The Motorcycle Topic

[dog_day_sunrise]

Hey, it's been a difficult winter here too! Coldest on record in fact...

 

The BM held up fairly well, which was pretty much what I expected, but the Triumph has been a nightmare since leaving winter storage. List of problems follows:

 

1) Digital dash broken

2) Indicator control switch broken

3) Rear brakes locked shut

4) Dead battery

5) Rear tyre flat

6) Related to the above, rear rim is showing signs of corrosion

7) Idle is lumpier than a tranny's testicles

8) Cold-start issues

 

At least part of the above has been caused by freeze/thaw damage to the ECU- the bike seems to be running very rich and having intermittent cold start issues- casing is cracked so new ECU might be in the works. I need to dig out the power commander and see if that's suffered simiarly, with any luck it hasn't.

[trip]

Damn, dog day...and that was after being in winter storage? Crazy. Just curious, how long is your riding season? And what is your low threshold temp that you will ride in?

 

Here we get March(usually) through early November(usually). My cut off temp for riding is 50f/10c

 

The other thing I like about a fresh season, is the fresh batch of new riders. Not that I want to make fun of them but it is always kinda funny watching them try to be cool bikers when they haven't really learned how to really ride yet. At least their jacket matches their bike as they roll up to a stop with both feet down.

 

My jump box is charging, so it looks like I'll have the girl on the road this weekend.

[dog_day_sunrise]

Damn, dog day...and that was after being in winter storage? Crazy. Just curious, how long is your riding season? And what is your low threshold temp that you will ride in?

 

Here we get March(usually) through early November(usually). My cut off temp for riding is 50f/10c

 

The other thing I like about a fresh season, is the fresh batch of new riders. Not that I want to make fun of them but it is always kinda funny watching them try to be cool bikers when they haven't really learned how to really ride yet. At least their jacket matches their bike as they roll up to a stop with both feet down.

 

My jump box is charging, so it looks like I'll have the girl on the road this weekend.

I only stored the triumph, I've kept riding the bmw all through the winter. The coldest temp I've ridden in this year is about -8.5c. The only time I've tried to avoid riding is in the snow- I've been working in london a lot and ill be damned if ill pay congestion chaege and sit in traffic.

[Pico]

As some of you may remember, I got my M license last year. I'm still bikeless

I was actually talking with a friend about wanting to get one just yesterday. The weather here (right near Chicago) has gotten nice enough again. But sadly, any extra money has other places I need to spend it...

 

I'll just have to enjoy popping the T-Tops off the TA for now!

[trip]

As some of you may remember, I got my M license last year. I'm still bikeless

I was actually talking with a friend about wanting to get one just yesterday. The weather here (right near Chicago) has gotten nice enough again. But sadly, any extra money has other places I need to spend it...

 

I'll just have to enjoy popping the T-Tops off the TA for now!

Pico, pick up a scraper for now. I had a buddy who picked up a scraper for $200 and loved it. It was just a little 250 yamaha exciter but he was happy.

 

dog_day, I had to check your profile for your age. I would have thought you to be younger to ride in that kind of cold . How the hell do you do it? I used to ride in the cold of winter, but I'm pretty sure I stopped by age 20. I have fond memories of getting off my bike and having my fingers frozen in the position they were on the grips. The pain of bending them back is even a good memory

 

The good news my brothers, is I jump boxed my bike today and I'm back on the road. f*ckin-a it felt great. Tomorrow I give it a much needed bath.

 

It will be very cautious riding over the next few weeks. Record breaking snow in this city makes for a sh*t load of road hazards. There are piles of cinders at every intersection. Even making a 90 degree turn from a stand still is scary. Not to mention we are famous for bad roads and pot holes in this state(even worse in my city). Not only do we have our annual pot holes and cinders right now, but I swear we have chunks of road that are just plain old missing.

 

Can ya tell I'm excited?

[dog_day_sunrise]

dog_day, I had to check your profile for your age. I would have thought you to be younger to ride in that kind of cold . How the hell do you do it? I used to ride in the cold of winter, but I'm pretty sure I stopped by age 20. I have fond memories of getting off my bike and having my fingers frozen in the position they were on the grips. The pain of bending them back is even a good memory

A combination of good winter gear, heated grips and a heated jacket helps. As I said, I've been doing a fair bit of work in London recently and it's a choice between paying £8 every time I want to go in only to sit in traffic and pay a fortune to park, pay an even bigger fortune to sit on a smelly train full of suits shouting at their PA's down iPhones (okay I can claim it back of expenses but its still a hassle) or brave the cold, spend about 20% less on fuel getting there and back, skip the bulk of traffic and park for free.

