|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday, April 1 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Barbara,
Saturday, April 3 Go to Skulldana. I wear these every time I ride my motorcycle. They are very comfortable and fit really snug on your head.. – Cindy from VA (note from Mama: and when you go to take a closer look at a design, they show it being worn from all angles ... very useful!) Dear Readers, While I was cruising through the board, I came upon a thread post noting this interesting site with a series of mini video clips on the very basics of riding. Very useful whether you're learning on your own or wanting to get a preview of what to expect in a riding course that you'll be taking this year! – Mama Tuesday, April 6 Dear VTwin Mama, When I tried to maneuver her into the space I noticed that the entrance to my space has a small hill in front of it. Well, after several struggles with trying to get her in there, I ended up pushing her too far and we went over the small hill and then she fell. Nothing really hurt (well, except for my pride). I just don't know how to turn her around in there. And I'm a bit nervous to walk her backwards out of the space because I'm worried I won't be able to control her once we hit that small hill. You got any advice on this one? Thanks. You and this site are so helpful. – Jenn Dear Jenn, Is there a friend you can call upon as you learn this? They can position themselves at the front to ensure that the handlebar doesn't twist and be your eyes for you ... this way you can practice a few times with help and then on your own with them there as backup. Otherwise, the only other thing that comes to mind is a product that let's you swing the bike around in a tight space. It's called a motorcycle turntable. One example is from MotoPark Systems (you'll see a video clip of a gal with a large bike operate it). I know Do a search on "motorcycle turntables" for more companies so you can price compare. – Mama Tuesday, April 6 Hi there VTwin Mama, Dear Ruthie, Tuesday, April 6 Hi VTwin Mama, This past weekend I rode in a group with 3 other bikes, they put a lot of pressure on me to keep up (they are skilled riders, including my husband, my older son, and a male friend). My husband led us to a sand covered bumpy road in the mountains. I wasn't doing well but was moving on. They stopped on a steep incline (also banked) ... when I put my foot down the bike went over. I cried. My husband said I had to get back on. I did and rode the rest of the day. We came home on the highway ... very nervous. I'm on your site everyday so I feel you might understand and maybe can help me. My bike is a 1200 Sportster and is my first bike. I live in Montreal, Canada. Thank you, – Paula Dear Paula, I'm sure your husband, son, and friend mean well ... the 'trial by fire' method of learning, which is probably how they learned, does not work for everyone ... and clearly is not working for you. DO NOT GIVE UP! Not all riders have the patience to ride at the skill level of a new rider, so the first thing is to discuss with your husband whether he can or cannot go on rides with you for the next 1,000 km at your pace. You map out some sane routes (i.e. no sand covered bumpy stuff in mountain passes) and get your skills polished step-by-step as YOU need. If you're struggling with turns or clutch control, schedule some parking lot practice time. Need some guidance on practice ... check out the Ride Like a Pro video ... even hubby dearest may join you as it can be fun to see how you really do on the various skills sections! Do not be discouraged if he can't fulfill this mentor role. It happens and you'll need to go to Plan B. Plan B is a serious infusion of woman empowerment. First, did you know that the Montreal HOG (Harley Owners Group) has a Ladies of Harley (LOH) chapter? Click and read (the site is in French or English) ... go meet these gals and say hi (they usually have a monthly meeting) ... you might find a mentor there, but at the very least, you'll find welcoming sisters of the road! I'm not sure if there are other women's riding groups ... most of the sites on a search pop up in French, and well, I only know English ... and enough German to order a beer and find the restroom ... ok, I'm probably ok to order food if it's chicken! Also, immediately register on my VTwin Mama Message Board and then introduce yourself. You will be flooded with greetings from fellow sisters who so well know what's been happening to you. They will noodle out thoughts, approaches, and most importantly, help you find the courage to craft this learning phase so that it works for you. This is no ordinary board ... it's respectful, sharing, and caring ... you really can't go wrong! Plan A (husband as mentor) and Plan B (women's group and message board) can coexist and would be the best of both worlds. Square your shoulders, look 'em straight in the eye, and tell 'em what you need. Remember, most people aren't mind readers ... and those who purport to be are suspect. Also remember that you do not need to apologize for being a new rider ... we were all there once ... some of us just don't really remember the struggles or don't want to remember! – Mama Wednesday, April 7 The only way I could back my bike out of our space was to stand next to it on it's left side. I faced forward with hands on each side of the bars. The right hand just cover the brake for security only. DO NOT APPLY except when the bike is perfectly straight. I would then put my right hip up to the tank area to steady the bike and walk backwards. Took a few times, but