(To be clear, "waterproof" in the title means weatherproof... not 2 meters under water)
Interphone is a division of Cellular Line, the biggest cell phone accessories maker in Europe. Interphone products are designed for the motorcycle and power sport enthusiast and include waterproof Bluetooth motorcycle intercoms and accessories. Naturally if you are riding with a waterproof motorcycle headset there is a good chance that circumstances will arise where your audio source, a GPS or phone, may need to be exposed to the elements as well. So Interphone came up with their motorcycle GPS and iPhone holders with handle mounting kits.
The Interphone SM43 is designed for GPS and electronics with a 4.3" screen (also available is a SM35 for 3.5" screen devices). The holder / case is made up of thick but flexible plastic, a water resistant zipper and clear screen cover which is just thin enough that you can use an electrostatic touch screen through it (with effort and sometimes multiple attempts). It has a pass through port for the device power cord and a D-link for connecting the included tether to the handle bars. Three different thicknesses of spacers are also included to put behind the device and keep it tight against the clear protector window.
The Interphone iPhone 4 / 4S case with motorcycle mount is a hard plastic clam shell that splits the depth of the phone with a hinge at the top, rubber cushion and water sealing around the edges and a latching clamp on each side which hold pressure on the sealing surface. It has provisions for both of the iPhone cameras, a charging port and the headphone jack. Because the top hinge is outside the shell and the charging connector area is inside the case (it seals around the cable) the total length of the Interphone case extends the iPhone length by about an inch. For this reason you would not want to use the Interphone iPhone case as a normal every day case but the design allows for easy entry and removal of the phone when you do want to use the iPhone on your motorcycle.
All of the Interphone holders slide on to the motorcycle handle bar mounts and lock in with a plastic tab. Prying down the tab with one finger allows the holder to slide off the mount and quickly be removed while the mount stays on the bike. When you buy the device holders, you can choose either a round bar mount clamp or a non-round mounting system. Both are made entirely of plastic and are not particularly robust but do their job fine. The round handle bar clamp is quite simple. It includes 3 positions for different handle bar diameters from 3/4" up to 1 1/8". A simple thumb screw is used for tightening it on to the motorcycle handle bar. There is a ball and socket that allows the device connecting point to be swiveled 360 degrees and angled about 15 degrees in any direction. This 15 degree angle is NOT enough to allow it to be mounted to the riser part of the handle bars. It must be installed on the horizontal area of the handle bar. We would have preferred to have a more flexible or adjustable design but so long as you have a free horizontal area on your bars it will work great. The 2nd mounting option, for non-tubular motorcycle bars, is less elegant. It is essentially a giant ¾" wide zip tie that can be released and reused or re-adjusted. It does however have 2 ball / socket hinge points about 3" apart and allows for more mounting options than the simple tubular mounting hardware.
If you need a quick simple solution for mounting your GPS or iPhone on your motorcycle handle bars and are worried about the weather, the Interphone cell phone holders may fill your needs perfectly. If you are looking for a robust design that can handle adventure touring, light or heavy off road use consider the RAM Mount line up instead.
Showing posts with label Motorcycle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motorcycle. Show all posts
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
H-D Revisited: Motorcycle Adapted for Armed Forces Use
Harley-Davidson debuted its 45 " (750cc), 4 camshaft, 45-degree V-twins (labeled 45) in 1929 and officially called this design the DL. This motorcycle includes a vertical generator that's driven by a helical gear.
H-D released a modified style in 1932 known as RL, that includes a generator that is similar with the lower part. In 1937, Harley-Davidson began generating the up graded WL, that includes a re-distributing petrol system. All older models have total loss oil systems. These bikes specified for mild biking and have a top speed of 55 or 60 mph, depending on the gear weight. In 1939, H-D started out transforming its bikes to suit US military demands, making a motorcycle for the Army before the US was even in the war.
At first glance, there are a number of variations that stand out on a civilian WL as well as the military WLA. The WLA is installed with a firearm scabbard, a bullet compartment, lower leg guards, a skid plate, big bags, a rugged baggage rack, and tall fitted side mirrors. While these are generally most of the noticeable differences, there are a number of more fine improvements. Even though the primary design of the WLA is the same as a private H-D 45, most of the components are distinct when compared with their private cousins. As an example, one of the biggest concerns with the military 45s was getting spotted by attack planes. The solution for this problem was to dress up the motorcycles with dark colored equipment. The headlight has a metallic cover above the lens and reflector that has a small hood emerging from the top part that permits a beam of light to shine ahead of the motorcycle; it can be seen at on the ground and not from above. Equivalent lights were installed at the rear of the motorbike for taillights and brake lights. The dashboard lights, which happens to be caution lights to inform the driver if he's got a problem with the charging mechanism or if perhaps the petrol isn't distributing, are also blacked out. Instead of the typical lenses, they get black lenses with a small 0.090" hole punched directly into them, in case mechanism fails and the warning signals came on, an aircraft wouldn't discover the bikes, yet the rider could.
The WLA motor is kind of the same as the standard edition WL, with just a few minimal differences. The heads have reduce compression versions, plus the return engine oil pump has a little fitting for a petrol line that goes to the back chain. The carb incorporates a fixed, high-speed needle to shield the bike from some farm dude power-tuning the motorbike and burning up the motor. The common copper fine mesh air filter was exchanged with an oil bath air cleanser, which is the same as the filtering design and style applied to semi-trailers.
And also the tires are produced from diverse rubber. Due to material reduction at the time of the war, wheels and other rubberized parts were made of a synthetic rubber chemical substance. Anything from autos to buses needed to start using these type of tires in order to contribute in the war effort. Interestingly, WLAs yet used rubber hand grips much like the pre-war private bikes. The rubber foot-board mats were replaced with metallic mats sometime around the early 40s.
Other tweaks are the fuel and oil tank, which have been fitted with additional drains and bungs. The fenders had the skirts eliminated and so mud and dirt could simply be rinsed off the tires. And also the saddle was modified to be a more robust and stronger piece. The seat pan has an extra bit of metal on the exterior lip and 3 rivets that go through the cover to secure the seam from tearing in the event the motorbike falls over.
As soon as the conflict ended, H-D had produced over 70,000 motorbikes for the war effort, together with thousands upon thousands of various other spare parts to help keep the bikes running. These motorcycles are great bikes that did their part to win the war.
H-D released a modified style in 1932 known as RL, that includes a generator that is similar with the lower part. In 1937, Harley-Davidson began generating the up graded WL, that includes a re-distributing petrol system. All older models have total loss oil systems. These bikes specified for mild biking and have a top speed of 55 or 60 mph, depending on the gear weight. In 1939, H-D started out transforming its bikes to suit US military demands, making a motorcycle for the Army before the US was even in the war.
At first glance, there are a number of variations that stand out on a civilian WL as well as the military WLA. The WLA is installed with a firearm scabbard, a bullet compartment, lower leg guards, a skid plate, big bags, a rugged baggage rack, and tall fitted side mirrors. While these are generally most of the noticeable differences, there are a number of more fine improvements. Even though the primary design of the WLA is the same as a private H-D 45, most of the components are distinct when compared with their private cousins. As an example, one of the biggest concerns with the military 45s was getting spotted by attack planes. The solution for this problem was to dress up the motorcycles with dark colored equipment. The headlight has a metallic cover above the lens and reflector that has a small hood emerging from the top part that permits a beam of light to shine ahead of the motorcycle; it can be seen at on the ground and not from above. Equivalent lights were installed at the rear of the motorbike for taillights and brake lights. The dashboard lights, which happens to be caution lights to inform the driver if he's got a problem with the charging mechanism or if perhaps the petrol isn't distributing, are also blacked out. Instead of the typical lenses, they get black lenses with a small 0.090" hole punched directly into them, in case mechanism fails and the warning signals came on, an aircraft wouldn't discover the bikes, yet the rider could.
The WLA motor is kind of the same as the standard edition WL, with just a few minimal differences. The heads have reduce compression versions, plus the return engine oil pump has a little fitting for a petrol line that goes to the back chain. The carb incorporates a fixed, high-speed needle to shield the bike from some farm dude power-tuning the motorbike and burning up the motor. The common copper fine mesh air filter was exchanged with an oil bath air cleanser, which is the same as the filtering design and style applied to semi-trailers.
And also the tires are produced from diverse rubber. Due to material reduction at the time of the war, wheels and other rubberized parts were made of a synthetic rubber chemical substance. Anything from autos to buses needed to start using these type of tires in order to contribute in the war effort. Interestingly, WLAs yet used rubber hand grips much like the pre-war private bikes. The rubber foot-board mats were replaced with metallic mats sometime around the early 40s.
Other tweaks are the fuel and oil tank, which have been fitted with additional drains and bungs. The fenders had the skirts eliminated and so mud and dirt could simply be rinsed off the tires. And also the saddle was modified to be a more robust and stronger piece. The seat pan has an extra bit of metal on the exterior lip and 3 rivets that go through the cover to secure the seam from tearing in the event the motorbike falls over.
As soon as the conflict ended, H-D had produced over 70,000 motorbikes for the war effort, together with thousands upon thousands of various other spare parts to help keep the bikes running. These motorcycles are great bikes that did their part to win the war.
Horizon Bars - Fully Adjustable Motorcycle Handle Bars From HeliBars
Want to ride your cruiser or sport touring motorcycle for six, eight or even 10 hours in a day without your back killing you? You better make your motorcycle fit you. Long distance motorcycle riders know that to be able to enjoy riding for hours at a time the motorcycle seating and handle bar positions must be perfect. Although there are lots of different handle bar shapes and risers available, only one handle bar system, the Horizon Bars from Heli Modified, allows you to independently adjust reach, height and wrist angle.
