Slightly OT....I'd like to learn to ride off-road...as I'd like to get a Adventure Touring bike next and actually get the thing dirty and dented...
Any idea where I can learn good technique?
Like most things... the best way to learn is to do.
There is tonnes of offroad how to and tips online, best resource would be go to the thumpertalk message boards... heaps of info, unless you have a specific question?
Slightly OT....I'd like to learn to ride off-road...as I'd like to get a Adventure Touring bike next and actually get the thing dirty and dented...
Any idea where I can learn good technique?
I'm sure many will disagree with me, but if you are comfortable with actually riding motorcycles, and not straight out learning how to ride, get yourself a 125cc two stroke.
They force you to ride hard, and learn good technique. You cant ride a 125 fast with poor technique, you have to learn how to flog them to really make them work. But, they are light, simple, cheap to repair, take a beating and once you learn how to keep one on the pipe they are hard to beat for fun factor.
Otherwise a Honda XR is good for putting around and trails. 250cc or, if you can find a clean one, a XR400 is a great offroad bike. Bulletproof and capable.
If you are in decent shape however and want to actually ride instead of putt around trails, go for a 125 two stroke. Just my opinion.
I want to put LED's underneath my bike. I want to put blue, but I am pretty sure blue is illegal so I am thinking green or orange (even though my bike is blue haha).
I've had this conversation with police on two occasions and got similar answers both times. The highlights:
1. Any color that isn't designated for a safety/marker light would be OK. (Red, Amber)
2. The light(s) should not interfere with the visibility of safety/marker lights.
3. The light(s) should not cause a distraction to other drivers (glare, blinding, etc).
Basically, there's nothing stopping you from doing this. I opted not to do so at the time, but have thought about putting some clear lighting under the fairings to improve nighttime visibility.
So f*** the weather. I brought my bike to work today and parked right by a big cement block. Wind picked up hardcore and knocked my bike over. It would have been worse had I not parked by the concrete block (like 3 feet tall), regardless, there is now a huge dent in the gas tank.
FFS, everything I do with my bike seems to go wrong. A new tank will cost me like $200-300 if not more (I think anyway).
I'll take a picture tomorrow, too pissed to look at it right now.
So f*** the weather. I brought my bike to work today and parked right by a big cement block. Wind picked up hardcore and knocked my bike over. It would have been worse had I not parked by the concrete block (like 3 feet tall), regardless, there is now a huge dent in the gas tank.
FFS, everything I do with my bike seems to go wrong. A new tank will cost me like $200-300 if not more (I think anyway).
I'll take a picture tomorrow, too pissed to look at it right now.
Always park your bike tight to a wall, with the bike leaning towards the wall..if it is a sport bike that is. a) the wind is usually a lot gentler next to the wall. b) if it tips, you are usually only buying a 30 dollar bar end.
Cruisers never blow over, but Sport bikes kinda suck for lateral aerodynamics... i.e, the profile has the aerodynamic properties of a queen side mattress .
The Following User Says Thank You to pylon For This Useful Post:
So f*** the weather. I brought my bike to work today and parked right by a big cement block. Wind picked up hardcore and knocked my bike over. It would have been worse had I not parked by the concrete block (like 3 feet tall), regardless, there is now a huge dent in the gas tank.
FFS, everything I do with my bike seems to go wrong. A new tank will cost me like $200-300 if not more (I think anyway).
I'll take a picture tomorrow, too pissed to look at it right now.
Sorry to hear that buddy. Here's some advice......don't fix anything (yet). You've had a slight wipeout and good drop, may as well wait until the offseason to put new parts in.
And keep your chin up - this sh*t happens to everyone!!
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But living an honest life - for that you need the truth. That's the other thing I learned that day, that the truth, however shocking or uncomfortable, leads to liberation and dignity. -Ricky Gervais
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So I am going to raise the bike back up to the stock position since I really don't trust the bike standing still with the new kickstand (too tall for the lowered bike).
It has a Vortex LL671 lowering link now. Is this thing the only thing they would have replaced on the bike to lower it? Looks like:
When I phoned Bow Cycle to see how much it'd cost to raise it up he told me they could do it in an hour so $100, which I find reasonable. Would rather pay the $100 than me screw around with it. My problem is I don't have the stock parts, he asked if I had the wishbone and I don't.
Not knowing what was removed initially, I am 99% sure that the piece I need is the rear arm, which I can get for like ~$40 off eBay. I assume this is the part because it looks similar to the Vortex link, this is the stock part (I believe):
Would I be correct?
I'd drive down there myself and show the pictures and ask the guy, but alas they are all closed Sunday so I'll have to wait for Monday to confirm, unless y'all can help me.
I'm sure many will disagree with me, but if you are comfortable with actually riding motorcycles, and not straight out learning how to ride, get yourself a 125cc two stroke.
They force you to ride hard, and learn good technique. You cant ride a 125 fast with poor technique, you have to learn how to flog them to really make them work. But, they are light, simple, cheap to repair, take a beating and once you learn how to keep one on the pipe they are hard to beat for fun factor.
Otherwise a Honda XR is good for putting around and trails. 250cc or, if you can find a clean one, a XR400 is a great offroad bike. Bulletproof and capable.
If you are in decent shape however and want to actually ride instead of putt around trails, go for a 125 two stroke. Just my opinion.
Thanks! I don't know why but your post doesn't have the THANKS button (is it because of a quote?)
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"WHAT HAVE WE EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US????" -Oiler Fan
"It was a debacle of monumental proportions." -MacT
This is why I always were my gear, no matter the weather. Pictures are graphic.
NSFW!
Dude that's gross. Is that a buddy of yours? Talk about a reality check, eh?
Yeah, sometimes the thought passes through my head to not wear my jacket cuz it's so hot, but I've heard too many stories.
Every time I get on my bike, I think about my wife and 2 young boys and I tell myself "keep the shiny side up".
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Some people are like Slinky's... not really good for anything but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Just thought I'd update you as I ended up buying a bike a few weeks back. Wwasn't sure if I was going to end up buying a bike this season or not but when I saw this bike I fell in love and was driving it home the next day...
'04 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R "Monster" Edition
Got a pretty good deal on all my gear through GW Cycle, they came within $20 on most of my stuff compared to the cheap prices online that I found so decided to buy locally. Only thing I haven't bought yet are riding pants, may wait till the off-season as nothing I've tried in the store fit or felt very good when on the bike.
Over the last couple weeks I've been buying a ton of stuff online for the bike, a bad habit I've attained from my car building days. So far I've ordered OES Black/White frame sliders, Driven 520 chain/sprocket "Power Up" Kit, HealTech Speedo Healer, Black/White "Monster" Fuel cap and a Black/White "Monster" Tank Pad.
Debating getting a Power Commander and HID's but we'll see haha
Hey guys, so I've put quite a lot of KM on my tires and looks like I need new ones. Any suggestions on where to get them in Calgary? Preferably the cheapest. I already have an idea of which tire I want, either the same I have now, Pirelli Diablo Corsa 3, or other ones good for the R6.
