Moto-Brian

Sportbikes feel unstable when riding at slower speeds??? Huh?? You can stop a sportbike and keep it straight up and down with feet on the pegs forever due to them being so balanced... Sportbikes are fine for the street, too. It's all what you prefer. Cruiser guys think sportbikes are uncomfortable because they ride cruisers so much. Sportbike guys think cruisers are uncomfy because the same thing. Naked bike owners prefer the design and relaxed position for similar reasons. It's all what you want and seek. What I cannot understand is why someone obviously with money would buy a 1098 when the 1198 is out and a better machine. Plus, an HD and a Duc 1098/1198 are so polar opposites that I cannot see why it is a tough decision... They are going to suit a certain aspect you want and there's no comparison... My opinion is buy what you want and what works. If it were me? I'd sell the 996 boat ancor and get a 1198 and keep the HD. 1098s are awesome track bikes (well, the S and R is...) and the 1198 is sure to be the same. 996s are cool as they are old school looking and suit the historians, but get the new stuff. They are so much better machines in terms of handling and performance...

Fork seals leak due to many things. Endos when stopping are seal killers. USed to get bashed in the mellon everytime I stopped in the pits and endoed the bike a little. But, buying a used bike, a few things can happen. The seals are not even covered under warranty as they can be blown easily at any time due to neglect and it is hard for either side to prove it was or wasn't. If they did the seals, they should do both. You never should do only one... I'd grab the bike, pull the forks and ship them to Reuben at 35 Motorsports and have him do the forks seals. He can catch a bur or anything that can cause a leak. Hell, a stone chip can create a leak so, they sometimes need cross hatched to be prepped for re assembly... A good suspension guy can do that for you. I think Rub keeps R6 seals in stock... In any case, get them both replaced.

So whatcha sayin' is you have a screw loose and that's your problem?? Boy, you just set yourself up, Jess... Make sure though that whenever you change a shield - especially the tear off shields - you loosen the screws and press the shield up tight against the helmet to get as good a seal as you can. While holding it, tighten the screws and secure the shiled...

Cool school. I almost took a sports scholarship there...

$500 and you come get it. Rock bottom dollar. This is a $1200 suit. I just need it gone as I already have mine and a buddy was going to rock this, but couldn't do white... I'm left with a suit I cannot use.

Ok, had a few people asking and since I used to do this with Suomy at the AMA events, I have probably done a thousand lids this way... This is for the Spec 1R and Spec 1R Extreme as they are the same side covers and base plates... Step 1: Step 1 is really just recognizing the base plate and where stuff goes. In figure 1, you can see the base plate with the side cover not on. There are two distinct things to note. First, the top groove. It is where the top tab goes off the side cover. Second, the bottom push tab that you push in to release the side cover. This is a spring loaded style piece and is designed to move forward and back (right to left when looking at it this way). The base tab will go in here... Figure 1: Step 2: Step 2 is again just recognizing parts and what they are. I used a marker to designate the top and bottom tabs. The top tab needs to be placed and the bottom tab is clicked in... Just notes these and understand what I am refering to when directing what tab goes where... Figure 2: Step 3: Step 3 is most critical. You need to do this part right or it all doesn't work... You;ll know when it isn't right, too. You need to take the top tab and get it into the top groove as seen in Figure 1. It will somewhat "snap" into place. Figure 3: Step 4: Step 4 is again just recognizing if it is going the right direction. Notice in Figure 4 that we have NOT snapped the bottom in yet... DO NOT tug outward on the side cover as you can snap the top tab or bend it and damaging it. Step 5: FINAL step!! Step 5 is the cringe step. People get really nervous about this step, but it is how we have done it time and time again. After EVERY practice and session out on the track, we have removed and cleaned the shields. So, these little tabs will hold up and do fine... Anyways, the side cover should have the top tab in place and rest pretty much in the position it is needing to be in. The bottom just needs to be snapped in. I simply smack it with the base of my closed hand and "pop" it into that bottom groove. Remember, that bottom groove is spring loaded and will lock the tab once put into place. When done, it should be fine. Lift and lower the shield to verify it all works. If not, try again. Once you do it enough times, it is second nature and a breeze... Figure 5:

Back from the dead. Forgot I still had this... $550 OBO...

The CBR one?

Ohio sucks. Snowing like crazy. BIG flakes... That is all...

I still have one... Attack is the only guy who PMd me saying for sure he wants it. They're SCHWEET!! One left and you can claim it...

Ahhhhh... I thought you mentioned for food and beer. Which is cool... I was just thinking if you were wanting a hand out (which I would do 100% if I lived near you), it limits the area of people that can help. If you are paying for fuel, let me know. I'll only have you pay what you feel is fair and to cover maybe a few bucks for fuel... Let me know... The truck idea was that usually trailers are fairly expensive and for a few bucks more, you could get a truck and do it all at once w/o worrying about other people's schedules...

Honestly, man... If we can not mention anything here, that would be stellar. If you want to say anything, that's cool, but leave it in that thread. I don't want to be associated with anything here forward. I'm just here to help the ones I can and if that's all I can do, so be it. No more input in terms of where to go, etc unless I have 100% concrete info from MY experience...