HeliBars are made in Maine and come in different sizes and shapes for Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha and BMW motorcycles. Most models raise the sport bike's handle bars by about 2" and push them back towards the rider 1" - 2" allowing the rider to sit more upright and transfer weight off the wrists. Now Heli Modified has an adjustable solution for cruisers and sport touring motorcycle models called the Horizon Bar. They come in 7" to 11" chrome or black models. Most motorcycle handle bars are only adjustable one direction (rotating forward / backward at the top of the forks) and rotating them towards the rider for a shorter reach also causes the hand grips to go down and wrist angle to no longer align straight with the forearm. The Horizon Bars motorcycle handle bar system has two extra hinge points allowing the height of the bar to be adjusted separate from the reach as well as a wrist angle adjustment.
Safety & Features
The Horizon Bars motorcycle system has been designed for use on Harley Davidson and some other cruiser models. They have safety features built into the design to prevent loss of control in the case that one of the hinge points becomes loose. Also, provisions are made for models with internal wiring or cabling. Bar riser HeliBars have been available for the Honda ST1300, Yamaha FJR and Kawasaki Concours which raise the bars and lower the reach. Now Heli offers bike specific adjustable Horizon Bars for these sport touring motorcycles so that riders can make the motorcycle fit them and enjoy riding even longer days.
Installation
Installing the Horizon Bars motorcycle handle bar system is simple but does take some time. In some instances the brake or clutch lines will have to be extended or replaced. They are 1" diameter bars so normal clamps and motorcycle hand grips will fit properly.
Don't take another ride with your back or wrists stretched. Instead, stretch your horizon by installing a set of Horizon Bars on your bike.
HeliBars are made in Maine and come in different sizes and shapes for Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha and BMW motorcycles. Most models raise the sport bike's handle bars by about 2" and push them back towards the rider 1" - 2" allowing the rider to sit more upright and transfer weight off the wrists. Now Heli Modified has an adjustable solution for cruisers and sport touring motorcycle models called the Horizon Bar. They come in 7" to 11" chrome or black models. Most motorcycle handle bars are only adjustable one direction (rotating forward / backward at the top of the forks) and rotating them towards the rider for a shorter reach also causes the hand grips to go down and wrist angle to no longer align straight with the forearm. The Horizon Bars motorcycle handle bar system has two extra hinge points allowing the height of the bar to be adjusted separate from the reach as well as a wrist angle adjustment.
Safety & Features
The Horizon Bars motorcycle system has been designed for use on Harley Davidson and some other cruiser models. They have safety features built into the design to prevent loss of control in the case that one of the hinge points becomes loose. Also, provisions are made for models with internal wiring or cabling. Bar riser HeliBars have been available for the Honda ST1300, Yamaha FJR and Kawasaki Concours which raise the bars and lower the reach. Now Heli offers bike specific adjustable Horizon Bars for these sport touring motorcycles so that riders can make the motorcycle fit them and enjoy riding even longer days.
Installation
Installing the Horizon Bars motorcycle handle bar system is simple but does take some time. In some instances the brake or clutch lines will have to be extended or replaced. They are 1" diameter bars so normal clamps and motorcycle hand grips will fit properly.
Don't take another ride with your back or wrists stretched. Instead, stretch your horizon by installing a set of Horizon Bars on your bike.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Motorcycle Drivers Never Ride Without These
Mini Tool Set
Let's start simple with a device that even the extremely inept can easily enjoy this tool collection by BikeMaster. This particular unit is one thing that almost any biker must have within his saddle bag at all times, especially if you don't carry a whole set of tool box. Whether you only driven off the road together with your new bike or you have spent the past 3 years fixing a bike that's older than you, who knows when bad things could strike.
This smart tool consists of a cross and standard (straight) head screwdrivers, can opener, 4mm square driver, file and ruler, mini saw, bottle opener, sharp and smooth awls plus a 3" cutting tool. One cool feature of this tool set is the LED flashlight snugly tucked in the whole thing. Unless you know your motorcycle and its motor engine better than the back of your hand, this pocket tool will certainly help find the initial cause on the technical trouble and make things convenient as you fix it all at once and not having the need to take up too much time and effort in the beginning.
Bike Alarm
Needless to say, you would not waste all this cash on awesome gizmos just to let them walk away with a thief (it seems people were certainly not educated concerning stranger-danger in school). Help keep your bike safe with the highest quality alert and lock system like the Electronic Granit Detecto 800 Disc Lock system. Along with a 14mm hardened bolt and 3-D location management, the alarm will make a noisy scandal if it discovers virtually any location changes or anyone tries to get rid of the lock. Bikes don't come cheap and we both know that. Keep your investment guarded with alarm systems.
GPS
Some of us are basically flat out challenged in finding our way in uncharted terrains. Well, there is a good reason why Garmin pretty much has that spot on this business centered both for automobiles and bikes.
Now, together with their new Zumo 665 Motorcycle GPS, definitely there is not a particular detail we could imagine that a driver would want in a Global Positioning System unit. It was designed particularly for motorcyclists, so it is waterproof, glove friendly and will speak detailed instructions right into your headset. And you can create speech reminders, catch XM radio stations in the U.S. and also is FM signal friendly. It's like enjoying a small helper sit on your bike and tell you everything you should know. Apparently, it won't get your dry cleaning chores for you.
Let's start simple with a device that even the extremely inept can easily enjoy this tool collection by BikeMaster. This particular unit is one thing that almost any biker must have within his saddle bag at all times, especially if you don't carry a whole set of tool box. Whether you only driven off the road together with your new bike or you have spent the past 3 years fixing a bike that's older than you, who knows when bad things could strike.
This smart tool consists of a cross and standard (straight) head screwdrivers, can opener, 4mm square driver, file and ruler, mini saw, bottle opener, sharp and smooth awls plus a 3" cutting tool. One cool feature of this tool set is the LED flashlight snugly tucked in the whole thing. Unless you know your motorcycle and its motor engine better than the back of your hand, this pocket tool will certainly help find the initial cause on the technical trouble and make things convenient as you fix it all at once and not having the need to take up too much time and effort in the beginning.
Bike Alarm
Needless to say, you would not waste all this cash on awesome gizmos just to let them walk away with a thief (it seems people were certainly not educated concerning stranger-danger in school). Help keep your bike safe with the highest quality alert and lock system like the Electronic Granit Detecto 800 Disc Lock system. Along with a 14mm hardened bolt and 3-D location management, the alarm will make a noisy scandal if it discovers virtually any location changes or anyone tries to get rid of the lock. Bikes don't come cheap and we both know that. Keep your investment guarded with alarm systems.
GPS
Some of us are basically flat out challenged in finding our way in uncharted terrains. Well, there is a good reason why Garmin pretty much has that spot on this business centered both for automobiles and bikes.
Now, together with their new Zumo 665 Motorcycle GPS, definitely there is not a particular detail we could imagine that a driver would want in a Global Positioning System unit. It was designed particularly for motorcyclists, so it is waterproof, glove friendly and will speak detailed instructions right into your headset. And you can create speech reminders, catch XM radio stations in the U.S. and also is FM signal friendly. It's like enjoying a small helper sit on your bike and tell you everything you should know. Apparently, it won't get your dry cleaning chores for you.
Motorcycle Communications
Riding a motorcycle can be one of the most solitary things you can do with a group of friends. You're out there on your Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Nomad and your buddy is on his Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Adventure, you're riding together, but you're alone in your own mind. If you ride for 100 miles without stopping you are occupied with your own thoughts just as if you were on a desert island all by yourself.
Unless, of course, you have a helmet to helmet communicator set. Then it's a whole other world.
Communicators come in a variety of designs. If all you want to be able to do is talk with your passenger you can get systems that are connected by wires that directly link the two of you. If you want to talk to another rider on another bike you'll need something using radio waves. Then the choices are between frequencies such as those used in citizen's band (CB) radios, which carry over considerable distance, and the newer Bluetooth systems that are more limited in their range.
Another option has to do with the microphone set-up that captures your voice when you talk. Some systems use a boom, which is an arm that reaches around to hold the mic right in front of your mouth. Others dispense with the boom. And then there is the issue of activating the mic. You don't particularly want to be transmitting endless wind noise to your buddy at times when you're not talking.
So let's run through some of the pros and cons.
If all you want to do is talk with your passenger, you can't go wrong with a wired system. They're light and inexpensive, and with no need for radio reception you are free of the interference and bleeding in of other people's cell phone conversations.
But do you want to hassle with the boom? Some systems are better than others, but the boom can be a pain. If it's not located at just the right spot it may not pick up your voice very well. And if it is voice-activated it may be necessary to say something, even "La la la" at first, so your buddy won't miss the first couple words of what you have to say.
This is where the Bluetooth sets shine. You know your passenger is never going to be out of range; they're right behind you on the bike. Plus, many of them use very high-tech systems that cancel out wind and motor noise, and they have a tiny microphone attached directly to the speakers, which are near your ears inside your helmet. Despite being up by your ears, the mics do a terrific job of picking up your voice, with the result that you just talk as if you were standing side by side. They draw very little power so the mic is always on until perhaps you haven't spoken for 10 minutes. That way, there's no "ummmmm" to activate things, and if it does shut down after 10 minutes, voice-activation does bring them back on.
And then, one additional factor is that some Bluetooth systems allow you to connect with your Bluetooth-enabled smart phone and make phone calls as you ride, or connect to your Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player and listen to music.
Bike to bike communication is a different matter. With a CB system you can have an unlimited number of riders all on the same frequency, and you can communicate even when you are several miles apart. With the Bluetooth systems the range is only about one-quarter of a mile. Plus, those systems generally only allow communication between two users at any one time.
But the CB systems, at least those on the market today, generally use the booms. For some people this is not an issue, while others find them very annoying. It's all up to you.
Unless, of course, you have a helmet to helmet communicator set. Then it's a whole other world.
