|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Readers, For the past 8 years, beginning with the July/August 2000 issue, Rain and her team have poured their hearts and time into putting together this bi-monthly magazine. Each of the 48 issues contained glimpses into the world of women riders, from first-person stories of courage and can-do spirit, to articles on maintenance, gear, custom work, and events ... chronicling our collective experience in print. Wish I hadn't missed the Biker Ally Rally in June 2007 ... as it turns out, it was the first and last. I'll cherish the memories of meeting Rain several times over the course of our near parallel entry into the world of providing women riders with information (VTwin Mama was officially launched just a half year after Biker Ally launched). That smile! That gracious ability to listen! That hint of mischief playing at the corner of her eyes! May the roads rise up to meet you, Rain, on journeys yet unknown ... Mama Wednesday, July 2 Dear VTwin Mama, I want to keep riding, but I'm convinced my "new" bike is just too big. I want a good highway bike with the same power as my K75, but one where I can sit flat-footed when I'm parked or turning around from a parked position. Any suggestions? Kate Dear Kate, I use to ride a friend's K75 and I recall that she had the shocks and front fork adjusted all the way down, so double check that you've done that on your bike. This online blog chronicles the steps another K75 rider took to lower the bike then even more (custom shorter shock and a standard low seat). In addition, you can talk with the local dealer's service department and see what they have to say. While you are researching that, take a closer look at your riding boots. Quality boots have the upper leather stitched to the lower sole, and in that case, one can take them to a shoe repair shop and have them add additional sole to the boot. Here's an article on that subject (PDF file). Or you can shop for a new pair with more sole height. According to an online source, the K75 RT has a seat height of 31.9". When I measure my foot from tippy toe position to flat foot, I see about a 5" difference. Measure yours and then head to my Motorcycle Seat Height charts. I'm guessing you need about 4" lower, so start at the 28" seat height section and see what's available. You'll find nothing in the sport style ... they all have to be lowered ... you'll find great options in the cruiser models and can cross reference the engine cc size to put together a short list of makes/models you'll want to take a closer look at (if the Beemer lowering/boot heightening ideas don't get the job done). Mama Wednesday, July 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Paul, Highway pegs suggest to me that you've got an engine guard/highway bar on that Yami. My idea ... cut out some sturdy cardboard and tape it into position like these Desert Dawgs are shown. The testimonials indicate there is wind relief as well as a reduction in wet leg when it's raining with the installation of a product like this. I bet if you duct taped an old towel (another idea) on one side, you would quickly get your answer! Mama Wednesday, July 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Amy, Wednesday, July 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Jordan, Wednesday, July 2 Dear VTwin Mama, I don't have any other questions ... I just wanted to thank you. I was getting frustrated and he was frustrated and I was almost ready to sell the bike and go back to riding on the back of his Harley until I read all the letters and information on the subject of hills you have posted. What a life saver!!! Thanks again, Candace Dear Candace, A big round of thanks goes to the many readers, who upon reading my replies, then chime in with their first-hand accounts and tips. Like your husband, sometimes I find myself with too many years of riding to "get back" to explaining some things. Sometimes it's just a matter of the words! I'll say something one way, other readers will chime in, and between the various wordings, another person picks up the understanding they are seeking. Yahoo to you and many happy road miles in your future with hubby dearest! Mama Saturday, July 5 17th Annual Ride To Work Day, Wednesday, July 16th Dear Readers, Ride to Work Day started in 1992 as an informal event, before Ride To Work Inc. existed. In 2008, Ride to Work Day will be on July 16. According to a 2006 statement to the National Transportation Safety Board by Goldfine, Ride to Work Day is the largest motorcycle event by number of participants. Mama Saturday, July 5 2009 Annual End Of The Road Rally, June 19-28, 2009 Dear VTwin Mama, Saturday, July 5 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Cheryl, I don't catalog these types of bikes in my sizing charts (as it's not this site's main focus). However, I do find that the WantFacts site is still a useful tool in your research. You choose Research New, Motorcycles, Search by Feature, and then limit the results by choosing the main manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha), the Moped and Scooter buttons, and then enter your price limit. The smaller the engine cc (power), the lighter the bike (typically). I'll note that even these moped/scooters can still have a seat height that may be a challenge, but hopefully by looking at what pops up in the list, you'll be able to narrow things down to a short list so your visit to dealer showrooms will be more productive. I advocate checking out new bikes even if one is going to consider buying used. By sitting on new bikes, you gain a sense of what will work for you and then can compare anything offered in the used bike classifieds with greater confidence before considering whether to take a look. Mama Saturday, July 5 Dear VTwin Mama, I know that teaching myself smooth downshifting in the car will help me
get the feel for doing it on the bike too, but just for my own knowledge,
can I take this same stopping approach with my bike? The distribution is
