Head First
The first priority in motorcycle riding is to protect the head. A full Scorpion helmet was an excellent fit and provides adequate protection from those sudden stops. Having been through the motorcycle training, there is no question in my mind that a helmet is mandatory. Under the helmet, wearing earplugs filters out the wind and exhaust noise so one tires less easily on a long ride. With the Fog City press on face shield filter, the sun’s rays are blocked enabling one to see better and avoid a very painful sun burn. I also have a merino wool baklava for really cold days that can be worn under the helmet.
Leather versus Skin
Having had the experience of sliding on the pavement after my motorcycle lost traction in a curve; a full leather suit was desired. That was one of the conditions I promised to keep if I ever got back into the sport. Thinking that a full leather suit would be too hot, I gave up the idea until I met a motorcyclist touring with a perforated leather suit. It provided good ventilation and still gives one the protection of leather. I have ridden in 92-degree weather and it is not uncomfortable as long as one keeps riding! The Joe Rocket suit I use has nylon in the non-impact zones and heavy leather and armor in the more exposed areas like the elbows, knees, etc.
Rain, Rain, Rain
Good Gore-Tex waterproof motorcycle boots with no slip soles provide the grip when you have to back the bike up on a hill. They also protect the feet and ankles from bumps and exhaust pipe burns. Continuing the water proof theme, a Gore-Tex full nylon rain suit which breaths provides not only protection from water but also cuts the wind on a cold day.
Gripping Tale
Three different pairs of gloves cover weather encountered. One pair is water and wind proof. Another pair is wind proof and has good insulating properties for the colder weather. The last pair is perforated leather for summer riding. In addition to the weather, the gloves protect the hands from flying debris and “road rash” in the case the bike is dropped unexpectedly.
Wearing of the Gaudy Green
Since I continue to read about the comment “I did not see the motorcyclist!” mentioned in motorcycle accidents, I decided I needed to enhance my visual presence on the road. A lime green vest similar to the ones worn by public safety personnel completes my ensemble. I have noticed that people tend to give me space. I like to believe they think I am an off duty policeman riding a motorcycle and don’t wish to find out.
No matter what the weather, by gearing up, I can enjoy a comfortable and safe ride.
Cheers,
Free Spirit
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Choosing Riding Comfort and Endurance
What research needs to be done for a cross-country motorcycle trip? If you want to take your chances, no research is needed. If you want an enjoyable and successful trip for all involved, research reduces the negative surprises, which will impact your ride.
Transportation Mode
One of the most helpful websites was Total Motorcycle http://tinyurl.com/yfk52kq which gives style and bike specifications. The design of the motorcycle was the first consideration. It must carry all my gear and me for a number of days over a long distance in comfort. The bike has to be very stable resisting wind buffeting of trucks and strong crosswinds. That translates into a low-slung cruiser style with a long wheelbase. Maneuverability at low speeds is desired and dictates a loaded weight for me between 400 and 600 lbs. Having had experienced chain driven bikes with their stretched chains needing constant lubrication, a maintenance free drive shaft was desired. A fully loaded bike must be able to hold 70-80 mph all day without struggling. The bike ergonomics were important for an aging 67yr old body. A natural sitting position with feet firmly on the floorboards and hands comfortably reaching the handgrips was preferred. With desert riding expected, liquid cooling is a must.
With these parameters in mind, it was time to look at the various motorcycles within my budget. After much study, the decision came down to a Yamaha or a Honda cruiser. Remembering taking a new bike for a test ride years ago, I assumed with my motorcycle license, that I could take each one on a test ride to compare the two. That was not to be. Liability concerns jinxed that idea. So I relied on the dealer’s biased comments, customer’s reviews on the Internet and riding videos on UTube.
In my previous riding experiences, I had very good luck with Honda machines so I was drawn to those. If you changed the oil and spark plugs in a Honda regularly, it assured one of thousands of miles of worry free riding. The decision was made and I went to the local Honda dealer asking him “What is the smallest displacement motorcycle with a shaft drive?” He said, “the 750cc V-Twin Shadow Spirit C2 cruiser.” http://tinyurl.com/yfqgqar.