Communicators come in a variety of designs. If all you want to be able to do is talk with your passenger you can get systems that are connected by wires that directly link the two of you. If you want to talk to another rider on another bike you'll need something using radio waves. Then the choices are between frequencies such as those used in citizen's band (CB) radios, which carry over considerable distance, and the newer Bluetooth systems that are more limited in their range.
Another option has to do with the microphone set-up that captures your voice when you talk. Some systems use a boom, which is an arm that reaches around to hold the mic right in front of your mouth. Others dispense with the boom. And then there is the issue of activating the mic. You don't particularly want to be transmitting endless wind noise to your buddy at times when you're not talking.
So let's run through some of the pros and cons.
If all you want to do is talk with your passenger, you can't go wrong with a wired system. They're light and inexpensive, and with no need for radio reception you are free of the interference and bleeding in of other people's cell phone conversations.
But do you want to hassle with the boom? Some systems are better than others, but the boom can be a pain. If it's not located at just the right spot it may not pick up your voice very well. And if it is voice-activated it may be necessary to say something, even "La la la" at first, so your buddy won't miss the first couple words of what you have to say.
This is where the Bluetooth sets shine. You know your passenger is never going to be out of range; they're right behind you on the bike. Plus, many of them use very high-tech systems that cancel out wind and motor noise, and they have a tiny microphone attached directly to the speakers, which are near your ears inside your helmet. Despite being up by your ears, the mics do a terrific job of picking up your voice, with the result that you just talk as if you were standing side by side. They draw very little power so the mic is always on until perhaps you haven't spoken for 10 minutes. That way, there's no "ummmmm" to activate things, and if it does shut down after 10 minutes, voice-activation does bring them back on.
And then, one additional factor is that some Bluetooth systems allow you to connect with your Bluetooth-enabled smart phone and make phone calls as you ride, or connect to your Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player and listen to music.
Bike to bike communication is a different matter. With a CB system you can have an unlimited number of riders all on the same frequency, and you can communicate even when you are several miles apart. With the Bluetooth systems the range is only about one-quarter of a mile. Plus, those systems generally only allow communication between two users at any one time.
But the CB systems, at least those on the market today, generally use the booms. For some people this is not an issue, while others find them very annoying. It's all up to you.
Monday, 17 September 2012
Motorcycle - The Economical Mode of Motorized Transport
Motorcycle is the most economical mode of motorized transport. It normally has two or three wheels. The majority of the motorcycles in the world are found in the developing countries. India and China are the largest users of these bikes. When you consider the global statistics, you will find that for every 1000 people there are 33 motorcycles as against 91 cars per 1000 people. China produces 22 million motorcycles annually. Also, at the moment China has 54 million motorcycles that are in use.
The first motorcycle with an internal combustion engine was manufactured by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in 1885. Since their main objective was to test their new engine, they didn't make it a good riding machine. However, they go on record as the manufacturers of the first motorcycle. Afterwards, many manufacturers produced such machines but many of them went their own ways without concentrating on motorcycles.
However, the manufacture of motorcycles got streamlined and after the World War II BSA of England became the largest manufacturer. From then onwards better machines were developed and Japan's Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki became the leaders. Presently it is the Indian companies that dominate the motorcycle manufacture.
There are different varieties of motorcycles. The three main types are the street cycles, the ones used offroad and the dual purpose motorcycles. There are also subtypes within these three types. Sports bikes, cruisers, mopeds and scooters belong to this category. The off roaders are normally not permitted on roads but they are good for participating in events such as motor crosses. Dual purpose ones are designed for both on and offroad use.
When it comes to safety, motorcycles score poorly. Figures in the US explain this amply. In 2005 for 100,000 cars 18.62 fatal accidents have taken place. For the same number of motorcycles the rate was 75.19 more than 4 times the fatality rate for cars. When it comes to vehicle miles, for 100 million there were 1.56 of fatalities with passenger cars but the same for motor cycles was 43.47. It was 28 times more.
Fuel economy of motorcycles varies according to the engine capacity, weight and the size of the motorcycles. A powerful one may do only around 29 miles per gallon. However, one designed to be light in weight and to get better fuel economy may run 129 miles per gallon. There are also some new models that are able to provide still better fuel economy.
The first motorcycle with an internal combustion engine was manufactured by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in 1885. Since their main objective was to test their new engine, they didn't make it a good riding machine. However, they go on record as the manufacturers of the first motorcycle. Afterwards, many manufacturers produced such machines but many of them went their own ways without concentrating on motorcycles.
However, the manufacture of motorcycles got streamlined and after the World War II BSA of England became the largest manufacturer. From then onwards better machines were developed and Japan's Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki became the leaders. Presently it is the Indian companies that dominate the motorcycle manufacture.
There are different varieties of motorcycles. The three main types are the street cycles, the ones used offroad and the dual purpose motorcycles. There are also subtypes within these three types. Sports bikes, cruisers, mopeds and scooters belong to this category. The off roaders are normally not permitted on roads but they are good for participating in events such as motor crosses. Dual purpose ones are designed for both on and offroad use.
When it comes to safety, motorcycles score poorly. Figures in the US explain this amply. In 2005 for 100,000 cars 18.62 fatal accidents have taken place. For the same number of motorcycles the rate was 75.19 more than 4 times the fatality rate for cars. When it comes to vehicle miles, for 100 million there were 1.56 of fatalities with passenger cars but the same for motor cycles was 43.47. It was 28 times more.
Fuel economy of motorcycles varies according to the engine capacity, weight and the size of the motorcycles. A powerful one may do only around 29 miles per gallon. However, one designed to be light in weight and to get better fuel economy may run 129 miles per gallon. There are also some new models that are able to provide still better fuel economy.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Motorcycle Product Reviews: Stuff for Your Long Drive
Bike Mitts
I'm definitely not an enthusiast of fancy, high-tech bike gloves. In fact, in the past decade, my favorite gloves are actually a set of utilitarian, multi-use Olympia bike gloves which feature an adjustable high glove, along with strengthened knuckle and palm guards. And that's about it! Basically, they're basic motorbike gloves.
However, my journey with those rugged Olympia leather gloves ultimately came to an end as soon as a couple of fingertips finally wore through. Immediately, my first thought was to change these for Olympia's best and newest release, the 410 Gel Sport, that's basically a refined type of what I had been wearing since 1999. Similar characteristics include the long glove with hassle-free hook-and-loop adjustment and strengthened (dual-wrapping leather) in crucial spots.
But the latest gloves are improved, and have silicon gel padding in the palms section of the gloves for improved comfort, plus a unique side cut in the glove for better fit over jacket sleeves. Or else, the newer Olympia resembles to what I've been using, so there aren't any bulging composite guards on the knuckles, or articulated finger pads to encumber the cruise. Even though Olympia provides a similar glove with padding (4350 All Season I), there is no lining within the 410 to further distance my grip from feeling the hand controls. To put it briefly, the 410 Gel Sport safety gloves would be the ideal alternative to the worn out and tattered safety gloves that was with me for lots of memorable miles.
Motorbike Carrying Pack
Flexibility is a useful asset for motorbike gear luggage. A carrier ought to haul enough cargo, be simple and effortless to get access to, and fit a selection of motorbikes. The Overnight bag from Harley-Davidson is undoubtedly a tote, the one that is attached to a passenger bar or, due to its 16-1/2"x 12"x 11" sizing, stows along with or inside a Tour-Pak.
The bag itself is manufactured from processed 1,680-denier ballistic nylon that retains its form and has a UV-resistant coating to help its black color resist the sun's rays. Refractive 3M Scotchlite lining improves night time visibility by other vehicles, and an integrated 190-denier, rip-stop nylon rain cover up that tucks into one of the two-zipper sided pockets helps keep your gear dry throughout foul weather biking. Curved zipper grips are really easy to utilize even with gloves, and a short nylon net inside the primary section's cavernous mouth helps prevent objects from dropping out when searching your gear.
The Overnight carrier includes a Spandex mounting system that slides over the motorcycle's passenger bar, plus a number of plastic-type D-rings (two on each corner) for affixing bungee cords, additionally two abbreviated, web-nylon bands permit you easily to set up the bag firmly to the motorbike. I always found it better to use added bungee cords to prevent load shift. A big grip makes it easy to carry your bag from motorcycle to hotel room. A removable shoulder band is also supplied.
I'm definitely not an enthusiast of fancy, high-tech bike gloves. In fact, in the past decade, my favorite gloves are actually a set of utilitarian, multi-use Olympia bike gloves which feature an adjustable high glove, along with strengthened knuckle and palm guards. And that's about it! Basically, they're basic motorbike gloves.
However, my journey with those rugged Olympia leather gloves ultimately came to an end as soon as a couple of fingertips finally wore through. Immediately, my first thought was to change these for Olympia's best and newest release, the 410 Gel Sport, that's basically a refined type of what I had been wearing since 1999. Similar characteristics include the long glove with hassle-free hook-and-loop adjustment and strengthened (dual-wrapping leather) in crucial spots.
But the latest gloves are improved, and have silicon gel padding in the palms section of the gloves for improved comfort, plus a unique side cut in the glove for better fit over jacket sleeves. Or else, the newer Olympia resembles to what I've been using, so there aren't any bulging composite guards on the knuckles, or articulated finger pads to encumber the cruise. Even though Olympia provides a similar glove with padding (4350 All Season I), there is no lining within the 410 to further distance my grip from feeling the hand controls. To put it briefly, the 410 Gel Sport safety gloves would be the ideal alternative to the worn out and tattered safety gloves that was with me for lots of memorable miles.
Motorbike Carrying Pack
Flexibility is a useful asset for motorbike gear luggage. A carrier ought to haul enough cargo, be simple and effortless to get access to, and fit a selection of motorbikes. The Overnight bag from Harley-Davidson is undoubtedly a tote, the one that is attached to a passenger bar or, due to its 16-1/2"x 12"x 11" sizing, stows along with or inside a Tour-Pak.