it worked!!! I had to go over two tracks for the sliding doors and then a down hill. I just could not get the momentum to get over the tracks trying to sit on the seat. Hope this helps. – Joan (note from Mama: thanks for sharing another idea!) We have a driveway that declines steeply to the garage which is FULL of "stuff" except a space to squeeze two motorcycles into. We have to back all the way down and because the road isn't wide, we have to turn a bit to get into a position to go as straight back as possible to position the bike right for garaging since two have to fit in a tight spot. It takes quite a while, especially at first. You have to go very slowly backward. Turn it off, keep it in first. Use the clutch to stop and the front brake to control the descent. You MUST be very patient, go slowly. You will gain some speed eventually, but it is important not to rush. You have to constantly feel for every move to gauge control, duck walk back a firm, slow step at a time. Remember the front brake is to slow the bike, the clutch can stop it if it is in first gear. Avoid sudden moves. You can even turn with the front wheel as far as it will turn, but SLOWLY, controlled. In the summer we usually cover the bikes with a bike cover as long as the weather lasts. Jockeying it into the garage is a real pain and hopefully Rich (who has to get the final push over the drain ridge) will get sick enough of it this year to clean his "stuff" OUT! It's been two years. TTFN, – Trish (note from Mama: that's an interesting use of both the clutch and front brake in combo.) Wednesday, April 7 I know exactly how you feel! It’s real scary when you go with other guys who have been on these hard rides. Here in Australia we class rides from Grade 1 to Grade 3 and my husband and two other guys took me to Tasmania, which is an island just off the coast of the mainland, but considered a fantastic location for motorcycles and a Grade 3 ride. I live in Victoria so it’s an overnight ferry ride for us. All went well for me until we got into the incredible twisty mountain roads ... it was really freaky as the guys were just flying through them with me pottering along behind. There were complete gravel roads covered in water ... another very scary encounter. I managed to stay upright but it was not a pleasant ride for me as I was constantly worrying about coming off. I have also dropped my bike when stationary due to the roads falling away. Don’t give up girl ... .just do what you feel safe with. Since then I have gained a lot of confidence and I won’t let anyone push me into a ride that is not right for me. I think with bike riding it’s a growing thing and confidence comes as we ride more. I have found that most men think we have the same strength and resilience as they have when it comes to riding ... and we can get to that stage ... but it’s a learning process, so don’t be too hard on yourself. – Ruthie (note from Mama: sage advice from one who has also had to learn that part of the responsibility of riding is to be firm about the learning process and skill building.) Wednesday, April 7 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Steve, From Steve: I ended up getting the Arlen Ness stand and it works great! I would highly recommend it. It IS pricey but it’s a godsend. I still can’t believe more people haven’t said much about the reach disparity on Softails. I always assumed because of the seat height that Softails, especially Heritages, were designed with short riders in mind. I got a custom seat from C&C and it’s gotten me a little closer and lower to the foot controls. One thing I noticed though was the heat coming from the engine. I never rode the bike with the wider stock seat but have to assume that being wider helps deflect some of the heat. The new seat is slimmer and I was getting cooked the other day here in SoCal and it was probably in the 80s. So, I’m looking into a oil cooler and some heat shields. I’ve already gotten new pipes, A/C and Power Commander to cool it off but it’s not enough. If ain’t one thing it’s another! – Steve From Mama: Heat shields have helped many a rider ... some are throw over and some require that you remove the seat to slide it under. Just keep in mind that in stop/start traffic it can impair the ability of the motorcycle to move heat away from the bike ... just a cautionary note. Yup, one thing or another! Wednesday, April 7 Dear VTwin Mama, I have always wanted to drive a bike, but let everything and everyone talk me out of it ... mostly I convinced myself that I wasn’t the type to learn to ride ... that was for some other person. Two months ago I was talking to another women and she and I talked about bikes. I told her that I always wanted to drive one ... not be behind someone driving it ... she said she had always wanted the same thing. You know, I think secretly most women want to have their own bike and be able to ride and not depend on anyone else. Anyway, something snapped in my head and I began to get on the Internet and see what classes I could go to. To be honest I was so afraid of my husband’s reaction if I told him that I wanted to do this ... that he would put his foot down and I knew I would be defeated and go along with him ... and I would feel miserable that I didn’t at least try. Well, I got online and registered for the BMC at our local community college and then paid online by credit card. I sensed a thrill inside of me but also a sense of dread because what I thought my husband would say and how he would react. I basically told him this is what I have always wanted and this is what I am going to do. He wasn’t angry ... more shocked that anything ... he now feels the BMC is the best way. I think deep down inside he thinks I will fail, so isn’t too bothered about it at the moment. Anyway, next month I will see how I do and I can tell you I am excited and very scared at the same time. If anyone has any pointers on the course please let me know. I need all the help I can get. This is a great site. Thank you, – Diane B. Dear Diane, It is quite normal to be both excited and nervous about your upcoming class, and it's also natural that the closer you get to that date, the more nervous you'll feel. The trick to get those feelings under control IMHO is to do six things. 