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Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Cali, At your height, leg-to-ground reach issues are not quite as tough. Still, as we've often noted, many of the sport style bikes do start out at higher seat heights than found in the cruiser line of motorcycles. Since you're getting a good feeling from the Ninja 650R, why not take a look at the Motorcycle Engine CC Chart ... here you'll be able to scroll down to the Sport section and take a look at similar sized bikes, their seat height, weight, and MSRP. That'll give you an idea of what else to look at to compare to the Ninja. While we often compare things by cc engine size, how a bike is geared has a lot to do with it's "zip" factor ... how peppy it is. Sport bikes tend to be geared to be faster off the line, while cruisers are looking to offer nice easy power at higher speeds to kick back and relax. So, in this part of the equation, it really has to do with what type of riding you are anticipating and let's fact it ... the image of you on a bike! – Mama Monday, June 2 From Scotka regarding group riding: Thank you to Ratzuki, Carole and Mama for all your replies to my earlier query about my husband’s concern about riding with non-Harley motorcyclists!!! All your thoughts are valid and I appreciate your responses. IMHO, it’s about enjoying the time you have with people you love and care about – and being safe. Thanks again for your valuable input to my concerns. – Scotka (note from Mama: as always, on this type of issue, there are as many opinions as there are riders!) Monday, June 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
JwsKas971, Most likely, and you can take a look for yourself, is that a lowering link was placed between the frame of the bike and the top of the rear shock. Unbolt both ends and rebolt the top of the shock to the frame. Also be aware that some shocks can be adjusted in terms of the preload ... the adjuster, or collar, is turned to set this. If the shock feels like it's sagging or bottoming out when you hit a bump, you'll need to make a change so the back end has a bit stiffer action. It's also possible that a shorter shock was installed, although given the age of the bike, I think this is less likely the case. Here you would either need the service manual or make a call to the local dealer's parts department to determine the stock shock length and compare it to the part number on the current shock. In some cases the front fork would have been adjusted as well. That's means shorter fork tubes were put in or a shorter or less stiff inner spring was installed. I'm guessing you'll know when you undo the back end modification ... you'll feel like the bike is now high in back and low up front instead of even across. – Mama Monday, June 2 It looks like we're all in the same boat here. I was a passenger for 10+ years as my husband and I rode poker runs and to biker parties. I passed the MSF Basic Rider course last August where we rode 250s around on the parking lot and learned all the basics. I only missed one point on the final riding test!Back to reality... I came home to my '03 Hugger with only 6 miles on the odometer. Here is what I found:
Monday, June 2 Dear VTwin Mama, I ride horses and have a Ford F450 Super Duty dually, 4 Wheel drive Pick-up to pull my horse trailer with living quarters. Diesel has gone too high for me to drive it to and from work each day. I was thinking about a scooter, but then thought I would probably get run over on a scooter since I drive on the busiest highway in Alabama going to and from work. I live in Chelsea, Alabama and commute to and from Birmingham on highway 280. Do you have any motorcycle recommendations that would fit my needs? Thank you, – Elizabeth Dear
Elizabeth, And, if you didn't know, some MSF schools offer scooter-specific riding courses so that you get used to handling them before getting on the road! Otherwise, in the manual tranny bikes, good candidates would those in the 650-800 cc engine size. They'll keep up with the faster running highways very nicely and can be modified with any number of options. Here I'd concentrate on the Yamaha VStar 650s and the Honda Shadow series. Good looks, decent pricing in the $6-7k range, and seat heights that make sense for your height. Add a luggage rack and lockable hard case and you should be set for carrying your business tools. – Mama Monday, June 2 Dear VTwin Mama, 1. Helmet hit the pavement once, then I tumbled on grass. The helmet
looks ok to me (there's a 1"x2" scratch, paint scraped off), but
I don't know if it's still structurally sound. Do I really need to buy a
new one? Dear
SSH, I doubt there is anyone on the planet in a public forum that would advocate that the helmet is ok. Any time a helmet hits pavement, structural cracks could have happened. It did it's job though, so retire it and get a new one. Consider it one of the best investments ever made! If you want just a simple patch on your jacket, and don't have a specific leather company in your area that caters to motorcyclists, then I would head to the local shoe repair shop. You want something of durable thickness, not just a thin leather "looks good" thing one might find in a craft supply store (i.e. it should be at least 1.2 to 1.4mm thick). The shoe repair shop might also be able to sew that in for you professionally at a very small cost. Most alterations shops don't handle leather, but call ... you might be surprised to find one that does. If you do it yourself and it's a bit raggedy looking, then depending on location of the rip, consider getting a nice flag patch or something similar to go over it! – Mama Tuesday, June 3 Motor Maids and Guests, Cave Spring, GA, June 12-14 Hello
Ladies, All districts, husbands, and guests welcome at 675 McGee Bend Road, Cave Spring, GA. Food and fun will be provided through the weekend. Please RSVP to Ruth at 941-232-5315, 941-474-7236, 706-777-3218; Cindy at 706-777-9993 or Lynn at 615-895-3713. Blue Skies, Ride Safe! – Rose Hale, Georgia Motor Maids Tuesday, June 3 For SSH who low-sided the bike and the helmet hit pavement: Most manufacturers want their helmets back that have endured any kind of shock/hit so they can evaluate their product. Some offer financial incentive. You should be able to go the manufacturer's website and get more info. Regardless, any helmet that takes a hit needs to be replaced. – Ajax on Aero (note from Mama: aha ... an interesting comment on possible evaluation incentive ... one that I did not know about!) Tuesday, June 3 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Bridgette, 1) Take a state-recognized riding
course, which will not only put you through rules of the road, hazards
to watch for, and practical riding time on a small bike, put offer a test
(written and riding) that upon successful completion you can go to the DMV