about 30/70 with the back/front brakes and they are independent, single
rotor. I know that at higher speeds this would not work too well, but for
anything 40 MPH or less could I just shift into neutral and brake only to
slow down, or is this a bad idea? Dear Amanda, Certainly you can shift to neutral and glide/brake to the stop. The problem is this: unlike a cage (car), which offers a shell of protection, you are more vulnerable on a motorcycle. It is smarter to always have the bike powered/geared for a quick getaway. While this would be an oddball example, think about approaching a stop gliding in neutral and the car behind you loses all brake power ... they are gaining on you very quickly, hurling a lot of weight towards you ... you definitely want to be geared so you can get the heck out of their way! I had an interesting discussion with a friend the other day, who noted that a DMV question said the correct answer to what do you do first when getting ready to stop was to gear down ... we argued that braking first was the better answer. The reasoning is that it signals vehicles behind us that we're going to slow down ... as not all cage drivers really can tell that we're slowing down (we're trained to recognize brake lights as the indicator). So, flashing the brake lights and then gearing down is good. Most riders also advocate that you remain in 1st gear at a stop so that should you need to pull out of a stopped line of vehicles for any reason, you don't want to waste the seconds needed to clutch in and shift and then go. Remember to always stop at enough distance to the vehicle in front of you so you can pull out! Mama Saturday, July 5 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Sharon, It could be that you're arms are riding high. Sit on the bike (in first gear so it doesn't roll, not running, off the side stand and centered) and raise your arms to a relaxed and comfortable position (without regard to where the hand controls are right now). You may find that by simply unclamping the whole handlebar and rotating it a bit down, will solve the problem. On the other hand, the height angle may be find but the actual clutch and brake assemblies are rotated on the handlebar, making you arch your wrist to get to the pull action. In this case you can loosen each control and rotate it for a straight wrist position. If you see that you need to reach a bit forward to get your hands on the controls, then a simple and inexpensive pull back riser will bring the entire handlebar assembly closer to your body. If your hands are spread too wide for comfort, then you'll need a new handlebar shape. So, in all of this, you're trying to identify what is either limiting the blood circulation to your hands, straining your back/shoulders/arms/hands so that fatigue sets in, or if something else is going on (i.e. the seat is forcing your back to round or pinching the nerves in your thighs). My guess is that a simple review of the handlebar set-up will relieve your numbness. Mama Saturday, July 5 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Leslie, I certainly was sad with the closing of Woman Rider magazine and now Biker Ally ... leaving US women riders without anything in print. Several years ago I gave a riding lesson to a gal in my NC area and she came from a background in magazine publishing. We tossed around the idea (fun!) but since I have a healthy idea of what's needed, realized it would be just too much of my time to pursue. Still, as you say, hopefully the now unfilled market slot will spur the next person to give it a try ... I know that Helmet Hair Magazine (quarterly, online) was thinking of going to print, so we'll see if they might step up to the plate ... or some other brave soul! Mama Monday, July 7 Call For Bloggers! Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Linda, "A Blog Carnival is a particular kind of blog community. There are many kinds of blogs, and they contain articles on many kinds of topics. Blog Carnivals typically collect together links pointing to blog articles on a particular topic. A Blog Carnival is like a magazine. It has a title, a topic, editors, contributors, and an audience. Editions of the carnival typically come out on a regular basis. Each edition is a special blog article that consists of links to all the contributions that have been submitted, often with the editors opinions or remarks." So, for those of you who enjoy waxing philosophical about a motorcycle-related topic, here is a lovely venue in which to do it! Mama Monday, July 7 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Cheryl, Monday, July 7 From Jordan who was getting a lot of wind buff at helmet level despite the windshield: I took a 6.5 hour trip, some Interstate, 64 east over the Blue Ridge Application Mountains. Breathtaking ride. Working with this problem I think I have found the solution. I noticed my helmet was not true to my cap size so I put a nice foam padding in the back and a small amount in the side. On my trip I left the windshield raised as high as it would go and then adjusted it as low as it would go. It works. Hope this will save some aggravation and a lot of windshield adjustment to some ... lol. Jordan, aka Wind Rider (note from Mama: aha ... the old helmet doesn't quite fit one's head shape fix! Causes more problems because when we try them on in a store, them seem to fit perfect, but then little gaps cause helmet tug that easily tires the rider. Thanks for reporting back on this issue!) Monday, July 7 Dear VTwin Mama, I was the lead bike on a particular stretch because I knew of a road that would take us on a better ride to the same planned destination. We had stopped at a light and the second bike pulled up next to me and said he thought we had to turn at this shopping center, to which I responded, no we go straight, I just wasn't sure of the street name. The light turned green, I knew the street was coming up very soon, and was concentrating on reading the street name signs so that I could signal far enough in advance so everyone could see my