A Motorcycle Thread About Absolutely Nothing!

[purplecatty]

DMM =

?

This is what I am talking about

3-1/2" LCD Multimeter with Tachometer Kit

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

oh yea - I forgot to post way earlier that one of the possible reasons for stalling is bad clutch or bad/misaligned clutch cable but that's not the case now...

I should ask my mechanic about trying higher octane gas.

Yup, you should ask your mechanic about it.

Catty

 

[The Highlander]

This is what I am talking about

3-1/2" LCD Multimeter with Tachometer Kit

Catty

My DMM (Fluke) can read RPM for DIS and Waste Spark too.

Some DMM can read RPM.

 

[The Highlander]

IF you want AMM.

Here a AMM.

I don't think AMM have RPM read.

 

[purplecatty]

My DMM (Fluke) can read RPM for DIS and Waste Spark too.

Some DMM can read RPM.

If there are some hack to use ordinary DMM into Tachometer, That'll be great!!

Catty

 

[authentic]

Jiro, can you become a crazy biker in NYC?

[yt]XihQeZpwqpE[/yt]

 

[Jiro]

Jiro, can you become a crazy biker in NYC?

[yt]XihQeZpwqpE[/yt]

lol wow. I have done all of it as shown in video except popping a wheelie. But he does it way too fast.... recklessly fast.... oh and lane-splitting on opposite lane?

 

[The Highlander]

 

[purplecatty]

Jiro, can you become a crazy biker in NYC?

[yt]XihQeZpwqpE[/yt]

Sheesh He's really is crazy. What if cars or truck make sudden left or right turn at his path, I bet it would be scary. I wouldn't ride past between cars like that. That's really downright stupid unless you're feeling suicidal that day.

I do rev up my motorcycle on neighborhood sometime up to 50 to 60 mph over 35mph zone where's no car in front of me. My son had a blast riding with me when I ride a little crazy

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

Since that weather are getting colder, I wore jogging sweatshirt with hood and black motorcycle jacket and I wear jeans while riding motorcycle. It kept me warm on 50 degree night. I've seen motorcycle riders wear simple coat or overcoat to keep them warm which they do not plan to ride motorcycle everyday basis. I check through Cycle Gear - Motorcycle Apparel, Parts and Accessories website and I like some "cold wear" but they're dang expensive! I bought a nice work cowboy boot double as motorcycle boot. Bought it for $119 at Nigro's Boot store in
Shawnee, Ks. (that store used to owned by mafia back in old day according to my brother told me.) It felt comfortable and looks good. I tried on black boot and it looked so sissy to me. Doesn't look good. So I tried brown color boot and It look much nicer along with jeans. After I purchased boot, I walked out with new boot and sat on motorcycle and rode away, I did have hard time upshift gear not realizing that my boot surface was pushing the shifter lever a bit up while riding, causing gear not to engage while trying to shift, it goes click click click, nothing happened. So I bent down my foot a bit then upshift, finally got it. I wasn't used to riding motorcycle with cowboy boots , Now I'm used to it. It also kept my foot warm and dry during chilly night. Ariat men's Sierra 10" western work boots (This boot have plain top (near toe), This boot is exactly what I have but mine have a decor on top of it just like nice regular boot.)

Last Wednesday, I rode motorcycle over to pick up my daughter at high school. I wore Tie dye shirt, jeans and cowboy boot and my Rx chopper sunglasses. She got blushed when she got out and many kids told her "Your daddy on harley motorcycle look so cool!!"

My daughter joked about me wearing Eagle emblazoned jacket, skullcap bandanna, leather pants and my sunglasses looking like a mean Biker and park at school parking waiting for her to come out and kids would avoid me and show lot respect to my daughter.

She even mentioned that when she wore a black leather jacket that I recently bought it for her at Burlington's Coat factory (it's actually a designer leather jacket) , Her teacher told her that she look like a biker. Asking if your daddy a Biker too? She told her yes, My daddy a Biker. Her teacher laughed.