and get the "M" on your driver's license. If you take a look at this response to Andrea back on 5/21/08, you'll see the chart for the least expensive 2008 motorcycles on the market. You'll want to visit dealer showrooms, sit on bikes, and check for your leg reach to ground, and arm and leg reach to hand and foot controls. If you'll be buying a used bike, this is still a good step to take so you understand the basics of fit. Then check the classified ads in your area for bikes for sale. If you use my Motorcycle Seat Height Chart, you'll be one step ahead on what will work for you without further modification. Or, if it's a good deal, but the seat height is a bit much, then you can inquire at the dealer if that year/make/model can be lowered. How does one look at seat height with some clarity? It's all about your leg inseam. If the seat height is 27" and your inseam is 29", there's a good chance, with a decent pair of riding boots with an inch sole, that you'll be able to reach the ground with no problems. A wide seat will push your thighs out more before legs can go down to the ground, so narrower seats help! This is all part of the equation. Have a great time doing your practical look-see research and let us know how it's going! – Mama Tuesday, June 3 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Newbie (Teena), Print out the page, highlight a few that match up to your potential needs, and then visit dealers to take a closer look! Sit on bikes, check the weight by moving it from side to side and pushing it with your feet a bit forward and back. Also check your leg reach to ground and arm/leg reach to hand/foot controls. We've often said that sometimes a heavier bike actually feels better balanced. It has to do with how low the engine is positioned in the bike's frame. There are no specifications for this ... that's why sitting on bikes and keeping notes will eventually give you a feel for what you think you'll like. Of course one can get into a riding course, usually given on a 250cc bike, to give you some beginning ideas. – Mama Wednesday, June 4 MORE Exciting News ... Men's Style T-Shirts Are 20% Off! Dear Readers, There are a variety of choices in logo positioning, size, color, and style. Sizes in Small to XXL in 15 colors and in 8 colors for XXXL. These are heavyweight, relaxed fit, 100% cotton, Fruit of the Loom men's brand ... glorious to wear! Want something custom?! That's possible as well. And now, through June 9th, orders of $20 or more get 20% off! Use Coupon Code DAD1 for the U.S. and CADDAD1 for Canada! Check it out on the VTM site or go straight to the new boutique store. Happy Shopping! – Mama Wednesday, June 4 From Laura, Frustrated in Michigan, who is just starting out on her own bike: Just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my letter of concern (especially VTwin Mama)! I am so glad to know that I am not alone in this adventure. With all of your great advice I am taking it very slowly and practicing before I take off on each ride (ok so my longest has been 5 miles away to get gas but HEY it's a start). Other than that I think my neighbors are sick of me riding back and forth but I do feel more comfortable than before! I love the fact that we are all learning a skill that isn't easy! I think it truly shows heart and determination. Thanks again for this site! – Linda (note from Mama: excellent ... you're reviewing techniques each time and slowly but surely you'll polish those basic essential skills we all need!) Wednesday, June 4 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Shirley, Wednesday, June 4 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Ginnie, Thursday, June 5 Dear Readers, Thursday, June 5 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Pattu, I'll guess that the H-D Riders Edge course uses the same layout as their course is based on the MSF, but call to confirm. If you'll be learning on your own, then contact your DMV to see if they have a course layout available (or stop by on a testing day to talk to an official testing agent). – Mama Thursday, June 5 Dear VTwin Mama, I'm a beginning rider, and just bought a used 2004 Honda Rebel. My friend rode it for me to check it out, and it worked fine. I rode it for a couple of weeks and it worked fine. But, I had it in the garage for two weeks until I could get some time to practice riding it and it stalled out once or twice in the very beginning. I revved it up a bit and then it ran pretty stable. THEN, I got it to the corner, and it stalled out and wouldn't start again. : ( I checked to make sure I remembered to turn the fuel on, checked to make sure the kill switch wasn't on, I had gas in the tank, the bike was in neutral, kickstand up, it made a noise when I pushed the ignition button, lights came on...but just would NOT start. I don't have any mechanical experience at all [Daddy wouldn't let girls help with mechanical things...oh boy], so I don't know where to start. Can you give me any suggestions? I'm so sad : ( Thanks so much, – Edie Dear Edie, I'm pretty sure the reason it wouldn't start again at the corner was that it was flooded. That means that gas was accumulating and the spark plugs couldn't ignite the mix correctly any more. So, the spark plugs got overly wet with gas. You would have noticed a pronounced smell of gas (most likely). Why did this happen now?! Well, not so much because it sat, but because it was started, then stalled, then restarted several times and stuff happens! I would do three things: Of course you could elect to bring the motorcycle to the local dealer and have them do this routine maintenance, which would include checking the carb settings for correct idle. But I've give it a go myself ... useful stuff to learn and you don't have to be a mechanical genius to acquire the knowledge! – Mama Thursday, June 5 Dear VTwin Mama, My husband and I went out a couple of days later and bought a used Ninja 250cc. I have been practicing every day I am off of work. I took the class at the Harley dealership near where I live and we called them to see if I could practice on their lot where the class was. It was great I was able to practice the same drills I had learned in class in the same place I took my class. I was even able to do the "BOX" for the first time and left somewhat comfortable. I go back this weekend for my re-test. (Harley Riders Edge course give you one free retest with the class). My biggest problem right now is nerves!! I get nervous and then I screw up!! I become my own worst enemy!! If I am relaxed I do okay. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks to all who have shared your stories. I see myself in all of the beginners stories and it makes it fun again. – Sandi from Baltimore Dear Sandi, The biggest gift you're giving yourself is practice on the course you'll be going back to! My gift to you is the idea of positive visualization. Where ever you are, and you start thinking about the test, "see" yourself approaching the bike in a calm manner. See yourself easily starting up the bike and then proceeding with the first test. See yourself doing that successfully. See yourself taking a nice deep breath, reviewing what you'll need for the next phase, and then doing that successfully. This mind "trick" works because it replaces any negative thought you may conjure up! Any time a negative thought comes in, replace it with a positive visualization. Review the point system. I believe you lose less points in the Figure 8 box if you go outside the line vs. planting your foot. Remember that we go where we look, and the number one reason that a person drops a bike coming to a stop, is because they look down. You know the pavement is there so there is no reason to confirm it ... keep your eyes forward with a quick "eyes only" glance for the stop line. The night before, don't drink caffeine or eat a heavy meal. Have your clothes, gear, purse, etc. ready to go. Eat something light and nutritious that morning. Bring water. Use positive visualization all the way to the course. Smile. Chuckle. Crack a joke. And then focus. Two more thoughts ... remind yourself that learning is exactly what the word means ... you're learning and this is another interesting phase in the adventure ... and if you think this might help, write on a slip of paper, "I CAN DO IT!" and put it in your pants or jacket pocket. Pull it out as needed. I heard from lots of people that this little trick can make a difference. Good luck this weekend ... we'd love to hear how it turned out for you! – Mama Thursday, June 5 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Nicholas, Thursday, June 5 Dear VTwin Mama, I have also had the opportunity to meet a few wonderful gals from around my neck of the woods that I have struck up a friendship with and we ride together now too. I am feeling much better about my riding experience and I have you and this website to thank for that. I have received some very valuable info and tips from you and other riders, and want to thank you all again for encouraging and supporting me. Of course my kids are still shaking their heads as they see me roar by on my cycle, and I just laugh hysterically and say, "This is what its all about, kids! Enjoying life. PS, I won't be home for dinner either, lol.." – Debbie M. Dear Debbie, Thursday, June 5 Dear VTwin Mama, I'm 5'5" and about 180 lbs. I've been riding for about 2 years. My bike has a great passenger seat with a backrest and my best friend would love to ride with me. She's only 5'3" and much lighter than I am, so it didn't seem like it would be that hard. Turns out, it is harder than I thought! My bike is kind of tall and I can't flat foot while seated but this rarely gives me any trouble when I ride alone. When I take my friend as a passenger, I'm ok while we are still and also once we have pretty good motion. The take-off kills me though and the slow speed turns are really difficult. I worry constantly that I won't be able to balance the extra weight and each time we try I manage all right but I can't shake the worries about my strength. I don't know if it would help to lower the seat so I could flat foot for more steadiness right before I get moving or if there are some techniques we could use to make this easier. My friend loves to ride and I really enjoy the company but I can't find much information about female riders carrying passengers. Any ideas? Thank you for all the great info on your site and for your obvious caring and warmth! – Talitha Dear Talitha, First, I agree that being able to fully flat-foot a bike is a good idea when riding with a passenger. In this way you are not leaning (even if ever so slightly) at a stop or an incline of some sort. If you have a good pair of riding boots (upper leather stitched, not glued, to the sole) a shoe repair shop could possibly add an inch or so of sole to the boots. Or one could look for boots with a higher overall sole. Next up is the seat. You can remove it, unstaple the cover, shave some of the side padding out (if the seat is wide and pushing your thighs out before legs can reach down) or the bottom if the width is not the problem, and then recover. If this isn't something you want to handle, upholstery shops or custom motorcycle seat shops can do it for you. One can also get shorter shocks for the bike or an official lowering kit. Call the local dealer's parts department to learn more about what options might be available. Now I want you take your bike out and check your leg movement from a dead stop. Are you picking up both legs/feet at the same time and smoothly moving them in a coordinated manner to the footpegs? If not, you're setting up a wobble at the handlebar, which is easily overcome as a solo rider with experience, but can become pronounced with the added weight of a passenger. What's going on is that when feet aren't picked up at the same time, you're body's center of gravity (the hips) are for that moment not perfectly over the bike's center of gravity (the engine). Add that the passenger is not at center, and it sets up the problem. And so there again comes in the flat foot to ground ... if you're stopped and need to slightly lean to hold everything up, it takes more to "get to center." I'm going to assume that your passenger is not wiggling around on the bike, always remains faced forward, and when looking at things passing by is only using head/eyes, not a body twist. I hope these ideas help you research your next step in making the two-up ride even more fun! – Mama Thursday, June 5 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Lynn, So, you've already looked at your boots. Now I'm looking at a picture of your bike with it's 27.8" seat height. In one review it was noted that the shocks were not adjustable. If the dealer can't offer you a shorter shock, I'd take a close-up picture of it and email Skull Enterprises in CO as they specialize in shortening shocks. While the Vento is a US-based company, the bike is manufactured in China and to some degree assembled here in the States. Thus I was not surprised that I couldn't find shops that offered aftermarket items, including things like a lowering kit. Is there a generic lowering link you could use? Possibly, but I'd double check if that would void the warranty. I'd probably go for a seat modification first. Take the seat off, remove the staples, shave what you need out, and recover. A local upholstery shop could do the work. If you think you'll lose to much tushie comfort, shave even more out than you need and insert a gel pad. – Mama Saturday, June 7 For Sandi who is retesting this weekend: I just had to respond. During my MSF class last month, I dropped my bike three times on the BOX. While my fellow students and instructor were very supportive, I think everyone had figured I just wasn't going to get through it on the test. I went last and didn't watch anyone else do their Box. I shut my eyes (like Petra