signal, so I wasn't looking in my rear view mirrors. When I saw the street to make a right turn on, I signaled, glanced in my mirror and that's when I saw that no one was behind me! Unbeknownst to me, they had turned off into the shopping center to consult. After much decision making as to what to do, and ultimately making a few wrong judgments, I got separated from the group, but luckily, everyone knew how to get to the final destination. Suffice it to say, the alpha male (not my husband) didn't use much diplomacy when we did get back together! My question is, should the rest of the group have just followed me even though they didn't seem to think I knew where I was going? Hindsight is 20/20 and there were a few things I would have done differently to avoid the whole situation, but I can't always be looking in the rearview mirrors! Lorie Dear Lorie, However, if the alternative route was brought up somewhere along the ride (more of a last minute thought), then the group could have been divided on spending time to allow someone else (with no real time to voice opinions), other than the group leader, to bring them to the destination by another road. Thus, one rider (not sure if that was the original group leader) questioned the decision and the group felt more strongly about their leadership. In a group, it can be very disorienting to change plans set for the day, even as late as the beginning of the day. Had you actually thought of this the night before, and had access to the Internet, then you could have done more homework via a map system to firmly know the road name, the turnoff point, and submitted that to the group leader for possible inclusion so that the group leader would continue to take charge. I personally wouldn't read too much into anything ... if you are not an established road captain, which requires many skills beyond just knowing the route, then I would take steps to put together rides for the future to get your experience. Again, I truly believe it was simply too disorienting for the group to make a change that was not clear to them and not as defined as I'm sure you would have wanted it to be. Mama Monday, July 7 For Kit who had a question about a hand signal from another rider: Concerning the sign she was flashed on the road that time... doubt it means this but it seems that I remember this being something that immature frat boys used to flash at folks. They would make that symbol low by their thigh, either against the leg or with the hand out a little farther, but it was a rude gesture (especially given to a woman) and if you looked down at it they would say that indicated that you wanted to have sex with them. I have very little knowledge of biker gestures so for all I know it's something entirely different on the road -- hopefully he wasn't intending to be rude! Amanda (note from Mama: hand signals do cross "cultures" and we know that not all riders respect solo women riders ... let's hope this one had a short shelf life of the rider in question!) Tuesday, July 8 Bikers for Babies, August 23, Roswell, GA Dear VTwin Mama, Tuesday, July 8 Shasta Salute to America, Tukelake, CA, 8/28-9/1 Dear VTwin Mama, Tuesday, July 8 Call for '08 H-D Owners in the LA Area Dear Readers, Tuesday, July 8 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Barbara, As you're not a fan of the looks for the Reach Seat by H-D, I'd turn my attention to LePera, as they specialize in custom aftermarket seats for H-D motorcycles. Click on Bikes, Softail, and you'll find those solo seats. The Barebones model is a very low seat profile, but you may be sacrificing some butt comfort. There are many more aftermarket seat companies, but in a quick check I saw that most aren't offering '08 models yet (not unusual, it takes a bit to come up to speed with the newest models). Another way to look at this, if you like the stock seat you would get, is to have a custom seat company or upholstery shop shave a bunch of the padding out of the sides (to reduce the amount your thighs would be pushed out) and bottom (to get you lower), but also put a gel insert in at the bottom for comfort. Coupled with a pair of riding boots with a more aggressive (thicker) sole height might be all you need. Mama Tuesday, July 8 More for Andrea, a new rider who needs more support from her husband when they are riding: I have been riding since 1994 and totally agree with what has been said regarding your riding capabilities as a new rider. When I first learned to ride, my husband wanted me to ride in front so he could keep me in sight at all times. After 14 years (can't believe it's been that long!) I still ride in the front and like that position better anyway. Now it is he who rides slower especially in the curves because of the style of his bike, and I have to keep reminding myself to slow up to keep him in sight! Lorie (note from Mama: how the tables turn with experience! For some, following an experienced rider helps them to see the flow of the bike movement; for others, a lead position gives them room to breath on speed and skills. A combination of both can be used effectively as long as the goals are clearly understood by both the new and experienced rider teaching them!) Tuesday, July 8 Dear Readers, Sandy R. wrote in and noted, "My comment on the endorsement issue at motorcycle dealerships is: YES, they should ask for the proof of endorsement. It might be a little more work to ensure that the rider and the motorcycle belong together. I had to show my endorsement when I purchased my Honda VTX at the Honda dealership. Even used my MSF course card to purchase some items at a discount too! Someone needs to help the issue of SAFETY and it could start in the dealerships. Yes, they are out to sell and make money. But, it would be an extra plus to know the purchaser is LICENSED! Just my two-cents ... mainly because of the number of motorcycle-related deaths recently in my area. It's incredible!" If you would like to add your thoughts, chime in at any time! Mama Wednesday, July 9 Dear VTwin Mama, I have a 2002 