Swivel Heads...
 

I thought I'd bump the thread -

It's biking time...
but most motorists are still in winter driving mode and not seeing/looking for motorcyclists.

We've already responded to motorcycle/vehicle accidents. Our sunny day in Seattle started what I hope is NOT a trend.

So, quickie reminders:

-be a swivel head - know what is around you at all times.
-stay out of blind spots
- Left turners, left turners, left turners. Watch for them turning in front of you.
-own your lane, be visible
-dont assume they see you (and if they do, they're aiming for you)
-and of course, no matter who has the right of way...cars are bigger, sometimes you just gotta yield ..

Thanks for the reminders friend.

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I agree with boots13. Its that time! Polish the chrome and crank the bike up!

Also always assume the oncoming vehicles may not see you, looking out for the sudden left hand turn.

Ride safe!

T

Excellent tips!! Thanks :)

BTW I'll be moving the bike out this weekend to buff her up, change the oil and put fresh gas in :)

what taking the snow tires off too! lol

You definately have some scenery that makes the ride there pretty friggin awesome!

bumps this up .. cause.. ... its the east coast and we are getting another snow storm this week :(

I am envious of you west coasters that can already ride ...

I've bought almost all of the accouterments for my new bike.. and then we are good to go..

Mid 50's for us east coasters, going to register the new ride this upcoming week ... whoohoo..

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70's and sunny tomorrow in the great pacific northwest.

Crank em up and hit the road folks....be safe

Was wondering where all the bikers were at, just found this thread!

I've never owned a car, just motorcycles (2) and have been riding for about 2 years. I have a 2004 honda rebel 250cc, out of commission due to myself, and a 1994 honda shadow 600cc from hell. I donno if anyone has ever owned a bike that constantly has problems, but it has cost me my entire savings.
I love motorcycles though and they might be all I ever own

I ride as much as I can, and I do alot of the wrenching on my bikes, too. What's going wrong with the Shadow? Both of your bikes are usually very reliable.

Well the shadow works sometimes and then doesnt in the next moment. I've actually come to hate that bike :( The thing makes me feel like I'm crazy when it breaks down and then my bike mechanic rides it to his shop.

Currently, I just got it out of the shop for lose battery connection and some new spark plugs, then a day after I got it home, it would warm up then die when I pulled the throttle. I got a ride to work that night, yet the next morning it started and I rode it 12 miles and back. Next time I tired it...pulled the throttle after it warmed up, it died. Right this second if I went out there it would work though. I hope.

It has done phantom stuff like that for the year I've had it. One time I told my mechanic it was leaking gas, so the mechanic has it in his shop all day...no problems. It was late though so he decided he would just call me in the morning to come get it. When he opened shop the next day, there was gas all over the floor. I got lucky, but most of the time it makes me look crazy. I got "honeyed" the other day about a conversation about how to start the bike...I'm ready to sell it. If I did, I would get another honda shadow though, hopefully normal one. This shadow only has 1 down three up instead of normal bikes with 1 down four up, you have to take the gas tank off and then some to get to the battery. What else....the petcock has the shittiest design ever and if you turn it too much, it leaks. That's actually the biggest problem, everything else is whatever, but I sure do miss that rebel even though its smaller.

On the otherside, I am a new rider. I didn't realize you we're supposed to warm a bike up with the choke even during the summer, thought that was a winter thing. And I also prefer to park and start my bike from first gear, which I've learned that its hard on the starter and battery. When I got the bike it warmed up just fine- no choke, in first gear with the kickstand up, now it ONLY starts in neutral...and sometimes only starts without the choke (warm weather?)

This was probably a lot of information but I guess I needed the rant, so thanks for asking

Wow. You're right that your Shadow sounds like a lemon. Intermittent problems are sooo annoying, but you didn't need me to tell you that.

When a bike mysteriously cuts in and out one of the first places I look is at the battery and starter motor terminals. It's an easy fix, and those fasteners do like to walk out. It sounds like you did have that problem, but it should have been corrected by your mechanic. The next place I look is the sidestand interlock. That's the switch that keeps your bike from starting when the sidestand is down. It's in a position to invite failure because it's close to the ground, so it can get coated with road gorp and rust, etc. It would be something to ask your mechanic to check if you aren't confident about finding it yourself.

If the bike is dying when you throttle up, then it's likely there's a problem with the carbeuration/fuel injection. I always check the easiest thing first, so I look at the air filter to make sure small animals haven't been nesting in there. If your air filter is unobstructed, you may have some crap in the gas that's clogging something. Try running Gumout through your fuel system.