Wind and Bug Catcher
After buying the bike, I researched the additional accessories I needed for that particular bike. The accessories provide safety, utility and reduce fatigue during long rides. The Slipstreamer Falcon windshield deflects bugs and debris that fly off vehicles and makes the motorcycle more visible. A windshield also deflects the strong slipstream generated by high speed enabling the rider to sit straight without fighting the wind to stay upright. Having the top of the windshield just below my sightline lets me see over it when heavy rain makes it impossible to see through the windshield.
Carrying Stuff
National Cycle Cruiseliner hard, waterproof, lockable saddlebags were added to provide convenient storage for rain gear, tools, and groceries. A Paladin luggage rack complemented the saddlebags providing a place to hold my “dry bag”. This is a duffle bag that is totally waterproof used in white water canoeing.
Foot and Leg Care
A set of Kuryakyn floor boards replaces the foot pegs letting the rider either rest his boots flat or rest his heels on the leading edge of the floor boards to stretch his legs on a long trip.
Cruising in Comfort with Efficiency
Special foam grips reduce the vibration that travels through the handlebars. The “Cramp Buster” is a small plastic collar with a tail that goes around the throttle grip. The heel of throttle hand can be rested on the tail keeping the throttle at a constant setting. It serves as an inexpensive cruise control and allows me to stretch and flex my fingers on long rides.
Easy Does It
The housing for the EASY PASS transponder is one of the best accessories. The Easy Pass allows motorcycles to breeze through tollgates without having to stop and fumble with change. Then the maps and directions can be conveniently referred to with a quick glance at the map case strapped to the top of the fuel tank.
Bottom Care
A thicker Mustang seat with a backrest replaces the stock banana seat. A customer of Mustang seats said in his Internet comments “The stock seat provides comfort for 60 miles but the Mustang seat provides comfort for 600 miles. I learned that this saying was not correct. While talking to the Honda salesman, I sat on the banana seat for twenty minutes. After that short time, my bottom and the base of my spine began to ache and the bike had not even moved.
Safety is the Key
Adding a rear tail light modulator causes the brake light to pulse periodically when it is activated hopefully attracting the attention of the large semi bearing down on my rear bumper at a stoplight. A set of highway bars completes the accessories. These protect the side of the bike if it tips over or enters a slide. Occasionally balance is lost and the bars keep the bike partially elevated so it is easy to right it.
On a previous motorcycle trip on the Gaspe Peninsula with my father in law, I learned how a serious situation could develop without highway bars. I pulled off the highway on some sandy soil to take a photo. As I got ready to take the shot, I lost my balance in the sand and fell to the ground with the bike falling on my right leg. My leg was not hurt due to the soft sand under the bike. I was in a position where it was impossible to get the leverage to free myself. As the gas from the tank dripped on my leg, I had a vision of being immolated in a flaming pyre. The engine went Tick, Tick, Tick, as it cooled. I likened this to a count down to the final “Swoosh” as the bike went up in flames. I waited for my father in law to realize I was missing and come back. Unfortunately, I was in high grass and it would be hard to see me from the road. Finally, my father in law on his second pass saw me and righted the bike. I breathed a sigh of relief and we rode on.
Cheers,
Free Spirit
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour" - Robert Louis Stevenson
Transportation Mode
One of the most helpful websites was Total Motorcycle http://tinyurl.com/yfk52kq which gives style and bike specifications. The design of the motorcycle was the first consideration. It must carry all my gear and me for a number of days over a long distance in comfort. The bike has to be very stable resisting wind buffeting of trucks and strong crosswinds. That translates into a low-slung cruiser style with a long wheelbase. Maneuverability at low speeds is desired and dictates a loaded weight for me between 400 and 600 lbs. Having had experienced chain driven bikes with their stretched chains needing constant lubrication, a maintenance free drive shaft was desired. A fully loaded bike must be able to hold 70-80 mph all day without struggling. The bike ergonomics were important for an aging 67yr old body. A natural sitting position with feet firmly on the floorboards and hands comfortably reaching the handgrips was preferred. With desert riding expected, liquid cooling is a must.
