forum. This is an actual product that will undoubtedly be the death of someone sooner than later. The steering wheel mounted Lap Top Desk!http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Office..._product_top (please note and click on the images submitted by satisfied customers) |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Gas nozzle at some pumps hinder refill
|
rayg50
11/19/2009 9:30 PM |
I just received my McCuff. I have not used it yet but others have attested to it's good performance. I will comment that when I ordered it, based on the photos, I felt the price (19 US) for a piece of plastic to be on the high side. I have just been pleasantly surprised by the weight and construction.
The material is a half inch thick and what I will describe as rubber, although it is described as Aerospace materials. It comes with a carrying case that has a 3 inch wide "belt strap". Looks as if you can securely attach it to the bike. They do warn you not to attach it to the forks.
It feels very solid. I suspect I could ride over it and not damage it. I can see it lasting for years, unless I let my grandson play with it. I will see about ordering Cash's matching jacket but I am not quite ready for a yellow cruiser. 
Edited to avoid the slight possibility that a jest might offend.
|
| Odds and Ends / Board Enhancements or Problems |
| Multiple bikes in user profiles
|
dogdoc427
11/19/2009 9:05 PM |
James,
Is it possible / practical to enable a method for a user to list more than one motorcycle in their profile without adding it to their signature? As an example I now own a Honda GoldWing and a Yamaha V-Star classic but I am only allowed to enter one make.
Dogdoc427 |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Some thoughts regarding Inflatable protection
|
jbalderr
11/19/2009 6:55 PM |
I hope the price will eventually come down so that I might consider this protection.
Something that comes immediately to mind are the auto-inflatable Personal Flotation devices that some sailors wear. There are pros and cons and I expect the same for these new Air Jackets.
First, maintenance. The CO2 cartridges sometimes become unscrewed. The firing mechanism itself can be compromised due to exposure to dampness.
Second, defects. Some have recalled their PFD's because they don't inflate properly.
Third, I wonder about quality and regulatory oversight.
The one nice thing about cushion PFD's is that I know that they will work by just looking at them. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Safety Gear |
| Educate me on pants
|
vivid dadas
11/19/2009 5:52 PM |
The Olympia pants are too long for me when I'm standing up or walking around, but just right on the motorcycle. (meaning the knee armour is over my knees where it should be.) The pants are made so that they can be altered without messing up the zippers.
The one thing for me is they need to be "pulled up" sorta of Urkel style, and I use meta-aftermarker suspenders I bought at the farm store. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
gymnast
11/19/2009 5:13 PM |
Thanks Jim, Like you I have no doubt that the troops find the shows to be as interesting as I do when I see the performances of the riders doing the incredible dare devil tricks that they make to look so easy. The free style Moto X shows are particularly entertaining, with the jumps and flips and such. The performers seem to be able to make the inconceivable look possible.
|
| Something seems wrong here.
|
tmonroe
11/19/2009 5:03 PM |
I have no problems with this at all.
I have no tolerance whatsoever with stunting on public roads - but doing an exhibition on a closed course with all of the "i's dotted and t's crossed" seems fine to me - especially if they stress not doing this on the road, and wearing full gear.
I feel the same way about performance riding. I think there is a tangeable benefit from learning the proper way to push your motorcycle to near its limits - but again, only on a closed course. Knowing how to drag your knee on the road to transfer weight to the inside of a corner could be a valuable skill - but other than an emergency situation (that should only happen occasionally, not all the time) it shouldn't ever be done on the street.
To me, its similar to knowing how to threshold brake. Practice really should only be done in something like a parking lot. If you go out into traffic and practice threshold braking, more likely than not, you'll get rear ended. If you wanted to practice it from a higher speed, you probably couldn't realistically expect to be able to do it in a parking lot. Actually, I would bet that most parking lot owners would not really appreciate any practice riding of any type in their lot - if they knew it was it was going on - but that's really a side issue.
|
| Something seems wrong here.
|
radan2
11/19/2009 4:49 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by gymnast
Radan, is this a "packaged program" that is "touring" a circuit of military bases or was this just a local event as per the impression given in the article? Also if this is a "road show", are you aware of who the DOD contracted with to put it on?
