2linby

Made a comfortable center stand pull out of 3/4" ID heater hose on the left passenger foot peg boss. I removed the bracket (boss) used a 4" die grinder to smooth out the inside only of the upper radius of the bend, cleaned the edges with a file, then cut the hose to length, cut it down the middle and used electrical tape to secure it in place. Just a prototype for now. But sooo much more comfortable on your hand when you lift the bike onto the center stand.

After I picked up a nail in my stocker rear tire and after 6000 miles I replaced both with the Michelin PR5's. I ride everyday, rain or shine. I've had no issues whatsoever with the tires. After almost 4000 miles they still look great and ride the same. I've had Michelin PR4's and PR3's on other bikes and love the series. I still remember the old Macadam 100X and the 89X. All great tires. Michelin makes a superior product.

Added a 8" LED strip light for added running and brake lights. Changed the oil with Rotella T6. Cleaned and lubed the chain with DuPont wax based "Chain Saver". The LED strip is mounted on my Shad top case mount and is viewed with the running light on. The Brake light is about three times as intense. And added a Madstad 20" Light tinted shield about a week ago.

Just buy the Tracer. ABS and traction control will be a huge benefit for a new(er) rider, The weight difference is nil. I owned a 650 Versys and now a FJ09. Both about 460 lbs. But the main reason is what you already said in your opening comments. If the Tracer is more comfortable, buy the Tracer. Regrets suck. GO FOR IT! My versys had ABS, but with 74 hp and the FJ with 114 hp it was a no brainer. Be Safe and Have Fun!

Where is this deal? I'll take it if it is close.

Keep this up! Maybe a production run in the near future? Yes?

First of all I love the Fort Nine Guy. Funny yet...funny. Secondly I live in Oregon. Yes the great Northwet! Yes I spelled "NORTHWET" I also lived in the Seattle area (even wetter). All toll I've been the the Northwest.... for over 36 years, of which almost all of them have been riding a motorcycle, almost everyday. Commuting in the Seattle area and now in Oregon. So yes I ride in the rain, a lot. That being said, the question asked is "How to stay dry". In short, you don't, entirely that is. Face, hands, wet. Feet, sometimes wet, but good boots make all the difference. Body, yes you can stay mostly dry, but at a cost. Cheap crap is, well, cheap. Years ago I had an older saged experienced hard core rider tell me, (I've been riding for 43 years), I assume he's no longer with us because he was old when I started riding. Anyway his saying was "It's easier to stay warm and dry, than to get warm and dry". OMG the truth soaks through and drips off this if you have crap to wear. All this being said. I wear a Roadcrafter Aerostich one piece suit almost all the time. I have an old pair of SIDI wellington style boots that are extrememly dry, but most of the time I wear my favorite work boots (Whites) which happen to not be waterproof in any way, shape or form. But I know this and accept it as I usually am commuting, so I know I'll be home in a half hour so it doesn't matter so much. But if I am taking a long trip I bring the SIDI's The Stich does pool water in the seat when it the rains for three, four hours hard and steady. Yes the vaulted Areostich Roadcrafter will leak through and of course in the crotch, but nobody notices as it is a onesy. This being said. I'm not about to replace it. I just try not to ride in four hours of steady hard rain. Now when it comes to the hands. If anyone says there are waterproof motorcycle glove, they are lying to you. Sure you can wear the over gloves that aerostich sells and they will keep you dry, but they aren't the easiest things to use. Or you can wear rubber surgical gloves underneath your spongelike gloves. But in anything other that a very light mist there are no waterproof gloves. They are like Honest Lawyers and Artesian wells. You know they exist, but no one has ever seen one. Some bikes are better than others in the rain. Full fairings work well. the Goldwing the larger Beemers and the Kawasaki Concours all have great rain protection, but not entirely. The FJ-09 with a larger windshield is ok, not great, but that's my current choice of machine and my take on staying dry.

Mine are brutally hot!