The bag itself is manufactured from processed 1,680-denier ballistic nylon that retains its form and has a UV-resistant coating to help its black color resist the sun's rays. Refractive 3M Scotchlite lining improves night time visibility by other vehicles, and an integrated 190-denier, rip-stop nylon rain cover up that tucks into one of the two-zipper sided pockets helps keep your gear dry throughout foul weather biking. Curved zipper grips are really easy to utilize even with gloves, and a short nylon net inside the primary section's cavernous mouth helps prevent objects from dropping out when searching your gear.
The Overnight carrier includes a Spandex mounting system that slides over the motorcycle's passenger bar, plus a number of plastic-type D-rings (two on each corner) for affixing bungee cords, additionally two abbreviated, web-nylon bands permit you easily to set up the bag firmly to the motorbike. I always found it better to use added bungee cords to prevent load shift. A big grip makes it easy to carry your bag from motorcycle to hotel room. A removable shoulder band is also supplied.
Motorcycle Theft and Fraud - Be Aware!
49,791 Motorcycles were stolen during 2010 according to reports by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The popularity of motorcycles has been on the rise in recent years and it's caught the attention of thieves. A gang of 3 or 4 people can make off with a motorcycle in a matter of minutes, and the bikes can be stripped down for parts in a very short period of time after that. For these reasons it's more important than ever to take precautions to protect your bike.
You are at especially high risk if you live in a state with year round riding weather. California, Florida, and Texas are all in the top 5 states with the most thefts. Interestingly enough, Honda is the top make to be stolen with the other Japanese powerhouses (Suzuki, Yamaha, & Kawasaki) not far behind. This is most likely because they sell a large number of sport bikes which can be resold more easily than a custom Harley Davidson for example. The more customized a motorcycle is, the higher risk factor for the thief. The lesson here is to customize your bike, make it less appealing for criminals while making it more appealing to you and other riders.
You've invested thousands of dollars into your motorcycle, don't let some bad guy take it from you. The recovery rate for motorcycles is quite low, so if your bike is stolen don't hold your breath for its return. What you should do instead is act preemptively. There are some things you can do without spending a dime to make your bike less appealing to thieves. Try to park in view of a security camera, and never park behind a big truck or other object that can hide your bike. You want it right out in plain sight. You can also spend a little bit of money and install a security system on your bike. If the bike is moved while the alarm is activated it will often times scare away a would be thief. Another piece of technological magic is the GPS locator. You can buy one of these little sweethearts and mount it to your bike. This works two-fold, it alerts you if your bike is moved without your consent, and it will also provide information to authorities to increase your chances of getting the motorcycle recovered.
I'd also like to touch on another problem caused by the criminal world, motorcycle fraud. Essentially people are selling bikes that are not authentic at a high price. For example, somebody might build a custom cruiser from cheap aftermarket parts and try to sell it as an authentic Harley Davidson. They could have a couple thousand into it and sell it for $15,000 and the buyer would be out all that money for a cheap knock off. Always ask to see the title when buying a motorcycle. Take a good look at the bike, often times you can tell the difference between authentic parts and chinese knock offs. Mostly just be aware, especially of deals that seem too good to be true!
You are at especially high risk if you live in a state with year round riding weather. California, Florida, and Texas are all in the top 5 states with the most thefts. Interestingly enough, Honda is the top make to be stolen with the other Japanese powerhouses (Suzuki, Yamaha, & Kawasaki) not far behind. This is most likely because they sell a large number of sport bikes which can be resold more easily than a custom Harley Davidson for example. The more customized a motorcycle is, the higher risk factor for the thief. The lesson here is to customize your bike, make it less appealing for criminals while making it more appealing to you and other riders.
You've invested thousands of dollars into your motorcycle, don't let some bad guy take it from you. The recovery rate for motorcycles is quite low, so if your bike is stolen don't hold your breath for its return. What you should do instead is act preemptively. There are some things you can do without spending a dime to make your bike less appealing to thieves. Try to park in view of a security camera, and never park behind a big truck or other object that can hide your bike. You want it right out in plain sight. You can also spend a little bit of money and install a security system on your bike. If the bike is moved while the alarm is activated it will often times scare away a would be thief. Another piece of technological magic is the GPS locator. You can buy one of these little sweethearts and mount it to your bike. This works two-fold, it alerts you if your bike is moved without your consent, and it will also provide information to authorities to increase your chances of getting the motorcycle recovered.
I'd also like to touch on another problem caused by the criminal world, motorcycle fraud. Essentially people are selling bikes that are not authentic at a high price. For example, somebody might build a custom cruiser from cheap aftermarket parts and try to sell it as an authentic Harley Davidson. They could have a couple thousand into it and sell it for $15,000 and the buyer would be out all that money for a cheap knock off. Always ask to see the title when buying a motorcycle. Take a good look at the bike, often times you can tell the difference between authentic parts and chinese knock offs. Mostly just be aware, especially of deals that seem too good to be true!
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Motorcycle Talks: Use a Bike and Help Nature
The phrase "carbon footprint" has found its way into our everyday existence, however only few understand what it means. (Almost all comprehend it as something linked to the planet, hybrid cars, and Al Gore.) Primarily, carbon footprint is the level of harm you do to nature with any choice you make. The theory is that, in the event you recycle and don't drive, your carbon footprint is decidedly smaller than someone who drives a couple of hours to work, does not recycle, and has an unlicensed battery dump in his yard.
With your 2 feet, you have two carbon footprints: a primary and (likely larger) secondary. The primary footprint is considered the actual pollutants belonging to the car engine and anything else you use that uses up fossil fuels.
Secondary footprint is much bigger because it encompasses all that you do.
Do you find yourself sporting an imported leather jacket? That jacket used to be a section of an animal in another country. That animal's feed was produced somewhere and trucked to it. In addition, the natural leather curing method can produce a few nasty by-products. The coat got to America by some means and therefore transport operation produced emissions. And why don't you consider the retailer where you bought it, which have to use electrical energy to keep the lights on?
If tested along each other, a motorbike will give off more of some exhaust gasses compared to a car of the same year. However, in regards to C02 emissions, a motorbike generates a small part of exactly what a vehicle does. This will be relevant since C02 emission levels are typically what drives the climate change legal guidelines. The truth that a motorcycle emits much more of other exhaust is to be expected. As machines and vehicles get more compact, it becomes more challenging to use a catalytic converter to find all the exhaust pollutants a vehicle can.
Aside from the principal footprint of crucial CO2 pollutants, there are many things that make motorcycles a lot more nature friendly than cars and trucks. Whenever we think about the common bike's secondary footprint, we discover a compact battery pack, longer life span, less elements used to construct it, much less oil needed, only two small tires, and, naturally, a lot less gasoline to operate. It's also important to keep in mind how motorcycles minimize blockage and don't bring about gridlock. Include those aspects up and bikes are far better for the environment when compared with any car or truck.
After you look at the big picture, it will become crystal clear just how advantageous motorbikes are for our world. The fact is, if you would like reduce your carbon footprint, drive a motorbike.
With your 2 feet, you have two carbon footprints: a primary and (likely larger) secondary. The primary footprint is considered the actual pollutants belonging to the car engine and anything else you use that uses up fossil fuels.
Secondary footprint is much bigger because it encompasses all that you do.
Do you find yourself sporting an imported leather jacket? That jacket used to be a section of an animal in another country. That animal's feed was produced somewhere and trucked to it. In addition, the natural leather curing method can produce a few nasty by-products. The coat got to America by some means and therefore transport operation produced emissions. And why don't you consider the retailer where you bought it, which have to use electrical energy to keep the lights on?
If tested along each other, a motorbike will give off more of some exhaust gasses compared to a car of the same year. However, in regards to C02 emissions, a motorbike generates a small part of exactly what a vehicle does. This will be relevant since C02 emission levels are typically what drives the climate change legal guidelines. The truth that a motorcycle emits much more of other exhaust is to be expected. As machines and vehicles get more compact, it becomes more challenging to use a catalytic converter to find all the exhaust pollutants a vehicle can.
Aside from the principal footprint of crucial CO2 pollutants, there are many things that make motorcycles a lot more nature friendly than cars and trucks. Whenever we think about the common bike's secondary footprint, we discover a compact battery pack, longer life span, less elements used to construct it, much less oil needed, only two small tires, and, naturally, a lot less gasoline to operate. It's also important to keep in mind how motorcycles minimize blockage and don't bring about gridlock. Include those aspects up and bikes are far better for the environment when compared with any car or truck.
After you look at the big picture, it will become crystal clear just how advantageous motorbikes are for our world. The fact is, if you would like reduce your carbon footprint, drive a motorbike.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Powerlet Products - Not For "Normal" Motorcycle Riders
If you think having a cigarette outlet or 12 V power port on your motorcycle is only smokers and people addicted to their cell phones think again. Yes they can help cigarette and cell phone addicts maintain their addictions from the bike but that is just scratching the surface. Powerlet assembles its products in Michigan and has a complete line up of motorcycle electrical solutions. Here are just a few examples.
Motorcycle Power Outlets - Whether you ride a Harley Davidson, a metric cruiser, a Kawasaki sport bike or KTM dual sport, having a 12 V power outlet on your bike will come in handy sooner or later. For long distance riding, being able to keep your GPS or cell phone charged up, powering a CB or (when murphy strikes) having the ability to use a portable electric tire pump can be quite useful. Powerlet has 12V motorcycle outlets for any motorcycle ranging from the most basic motorcycle cigarette outlet kit the $34 PKT-101 which includes a fused battery lead, rubber cap and zip ties for mounting to the $150 chrome Power Bar that provides a very nice solid cigarette outlet or European sized power port on the handle bars. Whether you want a flush panel mount, frame mount, or a simple SAE (Battery Tender style) to cigarette outlet adapter Powerlet has a product that fits your needs perfectly. They have custom kits with the exact length of wire and model specific instructions for most sport and sport touring bikes like the Honda ST1300 and Kawasaki Concours.
