My buddy just bought a used Grom. It's hilariously fun.

5/25/2014 6:30:16 PM

^ nice, I wouldn't mind having one of those

5/26/2014 8:50:02 AM

Got pulled over in downtown asheville for doing something I do all the time, standing up. I drive a DR650 and standing is natural to me, I usually dont think twice when going over rough roads, speed bumps, going low speeds etc. I even have lowered foot pegs and handlebar risers, I can pretty much just stand up without slouching, its really comfortable.

She said it was "unsafe" to do it and I asked her why, her only response was "It just is." Then I tried to tell her about standing lowering the center of gravity making it easier to control the bike at lower downtown speeds and avoid potential obstacles like cars diving out in front of me, and she just cut me off and said she wasnt going to argue.

Anyone else had any experiences like this?

6/15/2014 1:11:21 AM

oh man, i would raise holy hell. don't take that shit. i don't think i'd be totally happy with it just being dismissed-i'd want a chunk of the offending cop's ass.

I got pulled one time and breathalyzed, hassled, etc for prob 20-30 minutes for "riding too close to the white line". I regret not being a real first-class motherfucker about the incident, even though they never wrote a ticket.

6/15/2014 1:30:04 AM

^^ Damn. I didn't know that was a fucking thing. I stand up pretty regularly when I'm going over speed bumps, railroad tracks, or just need to stretch my legs. I used to get hip cramps but don't anymore. They never mention it being illegal or unsafe in the MSF course or any other training/schooling. If you got a ticket for that, I'd fight it passionately.

Im excited about my camping trip to the ToTD next weekend. I need to get away from life for a bit and I haven't been riding as much as I did the last two years for some reason.



[Edited on June 15, 2014 at 2:10 AM. Reason : .]

6/15/2014 2:01:03 AM

Sorry should have mentioned I didnt get a ticket, just a big attitude. If they stop me, in this situation, Im legally required to show my motorcycle license right, even if I didnt do anything or think I did anything wrong?

6/15/2014 2:28:36 AM

^have to provide license and registration but not required to speak. I too have a dr650 and like to stand up.

6/15/2014 4:03:59 AM

Just finished the BRC. I did ok.. with speed I was fine. U-turn about killed me until the eval. I said fucked it idle the turn. It worked, it had a high idle. Give me 4 wheels and a manual I will drive the shit out of it. The class, it was a total eye-opener . Great coach(s) worked with me to break bad habits from 4 wheel driving. It was well worth my money and time even if I didn't pass. I did some things better than people that rode ( we had 5 that ride all the time and they still fucked up). Me and another guy were the only ones left out of 5 that had never rode. I was on tilt due to being judge ( back of the mind shit) all day did the motorcycle swerve test fine. Test time comes around as I make the counter push to correct and I "thought" I was straight shorty after hit the breaks and I lock up the rear. I will say then reaction kicked in I did stop the bike and did not drop it. The instructors where like not sure how you did it . Finally I did the final curve test fine. Surprised the hell out of them. I guess they thought I would be in another world after what just happened. 100 on the written test. All in all wow and if I ride and get comfy at it I will spend the money to try the advance course down the road. It is a different animal but it was a good weekend . I have respect

6/15/2014 6:46:00 PM

Ok tiger 800xc, f800gs bimmer, ktm 690 enduro r, or v-strom 1000 for a 90% commuter bike 10% go screw around in the woods bike? Needs to be able to ride at 80 for 5-10miles.

Ktm is essentially a dirt bike that got a little fat.
The idea of the ktm sounds great but I've read it gets nervous at speed and that ktm isn't the best with efi and she stalls at the worst possible moment (usually downshifting going up hill)

The rest I would consider touring bikes that decided they wanted to start hiking on the weekends
Tiger 800xc sounds awesome having more power than the other 800 but the fork isn't adjustable and I'm kinda fat/heavy (6'1"-230) supposed to have the best mpg of the bunch (60mph @70mph?)

