GolfHos

I felt the need to reduce my carbon footprint.   8)

'05 Suzuki GSX-R 1000.
(http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Suzuki-gsx-r1000c.jpg)

yeah, to about 3x6  :o

j/k but seriously be careful.   :)

rode a buddies hayabusa, all i can say is holy *feces*!!

 [sm_thumbsup2]  I can only imagine the ride on a 'busa!  Holy *feces* indeed!


I'm actually a very [read: extremely over the top, annoyingly so] conservative rider.  I learned some hard lessons early on in life. 

I haven't had the bike over 65 yet, and will never have the front wheel off the ground.

I truly did buy it for the gas savings.  I'm not really into the whole "riding" thing like Claven or spacey.
I have yet to harden the requisite *fudge* up.   :punchballs:

But I figured like everything I do, if I'm gonna do something, I do it with a little flair.  ;D

the way gas prices are going motorcycles will become WAY more a part of american life.  ;)

wow  [sm_beertoast]

Holy crap, that's quite the bike. [$.02]Buy a good helmet (seriously) and strongly consider an MSF course. [/$.02]

Otherwise all I can say is: dude.

that's a big crotch rocket you got there


I'd piss myself just starting one of those.

In related news: the weather is finally decent here and my dumb ass took my bike into the shop for some service yesterday. It needs a part they don't have in stock and have to order so I won't get it back for probably at least a week.  :sad3:

 ;D  I got the matching Suzuki factory race helmet made by Shoie.  400 dollar helmet I stole for 100 bucks. ('nother story  ;) )

I've also got my 2 piece riding leathers picked out.  295 delivered.  Boots 79.00.

I don't ever have to ride it.  I'm just gonna get dressed up and park at the 7-11 and look good.

 [sm_laughing]

It's amazingly smooth.  One of the things you get from a higher displacement.  Plenty of dump your ass power if you want, but actual trip through the power band is synced up nicely.  Unlike the rocket 600's that are snappy, and people get stupid with.

Been following this bike for a while, and read an awesome review from a writer that took the bike on a 1,000 mile tour through Cali.  Very interesting take from him that sold me on it.

Well, then hell, you shoulda got the 'Busa, squid.


Passing the MSF course usually nets you a 5%-10% insurance discount.  And if you don't yet have a motorcycle endorsement, it also gets you out of some or all of the state licensing test.

May I recommend to you www.newenough.com for apparel and non-Suzuki parts?  Family-owned.  VERY good service, painless returns.  And they know the stuff they sell, so if you have any questions on something or are just unsure, you can call and immediately speak to a knowledgeable human.  Rare these days.

Re: riding gear -- first rule is to make sure you'll use it.  The most protective stuff out there is worthless if it's hanging in your closet while you're out on the road.  Second worst is that the bike and gear stay parked because it's "too much hassle" to suit up.  HTFU.

What's a Gixxer 1000 get, high 30s per gallon?

Sweet.  Thanks Clive.  I'll definitely check 'em out.

Agreed on the gear.  Thanks for the reinforcement.  It was part of the pact with Karen.
As well as No Bike After Beer.  Ever.   Ok.  I promise.  Seems like a no brainer, but remember who you're dealing with.  ;D

The research I did had a few people blog with trips averaging mid 30's.
I'm planning on a little higher seeing I'm a *humid grotto*.

Ditto on the newenough.com.

Strog actually sounds knowledgeable about a topic other than Fleshlights and beer. Who'd a thunk?

Stroh, now you be careful on those icy Minisotta roads, I'll be worrying about you all the time now. :o

The GSXR seating position does thrust the rider's ass pretty high in the air.  Maybe he's branching out ... ?

We made it to page 2 of this discussion without mention of assless chaps?  Clive, Stroh, and spacey all in the discussion, and no mention? 

This, Aske leaves, the Celtics might win a championship, I'm under 200 lbs.  The world is ending....

Man if you get me to get a bike I might have to come up there and kick your ass. And that is a promise.

And stroh is still a *humid grotto*.

Good news/ bad news/good news/unexpected but welcome and appreciated news/great news.