1) Go to my Get Started page ... here you will find a number of video clips that will show you the things you'll be doing in the riding portion of the class ... it's a great way to preview things so you don't walk into that class "cold." Even if you don't understand everything there you see, you'll be a step ahead! 2) As you are watching those clips, visualize yourself happily learning new skills ... positive thoughts are key. Any time you feel yourself slipping into negative thoughts about what might happen, immediately replace them with positive visualization. See yourself succeeding. There's no reason to shoot yourself in the foot before you even start! 3) A lot of DMVs offer the motorcycle handbook online as a download ... you can pre-read basic road rules specific to motorcycle riding and be that much more prepared for the written test. I just realized I have some sort of copy, along with a bunch of other excellent links, on my Riding Safety page. Take a look in the left hand column. Read, read, read. 4) On a piece small piece of paper that can tuck into your pants or jacket pocket, write down a note to yourself. Something like, "This is for me! You go girl!" So every time you start having doubts, you pull your note to yourself out and read it. Lots of gals have reported that this really can make a difference ... some even laminate the note. Do it now! 5) Before the class, eat light but nutritious. Minimize caffeine. Bring water to the class and even small energy snacks. If you're struggling with a skill, stop, take a deep breath, and try again. Remember, you are there to learn ... passing the class is a bonus! Many new riders don't pass the first time. Some get a small 250cc bike for practice and then take the course again. Learn, learn, learn. Some instructors are of the drill sergeant variety and can seem harsh. Keep your cool and have a snappy retort at the ready (i.e. hey, I'm not deaf, just learning ... humor is absolutely useful!). 6) Immediately register on the VTwin Mama Message Board. You will be welcome with open arms by women who know exactly how you are feeling. It's a great way to journal and get those feelings out so they don't get stuck in your tummy, where butterflies are manufactured. Ok, off you go to make your 58th year one of the most interesting ever! I guarantee that if you do these six steps that by the time the class starts you'll be the one who can't wait to give it a try! – Mama Good Morning VTwin Mama, I like tinkering with things and am a
penniless university student, so is there any chance I could do this
myself? I checked out the gas tank ... it's empty but there are some
tiny rust spots in there and some mild buildup of, um, crusty crud on
the sides... Any advice for this rank beginner would be appreciated!
Thanks! Dear Anna, You definitely should be concerned about crud in and around the tank, as anything loose could try to move through the fuel lines into the carburetor and clog up the system. I found this tank cleaning/rust removal thread on the "All Things Motorcycle" site ... gives you inexpensive ideas on cleaning as well as the more sophisticated methods. Ok, once you've got the tank cleaned up you need to pull the spark plugs and put new ones in ... you can call the local Yamaha dealer for availability and price. Then I'd check the air cleaner filter element and hope that it's in good enough shape that you can simply clean it. I doubt the battery is any good ... you can bring that to the dealer to test ... by some miracle it might still be able to hold a charge, but I wouldn't bet the bank on that. Once you've got that sorted out, put new gas in the tank and see if it will fire up. If it does, great, but I'd add some carb cleaner to the gas tank (available from any auto parts store) so that moves through the fuel system and helps to further clean it as the carb could be gunked up. Meanwhile you'll need to take a good look at the tires and see if they are any good. A bike that sits on its tires in the same spot for that long could have developed rot or weak spots. Check the sidewalls for cracks (bad sign) and the general tread depth at all points (when you place the edge of a quarter in the thread, it should at least reach the top of Washington's head!). If you got the DS7 running, then you'll need to warm it up, shut 'er down, and drain the oil, replace, and replace the oil filter. As you can see there will definitely be some cash needed to get this bike running correctly and there's lots to look at. Parts diagrams can be found on BikeBandit.com. I'm thinking that there must be other riders on campus and a way for you to put out a message for assistance ... there may be people out there willing to help on such an interesting project just for the fun of it! – Mama Monday, April 12 Hi Petra,