Bimmer
Seems awesome but some say the suspension is too soft and again I'm a big dude.
Now all the cushy stuff like heated grips etc sounds awesome and it would probably be the best "dd" (quotes cause I won't really dd a bike but approaching that is the goal)

V-strom
With the new redesign looks awesome,I love the sound of v twins, completely adjustable forks with preload adjust on the rear. Mpg looks great for having 100hp and a crap load of torque.... But I have the feeling it's the "h2" of the bunch (looking the part but not really designed to back it up) since most of its skid plates etc are optional and even then weak.

Disclaimer this is all bs research on forums , reviews and comparisons from magazines and YouTube channels and what not.

6/16/2014 9:28:13 AM

If you are going to do ANYTHING related to gravel or woods then I would go with the KTM, then the Tiger. The KTM will do fine on the highway, hell I take my DR650 out for day trips that have 50-100 mile pavement round trips on highway and it does fine, and the KTM has a 6th gear so it will be even better on the highway at speed. Get a dual tire setup with dirt/supermoto wheels and you would have a sick setup. The tiger with 70/30 or 50/50 tires would make a good all around, would be a slower in the more technical stuff than the KTM. Also weighs 100lbs more.

Its alot easier and more fun to take a bike designed for offroad and make it road worthy than the other way around. Can you do it with the other bikes? Yes, but you wont have as much fun offroad thats for sure. And they wont be as capable, no matter how much money you throw at them.

6/16/2014 9:45:35 AM

Capital City Bike Night was moved to Garner. Any of you people going tomorrow?

6/16/2014 4:34:59 PM

Drove the tiger... And the bimmer

Tiger....
*Swoon* the ability to maintain inroad and off-road balls on that bike is awesome.

Rode a couple singles and they are lighter but the umph wasn't there on the street and by the time you are rolling. 80 that thumper is doing it's best to make your nuts go numb.

Right now I'm thinking a used triumph tiger xc with ohlins rear shock swap and front cartridges so I can set it up for a 230lb rider and get the adjustability I want.

[Edited on June 19, 2014 at 10:10 AM. Reason : .]

6/19/2014 10:09:42 AM

^Really wanted to try the Tiger when I took the VFR in for an inspection. Now I want to even more.

6/19/2014 1:54:37 PM

Survived an 887 mile round trip to ToTD.

6/22/2014 4:05:52 PM

6/22/2014 4:38:07 PM

Picked up an '82 CB750 the other day. I actually prefer the design of the pre-'79 models, but this one was too clean and cheap to pass up.

6/22/2014 10:50:21 PM

I love those old CBs...

6/22/2014 10:54:38 PM

i have a 2009 vstrom 1000... Good bike for the road, but it's not in the same off road class as others in the segment (tiger, bmw, or even the super tenere).

That being said, its dead reliable, you can get any part/farkles you want for it, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg to keep running.

On the road (where i've kept it so far), its a great comfy bike, with good pickup, ergo and just general comfort.

6/23/2014 2:36:59 PM

Im looking at finally getting my last bit of farkle:

FIAMM 72112 + FIAMM 72102

http://www.amazon.com/FIAMM-72112-Freeway-Blaster-Horn/dp/B000DINKPQ

http://www.amazon.com/FIAMM-72102-Term-Universal-Bracket/dp/B000FKKOK6

7/1/2014 4:06:34 AM

Finally got some time and have settled my move. Going to Road Atlanta Sat/Sun

7/1/2014 1:44:11 PM

Goose Point Camping in VA! 550 mile round trip.

8/17/2014 9:28:51 PM

whats the heaviest bike any of you have ridden and what did it weigh

8/21/2014 11:28:33 PM

my bandit 1250 was over 500 lbs. Not much compared to harleys

8/22/2014 6:54:33 AM

My VFR is 530ish.

8/22/2014 9:48:10 AM

my vmax was like 580 dry

i was only asking because i read the triumph rocket III was over 800? jesus christ

8/22/2014 2:35:13 PM

rc51 ~480lbs

8/25/2014 5:05:40 PM

GL1800 Gold Wing.

