Mc_spirited

I dont know. It doesnt make me a safe rider, but sometimes i just wanna smoke a joint, drink a Guinness and enjoy the wind.

Okay, wow. I am on page seven of this clusterfuck so lets go through page by page. This is going to take me a damn hour..

First off, Jbot, You would not be surprised that i did not "so...passionately" speak up about how the ride went if you were aware of my friends personality. I knew that if I addressed the ride than he would get heated. And i did not want to see my friend get into a fight in front of a church. So that's why I kept my mouth shut until I posted. So some may see that as hiding behind a computer, but i just call it the right thing to do.

And what I meant by the leader is responsible for the safety of others i mean this. When you make a turn (From a red light or a stop sign), it is the leaders responsibility to not advance until he knows that the tail (SWEEP) rider will be able to maintain the group without a Cadillac CTS driving up his asshole.

That dude: sorry. I don't deal with sarcasm all that well. or people being condescending for that matter. No disrespect.

Lost: You are a cool dude. Anyone who will let someone else sit on their ride is good in my book. You know your shit and any real rider can see that a mile away.

Page eight.

Jbot: again, anyone who does not know that Ego's and two wheels do not mix is a jackass. I dont know what I said to give people the perception that I have this "Ego" And like I said before the only reason that we got "stuck behind the car" was because the leader should have waited for that red light to turn green so that the GROUP could proceed as a UNIT. God? Doesn't exist. Its called Science. Calling me a whiner? Is this fourth grade? I am merely stating observations and comparing them to my experience. And when they do not mesh then I know that is not where i belong.

If that was a jogging pace then I do not want to be present when you step it up to running. Riding that fast should be done with groups of 3 or 4 people. With riders whom you are familiar with. Definitely not through residential areas. Think im a pussy but I know i am not the only one that would say riding like that belongs on the track.

Tpoppa:You are correct it is not a contest. I never stated this. I respect you for coming and posting up. That is respect in my book. You sound like you know your shit and I did not get a bad impression from you when we got our helmets off at the church.

I feel very comfortable on my bike and I know when it is right to push my limits. This will be my fourth season and i have ridden about 24,000 ish miles on my bikes. But personally, I enjoy riding with a pillion passenger or being out in the wet or rain more than I enjoy pushing it in the corners. And if you normally ride faster than that, fine by me. I just think that the pace of the ride was definitely a bit much for the group. It seemed like you were going way too fast, but im sure that If i didn't drop back and I was still behind JBot it wouldn't have seemed so light speed. Honestly the only reason I dropped back was because I was more afraid of having whoever was behind me ride up my ass than lowsiding off the side of the road.

Fred: hahaha.....

Cant see what is on page nine.

Fred: ........

Eleven:

Poppa: I am not sure if you were really going as fast as i perceive, but it seemed pretty quick. Again, that may have been just my perception. To be fair, we didn't really have time in the beginning to speak because you came up when we were leaving. I guess what I should have done was led us to the winking lizard and then we could have changed the lead and discussed expectations.

This discussion seems to be adding pages as fast as i can review them.

I did not post because I felt that i was left in the dust, or riding with people who are above my skill set. I do not see riders with more bikes that are more expensive/faster/suspension goodies (Lost ha..).To me what makes a good rider is a safe rider. Many of those turns were blind, and im sure I would feel more comfortable going that fast in the country where you have some sight distance. What makes a good rider is looking out for those you are riding with and observing the skill set of the group and adjusting your pace so that everyone has the best time possible. Not saying that the ability to ride quickly is not an attribute of a skilled rider. It was my opinion that it was too early in the season to be whippin' around like that on cold pavement. Maybe if i had my insurance upped back up from having it down over the winter I would have felt better. The fact that I am probably a few hundred miles overdue for some new rear rubber was in that equation also.

I do enjoy spirited riding, I do not condone "Dumb shit" such as riding wheelies or "stunting" where it does not belong. Do I desire to bring my front wheel off the ground? Yes, until i can beat on this bike hard enough to learn its limits i do not think that i should move to anything faster. The stupidest thing I have done was probably triple digits in the parkway. Now I am not saying that you are dumb for riding as fast as you were. I am saying with the weather and road conditions, that was out of my comfort zone. Honestly, (some of) those were nice roads (the ones that did not have pothole patches in them) and the fastest ive ridden on the parts that i have traveled before. Even with my bald ass rear tire that ride was one of the best i have had in terms of how much I felt i pushed it or learned or whatever.