Harley FXD which has a seat height of 27 3/4". I am 5'4" and am flat footed; however, I have dropped it twice getting it out of the garage and feel that if I had an additional inch or so of leg I could maneuver better. On the road and "controlled surfaces" I am fine but I am tired of asking my husband to get my bike out for me. Help! Cody7626 Dear Cody7626, So, one can try for a shorter shock (like these from Scootworks), or just a lowering kit, or a combination. In looking at the stock seat, I don't see a lot of seat padding to either side (which pushes thighs out before legs can go to the ground) and the bottom doesn't look like it could be shaved out much. However, your bike may no longer have a stock seat, so consider that option. One can remove the seat, take off the leather cover, shave padding out, and recover. Or go to a custom seat company or local upholstery shop. And then one can take a closer look at riding boots. If you're wearing boots with very thin sole height, a shopping trip is in order ... lots of nice H-D style boots are available if one wants to stick to the brand name. Mama Wednesday, July 9 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Kathy, Thursday, July 10 Women's Riding School, July 28, Loudon, NH Dear VTwin Mama, Thursday, July 10 Dear VTwin Mama, 1. I'm 157 cm/5 ft 2 in (and approximately 50 kgs). Are my 999 dreams
forever lost? Pretty please help me? Regards, Vania in Despair Dear Vania, Please read this article by Sue Slate, a short rider who loves sports bikes, and the riding boot modification solution she chose to make this all work (you need Acrobat Reader as this is a PDF file). She gets comments about her boots ... but more importantly, she rides the motorcycles of her choice and is very happy! She has an inseam of 29" (114mm) and rides bikes with seat heights higher than the Duke 999, so I'm thinking it will work for you. Then the answer to the second question is, just about any bike you would like! Still, you can get a sense of things by looking at my Motorcycle Seat Height chart for 2008 models that you might want to check either new or used. Mama Thursday, July 10 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Beth, Also in that area is the Red Hawk Riders chapter of Women on Wheels, headquartered in Crystal Lake. To the west of Chicago suburbs is the Northwind Riders chapter, based in Romeoville. Additional national level and local clubs can be found on my Women's Sites page. Make contact by sending an email, attend a meeting, and there's a decent chance you'll find a member in your area who can mentor you ... the bonus is you'll have a whole new sisterhood to have fun with! Mama Thursday, July 10 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Puzzled, So, the first thing to do is to check both the rear and front turn signal bulbs on the left side, as a blown one in either position will typically knock out the whole side. But when we add into the equation the horn, then it sounds like a short. That means a bundle of wires has rubbed off the protective outing coating and the wire(s) is hitting the frame (and grounding out) when you turn the wheel to the right. In this same bundle could be the wire to the turn signal, which isn't just grounding, but has actually broken. Given the age of the bike, it would not be unheard of. The best I can do is get you to the wiring harness parts diagram and associated electrical parts diagrams for the VS750 or the VS1400 (not sure which Intruder you have). If you trace the wire to the horn you'll also see that wires are bundled with it (and I'm guessing that's to the turn signal). It could be just that the connector has worked itself loose. In some cases one can look under the seat to begin tracing the wires, in others it's gathered under/near the gas tank, and in really old bikes, everything is funneled inside the headlight housing. If you go to RepairManual.com, you'll find a full service manual for $25-$30 depending on which aftermarket (Haynes or Clymer) you choose. It's a great investment! Mama From Puzzled who is trying to trace a turn signal problem: Thanks for your help. I took the gas tank off my' 88 Intruder (it's a 750) and traced the wires and found them to be in good shape; no bare spots or anything. But I did find when I take the bulb out of the back I get power and when I put the bulb back in I lose power. I put new bulbs in and still the same thing. I am thinking it may be grounding out some where. I am thinking my trouble is in the front of the bike by the handlebar. If you or anyone has any ideas, please let me know as I am still puzzled. Thanks, Puzzled (note from Mama: it can happen on older bikes that the socket in which the bulb is twisted in to can corrode. Take out the bulb that continues to cause the problem and take a closer look at the interior. If the interior contacts are not bright and shinny or have some flaky deposits, that could be your problem. Clean it up with some fine grit sandpaper. It could be that the wire is soldered to the socket and the connection could now be what's called a cold solder joint. You can mess with it if you want or get a new socket. Let's see if this clears up the problem.) Tuesday, July 15 For Nancy who is getting her fear factor in check and moving forward in the adventure: After many shaky starts and practicing in parking
lots I find that preparing the bike for the turn by leaning it slightly to
one side (into the turn) while still stopped makes the turn start earlier
and go smoother. Practice using the friction zone of the clutch with
