Shoop

Which bike was it that the war dept approved?

And did you get to ride it?

A guy on the FZ6 forum posted a similar mod, but he tied the wires to his turn signal. That way there's no extra drilling. The opener gets triggered on every left turn, but it's intermittent and he said he ran for years and never needed to change the battery.

See, that way you don't need to have balls. 

Nice write up. Someday I'll do this. 

DID IT!!!

Took the afternoon off and rode 125 miles, each way. The weather was Awesome, though the slab ride got a bit tedious.

Took a demo ride on an FZ09 and then on the FZ07. Both were very light and agile compared even to my FZ6.

I LOVED the 9, sorta liked the 7 but it is a VERY different bike, a two cylinder, and sounds a bit like a single. The 7 didn't have as much torque as I was expecting, but maybe part of that (both things) was that my ear is calibrated for a four cyl.

The 9 was great. Huge WIDE powerband. I wish the demo route had put the short stretch of highway farther into the route instead of right at the beginning before I had any feel for how it would take off - so I was cautious, dang it. I stayed in STD mode most of the time but tried the B (tuned down) mode. STD was as just notchy as advertized, so I didn't try the tuned up A mode.

Chris

Great, let's keep this in mind.

DRC 

They DO NOT provide the bikes for the Advanced Riders Course, They provide bikes for the Beginners class (BRC) and I think maybe one of the other beginner "bonding" classes.

Are you sure you're signed up for the ARC? The count went from 3 to 4 last night so that was probably you. 

Sign me up. Slow group. Sent a PM re the T Shirt.

Chris

Zip (Tim), I see that there are three signed up. I have not yet - still pending a discussion with the wife and i probably shouldn't decide till after her surgery. 

I'm hoping to get a bunch of people interested tomorrow at the Texas Roadhouse bike night. So if I see the count of available seats dropping off I will probably hit the button to sign up. But it we get to 6 taken and it holds - would I be able to be a walk on as late as the day before? 

Will you and Gil be the instructors for this session? 

Chris

Wow, my new member post is getting to be pretty old but it flared up again.

Are any of you guys who are near Marietta/Parkersburg planning to go on the Epic ride in Sept?

I'd really like to go, probably will, but I don't know for certain that far ahead. Anyway, if anyone else is going, would you like to meet up? 

If we want to use 550 over to Athens we could meet in Barlow or Bartlett. Or if we want bragging rights we could meet up in Coolville, but we'd  probably end up taking 50 - unless one of you knows the back roads. I'll be taking that straight-ish fast road on the way home.  

Oh - one last pitch for bike nights, Thursdays 8/14 & 8/28 at Texas Roadhouse.

I stayed at the Blennerhassett Hotel on a recent moto trip.  Nice hotel and of course...nice riding roads in WV 

My oldest son worked there as a bellhop/valet until he finished architecture school.

And yes!!! The roads around here are great. Well they have been since all the sand the State used last winter finally washed off.

I bought an RF-1200 in June and I'm very pleased with it. This replaced a Scorpion EXO-400 that I bought in a rush just before I got back into riding last year. I walked into the Iron Pony fully intending to get the Bell RS-1 but the sales guy (very skillfully) redirected me to the Shoei when I said I was most interested in reduced sound. And that I was not willing to try the Schuberth - maybe someday.

Anyway the RF-1200 fits great, its very light, flows lots of air, and amazingly does not catch the wind when you turn your head.Though you get a noticeable cool blast of air into one of the top vents.

I'm a bit disappointed in the sound levels though. I've played around with it and found the sound is coming from the bottom at the cheek pads where the chin strap goes through. Its a very small gap but above 60 or so it whistles a lot, depending on the position of the helmet. It's reduced if I keep my chin tucked down. It goes away if I put a hand up to near either of the sides. When I do that the helmet is impressively quiet - much quieter than the Scorpion that had whistles everywhere. I use the chin skirt usually but it doesn't change the whistle. So, some day when I'm not messing with something else I'm gonna try tape across that small gap to see if maybe some sort of skirt would help. I've looked at ads for whole bottom skirts, but I'll wait till the winter before I bottle every thing up like that.

BTW, I ordered the (pricey) Transitions shield that they say they will eventually provide. But the August ship date has now changed to Sept. That was one of my primary reasons for wanting the Bell.

Chris

The OCC Patriot Chopper (Not my style but very sharp)

That's my list!

How early? 

And, what's the format?

Do you ride one lap around the pk lot, or how do they do this?

How long or far do you get to ride them?

One last plug for the final two sessions for this summer, Thursday 8/14 and 8/28. 

This coming Thursday they will host the OCC Patriot Chopper. Check the FB/Texas Roadhouse link above.

"Come join us August 14th for our Armed Forces Bike Night. We will have representatives from the Army, Marine Corp, Navy and WV National Guard. The National Guard will have the OCC Patriot Chopper on display. Join us and show your support for our troops."

And, BTW, I'll be unofficially promoting the 9/6 Advanced Riders Course workshop to be held, hopefully, in Marietta.

Chris

Hey Josh!

I hope to meet you there. I'm working to get the word out here locally.