I came off a 2001 Concours C-10 machine. I put over 168,000 miles on that beast. I was a great machine for everything other than local street riding. That being said I did major modifications to be to get there. 17" wheel conversions, 4 pot front wheel brake conversion, custom Russell seat, bar risers, cruise, etc. The best things about the old connies are the fairing weather protection, the solid planted feeling to the ground and the in line four power of the de-tuned ninja 1000 engine. Oh yeah I rebuilt the carbs and air box as well. Also the simplicity of operations and the ridiculously low cost of the bike with hard bags! Coupled with the immense support of the COG forum it was an incredible 16 years of ownership. I sold the bike to a friend and he still rides and loves the bike. The downside was the weight and old school brakes (no ABS). The replacement C-14 Concours is a modern rocketship of a bike with all the bells and whistle and unfortunately just like the FJR, another fantastic machine, the weight. Have no time with a new job and other pressing needs I found a 2014 Versys 650 with ABS for a song and dance. Larger windshield and hard bags added it was a great commuter and could handle longer trips, but wasn't the Connie on long hauls. I've done plenty of LD rides and several IBA rides with the Connie. The versys was terrific, but lacked power. I lusting for a FJ being about the same weight as the Versys 650 but with 40 more ponies, I figured it would fit the bill. In 2018 I found a steal of a deal in a NOS 2016 FJ09. Larger windshield, hard bags and top case, Aux lights, heated grips, case guards and several other mods I am happy with the bike so far. PR5's on the wheels and it grips well, rides good over long distances and handles all of my local commute with easy. The seat sucks but that's a mod I'll take on this year. I've only done 8200 miles so far on it, but expect more this year. While it is not the perfect bike, it is a easy bike to master, light yet heavy enough to not get beat to shit on long rides, has all the modern bells and whistle with ABS and TCS and has a large aftermarket of farkles available for the forking idiots like me. Its not a long distance two up bike, but my wife rides her own Vstar so I don't care. Someone recently asked me why I didn't get a new GS 1200 BMW? I said I needed the additional $10,000 to buy gas....... Oh and I'm 62, 195 and 5'9" and been riding since 1973.

With this information I have a new clutch cable in my top case ready if necessary. Thanks all!

Just received the large. Much better fit. It came with a clear pin-lock shield and an insert! I'll be wearing it tomorrow.

I gave it a sponge bath......

Cold fog for the past two days. Was suppose to be warm and sunny. 41 right now but about 1/4 mile visibility with the fog. This sucks.

I've had more shoes over forty years of riding so I know they are excellent helmets. The primary reason is I want a Internal flip down visor. Arai doesn't make one as they are not Snell rated . My glasses are photosensitive and under the shield they do not darken (UV rays). Plus the prices are dropping on the Shoei with the advent of the new model being introduced.

Well the helmet showed up and didn't fit very well. Way too light. So I returned it and ordered a large. I'm right on the cusp of a medium or large. So I wait again. Bummer. Tuesday next week it is suppose to show.

Thanks for the link. I've already scoped those out. Based on the initial fit I hope I don't need to drop another $55. But its there if needed. I did this with my current Arai and it made a big difference in the comfort level.

Well I just dropped the dime on the Shoei GT-Air. Apparently Shoei is coming out with a new version in 2019 and retailers seem to be dumping the "old" line. Bought one for $369.00 from Motorcyclecloseouts.com a Dauntless model.

7900 miles on my 2016 and this has happened to me twice. Once immediately after filling it up. I though perhaps I put too much gas in the tank and maybe that had something to do with it. I waited a short minute and it started right back up. The second time it exhibited the same symptoms I immediately shut it down, turned the key off then back on and it fired right up. Don't know if it is a software issue, but it seems to be the best explanation so far.

Held Steves most of the time.

11 years in my Stich. It's getting a bit worn out.I've replaced a couple of zippers at the side pockets and have re-sewn several of the velco strips back on. The the bottom of the legs are a little ragged out. Nothing that a bit of hand "stiching" wasn't able to fix. But I ride everyday. It's easy on and off. Stupid people think I'm a cosmonaut (I wonder how they got that Idea! HA) . Its ugly and worn, like me. But it works and I have never, ever forgot my pants when I put it on! They ain't cheap, but I'll get another when this one is toast.

I just ordered a Shoei GT Air from www.Motorcyclecloseouts.com Limited selections and sizes but the price was nice. $370.00 shipping included. I've had many Shoeis in the past from the old RF700's, through Neo-techs and X-11's. I wear a 5 year old Arai right now and needed to treat myself before spring arrives. I'll post a review when it arrives.

I did the same. Easy enough and quick. Make sure you roll overlap the starting end a little then very carefully with a very sharp razor knife cut through both ends at once to have a perfect matched joint. Place a small dab of clear nail polish at the joint and they'll never come off. Just remember not to power wash your rims!

Oregon, Left Coast, Wet Coast.

I've been looking for a new helmet with a dropdown internal visor. Any suggestions, reviews? Looking at the high end Shoes GT-Air down to a AGV. Thanks!