talks about) and visualized my going through the box, keeping my head and eyes up, turning my head, looking beyond where I wanted to go, etc. Well, it came my turn. I put all the "instructions" out of my head and just did it. When I finished, I looked back at the instructor, he gave a Thumbs Up! and all the guys (I was the only gal in the class) honked, cheered and whistled for me!!! The instructor told me later, the following - the Box is really not a huge part of the skills test, you can ride on the white line (as long as he can't see blacktop between tire and line) and not lose points, and it's better to go out of the box a little than put your foot down. Sandi - do everything that Petra suggests - and relax and go for it!! And know that you've got a huge virtual cheering section on VTwin Mama!!! Good Luck Girl!!!! – trailangel (note from Mama: my guess is that Sandi is getting ready or on her way this morning, but let's all send up a prayer for every rider taking or retaking the test today! You've offered useful thoughts that are sure to help the next person getting ready!) Saturday, June 7 For Debbie who had to rethink who she was riding with in order to get to a comfort level: See, see, see, I told you YOU could do it. Now where's my $5!? I am riding solo now and looking forward to it. It is better to be safe and comfortable with your ride than to be unsafe and sorry if you would have stayed with those idiots! Wishing you the very best in your riding adventures! – Me & My Shadow (note from Mama: ha ha ... if we all got $$ for good input that made a difference, we'd all be rich ... wait, we are rich! In terms of friendship and camaraderie, which is soooo much more cool than $$!) Saturday, June 7 For Talitha who wants to take a passenger with greater confidence: Not to get preachy here but … I recommend going to an empty parking lot, the largest you can find, to practice riding with your passenger. The slow speed skills are where everyone can have trouble sometimes, whether one up or two up. You need to learn and know how your bike feels with two people on it going slow, stopping, starting, turning from your stops left and right. The same holds true for anyone who wants to pack their bike up for a road trip with a ton of gear. It will handle differently and feel different and it gives you a chance to rethink your packing order. Go somewhere safe to figure out what is different, not out on the open road. Your passenger should also wear full gear just like you do at all times they are on the bike -- jacket, helmet, gloves, and over the ankle boots. – Anonymous (note from Mama: I'm always an advocate for parking lot practice and thank you for pointing it out as a serious consideration for any change to a motorcycle, including the gear load you mention!) From Talitha: Thank you so much for the tips and ideas! I really think these will help and I am excited to try them. My passenger is really good about staying still and facing forward. In thinking on my riding style, though, I think that I probably pay little attention to smoothly moving both feet and legs up and down. As you said, any wobble is so easy to overcome when I ride solo that I don't really worry about it. I also do think that since I can't flat foot, I probably take off and stop with a slight lean to one side and set myself up for the wonderful wobble! I'm going to get a new pair of riding boots first and go for sole height. I feel pretty comfortable trying to do some barbershop maneuvers on the seat and am likely to try this. It would help my friend anyway as she'd also like to try solo but she can't touch the ground without moving down from the seat. We'll try those things and see how it goes. Thank you so, so much for your site and your super-fast response! You are truly a goddess for all the ladies out there who already ride or want to ride and need somewhere to go for the big and small questions. – Talitha (note from Mama: you are very welcome and I love the new excitement in your "voice" as you consider small changes that are likely to make a big difference!) Saturday, June 7 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear James, So, if this bike is of interest, I'd start with the insurance question, because without it, you may not be able to register it (most DMVs want evidence that you've got insurance). Why not pose this question to EvoSales? At the same time, to ride it legally on roads, one must have the "M" on one's license. That means your girlfriend would need to take the motorcycle exam, either through an approved riding course or with the DMV. IMHO, the Dream Chopper is a toy. While I don't consider anything wrong with the 3/4 size (other than visibility to other vehicles on the road), that chopper front end rake is most definitely not a typical set-up. Turning from a stop, handling twisty roads, etc. takes practice and skill, and that exaggerated front end doesn't make it any easier. I seriously doubt that even an experienced rider could take the DMV riding test and pass on that bike. I'd advocate taking the $1300 you're considering spending and finding a decent used 250cc bike like the Honda Rebel, Suzuki GZ250, Yamaha VStar 250, or even the CF Moto V5 (QLink Legacy 250). While these retail for $3,000 to $3,600 new, you would have no problems with insurance and registration as well as the all important service availability. I can't answer the question about whether the Dream Chopper would hold up. All bikes need routine maintenance and the adage that you get what you pay for is as true in motorcycle purchases as anything else. – Mama Saturday, June 7 Dear VTwin Mama, I have been a rider, on and off, since the age of 12 (I'm 47 now). I've had a couple nice little bikes, and 2 years ago my husband and I purchased new Suzuki Boulevards - his, a C50T and mine, the awesome, lean, mean M50. I love this bike, save for one thing. It seems to get really squirrelly on windy days. I don't know if this a "center of gravity" thing, or if it's a characteristic of this particular bike. I was not able to find any info online about it. Have any of your readers ever experienced anything like this? It has severely cut in to my riding time, and I feel like a wimp when I decline a ride because the wind is over 20 mph on a given day. – Lisa Dear Lisa, Hmmm ... at 549 lbs dry weight and an 800cc engine, I'm slightly surprised to hear a comment like yours, as I usually attribute that to the 350 lb motorcycles! But let's think this through. When I got my BMW (same weight type) I noticed that I too had more wind-related issues. In doing some research I found that the type of wheel rim had a lot to do with it. The more solid construction with cutouts reacts to the wind pushing on it (vs. for instance a spoked rim). This could be the difference that you're feeling as I took a look at a picture of the M50 and see a similar rim type. On truly windy days I find that if I'm