Good news: The HD dealer found the part I needed (voltage regulator) locally and installed it today. Bad News: Apparently once the regulator was installed, they found that the stator was also shot. Good news: They had one on hand and were able to install it today too. Unexpected but welcome and appreciated news:the service guy felt bad because he misdiagnosed (really just under-diagnosed but I wasn't going to fight him on it) the problem, and quoted me a price based on that diagnosis, so he only charged me for the part and not the additional labor. Great news: the bike is back and better than ever, and I get to ride this weekend.  8)

On a side note: the mechanic at the dealer, who sees dozens, if not hundreds of bikes every week, told me that mine is particularly sweet and that the guy I bought it from must have babied it. So it's got that going for it, which is nice.

::)

[jealous tone]So you must think you're special now.[/jealous tone]

Hope you enjoy you're ride this weekend. [sm_thumbsup2]

Special? I ride a *goshdarn* Harley. That puts me in a group almost as exclusive as the "I saw the Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson *fudge* video" club.

 [sm_naughty]  Wait 'til you see me in those leathers, they're gonna make my ass look great!


spacey, great news.  [sm_thumbsup2]

Jules, honey,  I have it all worked out.

Although I still like you worrying about me.  That's hot.  ;D



Question:  The Stranger.  I mean it's a nice change once in a while (almost obsolete post Fleshlight) but what's the deal?

Right hand goes numb repeatedly.   I don't remember this from my previous riding expierence.
Is this unique to the sport bikes?  Am I just holding on to tight?  *humid grotto*?

I've never ridden a sport-bike for any significant period of time, so I can't speak from that angle, but it's not uncommon for my right hand to cramp up a little bit from holding the throttle in the same place for long periods of time, but I don't think it's ever gone numb. My guess is you probably have a death-grip on the throttle and just don't realize you're doing it. Relax, breathe, etc. It makes riding much easier, much less fatiguing, and a lot more enjoyable.

I suppose that's a good suggestion when in the "thrust the rider's ass pretty high in the air" seating position.

so let me see if i got this right. thrust your ass in the air, relax, breathe and enjoy the experience?

this is a form of "riding" i'm not familiar with.


thank god.  ;)

Likely combination of (a) carrying too much weight on the heels of your hands (puts pressure on the nerves running through your wrist); (b) holdin' on too tight; (c) possibly, the angle of the grip relative to your forearm (i.e., the bend it induces in your wrist); and (d) vibrations through the clip-ons.

Remedies:
(a) -- HTFU; squeeze the tank with your legs and use your back muscles to get weight off your hands; maybe the clip-ons also can be slid up the fork legs slightly (probably not, if they mount under the triple tree); get risers (GenMar, Heli, ConvertiBar) to raise the grips relative to the seat height; have the seat foam re-contoured to lower it (surprisingly inexpensive and usually can be done locally); sell the bike and buy a standard.

(b) -- hold on loosely, but don't let go (if you clign too tightly ...); loosen up, GI Joe With Kung-Fu Grip; if it happens more when riding any length of time, try a CrampBuster or ThrottleRocker.

(c) -- the clip-ons can be turned a bit on the fork legs and re-tightened (mind that you don't introduce tension into the throttle cables if the bars are turned lock to lock).

(d) -- replace the grips with a "gel" grip or something cushy (I favor the ProGrip model 714 (http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?page=CST/PROD/progrip/16313) and just chop off the large flange); if the tips of your fingers easily touch the heel of your hands around the grips, build the grips up with larger replacement grips or over-wraps (http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?page=CST/PROD/Hand-Cont/GPSMALL).

Last time Clive started talking about clip-ons I didn't sleep for three nights straight.

Ok.  Thanks again Clive.  After several full commutes and implementing/changing all of the things you pointed out....It is a combo of all of them.

I think the easiest and biggest culprit was I was just hanging on too tight.  I'm a lot more comfortable now, and not using as much lean and weight on my wrists.

Having said that, thanks for the links.  I think Convertibar is the way to go.
They gonna be the dizzizzle for the bizzle,  fo shizzle.

