palandor

Thanks for the suggestion. That is an interesting thought. I've decided I am going to get a new pair of hypo-allergenic goggles, preferably with single-layer foam, but I will keep nail polish in mind. -b

Pro Grip? I'll check them out. Good to know Iron Pony would let me do that.

Heck, I oppose commercial insurance too and should be exempted. Except who else but the current working generation can pay for the current retired generation's SSI. (or whatever it's called now). <sarcastic humor> We should all be having more babies. More babies means more workers paying into SSI when we retire. Thus the system wins and we win. </sarcastic humor. not serious folks.>

How's the air flow? I haven't checked into these types of helmets at all. I love how much air flow goes thru the dirt bike helmet and keeps things cool enough.

I don't think I am allergic to latex. Never had a problem with latex items (latex gloves, or otherwise). But that's a good thought. I do have seasonal and pet allergies, but the reaction to the frames is specifically where the foam touches skin for 5+ minutes. The foam on the Oakley goggles looks like 3 layers. The two outer layers look like the same material, a medium gray foam that feels as soft as felt or micro-fleece, while the middle layer is a black and very compressable foam. I can't tell if the layers are melted or glued together, and while I've never had problems with glue products, sealants, etc, there might be something in whatever they did to bind the layers together or bind it to the frame.

:-P I've already searched the internet and found several hypoallergenic goggles, however I'm not sure what the foam is on the one I have and why I am allergic to it (eg, if it's regular foam, originally anti-allergy, etc). Nor do I know if hypoallergenic is what I need or if I should be looking at other stuff I don't know enough to ask about. :-P

Thanks ReconRat. Those look pretty good but I'll have to see if they would work with a dirt bike helmet.

Years ago I bought a pair of dirt bike goggles. They are Oakley brand and I think they are MX O-Frame goggles. (I remember they were $20 or $25 when I bought them.) I don't remember if the box said the foam was/is anti-allergy or not. It seems my allergic skin reaction (itching & burning where the foam contacts my face) to the foam on the goggles has gotten worse over time (start to notice it after about 5-10 minutes) and now is rendering the goggles virtually un-usable. Long story short, anyone know of goggles for people with allergies? Or had the same type of allergy issue and replaced goggles with a different brand that didn't cause a reaction? -b

Good place. When you get there, it's the really long driveway next to the green water truck. $15 per day of riding, plus a few bucks for an "id". I've always found it open on a weekend and often open during the week. -b

:-) Your experience shows that some 4-stroke bikes (XR400) are hard to start after a fall. My experience shows that some 4-stroke bikes (XT225, plus a previous DRZ350SE) are easy to start after a fall. :-) Sounds like one just has to tune the bike right (as you already said.) It really is all about purpose. For leisure trail riding, the xt225 will do great. It wasn't created to rocket down trails and over jumps, but it gets me out on and over/thru trails and mud and I have fun doing it. I'm not a jumper, it doesn't require a lot of maintenance, and it has a ok amount of power for smaller riders (i'm 155) when geared for dirt riding.

;-P My 4 stroke xt225 starts up just fine (because it's tuned right) on the trail when I dump it. I can kick it or e-start it. It's nice to have both. Just something to think about. -b

That's why I have no interested in jumping and stick to trail riding. ;-)

I will be heading to Thrashing Trails in Xenia on Sunday August 22nd if anyone else wants to join me. I'm thinking about 10am. PM me if you're interested. -b

Seriously, if someone wants to sell something, they damn well better prove it by creating a decent ad. I don't expect purrfick spelling (haha), but it should at least be close. AND it definitely better have punctuation. How about we all write the owner of that ad with various "here's how you can improve your ad tips"? ;-) -b

Yes, that was probably me. I'll let you know next time I head there. Usually I try to think about rides 3-4 days ahead of time and then make a weather-based decision the day before. -Brian

I will likely be going to Thrashing Trails tomorrow morning about 8:30 or 9am and staying till about 11:30am; I may head back in the evening when/if it starts to cool down again. If anyone wants to meet up/say hi, I'll be wearing a blue mesh jacket with a green helmet and riding a blue & black xt225. -b

I'll go out for a ride at some point Sunday, although it may be dirt riding. I'm still trying to fix a low RPM issue on the cruiser, and I think it may be one of the coils not sparking right.

What fun things do y'all do with your old helmets? Shoot them, hit them with hammers, drop them from the 2nd story window, etc?

Thanks! :-)

Not sure if this is the right spot, but I'll put it here and mods can move it if they need to. I went out dirt riding today and learned a few things. In the process of dumping it, the split clamp around the handlebar that screws together and connects to the barkbuster broke (it's still fine at the bar end). I broke a clamp once before and so far am thoroughly unimpressed by the junky aluminum clamps. What have y'all done to secure the barkbusters to your handlebars? What works without breaking? I'm tempted to try and rig up something with a circle clamp and a piece of metal bar (perhaps a U shape to negate some of the twisting/pushing/pulling force). I could try a triple clamp, but don't have angle or space problems and am under the impression that's what those are for; I'd hate to buy one and break it the next day... Thanks, -b

I dba too... and Windows Sys admin, plus tech support

I don't care much for Vista Kawi sales (which includes -anything- sold at their cash register counter), but their service folks are very friendly. However, everything they sell and everything they do is much more expensive than other area places; I have yet to find something close in price to elsewhere. I had a tire change (off bike) done at both Vista and at Clinton County Motorsports and CCM was quicker and cheaper ($38 vs $25 per wheel off bike). I try to use CCM when I can. Vista also doesn't seem to carry much and their order process takes longer than CCM. Never been to Middletown shops, so I don't have any thoughts about them. -b

I went about a month ago to check it out... $5 for a laminated ID, and $15 to ride for the day. call for availability.. (except i dont have the phone number handy) there's a water truck by the road.. drive back on the road and pay/register at the building...

What he said. I've used recruiting firms to get jobs for several years. I had several contract-to-hire jobs that worked out well. (the following is just my opinion): Robert Half Technology is good if you get a good office/recruiter; if not, they are just ok. Kforce sucks. Put your resume up on job sites and you will have recruiters calling you for various things. Even if the job doesn't fit you, reply back and ask to get on their roster/hiring pool. They can let you know what is open. Get your resume on LinkedIn.com and if you are looking, put something like "Seeking new Opportunity" as recruiters also use that website to network with people. -b