traveling 75mph or so, I've got to back off my speed to a bit to get to a comfort zone. What also can happen, in response to a higher wind push is that we tend to tighten up our grip on the handlebar (the thinking is to hold on tighter). The minute we do that, we no longer are allowing our front end to naturally travel and handle road variations and so we actually add to the squirrelly nature you describe. This same reaction has been reported by newer riders who are doing their first road rides at higher speeds ... they tighten up because they aren't use to the speed, but it sets up the same problem. Now I would like to turn your attention to your helmet if you wear one. A helmet that doesn't fit properly can easily add to the feeling in higher winds. Even it if fits properly, slight variations can be more readily felt in higher winds. How do we know? If you are feeling more of a tug at the neck by the helmet strap, or if tension becomes apparent in your neck and/or shoulder blades, you've got some air entering the helmet between your forehead and the helmet. Try this ... add a bandana to seal off the forehead and see if that isn't part of the equation. It's amazing that a helmet can set up the same squirrelly feeling ... but I attribute it to the overall nature of feeling the wind where our personal balance is detected ... through our inner ears (vestibular component). One can begin to theorize why this is important to take another look at! In all of this I have not lost sight of the fact that the specific handling characteristics of any one make/model will exhibit things one won't find on another bike for comparison. Let's see if we get input from other M50 riders ... you may want to look for a message board that caters to the Boulevard riders, some of which can be found on my Motorcycle Help by Mfg and Model page. – Mama Monday, June 9 Ride With The Wild Ones, August 17, Marinette, WI Dear VTwin Mama, Monday, June 9 Dear VTwin Mama, My question now is where do you go from here? I am a little nervous about increasing speed. Does that just come with time and experience? Well, to any newbie out there ... if I can do it, you can too!!!! Thanks again! – Sandi in Baltimore Dear Sandi, Continue to head to your practice lot so that you work on your basic skills on that Ninja 250. Perhaps identify a new empty parking lot with more room so you can work on moving up to second and third gear and practice your downshifting and braking to a smooth stop. At the same time, map out a simple local route by car, looking at the route through your "new riding eyes" for general road conditions, stops, and where you'll turn around, etc. When you are ready, and on a quiet Sunday morning, have your husband follow you in the car/bike to block any traffic you might encounter so that no one can crowd you from behind. That way you can take a moment at each juncture to think through what you need (i.e. to make that turn or to gain some speed). Any honking would be at him and not you and should reduce the "mental rattle factor." Keep it simple. Review how it went. Head back to the practice lot to polish anything that cropped up in the ride that needs more work. Practice pulling into a parking spot and then backing it out to continue and also backing it in so you can pull out forward (so you're ready for either way). Plan another route. Build in a reward (maybe breakfast at a favorite local spot). These small steps should help you transition in the next phase of your riding adventure. Many happy road miles to you! – Mama Monday, June 9 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Diane, What we often refer to as forward controls are really a standard set of controls positioned forward. I bring this up so you don't spin your wheels (ha!) wondering if a new set will help ... aftermarket forward controls are designed to bolt into the same position but move the foot position even more forward. In this understanding, I know of no new set-up that bolts into the same place but brings things back. The question then is, can you sit on your bike (off the side stand) and feel the best position of your back and legs that minimizes the sciatica? If this is the case, then you'll have some clues to work with. I'd start with your foot position. It may be to your advantage to switch to floorboards that so that your feet can rest fully and shift a bit instead of being forced to a footpeg only position. While I don't see it on Honda's official accessories list, visit the dealer, sit on a bike with floorboards and check it out. Then you can talk to the parts department about options. Even a mini ISO wing from Kuryakyn might do the trick. While a floorboard might help, your overall seating position may have you a bit folded up at the hip, thus setting up a problem. To gauge the need for a change at the handlebar, I like this technique ... have someone straddle the front wheel and hold onto the handlebar with you sitting on the bike off the side stand. Move the leg that causes the most pain into foot position. Now, close your eyes and lift your arms into a position that continues to feel right overall. Open your eyes and check where your hands are floating in the air. If it's just a matter of bringing the handlebar a bit back, then yes, a pullback riser will accomplish the task. If you find that the handlebar ends are actually a bit wide for you, then you'll need to explore new handlebar options. In some cases a seat may also shift your position. Here I am referring to something like the Corbin Young Guns model. When I look at your stock seat and this Corbin seat, I see a significant build up in the back section of the Corbin seat, which may offer more overall back support and naturally shift your whole back straighter up. Your dealer (or you) may be able to order something like this in so you can take a closer look without having to commit to a purchase. One could also consider working with a custom seat shop (like Allen at Mean City Cycles) to build up your stock seat ... why not call and talk it out (his ad and phone number are in the left column). I'm hoping that more research of these modification techniques on your part will reveal the single or combo change that keeps that Spirit (and yours!) the dream machine it can be. – Mama Tuesday, June 10 Bikers for Babies, October 12, Hampton, GA Dear VTwin Mama, Only Atlanta Motor Speedway event allowing bikes on the track. Bikers
for Babies is one of the oldest and largest charity rides in the state of Join the
exclusive Team 1000 by raising $1000 or more for March of Dimes. Perks
include a special seated VIP luncheon, special thank you gifts, priority
time on AMS track and much more! New and improved
Biker Bucks Program this year: To thank you for raising money for
Bikers for Babies you will be able to exchange Biker Bucks for great
prizes at the ride. Prizes include: Commemorative
T-Shirts, patches, bandanas, belt buckles, and more!