[trip]

 

dog_day, I had to check your profile for your age.  I would have thought you to be younger to ride in that kind of cold .  How the hell do you do it?  I used to ride in the cold of winter, but I'm pretty sure I stopped by age 20.  I have fond memories of getting off my bike and having my fingers frozen in the position they were on the grips.  The pain of bending them back is even a good memory

A combination of good winter gear, heated grips and a heated jacket helps. As I said, I've been doing a fair bit of work in London recently and it's a choice between paying £8 every time I want to go in only to sit in traffic and pay a fortune to park, pay an even bigger fortune to sit on a smelly train full of suits shouting at their PA's down iPhones (okay I can claim it back of expenses but its still a hassle) or brave the cold, spend about 20% less on fuel getting there and back, skip the bulk of traffic and park for free.

Heated grips? You spoiled bastard....

 

I totally hear you on the savings. I take a trolley to and from work when I can't ride. About $2 each way. That would be about $20 a week. During the summer I might put $20 in my tank a month, and that includes my leisure riding gas. If I just rode my bike to and from work it would be more like $20 for 6 months.

 

Yes, the savings by riding a bike is ridiculous.

 

Sorry to hear your alternate commute isn't fun. My trolley commute is actually really cool, with good people. I almost miss some of them come riding season. To spin off a bit - I pick up my trolley about 40ft from my house and it drops me off at the bottom floor of the building I work in. I have the worlds best work commute when not on my bike

 

[dog_day_sunrise]

dog_day, I had to check your profile for your age.  I would have thought you to be younger to ride in that kind of cold .  How the hell do you do it?  I used to ride in the cold of winter, but I'm pretty sure I stopped by age 20.  I have fond memories of getting off my bike and having my fingers frozen in the position they were on the grips.  The pain of bending them back is even a good memory

A combination of good winter gear, heated grips and a heated jacket helps. As I said, I've been doing a fair bit of work in London recently and it's a choice between paying £8 every time I want to go in only to sit in traffic and pay a fortune to park, pay an even bigger fortune to sit on a smelly train full of suits shouting at their PA's down iPhones (okay I can claim it back of expenses but its still a hassle) or brave the cold, spend about 20% less on fuel getting there and back, skip the bulk of traffic and park for free.

Heated grips? You spoiled bastard....

 

I totally hear you on the savings. I take a trolley to and from work when I can't ride. About $2 each way. That would be about $20 a week. During the summer I might put $20 in my tank a month, and that includes my leisure riding gas. If I just rode my bike to and from work it would be more like $20 for 6 months.

 

Yes, the savings by riding a bike is ridiculous.

 

Sorry to hear your alternate commute isn't fun. My trolley commute is actually really cool, with good people. I almost miss some of them come riding season. To spin off a bit - I pick up my trolley about 40ft from my house and it drops me off at the bottom floor of the building I work in. I have the worlds best work commute when not on my bike

My daily hack -is- a sports tourer...mind you the heated grips are aftermarket oxford jobbies with the worlds biggest xontroller. That combined with the fact its yellow and grey and a k1200 on a unusual plate makes everyone think its a police bike!

[trip]

Wish me luck folks...

 

I may be trading in my FXlow for a Softtail custom this weekend. The softtail is my dream bike and it just so happens that they are back to being available (without a year long waiting list).

 

The needing luck part is because I have to get the wife's approval. Normally not an issue, but we are in the process of taking out some large home improvement loans. The selling point that I will use for her is the softtail has a much better seat configuration that what I have now. She is tiny and complains that she can't see over my head on the FX

 

The custom is what I need because it is less dressy and better fit for the city style riding I am forced to do.

here is a pic just for the record

[dog_day_sunrise]

If I was you I'd buy a naked for frequent city use and something else to play around in. It looks as if I may be moving to London again soon and when I do, first on my shopping list is a Street Triple.

[trip]

I wish I could, but I'm screwed space wise as well as on some other weird things. If I had it my way I would have a big fat comfort bike and a vintage 70s Honda 350 as my daily bike. I love the vintage bikes and it has really only been like the past 6-7 years that I started riding new bikes.

 

I live in a weird neighborhood in West Philadelphia. I have no driveway or garage so I have to tuck my bike in the breezeway next to my house. My wife has a little 250 Honda Rebel that also tucks away in the breezeway. I can't express how much of a pain in the ass it is to have to ramp your bike every time you leave the house and return. The house that shares the breezeway is actually converted into like 4 apartments. And me being all neighborly means I shouldn't consume the entire breezeway with bikes. It would also take away from the side gardens and my wife would totally say something. Both bikes have nice little out of the way nooks, and there are no more nooks left.

 

I own my house and have lived in this neighborhood for over 20yrs, so I have to be a 'good neighbor' and someone who helps care for the neighborhood. I could park my bikes out front of my house, but then that kind of disrupts the flow of the niceness of the hood. I never ever ever ever park my bike on the street.