Thursday, April 15 Dear VTwin Mama, I've been in love with motorcycles for years, and despite getting my license in 2006, I didn't ride again until the end of last year. After getting my first 'grown up' job, I bought a 125 YBR as a birthday present to myself, took some lessons to refresh my memory, and have been riding almost every day since. I don't just want to ride; I want to be very good at it. I still practice in a parking lot a few nights a week after work, and I've bought more books on skills, safety and mechanics over the last few months than I have any other kind of book (and I love reading). I want to save up an eventually take an advanced riding course, and possibly learn to race with a track school. Unfortunately I can’t seem to find many other women riders of my skill level over here (France), but I’m hoping that will change some day. Still a long way to go, but getting there! Here’s my issue. In a few months I’m hoping to trade up to a Ninja 250. One of the things holding me back is my parents. Although I'm completely independent in many ways, their opinion still has some hold on me. I even asked for their blessing when I bought my bike (they said yes, thankfully). Every time I bring up the subject, somehow it turns into an argument – they think this is a temporary whim. My father has offered to buy me a car so I'll give up riding, but honestly, if I could afford only having a car, or only having a bike, I'd pick the bike. I can understand my parents’ fears - they trust me as a rider, but they don’t trust other road users. Also, they almost lost me to serious illness when I was a baby, so they are hard-wired to be over-protective at times. I can't seem to make them understand that even though I might be out of harm's way if I stop riding, something inside me will die if I do. How do you deal with people with good intentions who are guilt-tripping and pressuring you into stopping? – Debbie D. Dear Debbie, I understand your passion, as do 4 million other solo women motorcycle riders. I'm proud that you are taking so many well thought out steps to be the best rider you can be. I'm happy that you have many ideas on what your adventure will encompass. You are empowered and you know it. I am glad that I have created a website that you then found! Asking for your parent's blessing is declaring that you wish for them to support you as you move forward in your life. They saw you through a serious childhood illness, held your hand as they taught you the basic rules for crossing a street safely, consoled and counseled you when life wasn't smooth, and launched you into the world with as much knowledge as they could pass on. The difference with the motorcycle "thing" is that they are in uncharted territory. It apparently is a risk factor they can't quite fathom, but take a moment to think about risks you know they took in their lives. Sure, it wasn't the bike thing, but every person moving into and further along into adulthood takes risks. If you're not sure, then maybe now is the time to have an adult discussion on the topic ... what leaps of faith did they take, how did that make them feel, what did they learn? In the end, a young adult who has listened to loved ones' thoughts, concerns, and opinions, must then weigh and balance that against their own inner voice. At some point you may need to stop asking for a blessing (in many ways, permission) and declare your adult decision without apology. I can see that this all might be a bit easier if you had other women riders as friends in your life. My knowledge of overseas riding organizations is not that good ... I only know of the Women's International Motorcycle Association, of which there is a chapter in France. Click on National Groups, then France, and you will see an email to the chapter president as well as the link to their site. I am reminded of the story of Becky Brown, founder of the national U.S. riding organization, Women In The Wind. Back in the mid 1970s she put an ad in her local newspaper saying that she was looking for other women to ride with. Several called her and they started riding together. More women joined them. And eventually they put together hundreds of chapters across the U.S. (and some in other countries). All because of an ad in the paper ... is this an idea that might work for you? At the same time, while I realize that motorcycle dealerships wouldn't give you the names of women who have purchased motorcycles, perhaps they would let you put up a simple announcement on a bulletin board or in the window asking that all interested women meet at a certain time/place, say a month from now. See what happens! You are not alone ... although it can feel lonely out there ... as I remember from when I first started back in 1979. I just kept riding and along those thousands of miles (kms!) I said hello and made connections to kindred spirits, both women and men. I trusted that the pathway I had chosen would gradually lead me to where I wished to go. – Mama I have some very good info on gas tank restoration. On another site called Two Wheel Females, go to the "Garage Talk" forum, and look for the following two topics: The Ongoing Resto Project by Kitsune, and Kit's doing it again. If you go to the last posts of the second one, she talks about a proven method and product for cleaning the gas tank. Both projects have been well documented, including great pics. She gives many tricks and tips they have learned along the way. Well worth your read. Good luck, and let us know how you do. – Condor (note from Mama: thanks for pointing this out!) Monday, April 19 Diane, I just wanted to congratulate you on taking this step to do something that you have wanted to do! I am a 56 year old