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Wednesday, January 6 Hi VTwin Mama, After all the threads and or emails youve had to answer, do you think there is a market for shorter heel-toe shifters and brake pedal? I also think a touring handlebar that pulls back further than whats available would also be a welcome item. Ive had my share of experiences in flat footing on my Harleys and know pretty much all the solutions with that but every time Im at the dealership and sit on a touring bike I always wish the pedals and handlebars were closer. Again, just testing the waters to see if anyone offers what Im suggesting and if you guys think anyone would take advantage of it if made available. Thanks for your time. Steve M. Dear Steve, Handlebars don't seem to be as big an issue as there are quite a number of pullback riser options to choose from. Another consideration that remains largely unsolved is the clutch and brake levers. While an easier pull is great, the distance for fingers to stretch to pull is also unsolved as something to purchase ready to install. You bring up valid issues and IMHO the reason it isn't addressed (yet) is that it's a niche market and companies always look at the bottom line. I'm encouraged somewhat as the trend in manufacturing is to lower seat heights or offer ready-to-go options. Perhaps this will continue in the items noted above! Mama Wednesday, January 6 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Intruder, "It sounds like the writer has a charging problem, perhaps compounded by a bad battery. First he/she needs to determine the condition of the battery, it should be fully charged than load tested. If the battery passes, then he should check the charging system. The letter doesn't provide much info but my guess is he has dead battery to start with ... once the bike is jump started it either isn't charging the battery, so when the lights are switched on, the battery can't provide enough power to keep the ignition alive. Or the battery is so far gone that it can't accept and hold a charge. If the battery is good and the bike is charging the next step would be to look for a dead short in the lighting circuit." So, there you have a few steps to consider and we're hoping it will lead to the solution! Mama Saturday, January 9 PMS:
Parked Motorcycle Syndrom
This is what happens when you can't ride ... you get creative! And one of the most creative and supportive online spots is the VTwin Mama Message Board! One member announced a contest for the best motorcycle snow sculpture ... the photo above was another member's contribution, noting that there wasn't enough snow for a full blown sculpture, but getting into the spirit of things none-the-less! You can view this Message Board thread ... and if after taking a look around you're inspired to share and care, register for free and join in! Mama Saturday, January 9 Dear VTwin Mama, I can't refer to my service/repair manual as I didn't get one with the bike, which I thought was odd and it seems as it's the 2010 model, which is pretty hard to even buy or download one yet. Again a bit strange to bring out a new bike and no manual to go with it, or is it just me? Lola Dear Lola, Typically an Owner's Manual comes with a new bike. This booklet outlines the main systems and parts and shows you have to start, shut-down and generally operate the beastie. There will be some basic stats like tire pressure and such. A maintenance/repair manual is much more in-depth. The factory version is about $80 while the aftermarket (Clymers or Haynes) are about $30 ... of course one can understand that it can take the aftermarket folks a bit of time to come out with their version. Since levers aren't hard to change, but do require some knowledge, you may wish to check with the local dealer's service department ... 1/2 hour labor may be acceptable to your pocketbook. Mama Saturday, January 9 For the person having electronic problems with your 1400 Intruder. Go to www.IntruderAlert.com. There is a tech section just for 1400s and the guys on there should be able to help you out if there is some common problem with the 1400. D. (note from Mama: what a great reminder that there are lots of wonderful boards specific to a make/model. On the VTM site, you'll find those the Help By Make/Model page.) A follow-up from Intruder: Thank you for your fast response on my problem with my Intruder. I have ordered a new battery as my old one was charging up to 13.48 volts. While the bike was running I put it on charge from main power and it went up to 14.28 but within half an hour it had lost charge, back down to 12 volts. I am led to believe this is not enough to turn over the engine on a 1400. Once the new battery is fitted I will retest the charging system and go through the lighting circuit as advices by yourself. I will get back to you. Thank you once again for your help. I find your website very helpful. Intruder (Stones) Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Intruder, Air cooling is simply a function of "fins" on various engine sections, like the cylinders, that offer more surface area for air to flow over and dissipate the heat generated in the engine. The more power a motorcycle has, the more heat it produces, and thus an oil-cooler is introduced on some models to help at higher temps. Water-cooling systems introduce a jacket of liquid around the cylinders but then one has extra parts like the pump, hoses, radiator, fluid expansion tank, and maybe even a cooling fan. While more complex overall, the motorcycle shouldn't overheat in stop/start traffic. It's pretty easy to know when your motorcycle is overheating in stop/start traffic ... you can feel more heat gathering at the cylinders (at your thighs) and the bike will start "bucking" a bit when you use the throttle to move forward. It's time to pull over, turn it off, and let it cool down. So that begs the question whether your oil cooler is working. On the parts diagram I noted above I see the cooler with fins but don't see a thermostat (which is incorporated into some oil coolers). I quick call to the local Suzuki dealer's service department will get you your answer on a thermostat. One thing I noted when I re-read through the salient section in Mark Zimmerman's The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance is that if the bike is dirty with grease, dirt, and oil, that that film "will not conduct or radiate heat very efficiently." Now, on to your oil question. One should stick with the recommended weight. Overfilling an engine is as bad as running a motorcycle under-filled. Old oil simply can't remove some of the heat as easily. Because oil also holds crud created by the combustion process in suspension, a clogged oil filter will do your bike in as well. All oil purchased should carry the API specification, which includes the performance rating and viscosity. Again, a call to the local dealer will cough up the answer on minimum API standards quickly ... when in doubt. A lot of folks change to a synthetic oil ... Mark says that "if you run the bike hard, under