 

I don't mind but I am stuck here until I retire, since I work for the city and there is a residency requirement. I'm sure when I retire and move I will have more then one bike. Thank goodness I get to retire at the early age of 55 and will still be able to enjoy riding.

[dog_day_sunrise]

I wish I could, but I'm screwed space wise as well as on some other weird things. If I had it my way I would have a big fat comfort bike and a vintage 70s Honda 350 as my daily bike. I love the vintage bikes and it has really only been like the past 6-7 years that I started riding new bikes.

 

I live in a weird neighborhood in West Philadelphia. I have no driveway or garage so I have to tuck my bike in the breezeway next to my house. My wife has a little 250 Honda Rebel that also tucks away in the breezeway. I can't express how much of a pain in the ass it is to have to ramp your bike every time you leave the house and return. The house that shares the breezeway is actually converted into like 4 apartments. And me being all neighborly means I shouldn't consume the entire breezeway with bikes. It would also take away from the side gardens and my wife would totally say something. Both bikes have nice little out of the way nooks, and there are no more nooks left.

 

I own my house and have lived in this neighborhood for over 20yrs, so I have to be a 'good neighbor' and someone who helps care for the neighborhood. I could park my bikes out front of my house, but then that kind of disrupts the flow of the niceness of the hood. I never ever ever ever park my bike on the street.

 

I don't mind but I am stuck here until I retire, since I work for the city and there is a residency requirement. I'm sure when I retire and move I will have more then one bike. Thank goodness I get to retire at the early age of 55 and will still be able to enjoy riding.

The missus can ride the naked when your not using it. Mine has a Speed Four and, embaressingly, can give me a run for my money

[epoxi]

I live in a weird neighborhood in West Philadelphia.

 

Sorry, had to be done.

 

But in all seriousness, I'm amazed that there is such a thing as a wife who will ride a motorbike with their husband...you are one lucky guy.

[trip]

@dog day, my wife is tiny. There is no way we could have a bike we can both ride without me feeling like a retard. She is also possessive and doesn't always share well .

 

@epoxi, The playground where he spent most of his days is only a few blocks from my house. Now a days you run more of a risk of getting hit by a blonde, white lady pushing a baby carriage than getting into it with some black dudes.

 

Oh and I did not pick up the softtail yet. I have to do a straight up trade, so I have to ride the new bike home and it has just been too crappy and rainy to ride home on a new bike. Soon though.

[dog_day_sunrise]

I'm rocking a new look for the Triumph as we go into summer.

 

 

Was out on a ride in the Forest of Dean. Wild sheep + damp road = some ruined leathers and a bit of damage to the bike.

 

Luckily no damage to me or anything structural to the bike. However, no screen, f*cked front fairing and a nice bit of road rash on the sides- thankfully the crash bungs saved it from the worst of any damage. Thinking of just junking the entire front fairing and seeing if I can jury-rig an intake solution from a Speed Four onto the front. Ah well.

[BCspeed34]

Here is my new get-around-town bike. I haven't topped it out yet, but I'm guessing it's somewhere between 45 and 50 MPH.

 

 

 

1974 Honda CT90.

[trip]

^^^

I had one of those!!!!!!! f*ckin' trail-90 baby...

 

My mother surprised me with it when I was like 11. Totally loved it. Cluchless with that weird heal toe shift lever.

[ptiko]

Passed my CBT last saturday. First bike!

 

 

[dog_day_sunrise]

Passed my CBT last saturday. First bike!

 

 

Congrats- planning on doing your full test?

 

Spent all yesterday rebuilding the Triumph with some spare body pannels. Almost back to stock look now besides the screen, side fairings and crash bungs. Considering stripping it down and parting it out, going to replace it and the BMW with one street-ridable, track-biased bike.

[ptiko]

Congrats- planning on doing your full test?

Thanks and Hell yes. Next january though, when I turn 21, so I can do my test on a bigger bike!

[dog_day_sunrise]

Congrats- planning on doing your full test?

Thanks and Hell yes. Next january though, when I turn 21, so I can do my test on a bigger bike!

Does that mean you can ride without limiter from the moment you pass you test? Even if you can, I suggest you don't .

The first bike I rode after passing my test was an unrestrictted 04 R6. I very nearly killed myself the moment I got on it.

[ptiko]

I don't intend to get sports bike yet. I'm not sure what I'll get once I pass.

[trip]

Congrats Ptikobj. Nice bike too...

 

Full Test? What is that? It sounds like it is pretty different to get your bike license than it is here. Around here you can get your learners permit when you are 16. To get a permit you just have to take a written test. The only restrictions with the permit is you can't ride a passenger or ride past dusk. Now get this - to convert your permit into a full license you just have to do 3 figure eights in a box without putting your foot down(you are allowed one touch with your foot)

 

Allot of people around here take the free motorcycle safety course provided by the state. A few days of in class learning followed by a few days of parking lot riding. At the end of the course your permit is turned into a real license.