grandma who took a motorcycle safety class last year. I hadn’t ridden before. It was a fulfillment of a dream. I now have a Honda Shadow 600 – not a huge bike, but one I love and am comfortable on. I love riding with my husband who also has a slightly larger Shadow. I am still learning and probably will for the rest of my riding life. Like you, I hadn’t done it before because 1) what would my family say (this was more when I was younger and my parents were still alive – my mother would have disapproved) 2) what would my friends and coworkers say – rather totally out of character for what they thought I was 3) would I be able to do it? You may be right that more women than we realize harbor a real desire to learn to ride but are trapped by expectations – their own or others and fear. My family now (husband, kids, brother, etc) think it is awesome that I have learned to ride. My coworkers/friends still think I am a little wacky – but that’s ok. I wish you the best from your training and if you do go ahead to get that “M” on your license, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment and a great sense of freedom. Best to you and please join us on the VTwin Mama message board. You will find a wonderful support system and lots of wonderful experience and knowledge. – Kathy, aka DaisyMae (note from Mama: there's nothing like a similar first-hand account to help someone realize their dream ... just a reminder that you can visit the message board and read, read, read without registering ... for those that like to check things out first!) Monday, April 19 Dear VTwin Mama, My insurance agent laughed, they laughed at motor vehicles and my colleagues and friends think I'm nuts, but I have persevered. A gal from work came by tonight to show me a few things and 'get me started'. What a dismal failure <LOL>. Just going up and down my street ... it is much harder than I thought. I am lurching, I can't steer worth crap and, you guessed it, I dropped it. I was able to pick it up myself and get going again. Am I going to be able to do this or are there some people that are just not coordinated enough? Should I consider getting a scooter - no gears (I hate to, I love the V Star and am flat footed on it) or do I just wait until I take the course and hope it gets better. I am told that going slow is the hardest - do I just keep trying to drive up and down the street? I'm looking for any advice. Today is not my day <LOL> - I couldn't even get registered in the forum because I couldn't get the security code right <ROTFL>. – CM Dear CM, It's time for some Diva Duck empowerment!
It's called duck walking (quack, quack) and it's the very first skill to work on. You give the motorcycle a bit of steady gas and slowly let the clutch lever out, just enough to get the bike moving forward, while you walk your feet along the ground. Yes, you'll stall ... that means you don't have enough throttle power. Yes, you'll lurch ... that means you're not giving it steady gas. You are aiming to duck walk your feet nice and steady as you move forward, using the right combination of throttle and clutch engagement. When you come to the end of your street, you duck walk it to turn around and then duck walk some more. This can go on for days! Here's a video clip to show you duck walking ... I love it that the instructor discusses the importance of your head position and that your eyes look at where you want to go. That's a biggee ... you know the ground is below you, so stop looking at it! You go where you look. Ok, give that a try ... when your hands are cramping from all of this you know you're on your way! Instead of cursing as you're learning, quack under your breath! It's funny and will keep your sense of humor at the ready. And don't label yourself uncoordinated, in need of an auto tranny scooter, or anything else. I have some inspirational sayings taped on my computer screen. One is a line from the movie A League of Their Own ... it says, "The hard is what makes it great." As to the VTwin Mama Message Board registration ... in order to thwart spammers, the password must be a combination of upper and lower case letters and include one number and one symbol. That keeps those idiots from posting naked boob pictures and telling you about cheap meds! Off you go to quack, I mean, duck walk. I've heard from a gazillion gals in their 50s, 60s, and 70s who learned to ride for the first time ... you're going to be in good company! I wish you the best on your upcoming class! – Mama Monday, April 19 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Kathy, Mountain twisties are a challenge and there are several interesting points to note. First, rarely do riders in a group maintain their staggered position in mountain terrain ... it's best to ride single file so that you have the full lane to work with. Next, if ever there was a time to be reminded that your eyes, as well as your head, need to be looking where you want to go, this is it. Not the half point, not down to the ground to the lane markers, not at the driver coming through the opposite way, but through the curve you are taking. You go where you look. Sightseeing to see the vista view in the opposite direction of the upcoming curve is a real recipe for disaster. The key to mastering jitters in mountains is always entering a curve in the correct lane position. When sweeping left, start in the right hand portion of the lane so that you are leaning into your curve and have the whole lane to curve into. A right sweep is then from the left portion of the lane. A moderate curve will have you ending up in the middle