Battery Charging Connectors - Unless you are lucky enough to live in a very mild climate you probably ride less miles in the winter. Powerlet makes it easy to keep your battery maintained and ready for spring or for that warm winter afternoon ride. If you have a cigarette outlet on your motorcycle you can use their AAC-002 to plug the SAE 2 pin male / female connector from your battery tender into the outlet. If you have the smaller European / Powerlet style 12V port use the PAC-008 to do the same.
Power In Your Luggage - Ok, so you don't want to have a phone mounted on your handle bars or take calls while you are riding but you would like for it to be charged when you get to your destination. Do you use a GPS in your tank bag or want to charge a device in your saddle bags? Powerlet PTB-001 is a Molded plastic SAE flange that mounts conveniently into any tankbag or saddlebag (soft or hard sided luggage). Easy to install, this bulkhead connector permits power to be passed through the luggage wall. And of course, Powerlet has SAE adpaters for inside the luggage to convert the SAE to cigarette outlet or smaller Powerlet port.
Heated Gear - If winter finds you sitting in the garage staring at your motorcycle or spending more time on the forums than in the saddle, you need heated gear. Powerlet has coax heated gear hardware including battery leads, thermostats, adapters from the power port to coax and heated liners for gloves, pants and jackets. With the proper heated gear you can enjoy riding at much cooler temperatures and extend your riding season.
Do It Yourself - If you have a custom application and need to build your own solution Powerlet also has high quality insulated wire, terminations and ports that can be used to make your own high quality solution.
Motorcycle Power Outlets - Whether you ride a Harley Davidson, a metric cruiser, a Kawasaki sport bike or KTM dual sport, having a 12 V power outlet on your bike will come in handy sooner or later. For long distance riding, being able to keep your GPS or cell phone charged up, powering a CB or (when murphy strikes) having the ability to use a portable electric tire pump can be quite useful. Powerlet has 12V motorcycle outlets for any motorcycle ranging from the most basic motorcycle cigarette outlet kit the $34 PKT-101 which includes a fused battery lead, rubber cap and zip ties for mounting to the $150 chrome Power Bar that provides a very nice solid cigarette outlet or European sized power port on the handle bars. Whether you want a flush panel mount, frame mount, or a simple SAE (Battery Tender style) to cigarette outlet adapter Powerlet has a product that fits your needs perfectly. They have custom kits with the exact length of wire and model specific instructions for most sport and sport touring bikes like the Honda ST1300 and Kawasaki Concours.
Battery Charging Connectors - Unless you are lucky enough to live in a very mild climate you probably ride less miles in the winter. Powerlet makes it easy to keep your battery maintained and ready for spring or for that warm winter afternoon ride. If you have a cigarette outlet on your motorcycle you can use their AAC-002 to plug the SAE 2 pin male / female connector from your battery tender into the outlet. If you have the smaller European / Powerlet style 12V port use the PAC-008 to do the same.
Power In Your Luggage - Ok, so you don't want to have a phone mounted on your handle bars or take calls while you are riding but you would like for it to be charged when you get to your destination. Do you use a GPS in your tank bag or want to charge a device in your saddle bags? Powerlet PTB-001 is a Molded plastic SAE flange that mounts conveniently into any tankbag or saddlebag (soft or hard sided luggage). Easy to install, this bulkhead connector permits power to be passed through the luggage wall. And of course, Powerlet has SAE adpaters for inside the luggage to convert the SAE to cigarette outlet or smaller Powerlet port.
Heated Gear - If winter finds you sitting in the garage staring at your motorcycle or spending more time on the forums than in the saddle, you need heated gear. Powerlet has coax heated gear hardware including battery leads, thermostats, adapters from the power port to coax and heated liners for gloves, pants and jackets. With the proper heated gear you can enjoy riding at much cooler temperatures and extend your riding season.
Do It Yourself - If you have a custom application and need to build your own solution Powerlet also has high quality insulated wire, terminations and ports that can be used to make your own high quality solution.
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Why a Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet Is Safest
So you've bought a motorcycle. You can't wait to get on it and feel the wind in your hair, but first... safety! You need to purchase a helmet, but don't know which one to choose. There are so many different kinds on the market. Your best bet is a Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet.
When you make a purchase of a helmet, you don't want it to be just for looks, or because it's stylish. Skullcaps and three quarter helmets will offer fashion, but not the safety of the Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet. These helmets have very important safety features, both on the inside and outside.
The first thing you want to check the potential helmet for is a deflector that will protect your face and eyes. A good helmet will keep bugs, rocks, and sun glare from your face. You also want to make sure it has a way to keep it firmly on your head. It can have a chin strap or just be certain it is fitted properly and will fit snug and secure.
When looking for a helmet, think of it as a long-term investment. You want it to be light and comfortable. This is where the Carbon Fiber comes in. The Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmets are light-weight and will last forever. You won't find them chipping or cracking, even though they aren't made from a weight heavy material.
Now you might be wondering what Carbon Fiber is and why it is used so often for helmets? This material is made from a fiber-reinforced polymer. The polymer can be vinyl, epoxy, or even polyester. Many helmets will also include a light weight Kevlar as well. All of these materials are known for being used in Sailboats, Motorcycles, and some Race Cars. The material can be expensive, which is why your new CF Motorcycle Helmet can be more costly than a fashion forward helmet.
For a great example as to how great the strength to weight ratio is, let me give you some examples of how Carbon Fiber has been used in other applications. If you have watched the 2012 London Olympics, and tuned into track and field events, I'm sure you've seen Oscar Pistroious run on his man made legs. He needs to be fast and sturdy on them, so what better material to use than Carbon Fiber. The director of the Titanic, James Cameron, also utilized the material for the deep-sea diving equipment he uses. It can withstand the pressures of the ocean and keep him safe.
Once you are ready to hit the open road on your new bike, don't forget to get the most important piece of equipment, your helmet. If you want safety, comfort, and durability, make sure you purchase a Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet!
When you make a purchase of a helmet, you don't want it to be just for looks, or because it's stylish. Skullcaps and three quarter helmets will offer fashion, but not the safety of the Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet. These helmets have very important safety features, both on the inside and outside.
The first thing you want to check the potential helmet for is a deflector that will protect your face and eyes. A good helmet will keep bugs, rocks, and sun glare from your face. You also want to make sure it has a way to keep it firmly on your head. It can have a chin strap or just be certain it is fitted properly and will fit snug and secure.
When looking for a helmet, think of it as a long-term investment. You want it to be light and comfortable. This is where the Carbon Fiber comes in. The Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmets are light-weight and will last forever. You won't find them chipping or cracking, even though they aren't made from a weight heavy material.
Now you might be wondering what Carbon Fiber is and why it is used so often for helmets? This material is made from a fiber-reinforced polymer. The polymer can be vinyl, epoxy, or even polyester. Many helmets will also include a light weight Kevlar as well. All of these materials are known for being used in Sailboats, Motorcycles, and some Race Cars. The material can be expensive, which is why your new CF Motorcycle Helmet can be more costly than a fashion forward helmet.
For a great example as to how great the strength to weight ratio is, let me give you some examples of how Carbon Fiber has been used in other applications. If you have watched the 2012 London Olympics, and tuned into track and field events, I'm sure you've seen Oscar Pistroious run on his man made legs. He needs to be fast and sturdy on them, so what better material to use than Carbon Fiber. The director of the Titanic, James Cameron, also utilized the material for the deep-sea diving equipment he uses. It can withstand the pressures of the ocean and keep him safe.
Once you are ready to hit the open road on your new bike, don't forget to get the most important piece of equipment, your helmet. If you want safety, comfort, and durability, make sure you purchase a Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet!
Trouble With My Motorcycle, Or Is It?
Kawasakis have a reputation for being bullet-proof, meaning you just don't have a lot of mechanical issues with them. You can confidently buy a new Concours 14 and ride it for years with routine maintenance your only expense.
I've had the same kind of excellent experience with my 1999 Concours and so it was very disturbing in May when I was headed southeast of Flagstaff on my way to the Overland Expo and my Connie started acting up. I bought that bike new in 1999 and have about 50,000 miles on it. To this point, the only issue I've had was when an O-ring failed and it started leaking coolant. That put my annual non-routine maintenance expense at about $7.
I had somehow missed my turn coming out of Cortez, CO, and instead of passing by the Four Corners monument I found myself headed due south to Shiprock, NM, and Gallup. That added about 50 miles to my day's ride but by the time I figured it out it wouldn't have saved me anything to go back, so I pressed on. Made a quick stop in Gallup for gas and then jumped on I-40 headed west.
About 100 miles later I reached Holbrook and was ready to stop for lunch. I coasted down the long off-ramp and slowed at the bottom for the sharp right-hander that would put me on the town's main street and the bike died. Now why in the world would it do that?
Worse, it didn't want to start again. I was about 450 miles from home and still 100 miles from my destination and the Arizona sun was blazing down on me. This did not give me a good feeling.
I finally got it started again but the only way it would keep running was if I revved the engine a lot. There was a fast food joint just about 150 yards away so I limped over there and figured I'd eat and see if it ran better after lunch. When I tried it the bike did fire right up, but again it did not want to continue running.
I had inquired as to a motorcycle shop in town and so I headed in that direction. I found Frank's Route 66 Garage right where I had been told and Frank was super helpful. First he suggested I go to a gas station and top off because he felt the problem was probably bad gas and putting good gas in would solve everything. My Connie holds 7.5 gallons, however, and I had only burned 2 gallons since I filled it. Topping it off didn't help.