enough RPMs so you have no risk of stalling during the turn. Tuesday, July 15 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Char, NADA is not showing information due to the rarity of these bikes. Looking at this eBay Motors/Honda/1981 page, one can see a few for sale and the pricing/mileage, etc. In order to see if there were any places more likely for a Hondamatic lover to search for availability, I typed in "CM400 for sale" in Google and found a couple of free listing sites of interest. Any Hondamatic-specific sites I knew about seem to have disappeared. Mama Tuesday, July 15 Dear VTwin Mama, I think that your site is great, especially today when so many people are ditching their gas guzzlers for bikes. I read about 3/4 of the Q&A page before I realized that it was primarily geared towards women. I think that's great! Just because I'm a guy doesn't mean I can tell the difference between sh*t and shinola. I'm a new rider (loving every minute of it) and I'm about to hit 500 miles in the next few days on my bike, a Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom. Salesmen are the lowest form of life on the planet. There are exceptions, and exceptional exceptions, but even a broken clock is right twice a day. But my advice to anyone, especially the ladies, is to put your foot down. Any salesmen who tells you to "deal with it," "get used to it," or advises someone to disregard personal safety and/or comfort for the sake of aesthetics, has no business selling motorcycles. There's plenty of time for chrome and adjustments after building confidence. There is no reason (other than to make a sale, or make a sale bigger) to advise anyone against modifications which compromise safety. That's just my 2 cents ... I'm glad I've found your site. It answered a few questions of my own. Anonymous Dear Anon, I don't believe we've had a lot of ape hanger handlebar questions here ... I remember thinking they had to be horribly uncomfortable until I rode a bike with a fairly high one and was surprised that it was kinda fun. Steering at slow speeds was very different! Of course, that wasn't a long ride, so I still wonder about blood draining from one's hands and arms over an extended ride. Guess a throttle lock would need to be added for sure if you want any kind of right hand/arm relief. Congrats on your upcoming 500 mile mark and many more happy road miles to you! Mama Thursday, July 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear LAdams, Yes, you can ride 180 mile round trip. Heck, you can go on a 6,000 trip around the U.S. if you want! In my mind, you've got two issues to consider (besides normal, routine maintenance checks on oil, brake/clutch fluids, tire pressure, all lights) ... first, this small, lightweight bike will react to high winds and 18-wheelers much more readily vs. a heavier bike ... meaning, you can get a feeling of being tossed about a bit. Second, a smaller engine just doesn't have the same power range at higher speeds as compared to a larger engine bike, which means you'll always have the throttle wide open in the 5th gear. Remedy ... consider traveling highways and secondary roads vs. the big, bad Interstate. Give yourself extra time so you can take comfort breaks as needed and not have to travel at 80mph just to keep up. Bonus ... the pace is more sane, you arrive refreshed (not frazzled), and you've avoided the Point A to Point B syndrome (get there as fast as possible and don't look left or right to actually see anything!). Of course, a good Interstate romp will get you to your destination fast. Hang in the right lane, and when a big rig passes on the left, make sure to move to the right hand portion of your lane ... no need to take a death grip on the handlebar, but do be aware of the air burble they create as they finish passing! Now, off you go to visit friends on your lovely bike ... make sure you have rain gear and a cell phone with also! Mama Thursday, July 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Tiff, No, other than some specific offerings for Harley-Davidson swap outs, going to an auto tranny is not done. Explore your auto tranny options and then sell the Nighthawk. Alternatively, call back your course provider and see if one of the instructors offers private lessons. I'm guessing within a few one-on-one sessions, you'll be clutching and shifting just fine. Another idea ... rent an ATV with manual transmission and get your practice on this ... takes the 2 wheel balance issue out of the equation until you've got the shift sequence down pat. My thought ... if you're just out of school, that is barely enough time to say hi to the new bike properly! Take a deep breath, think seriously and deeply on what you think is holding up your learning curve, and then do something about it. Example: you've got a friend helping you practice, but they can't explain what you're doing wrong and then the frustration on their part builds. Remedy: get a qualified teacher to assist you! Hoping this will jumpstart your learning pathway again ... Mama Friday, July 18 2004 Danson Trike for Sale Dear VTwin Mama, Friday, July 18 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Lynda, If you notice an overall decaying ease of shifting, then you most likely have a bent shift shaft. This can happen when a bike is dropped on its left side during an oopsie. The previous owner may have dropped it or you may have had a bike nap situation. One needs to center the bike and then eyeball down the shaft to see if it's perfectly straight. If not, then a replacement is needed. Otherwise the problem will escalate until you can't shift at all. Mama Friday, July 18 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Shadow Rider, On a slow speed oopsie, it's the engine guard that will take the brunt of the bike going over instead of the handlebar taking the full hit. Of course, it can also save anything around the engine from a direct slide smush, which would be pretty pricey to fix (as are side covers and bent foot controls). At a higher speed problem, like a car or critter crossing your path, if the bike goes into a slide, or the rider needs to choose a slide to avoid a potentially more health threatening impact, it's the engine guard that will keep the bike from a full down position, giving you that precious extra second or two to get your leg out of there if the slide is really a humdinger. At the same time, because it keeps the bike at an angle, it's easier to pick up after any type of fall. It also offers a chance to incorporate highway