of the lane and a deep curve may take the whole lane. The added bonus is that in the correct position you also will have a better view overall of the curve. For some reason I find that going up mountain curves is easier than coming down. Going up you've got great throttle control (in the right gear) and good power control. Going down you've got to gear down before entering each curve so that the need for brakes is minimal, remembering that braking in a curve is almost always a bad thing except for the slightest touch as needed. Never grab the front strongly (it tends to want to right the bike from the learn) and stabbing at the rear can easily put you in a slide (and if you go into a slide and then release that brake, you can high side over the bike). There's no doubt that mountain riding can really take a lot of brain energy and is more physically demanding, so always be well rested and hydrated. Pack small energy snacks. Stop more frequently. Know your limits. One small added note ... definitely check the condition of your tires and be vigilant about checking air pressure frequently. – Mama Monday, April 19 Hi VTwin Mama, Dear Jana, What you're looking for is typically termed a heat deflector or a heat shield. Koolking has them,, so does RJS Originals, and then I read on a H-D forum about Captain Itch Crotch Coolers (weird name, good reviews!). Take a look ... I think you'll find something to fit the bill. – Mama Tuesday, April 20 Hi Mama, Anyway, because I'm 6'3" tall, the foot pad placements on this bike are too far back. I guess I would need a forward replacement kit. My question is with this kit is it possible to move the foot pads up further for my long legs and have engine guards at the same time on the bike? Or, could I replace the foot pads with foot pegs instead and then have the engine guards installed. I'm really a novice in this area but I have been doing some homework. What is your expertise in this particular matter? Thank You, – Rick Dear Rick, Looking at pictures of a stock 2010 model and pictures of various configurations of engine guards, forward controls, relocation kits, and other foot placement extensions, I have come to the conclusion that I haven't found a specific set of solutions. My gut tells me that if you put on an engine guard, which is useful for so many reasons, and could incorporate highway pegs so your legs will stretch out while cruising, it does eliminate the necessary space for forward controls or a relocation kit. So my advice is to head back to the dealer and have them open up their many Yami and aftermarket catalogs and put together a solution set. My thought is if there is in fact a limitation, then the choice boils down to the type of riding you'll be doing in the near future. You might be better served with forward controls like this one from Jardine if your riding is mostly going to be local/traffic stop/start/shifting, but it's pricey at over $650 and sometimes up to $800. If you'll be mostly road/highway cruising, then an engine guard/highway bar with footpegs would be a good choice and be be less expensive at around $250. You would just have to bring your legs down for shifting (as it's the front brake we use most often). Of course there is another thought ... you bought the VStar 650 and now more clearly understand that at your height there are fit issues. If this is an older model purchased from a private party, then instead of spending a ton of money on it, get some riding time in to some basic skills polished and then resell to get closer to a dream bike. Readers with VStar 650s, chime in now! – Mama Tuesday, April 20 If it starts fine in neutral it should be ok. I've had two 920s now and I've had problems with both side stand switches. My first one, I had to get down there and wiggle the switch in and out and spray it with wd40 and play around with it a bunch of times, before it would work once I put it in gear. The 920 I have now, someone took the switch off of it and then attached two of the wires together and left the third by itself. You have to be careful which two you attach together otherwise you're attaching a positive to a negative and that's no good. Try playing with the side stand switch and see if it'll go. If so, either replace the switch or take the switch off and attach the wires, then tape them. Cheers, – Wayne (note from Mama: while the original letter is from a number of years ago, observations are useful to review and see if it matches a problem you are scratching your head over!) Thursday, April 22 2000 Suzuki Marauder 800 for sale in Washington State Dear VTwin Mama,
Thursday, April 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Laurel, Finally, after my then boyfriend chided me one too many times, I got properly dressed, went to the bike, and started it up. Ok. Good beastie. It didn't blow up! I reviewed where all the controls were, took a deep breath and popped into 1st gear. Then immediately stalled it about 20 times trying to get moving forward. Clearly you are light years ahead of where I was because you've had a year on the Rebel. As I don't know your situation in terms of surroundings (quiet street, living in the hills, etc.) I encourage you to simply go to the bike and sit on it. Lean it a bit to each side to get a sense of the weight. Roll it a bit forward and back as well. Then fire it up. In neutral, rev the throttle to get a feel and listen to your Sporty's sound. She's talking to you! Now, what is your battle plan? Your first step should be identifying the nearest, biggest, empty parking lot in your area. If necessary, and