Pics are all above...

F&S is gone, man. Well, they are HD only now. No more Suzuki...

Ok, this is somewhat weird for me to do, but in light of what was posted in the Hind's thread, I feel compelled to say my piece. First, in these types of situations, it gets to a point at times where we all have favorites. We all feel a certain place is better than another. Opinions get taken to be fact and that the facts make things feel worse than they were intended. I have been belittled with a string of mis-truths. I posted my responses to what was stated and then after reflecting a bit, decided it wasn't to be shared with everyone. It's bad enough that my full name and where I live and what I do is out there for everyone to see. I've enjoyed this industry since 1993 when I first started working at a shop in the parts department. I started working there because I was starting my racing in 1993 and I wanted to get stuff cheap. But, I found out that I loved the stuff and became rather involved in it. My dad and family were all racers. We have some friends that were professional car racers and it was always something I wanted to do. Up until the late 80s when I found out what road racing was all about. I'm not a child prodigy. I started riding at the ripe old age of 19. I started racing 3 years later and never looked back. Unlike what was stated, I am not just an instructor with STT. I raced competitively from 1993 until 2005 in road racing. I dabbled a bit in Supermoto and did OK at CRP and some NASMOTO stuff. I also did some MX racing if you want to call it that. Was never a winner, but I never finished last, either. Through the 14 plus years, I have been around the modern era bikes the whole time. Been around some great guys like Reuben and many others that are top AMA caliber builders. I don't know shit about MX that much, but have been around a good number of AMA crew chiefs and mechanics that are MX based and have learned a few things. As far as vintage stuff? I have not a clue... But, I decided after almost getting a divorce, I had a choice. Stop racing or be alone and away from my son and wife. I decided to quit. I think when I quit I was doing pretty good. Finished well in points and even did ok in some National events. Nothing to write home about, but I had experienced a lot of cool things. I was ready, I guess and I did some MX and Supermoto in an effort to fill my racing void. Never was the same. STT came about at a time when I was just coming off a paid ride in the WERA Endurance Series. When I say "paid" it sounds really cool. But, it was a rich guy with ex EMGO bikes and he simply paid for everything and all I did was show up. Worse experience ever... STT was a great chance to still ride on closed courses and be a part of the sport a little more. Maybe be a part of helping someone get into it or help them become better as a rider. It's been one of the best experiences I have ever had. As far as my job goes, you all know now that I am a motorcycle industry sales rep. I never mention it because I think it doesn't mean anything and shouldn't be a base of why I say what I say. I also hate being hounded for stuff as it gets too common... The luxury I have with my job is that I can meet a lot of people and a lot of dealers. I have over 70 dealers currently and I try and recommend the ones that I feel are good shops to those in those areas. Now, I am in PA and WV and have met some great shops and great people. Unlike what was stated, I have been doing this for about 11 years. I have always been able to get the territory to where it is making increases and we have always had a good solid footing in the regions I covered. In those 11 years, I have only been down maybe 2-3 years... This year has been a tough challenge due to being uprooted from the territory I was in for the last 9 years and placed into a new and exciting area that was mis managed. We forecast great things this year even with the slow start... So far, the top dealers are doing well and up YTD vs. what they are used to... No pats on the back, but just trying to show I don't have many dealers thinking poorly of me. Not that my work is something you all need to know about, but I pride myself on getting to know the dealers i work for. It has been implied that I only cater to Iron Pony. They are in fact the biggest dealer for a majority of reps in this state. They have ALWAYS been great in terms of supporting the companies in our industry. However, it isn't all fun and games and there are times I have not been so well thought of by them. But, in the end, it is a business and I respect EACH AND EVERY one of my shops that do business well. Pony is the source of a lot of what was stated in the other thread. I don't even have any of the other shops anymore in CBus. That's a choice those shops made long ago. I have respected their decisions and it is working so far. I think there are two shops in CBus's market that are great choices. Outside that CBus area, there are a TON of great choices. However, HNW and Pony get my vote as to what I have first hand knowledge from. The things that causes me some issue is that there are some mis-truths made. I do in fact handle each of my dealers well and they will certainly validate my work ethic and abilities. I see my dealers on a regular basis and even though I wish I were sitting at home on the couch as implied, I am on the road a lot. I have the luxury of being able to surf the internet while waiting or doing what a lot of you despise in texting and responding while driving on the freeway or while getting gas, or while eating lunch by myself. I feel I need to apologize in an effort to make amends and to drop this from going further. Jeff Hinds is probably a good guy. He probably has been in business for as long as he has due to many reasons and he certainly is still afloat in this industry. They say the cream rises... So, I apologize for giving out my opinions. For stating what I have heard. I hear things from MANY dealers and industry people about MANY people and MANY shops. I was simply saying "What I heard..." nothing more. I will state that I wanted to let people know that not every item can be ordered as there are requirements established by companies. I may not be that savvy in terms of what goes on in a dealership 100%, but knowing the distribution side of things is something I know a great deal about... The thing about the internet is that I can type in an accessory or a shop and get a million different opinions. Some good, some bad. In the end, there are those that are true and some that are just people that are bitter and there are some that are opinions but are laced in truth. To all of you that think you are minions or followers, I am sorry. I only try and take the knowledge that I have gained and help those of you looking for answers. On the internet, it is a tough thing to do. There's a lot of tricks being used and a lot of times, you can fall in them and not know it until it is too late. I only try and help. Oftentimes, I play Devil's Advocate in an attempt to make someone prove what they are saying. Works a lot in showing the real truth... If someone asks me what is better, I tell them based on what I have heard and what I know. Jeff, I am sorry if I offended you. We have met on a few occasions. I do not get paid by Pony (wished I did), I do work hard and I am successful in my territory and there are no dealers that feel I do not take care of them. I used to race and did well for myself. STT is a great opportunity for me to give back and to help others in this sport. I could care less about being the fastest STT guy, but thank you if you think that. I think I can say with confidence that I have helped some and have given them good info to chew on. I may not know a lot, but I do know a few things about this industry. I have had the privilege of helping some really cool companies in their Sports Marketing programs when helping some pro riders. I have had the blessing of working with industry leaders in our sport. I have met some wonderful people with some really unique insights that most do not share. I have also been around some successful dealers that I try and share their successes so others can hopefully be successful, as well... Please, let's drop this once and for all. I will PROMISE to not mention your shop, your name, your anything if you can promise to keep me out of it, as well. I have heard from a few people that you have called some shops. I would ask as a professional to another professional to cease doing that. I will be courteous and civil towards you only if you can do the same for me. Trying to smear someone is not cool at all and can damage a lot more than just sales. I assume you have not done any of these things, but please if you have, let's call it a day... Good luck with your shop. I wish you and your family great success and great health. Cheers, Brian Healea