Catty

 

[Jiro]

After I purchased boot, I walked out with new boot and sat on motorcycle and rode away, I did have hard time upshift gear not realizing that my boot surface was pushing the shifter lever a bit up while riding, causing gear not to engage while trying to shift, it goes click click click, nothing happened. So I bent down my foot a bit then upshift, finally got it. I wasn't used to riding motorcycle with cowboy boots , Now I'm used to it.

You can try adjusting your shifter level (higher or lower). btw - watch out for shifter burn (your left boot)!

don't mind what my pix is about just look at red circle of my boot

 

[Jiro]

Catty - a few tips on affordable cold gear. I will make a few separate posts to not making it confusing for you because it will be LONG!

Part I - Pants
Today was 50's and raining. I was toasty and "mostly" dry when commuting. no need to break your wallet over cold gear. The #1 key feature from cold gear is WINDPROOF (or wind-resistant). if the cold air touches you - game's over. It's going to make your ride miserable because it sucks to be shivering while riding. It can make your 20 min trip feels like 40 minutes.

I have an old jogging New Balance pants from several years ago and it's still good. It has 2 functions - thermo and windproof. I think my old NB pants is this one - New Balance 0129 | Men's Pants & Tights (MRP0129) but for you - you might want to get this one - New Balance 9301 | Men's Team Sports Apparel (TMUP9301) but you get some idea on what I'm talking about. You could find a similar one at Wal-Mart or wherever's cheaper.

Thermo pants aka Long John helps but it's not wind-resistant or wind-proof. It makes a world of difference when you have one. If you're the type of person who is very tolerant of cold weather... thermo pants will just do you fine.

 

[Jiro]

Part II - Jacket
Now about torso part - I see that you had jogging sweatshirt on along with motorcycle jacket. I just wanted to point out that wearing sweater + motorcycle jacket sucks because it makes you stiff like this poor boy in "A Christmas Story" movie

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW4IZ0Flh3M[/ame]

I have 2 inner jackets - thermal raincoat and heater jacket (moderately water-resistant). My thermal raincoat comes with my jacket. When it gets chilly out, I take it off and put on the heated jacket. The heated jacket was pricey but worth every buck!!!!!!!! I can use it for years until it breaks. There are 2 very popular brands - Gerbing and Tourmaster. Gerbing is $$$$$$$$$$$$ as heck - mostly $200ish!!! Cheaper one is Tourmaster - half the price plus discount. You must connect the wire to battery and then stick it out somewhere so that you can connect your jacket to it. I was actually very worried about riding it in rain cuz of electrocution but nothing happened! It's all good!

When you get a heated jacket - it is ABSOLUTELY necessary to wear a long-sleeve shirt (thin or thick) otherwise you will BURN in just a few minutes! I burned my entire front arms cuz I had only t-shirt on and it was chilly out! I stayed out late at friend's house and it's a long ride back home! I had to constantly switch it on-off! It was too hot even at lowest setting.

If you do not want to cough up $$$ for heated jacket - you can simply wear any windproof liner... which is why you see lot of riders wearing raincoat. Remember - the goal is to not let the cold air touch your skin while riding. It's a killjoy. Underneath the windproof liner - you'll want to wear something warm but not too thick.

A nice sweater made of microfiber fleece can do the job - mighty warm!!! If your jacket is windproof/wind-resistant.... you will be very comfortable with fleece sweater (plus thermal skin-tight shirt if you want) to a certain degree. If that fleece sweater is wind-resistant... perfect!!!

example - http://www.aerostich.com/off-and-riding/clothing/microfiber-clothing/microfleece-pullover-1.html

 

[Jiro]

Part III - Other Cold Gear
1. Bandanna. You'll definitely want to get one for your neck. Today I forgot my bandanna and my neck got very cold when I was riding at highway speed. It felt like my neck was getting a frostbite so I had to duck behind my tiny little windshield I like BuffWear very much. Cheap and easy to deal with. Buy only "Original Buff". No need to cough up extra for its winter version. The Original Buff is very thin but it does its job very well against wind. This is better than regular bandanna like what old Harley guy wears because you have to tie a knot which could come off and it's not elastic.