 

@Dog Day, sorry to hear about the spill on the Triumph. At least it is one you can talk about. And don't ya just love being part of the class of 'real riders'. You know the old line - there are people that go down and never get back on, and than there are bikers.

[dog_day_sunrise]

Congrats Ptikobj. Nice bike too...

 

Full Test? What is that? It sounds like it is pretty different to get your bike license than it is here. Around here you can get your learners permit when you are 16. To get a permit you just have to take a written test. The only restrictions with the permit is you can't ride a passenger or ride past dusk. Now get this - to convert your permit into a full license you just have to do 3 figure eights in a box without putting your foot down(you are allowed one touch with your foot)

 

Allot of people around here take the free motorcycle safety course provided by the state. A few days of in class learning followed by a few days of parking lot riding. At the end of the course your permit is turned into a real license.

 

@Dog Day, sorry to hear about the spill on the Triumph. At least it is one you can talk about. And don't ya just love being part of the class of 'real riders'. You know the old line - there are people that go down and never get back on, and than there are bikers.

In the UK, you have to do a short test called a CBT, which permits you to ride anything up to a 125 and up to 12hp (from memory you can do it at 16). Then you need to do a full bike test (have to be 17+ to do it, again unless my memory fails me) which is much harder. If your under 21 you will be limited to 33hp for the first part (I can't remember whether its 1 or 2 years)- if your over 21 you can go straight onto a full-fat bike.

 

The Triumph is coming back together. Still go no front end, or screen on it- have focused on fixing the last few issues from winter before I start rebuilding the bodywork on it. I'm undecided as to whether to streetfighter it using Speed Four parts (got some bits on order on Ebay anyway) or get another set of GRP panels made up and return it to a race-rep.

[Lurch]

You can get the basic learners bike license that tripmills described when you're 14 here and you're limited to bikes up to 650cc. You need to be 16 to get your full which lets you drive anything.

 

Edit - they changed the learner's license to 15 now. It was 14 back when I was a freshman in highschool and my friend was putting around on his bike.

 

 

Motorcycle Learner's Permit (Class P-M)

The permit is valid for one year, and once you turn 16 you can upgrade the permit to a regular motorcycle license. To get a motorcycle learner's permit, you must be at least age 15. While you have your learner's permit you must:

 

Operate a motorcycle with only a 650 cc cylinder or smaller

Operate only during daylight hours

Operate only within 20 miles of your home

Never carry passengers

Never use the interstate system

 

There's also some more oddly restricted license that you can get at the same age. I guess it's for mopeds. Interesting to note, the full Motorcycle license doesn't let you drive 125 cc and under bikes.

 

Motor-driven Cycle (Class M Limited)

The license is valid for four years. You must:

 

Be at least age 15

Operate only two or three-wheeled vehicles with no more than 125 cc cylinders

Operate only between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. (if between the ages of 15 and 16)

Operate only within 20 miles of your home (if between the ages of 15 and 16)

Comply with the restrictions set forth by the Examiner (if 16 or older)

 

 

Motorcycle Only (Class M)

The license is allows you to operate any two or three-wheeled vehicle with a 125 cc or greater cylinder, and is valid for four years. You must:

 

Be at least age 16 (or 15 if you hold a special permit; certain restrictions apply)

Pass vision, written, and on-cycle skills tests

 

And then what most people would have.

 

 

Motorcycle-secondary (Class M)

This endorsement is added to and will expire at the same time as another type of license, such as a regular Class D license. You must:

 

Already possess another type of operator license

Pass vision, written, and on-cycle skills tests

Edited May 26, 2010 by Lurch

[trip]

Damn Lurch...14? That just seems way too young to be able to get a permit. Even 15 seems young, but what the heck people have to grow up and learn a sometime - even if it is 15. Here in PA you can get your motorcycle or car permit at 15(but only 6 months before your 16th birthday). You can't take the test to convert your permit into a license until you at 16.

 

I guess I'm getting old but 14/15 just seems too young. Me = hypocrite since I was driving around in my VW bug alone when I was 14/15.

[Lurch]

Well you get a normal driver's license permit at 15. I guess the same should go for bikes.

[kevin2006rhs]

Doesn't work that way here in PA does it?

 

 

I remember going in sometime around July when I was 15 (december b-day). They said I had to wait. Besides, I thought you had to have your regular DL to get a motorcycle permit?

Edited May 27, 2010 by kevin2006rhs

[Lurch]

Yeah, but PA sucks. It's like UK lite.

[kevin2006rhs]

Yeah...I know.

 

 

But I just drove my bike around without a permit. Yeah...thats how we roll in PA.