– Kathryn Begg, Walk Assistant, March for Babies Tuesday, June 10 For Sandi who passed her course last weekend and now is concerned about speed: When something on this site touches me, I just have to respond. Dear Sandi ... we have all been there! I have to tell you that the first time I got into 5th gear, I had to pull over on the side of the road and CRY. I was so happy, excited, proud, grateful to God that He answered my prayers. Like you, I wanted to ride so badly. I just took it slow and day by day, gear to gear, got better. You hang in there, girl. You CAN do it. We are all rejoicing with you!! – Pat in Houston (note from Mama: a lovely supportive message!) Tuesday, June 10 Dear VTwin Mama, And fifth, KEEP THE WHEELS ROLLING. If you are going extremely slow when making a turn you will fall – gravity is free and it takes over. Think of it this way….you have a wooden “top” with string wrapped around it. When you throw it from your hand and it starts to spin you can actually push it over and the instant you take your finger off of it what does it do? Yep, it pops right back up and continues to spin. But as the speed slows down and you press it over, it will fall. The same with a motorcycle; they want to go straight and want a little bit of speed. The Box – you lose 3 points for putting you foot down once and only 2 more for putting it done the next time and the 50 times after that. Your lose 3 points for crossing the line the first time and 2 for crossing it the next and 50 times after that – the key is not to put you foot down and cross lines because you will lose 8 points (max) for doing both. The Swerve – keep your head and eyes up. Press the bike to miss the object and press in the opposite direction to get back in your path of travel. (I never had a student miss this part of the evaluation). The Quick Stop – don’t forget to only go fast enough to show you can do it (12-15 mph). When stopping, don’t GRAB the front brake, but do apply enough pressure to the front brake and press on the rear brake to stop with 15 feet of the stopping point and also down shift to 1st gear before you come to a stop. The 135 Degree Turn – don’t forget to shift into 2nd gear early so you can get your speed up (15 mph works very well). Don’t forget the fore steps for turning SLOW to entry speed; LOOK through the turn where you want to be; PRESS the Motorcycle in the direction you want to turn; and about midway through the turn ROLL-ON the throttle, gradually increasing your speed. Use the outside – inside – out side path of travel to enter the turn and take it easy (don’t roll of the throttle because that’s considered a “deceleration.” DON’T FORGET TO TURN YOUR HEAD if you do this you will stay in the lines and I can almost guarantee you will pass.!!!!! So when you take/retake the course remember to: Hope this helps some of you. Enjoy and be safe! – Anonymous Dear Anon, Wednesday, June 11 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Nancy, Listen, dreams never fade at any age, so why not give it a try! There are ever so many women, who in their 50s, 60s, and beyond, take the sport up. In most cases they wished they had started earlier only because they found out that the adventure in riding is very much to their liking! A great way to start is to take a riding course under the watchful eye of instructors. This gives you the chance to try it out and see how it goes for you. Right now you'll probably find that courses are filled for the summer. This may be a blessing in disguise as the Florida heat can be a bear to learn in ... unless you're a native Floridian and acclimated to the climate. But take a look at my Get Stared page and you'll find the providers who offer this nationwide. Make calls and get signed up. Now, if you do have to wait, but want to get started, here are a few thoughts. Do you ride a bicycle? If so, you'll have your sense of balance already fine-tuned. Do you know how to drive a stick shift car? If not, a few lessons there will help as it gives you an idea of coordinating the clutch and the gas. An alternative is to borrow or rent an ATV with shift. That way you can learn to shift and throttle but on four wheels (so you don't have to worry about balancing right now on two wheels). Perhaps the friend who gave you your first ride can take time to help you review the controls on their bike so you get a beginning sense of what is what, how it works, and how it's coordinated. Would they be willing to coach you if you think they've got the patience to teach you? Then look for a used 125-250cc motorcycle (check my Motorcycle Engine CC page for makes/models). One then takes the written test at the DMV for a learner's permit and then you head to an empty parking lot for beginning practice. The MSF has a good library of articles and if you learn even better by seeing something in action, then consider the offerings of Ride Like A Pro. I wish you the very best as you begin deciding the best way for you to take those next steps! – Mama Wednesday, June 11 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Peter, I looked at the brake hose going into the front master cylinder, but don't see an adjustment there. In all of this, don't forget that calling a dealer's service department for quick clues is possible! – Mama Wednesday, June 11 Dear VTwin Mama, My question is, my mechanic said since my bike is fuel injected that he won't have to do any carb work. I called Vance and Hines and also J&P Cycle directly to see if my mechanic was correct. They both said he is wrong and that I would need to install a Power Commander / Fuel Pack otherwise if this additional item is not installed it will burn up the pistons and it causes back pressure. This would be an additional $300. They also said most mechanics don't know this. My bike might run fine for a couple of years, but without the power commander it would make my engine wear out faster. My question here is do I need the additional Power Commander / Fuel Pack when putting on the new Vance and Hines pipes? Also, my mechanic said that by putting on these new Vance and Hines straight shots (pipes) it should increase my power by about 7%. Is this correct? One last item, my mechanic is also installing