pegs, providing an alternative leg position that really comes in handy on longer trips. Because the adventure in riding always carries with it an element of risk, an engine guard can serve you well ... Mama Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Ed, What most people don't realize, or maybe are a bit timid to try, is to simply call the local dealer's service department and ask, or alternatively, visit the parts department because you'll be wanting an oil filter as well. Otherwise, as I advocate strongly, one of the best investments you can make is to get a full service manual for your year/make/model motorcycle ... about $30 for the aftermarket version and chock full of so many helpful things. Check my Education Center page for online sources for these. Mama Tuesday, July 22 Dear VTwin Mama, I want to ride, and I am crazy for him too, but what to do?? This last trip it took me several hours to recover, and we had to break off from the group and go home. I am not sure what the cause is. I was upset, my boyfriend supportive, but I want to be able to ride. I am wondering what to do. Any advice would be great! Thea in St. Joseph Dear Thea, Since dizziness is your first inkling that things aren't going well, if you look at the dizziness overview, they call out a number of things to do ... and while not geared towards riding on a motorcycle, make sense. For instance, long distance rides in groups may vary on how often they stop. You may need to get off the bike every hour (60-70 miles) to hydrate and eat a small, healthy snack. Since most longer rides can run from gas tank to gas tank (120+ miles), give this some thought (as I'm not sure how the longer runs you were on actually occurred in terms of breaks). If you're thinking, yes, I do get thirsty already in 1/2 hour, then you can check into a wearable water pack like those offered by CamelBak. It also is pointed out that a stability-helping home environment, in this case we're thinking of the bike as home, is needed. Since I don't know what model your sweetheart has, why not review the bike's passenger set-up with him. If your feet are resting on pegs, installing passenger floorboards will give your feet a firmer resting position and help overall in body stability and comfort. At the same time, at a bare minimum, you need a passenger backrest that supports you from behind ... and again, depending on the bike, arm rests may be incorporated so your upper body is more firmly centered over the bike at all times. So, incorporate changes that you feel will make a difference and then take a test ride to try things out before another group trip. If it's not getting any better, don't hesitate to consult with your doctor ... they may offer more clues on how a stationary riding position may be heightening high blood pressure symptoms. Mama Tuesday, July 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Ed, What most people don't realize, or maybe are a bit timid to try, is to simply call the local dealer's service department and ask, or alternatively, visit the parts department because you'll be wanting an oil filter as well. Otherwise, as I advocate strongly, one of the best investments you can make is to get a full service manual for your year/make/model motorcycle ... about $30 for the aftermarket version and chock full of so many helpful things. Check my Education Center page for online sources for these. Mama Tuesday, July 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Lee, I'm so excited for you, remembering how I felt when I was considering the purchase of my first bike! For shorter readers, I'll just note that a lot of the main help is found by clicking on the Bike Type link on the main navigation bar ... this will lead you to all sorts of charts and sections that spell out the challenges and solutions for shorter riders. Mama Tuesday, July 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Phoenix, My first thought online is eBay ... but it could be a bear drilling down to this specific item. So, I checked BikeBandit (click on OEM, enter make/year, then select suspension) ... one complete assembly is $567, but maybe you only need specific parts like the outer casing ... check it out. Sorry, but I know of no online comparison tool for parts sourcing and pricing. Mama Wednesday, July 23 Dear VTwin Mama, Are there any motorcycle riding schools that could teach someone like me how to ride an automatic trike? My father said that there no classes up here in Coshocton for disabled people and that a two wheel motorcycle is too heavy for me to handle. Or what other kinds of models are out there that match my special needs? See, I love Harley-Davidson, but they don't have any automatic trikes and my legs are very short. I am 41, 5'0" and 100 pounds. I do see that Ridley has an automatic trike. Tina Dear Tina, What it says is that you must pay for a motorcycle permit packet of information, show proof of identity and pass a written exam and vision test before you can practice riding. There is no fee for this. It also notes that you do not need a regular drivers license ... you can get just a motorcycle license. The reason I mention this is because a motorcycle riding school is given in a very short few days and you must be able to keep up with the learning environment. If it takes you longer to process information and prepare yourself for a written test, it might be smarter to study on your own first before spending money on a course. So, if you go to your local DMV and pick up the information packet and a copy of the Motorcycle Operator Manual and a Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, you will be able to study at your own pace, and when you are ready, to take the test at no cost. Once you have shown that you can pass this test, which is needed to be on the road legally, your family will see how serious you are about learning to ride. Your next step is decide on the type of motorcycle that will match your needs. Since I'm not exactly sure of the extent of your limitations, I too wonder if an