swingset

All you had to do was say "Chevy".

Cool, I like it always a fan of stowable guns, but I'd also say that an AR with a .22 kit will break down to near that size and is still an AR when you want it to be. If you go sick and SBR the AR then you REALLY have a small breakdown gun.

What you have to remember about being hit in wind is the lean is very slight. It feels worse than it is because you're going straight and not anticipating an invisible hand trying to push you over. If the bike was going straight with no rider and wind hit it, the top would lean with the wind, and the bike would move (steer) slightly in that direction. If you're on it, and you feel the wind resistance, you tend to lean and stiffen to fight this push. As you stay erect, but the lateral force pushes on you, the wheels tend to go instead. You don't countersteer much because you're being held in check by the force of the pushing wind...and because the lean (while it feels big) is actually small. It's all semantics, you'll be fine either way...but if you're tense the effect feels worse than it is and you tend to sway back and forth more in the wind than if you're really loose. A good way to test what I'm saying is, if you're in a lot of gusty wind, get your tires on the painted stripes (if you can safely) and go as loose and effortlessly as you can for a while while the wind hits you from the side. Then, try it by fighting the wind. See which is harder to stay on track.

Nope, I said it the way I meant it. If you're loose on the bars and in the saddle, the bike will sway at the top where the wind hits it. Some wheel deflection happens, but not that much. If you're tight on the bars and fight the gust (lean into it to counter the push) your wheels have to move to combat the lean. Next time you're getting beat around, try it both ways you'll see what I mean. It's something you have to drill into your brain because your instincts fight the gust which makes you believe you're being blown off course of will fall over (neither will happen unless gale-force winds get ya).

That's because you have sport bike gearing and rev for your torque....those Dynas I was following were in 2nd when they were going about 10mph. I don't think they wanted to mess up their hair.

If it had an NRA logo on it, I would already own it.

That's both sad and true. Ain't a tricky road, but something about group rides brings out the fail in people. Last time I went down Hickman (I do the loop of Hickman/79/Dayton Rd. a lot), I passed 5 cruisers just leaving Hanover. The first couple turns they slowed down so much the guy in the back couldn't counter-steer...he was turning bars he was going so slow. I asshole-passed because there was no way I was staying behind that. When I got to 79, which ain't far, I stopped at the store and got a Mt. Dew. Drank it completely, and was back on the bike with my gear back on before that group got to me. I wasn't even flying on it either, just a nice brisk pace. And, if that wasn't pathetic enough I could hear them saying "Yeah! That's an awesome road" at the stop sign. Fuck. How awesome could it be when you're in 2nd gear idling your way down it?

Wind is disconcerting, but you're not going to crash. Loosen up on the grip, let the bike sway, it's 95% the top of the bike moving while the wheels stay in one place tracking as they should. I've ridden in very strong crosswinds, and it feels like you're going to go into the next lane but if you don't fight the bike you can still ride along without being blown off your course. It's even worse on a big tall bike like mine, too.

HP to weight? That 450hp in a 6,500lb behemoth is nothing to 100ponies pushing 550lbs. I can destroy an SUV any which way you can measure, and I'm on a relatively tame Vstrom. Some bikes aren't up to it, but most modern sport bikes are much faster than an SUV, and are far more agile - both of which are of great advantage. That said, if you're in the place where you need speed to save your ass from an SUV, your situational awareness has failed you. Brakes will save you 100 times before your throttle will, even in motion.

Oscillation can do it too...speed, vibration, wind resistance. Some bikes have been notorious for it at certain speeds. I've only experienced it once (in the desert on a dirt bike) and it went from mild oscillation of the bars to violent uncontrollable shake in about 1 second...very little time to even consciously react or relax...so I went asshole over elbows.

A good one in Central Ohio is Hickman Road, which runs between Hanover and SR79. Can't tell ya how many guys do group rides out 79 to Coshocton and neglect to hit that one. CR35 (Pinecrest Drive) West of Zanesville is good too, connects over to Pleasant Valley Road, which isn't bad and goes up to SR146. If you're heading towards Zanesville from Cols. or Newark, take 145, Pleasant Valley, then Pinecrest it's a good alternative. Parts of Pleasant Valley are rough but only the last section before CR35. Reynolds Road in Utica (off of SR62) is a fun little road too, always take that to go have breakfast at the Pioneer.

26 plus us? Yikes, that's a parade.

