swingset

I need someone with a Yosh box to un-lean my Strom in the worst way, anyone had it done locally? Need a decent dealer in Central Ohio that does a good job.

Nice Katoom....they're animals! I had a 620RXC and an LC4 for a while. Tons of fun, didn't suit my long-distance riding with that buzzy motor (my balls are still numb), but man oh man what a blast on short hauls!!

Pinlock visor, it's the absolute best way if you have a lid it'll fit.

Once a month at a central location would be pretty cool - even better on a weekend as that can coincide with a ride. Ride all day, go eat & socialize at the OR bike night. I'm out for anything during the week, got a business to run.

Well, I'm biased as I love adventure bikes & dual sports, but if I were just starting out and limited to one bike, I'd absolutely go for a Tiger, Uly, Vstrom of something of that stripe. They're not wicked fast, but fast enough. They're not corner-carvers, but they'll hang with a good sport bike. They're not LD tourers, but comfy for big trips. They're not dirt bikes, but they'll do 2-track and fire roads like a champ. They're not sexy, but they work and they're reliable and easy to ride and forgiving. Best of all, if you knock one over, they're the kind of bike that won't cost you $2000 in plastic because of it. They're the kind of bike that excell at nothing, but do everything well. If you're like me and want to do EVERY kind of riding or at least try it, that's your ticket. You'll never be limited by the road, the weather, the distance or the company you ride with.

You have good taste in bikes, I'll give ya that. I'm looking at the XB12S and the Tiger myself, and damn near took the plunge on the Scrambler last year. Can't help you decide, but everything you list is a ball of fun in its own way, depending on the kind of riding you'll do.

Polypro is the shiznit. If you're on a budget the Wally-World Under Armor knock-offs are actually VERY good for about 1/4 the money, have had both and they perform just as well.

Doesn't matter much to me if it's legal or not. I'll still wear 'em. Come to think of it, I'll still kill hookers and start insurance fires too. I'm a contrarian that way.

The WeeStrom is a superb bike, very nimble and perfect for taller riders. Reliable, versatile, and priced right too. I can think of few better bikes for a new rider.

I'm a sicko, I'm reading this and going "Yeah, now that sounds like my kind of road!". Good road = good. Bad road = better. No road = bestest.

Back before I bought my Cabergs and saw the marvel that is internal sun-visors, I liked mirrored during the day and clear at night.

I hit a turkey buzzard out in Coshocton County last year, hit me dead in the chest at 65mph....came damn close to falling off the bike, it blew my left arm off the handlebars, knocked my helmet loose and bruised my chest really bad....needless to say it killed the buzzard. And, lemme tell ya that's a gross ass bird to have splattered all over yourself. Not the best day of riding, after that.

I'd be interested in that...heck that's my neighborhood, grew up in Utica and partied my way through high school in Mt. Vernon.

Nothing at ALL wrong with starting on a 600, unless you're a total fucking spaz. You don't have to grab a giant handful of throttle, and if you're such a clutz that a 600 gets away from you even a 250 Ninja can provide you with all the tools necessary to fuck you up. The weight and handling of most 600 cc sport bikes & standards is pretty ideal for a new rider, and I still think the SV650 is a great first bike. I came back to bikes after 20 years off (my last bike a 175 DR) to a 1000cc Vstrom, and had no problem whatsoever getting used to it. Just took it slow, did my MSF, lots and lots of low-speed then a track instruction to help out.

Nice bike, those are a ton of fun. I'm going to buy one very soon, and get a set of dirt wheels for it too. Nothing like an FI 250 that puts out more power than a DRZ.

Got my first snub today, stopped at a gas station on the way to work said hi to the guy on the 883 next to me and he looks at me like I'm an alien.....guess he's never seen a Vstrom. Maybe I should start wearing pants when I ride.

I did 200 miles today, tomorrow 200 more.....spring is good.

I rode some backroads and oil fields this morning, got myself royally muddy and stuck a couple times, but it was pretty great after all this cold. A few days ago it was 10 degrees at my house, today I was sweating going up a trail.

Howdy from far flung Granville.

Before you spring for a No-Mar, look at the Cyclehill unit, it's made under license from No-Mar, IIRC and a good bit cheaper. http://www.cyclehilltirechanger.com/

I'm strange I guess, I'm not a big bike junkie at least not in the traditional sense. I like them a lot, but I don't get crazy into the speed or the handling, challenge, adrenaline, etc. I like to travel and explore, and doing it on a bike is more enjoyable than any other method. I love to find a new road, a new terrain, a place that looks neat or forgotten. And, along the way, if I find twisties, gnarly offroad, or whatever I'm happy. I like the social aspect of riding, but only to a point. I'm much happier on a road by myself than riding a path everyone knows and hits.

I have a Caberg Solo & a Flip, both I prefer over the Scorpion. Cheaper, lighter, better interior visor and better looking (IMHO). The Scorpions fit me well, but the Caberg is just a better lid for less if you don't mind ordering from the UK.

I just did my part donating to the Pony's success....nice to have a store with that kind of selection so close! I don't always buy there, but every time I go in, I leave with a bag full of something.

Sidi's are the way to go on boots, no doubt about it. Hard to go cheap on boots. For a suit, I'd put Joe Rocket on the low end of leathers out there, have a couple friends who have owned them and stitching was weak and they wore quickly. My JR mesh jacket isn't holding up well either, for that matter. I like Teknic stuff if you're on a budget. You can usually find last year's gear at good prices, and the quality is pretty good. Fieldsheer too, my 1 piece is a FS vented and it's been superb.

I'll be riding tomorrow, snow or not. That's what knobbies and backroads are for. Fuck you, Ohio winter. Fuck you right in your starfish.