Here is a link to an article about the DOD program to encourage motorcycle safety. Notice that it reports that in 2008, there were 94 fatalities involving service personnel.
If I am going to learn a new skill, I want to learn it from someone who is much better than I. One way to establish that is to show me something outstanding you have done. When I started learning calligraphy, I learned from a teacher who began the class by displaying some of the beautiful illuminated manuscripts she had prepared. She didn't say, "At the end of this 6-week class, you can do this." She said, "By constant practice over many years, I have learned the skills to do this. If you practice, you can learn them too. I will show you how to begin." Similarly, when I began visiting this site, learning about Mr. Davis's expertise and experience--and his willingness to confront wrong information--gave me confidence in what I learned here.
So when the young Marines at Camp Lejeune had a motorcycle safety program that began with stunt and trick riders doing fantastic feats on ramps, they were fascinated. And when the riders pointed out all the safety steps and equipment they used, they were impressed. To hear a guy who has just done a flip on his bike say, "I wouldn't ride on the street without a full-face helmet--it's just stupid," makes an impression. He isn't an old fuddy-duddy. He isn't saying, "Do as I say, not as I do." He clearly isn't afraid of the bike. He has real street cred. And perhaps they will listen to him.
I don't know if this program will work. I do know, as does the DOD, that the old programs were not working.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/new...spx?id=46078 |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| New to biking... learning the ropes
|
Vstar_Markus
11/19/2009 4:36 PM |
This is all great information. Thank you very much for taking the time and helping a new rider out!
- Mark |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
gymnast
11/19/2009 4:35 PM |
Looks like the Marines are using stunt shows to draw a crowd as well. This is about an event at 29 Palms.http://www.twobros.com/temp_events/...tuntshow.htm
Edit, something for us older guys
http://www.wpafilmlibrary.com/detai...9428fa9.html |
| Houston source for blue reflective tape?
|
jguynn
11/19/2009 4:22 PM |
Since it seems a fair number of members here are from Houston or around the area I figured I'd ask here. I see several places on the 'net that sell blue reflective tape of various widths but I'm not sure how closely the color would match (or complement) my bike. Does anyone know of a place (motorcycle shop or otherwise) that carries blue reflective tape? |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
CaptCrash
11/19/2009 4:21 PM |
I looked at this and come to the wierd place of:
How do I interest a 19 year old in safety?
What creates credibility for a "Safety Expert"...in the 19 year old mind?
This begs the question: is it appropriate to "safely" execute a stunt in order to create interest/credibility? Honestly, this is a thing I personally struggle with. I often throw a trick into a video because younger riders will respond by giving me "cred" but older riders will beat me up because "it's a bad example".
(The Time=Space vid was actually critized because my demonstration of following too close was...TOO CLOSE and irresponsible and dangerous. Go figure.)
For me, using a Professional Stunt team for attention getting means full gear, kill switches on the bikes, appropriate space and explainations that what they're doing ISN'T for the street. Is it a good attention getting device? IMO? Yeah, it's probably just one of those things you gotta do to reach extreme risk takers. |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
D R
11/19/2009 4:09 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by gymnast
Radan, is this a "packaged program" that is "touring" a circuit of military bases or was this just a local event as per the impression given in the article? Also if this is a "road show", are you aware of who the DOD contracted with to put it on?
The article stated, "...hosted by the 61st Air Base Wing... " I take that to mean it is a local event. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| New to biking... learning the ropes
|
Moses
11/19/2009 3:40 PM |
I've found out these things after winterizing many-a-bike against the Michigan winters over the years;
Condensation can indeed build up on a covered bike - I've found that if you use a cover that breathes well (fabric instead of plastic or waterproof), it shouldn't be a problem. If you already have a waterproof cover, I'd use a couple of bedsheets instead, as I mentioned earlier.
If you don't have power in the shed where you'll store your bike, I'd definitely recommend that you bring the battery indoors for the winter. (DO NOT store it on a cement floor, unless you put a 2X4 or something under it!)
As far as the fuel situation goes, I'd still recommend using a fuel stabilizer, letting it run through the system, and not draining the fuel from the system. The reason I say this is that the soft components of the system (gaskets, hoses, rubber pieces, etc.) can become dried out and crack if left for long periods without gas in the system. I've had it happen, and learned the hard way. I've never had a single springtime startup problem when I used Sta-bil. DON'T leave untreated gas in the system for long periods, it can become congealed. You should still shut off your petcock - I shut mine off every time I'm done riding, out of habit.