extreme conditions, or if you sometimes inadvertently over-extend your oil change intervals," that you may wish to consider going to a synthetic. Mama Monday, January 18 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Jackie, Most modern tires also have wear bars molded into the design ... these run parallel to the sidewall ... if the tire tread is at the same level as the wear bars, it's time to change the tire. Another method is to measure the tread at its worst spot. It shouldn't be less less than 1/8" (3.175 millimeters). If your rear tire appears in good shape by the methods outlined above, a credible shop mechanic should be able to tell you approximately how many more kms you have left, and then you can make the decision on when to change it. For some, the distance to a repair shop is further away and sacrificing some available tire tread makes more sense than making another trick in "x" amount of kms. Mama Friday, January 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear S., No matter what one's riding experience level is, ferry loading/unloading ramps is one of those times that you must pay extra attention. Approach the ramp straight on and at a constant speed (I like second gear). Park with your bike in 1st gear so that the side stand isn't the only stabilizing support. Extra attention needs to paid to bikes that don't have much of a lean angle when parked on the side stand. I tend to stick with my bike while the ferry pulls out and enters the main channel just to make sure all is well before heading to an upper observation deck (if there is one). Mama Friday, January 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Maria, I also noticed that Chicago is hosting one of the International CycleWorld Shows ... February 19-21. This is something you really don't want to miss. In the last couple of years, the show has been including a special women's section on the main show floor and you'll also find women-specific booths within the show. Hang out! I find it's useful to have a business card type of thing for quick exchange of info ... this can simply be your name, contact info, and that you're an upcoming rider. Easier than searching for a bit of paper, which gets lost too easily. Mama
Anniversaries are a time for reflection and as I think about the years past, I see so many things clearly. The site was originally created because I saw that there was a need for a respectful haven where riders could ask their questions and be treated with dignity, empathy and kindness. It is still awe-inspiring to me to see where this labor of love led not only me, but everyone who visits. The VTwin Mama site has never been about "the numbers." Yes, it's been operated as a small business (of the micro kind!) in order to generate funds necessary for basic costs, but that is not the driving force. The mission is clear ... to take each email that comes in and provide personal support and acknowledge that not only is the person not alone, but to let them know that there are a wide variety of resources to lend a helping hand, including any insights I and the readers of VTM can provide. There are some specific resources on the VTwin Mama site that I am especially proud of beyond just the main advice column. These include targeted pages for shorter riders, the mentor program, comparisons of basics specifications of makes/models from year-to-year, an 18-page article on how to get started on one's adventure in riding, a respectful message board, and most recently, an ambitious project to map out (internationally) where women's riding groups, as well as individual women riders seeking to ride together, are located. If one asks the question, "What was VTM's hey-day in the last 9 years?" then the answer would be 2006. This is the year that I took a stab at turning the business of VTwin Mama into creating enough funds to fully support me. We had the highest hit counts, the most letters, a focus on affiliate programs and advertisers, and a flurry of other activity. I only achieved 80% of my financial goal, but I'll never have to look back and say, "What if?" As many of you know, in April of 2008, I retired as a freelance writer and in April of 2009, I married the love of my life, Marty. Together Marty and I are shaping our future together in a most joyful way. During this time I began letting go of some VTwin Mama-related things in order to free my time up a bit to spend with family and friends. The weekly newsletter was suspended, I have been depleting the warehouse of VTM logo products I carry, and more recently I turned over the monitoring of the VTM Message Board to a group of wonderful assistants. 2010 marks another turning point. I have formally declared to state and federal tax offices that VTwin Mama closed as a business venture. This allows me to let go of the never-ending duties of record keeping. While the change is important to me, it will be virtually undetectable by readers and visitors. Letters will still be posted and companies seeking to share their services and products will still be represented (at my discretion). I remain committed to the VTwin Mama "experience" in all its facets. I'll probably never let go of it until I'm in a rocking chair and no longer riding ... and by the numerous letters that come in from all over the world ... that could be well up into my 80s (I'm 52 years old now)! I mentioned that 2006 could be considered a "hey-day," but IMHO it really is about the longevity of the VTwin Mama site and the plans to continue for the foreseeable future that are most important to me. Each letter, each post, each picture ... at that moment, is our finest hour, because it means we have reached out to, and heard from yet another one of the 4 million women's voices sharing the adventure in motorcycle riding. There is no doubt that the update frequency of the site has been spotty. I'll simply share that Marty and I have our house in Mobile, AL on the market and once sold will be moving to our home in North Carolina. At the same time I'm slowly relinquishing the many duties I handle for my church. It's been a whirlwind of activity that impedes my available time for VTM. But that too, as they say, shall pass. So, what are Marty and I planning for our future? We are both hoping to travel the U.S. in an RV with motorcycles towed behind. Our thought is to choose a spot, settle in for a week or two, and then radiate out on rides to see the many beautiful sights in that area. I have it in mind to let VTM readers know where we'll be roosting along the way so that anyone interested can hook up for hugs and riding. I'll end this simply by saying something very similar from my 5th Anniversary message ... the tears are forming in my eyes and spilling onto my checks because I can't imagine my life without you ... I have received more in the last 9 years than I could ever possibly have given ... but there is no need to count. Let's remember that it's all about each new letter, each new post, each new picture ... Mama (aka Petra Baer)
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