Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Also the time..... ooof. side fairings, tank, airbox need to come off fully (which at this point I can do in under 30min) THEN, cleanly removing lines, replacing lines then bleeding everything... and thats just the front brake.

 

yeah maybe just save that project for when you actually NEED to replace lines lol

 

yaaa thats what one of my friends said to me but she was a lot umm meaner lol we were in vr when it happened and she saw me just kinda laying there lol. but ya sadly insurance for me is a high deductible so unless i need surgery putting it on my insurance isnt worth it

 

I finally realized I could remove the top box within a few seconds. I had thought the wiring for the top box was hard wired in but I guess I forgot I put in a connector to unplug it. I kind of like the look:



Also, the Stop N Go portable tire inflator I bought stopped working the last time I used it so I've added a backup hand pump. I'm going to look into a battery powered one as well but this is there as a very last resort.

 

I only use my top box when traveling and much prefer the look without it.

I like how you stashed the back up tire pump but would suggest possible finding some way to cover the valve end to avoid it getting loaded with road grit and other debris. Last thing you need is to learn that your tire pump AND backup tire pump don't work.

 

I did the same thing, made a mount for the hand pump inside the top box and replaced the defunct battery pump with another. I agree with @BkerChuck , find a way to seal the nozzle to keep the crap out, slip on a bag or condom

$6 Rifle Condom Style Muzzle Cover, Rubber Muzzle Cap, Pack of 20 (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/Condom-Style-Muzzle-Cover-Rubber/dp/B01D62S1UE I like the location though.

 

Thanks! There is a rubber plug in the valve end (the black tab thing sticking up). I've also ordered a 6000 mah battery inflator as well.

@BkerChuck Do you notice any difference in MPG with just the top box off?

 

When I do have the top box on we're usually 2-up. fully packed, and traveling so I pay little attention to the fuel mileage TBH. My windshield is electronically adjustable and I've noticed more change in MPG form putting it down lower and wearing ear plugs. Like 2 mpg improvement.

 

Id bet side cases impact MPG's more so than a top box thats behind the rider. Unless its a really wide top box.

I personally run a top box all the time (smaller 33L givi) as its easier to use and makes the bike skinnier for lane splitting etc.

 

Funny you say that. Last summer we went on one ride, 2-up, with just the top box and no saddlebags and I definitely noticed the increased MPG on that ride. If I recall almost 4 mpg improvement.

 

I run all 3 because I like the top box for helmet storage and the side cases for everything else. When I was commuting to work, I'd have my regular shoes in one side case, gym bag in the other and laptop bag in the top box. I could then store my boots in the side cases and helmet/gloves in the top box at work.

I lane split through almost everything I could with any other bike. As long as your mirrors/bars are wider than the side cases there's no real difference in my experience.

 

I would take my side cases off but my turn signals are broken and the cases are holding them up!

 

it always makes me a little happy inside when i see a proficient rider easily lane splitting with a wide, heavy motorcycle with saddlebags lol.

then it frustrates me when I see them get stuck behind another less experienced rider on a much slimmer bike who is probably too stressed to notice a rider behind him, or too fresh to know courtesy dictates he moves when safe/possible

 

I'm still a slow splitter so I let people split as fast as they want in front of me, but I'm not scared about fitting through gaps. I gave my wife a ride home from work the other day and she was pretty stressed about us splitting through some narrow gaps.

 

Yeah ill split but not much more than 5mph over the current speed of traffic, and only really split when there arent big enough gaps in traffic for a car to make a sudden lane change.

 

I've never been a fan of splitting. Drivers here are so oblivious

 

Confidence is key. I remember when i first started splitting, even huge gaps felt scary lol. Now I'm more comfortable, I fit through spaces I never would have attempted a couple years ago.

I terrified my ex a few weeks back when I was lane splitting on my way home from work and passed her unknowingly, couldn't have been moving faster than 30 while traffic was at a dead stop. Got home to some very angry/motherly texts about my riding lol.

I split p much anytime there's traffic...I know I know tsk tsk bad old me. But I do follow the 10mph speed differential rule (okay maybe sometimes 15mph if traffic is very light, or it's stop and go). I find I actually feel safer splitting in dead stop n go traffic, vs traffic that moves at 10-15mph. Once there's a smidge of speed, people start leaving huge gaps so they can just coast without braking, which is basically a big neon sign to everyone else saying "please cut in right here"

 

I've never ridden where lane splitting is legal so I've never done it. I can tell you that here in PA it would be bordering on suicide because car drivers would NOT cooperate and would likely attempt to take you out.

 

I've heard (and seen several videos) of drivers actively going out of their way to stop riders from lane splitting. Either pinching off the lane to stop forward movement, or in the worst cases, opening up a door in traffic.

I definitely won't be lane splitting when I travel to other states lol

 

Lane splitting is one of the only reasons why I haven't left California. I just wouldn't feel comfortable riding in a place that doesn't allow lane splitting.