a new air filter, a K&E - he said that will give me even more power. Is this correct? Since I am a woman, new rider, and I don't have a clue about what they are talking about, can you help me on the three questions I stated above. I really appreciate your help. – Sheila K. Dear Sheila, So, while I knew that a fuel injected bike could adjust for variations in altitude (less air the higher you go), I did not realize that the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is not infinitely self-adjusting. It turns out these units look at lots of variables but if the amount of gas and air are changed (i.e. in this case you altered the exhaust parameters) to levels beyond what the ECU computer is looking for, it can't make the right call. So, try it without. If you start getting pinging when you first hit the throttle or a gas smell, the ECU isn't handling things well ... you'll probably also see a color change at the exhaust pipe (yellow or blue). Yes, you'll see some increase in horsepower and torque but it's so dependent on how finely tuned the system is ... fine tuning is accomplished with a dyno tester, which most dealers offer ... they run the bike on a machine that measures everything and provides feedback on performance so that tweaks can be made. About $100 or so. A new air filter, typically called a big air kit or hypercharger, brings more air into the system, which then requires more gas to mix with it to keep the right proportions. Where you'll notice more power is at the higher speeds. Instead of feeling like you're wound out at top speeds, you'll have more oomph available. Again, only a dyno test and fine tuning will bring out the very best in all of this (i.e. even more $$). – Mama Wednesday, June 11 For Kim in London who passed her CBT and was looking for a starter motorcycle: I too live in the UK,
and am just 5ft 4in with inside leg of 28.5 ins. I passed my CBT last
September and bought a Suzuki Marauder 125 to gain learner experience and
confidence – it was fantastic – light easy to get flat foot and simple
to push back and forward. Easy to reach on full lock too. I’d
recommend it to anyone short. I’ve just sold my
beautiful Marauder and bought a Moto Guzzi Nevada (I love it!) The
only problem is that I can’t get enough purchase with my toes to push it
back (or feel safe stopping on some of the steep cambers we have on our
Devon roads). This is because with my leg straight to get that ball of my
foot on the ground it is just behind the peg – resulting in loads of
bruises on my shins! I’ve talked to a
seat upholstery place and on the 17th I am going to get somewhere between
1” and 2” shaved out of the seat – including the sides I hope.
With any luck I’ll get more foot on the floor and be more comfortable. For Sheila who is changing to V&H pipes and wondering if mods need to be done at the same time: I also have the C50C, only the 2006 model. From all I have read on the subject, on VolusiaRiders.com, the consensus is that when just adding new aftermarket pipes, you don't need a fuel processor. But when you changer your air intake, like by adding the K&N filter, Hypercharger or Thunder Air Kit, you will need one. This is because of what you said, Petra. More air requires more fuel. I didn't want to go the route of a $300 Power Commander, partly because I didn't want to mess with the maps needed to program it. I bought a Cobra FI2000R, which is about $160 if you look around on line. I did have the dealer install it, though someone with mechanical skills could probably do it themselves. Pretty much what you said, but just confirming what other C50 riders have stated. – MalteseYo (note from Mama: thanks for sharing what the Volusia board members are noting and what you chose!) Monday, June 16 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Thomas, 1) Motorcycle Fit
Charts: pictures of riders on motorcycles so you can see what things
look like! Tools we've offered for quite some time now: 1) Motorcycle Reviews
By Women: read more in depth about what readers share about their
bikes! Hopefully all of these tools will help you more easily research some beginning ideas on what bikes you want to consider looking at more closely ... the one that will eventually make your heart sing! – Mama Monday, June 16 For Deborah who doesn't have quite enough foot contact to push back her Moto Guzzi Nevada: Having gained my Australian MC licence after a 2 day Rider Training Course (zero previous experience - not even sat on a bike before!!), I had a crisis of confidence after dropping my near-new Guzzi Nevada a couple of times (usually when from stand-still). I did some time on a 200cc Aprilia Sportcity scooter and 3 months later was ready to shake the mothballs off the Nevada. I too had troubles flat footing which upset my new found confidence so I had the seat shaved at the sides. The standard seat is very wide and does tends to push your legs and feet away from the bike making it difficult to find the road with anything more than the ball of your foot (not ideal when stopping in gravel!) and narrowing the seat made a really BIG difference. Don't shave height off the standard seat as the foam is poor quality and removing padding will put your bum-bones on the plastic support rails that run through the underside of the seat. I had the upholsterer change the foam to a much higher density (but slightly thinner) layer, which is more comfy than the original. In addition hubby wound down the suspension settings to their lowest - yes it made the bike wollow a bit in corners - and we slowly wound it up to the correct height over a few months which allowed me to adjust gradually as I became more used to handling the bike. The Guzzi Nevada is a great bike, classic looks with lotsa chrome and shiny bits, a relaxed riding position and an engine that is very forgiving should you choose the wrong gear occasionally. I wonder that it's not more popular with our sister riders. I've been riding the Nevada for a year now and look forward to seeing more of sunny Queensland (Australia) on it! – Sally in Brisbane, Australia (note from Mama: how wonderful of you to share specific tips on seat shaving for the Nevada ... I had not considered the quality of foam