I'd wait and change the oil in the spring. Oil sitting in the tank over the winter can also collect water from the condensation inside the tank. I've heard that some people start their bikes up and let them run for a few minutes once a month or so over the winter, but I wouldn't recommend it. A by-product of internal combustion is water, and if the engine isn't run for a long enough time at operating temperatures, the oil won't get hot enough to evaporate the accumulated water out of the oil. Water in the oil is not good.
As far as putting the bike up on blocks - I've never done it, but I don't see what harm it could do, unless it could do something to the fork seals having them fully extended for a long time. Someone else may know more about that than me.
On the other hand, I know one guy with an old shovelhead Harley who just parks it behind his house and throws a tarp over it every winter. He says that in the spring he just beats on it and cusses at it until it starts. I wouldn't advise using his method. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Air bag jacket in MotoGP
|
scottrnelson
11/19/2009 3:03 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by Stevebr242
Seems like the Dainese suit is a lot more sophisticated than the tethered airbag jackets.
http://roadracingworld.com/news/art...rticle=38741
So now you have to wonder if they could make it so that it was capable of going off a second and maybe even a third time. It would have to detect that it had deflated before rearming.
I have much more confidence in a company like Dainese to protect riders than I do with some of the first companies to come out with airbag jackets. |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
gymnast
11/19/2009 2:01 PM |
Radan, is this a "packaged program" that is "touring" a circuit of military bases or was this just a local event as per the impression given in the article? Also if this is a "road show", are you aware of who the DOD contracted with to put it on? |
| Something seems wrong here.
|
radan2
11/19/2009 1:39 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by gymnast
Motorcycle safety day features stunt team performing dangerous stunts? Was this done at taxpayer expense as well? http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story....id=123177987
Yes, it was at the expense of the DOD safety program, although several of the riders volunteer time for the program. The stunt riders were used to attract young soldiers to the program. The riders themselves participate by talking to young soldiers about safety, stressing the care and preparation they used for their stunts, and the fact that they do NOT do these things on the highway.
The fact is, the number of young soldiers, sailers, airmen, and Marines that have been injured or killed on motorcycles is very high, rivaling in some circumstances the rate of battle casualties. Standard programs with old guys like me lecturing the 19-year-olds about the need for safety wasn't cutting it. These young men are far more open to hearing about safety from guys nearly their own age who can show their mastery of motorcycle riding. When a guy who can flip his bike on a jump says, "I never ride on the public roads without safety gear; it's just too dangerous," the guys listen.
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| Air bag jacket in MotoGP
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Stevebr242
11/19/2009 12:58 PM |
Seems like the Dianese suit is a lot more sophisticated than the tethered airbag jackets.
http://roadracingworld.com/news/art...rticle=38741 |
| Motorcycle Safety / Campfire chat |
| Cold weather riding
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koolskins
11/19/2009 11:34 AM |
Last year I discovered the FirstGear one-piece, thermal, waterproof suit and proceeded to ride all winter long in the Philadelphia area down to temperatures hovering around zero degrees. Even more impressive is I'm usually only wearing gym shorts and a tee-shirt under the suit as it works better when your body heat can flow freely within the suit. I've ridden in this suit during rain based nor'easters and can also attest to the waterproof capabilities. This suit is absolutely phenomenal and was the best $180 I ever spent for motorcycle related gear. The only downside is that anything over 35-40 degrees outside and you'll find the suit too efficient. I also installed heated grips on the ride as they are easier to deal with then the heated gloves with the wiring issues and the heated grips work well enough. I ride all year, rain or shine, unless there is snow, ice or salt on the highways. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Yamaha V=Star 1100 Information
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cooldadof4
11/19/2009 11:28 AM |
For anyone with a V-Star, this site has good information and help.
http://www.sloneservices.com/Silver...1100-FAQ.htm
Regards,
Don |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Something seems wrong here.
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gymnast
11/19/2009 11:13 AM |
Motorcycle safety day features stunt team performing dangerous stunts? Was this done at taxpayer expense as well? http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story....id=123177987 |
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