A Motorcycle Thread About Absolutely Nothing!

Just ordered Front Brake Master Cylinder for my Kawasaki KZ550 1981. Both screws got damaged and no way to take top off for refill up the brake fluid. I just got used motorcycle last weekend.
 
so last Friday - I rode to Toronto. about 500 miles. made it in 7.5 hours. my right side mirror broke off in middle of highway. must be from constant high-speed vibration for several hours.

the beginning of the trip. notice that I've installed a new top case - GIVI because of increased capacity (it's big enough to hold 2 helmets) so that I can remove my side bags for NYC purpose. makes my parking much easier as well as lane splitting :lol: I've also installed ADVMonster light (FINALLY! but not shown in the pix though) on my right side. TCS has same light too. bright as heck!!!!!!!! It literally lit up the whole street. you may have noticed that there's X-thing on my handlebar, next to my GPS. It's a RAM X-Grip that holds my iPhone. I installed USB charger in there as well.
1013672_10102717682035299_1192776601_n.jpg


Inside my left side case were clothes and shoes that I bought for my friend since we have everything in NYC that Toronto doesn't have. My right side case contained emergency kits, first aids, rain cover, and laptop. my top case contained general stuff - drinks, rain gloves, extra visor (I have 2 - clear & tinted), etc. my two bags behind me - the orange bag is waterproof and it's designed for kayaking. It contains all of clothing gears - cold gear and rain gear. The black bag was my traveling bag. It's actually not waterproof but just water-resistant so I put my clothes inside a waterproof bag. inside my tank bag are my EZ Pass, a bag of tie-down ropes, and a rag to wipe clean my visor. there's a spray inside my bag as well. in just one hour - my visor is pelted with dozens of bugs :ugh: look at my windshield from 1st pix and 2nd pix.

at Canadian border. notice that my right side mirror is gone.
1000909_10102718776736509_391215626_n.jpg


the ride back home was actually brutal. I was very fatigued. although I got home in about 8.5 hours, the ride felt like 12 hours. my hands were sore and felt weird because of hours and hours of vibration. it would be nice to have at least 1000cc and most importantly... cruise control! if you look back at the first pix above - you will see a yellow O-Ring on my right handle. it's a Poor Man version of cruise control that I seldom use because it's not very safe since it's not easy to disable it. that yellow o-ring is actually for caterpillar engine. I just leave it there because it looks cool or something :lol:

I think I'll stop by at dealership either today or weekend depending on weather to test-ride BMW R1200RT. I saw a really nice one sitting on sidewalk last week. used 2012 R1200RT with 4,000 miles... $18,000 (negotiable of course). the salesperson named Rosco actually remembers me from few years ago. My friend bought a Buell Blast from him and I did the negotiating. He asked about her too. :thumb:

I really hope to buy one soon because I'm going back to Toronto again in August for a wedding party. I don't think I will ride again with my bike. It was brutal enough especially at high speed and I ain't young no more. I don't think my hands can another beating.
 
fixed my side mirror when I returned home. notice that both side mirrors are not the same. both has different elbows. the left side is BMW OEM product so it's rigid. the right side is aftermarket product. somehow I found an extra mirror in my storage box. I guess I just saved $62 because that's how much a replacement is!
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I'm not exactly sure why I bought only one aftermarket mirror :hmm:

I did replace both mirrors on my previous bike but I can't remember why I bought this extra one. the great thing about it is that with a movable elbow... your mirror won't won't snap off if you drop the bike. technically - this movable elbow is for off-road purpose so you have to fold in side mirrors. pretty cool, right? I bought it from Moto-Science : The Ducati Mirrors Specialist.

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sam0351.jpg
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definitely want to get this one, yes siirrrrr!

my touring mode will probably looks like this -
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and my NYC mode will probably looks like this (will include a tank bag) -
flenwg.jpg


this just gets even better and better!
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I will obviously heavily modify it.

1. CalSci Windshield
2. 2 auxiliary lights
3. custom light switch box on left side
4. GPS Mount above dashboard
5. engine guards, cylinder guards, etc.
6. bunch of electrical works - USB charger, LED interior topcase light, direct access to battery to jumpstart it, voltmeter, etc.
7. Modulating Headlight System
8. most importantly.... a cup holder :lol:
9. aftermarket seat
10. maybe some ergonomic stuff
11. can't think of more for now... lojack???
 
so I went to dealership today to test-ride 2 bikes. BMW R1200GS and R1200RT.