Next Frank tried spraying carb cleaner down the intakes while I revved the motor. After several minutes that seemed to fix things, I thanked Frank profusely and asked what I owed him and he refused to take a cent. I put the bodywork back on the bike, loaded it up again, and put on my gear. When I started the bike up again, it was the same problem as before. So I took off and hoped I wouldn't be standing broiling in the sun alongside the highway just 30 miles or so down the road.
In Flagstaff I found another shop and the guy there told me he was confident he could solve the problem but be was swamped and would not be able to get to it until Saturday. This was Thursday. Since that wasn't going to work for me, he just twisted the idle dial all the way up and though it ran rough, the engine did not die. I pushed on.
I reached the Overland Expo, down by Mormon Lake, and for the next three days left the bike parked while I hung out with all these adventure-riding folks who have or are planning to do amazing things like riding their motorcycles around the world. It was a good time but in the back of my mind the whole three days was the dread of what would happen when I pushed the starter button again.
Sunday arrived and it was time to leave. I gave the bike full choke and pushed the starter button and it fired to life, though continuing to run rough. I kept on the throttle a long time, letting it warm up, and then took off. Back in Flagstaff I shouldn't have needed gas as it was only 160 miles since I had last filled it, but the needle was pushing empty. And an amazing thing happened as I pulled into the station and stopped: My engine started racing! I had to crank the idle dial way down again.
Bottom line, I figure I must have gotten some bad gas in Gallup, as Frank had suspected, or else there was something clogging my fuel line that had now been cleared away. Either way it ran fine all the way home and continues to run fine. Kawasaki really does make great motorcycles. My annual maintenance expense is still $7.
I've had the same kind of excellent experience with my 1999 Concours and so it was very disturbing in May when I was headed southeast of Flagstaff on my way to the Overland Expo and my Connie started acting up. I bought that bike new in 1999 and have about 50,000 miles on it. To this point, the only issue I've had was when an O-ring failed and it started leaking coolant. That put my annual non-routine maintenance expense at about $7.
I had somehow missed my turn coming out of Cortez, CO, and instead of passing by the Four Corners monument I found myself headed due south to Shiprock, NM, and Gallup. That added about 50 miles to my day's ride but by the time I figured it out it wouldn't have saved me anything to go back, so I pressed on. Made a quick stop in Gallup for gas and then jumped on I-40 headed west.
About 100 miles later I reached Holbrook and was ready to stop for lunch. I coasted down the long off-ramp and slowed at the bottom for the sharp right-hander that would put me on the town's main street and the bike died. Now why in the world would it do that?
Worse, it didn't want to start again. I was about 450 miles from home and still 100 miles from my destination and the Arizona sun was blazing down on me. This did not give me a good feeling.
I finally got it started again but the only way it would keep running was if I revved the engine a lot. There was a fast food joint just about 150 yards away so I limped over there and figured I'd eat and see if it ran better after lunch. When I tried it the bike did fire right up, but again it did not want to continue running.
I had inquired as to a motorcycle shop in town and so I headed in that direction. I found Frank's Route 66 Garage right where I had been told and Frank was super helpful. First he suggested I go to a gas station and top off because he felt the problem was probably bad gas and putting good gas in would solve everything. My Connie holds 7.5 gallons, however, and I had only burned 2 gallons since I filled it. Topping it off didn't help.
Next Frank tried spraying carb cleaner down the intakes while I revved the motor. After several minutes that seemed to fix things, I thanked Frank profusely and asked what I owed him and he refused to take a cent. I put the bodywork back on the bike, loaded it up again, and put on my gear. When I started the bike up again, it was the same problem as before. So I took off and hoped I wouldn't be standing broiling in the sun alongside the highway just 30 miles or so down the road.
In Flagstaff I found another shop and the guy there told me he was confident he could solve the problem but be was swamped and would not be able to get to it until Saturday. This was Thursday. Since that wasn't going to work for me, he just twisted the idle dial all the way up and though it ran rough, the engine did not die. I pushed on.
I reached the Overland Expo, down by Mormon Lake, and for the next three days left the bike parked while I hung out with all these adventure-riding folks who have or are planning to do amazing things like riding their motorcycles around the world. It was a good time but in the back of my mind the whole three days was the dread of what would happen when I pushed the starter button again.
Sunday arrived and it was time to leave. I gave the bike full choke and pushed the starter button and it fired to life, though continuing to run rough. I kept on the throttle a long time, letting it warm up, and then took off. Back in Flagstaff I shouldn't have needed gas as it was only 160 miles since I had last filled it, but the needle was pushing empty. And an amazing thing happened as I pulled into the station and stopped: My engine started racing! I had to crank the idle dial way down again.
Bottom line, I figure I must have gotten some bad gas in Gallup, as Frank had suspected, or else there was something clogging my fuel line that had now been cleared away. Either way it ran fine all the way home and continues to run fine. Kawasaki really does make great motorcycles. My annual maintenance expense is still $7.
Monday, 27 August 2012
Tips to Take Home a Motorcycle
Of course people like to dream and when it comes to dreaming, many youngsters dream to own motorbikes which can run as fast as they can on the roads.
In fact it is a thrilling experience to drive the motorbike in hilly regions, terrains, small lanes, deserts, seashore and valleys.
The young son aged ten years starts imagining about riding a motorcycle while he sees his dad proceeding towards his office riding on a motorcycle.
He never misses a single opportunity to go along with his dad by sitting on the motorcycle and he starts dreaming a lot in his heart about driving the vehicle in deserts, roads and streets.
When it comes to buying one motorcycle, the buyer has to follow certain basic principles. He should finalize his purchase decision depending upon the various factors namely; the affordability; features available in the vehicle; the mileage potential and availability of spare parts in the case of old and second hand vehicles etc.
At the first phase, the intending buyer should visit more than three to four showrooms and he should never hesitate in spending some time with the receptionists in ascertaining the details of different vehicles on sale. The counter clerks are happy to provide the required details in respect of each vehicle. The intending buyer should note the salient points in a small booklet.
During the second phase, he should meet one reliable service mechanic and during such meeting, he can get much information about the quality of the vehicles which he intends to buy.
Apart from the detailed discussion with the service mechanic, he can have discussions with one or two friends who have in depth knowledge about various motorcycles which are available as at present. Of course the youngsters who are crazy behind motorcycles are eager to provide much information about different models of motorcycles as well as the manufacturers to any intending buyer.
Once the affordability has been determined depending upon the availability of own funds and funds that can be generated from friends or through a loan that can be availed from the bankers and financial institutions he can proceed towards purchasing the vehicle.
Having decided to purchase one specific model, now it is his turn to make a visit to the showroom and at this stage, it is better for him go to the showroom along with some of his friends.
The vehicle should be inspected thoroughly and the buyer should not have any reservations in clarifying his doubts, if any, with the dealer. During the course of an inspection of the vehicle, his friends may be in a position to point out to him the missing features which he might have forgotten to notice.
Before making payment, he should ensure about the details about important parts that have been fitted in the vehicle and in case of need, he can suggest for replacement of the parts with parts manufactured by reputed manufacturers.
Many times, the dealers offer exaggerated opinions about the vehicle and it is quite normal on their part because it is one among several promotional strategies.
However, it is the responsibility of the individual in making the final decision towards purchasing the vehicle and once the vehicle is sold, the dealer is not having any hold over the vehicle and the buyer is left with a limited warranty.
A vehicle should be kept at least for a period of six months and an individual is able to learn the intricacies of any vehicle only after a month or two.
In fact it is a thrilling experience to drive the motorbike in hilly regions, terrains, small lanes, deserts, seashore and valleys.
The young son aged ten years starts imagining about riding a motorcycle while he sees his dad proceeding towards his office riding on a motorcycle.
He never misses a single opportunity to go along with his dad by sitting on the motorcycle and he starts dreaming a lot in his heart about driving the vehicle in deserts, roads and streets.
When it comes to buying one motorcycle, the buyer has to follow certain basic principles. He should finalize his purchase decision depending upon the various factors namely; the affordability; features available in the vehicle; the mileage potential and availability of spare parts in the case of old and second hand vehicles etc.
At the first phase, the intending buyer should visit more than three to four showrooms and he should never hesitate in spending some time with the receptionists in ascertaining the details of different vehicles on sale. The counter clerks are happy to provide the required details in respect of each vehicle. The intending buyer should note the salient points in a small booklet.
During the second phase, he should meet one reliable service mechanic and during such meeting, he can get much information about the quality of the vehicles which he intends to buy.
Apart from the detailed discussion with the service mechanic, he can have discussions with one or two friends who have in depth knowledge about various motorcycles which are available as at present. Of course the youngsters who are crazy behind motorcycles are eager to provide much information about different models of motorcycles as well as the manufacturers to any intending buyer.
Once the affordability has been determined depending upon the availability of own funds and funds that can be generated from friends or through a loan that can be availed from the bankers and financial institutions he can proceed towards purchasing the vehicle.
Having decided to purchase one specific model, now it is his turn to make a visit to the showroom and at this stage, it is better for him go to the showroom along with some of his friends.
The vehicle should be inspected thoroughly and the buyer should not have any reservations in clarifying his doubts, if any, with the dealer. During the course of an inspection of the vehicle, his friends may be in a position to point out to him the missing features which he might have forgotten to notice.
Before making payment, he should ensure about the details about important parts that have been fitted in the vehicle and in case of need, he can suggest for replacement of the parts with parts manufactured by reputed manufacturers.
Many times, the dealers offer exaggerated opinions about the vehicle and it is quite normal on their part because it is one among several promotional strategies.
However, it is the responsibility of the individual in making the final decision towards purchasing the vehicle and once the vehicle is sold, the dealer is not having any hold over the vehicle and the buyer is left with a limited warranty.
A vehicle should be kept at least for a period of six months and an individual is able to learn the intricacies of any vehicle only after a month or two.