I'm not cutting anyone down. You mentioned he gets a new bike so often that warranty service isn't an issue. I stated "Baller" to reflect what you said... I am glad he got a bike he wanted and think if the deal was good, cool. Just with some of the shops he mentioned, I was a bit baffled as to why. No worries... It's all good...

Jeff, look. I am not wishing you any ill will. I hope you all do well and have great success. I will not mention you in any comments from this point forward. I apologize for any bad blood and hope we can be civil when we meet at some point. I can promise I will be very professional and act accordingly. I can only hope you do the same. I know you think I am not capable of doing or saying anything relating to this industry and that is fine. All I ask is that you not say things that are not true. Hearsay is easy to handle. Lies are things that can hurt people. Cheers.

Edited.... I just want to say that if anyone wants my side, I am willing to tell it. A lot of mis-truths were stated and could be VERY harmful to me and my family. I never spoke a single lie as to what I heard or witnessed. I have also met Jeff on a few occassions and will approach him in a professional and civil manner on a side bar.

PM me the info as to how to get it to you... I assume Attack will meet me for the bag and timer, as well...

Consider them sold to you. I can bring them to Pony this Friday...

Light. Not running shoes light, but not work boot heavy, either...

Nope. If I robbed them, I would have grabbed better stuff!!! Like PCs and exhausts!! Just stuff sitting around and things I have picked up when I bought other things... I barter and trade like a gypsy at times...

1) I have a brand new RCA Dish set-up. Intentions were to use it in the trailer a few years ago. Since I retired and sold the big trailer, I have no need for this... Not sure what is needed, but has the dish, receiver and wires. Probably need some things, but it's brand new and has never even been hooked up... Asking $50 obo. I have no idea what it is worth... 2) I have some Oakley banners. Let me rephrase that... I have 18 freakin banners. All new and rolled up. Double sided and with rivets. If you want them all, we'll work a price. These go well on Ebay. If you want one or so, price is below... Asking $10 each... Price of a poster... NOTE: 3 are called for - 15 left!!! 3) Oakley plastic Icons. These are over 3 feet long and 3D. Rare and usually only for dealers... Asking $25 and I have TWO ONLY... ATTACK PAINTER CLAIMS 1!! The second is tentatively sold to That Dude...

Items for sale. All NEW and NEVER used... 1) SHIFT Fuel Shoes. Black leather and suede. Size US 10. I wear an 11 and these fit rather comfy... Retail is $110. Asking $50. Casper has dibs! 2) Teknic smaller back protector. Is new, but got dusty when we were cleaning the storage room out... Asking $20 ISAAC'S POPPA HAS DIBS 3) Teknic full size back protector. Again, new, but slightly dusty from me getting it out of the room we store stuff in... Asking $40 4) Suomy 4 helmet carry bag. This is a bag that was only available for Sponsored riders. I have two and only need one. This one is brand new. I am willing to sell the used one for half the price... Can hold 4 lids in both MX and street... Asking $50 for the new one and $25 for the used one... New one pictured... ATTACK PAINTER HAS DIBS ON NEW... Keeping the old... 5) Track day guys and gals - get your buddy to record your times. Robic SC-808. Brand new and never used. We run lap timers now and no need for a fifth hand timer. We use these over the lap timers especially for recording laps on paper and lap boards. Great in case you don't have a lap timer and a LOT cheaper... Retail is $75. Asking $30 ATTACK HAS DIBS!!!

Check the thread I am about to start!!