2. Socks. Get a pair of wool socks - mighty toasty! It beats cotton socks anytime, anywhere. Cotton socks make your feet sweaty (or cold/wet) and uncomfortable but not wool socks!! But... one problem - wool socks are kinda pricey but worth every buck! I still have wool socks from several years ago! I'm just that kind of guy who can take care of his gear and clothes well enough to make it last several years (I hope ).

3. Gloves. well - everybody has different opinion on it. some wears liner gloves + motorcycle gloves. some gets "winter gloves" (too thick for me). some pays $$$$ for heated gloves. so it's up to you. I don't have any good suggestion on this because it's different for everybody. It took me a few tries to figure out what works for me. I wear C1 Windstopper Gloves - Alpinestars Official Store but what kept me warm is the heated grips.

If you do want to get heated grips - then continue reading....

There are 2 kinds of heated grips -
1. the encapsulated grips (it's the one you completely replace the stock grips with heated version)
2. the "wrap-around" heating pads around your grips

either one works fine but Option #1 is the most popular choice. Very popular brand for Option #1 - Hot Grips (like mine) and Dual Star for Option #2. If you found something else better, that's fine but make sure it has good customer service because it will malfunction at one point and you'll definitely want one who will bend over for you just to make you happy Hot Grips' customer rep was awesome because the grip size I bought was wrong and I was following their website's recommendation so they apologized and shipped it priority because I needed it for my trip. Plus they paid for other grips' shipping fee to be shipped back.

For your bike - you'll most likely want the chrome version for grips so there are other companies that do make heated chrome version. I don't know which one is a popular brand for that but you can easily find one in any Harley forums.

4. hmmm I think that's it??? I don't know how do you intend to ride your bike. My gear setting is geared toward to long-distance riding aka "Adventure Touring" so it costs extra for comfort and lightweight size. If you're the type who ride around the town - here and there... I believe your cold gear budget would be upward to $150-200 for everything. I wouldn't be surprised if you can get everything for cheap. Just make sure it's decently durable because it gets more and more ruined for every time you do the laundry. Mind you - while my my thermal clothes and other cold gears are $$$, they're over 5+ years old and still going strong. My NB pants is probably over 10 years old. These cold gear were for my camping/hiking since I love winter hiking.

My style is to wear it thin and "high-tech" due to Adventure Touring type (ie. skin-tight thermal long-sleeve shirt is as good as normal thick sweatshirt). This $$$ approach was necessary for me because if I wear it thick and bulky - it can cut off my circulation after a while and make me feel like a stiff man. That's what it was like during my first cold riding. How dreadful. I even wore a long overcoat :roll:

 

[purplecatty]

You can try adjusting your shifter level (higher or lower). btw - watch out for shifter burn (your left boot)!

don't mind what my pix is about just look at red circle of my boot

My new boot already had shifter rubber mark on it. I can just rub it off. The shifter have thick ribbed rubber on it. I guess it's dirty tho. I am fully aware that boot or shoes can get a worn hole from shifter.

Some motorcycle have rubber oval or square shifter knob which helps lessen wear than rounded (like mine). The harley guy's boot had a hole on it apparently he had full chrome or worn down rubber shifter that exposes metal end ..

I bet worn hole apparently was from frequent riding. I don't mind having worn marking on my new boot tho. It'll tell everyone that I'm a Hog rider.

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

Catty - a few tips on affordable cold gear. I will make a few separate posts to not making it confusing for you because it will be LONG!

Part I - Pants
Today was 50's and raining. I was toasty and "mostly" dry when commuting. no need to break your wallet over cold gear. The #1 key feature from cold gear is WINDPROOF (or wind-resistant). if the cold air touches you - game's over. It's going to make your ride miserable because it sucks to be shivering while riding. It can make your 20 min trip feels like 40 minutes.

I have an old jogging New Balance pants from several years ago and it's still good. It has 2 functions - thermo and windproof. I think my old NB pants is this one - New Balance 0129 | Men's Pants & Tights (MRP0129) but for you - you might want to get this one - New Balance 9301 | Men's Team Sports Apparel (TMUP9301) but you get some idea on what I'm talking about. You could find a similar one at Wal-Mart or wherever's cheaper.