They're not. Almost no manufacturers still use them on motorcycle tires, especially performance tires. The surface of a tire however is closed and can be a little slicker than one that is scuffed from asphalt. If you're changing your tires, run over them with a little sandpaper first, 160 grit just a few swipes, and you're 100% good with no "break in" needed.

Some of the best roads in the state are county roads and highways. Unfortunately for noob's, the internet motorcycle junkies have a weird idea that divulging the name of a public road will foster a bike-apocalypse and ruin it forever. If they ever hear about Google-Earth and GPS routing tools, the might stop with that nonsense as almost anyone can find twisties this way. In any case, fire up your mapping site of choice, and scan down to street level and look for good curvy roads. Ain't hard. Then, go explore them. If you find one, you can even keep it a secret it'll make ya feel special.

There's dangers in numbers too - especially for a new rider who has not yet gotten comfortable and instinctive on his own ride. Following too close, trying to keep up, worrying about where you are in a group can all bite a new rider right in the ass...and the group ride reports from this site are a testament - lots of wrecks. I would never suggest a new rider go on a group ride. I'd recommend getting very comfortable on your own or with one other rider who's hip to your skill level and can teach/watch you for a while before joining a group.

Your greatest danger (other than yourself over-cooking turns) is the left-hand turner coming at you, or someone entering your lane from a side road or entrance. Visibility is your greatest friend, so if you're not willing to ride in hi-viz with auxillary lighting, then do something that works against the human tendency to look through a single advancing point of light (you). As you approach someone about to turn left, or sitting waiting to enter the traffic flow, wag back and forth in your lane. Side-to-side movement breaks up your single-point-of-light, and lateral movement is unnatural in traffic and will jump out of the pattern. I've practiced this for years, and have never had someone pull out in front of me after doing it. I don't rely on it - I always cover my brake and have an exit strategy, but it's a free safety tactic that relies on proven science. Use it.

This. The C02 inflators are ok, but it takes a bunch to fill a tire and you only get one shot at it. The compressors take a little while to air up, but they work. Quality string plugs, properly installed, will outlast your tire. Tech brand (made in Johnstown Ohio) are the best I've ever used. Slime brand are decent, for the money. The handles like the above kit are murder on a stiff tread unless your hands are super strong. The "T" handles work shit tons better, but they're big. Luckily, I have a lot of room under my seat so I carry good ones. Also, put the string plugs in a sealed container...they can and will dry out. Nothing like pulling them out when you need them and they're brittle and useless. Practice on a shitty tire before finding out in the low-light, on the side of the road, that you suck at putting one in. It's not hard, but a lot easier if you've done one before. If you rip a sidewall, you're fucked...no kit works for that. The best thing out there is the $39/year AMA membership with auto-renewal, which includes free roadside assistance. Worth the peace of mind, but NEVER rely on roadside. I've been in places where a motorcycle tow wasn't available by AMA or AAA. Carry the basic tools to limp your ass to help.

Sounds like a fun time, will try to make it. Won't know for sure till Friday but I'm planning on it.

I went down many moons ago and had a great time...good idea for a trip. Sorry don't have any tour/bus info to impart, and sadly I can't drink bourbon anymore (kills my stomach). Come to think of it, my entire post is useless. hehe. But, it's a good area to ride and a nice trip.

Nothing new to me. I'd be enjoying the fact that it's just sand and not water.

Very sad to hear, my condolences to her friends and family.

Rivet links can fail too...saw one take a shit once. Rare, but anything can happen. If you safety wire a clip link, it's not going anywhere. I use rivets on the street, but I've put probably 30 chains on dirt bikes and untold thousands of miles and never had a clip fall off.

I have the Harbor Freight breaker, and the Mike'sXS chain tool (clone of the DID tool). Cheap options, but they've done over a dozen chain installs without a hitch. I've done chains without any tools, and it works but it's a PITA. Good set of chain tools is worth it, even if it's not the most expensive tool on the market.

I took a trip up to Lake Placid when I was younger, some terrific riding around there, beautiful country and I'm thinking of making the trip again this year (the Pace Podcast is doing a ride there this summer).

When I was living in an apartment and couldn't get a safe, I put all my guns in a christmas tree box and put other decorations on top of the bigger box. Who the fuck wants to dig around in decorations? That was my theory anyway...but I did get broken into and no one messed with them so I'd like to think it worked.