automatic transmission wouldn't simplify your entry to riding. I'm thinking it would be a good next step to rent a small moped and have a family member bring that to an empty parking lot so that you can try it out. These are much lighter in weight, but it would help you understand if you can properly balance a two-wheel bike. If it doesn't go as well as you would like, then you know you should concentrate on getting a trike; if it feels good, then you can consider buying a moped or larger scooter. Please note that in Ohio, the rules for mopeds or scooters are still the same ... you need to pass a written and vision test and then a riding test. As you can see, what we are doing is putting together a series of small steps for you to take, so that you can build your confidence and your family's confidence as well. This is a good thing! I was hoping to find a MSF Scooter School in your area, but I don't see one, but on the linked page you will find a toll-free 800 number to call and ask more questions. Again, to me this would be a good next step if you find that you can balance a two-wheel motorcycle. Otherwise, let's talk a bit more about automatic trikes. You are right ... Harley-Davidson doesn't make one but Ridley did introduce their Auto-Glide Trike this year. This has a very low seat height for shorter riders. The closest Ridley dealer, so you can take a closer look, is about 60 miles away in Medina, OH. I would call first to see if they have a trike to look at. Otherwise, you can look at what else is available in automatic transmission motorcycles and add a conversion trike kit. For instance, take a Suzuki Burgman 650 scooter, add a Voyager kit, and you have an automatic transmission trike! Take a look at the Voyager kits available and match that to the list of auto tranny bikes on the market. I see that the old Honda Hondamatics can be converted, along with the Honda Silverwing. One other idea, that is only recently emerging, is a different three-wheel set-up. This has two wheels in front and one in back. One example would be the Piaggio MP3. After the purchase of a trike, you could then check for a Trike School in your area or check for a private instructor. I hope I have given you a number of ideas on how you can proceed with your desire to ride a motorcycle. Small steps are always good ... you want to proceed with your learning at a pace that makes sense for you ... and each step will be one closer to your goal. I wish you the best of everything! Mama Wednesday, July 23 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Steve, The CF Moto site is not showing a windshield option, but do not lose hope! Did you know that the QLink Legacy is the exact same bike and that they have been developing a few add-ons? Like a windshield?! Of course, the problem now is that QLink does not have any dealerships in the UK. Ugh. That would leave you with the option to contact the US headquarters of QLink, which is near Dallas, TX, to see if they have other sources for a more direct UK buy, if they could ship one, or if they could direct you to a US dealer who handles international sales. Sorry, that's as close as I can get you. Mama Wednesday, July 23 Dear VTwin Mama, However, when he is not home, the thought of me going out alone still intimidates me, so I end up just going to the corner and back for a total of 4 miles. Unfortunately, he works many weekends and evenings, so I am not getting the practice I want or need. I have a Honda Shadow VLX. I took the MSF course in 2006 and have watched the Ride-Like-Pro Video several times. Just thinking I need more of the "buddy system" to help me shake my fears. Thank you, Petunia Dear Petunia, For Women On Wheels, it looks like the closest chapter is Dreamseekers, operating out of Genesee County. Now, I know that's the Flint area, but you may find riders from your sector who belong to this chapter. Email and say hi and inquire! Slightly to the north of you is the Northern Angels chapter of Women In The Wind ... in Alger. Same thing ... email and see what's up, when the next meeting is, etc. You can also check my Women's Sites page to do more searching on national level organizations that may be operating a chapter in your area! Mama Wednesday, July 23 For LAdams who was wondering about longer trips on a Hyosung GV250: Sorry Mama, for the first time in the couple of years since Ive been with you I have to firmly disagree. The Hyo GV250 IS very different from all the other 250 cruisers out there. And mechanics whove worked w/them will agree. Ive had mine almost exactly 2 years now. To begin, they look much bigger. Most people are shocked when I tell them shes only a 250. She also rides much bigger. Ive got about 30 hp. I also added a windshield, did not like the Hyo one it lasted exactly 3 miles before I took it back to my dealer! and Ive gotten her up to 90mph. (My mechanic, a former racer, is convinced she should pull a ton. Maybe, but not w/me on her!) I still had some throttle but I dont need another ticket so I backed off. Thus Ive never had any trouble keeping up w/anyone and can easily pass to the front when I want a pit stop. (I mostly ride w/guys and Ive a closer to 60 than 50 year old bladder!) Spirit is superbly balanced AND has a low center of gravity. I live just outside DC and ride the beltway and I-95 more often than Id prefer. With the windshield, no problems. I also have a throttle lock, not the paddle thingie. My arthritis isnt getting any better and Ive carpel tunnel in my right hand so Id prefer no more than 50-60 miles at interstate speeds, which are at least 70+here, but its doable on occasion. Im NOT at full throttle at 70 mph, always have something left for emergencies. Weekend rides are usually 150-200 miles in a day. Major fun and Ive never been butt and body tired when we get home. I also have a butt pad from Alaska Leathers, http://www.alaskaleather.com/index.html , which makes any bike seat more comfy in the heat or cold. Soooo, go LAdams go!
Anywhere a bigger bike can go so can you and some places they cant!