Thermo pants aka Long John helps but it's not wind-resistant or wind-proof. It makes a world of difference when you have one. If you're the type of person who is very tolerant of cold weather... thermo pants will just do you fine.

I've been through that.. I was riding from Lawrence, KS to Shawnee which is 25 min drive on highway, It was pretty chilly night that time. I was only wearing T-shirt and my wife luckily wore a jacket and borrowed my helmet (I was just a squid for a night).. I was shivering part of the way. When we are at top of hill, it was warm, when down the hill, it was chilly (riding at 55mph). I had to put up with it because I thought it'll be warm evening but it wasn't. It sure suck for me, not her..


I do have Thermal long johns. I DO wear jogging sweatshirt with hood under coat. It helps keep me warm regardless if it's windy or not. At my work during winter, it was zero outside and I was delivering mail all day. I was warm and cozy and sweating a little.

The windchill are greater if riding on motorcycle. I have blue ski jacket. It is very old but in a good shape. My black motorcycle jacket is new that I got it free from my dad. It is not well insulated like my blue ski jacket. It also don't have collar on it either.

I do not have scarf.. But I can buy wool turtle neck scarf from store.

I can get Gore-Tex pant from my work. It'll be "Postal Blue" color. It's an excellent insulated pants and my work pays for it with allowance

There are always a way to buy cheap to keep urself warm while riding motorcycle. I've seen one wearing jump suit riding on motorcycle and it's very cozy, don't have to tuck in waist..

5 years ago, SERIOUSLY!!, I was driving on the way back to work from lunch break at 2 am (I worked nights back then), It was 10 degree out and was freezing. The harley guy rode down the street crossed by me, I went because he wasn't wearing anyting but tank top, jean and "chopper" sunglasses!!!!! I felt sorry for him if he arrive to Bar or home as a Popsicle!!! He was very apparently stoned or drunk at that time when he was riding.

Catty

 

[Jiro]

I do have Thermal long johns. I DO wear jogging sweatshirt with hood under coat. It helps keep me warm regardless if it's windy or not. At my work during winter, it was zero outside and I was delivering mail all day. I was warm and cozy and sweating a little.

The windchill are greater if riding on motorcycle. I have blue ski jacket. It is very old but in a good shape. My black motorcycle jacket is new that I got it free from my dad. It is not well insulated like my blue ski jacket. It also don't have collar on it either.

I do not have scarf.. But I can buy wool turtle neck scarf from store.

I can get Gore-Tex pant from my work. It'll be "Postal Blue" color. It's an excellent insulated pants and my work pays for it with allowance

There are always a way to buy cheap to keep urself warm while riding motorcycle. I've seen one wearing jump suit riding on motorcycle and it's very cozy, don't have to tuck in waist..


Catty

lol scarf? why not but... it seems so clumsy and unsafe since it will fly around but then... if James Dean can do it, then why not?

Buff-Wear is an elastic thing where you put it thru your head. I just found a demo video for you (she's a hottie!)

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHgS2mxHBG4[/ame]

jumpsuit.... I'd like one but it's so pricey!!! the most popular jumpsuit brand is Aerostich Roadcrafter but it goes up to about $1,000 or so but then... it usually lasts for several years so it kinda pay itself.

I'm hearing lot of conflicting reports about wearing Gore-Tex clothes for motorcycle. It's got me

 

[purplecatty]

Part III - Other Cold Gear
1. Bandanna. You'll definitely want to get one for your neck. Today I forgot my bandanna and my neck got very cold when I was riding at highway speed. It felt like my neck was getting a frostbite so I had to duck behind my tiny little windshield I like BuffWear very much. Cheap and easy to deal with. Buy only "Original Buff". No need to cough up extra for its winter version. The Original Buff is very thin but it does its job very well against wind. This is better than regular bandanna like what old Harley guy wears because you have to tie a knot which could come off and it's not elastic.

2. Socks. Get a pair of wool socks - mighty toasty! It beats cotton socks anytime, anywhere. Cotton socks make your feet sweaty (or cold/wet) and uncomfortable but not wool socks!! But... one problem - wool socks are kinda pricey but worth every buck! I still have wool socks from several years ago! I'm just that kind of guy who can take care of his gear and clothes well enough to make it last several years (I hope ).