possible, enlist the help of a friend to get the bike to that parking lot for some basic drills (starting with the duck walk so you can learn your clutch friction zone). I think this is the most important step whether it's your first bike or your fifth ... each motorcycle has its own characteristics and becoming one with the bike requires that you spend some time working on the basics all over again. It will serve you well. For some odd reason people who don't ride can't help but share their negative opinions about motorcycle riding. We have to remember that in most cases all they know about the sport is what they read in the newspaper or see on TV (and let's face it, then rarely report anything good). Most sites and boards will have oopsie and horror stories ... maybe it's simply a matter of staying away for a few days. Counteract what you've been reading by writing on a piece of paper an encouraging message to yourself. "This is my joyful journey," would be one example. Tuck it into your riding jacket pocket and pull it out anytime you're feeling doubtful. Small steps lead to big adventures ... yours is waiting for you ... go say hi to the Sporty and talk it out ... I've always been convinced that motorcycles have feelings ... they want to be learned and understood so they can take you down the road in a great partnership. – Mama Thursday, April 22 Hi VTwin Mama, Dear Star, I also see that the events calendar page is chock full of upcoming and regular gatherings ... having spent 12 years living in Chicago I know how spread out the city and burbs are ... so look for things in your area ... a good bike night will draw all sorts of riders. Also, feel free to email Skip and ask him ... I met him a few times many moons ago and he's a really nice person! I'll also suggest that you visit your Suzuki dealer again and see what input they have ... geez, I can't seem to find a motorcycle magazine for Chicago ... surely one exists! – Mama Thursday, April 22 Hello VTwin Mama, Dear David, Thursday, April 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Toby, I don't have any experience with the company/product you are looking at, but it's important to check and understand the return policies ... as anything customized is usually not returnable and standard stuff may be subject to a hefty restocking fee (plus you pay for the return shipping unless there is a defect). Over the years I've come to understand that lockable hard cases serve me better, as I like to secure my items when walking away from the bike at an event, restaurant, etc. That's because I'm usually storing my very expensive riding jacket and other gear. Here is an interesting 2009 article on the subject of hardbags, including a source for adding a locking system to leather saddle bags. – Mama Hello VTwin Mama, My bike was hardly damaged at all, $1200 worth, and that is not bad for a Harley. I picked her up from the dealers (yes, I did get back on her, alone and rode her around the parking lot) where she was for repairs and brought her home (120 miles away). My husband rode her home for me. We then planned on a Sunday ride for diabetes. We got to the ride site and when we started to go, my bike would not come out of first gear. Needless to say, all the armchair mechanics were giving us advice on what could be wrong with it, a gear, a pin, etc. My question is this: has anyone had this happen to them? I dropped that bike hard on the left hand side and all of that gear assembly was changed out for new. Shouldn't this have been picked up when it was there for repairs? This was an insurance claim and I didn't want just the cosmetics fixed. I am beside myself as I now have a bike I can't ride. I don't relish having to take on the service dept of a HD dealer, but I am aggravated to say the least. I would appreciate hearing from others as to how they would handle this. BTW - I am 60 and have been riding for a little more than a year. Love it! – ShayFaye Dear ShayFaye, I'm putting my bet on a bent shift shaft (the shift lever attaches to the shaft that goes into the gear box/tranny). It's common in a left side drop and isn't always visible, so rarely diagnosed until problems start cropping up. Also, it's possible that the shift will work for some time after the drop before it finally starts acting up or freezes altogether. A lot of times, if you remove the shift lever, you can eyeball down the shaft and see it. Not always though. Hope this gives you something to check right away and with any luck that's the answer. – Mama Monday, April 26 I was also nervous about leaving behind my Virago to a bigger bike. I'm fortunate to have a patient spouse to ride with me. A close substitute would be a riding mentor, which she can most likely find in a local club. We're members of a great group, there are ladies and men who like to ride all the time and will do an hour or two. Many bikers are willing to spend a bit of time with a newbie. – Gloria (note from Mama: it turns out Laurel has an understanding DH, but I love your point that newbies would do well to reach out and ask for what they need! Read on ... ) From Laurel: In fact, I took to it so easily my husband grabbed his bike and we actually went out on a short ride in the countryside near our home. I absolutely love my new ride and can't believe all the mental agony I put myself through in worrying about moving up in size. I am on such an adrenaline kick right now I don't know how I'm going to fall asleep! Wednesday night I couldn't sleep because I was worried about how I would take to it and Thursday night I didn't think I'd be able to sleep