With these parameters in mind, it was time to look at the various motorcycles within my budget. After much study, the decision came down to a Yamaha or a Honda cruiser. Remembering taking a new bike for a test ride years ago, I assumed with my motorcycle license, that I could take each one on a test ride to compare the two. That was not to be. Liability concerns jinxed that idea. So I relied on the dealer’s biased comments, customer’s reviews on the Internet and riding videos on UTube.
In my previous riding experiences, I had very good luck with Honda machines so I was drawn to those. If you changed the oil and spark plugs in a Honda regularly, it assured one of thousands of miles of worry free riding. The decision was made and I went to the local Honda dealer asking him “What is the smallest displacement motorcycle with a shaft drive?” He said, “the 750cc V-Twin Shadow Spirit C2 cruiser.” http://tinyurl.com/yfqgqar.
Wind and Bug Catcher
After buying the bike, I researched the additional accessories I needed for that particular bike. The accessories provide safety, utility and reduce fatigue during long rides. The Slipstreamer Falcon windshield deflects bugs and debris that fly off vehicles and makes the motorcycle more visible. A windshield also deflects the strong slipstream generated by high speed enabling the rider to sit straight without fighting the wind to stay upright. Having the top of the windshield just below my sightline lets me see over it when heavy rain makes it impossible to see through the windshield.
Carrying Stuff
National Cycle Cruiseliner hard, waterproof, lockable saddlebags were added to provide convenient storage for rain gear, tools, and groceries. A Paladin luggage rack complemented the saddlebags providing a place to hold my “dry bag”. This is a duffle bag that is totally waterproof used in white water canoeing.
Foot and Leg Care
A set of Kuryakyn floor boards replaces the foot pegs letting the rider either rest his boots flat or rest his heels on the leading edge of the floor boards to stretch his legs on a long trip.
Cruising in Comfort with Efficiency
Special foam grips reduce the vibration that travels through the handlebars. The “Cramp Buster” is a small plastic collar with a tail that goes around the throttle grip. The heel of throttle hand can be rested on the tail keeping the throttle at a constant setting. It serves as an inexpensive cruise control and allows me to stretch and flex my fingers on long rides.
Easy Does It
The housing for the EASY PASS transponder is one of the best accessories. The Easy Pass allows motorcycles to breeze through tollgates without having to stop and fumble with change. Then the maps and directions can be conveniently referred to with a quick glance at the map case strapped to the top of the fuel tank.
Bottom Care
A thicker Mustang seat with a backrest replaces the stock banana seat. A customer of Mustang seats said in his Internet comments “The stock seat provides comfort for 60 miles but the Mustang seat provides comfort for 600 miles. I learned that this saying was not correct. While talking to the Honda salesman, I sat on the banana seat for twenty minutes. After that short time, my bottom and the base of my spine began to ache and the bike had not even moved.
Safety is the Key
Adding a rear tail light modulator causes the brake light to pulse periodically when it is activated hopefully attracting the attention of the large semi bearing down on my rear bumper at a stoplight. A set of highway bars completes the accessories. These protect the side of the bike if it tips over or enters a slide. Occasionally balance is lost and the bars keep the bike partially elevated so it is easy to right it.
On a previous motorcycle trip on the Gaspe Peninsula with my father in law, I learned how a serious situation could develop without highway bars. I pulled off the highway on some sandy soil to take a photo. As I got ready to take the shot, I lost my balance in the sand and fell to the ground with the bike falling on my right leg. My leg was not hurt due to the soft sand under the bike. I was in a position where it was impossible to get the leverage to free myself. As the gas from the tank dripped on my leg, I had a vision of being immolated in a flaming pyre. The engine went Tick, Tick, Tick, as it cooled. I likened this to a count down to the final “Swoosh” as the bike went up in flames. I waited for my father in law to realize I was missing and come back. Unfortunately, I was in high grass and it would be hard to see me from the road. Finally, my father in law on his second pass saw me and righted the bike. I breathed a sigh of relief and we rode on.
Cheers,
Free Spirit
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour" - Robert Louis Stevenson
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