Right now there is only one person registered. If that isn't you, then please register. I have not yet registered for the Sept session because I won't know how my wife is doing after surgery till that Friday. I'm hoping that by that Friday we have more than 6 but that there's room for me to sign up last minute. OTOH if there are only five by Thursday I'll probably sign up to make certain the class happens.    

Chris

BUMP for crissakes!!!  

We need four more warm bodies, I mean students who want to learn to avoid and or maneuver out of situations, so this 8/9 session doesn't get cancelled.

Chris

I signed up. One less seat for the 8/9 session.

I'm not biased

I took the ERC last year in Morgantown, what I think is now called BRC2. Anyway, the instructor told us there wasn't very much difference between the Basic courses and that we, the returning riders, should consider the ARC since it was a real step up in levels of skills taught.

The ARC is not taught often anywhere in the area. I was thinking that some day in the winter, I'd trailer my bike to Atlanta to the MSF center to take it. But a 20 minute ride, for me, sounds a lot better!

SNOOP - HA!!!  Many tears some guys used to call me Shoop-Dogg, but I think we're well past that era.

Chris

I might be going. I'll ask the neighbor too. He mentioned wanting to do an ARC but they're infrequent.

Chris

Subscribing. I didn't vote because I do not have a preference at this time.  I'm looking forward to this!

Here's my vote for an FZ6 with a Corbin seat & backrest.

Low and can be dropped a bit. Good ergos and very handle-able in the parking lot. Yes it's an I4 but its got good torque above 3k and doesn't get crazy power unless you take her above 8k and then you quickly get to 90+ HP. Quirks: The clutch friction zone is narrow and the FI makes the throttle a bit twitchy, but you get used to those things quickly. 

Quit the hand-wringing and go see this guy at OSU. This bike plus $750 for the seat & backrest and you're set - In RED. Bet you can get the bike for a bit under $3000.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/4550483402.html

What color and trim you end up with?

I REALLY like blue and they had one, blue reflex, with the light seats that looked great. But I saw the only liquid silver that they had on the lot and I grabbed it!

It's the middle level, the touring, with manual tranny. I'm very happy with the manual and I'm in love with that version of silver.

Chris

I offer two suggestions. Mazda 6 and Subaru Outback,

I just bought a car and both were finalists.

If you want a car that will give great mileage, great reliability, and is a BLAST to drive, test drive the Mazda 6. Easy on the eye too. Or try the restyled 3 for a smaller, slightly less expensive, slightly better mileage version. Also a blast to drive from what I've heard. BTW, the blast isn't mostly about acceleration. The 6 has awesome handling but the whole experience is surprising in a moderately priced car

If you want more of an SUV that can do some hauling but gets great mileage, for the class, try an Outback, We got my wife an Outback 2.5L Limited last year and she bubbles over about it being the best car she's ever owned. The Subarus since 2012 have significantly improved their gas mileage, The 2.5 is rated at 30 hwy. We've gotten 34 by being careful on long trips. Reliability is awesome. Just look at all the older Subarus running around, The current Outbacks are AWD and have one of the best CVTs in the market. The boxer engine lets it drive like a car though it has more ground clearance than an F150 or any Cherokee except the top end one with adjustable height. Towing capacity for the 2.5L is 2700 lb. The 3.6L version is rated for 3000 lb, rated at 25 mpg hwy. Either might handle the boat.

Yesterday I bought the Mazda 6. But I almost bought a second Outback - one for myself. I went with the car after test driving the 6. I've always been more of a car guy, and hey, the wife is already driving an Outback.

Per Pokey's suggestion, I think the Odysseys are now the best minivan. We had Dodge's (briefly two of them) for 23 years. But we no longer need the passenger or cargo capacity. 

Chris

I was about to give you a hard time for not being from Ohio, but the sarcasm wouldn't have come across well online, let alone from someone you've never met.

 

Nice bike.  Not what I was expecting from someone who starts by saying he's 55 and has spent 25 years off a bike.  Good choice, just not expected.  Welcome.

Well, Now I'll have to be insulted!     Or maybe feel complimented.

That is NOT sarcasm, just an attempt at humor.

Where I work we have lots of folks from either side of the river and it's interesting how much they rib each other. I think it's funny cause I'm originally from PA and we just know we're above all that. 

 << Love this cow emoticon, but it ought to be black & white.

Chris

Hi guys, I'm researching a new helmet to upgrade from a Scorpion EXO 400. Right now I'm partial to Bell's RS-1. But it seems to be marketed (and per Anthony's review on Revzilla) to more of a track and agressive rider than someone who commutes and does some longer rides - planning on more long rides. I'm looking for quiet, comfort, and good ventilation. The phototransitions shield would be sweet, too.

http://www.bellhelmets.com/rs-1/#

Anybody have any experience with this helmet flows well and is stable in more of an upright, less of a tuck position? I'm aware that as a race fit design, the cheek pads are supposed to be tight, but I'm not likely to mind so long as it stays ventilated.

Chris

I completely agree, Justin.

My across the street neighbor is a local guy who's been telling me about roads nearby. I learned about the triple nickle last month and have enjoyed the southern end several times.