As you probably already know, a bike can have multiple problems, and that can be confusing because you can't be certain which symptom belongs to which problem. It's great when you can identify and solve at least one problem so you can start picking them off separately. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the info about the sidestand interlock, I might end up going that route if I continue to have problems. Right now the bike is feigning health-starts up fine, runs, hasn't shut off when I pulled the throttle in a long time. It's dragging when its up to speed though/doesn't feel as powerful as when I first got the carbs all rebuilt three months ago. And it back fires when I'm sitting at stop lights and adds one loud bang when I turn it off. I'm running gas cleaner through it hoping it helps.

Yeah I don't even know what a motor terminal is lol. I think what I need to do is sit there and watch youtube videos and see if I can start fixing it myself. The most I've ever done is take the carb out of my rebel and put it back in after someone else cleaned it. They probably had to calibrate it too, not something I know how to do either at the moment. Would be fun to learn all that stuff though

I hope the gas cleaner works. It's hard to tell without seeing and hearing it, but it sounds like your bike has more than one problem. Suddenly and intermittently cutting out is most likely to be a electrical problem. Losing power and backfiring is most certainly a carbeuration issue.

When gas isn't fully burned in the top end, the remaining fumes detonate elsewhere. That backfire you're hearing is unburned gas exploding in your exhaust system. That's never good. It could be that one cylinder isn't firing, a clogged air filter, or a stuck needle in your carburetor. (Or is this bike fuel injected?)

To check if all cylinders are firing, start the bike up when the engine is cold. Feel the header pipes just after you start the bike, before everything gets too hot to touch. You can even put a dot of spit on each one. If one pipe gets hot and the other one doesn't, then you know that you're not firing on all cylinders.

Good luck!

four years ago today I was in a serious motorcycle accident because someone cut me off a concussion tripod facial fracture bleeding and swelling on the brain at first they thought I was dead thank god for a hard head and a good helmet my bike was a total loss and I have not got another one yet my kiddo asked me to wait till she was older be careful out there my friends

theres two kinds of bikers those that have been down and those that are going down
been down here
looking for time to clean my bike(cant ride dirty) ang get some time in before monsoon hits az.. just about year round riding in az tho.. my new puppy is keeping me home and busy for now but still looking forward to some road time.

I live in such a cool neighbourhood! Many bikers live here, plus Harbor Freight just opened a half mile away. Yay!!

I've been trying not to walk down the aisle with the motorcycle lifts. For better or worse, the cashier just gave me a coupon for 25% off on the 4th of July.

I just woke up from my post celebratory nap. LGBT Pride in NYC was very special today, indeed. Everyone was feeling triumphant about the recent SCOTUS decision on DOMA, and it didn't even rain on our parade. Well, not much, anyway. We led the way on our motorcycles, just as we have for the last 26 years. I wore something spangly and fabulous, including opalescent lavender pink sandals with 4" stiletto heels. Yes, I can ride in them, and they posed no impediment to me standing up on the pegs and waving madly at the happy crowds with my free hand most of the way down the Parade route, as usual.

We had fewer bikes this time, probably due to threats of thunderstorms. As we've done for the last five years, the Sirens sponsored food and drinks for all the riders. A member of our club recently started a food truck business, so we were lucky to have Hot Dog Donna catering our post-Pride ride lunch.

I've heard it said for years that the motorcycle contingent leading the way down 5th Ave. is one of the best things about the Pride Parade. Many women spectators tell us that we're by far their favourite part. The crowd certainly goes wild when they see us. I can't adequately describe the feeling of euphoria. The other riders are equally unable to say why it's always so very special for us.

If you're anywhere near NYC on the last Sunday in June next year I encourage you to join us. The Sirens Women's Motorcycle Club organises the motorcycle contingent which is open to all riders of all genders and all orientations.

Now that I'm recharged and refreshed I'm going to put on some slightly more sensible clothes and ride back out to see our special Pride fireworks display over the Hudson.

The Motorcycle Show is coming to NYC early this year, Dec. 13th-15th. We all missed the women's booth terribly last year, so we were really happy to hear that the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation hooked up with several other groups including the AMA, WIMA, the Motor Maids, and Women In The Wind to form the Women's Coalition of Motorcyclists. They'll have a booth at the NYC show this year! Many of the NYC Sirens plan to volounteer at the booth. Is anyone else planning to come to the show?

On a selfish, personal note, I just took myself out to Harbor Freight and bought myself the foldable motorcycle trailer I've been wanting. The Trailer In A Bag which I've been over-using for several years doesn't even belong to me, and it went under 5' of salt water during Hurricane Sandy. I've been using it all season anyway, but even I have been nervously concerned about safety lately. My new trailer needs assembly, and I'll feel better if I stiffen up some of the less robust parts, but it was on sale for less than $300!!!!! Yay. I think I like buying myself presents.