BMW R1200RT. I have to say that now I understand why this bike is so popular around the world especially for cops and long-distance traveler. the engine's got plenty of power. the cruising experience was great with electronically-adjustable windshield. I was riding at probably 120-130 mph when I got onto highway and I didn't even know I was going that fast. It really feels like 70 mph. amazing... one negative thing - it felt bit crampy. I feel like I'm riding a child bike. I'm very used to dual-sport type... a tall bike with wide handlebar. RT has narrow handlebar and the leg room space was cramped. It's because this used bike was designed for a short person. I would like a standard model better. look at the seat. it's an aftermarket seat for a short person. you can see how deep it sinks down... I think about 4". way too short for me.
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BMW R1200GS. this bike I sat on is the only one available in America with low-suspension model. the regular model was just too tall for me - about 3". I have to say that I was beyond amazed about this bike. this bike.... probably has achieved an absolute perfection. it has a completely new engine - wet clutch and water-cooled. rumor was said that RT-series might adopt one for its next year model. the power was just... awesome... it felt much more responsive, more powerful, and smoother than RT. it's just.... awesome... unbelievable experience. biggest problem? the price tag's about $20,000 for a fully-loaded bike.
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so I don't know which one I would go for.... I have a feeling that I'll go with GS instead of RT but we'll see. I should probably sell my truck and old bike and get new bike and old used Subaru.

I strongly recommend you to go to local BMW motorcycle dealership and give it a try! :cool2:
 
Nice ride report, Jiro!!

Wish I could have joined you. It is my dream to pack up and get the hell away from everyone.

Love the looks of the BMW tourers...I am surprised that it feels cramped to you. Are you sure there are no adjustments to make more leg room?

That is my #1 problem with my Nighthawk...the pegs are too close to the seat, and my knees are pretty much level with my hips, even with 2 inches of Airhawk seat on there, and my legs are not that long...32 inch inseam. #2 problem is the seat design causes me to slide forward.

One bike that seemed to have room for my legs is the Honda NC700X, which is a street bike that looks like an adventure bike....not really designed for highway cruising.

Good luck finding the right bike fit....I still have a long way to go.
 
We are considering buying one. I'm jumping up and down hoping we do. Hubby is still thinking it through. A very good friend of ours is selling his. We bought him new tires to replace his worn out ones (he is financially destitute right now, which is why he's selling it, and couldn't afford the new tires either. The result of a divorce.) He lives with us as he has no place to go, so the bike has been in our garage all this time. It's a beauty. He is selling it as he can't afford the loan payments. So I hope we are the ones to buy it. And, if we do, it'll still be in our garage and we've said he can still ride it all he wants.
 
green427 said:
Nice ride report, Jiro!!

Wish I could have joined you. It is my dream to pack up and get the hell away from everyone.

Love the looks of the BMW tourers...I am surprised that it feels cramped to you. Are you sure there are no adjustments to make more leg room?

That is my #1 problem with my Nighthawk...the pegs are too close to the seat, and my knees are pretty much level with my hips, even with 2 inches of Airhawk seat on there, and my legs are not that long...32 inch inseam. #2 problem is the seat design causes me to slide forward.

One bike that seemed to have room for my legs is the Honda NC700X, which is a street bike that looks like an adventure bike....not really designed for highway cruising.

Good luck finding the right bike fit....I still have a long way to go.
Click to expand...

the adjustments were already made to that bike I rode on which was why I said this is too crampy for me. The seat was wayyyy too low for me... making it feels like pegs are too close to the seat. I sat on stock version and it felt better.

I'm going to check out VStrom 1000cc, Yamaha Tenere, Honda ST1300, and Triumph Tiger/Trophy.

I have sat on ST1300 and it felt like 100 lbs heavier than RT.
 
Jiro said:
so last Friday - I rode to Toronto. about 500 miles. made it in 7.5 hours. my right side mirror broke off in middle of highway. must be from constant high-speed vibration for several hours.

the beginning of the trip. notice that I've installed a new top case - GIVI because of increased capacity (it's big enough to hold 2 helmets) so that I can remove my side bags for NYC purpose. makes my parking much easier as well as lane splitting :lol: I've also installed ADVMonster light (FINALLY! but not shown in the pix though) on my right side. TCS has same light too. bright as heck!!!!!!!! It literally lit up the whole street. you may have noticed that there's X-thing on my handlebar, next to my GPS. It's a RAM X-Grip that holds my iPhone. I installed USB charger in there as well.
1013672_10102717682035299_1192776601_n.jpg