They're a little spendy, so prob. won't be for a while.  They also have model specific install kits, which I guess would answer my one concern about clearance on the brake fluid reservoir on the front fairing.  They must have it figured out.

Next up.  My ass really gets sore.

Use more lube.

Oh, forgot to add: until your finances allow the purchase of the convertibar, +1 on the crampbuster/throttle rocker. They're cheap and they work.

Hmmm.  Cool.  I missed that somehow the first time through.  Those look pretty cool.

I'll have to check that out.

On the ThrottleRocker/CrampBuster thing:

I have a CrampBuster LongNarrow model.  I.e., the "tongue" is a little longer than their standard model.  They also have a ShortWide model, which a coworker has.  (I didn't get mine here, but see THIS SITE (http://www.bikebone.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CB3&Category_Code=MotorcycleAccessories&Store_Code=BBSC).)  In my experience (and yours certainly may vary), install it at the far end of the grip (pinky end). You can rotate it backward to position it just where you like.  Basically, mine lives out of the sway; when I want to use it, I just spin it into position and go.  Adjustments are really easy on the fly, too, if you don't get it *just right* on the first try.

The idea is that you can apply *some* pressure on it with the heel of your hand, letting you loosen your grasp on the grip *some*.  It is NOT a replacement for holding/turning the throttle -- control is not as good.  Also, it's mostly for droning, not carving.  Be wary of its placement so that you don't apply pressure to it when you don't want to -- say, when you've just downshifted and are rolling on the throttle as you enter a curve.  Not the time for abrupt power delivery.
 [sm_disgust]

Agreed.  Thanks.  (In fact my first thought was Is this something that may be contraindicated in my type bike?)

But for 11 bones, I'll find one and give it a try.  Even if it doesn't work the way I want it to;  Anything called The Tongue.........well.

In my experience there was a little bit of a learning curve with the product. Not that it's difficult, but some fine tuning was involved in getting it where I wanted it and where it felt comfortable. Mine's the Throttle Rocker, which goes on with a velcro strap, so it's not that easily adjusted on the fly. The CrampBuster model seems to make more sense, IMO.

Yeah, ThrottleRocker used to market a design very much like the Crampbuster ... until CB sued them for patent infringement (my former firm represented TR).  Settlement included TR's changing their design to not infringe in the US.

I like the CB design much better.  It's very secure if you try to rotate it downward (in the rolling-on-the-throttle direction), yet it moves with only some effort in the opposite direction.  And it's very easily adjusted with just one hand.

Interesting.... Black and Yellow.... there's something that's just too..... Nike Sasquatch-esque about it

 [sm_thumbsup]  Don't forget DeWalt!  The official tool of the stroh household.

There's another line there that you stepped right into, but I don't want to be the first to say it.

However

Wow - nice bike, stroh! [sm_thumbsup2]  Not something I'd choose for myself, but I like it. :) 8)

Now, if only my dad would get one.  Every once in a while, he'll mention how nice it would be to have one, and I try to drop a very subtle hint on occasion (okay, not so subtle and not all that infrequently :D), but that's as far as it goes. :(

Hey Nat, somehow I just wouldn't have picked you for a biker chick.... :o  ;)

lol  I don't know if I'd go so far as to say biker chick, but I certainly do find pleasure in riding them.

I don't have a license so I've never driven one; I've only been a passenger... It's a lot of fun, absolute enjoyment!  My dad had one until just a few summer's ago, and I wish he still had it.  (And I'm sure there are times he does, too.)  It was great fun to have him pick me up from school with it, or when he came to school picnics on his lunch break, or just out for a Saturday afternoon ride (or any other day of the week for that matter :D).

I was thinking it would be nice to get one after I got my license, but I know I'd never be able to bring it home. *sigh*

I like the CB architecture abundant better. It's actual defended if you try to circle it bottomward (in the rolling-on-the-throttle direction), yet it moves with alone some accomplishment in the adverse direction. And it's actual calmly adapted with just one hand.


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Is that what the kids call it these days?

Nah, it's still called Christmas Handshake.