because all I could think about is getting back out on that awesome bike ASAP! Haha! Thank you so much for your genuine reply and for creating this website! – Laurel (note from Mama: yahoo to you and many happy road miles in your future!) Tuesday, April 27 Friday, May 7th is International Female Ride Day! Dear Readers, Started by Vicki Gray of Moteress (Canada) in 2007, U.S. riders quickly heard about it and started riding in support of the effort. And then it just went viral internationally. Here's the site for more IFRD history, news, inspiration, and T-shirt! JUST RIDE! – Mama Tuesday, April 27 2008 Suzuki Burgman Trike For Sale Dear VTwin Mama, Wednesday, April 28 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Terri, Congrats on the motorcycle... she's a beauty, but a bigger beastie to start out on .... still, it's not insurmountable. I would like you to take a moment to really study your body position on the XL1200C. So, sit on your bike, off the side stand, and consider your reach to the handlebar controls. Do you feel yourself reaching a bit with your arms and hands? If you're not sure, then center yourself with feet firmly planted, close your eyes, and lift your arms and hands to a natural, comfortable position without regard to where the handlebar and controls are right now When you open your eyes, do you find that the controls are a tad further away than truly comfy? If so, then an inexpensive pullback riser will bring those controls into the right position (just measure the distance of comfort to current to know how much pullback you need, it could be just a matter of an inch). This is a biggee. You'll never master a bike when controls cause you to reach (as a newbie, but even an experienced rider doesn't want to struggle with this ... it's just more work and less overall control). Or, are the controls spread out further from side to side? That's a new handlebar. Now, turn the handlebar fully to one side and then the other. Still comfy? Or are you shifting your torso to accommodate the full bar lock? Pullback riser and/or new handlebar. I simply can't overemphasis the importance of this. On the other hand, it could be that everything is in the right position, reach-wise, but the controls themselves are riding too high or low, causing your wrist to bend up or down when it should be a "flat" (un-flexed) reach. Loosen the handlebar control and get it set right. Stock set-ups aren't always the bees' knees. So to speak. Of course we're not disparaging bees or knees (if bees have knees), but check it out! Now, I want you to do another body awareness exercise. Sit on your bike, off the side stand, and slowly turn the handlebar to the left, mimicking the left turn from a stop that has been challenging you. Pay particular attention to the way your arm/hand/wrist position on the clutch lever begins pulling in and changing position. Your ability to manipulate the clutch and its friction zone aren't quite the same because your wrist isn't in quite the same position. Back to the practice parking lot. Duck walk to learn the intimate details of the friction zone (that point where the clutch engages and disengages and can be slipped in and out of with the tiniest flicker). If you gain total control on a straight duck walk (i.e. you're in a steady walk), then try the duck walk to turn around, paying close attention (again) to how different your arm/hand/wrist position is). You'll get it! I'll add one final thought that hubby can really assist with (I'm guessing and hoping he'll be willing to do it). It's so important that your head remain level and that our head and eyes look through the turn. Hubby can watch as you do turns to see if your head/eyes do something different in a right turn vs. a left turn. He'll be able to see it ... and then you can talk it out and work on it. I'm glad you're taking a riding course soon and you'll learn a lot, but it's going to be on a very different bike set-up. Ride Like a Pro is a DVD that specifically addresses slow turns and I simply can't tell you how many riders, including ... yes, me ... have benefited. While it may not arrive in time before your class, you'll appreciate having this for future practice. Ok. lots for you to check out, but it will be worth your while. Let me know what you find out! – Mama Thursday, April 29 Hi VTwin Mama, I am trying to find an engine guard for the machine and the Harley dealer did not have one. I don't care who makes it, as long as it is good quality and fits. So far, I am having trouble with either the shifter or the rear brakes being interfered with. My well meaning husband says we can take the rear brake off (NOT an option), so I am looking for some help. The engine guard on the Honda saved my right leg in 2006 when a teenaged decided to pass going up a hill and just about got me, so it is a very important option. Thanks. – Susan Dear Susan, So, as far as I can tell, you would have to revert back to mid controls in order to fit an engine guard on. Another option might be to find an independent shop in the area and see what they could customize ... I'm sure it would be pricey, but it's possible it's not the first time they've put together solutions for H-Ds with forward control kits. – Mama Thursday, April 29 Dear VTwin Mama, It's all about confidence and practice. I learned to ride about 15 years ago at my husband's urging, starting out on a 750cc Yamaha Virago. I now ride a 1800cc Victory Vision and have been to every state except Alaska and Hawaii on it. Just some thoughts of encouragement. – Anonymous Dear Anon,
|
| © 2010 VTwin Mama | Disclaimer |