So yeah. the reason that I did not bring up anything at the church is because I knew my friend was heated. I know how he is. And when I crested that hill and saw him run off into the grass because he didn't see where everyone else went and couldn't make the turn safely in time, I knew that was the end of the ride for us. Not to mention the fact I knew he was already pissed and wanted to pull mr Cadillac out of his vehicle. So I think thats all I have to say. This shit is like a fucking book....

If that is how you like to ride that's fine. But seven people is too many to keep together riding that spirited.

Enjoy yourselves. I'm glad everyone got home okay.

Yes, and more cc's under my ass will definitely make up for what is obviously a lack of skill on my part. Maybe it is not so much a lack of skill but an overabundance of intelligence.

I just dont think that group riding and spirited riding should be done together. If it is then there should be a pre planned route and destination with meetup spots.

I dont even give a shit that i sound like an asshole. That aint the type of riding I want to be doing any time, let alone on roads littered with gravel and 50 degree weather and even colder asphalt. No thank you. I respectfully bow out.

Maybe im an asshole. Maybe im too conservative. Maybe im a pussy. Ill keep to myself.

I led to peninsula then dude on the 919 hornet took over and thats when i knew i diddnt want to ride with him anymore. You saw me in the lead. Not riding like a jackass might I add.

I am from cleveland. Southwest side. Right up against parma. Welcome and safe riding.

Its not so much high paced as it was the wrong pace. If you want to ride like that keep to yourself or with your good friends. When you lead a group of people you take the responsability of the lives of all those following in your hands. If you dont know how to properly lead a group of riders than dont try.

That being said flying around an area with some unfamiliar riders at double the speed limit while not even waiting for others or being concerned is just reckeless.

And just for anyone who doesn't know, it is not good manners to make a turn knowing that those behind you cannot make the turn, effectively spitting up the group.

So you can go be big balls riders and see how much of your chicken strips you can scrub off and i will stick riding with people who know how to act in a group setting. Stay the fuck away from me with all that macho bullshit. The day i die on a bike is the day i choose to get on the freeway against the flow of traffic and crash into a semi.

I got the F4i. It is a nice bike. Good solid engine. Feels comfy. I sit upright most times but it doesnt feel too cramped for me to full tuck. But im only 5-11 and 175 pounds so there isnt much to squeeze in

Maybe look at something tall like a Enduro or dual sport. If you have a steady hand and good head see what 600's or 1000's fit you. Maybe go with a older model like a 90-95. Less power, cheaper insurance and cost. Wont be as bad if it gets dumped. Just sit on bikes till you find the fit. Then make sure you can handle the ride.

I was looking at the radar. looks to be cloudy for a while but on the radar there is a patch of green over cleveland. It may be just a false echo but be careful, it may be damp.

Maybe I will. Thanks for the comments.

Ill be leaving around 11 somethin. Its a couple miles away. Ugly red CBR.

Meeting actually in the QSL lot? i wasnt there when you guys met last time.

Three people so far?

That's how I wrote it. I dont really rap or anything, I would if I made friends with someone who could produce some music. The User name came from my initials, I dont mean it as Emcee. More along the lines of MotorCycle spirited.

haha.. yeah im bored as hell. It isnt gonna get much sunnier i dont think looking at the cloud radar. Cant wait to be able to wear the perforated leather again.

Maybe you guys (And gals- Edit) will enjoy this. I wrote it the other week. I like it allot.