Any problems wont be from engine size. Thursday, July 24 For Steve in the UK who is searching for a windshield for his CF Moto V5 cruiser: I understand that you are looking for a supplier in the UK. The best advice I have is to check out the Memphis Shade's Hellcat shield ... hopefully there will be dealers over there. That is what I put on my bike which is a Qlink Legacy. Also, he can check with www.cbxman.com and see if they know of any dealers over there. A good site to go to is www.Alternativecruisers.com. There are people on there that live across the pond that may be able to help. Joan (note from Mama: thanks for noting what product worked for you and ideas on UK sourcing.) Thursday, July 24 For Dottie or any reader who has info on the JAMA Laser Exhaust: I finally found an exhaust from your site for my Virago. A girl named Dottie told you about these Laser exhausts, I was wondering if you still had her email cause I would love to talk to her about them. Kelcy (note from Mama: sorry, my email records don't go back that far and I finally shredded years and years worth of printed copies. Anybody out there who can email with Kelcy and give her some input?) Thursday, July 24 Dear VTwin Mama, We found and bought a great Electra-Glide trike at an estate auction. I've put on over 8,000 miles in the last four years. It has been the best thing I've ever done! My husband still has his bike and I have my trike ... we have been to the Smokies twice, to D.C with a veteran's ride, to Sturgis, and many, many other shorter rides. The trike handles wonderfully ... I can easily stay with the group no matter how twisty the roads. I've never driven a two-wheeler, so didn't have to un-learn anything. Riding a trike is much different...you push and pull the handlebars in the direction you want to go, don't lean into the curve like on a bike. Stopping and starting is easy .... no worry about dropping the bike! I had a custom paint job done .... black with tangerine metal flake and tangerine ghost flames, so the trike really looks classy. Nice Vance and Hines pipes, too. Always have people stop and look ... many women will say "I could ride one like that!" and I encourage them to try it. I've never had a negative comment. Just my two cents worth! Anonymous Dear Anon, Dear VTwin Mama, Another problem I'm learning to ride at 58. When I sit on the bike my heel is about an inch from the ground. I have a reach seat, the bike only has 3.9 inch clearance so I don't know if it can be lowered anymore. I'm getting discouraged about my ability to ride it and have thought about selling it and getting a Honda Shadow VT750C2 because I seemed to reach better when I sat on one. Any suggestions? Thanks ... I know your site is mainly for women but some guys write as we have the same problems. Manny R. Dear Manny, Any time a newer rider is approaching a stop or is stopped and they don't have their foot/feet flat on the ground, it can set up a problem in that you've now added another component that must be factored in. In this case, you will always be balancing you and the bike by the balls of your feet and if you need full foot contact, the bike must be at a small angle. Add in a road/driveway that itself isn't perfectly level and the lean is more pronounced. In all of this, the rider is then focused on the ground and foot placement. The drops more readily happen because we go where we look. The front brake is in fact properly used when approaching a stop in a straight line; but if you look down to plant your foot, a drop can happen. Your goal is to know that you can plant your foot and keep your head and eyes looking forward and level to the ground. In looking at the Fit Chart and Motorcycles For Short Riders entry for the 883 Low, I see that beyond the seat change, there are other modifications you may consider. The first is your boots if you are not already wearing something with a higher heel/sole. There is reference to a pair of men's elevator boots and I'll add that you may want to try an internal lift inside the boot first (depending on how much your heel is off the ground). You'll also see that shorter shocks are possible (which will lower the back just that extra bit ... and for some, the addition of a pullback riser, which brings the handlebar closer to the rider, allowed for a better seat position and thus legs had more reach as you've removed any forward body lean. I'm advocating that you look into these possibilities before considering getting another motorcycle ... the only reason being that the resale value won't be as high as the original purchase price and it would be a shame to lose $$ before fully exploring more options. Wide turns, especially those from a stop, are only resolved through practice. Head to an empty parking lot with some sort of markers (tennis balls cut in half, bright plastic drink cups, etc.) and lay out an intersection. Key points to remember: lifting both feet evenly from the ground to the pegs helps a lot because your center of gravity is maintained over the COG of the bike and you're less likely to set up a wobble in the handlebar (which is tough to then overcome because you're trying to focus on the turn); use the friction zone of the clutch to regulate your speed; look with both your head and eyes on the point where you wish to finish. I hope these pointers will help you noodle out the solution for the best fit possible! Mama Monday, July 28 Dear VTwin Mama, I do have a question. I have been having a problem with the shifting linkage on my bike. I found the area on your site telling how to adjust it for higher boots, etc, and I can adjust it just fine, but it seems to work its way back down. My hubby checked it ... I think the nuts should be to the opposite end of the linkage rod, but he says no. How do I keep it from loosening after I get it set where I want it? It's a pain in the butt. Valita, aka bikerchic Dear Valita, I'm glad you were able to find notes that the shift pedal in many cases can be repositioned for better boot fit. I would use a product called Loctite, which can be found in any auto department of a superstore or automotive parts store. It's a small, bold red bottle and when you squeeze it onto the threads of a bolt or nut, Loctite will keep things in place. It's typically used in areas where vibration routinely loosen up parts. That doesn't mean you can't break the seal later, should you need to! Mama Monday, July 28 Dear VTwin Mama, |