Inside my left side case were clothes and shoes that I bought for my friend since we have everything in NYC that Toronto doesn't have. My right side case contained emergency kits, first aids, rain cover, and laptop. my top case contained general stuff - drinks, rain gloves, extra visor (I have 2 - clear & tinted), etc. my two bags behind me - the orange bag is waterproof and it's designed for kayaking. It contains all of clothing gears - cold gear and rain gear. The black bag was my traveling bag. It's actually not waterproof but just water-resistant so I put my clothes inside a waterproof bag. inside my tank bag are my EZ Pass, a bag of tie-down ropes, and a rag to wipe clean my visor. there's a spray inside my bag as well. in just one hour - my visor is pelted with dozens of bugs :ugh: look at my windshield from 1st pix and 2nd pix.

at Canadian border. notice that my right side mirror is gone.
1000909_10102718776736509_391215626_n.jpg


the ride back home was actually brutal. I was very fatigued. although I got home in about 8.5 hours, the ride felt like 12 hours. my hands were sore and felt weird because of hours and hours of vibration. it would be nice to have at least 1000cc and most importantly... cruise control! if you look back at the first pix above - you will see a yellow O-Ring on my right handle. it's a Poor Man version of cruise control that I seldom use because it's not very safe since it's not easy to disable it. that yellow o-ring is actually for caterpillar engine. I just leave it there because it looks cool or something :lol:

I think I'll stop by at dealership either today or weekend depending on weather to test-ride BMW R1200RT. I saw a really nice one sitting on sidewalk last week. used 2012 R1200RT with 4,000 miles... $18,000 (negotiable of course). the salesperson named Rosco actually remembers me from few years ago. My friend bought a Buell Blast from him and I did the negotiating. He asked about her too. :thumb:

I really hope to buy one soon because I'm going back to Toronto again in August for a wedding party. I don't think I will ride again with my bike. It was brutal enough especially at high speed and I ain't young no more. I don't think my hands can another beating.
Click to expand...

Mine Suzuki Volusia is 800cc and it had little vibration on handlebar at 70mph. It wasn't all bad. 2010 800cc Suzuki Boulevard (similiar to my Volusia but seat is hard) have cruise control just like car Damn!! I saw it and was drooling over it. If you have gel seat and padded foam to absorb vibration during long trip and also use Crampguard palm "cruis control" on throttle side of handlebar.

Do you have weight on ends of handlebar?? My Vol have chrome weight on both side and it absorbs vibration pretty well. Which is why I felt little vibration.

Catty
 
The Highlander said:
Let me guess? 1200cc or up was too hard for him to control the steering?
Click to expand...

NAH!!!!! I've ridden 1500cc and it's as easy as my Vol. If you turn and lean, it's pretty much same as what you currently do on motorcycle. It's kinda like power steering.. Regardless if it have 2,000 cc same thing.

Catty
 
green427 said:
Yamaha Stratoliner....nice cruiser....I hope you and/or your hubby have riding experience before buying it....it is one big-assed mother, about 800lbs.
Click to expand...

800lbs big ass?? How about Suzuki Volusia and Boulevard weights 1,025 lbs according to metal tag on side of motorcycle. It's a California style long body heavy framed motorcycle.

Make sense?

Catty
 
purplecatty said:
Mine Suzuki Volusia is 800cc and it had little vibration on handlebar at 70mph. It wasn't all bad. 2010 800cc Suzuki Boulevard (similiar to my Volusia but seat is hard) have cruise control just like car Damn!! I saw it and was drooling over it. If you have gel seat and padded foam to absorb vibration during long trip and also use Crampguard palm "cruis control" on throttle side of handlebar.

Do you have weight on ends of handlebar?? My Vol have chrome weight on both side and it absorbs vibration pretty well. Which is why I felt little vibration.

Catty
Click to expand...

these handlebars have weight on the ends but the vibration is just strong at high speed. that's the horror of single-cylinder.

my friend's bike is similar as mine but a new model. 650cc with twin sparks. much less vibration than mine.
 
purplecatty said:
800lbs big ass?? How about Suzuki Volusia and Boulevard weights 1,025 lbs according to metal tag on side of motorcycle. It's a California style long body heavy framed motorcycle.

Make sense?

Catty
Click to expand...

Boulevard is around 700 lbs dry weight. The tag has gross vehicle weight wich is the max weight for the bike, fuel, riders and gear. That means you can put roughly 325 lbs on the bike.
 
purplecatty said:
800lbs big ass?? How about Suzuki Volusia and Boulevard weights 1,025 lbs according to metal tag on side of motorcycle. It's a California style long body heavy framed motorcycle.

Make sense?

Catty
Click to expand...

Ok, those would be fat-asses instead of big-asses, right?

Are you a fan of big asses too?


:naughty:
 
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