Every time I strap on my helmet, I prepare to die

If you aren't okay with that I suggest you shouldn't ride

Its nothin' to take lightly, that is riding a bike

Not talkin' pedals here, more like exhaust pipes

Aint the weekend warrior type I ride every single day

Don't mind those cold mornings and I love the rain

Some months I leave my car parked for like twenty fuckin' days

If it could be personified I'm sure it would feel enraged

I love the way that that air fills up my lungs

When I travel through a shaded corner sheltered from the sun

There's too many things to fit into a song

If I said I loved something more, I'm sure id be wrong

I'll be ridin' long past my middle ages

Probably, on some old man bike, like a Harley Davidson

As long as some cunt doesn't run me over

Talkin' on her cell phone or listenin' to rover

Not thinkin' about driving, changing lanes or movin' over

Not sure what shes thinking as shes comin' closer

So I drop down a couple gears and twist on the throttle

Accelerate like carbonation from a soda bottle

I love those spaces in traffic when I'm all by myself

Watchin' for the cars that come into my zone

If one of em' wants to tangle than I'll leave em' alone

Pull away so fast you couldn't reach me with a phone

Ill keep goin' but when I see a corner my speed drops

Cos along those blind turns ya gotta watch out for cops

So I scan the horizon and check on my back

If I think the coast is clear then I get back on the gas

When I finally get home I can drop my guard

Paying attention every moment can be pretty hard

Ridin' a motorcycle most days can be fun

Other times it makes me glad that I don't carry a gun

It can be pretty taxing on your physical and mental

If ya don't agree with me you'll end up twisted up like a pretzel

Layin' in a hospital bed existing like a vegetable

Or cryin' in a ditch somewhere prayin' for rescue

Before you get in the saddle just acknowledge the risk

Or you can disregard my words and write me off as a prick

But either way it is inevitable, most of us get nicked

Either be it by a car or by some gravel that we missed

So keep the shiny side up and the rubber on the ground

Always stay aware when your ridin' around

I know that Kenny passed so no disrespect meant if the end hits a bad note for anyone.

hah, yeah my bike hasn't left the state yet, at least with me on it. I am going to get the maintenance done hopefully soon because me and a friend are gonna ride to North Carolina.

Fuckin' Huggies.. haha...

So whats the plan? riding south of canton? I dont really want to put on a 200 mile day but if you are stayin round the neighborhood i might pop in for a while.

How easy is it to do what? To go from a clip type to a rivet type?

I am lazy so ill just copy the post i put on the CBR forum the other day on the topic..

You dont need any special tools to change the chain. Take a grinder (I used a electric hard stone wheel, but you can use a air die grinder with the proper grinding media) grind the rivets off the face of one link. You just need one side, dont need to grind both. I started to use a punch and hammer. You can also use a chisel. You need some thing long if you want to drive through from the other side of the bike. I tried that and gave up when I realized I had access to a air hammer. I put a chisel bit on the hammer and it took two seconds to pop off the plate. Push the other half of the link out and you are done, the chain will come out.

Some advice. Keep tension on the chain or atleast keep the link you are cutting near or mated with the rear sprocket. It gives it more stability and wont let the chain move around. When you have the rivets ground off I would suggest then loosening the axle and both chain adjusters. Then use whatever chisel/punch/hammer and smack the link apart. Having tension on the chain when you pop it apart may make parts fly or snap around so be careful.

I have a clip type masterlink, just make sure it is pointed the correct direction and it is good procedure to safety wire it just incase.

To install your chain trim it down, measure twice and cut once or else you may end up with extra master links which will give the chain more weak points. Run the chain through the frame onto the sprockets, install your master link and check for proper chain slack and alignment. Measure with a tape measure from the swingarm pivot to the axel on both sides. Make sure the measurement is spot on. Dont just rely on the marks on the tensioners as they could be off. Spin the rear tire by hand to make sure it doesnt make a lot of noise, as this is a sign of improper chain alignment. Ride the bike and make sure that it doesnt get really noisy at speed before you button everything up. Chains are easy once you do them a couple times.

If you dont want to have a shop install your chain but you dont want a clip type link, and you dont want to buy a chain rivet tool i would suggest buying a rivet and a clip type link. Install the chain with the clip link and ride it to a shop to have them replace the clip with a rivet link.

What I did was take my ear buds and wedged them into the hole for the straps that is under the padding in my helmet. I put the pads back in and just have the cord coming out of the helmet. They are technically not in my ears so not sure if that is okay, Im sure a cop could be a prick if he wanted.

I'm not sure if they need adjustment. They definitely need checked, the bike has 37000 miles on it. I kind of hope they dont need done, but I will feel better about the bike if they are off and I need to bring them back into clearance. It has been feeling sluggish pulling from lights and whatnot.. We will see how it goes. I need to go get some tools today like a micrometer, and a hot glue gun for my LED's.

I just got my shim kit, LED's, and power commander. Waitin on some more things. Got a good amount of work to do, the bike will be down for a week (Hopefully)... I might be out a bit but i shouldnt do any serious riding till im sure its all up to speed. I will be meeting up with you folks soon hopefully

yeah, i never been to a bike swap meet. i hope i find something that i can save a hundred bucks on atleast

I am riding to the IX center for the Swap meet. I should be done hopefully by 2 or 4 so i will be riding after that, if anyone wants to get together later. Ill be out and about, so hit me on aim Mymindiztwiztid if someone wants to meet up

Actually now I am rethinking it. I think I should hit up that swap meet. I heard there would be a lot of sportbike stuff. I need a power commander, speedo healer and I want a hugger and an undertail. I also need a valve or two for the ninja 250 engine.

Im gonna regret not goin if i dont find shit though. i hope you guys have fun. my bike is a mess anyways, ask InyaAzz. missing plastics and hella fasteners, not to mention the lack of turn signals.