before, but will keep that in mind for future questions on the subject!) Monday, June 16 Dear VTwin Mama, She is 4'10" and also a big girl. She is afraid of anything that would go much over her ankles, so many of the tall boots are out. I did find some Daytona boots that elevate about 2 inches, but they are in Euro sizes. I would hate to pay $350 for a pair of shoes, ship them from Europe to the US, only to find they don’t fit. Do you have any ideas on a pair of shoes that may help her? Thank you for your help, – Tony Dear Tony, So, let's all get on the same page ... you're referencing to the German company Frey, which makes the Daytona series of boots, and I can see why you would be reluctant to have something shipped overseas without first checking into US sources. Let's noodle out some ideas for your wife! First, one can consider lifts (shoe, heel, elevator are the terms most often used). These are inserted inside the boot and will increase height, thus allowing your wife to keep her original boots. Want to try something for free? Look at the left hand column of the ShoeLift site ... I'm not sure exactly what height they are offering, but they are testing something out and there's a toll free number! One can also consider modifying current boots by adding extra overall sole for more height. If the boots your wife has have the upper leather stitched (not glued) to the sole, they can be modified by a local shoe repair shop. Here's an Adobe Acrobat PDF on the subject. While there are as many opinions on boots as there are riders, I've heard that RedWing is a good name for quality, fit, and sole height. So, I took a look and just love the new Men's 971 (hiking boot style for riders). From there you can check the new Women's 1761. Best of all, one can check for a local shoe store carrying this line and try them on! I'm also a fan of the BootBay site ... click in, at the top choose Womens/Motorcycle and you'll see a good selection that don't go much past the ankle but have got good thickness at the bottom. Happy shopping! – Mama Monday, June 16 For Nancy who is getting started on her adventure at the young age of 65: The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has links to courses for any state. Make sure you look at **all locations** in your state, as you might find a course that is not full soon, but you may have to travel a distance to get there. Can you afford to travel to a less popular location to take the class and stay over night while taking it? My community college did not have an overall course schedule. In the course catalog, I had to look at each semester and/or summer session to find each available class, so look through any schedule thoroughly. Cost can also be cheaper or more expensive depending on which county you take the course in. In Maryland it can vary by a $100 or more from county to county. You could spend that savings on paying for the hotel of a course that is some distance, but has an opening soon. Take quinine pills with you for cramps from loss of electrolytes while sweating. I could not drink enough Gatorade during my course. I also had some salted dried plums that helped out too, just for the salt alone. – Anonymous (note from Mama: Nancy had emailed me back to say she's signed up for a class in July, but you've offered good tips on searching beyond the most local course offering to find something open as well as classes taken in the hottest months of the year!) Monday, June 16 Dear VTwin Mama, I have a Suzuki Burgman 400. I love it, and weather permitting ride it all over. I had it up to 105 MPH a few times, but wind is bad at those speeds and can be scary. Let’s say this scooter is more classified as a motorcycle in scooter clothes. I have no problem passing cars and enjoy the states from cars that a scooter is passing them. I get a lot of nods and waves. I love the trunk carrying capacity. I have packed a lot under the seat. I have to say guys use the "cute" word a lot when describing my scooter! The 400 seems heavy to me. I have dropped it and not been able to get it back up. I have also hit an oil slick and gone down. Thank God I finally got a guy to stop and help me get it back up. The fiberglass scratches well. The Burgman is made in a 250 (too light for my taste due to wind on the highway), a 400, and a 650. The 650 felt to heavy for me and awkward even though it had a reverse gear and you could switch it to manual if you wanted to shift. But really, who buys a scooter for shifting ability? The seat is set a bit high for a woman. I am 5’2". I am on tip toes seated on the seat at stops. Also the windshield is flimsy and flexes and shifts when you ride at higher speeds. I am pricing the Ridley’s now and may have found a good deal on a used Ridley with low miles. I took the motorcycle safety class and absolutely HATE shifting. All the guys in class said I would break down and buy a “real” motorcycle that shifts. I have broken down and will buy a “real” automatic motorcycle. I am glad Ridley makes Automatics and will never ride a shift motorcycle again. – Melissa Dear Melissa, Tuesday, June 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Barbara,
You pull up to Pt. A duck walk to B with the help of a bit of clutch/throttle, kick it into neutral, straighten out the front wheel, keep your face forward, and move it back in a straight line. The reason to go to neutral is so you don't have to hold onto the clutch lever ... you've got enough going on without needing that! Now, face forward sounds counterintuative, but the problem with your body turned a lot is that the handblebar easily turns to one side (full bar lock) causing all sorts of grief. So, if you need to look back, then check the bike's position, but return to face forward when you're actually moving the bike. One thing that can add to the challenge is if your feet are not firmly planted on the ground. It's hard to push yourself back on tippy toes and may even contribute to an easier lean to one side when you really need that bike centered and straight up. To practice, set up cones or other markers to mimic a bike on each side and practice. Or you can head to the far end of a Wal-Mart parking lot (or something similar) and prac |