A lot...900-something, I think.





Also have ridden a Valkyrie and a HD Softail (what a wretched motorcycle). They're both around 750, I think.


I've ridden a BMW RT of all 4 generations. Great bikes, other than the 1150 is mediocre in my opinion. The 1200 is phenomenal. Fairly light for their sizes. Also ridden the big Triumph Explorer. Nice bike.

[Edited on August 25, 2014 at 5:14 PM. Reason : ]

8/25/2014 5:06:49 PM

Just rode ~80 miles today around Sanford. Was awesome! New fluids in the bike got it feeling smooth and like new.

also, got this awesome letter in the mail:

8/25/2014 7:26:40 PM

50k on the R

8/26/2014 7:48:42 PM

Almost to 32k on the VFR, nearly to the point of needing new tires. I'm running a Pilot Power 2ct up front and Pilot Road 2 in the back. That's been a great mix for handling and longevity. Any recommendations for the next set? I'm debating on sticking with the Michelins or trying out a set of Bridgestone tires.

8/27/2014 7:56:15 AM

Just changed the fork seals on my DR650. Was pretty easy, just time consuming and messy. Made my own damper rod tool, $15 bolt/nuts from lowes.

8/28/2014 2:27:37 PM

Pilot Road 4's are out. I haven't tried it out myself, but reports look fantastic. I'll be replacing my front tire with one in about 2-3k miles.

8/28/2014 7:18:32 PM

I'm mixed on the 4s. Or maybe it's the 3s. I can't remember. All I know is that a friend has them on his FZ09 and the rear didn't last long. Of course, I haven't ridden with him so I don't know what his habits are on that bike either.

8/29/2014 12:10:45 PM

I don't care for the 3's. 2's are solid and I love how they feel, but the improvement of wet traction of the 3's in the wet compared to the 2's are undeniable. I don't like the soft feel of the new tread pattern said to be resolved in the 4's by using harder compounds. I just hope that with the 4's, dry grip isn't sacrificed. For my riding style, 2's are solid (great life, great grip, never had problems in the wet). But they are old stock now and the rubber is getting old as they sit in warehouse shelves.

8/31/2014 5:59:40 PM

take this for what it's worth, but I've put down laps at VIR N (before the repave) on 7 year old tires at a pace of 1:45 or less. If the tires are indoors, I feel they're fine, once you scrub them in and get some heat in them. not exactly apples to apples, but a testament to modern tire tech. that said, you guys ever look into avon tires? my cross country riding friends seem to love them and i've read of guys riding them for 30k.

9/1/2014 5:43:42 AM

I'm a Buell Rider. XB12r and XB12sx. Test road a new EBR, loved it, not the price.

Pilot Powers
Ventura Rack Systems
Saddleman and Corbin seats

9/3/2014 1:03:49 PM

Cool BMW eye candy

http://www.bikeexif.com/r-nine-t

9/5/2014 9:49:37 PM

New tires for DL1000

Anakee3 or Tourance?

9/5/2014 9:59:48 PM

Michelin T63's and get that shit dirty!!!

9/6/2014 7:00:52 AM

^^

michelin PR4

especially if you think you are more likely to be on wet pavement than dirt

9/6/2014 12:53:49 PM

There are certainly some fire roads I would like to ride around here (a few that are muddy) but most of the riding will be on the road..

That being said, I don't want to be totally fucked if I need to go up a dirt/gravel road (either of which could get wet in a big freaking hurry around here (I live in CO now)).

9/8/2014 6:51:34 PM

Take a look at the Shinko 705's. Ive had 2 sets on my DR650 and they preformed great for what I needed. Even took them on some single track and was keeping up with the 250-450 guys on full knobbies with them. Air them down for offroad and back up when your done. For the price and how long they lasted I was pleased. They do great on fire/gravel roads. I think each set lasted me 6-7k, but thats with about 70/30 street/offroad.

