Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Been wanting a cheap volt gauge and also a way to monitor coolant temp for a while, bonus if they could be combined and look uncluttered. These Amazon knock-offs are usually $38 and mixed reviews, not worth the effort at that price. On a random night I come to find a new seller, and if you selected individual pieces rather than the combo, they were $3.99 each. No reviews at the time, but cheap enough to roll the dice on now. Finally came yesterday, and ended up with 2x of the gauges included with the individual pieces (holder + 18mm hose splice). Both work on a bench, install eventually.

 

I'm almost too short to be learning on a CB500X. Took mine out for the first time LEGALLY last night, just a quick 5 mile cruise around the neighborhood. Think I'm more afraid of it now than BEFORE the moto class, hahaha. Just need some more seat time to get used to it. I think I got used to how low that G310R was to the ground for the class, or maybe it got into my about all the dangers around every corner they talked about during the class.

For her, she's still set on a Rebel. In fact, she made an offer last night to a guy and he said yes. She's grabbing the money today so we can pickup Friday evening. $5k for a 2021 with ABS. If we do in fact pick it up, I think we're doing pretty good. Hers for $5k, mine for $6k.

 

Versys 300 was my second choice in researching for my 1st bike... but then I sat on one. With my feet down, the front/corners of the seat dug into my legs. Was REALLY uncomfortable sitting on it at a dealership. Legs up on pegs I didn't have an issue, but second I put a leg down it was bad. Hopped on a few other bikes, some CFMoto adv bike, and a good ol KLR650 and they were nice and comfy. That Versys is the only bike I've sat on that had an issue like that. Could just be my height, inseam, etc, but dang I was disappointed! lol.

 

The Versys 300 seat is nothing more than a 2x6 with layer of vinyl over it. Besides that, It's biggest downfall, imo, is that it doesn't slope up the tank at all, which would help with the legs being down, and being able to change position now and then. I did pick up a thin pad for it and it made a lot of difference in how long I could sit with no issues.
Otherwise, I really like the bike and have no desire to trade it off just yet.

 

Welcome to the club!

Street riding will be intimidating for a while, but will obv get better over time.

I started conditioning myself by taking short rides around the local neighborhoods after work, then working to my easy work commute, then some afterwork "long way home rides" then finally on the freeway, which is the real intimidating thing due to speed and Semis.

 

Congrats to both you and her!

I did similar to what @Gunshot-6A detailed in my learning process. first my neighborhood roads, then my work commute, then freeways. Though i was lucky because I had some mild twisties right by my neighborhood to practice on as well.

Don't forget the gear and keep that head on a swivel!

 

Thanks, man. I'll be keeping up the practice. Main thing is getting use to putting my feet down and balancing that thing with the tips of my toes, lol. might try doing more of a single leg thing next time i'm out, shifting on the seat like I'd do on a tall dirtbike to reach the ground. Freeway... yeah, that'll be awhile.

 

I was right off Wasatch Road in SLC as well, so def had local twisties available via surface streets. Even better, the HS across the street from me had a road and range course, so I'd spend 30 mins or so banging out U-turns, figure-8s, and e-stops a plenty.

 

You only need one leg down when you come to a stop. Keep your right foot on the brake or hovering.

Freeways can be intimidating, but IMO they're safer. Only one direction of travel, less variables.

 

Most important: Ride your own ride, man!

Don't let others try to talk you into riding faster/busier routes than you want. That's where the real danger hides.

Agreed on the freeway being unidirectional makes it a bit easier once you get over the shock factor.

 

For sure. I won't be riding with anyone for quite awhile, besides my wife. And we know well enough that we just need to know our destination. I used to have to worry about her on the ATVs, always keeping an eye out... now I know she'll get there perfectly fine on her own.

 

If you have an experienced rider you're friends with it can be a great lesson for you to ride with them a few times if they're okay with it. I've gone out on rides with some new riders and always have them ride behind me and simply watch what I do for a while. I'll keep my pace a bit slower than when I'm alone and keep a close eye in my mirrors to observe them. We'll do a few miles like that and then switch so I follow them and can critique what I'm seeing. There have never been any issues to date and it often makes them less intimidated than going out alone. I keep the rides shorter so I don't overwhelm them and will usually go over the route before we leave picking less traveled roads so they can concentrate on their basics.

 

I just looked it up, definitely had some handy roads nearby. That Highway 65 looks fun.

If you have the time, you can take a look at where I was. Right on the west end of Del Dios Road in San Diego, which was wide sweeping turns to get started, then as I got more confident I went deeper towards Palomar Mountain/Ramona/Julian.

In other news I've been toying with the idea of a very fast trip up/down the 1. maybe 3-4 days in total. Get up to Santa Barbara one night, spend a day riding up to Monterey, another day riding back down to SB, then home. Think it could be doable without any luggage past a backpack.

 

That'd be a sweet ride. And just a change of clothes for the night off the bike and a toothbrush should be easy in a small pack, or a small duffle strapped to the back. I drove Monterrey to SB in the truck when I lived down there and it was SO RAD!

 

Yup I figure couple changes of clothes in a backpack should do the trick. Got a buddy in SB I can crash with so I'd just need a room for the one night in Monterey.

Funny thing, driving up/down the 1 was what made me get a Tacoma. I still owned my WRX at the time, and was planning an extended road trip up the coast, then out to Yosemite, and back the same route with a girlfriend at the time. A friend offered to lend me his budget-conversion sprinter van which made the trip a whole different experience, and ultimately is what made me want a camping-centric vehicle.

I started looking at trucks pretty soon after that trip. Traded in my wrx on the tacoma about a month later. Then I found TW a month later and here we are

 

Swing by Oakhurst I'll be there in November... hoping I can rent a motorcycle for a day or two while I'm out there

 

Lol that's a hell of a detour, but when in November? I'm still figuring out what to do for my birthday which will fall on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, so maybe I'll do an even longer trip.

 

I want a van. Motovan life but I'm not sure I'd enjoy driving it everyday

 

congrats! not a bad price for a rebel either! the gf is constantly looking for a 500 for when she has the moneny!

agreed with what the other yahoos said lol. just go slow with it!
i would take the bike to grab something at the store or somewhere around town and stuff like that. then worked towards meeting my friends for blip which was the more intimidating thing for me since all my friends live 30+mins away... my buddy with the goldwing did actually ride to my place a few times after i had my accident and was riding again to make sure i was good. so good friends that are cool with taking it slow to help show you the ropes aint a bad thing either!

riding to work i started doing but mainly took backroads since the ole drz sucked on freeway with the dirt tires lol after a bit and once i got the sm tires the freeway didnt bother me anymore and now its a daily thing lol.

 

ive always thought a moto van would be sick to build! but now the prices on nicer ones are nuts haha not worth it for a 3rd vehicle!