Motorcycle Product Reviews: Stuff for Your Long Drive
Bike Mitts
I'm definitely not an enthusiast of fancy, high-tech bike gloves. In fact, in the past decade, my favorite gloves are actually a set of utilitarian, multi-use Olympia bike gloves which feature an adjustable high glove, along with strengthened knuckle and palm guards. And that's about it! Basically, they're basic motorbike gloves.
However, my journey with those rugged Olympia leather gloves ultimately came to an end as soon as a couple of fingertips finally wore through. Immediately, my first thought was to change these for Olympia's best and newest release, the 410 Gel Sport, that's basically a refined type of what I had been wearing since 1999. Similar characteristics include the long glove with hassle-free hook-and-loop adjustment and strengthened (dual-wrapping leather) in crucial spots.
But the latest gloves are improved, and have silicon gel padding in the palms section of the gloves for improved comfort, plus a unique side cut in the glove for better fit over jacket sleeves. Or else, the newer Olympia resembles to what I've been using, so there aren't any bulging composite guards on the knuckles, or articulated finger pads to encumber the cruise. Even though Olympia provides a similar glove with padding (4350 All Season I), there is no lining within the 410 to further distance my grip from feeling the hand controls. To put it briefly, the 410 Gel Sport safety gloves would be the ideal alternative to the worn out and tattered safety gloves that was with me for lots of memorable miles.
Motorbike Carrying Pack
Flexibility is a useful asset for motorbike gear luggage. A carrier ought to haul enough cargo, be simple and effortless to get access to, and fit a selection of motorbikes. The Overnight bag from Harley-Davidson is undoubtedly a tote, the one that is attached to a passenger bar or, due to its 16-1/2"x 12"x 11" sizing, stows along with or inside a Tour-Pak.
The bag itself is manufactured from processed 1,680-denier ballistic nylon that retains its form and has a UV-resistant coating to help its black color resist the sun's rays. Refractive 3M Scotchlite lining improves night time visibility by other vehicles, and an integrated 190-denier, rip-stop nylon rain cover up that tucks into one of the two-zipper sided pockets helps keep your gear dry throughout foul weather biking. Curved zipper grips are really easy to utilize even with gloves, and a short nylon net inside the primary section's cavernous mouth helps prevent objects from dropping out when searching your gear.
The Overnight carrier includes a Spandex mounting system that slides over the motorcycle's passenger bar, plus a number of plastic-type D-rings (two on each corner) for affixing bungee cords, additionally two abbreviated, web-nylon bands permit you easily to set up the bag firmly to the motorbike. I always found it better to use added bungee cords to prevent load shift. A big grip makes it easy to carry your bag from motorcycle to hotel room. A removable shoulder band is also supplied.
I'm definitely not an enthusiast of fancy, high-tech bike gloves. In fact, in the past decade, my favorite gloves are actually a set of utilitarian, multi-use Olympia bike gloves which feature an adjustable high glove, along with strengthened knuckle and palm guards. And that's about it! Basically, they're basic motorbike gloves.
However, my journey with those rugged Olympia leather gloves ultimately came to an end as soon as a couple of fingertips finally wore through. Immediately, my first thought was to change these for Olympia's best and newest release, the 410 Gel Sport, that's basically a refined type of what I had been wearing since 1999. Similar characteristics include the long glove with hassle-free hook-and-loop adjustment and strengthened (dual-wrapping leather) in crucial spots.
But the latest gloves are improved, and have silicon gel padding in the palms section of the gloves for improved comfort, plus a unique side cut in the glove for better fit over jacket sleeves. Or else, the newer Olympia resembles to what I've been using, so there aren't any bulging composite guards on the knuckles, or articulated finger pads to encumber the cruise. Even though Olympia provides a similar glove with padding (4350 All Season I), there is no lining within the 410 to further distance my grip from feeling the hand controls. To put it briefly, the 410 Gel Sport safety gloves would be the ideal alternative to the worn out and tattered safety gloves that was with me for lots of memorable miles.
Motorbike Carrying Pack
Flexibility is a useful asset for motorbike gear luggage. A carrier ought to haul enough cargo, be simple and effortless to get access to, and fit a selection of motorbikes. The Overnight bag from Harley-Davidson is undoubtedly a tote, the one that is attached to a passenger bar or, due to its 16-1/2"x 12"x 11" sizing, stows along with or inside a Tour-Pak.
The bag itself is manufactured from processed 1,680-denier ballistic nylon that retains its form and has a UV-resistant coating to help its black color resist the sun's rays. Refractive 3M Scotchlite lining improves night time visibility by other vehicles, and an integrated 190-denier, rip-stop nylon rain cover up that tucks into one of the two-zipper sided pockets helps keep your gear dry throughout foul weather biking. Curved zipper grips are really easy to utilize even with gloves, and a short nylon net inside the primary section's cavernous mouth helps prevent objects from dropping out when searching your gear.
The Overnight carrier includes a Spandex mounting system that slides over the motorcycle's passenger bar, plus a number of plastic-type D-rings (two on each corner) for affixing bungee cords, additionally two abbreviated, web-nylon bands permit you easily to set up the bag firmly to the motorbike. I always found it better to use added bungee cords to prevent load shift. A big grip makes it easy to carry your bag from motorcycle to hotel room. A removable shoulder band is also supplied.
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Motorcycle Drivers Never Ride Without These
Mini Tool Set
Let's start simple with a device that even the extremely inept can easily enjoy this tool collection by BikeMaster. This particular unit is one thing that almost any biker must have within his saddle bag at all times, especially if you don't carry a whole set of tool box. Whether you only driven off the road together with your new bike or you have spent the past 3 years fixing a bike that's older than you, who knows when bad things could strike.
This smart tool consists of a cross and standard (straight) head screwdrivers, can opener, 4mm square driver, file and ruler, mini saw, bottle opener, sharp and smooth awls plus a 3" cutting tool. One cool feature of this tool set is the LED flashlight snugly tucked in the whole thing. Unless you know your motorcycle and its motor engine better than the back of your hand, this pocket tool will certainly help find the initial cause on the technical trouble and make things convenient as you fix it all at once and not having the need to take up too much time and effort in the beginning.
Bike Alarm
Needless to say, you would not waste all this cash on awesome gizmos just to let them walk away with a thief (it seems people were certainly not educated concerning stranger-danger in school). Help keep your bike safe with the highest quality alert and lock system like the Electronic Granit Detecto 800 Disc Lock system. Along with a 14mm hardened bolt and 3-D location management, the alarm will make a noisy scandal if it discovers virtually any location changes or anyone tries to get rid of the lock. Bikes don't come cheap and we both know that. Keep your investment guarded with alarm systems.
GPS
Some of us are basically flat out challenged in finding our way in uncharted terrains. Well, there is a good reason why Garmin pretty much has that spot on this business centered both for automobiles and bikes.
Now, together with their new Zumo 665 Motorcycle GPS, definitely there is not a particular detail we could imagine that a driver would want in a Global Positioning System unit. It was designed particularly for motorcyclists, so it is waterproof, glove friendly and will speak detailed instructions right into your headset. And you can create speech reminders, catch XM radio stations in the U.S. and also is FM signal friendly. It's like enjoying a small helper sit on your bike and tell you everything you should know. Apparently, it won't get your dry cleaning chores for you.
Let's start simple with a device that even the extremely inept can easily enjoy this tool collection by BikeMaster. This particular unit is one thing that almost any biker must have within his saddle bag at all times, especially if you don't carry a whole set of tool box. Whether you only driven off the road together with your new bike or you have spent the past 3 years fixing a bike that's older than you, who knows when bad things could strike.
This smart tool consists of a cross and standard (straight) head screwdrivers, can opener, 4mm square driver, file and ruler, mini saw, bottle opener, sharp and smooth awls plus a 3" cutting tool. One cool feature of this tool set is the LED flashlight snugly tucked in the whole thing. Unless you know your motorcycle and its motor engine better than the back of your hand, this pocket tool will certainly help find the initial cause on the technical trouble and make things convenient as you fix it all at once and not having the need to take up too much time and effort in the beginning.
Bike Alarm
Needless to say, you would not waste all this cash on awesome gizmos just to let them walk away with a thief (it seems people were certainly not educated concerning stranger-danger in school). Help keep your bike safe with the highest quality alert and lock system like the Electronic Granit Detecto 800 Disc Lock system. Along with a 14mm hardened bolt and 3-D location management, the alarm will make a noisy scandal if it discovers virtually any location changes or anyone tries to get rid of the lock. Bikes don't come cheap and we both know that. Keep your investment guarded with alarm systems.
GPS
Some of us are basically flat out challenged in finding our way in uncharted terrains. Well, there is a good reason why Garmin pretty much has that spot on this business centered both for automobiles and bikes.
Now, together with their new Zumo 665 Motorcycle GPS, definitely there is not a particular detail we could imagine that a driver would want in a Global Positioning System unit. It was designed particularly for motorcyclists, so it is waterproof, glove friendly and will speak detailed instructions right into your headset. And you can create speech reminders, catch XM radio stations in the U.S. and also is FM signal friendly. It's like enjoying a small helper sit on your bike and tell you everything you should know. Apparently, it won't get your dry cleaning chores for you.
Friday, 24 August 2012
Why a Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet Is Safest
So you've bought a motorcycle. You can't wait to get on it and feel the wind in your hair, but first... safety! You need to purchase a helmet, but don't know which one to choose. There are so many different kinds on the market. Your best bet is a Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet.
When you make a purchase of a helmet, you don't want it to be just for looks, or because it's stylish. Skullcaps and three quarter helmets will offer fashion, but not the safety of the Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet. These helmets have very important safety features, both on the inside and outside.
The first thing you want to check the potential helmet for is a deflector that will protect your face and eyes. A good helmet will keep bugs, rocks, and sun glare from your face. You also want to make sure it has a way to keep it firmly on your head. It can have a chin strap or just be certain it is fitted properly and will fit snug and secure.
