texscottyd

As with just about everything we do, that is THE question. I actually think it’s kind of fun & unique, and it falls into my “if it’s less than $20, it’s not a real purchase” category that I conveniently use to explain away random things. But, I would never use it for exactly the reasons mentioned: Stainless steel will make all kinds of nasty wear marks on the upper triple clamp over time, so that’s a no-go for me. I have a simple set up for every bike I own: The bike key, on a small ring with a single house key, covered with a piece of vacuum hose to avoid scratching up the bike. Simple, effective. Cheap…

I randomly stumbled across this (which actually means the Facebook Algorithm threw it at me), but actually thought it was kind of unique: https://disagree.de/en/collections/kopfdichtungen-fur-motorradmotoren/products/miniatur-einer-kopfdichtung-fur-yamaha-mt-09 Disclaimer: I know nothing about the company or its products, so this is NOT an endorsement or recommendation.

Hey Bret, did I mention that I have a new Speed Twin? ‘Cause, you know… I have a new Speed Twin. 😀😀

It wasn't exactly the plan, but here we are... I'll get it in at about 23,975 miles based on the current projection. I have the new Speed Twin to ride while it's down, so at least I won't miss any fall weather riding opportunities.

Well, the bike was running at 6K miles, so I can confirm that I checked: Yes, it still had spark plugs at that time. 😳 Apparently I never read the service schedule in enough detail, and somehow thought that the 24k valve check/adjust interval was aligned with the spark plug replacement. It will be interesting to see how they look… the bike runs great at 23.5K miles, so I’m guessing they’re going to look fine.

The road less traveled… Within a mile of the main highway, there’s an entire network of these gorgeous little lane-and-a-half rural backroads. It’s always worth taking the time to explore a little.

Good to hear, since I’ve also been waiting to do plugs at the 24k major service. I’ll be taking it in very soon, and will see how the plugs looks (and how far off the valves are)

This is the kind of practical insight that I love finding on this site. So simple, so obvious... so why hadn't I thought of this before? Thanks @skipperT!

I am so far behind the times with all the adjustability on modern motorcycles: On my 2015 FJ, I rode exclusively in STD-Mode for the first 10,000 or so miles, then exclusively in A-Mode after that (coincides with the 2WDW reflash that changes the startup default). Sun, rain, gravel, whatever... Damn the torpedoes, it's full speed ahead in A-Mode!

Hi @TREX- Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the new Tracer! These triples make nice linear power across the rpm range, but they really do like to rev & come alive at higher rpm. I personally feel like 4,000 rpm is at the very bottom of the ‘fun range’ for this motor. Let it rev, and ignore the tachometer for awhile… it’s smooth and will run all day at 6K - 7K (or more) on the highway. They have the motor to run 125-130 mph with a bit of runway, so you should be fine for any sane freeway use.

Awesome trip report! A lot of the details you mentioned stir up memories of my trip through there literally decades ago… Your passage about Utah Route 12 down through Escalante was the one that really stuck out for me: I still vividly remember that ride, and just how breathtaking the road & scenery was… unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Stopping to tour Bryce Canyon was icing on the proverbial cake.

Two topics that I steadfastly avoid on the internet: Religion & Politics. That said, I’m really glad that My God has a wicked sense of humor… 😀 Before: After:

There was something really special about that generation of VFR. As I recall, ‘93 was the refrigerator white one that ended the ‘90 - ‘93 series. I had a 1992 VFR750, and absolutely loved it. They got a bit of grief for being heavier and less sport-focused than the VFRs that came before & after, but it was a fantastic bike to live with day-to-day. Mine met it’s untimely demise via a deer strike in the Texas Hill Country, and I was sad to see it go.

Wow… what an amazing trip! Thanks for taking us along virtually.

How far north? Unfortunately, I think it’s a risk anywhere these days… ☹️

That’s 100% the way to make it work for you. Is it actually a profit-generating business for your friend? I’m way too emotionally invested in my personal vehicles to be able to turn them loose with someone else. But if I had one that was just an appliance to me, this could work.

Austin isn't a bad place to be stuck for a couple of weeks... just be glad you're not needing to rent an apartment. The cost of living there has gone 'non-linear' over the last few years. AF1 is my favorite dealership in Austin, but i don't believe they offer any sort of rentals. There is really good riding to the west, so get out of the city if you can.

Thanks, and I completely agree about hospitals and funerals... It's become too regular of an occurrence. Fortunately, she's on the mend, and should be home soon. Finding the right screen on these bikes continues to be an elusive search. I just can't deal with the coastal heat behind a big screen, but an 800 mile weekend would be testing my limits with the short Cal Sci screen I run on my FJ. With earplugs, I'm good with the Sena up to about 75 mph... above 80 and it's getting overpowered by the wind noise. Observation: How is it possible that my new Speed Twin (with ZERO bodywork or windscreen, other than a big round headlight), is noticeably quieter and smoother than my FJ at 75 mph? Has anybody ridden an unfaired FZ9 at highway speeds? It's one of those aerodynamic mysteries that I still don't understand...

Welcome! Congrats on the new Tracer; I'm sure you're going to love it. I'm in Houston, and we have several other members scattered across the state. After racing with the CMRA, I instructed with Lone Star for several years... I'm hoping your Ducati didn't meet its demise at one of our events. 😲

Hi @Forevertwowheels - When you say ‘the bike runs fine’ do you mean it REALLY runs fine? As well as before you did the CCT install? If you’re off a tooth, it will be noticeable in how the bike runs. Definitely verify when you have it apart for the valve check, but I’m guessing you’re fine.

+1 My mother-in-law has been in the hospital, so I’ve started riding over to visit (weather permitting), rotating the bikes in the stable. Today was FJ Day… this thing still makes me smile.

I have the stock springs from my 2015 FJ out in the shop, and will be glad to take some quick measurements for you. I'll try and get out there and do it this afternoon...

Just a thought, but take a close look at the one you received for the opposite side from your ‘missing’ signal, and see if it looks like you can get a second one of those instead. When I put factory Super Tenere LED signals on my FJ, I found out that the left & rights have different part numbers, but the signal itself it identical…. The only difference was the length of the wiring. If that is also the case for these MT-07 lights (which I have no idea if they are/aren’t, so you’ll need to verify), you could order a second one of the available units (effectively using two lefts or two rights) and mount it up.

Agreed. That vertical slab side fairing (and the way it comes together with the various filler panels) still looks awkward to me, but this combination does a nice job of making it look more integrated, while still providing some amount of definition & contrast. It doesn't appear to be an option for us here in the US, however...

As an art piece, I dig it in its own art-deco way. I stumbled across this retro aero BMW build a few days ago. ‘Bespoke’ appears to be the word currently en vogue to charge more than merely ‘custom’ 😀