the_silverfox

Totally agree with the lane splitting commentary. I was a rider in CA and splitting traffic was one of the best assets we had as motorcyclists. It got us out of the standstill parking lots known as roads so much faster. We used this practice on the freeway and on local streets. It's become so common that cars and even buses will even move a foot or two over in their own lane just to make sure you have room to pass. I've been rear ended on my bike (by a person who was smoking and on a cell phone at the same time), and being able to slither through cars at a dead stop at the front of a line almost eliminates the chances of being rear ended. We get out of the lane faster because of the bike's acceleration, and we don't become part of the conga line of cages. There are days when I'm sitting on a street out here in Columbus and there's a wonderful unused lane between two cars that could've gotten me out of that mess. I'd do it, but drivers out here wouldn't understand. I'd be paranoid enough to say that they'd just hit me out of spite...

RIP to the riders. Such irresponsibility. There's a motorcyclist movement to end distracted (and just plain stupid) driving, from a case of a motorcyclist who was killed on her bike by a driver who was, of all things, painting her nails and rear ended right into her. http://www.blacknailbrigade.org/

It's a great starter bike for both the road and the track. There's a reason why it's been Kawi's #1 selling bike for the last couple decades. Wonderful choice.

Another lady rider! I had too much fun playing around with a Kawi Ninja 250 on the track. That thing can fly!

Skullcandy makes some of the better bud-style earphones. The interchangeable pads give it a custom fit. They're also low profile and stay on when you slip the full-face helmet on. I use the basic ones; my Zumo has volume control. They're not noise canceling so you can still hear sirens but they do reduce the annoying surrounding sounds out there. I had my share of helmet speakers, but I've had quite a few pairs cut out and/or short out on me in a very short period of time. Don't know what that's about.

There's a Goodwill @ 23/750 in Lewis Center that's decent. I'd also check out the Meijer next door because they're clearing out lots of clothes. Wouldn't be surprising to find a $2 shirt or a $5 pair of pants there too.

Riding in the rain is fun, but if it's fresh stuff and it hasn't rained in a while, I'll usually wait at least an hour before getting on the road. I didn't do that in October and ate it on 23 on the way to work from a raised oil slick. Not fun.

Sounds like a weekend to me!

Haven't done too much with Motoport but I wear Aerostitch religiously. I wear the 'Stitch but I went with the two-piece combo, a Roadcrafter jacket and a Darien Pant. Both are great in the hot temps as long as you're moving (the Roadcrafter has side vents and the sleeves open all the way to let air rush up the arms). The Darien fits well over pants and vents well too. I've also used this set when I'm riding in 20 degrees when I combine it with a good set of thermals. The two-piece set also lets me switch out jackets when I'd like to use something else. When I commuted 120+ miles a day to work in CA, this was my set of choice. I also use it when touring long distance. I usually switched out to a mesh jacket (kept the pants) when temps went over 95 degrees, but that was mostly because it usually was full day in that stuff and that started to affect my personal level of comfort. Padding options are great as well. Bohn Armor makes a Roadcrafter-specific back protector that goes down the entire length of the back. Only other thing I can think of is to ride up to Duluth, MN and get one custom fitted for you. That's what I did.

They breathe extremely well and I've ridden through the desert with them. I debated between those and the Icon Tarmac Ventilated Boots but the 50/50s just fit better. The Icons don't look too bad, either, especially with the front tongue being almost all mesh. I'd like to do a review on those someday. Here's my more detailed review on the 50/50s: http://twowheeledtourist.blogspot.com/2010/01/long-term-product-review-thor-5050.html.

Yay! Another lady rider! And with an SV!

I still stand by my Thor 50/50 boots. Best bike/work/everything boot I've ever used...so far.

I'd think they'd look, especially with the riding season underway and how insane it gets on weekends. Give it a shot; wouldn't hurt at all.

This calls for a VIN and title bust with pitchforks and torches!!! Seriously, that is crap. Hope he gets some word on the missing toys.

Thanks! A big change from Meijer...at least IP appreciates the fact that you know stuff.

Yes that place is wonderful...much nicer than the Dainese in Costa Mesa and definitely a lot more stuff. I miss that store, too. Ah, gratuitously expensive Italian biker gear... Moose! Come by apparel and say hi! I start on Thursday afternoon and will be working through the weekend. Perhaps I can go check the service dept. and do the same.

Been lucky so far. Douches come from the other end of the spectrum, as in the SQUID who was riding onto 270 West from Westerville on a Kawasaki crotch rocket-something helmetless, jacket and glove-less, wearing tennis shoes AND holding a cell phone with his left hand while rolling throttle onto the freeway. WTF.

Men. from another biker chick.

I'm right in your neighborhood at the Worthington border @ 23.