the_silverfox

I got this remark from the manager at the Mobil station at Morse/Sunbury Rd.: "Wearing a helmet on a motorcycle is like driving in a convertible with the top up. What's the point in doing that?" I have yet to understand that reasoning.

ATGATT for me. I have several jackets, boots, and gloves to go with the fickle weather of this part of the country. With how advanced gear has come in the last 10-15 years there's really no excuse to ride without something that has some sort of protective armor. For the super hot days, I go for a lighter (or mesh) armored jacket combined with an evaporated cooling vest. For the cold days I go to my Aerostitch and if necessary the Gerbings to stay comfortable. Helmet on at all times - I only own a full-face. Choosing to wear the protective gear is a personal choice. I know from personal experience that the gear does do its job, and I can only hope that these riders that don't wear it don't learn its value the hard way.

Sounds like a fun time! Mentor's a bit far for bowling but good luck with that. I do have to say, putting a female model on my FJR with the full GPS, cup holder, and luggage would be so hot!?

The gap between riders in a staggered formation is situational. If you're doing street or freeway riding a 2-4 second gap is ideal. Basically you don't want to leave enough of a space for some cager to slip in on a lane change. That gap can extend in rides down country roads or twisties. You're usually in single file riding through the curves anyway. The staggered formation is highly recommended for group rides because the motorcycles are taking up the entire lane which discourages cars from trying to share it with you. Pulling up to a stop sign two abreast and then riding through in pairs is pretty common practice. Sometimes cars will be nice at four-way stops and let the entire group go right through (but don't bank on it). "Ride your own ride" is a good mantra to follow. It's not worth it to ride beyond your means to try to catch up. If you're with a good group, they'll wait for you at the end of a section of road if you're running a bit behind. If they don't, they're not worth riding with.

I guess I'm a little late to this party, but HJC helmets are made in the same factory in South Korea as Icons. Other than a thicker, more plush liner, a different shaped shield, and nice graphics it's pretty much the same helmet. I've owned an Icon Mainframe and thought it was decent for those everyday trips. Personally I've gone to Shoei and never looked back. For me they just fit, are very aerodynamic, and ventilate well.

I live by that every day!

...back!

Used them twice, once in American Falls, ID in 2007 when I got a flat on I-80. Towed me to the hotel and the owner of Sport Motors (Yamaha dealer) in Pocatello, ID picked my bike up from where I was staying to the dealership for free and installed a new tire for me. Second time was last month when one of my front brake calipers seized up and had to be picked up on 270/33. Covers all the vehicles and works anywhere in the US and Canada. Not arguing with that.

That Transalp is some nice eye candy!

It's good stuff and it's free. Then again I also run Linux which also kicks butt and is free too.

Seriously? Leave the cutting vaaay down there to the doctors and rabbis! Since when did you see those guys reaching for the box cutter?

Glad we could help! Always nice to see the OR peeps in the store. Got a pic of those lights? I didn't get to see them!

Here's my thoughts: The best way to improve your riding is to just ride everywhere and rack up the miles. Expose yourself to all sorts of situations (busy streets, high traffic, etc.). If areas that you frequent are known to busy try riding during non-rush hour time or even with a friend with a bike or shadowing you with his/her car. You'll find that those situations will require you to brake, upshift/downshift, and sometimes swerve at non-predictable times. So pretty much you're putting the skills you've learned in the parking lot all together. The big thing is not to panic and rely on the skills that you've put in muscle memory. There's no real timeframe to when you'll be decently comfortable to ride anything. It really depends on miles, exposure to road conditions, and your confidence in riding different types of bikes. Here's something I wrote on that subject. PM me if you have any other questions!