When looking for a helmet, think of it as a long-term investment. You want it to be light and comfortable. This is where the Carbon Fiber comes in. The Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmets are light-weight and will last forever. You won't find them chipping or cracking, even though they aren't made from a weight heavy material.
Now you might be wondering what Carbon Fiber is and why it is used so often for helmets? This material is made from a fiber-reinforced polymer. The polymer can be vinyl, epoxy, or even polyester. Many helmets will also include a light weight Kevlar as well. All of these materials are known for being used in Sailboats, Motorcycles, and some Race Cars. The material can be expensive, which is why your new CF Motorcycle Helmet can be more costly than a fashion forward helmet.
For a great example as to how great the strength to weight ratio is, let me give you some examples of how Carbon Fiber has been used in other applications. If you have watched the 2012 London Olympics, and tuned into track and field events, I'm sure you've seen Oscar Pistroious run on his man made legs. He needs to be fast and sturdy on them, so what better material to use than Carbon Fiber. The director of the Titanic, James Cameron, also utilized the material for the deep-sea diving equipment he uses. It can withstand the pressures of the ocean and keep him safe.
Once you are ready to hit the open road on your new bike, don't forget to get the most important piece of equipment, your helmet. If you want safety, comfort, and durability, make sure you purchase a Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet!
When you make a purchase of a helmet, you don't want it to be just for looks, or because it's stylish. Skullcaps and three quarter helmets will offer fashion, but not the safety of the Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet. These helmets have very important safety features, both on the inside and outside.
The first thing you want to check the potential helmet for is a deflector that will protect your face and eyes. A good helmet will keep bugs, rocks, and sun glare from your face. You also want to make sure it has a way to keep it firmly on your head. It can have a chin strap or just be certain it is fitted properly and will fit snug and secure.
When looking for a helmet, think of it as a long-term investment. You want it to be light and comfortable. This is where the Carbon Fiber comes in. The Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmets are light-weight and will last forever. You won't find them chipping or cracking, even though they aren't made from a weight heavy material.
Now you might be wondering what Carbon Fiber is and why it is used so often for helmets? This material is made from a fiber-reinforced polymer. The polymer can be vinyl, epoxy, or even polyester. Many helmets will also include a light weight Kevlar as well. All of these materials are known for being used in Sailboats, Motorcycles, and some Race Cars. The material can be expensive, which is why your new CF Motorcycle Helmet can be more costly than a fashion forward helmet.
For a great example as to how great the strength to weight ratio is, let me give you some examples of how Carbon Fiber has been used in other applications. If you have watched the 2012 London Olympics, and tuned into track and field events, I'm sure you've seen Oscar Pistroious run on his man made legs. He needs to be fast and sturdy on them, so what better material to use than Carbon Fiber. The director of the Titanic, James Cameron, also utilized the material for the deep-sea diving equipment he uses. It can withstand the pressures of the ocean and keep him safe.
Once you are ready to hit the open road on your new bike, don't forget to get the most important piece of equipment, your helmet. If you want safety, comfort, and durability, make sure you purchase a Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet!
Trouble With My Motorcycle, Or Is It?
Kawasakis have a reputation for being bullet-proof, meaning you just don't have a lot of mechanical issues with them. You can confidently buy a new Concours 14 and ride it for years with routine maintenance your only expense.
I've had the same kind of excellent experience with my 1999 Concours and so it was very disturbing in May when I was headed southeast of Flagstaff on my way to the Overland Expo and my Connie started acting up. I bought that bike new in 1999 and have about 50,000 miles on it. To this point, the only issue I've had was when an O-ring failed and it started leaking coolant. That put my annual non-routine maintenance expense at about $7.
I had somehow missed my turn coming out of Cortez, CO, and instead of passing by the Four Corners monument I found myself headed due south to Shiprock, NM, and Gallup. That added about 50 miles to my day's ride but by the time I figured it out it wouldn't have saved me anything to go back, so I pressed on. Made a quick stop in Gallup for gas and then jumped on I-40 headed west.
About 100 miles later I reached Holbrook and was ready to stop for lunch. I coasted down the long off-ramp and slowed at the bottom for the sharp right-hander that would put me on the town's main street and the bike died. Now why in the world would it do that?
Worse, it didn't want to start again. I was about 450 miles from home and still 100 miles from my destination and the Arizona sun was blazing down on me. This did not give me a good feeling.
I finally got it started again but the only way it would keep running was if I revved the engine a lot. There was a fast food joint just about 150 yards away so I limped over there and figured I'd eat and see if it ran better after lunch. When I tried it the bike did fire right up, but again it did not want to continue running.
I had inquired as to a motorcycle shop in town and so I headed in that direction. I found Frank's Route 66 Garage right where I had been told and Frank was super helpful. First he suggested I go to a gas station and top off because he felt the problem was probably bad gas and putting good gas in would solve everything. My Connie holds 7.5 gallons, however, and I had only burned 2 gallons since I filled it. Topping it off didn't help.
Next Frank tried spraying carb cleaner down the intakes while I revved the motor. After several minutes that seemed to fix things, I thanked Frank profusely and asked what I owed him and he refused to take a cent. I put the bodywork back on the bike, loaded it up again, and put on my gear. When I started the bike up again, it was the same problem as before. So I took off and hoped I wouldn't be standing broiling in the sun alongside the highway just 30 miles or so down the road.
In Flagstaff I found another shop and the guy there told me he was confident he could solve the problem but be was swamped and would not be able to get to it until Saturday. This was Thursday. Since that wasn't going to work for me, he just twisted the idle dial all the way up and though it ran rough, the engine did not die. I pushed on.
I reached the Overland Expo, down by Mormon Lake, and for the next three days left the bike parked while I hung out with all these adventure-riding folks who have or are planning to do amazing things like riding their motorcycles around the world. It was a good time but in the back of my mind the whole three days was the dread of what would happen when I pushed the starter button again.
Sunday arrived and it was time to leave. I gave the bike full choke and pushed the starter button and it fired to life, though continuing to run rough. I kept on the throttle a long time, letting it warm up, and then took off. Back in Flagstaff I shouldn't have needed gas as it was only 160 miles since I had last filled it, but the needle was pushing empty. And an amazing thing happened as I pulled into the station and stopped: My engine started racing! I had to crank the idle dial way down again.
Bottom line, I figure I must have gotten some bad gas in Gallup, as Frank had suspected, or else there was something clogging my fuel line that had now been cleared away. Either way it ran fine all the way home and continues to run fine. Kawasaki really does make great motorcycles. My annual maintenance expense is still $7.
I've had the same kind of excellent experience with my 1999 Concours and so it was very disturbing in May when I was headed southeast of Flagstaff on my way to the Overland Expo and my Connie started acting up. I bought that bike new in 1999 and have about 50,000 miles on it. To this point, the only issue I've had was when an O-ring failed and it started leaking coolant. That put my annual non-routine maintenance expense at about $7.
I had somehow missed my turn coming out of Cortez, CO, and instead of passing by the Four Corners monument I found myself headed due south to Shiprock, NM, and Gallup. That added about 50 miles to my day's ride but by the time I figured it out it wouldn't have saved me anything to go back, so I pressed on. Made a quick stop in Gallup for gas and then jumped on I-40 headed west.
About 100 miles later I reached Holbrook and was ready to stop for lunch. I coasted down the long off-ramp and slowed at the bottom for the sharp right-hander that would put me on the town's main street and the bike died. Now why in the world would it do that?
Worse, it didn't want to start again. I was about 450 miles from home and still 100 miles from my destination and the Arizona sun was blazing down on me. This did not give me a good feeling.
I finally got it started again but the only way it would keep running was if I revved the engine a lot. There was a fast food joint just about 150 yards away so I limped over there and figured I'd eat and see if it ran better after lunch. When I tried it the bike did fire right up, but again it did not want to continue running.
I had inquired as to a motorcycle shop in town and so I headed in that direction. I found Frank's Route 66 Garage right where I had been told and Frank was super helpful. First he suggested I go to a gas station and top off because he felt the problem was probably bad gas and putting good gas in would solve everything. My Connie holds 7.5 gallons, however, and I had only burned 2 gallons since I filled it. Topping it off didn't help.
Next Frank tried spraying carb cleaner down the intakes while I revved the motor. After several minutes that seemed to fix things, I thanked Frank profusely and asked what I owed him and he refused to take a cent. I put the bodywork back on the bike, loaded it up again, and put on my gear. When I started the bike up again, it was the same problem as before. So I took off and hoped I wouldn't be standing broiling in the sun alongside the highway just 30 miles or so down the road.
In Flagstaff I found another shop and the guy there told me he was confident he could solve the problem but be was swamped and would not be able to get to it until Saturday. This was Thursday. Since that wasn't going to work for me, he just twisted the idle dial all the way up and though it ran rough, the engine did not die. I pushed on.
I reached the Overland Expo, down by Mormon Lake, and for the next three days left the bike parked while I hung out with all these adventure-riding folks who have or are planning to do amazing things like riding their motorcycles around the world. It was a good time but in the back of my mind the whole three days was the dread of what would happen when I pushed the starter button again.
Sunday arrived and it was time to leave. I gave the bike full choke and pushed the starter button and it fired to life, though continuing to run rough. I kept on the throttle a long time, letting it warm up, and then took off. Back in Flagstaff I shouldn't have needed gas as it was only 160 miles since I had last filled it, but the needle was pushing empty. And an amazing thing happened as I pulled into the station and stopped: My engine started racing! I had to crank the idle dial way down again.
Bottom line, I figure I must have gotten some bad gas in Gallup, as Frank had suspected, or else there was something clogging my fuel line that had now been cleared away. Either way it ran fine all the way home and continues to run fine. Kawasaki really does make great motorcycles. My annual maintenance expense is still $7.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)