the_silverfox

Ah, the beauty of liquid-cooled bikes. It doesn't need much. I'd change the coolant if it was pretty close to the regular service intervals for doing so. Also, if you're not planning to run it at all, full tank with stabilizer and running the bike to circulate it through the fuel system will be fine. As APCh8r mentioned, just make sure exhaust and other orifices are plugged so you don't get mice or birds in the airbox. It seriously does happen if a bike sits in a place that's accessible to critters; I've see a few air filters turned into animal burrows on service bikes.

I'm on the motorcycle all year and do Iron Butt rides, so I plunked the change on the Gerbing's gear when I moved to Ohio. I have the jacket liner, Xtreme Element pants, and heated gloves. I'm usually good with the jacket liner and gloves down to 35° and then add the pants when it drops lower or if I'm riding to work (nearly 30 miles). I did it for prolonged comfort when riding - I know I can do without but it makes the ride feel a lot more "normal."

If you're not planning to make this an everyday thing, you don't need the heated gear. It's definitely a benefit, though. My big key is blocking the wind and covering up any exposed skin. As long as your core is warm, the cold is a lot more manageable.

You mean you're not going to go for one million on the FJR?

Well, I'm almost 12% there. If I can get to 20% that would be very nice. I should be halfway to the Moon by the middle of next week (119,428 miles).

Very nice! Keep on racking 'em up! You'll be able to do something I'll never be able to do - watch the odometer roll back to 00000.

Calling you a "pussy" would throw a completely different context on this topic.

Point taken.

But seriously, I've had people give me the "I'll wear it until I've ridden long enough to not need it" excuse. Then I ask, "Alright, so when are you going to stop riding?"

I've been using Skullcandy Ink'd buds for the last few years. They fit great for me under the Shoei helmet. Usually have to replace them every 30-40,000 miles but definitely worth it at $10 a pop.

Rolled to an event on an H-D Road King with custom American Flag paint job wearing my full Aerostitch gear. Had someone ask me "if it was winter yet."

I replied, "My jacket and pants are both made in Duluth, Minnesota, in the United States of America. I can't say the same about your vest, chaps, and bandanna."

I recognize those bags, they're mounted on one of VTX1300 bikes here at the shop.

Mounting wise, they're pretty solid. I wasn't a fan of the locks, the keys for them are tiny. Also, I will warn you that they do leak, so I recommended retrofitting them with some sort of rubber gasket or weatherstripping.

I do agree with going with a top loader as well. Hope this helps.

I'm posting this for a student at UTexas (Austin). She's in the middle of a project that involves product research and development on improving cooling vests for motorcycle riders.

It doesn't matter what brand of cooling vest you use, just as long as you use one. This survey should take no more than ten minutes, and your input is greatly appreciated.

Here's the link for the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M2KCWVJ

Nice selection of rides.

As for the "no gear" thing, I've been here for two years and it still shocks me.

It can get to triple digits in California too, but road rash always hurts more than sweat.

I think the whole ohio is booked up lol. every single county that I looked or within a reasonable distance is full so I can't register if i tried. i'll go to the one in franklin next tuesday if that doesn't work out then the one in delaware the day after.

That's pretty normal. When the first day for registration opens in up in February, there's always a mad dash to get the first available spots online. And then they forget that they even registered and miss their class day. I guess only paying $25 can do that to you.

I took the class eight years ago in CA and it was "only" $75 for those under 21. Nowadays it's $275. That'll help remind people to actually show up.

Your best bet is to be a "walk in" on an MSF class.

Returning Rider is different from the BRC in that it's only one day and expects that you already have at least 1000 miles of riding experience. This is the description straight from Motorcycle Ohio:

This 9-hour course will be offered during the training season at many sites in Ohio. It is designed for those over 18 years of age who have been riding with a temporary permit for longer than one year (over 1,000 miles of experience ) and for experienced riders returning to riding, with or without a motorcycle endorsement, after several years of not riding.

The cost of the course is $25.00 and is non-refundable. To take the BRC-RR course, you must have either a valid motorcycle temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC) or a motorcycle endorsement on your license.

Basically, show up to the class and bring a blank check and your temps.

Great back protector. Bohn makes awesome products. I have a Bohn back protector built into my Aerostitch Roadcrafter jacket. Went down and had to use it, did its job just fine. GLWS

That's actually quite fun. I saw an exhaust on a bike that had the minigun at the end, and it rotated as it rode away.

Nice. Thanks for the heads-up. Just made an order for two hoodies. Insta-present!

Gonna need your mouse-clicking prowess, OR peeps.

My coworker is trying to win a chopper from Cycle Trader! It's a photo-based, "best in show"-style motorcycle contest. His ride is a 1998 Yamaha YFZ250 he completely restored from near destroyed and currently rides (and races) regularly.

Click here for the link.

You can vote once a day, and your help is appreciated! It's a Facebook-based voting app so I think they keep track, but the more the merrier!

A traffic ticket would be the least of my worries if someone was trying to kill me!

Lane splitting, regardless of its legality, will always be a primary option when escaping a dangerous situation. When it's between my life and a monetary fine, I'll go for saving my life. My only hope is that a cop will see the stupidity happening before him and stop the cager in his tracks.

Illegal doesn't mean physically forbidden, and I don't let the law limit me from operating the motorcycle in a way that will get me out of trouble. There's always a way out on a motorcycle, and two wheels are more agile than four.