The Long Beach, Ca Motorcycle show is this weekend, Dec 6, 7, 8. I will be there all weekend, talking with people regarding The Motorcycle Safety Foundation and its Basic Rider Course. Come say hi! I should be with the California Highway Patrol booth on Friday night and with the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation coalition for the rest of the Weekend.

Wish I could come to the NY show too. :(

The motorcycle show was seriously under-attended in NYC this year. The weather was dreadful enough to keep many of the usual attendees home, and the early date discouraged some of the usual vendors. It was still fabulous, and it was great to catch up with the riders I only get to see once a year at this event. I bought myself a Condor wheel chock for my not-yet-assembled trailer, plus a few other goodies. I can't wait to get my fabulous new trailer on the road.

A beautiful femme friend who is a really new rider, and who currently owns a bike that's not at all appropriate or comfortable for her, came to sit on bikes. I spent some quality time with her looking at all the new models. I knew I liked her! She has great taste in bikes. She liked all the cool ones that were totally appropriate, and hated all the excessive bikes that were 'all show and no go'. I probably shouldn't admit this, but we bought matching lambskin corsets at one of the cheap leather booths, too.

Cheryl, that's wonderful that you helped her understand the importance of finding the right fitting motorcycle. Hopefully at SOME point I can get back there and we can all ride together!

Name the time. Except if your visit falls between Jan. 10th and Feb 9th. I'm taking an epic riding vacation in New Zealand and Australia! I'm not planning much except that I'm landing in Aukland and renting an RF900 so I can ride around aimlessly looking for trouble. Then I fly to Melbourne on Jan 30th and pick up a borrowed ZZR600. Luckily for me, I'll be in Melbourne for their Pride celebration. Hopefully I'll be allowed to ride in the parade with the Melbourne Dykes On Bikes, and then I'll ride around some more in Australia. It's going to be epic, and I'll come home flat broke but happy.

I'll be happy to hear from anyone with advice on interesting places or events in NZ and/or Australia!

If you're writing a blog about this adventure, I'd love to read it!

Naah. I'm going to have enough trouble just remembering to take photos. I haven't taken pics on any of my other adventures because I felt like I was in the moment, and didn't want to stop to capture something in order to to see it again in some future moment. Now that my memory is dimming I sort of regret those choices.

This is awesome. A motorcycle powered by bacon. No, I'm not making this up:

http://drivenbybacon.com

The first bike I ever rode was a 1977 AMF - Harley Davidson. 250 cc.
It was purple in colour, it was bad ass, I was 14.
My father purchased the bike for the “family” 6 kids. I was the only one
who rode it. No one could pry my hands from the bars.
I drove the bike illegally for about 2 yrs and after numerous small wipe outs I finally
had to put it out to pasture after I went flying into a ditch. I flew over the handle bars face first into black berry brambles. I had numerous small droplets of blood running down my face and one tear.

That's a great story. I hope your trip is fantastic.

This is a great story!!!! PJ...you will LOVE Tail O' the Dragon.....it is very near my homeplace....it is 22 hairpin curves over 11 miles!!! There is a tree of shame....you will have to see.
I was Chapter Director for about 7 years for our group B.R.A.T.S. (Babes riding around the South) a local chapter of Women on Wheels. Group now defunct...sadly! I LOVED our group!!!

Anyway, you will truly love that area of NC! The Smokies is some great riding. Check out Cherohola Skyway for more great riding areas!

Safe travels!

Our first track day of the season on Monday. I'll finally be riding the bike of my dreams. It's a new-to-me BMW S1000RR!!!!

Well we just had the warmest April on record, here in Vancouver BC.
Made for some great early season riding. I currently ride a Kawasaki Ninja 650. Its a fun bike and one of the more comfortable bikes Ive had.

Monday will be my 5th track day on my new-to-me dream bike. I'll be venturing outside the comfort of my home group which holds most of their track days at an older, inferior track. It's also a six hour drive from my house. The far better, far newer track is only four and a half hours away, but my home group is so cool that it's totally worth the extra miles. Nobody ever says stupid stuff about women riding at the track, and the aggression level is quite pleasantly low. Every time I take a track day with a different group at the beautiful, new, and relatively close track, and I mean EVERY single time, with every single group, the attendees are overwhelmingly stupid and cursed with testosterone poisoning. They make idiotic comments about gender in general and my gender in particular. They're in some sort of primal competition at all times, and they're just plain irritating to be around. Not to mention that it's not particularly safe to be out on the track with men who are so desperately afraid of a GRRRRRRLLL passing them that they do really stupid stuff when I zip by. I hope this turns out well.

It was fantastic! Idiot quotient was set on low. Very low. Yay! There were at least 6 other women in attendance. I would go back to another track day with the new group in a heartbeat. YAY!!!!!