9/9/2014 6:21:08 AM

Supercross + Drag racing = Straight Rhythm

October 4th! i am siked

http://www.redbull.com/us/en/motorsports/offroad/stories/1331623165171/straight-rhythm-riders-story-clip



[Edited on September 15, 2014 at 6:42 PM. Reason : Pastrana is running a 500cc two stroke ]

9/15/2014 6:40:09 PM

man, I got caught in a huge downpour on the BMW the other day. I spilled a little gear oil on my back tire a few days earlier, too, although I cleaned it off well and didn't think I'd gotten any on the tread block. I don't know if it caused a problem, but it's suspect, as it was a right turn, and the oil was on the right side of the tire.

I crossed a set of RR tracks in a turn with painted metal bordering them. I knew that would be slick, and straightened the bike up (mostly) as I crossed them...felt a little front-end slide, but nothing too bad.

About 20 minutes later, I leaned fairly quickly, but not very far over, into a right turn around an exit ramp in the rain, and immediately had a big, gnarly slide of the rear tire. Man, it felt like one of those flat-track racers, although I'm sure it wasn't that much in reality. I kept maintenance throttle and stuck with the slide, and gently straightened the bike up and allowed it to run wide towards the other side of the lane (and then into the next lane by a couple feet, after a split-second glance to double check it was clear.)

I haven't had a white-knuckle sliding moment like that in many years. At least it happens in slow motion on an old BMW on wet pavement as compared to on a sport bike on dry pavement. I'll be just fine if that's the last time that ever happens.

[Edited on September 18, 2014 at 12:31 PM. Reason : ]

9/18/2014 12:30:34 PM

^wow
good job on not panicking

Anybody going to Capital City Bikefest events next weekend?

9/18/2014 5:07:59 PM

^i'll be out there

[Edited on September 18, 2014 at 10:13 PM. Reason : ]

9/18/2014 10:13:32 PM

So today, I went to go pick up parts from the Advanced Auto about 2 miles down the road. I have a textile two piece suit I usually wear when I ride plus gauntlets and boots. Well, I still had the pants on after riding back from campus, but I switched the boots out for shoes while I was working on the car. I thought about it and figured its such a short ride I won't throw all my gear on. I grab my helmet and go, riding pants, tennis shoes, and an athletic shirt.

Bad decision. Not that anything happened, but something could have happened. On my way there I had someone pull out in front of me, TWICE. This is a two lane road (Ten Ten). There was a gas station on the right and I saw a woman put on her blinker indicating she wanted to go to the station. I slow down, finger on the horn, hands ready to brake (as usual, I don't trust people making a left in front of me). The guy BEHIND her decides he's going to go around her, using my lane to do it. First off, if she's making a left, she would plow right into his passenger side, so I don't know why he thought going around her on that side was smart. He pulls out halfway into my lane and sees me, which is the same time I started laying on my horn. He stops in the middle of my lane. I get heavy on the brakes (rears chirping because i haven't repaired my ABS module ), and I go around him in the far right of my lane as I can go. A pucker moment for sure...

The other guy makes a left from a side road and pulls in front of me... Again, I anticipated it, so I slowed down, but again had to get on my brakes really heavy else I risked plowing into the back of a truck going 10mph. I mean, he cut it too close. He should have waited to pull out after me. He had duct tape covering the rear window of his truck and immediately pulled off into a driveway about 100 feet up the road.

*sigh*

I was going maybe 50 in a 45, so it's not like I was zipping around town. I swear, not doing that again. I've gone down 1 time too many already. Not worth it.

[Edited on September 18, 2014 at 10:54 PM. Reason : .]

9/18/2014 10:50:31 PM

I swear to God, I don't know how most people make it through a full week without getting their stupid asses killed in a car.

9/18/2014 11:01:13 PM

In the past week, I've witnessed 2 accidents right in front of me. I don't think there's not a week that goes by that I don't see 2 or 3 accidents on the side of the road. I feel like its gotten worse lately.

9/18/2014 11:14:42 PM

9/19/2014 10:35:34 AM