3. Gloves. well - everybody has different opinion on it. some wears liner gloves + motorcycle gloves. some gets "winter gloves" (too thick for me). some pays $$$$ for heated gloves. so it's up to you. I don't have any good suggestion on this because it's different for everybody. It took me a few tries to figure out what works for me. I wear C1 Windstopper Gloves - Alpinestars Official Store but what kept me warm is the heated grips.

If you do want to get heated grips - then continue reading....

There are 2 kinds of heated grips -
1. the encapsulated grips (it's the one you completely replace the stock grips with heated version)
2. the "wrap-around" heating pads around your grips

either one works fine but Option #1 is the most popular choice. Very popular brand for Option #1 - Hot Grips (like mine) and Dual Star for Option #2. If you found something else better, that's fine but make sure it has good customer service because it will malfunction at one point and you'll definitely want one who will bend over for you just to make you happy Hot Grips' customer rep was awesome because the grip size I bought was wrong and I was following their website's recommendation so they apologized and shipped it priority because I needed it for my trip. Plus they paid for other grips' shipping fee to be shipped back.

For your bike - you'll most likely want the chrome version for grips so there are other companies that do make heated chrome version. I don't know which one is a popular brand for that but you can easily find one in any Harley forums.

4. hmmm I think that's it??? I don't know how do you intend to ride your bike. My gear setting is geared toward to long-distance riding aka "Adventure Touring" so it costs extra for comfort and lightweight size. If you're the type who ride around the town - here and there... I believe your cold gear budget would be upward to $150-200 for everything. I wouldn't be surprised if you can get everything for cheap. Just make sure it's decently durable because it gets more and more ruined for every time you do the laundry. Mind you - while my my thermal clothes and other cold gears are $$$, they're over 5+ years old and still going strong. My NB pants is probably over 10 years old. These cold gear were for my camping/hiking since I love winter hiking.

My style is to wear it thin and "high-tech" due to Adventure Touring type (ie. skin-tight thermal long-sleeve shirt is as good as normal thick sweatshirt). This $$$ approach was necessary for me because if I wear it thick and bulky - it can cut off my circulation after a while and make me feel like a stiff man. That's what it was like during my first cold riding. How dreadful. I even wore a long overcoat :roll:

Yeah, I have Gore-Tex Ski glove that is a matching color of my blue ski jacket. I don't have problem with it (It would be a matching color of my motorcycle trim ). I am able to get windproof, waterproof black gloves from work allowance too (shhh)..

As for socks, yes, there are heated socks. My friend who work the same job as I do, he wore electric sock and he loves it. very cozy and lasted him all day. They're not that expensive tho. Thick wool socks would be good option as long as you don't get it wet.

Electric heated grip is nice but I don't plan on buying it. I am aware that it does get hot sometime and must switch off. It apparently don't have thermal sensor to automatically turn on or off. I know how it get hot because I DO have heated seats in Durango during winter. Sometime it get a bit too hot and I had to switch it to low or off (I had friend sitting on heated seat that was left on high, he asked me why seat is hot, I told him "You're in Hot seat!! "you're in trouble" I told him to switch it off on side of seat ). I don't want it on my motorcycle seat either or else driver wondering why I have my butt hoovering over hot seat on motorcycle

Don't forget ear cover, Helmet insulation would keep your ear warm during chilly weather but not cold weather, Hood from sweatshirt or wool pull over face mask would help alot to keep ur head warm.

Maybe I could check out at Sporting Good store such as Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop near my home. They have lot good hunting "Cold Wear" stuff there.


Catty

 

[purplecatty]

You can try adjusting your shifter level (higher or lower). btw - watch out for shifter burn (your left boot)!

don't mind what my pix is about just look at red circle of my boot

I hope you didn't forget that toliet paper stuck under your boot when you walked out!!

Catty

 

[Jiro]

I hope you didn't forget that toliet paper stuck under your boot when you walked out!!

Catty