whistler

Thanks, Dazzler.  That's definitely a good ref.  I ref'd to this one started by Wordsmith long ago...

https://www.tracer900.net/topic/7994-help-bike-will-not-start/#comment-95842:~:text=1 of 2-,wordsmith,thoughts and suggestions will be gratefully taken on board.   TIA…,-Quote

Sorry for the suspense, Folks.  I can do a lot of things, but motorcycle mechanics isn't my strongest skill.  I'm always impressed by what I learn from this forum.

After experiencing a "cranking but not firing" episode on my GT after a long riding hiatus due to a lot of overseas travel, I read up on several posts about the subject.  I'm sure there are many folks out there equally qualified, but I gotta thank stealthAU and SkipperT for their feedback and advice to Wordsmith long ago when Wordy was having the exact same problem.  I followed their advice, and damned if it didn't work like a charm.  A thousand Thank You's, gentlemen!  You and everyone like you are an amazing resource for this forum, and you have my sincere gratitude!

Best regards to all, and stay safe and healthy out there!   Whistler

Either my melon's changed its shape as I've gotten older, or helmet makers have changed their sizing charts, or there's a pandemic going on, or something . . . 

Bought this from MotorcycleGear.com (link below) on 07 May.  Rec'd it a few days later, tried it on (statically), removed the film and stickers, and went to work the next day.  62 miles each way, and I had a wicked headache after each leg from a pressure point on my forehead.  Didn't feel it at the time I tried it on, but riding in MD, VA and DC traffic for 1 1/2 hours each way made me feel it.  Bell says it's an "intermediate oval" shape, so I guess my skull is a tiny bit longer than "intermediate."  3rd helmet I've tried so far with no luck in a good fit.  MotorcycleGear.com won't take it back because it's been used.

Anyway, I paid $369.00 and change, and I'm selling it for $225.00.  I'll also pay shipping to the lower 48 states from zip code 20636.  It has 124 miles on it, and I wear a beanie under my helmets, so there's been no contact between my obviously deformed brain-housing group and the helmet's interior padding.  It's also clean and scratch-free.

Lemme know if you're interested, and we'll go from there.  

Thanks for your time.   Ed

https://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/street_helmets_and_eyewear/modular_or_convertible/bell_helmets/srt_modular_solid_helmet.html

On 12/20/2021 at 6:15 AM, maximNikenGT said:

"How cold does it have to be for you in order to winterize your bike for the season?"

If you see a coyote trying to push-start a jackrabbit . . . it's too cold to ride.  Stay inside and have a nice hot toddy.  As always, though - YMMV.

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, betoney said:

Funny, just last night my buddy who also owns a 2015 FJ asked me if I was considering adding another bike to the garage.

The local Yamaha shop just got a nearly brand new Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP on a trade in, which I consider one of the ultimate hooligan machines.  While I am not in the market for a different bike, it definitely stopped me in my tracks and got my mind wandering...

Wow, does that look ZIPPY!!  

You're a motorcycling human being, Dude, and you appreciate things (and like-minded people, I would imagine) which and who make you feel alive.  Bowlin01 is spot on...life is just way too short.  So go on and LIVE it.  🍻

8 hours ago, Catch said:

Thanks much Whistler for posting photos and lessons learned about reshaping your stock windscreen into a 'shorty'. I did the same thing to my bike based on your inputs! Big difference and tremendously helpful in this North Texas heat!

 

Very glad it's worked out for you, Catch!  Doesn't take a lot of time, very few tools, and the payoff is well worth the effort.  Enjoy that N. Texas weather, Buddy, and stay safe and healthy out there!  

On 6/30/2021 at 5:52 PM, Bill H said:

can you tell us where from,,I'm having a heck of a time finding something. that works ,,I ditched handgaurds and ordered Womet  for a MT 09,,that was a waste of money has they don't sit flush

thanks

Bill, I got my 2014 FZ1 bar ends from BabbittsOnline.com.  The link is  is https://www.babbittsonline.com/oemparts/a/yam/52a770e6f87002486c5d2424/steering-handle-cable .  It's item #4.  However, they do not fit flush to the bar.  That wasn't a concern for me, though.  They've been on my 2019 GT for many thousands of miles now with no issues as all.  Hope this helps.

61 in a couple of months, and never looking back.

On 6/9/2021 at 7:44 AM, kilo3 said:

Been using DuPont chain saver for years. Quick spray after every ride is all I do.

I like it since it has zero sling off after it dries, hence the after ride application.

Big +1 for this stuff, too.  Many years and 170k miles or so across my chain-driven bikes.  I use it every 300-400 miles (per my Trip 2 odometer) on a warm chain, and/or after riding in the rain or nasty road spray.  Never a problem and happy as a clam.  Will use it till I can't operate the spray nozzle anymore.  As always, YMMV.

On 3/19/2021 at 6:11 PM, Salish900 said:

 Our best friend is following distance. 2 seconds minimum. Try it sometime, it's a long way at 100kph. 

Yep, couldn't agree more, Salish.  That simple 2-second buffer is amazingly effective.  Wish most cagers would employ the same practice, especially here in the DC-MD-VA CommutOlympics events that are held every...single...day.

6 hours ago, TomTracer said:

What about turbulence, better or worse from stock?

Totally my perspective and opinion, but there's no turbulence from the mirrors.  There's minor buffeting from the Cal-Sci screen, but I didn't buy it to be quiet (it's strictly cold-weather use only).  These particular mirrors don't create any turbulence in my particular case.  They're stable, vibration-free and have great optical clarity.  I'm very happy with'em.  Again, just my particular perspective...

23 hours ago, fjrpittsburgh said:

Has anyone found good replacement mirrors for the GT?  I'm still having some trouble keeping them from moving at higher speeds on the interstate.  I know all the tightening tricks from earlier discussions.  I think I'm ready to simply replace the mirrors altogether.  Thanks in advance.

I use these, Mr. 'Burgh.  They're not inexpensive, but I'm more of a "one and done" kinda person.  The toughest part of their install is adjustment, but once they're adjusted, they stay put (after my adjustment dry run, I used some blue threadlocker on my final adjustments like I usually use elsewhere on the bike).  Their orientation is not what's shown on Revzilla's site or in their instructions, but rather my preference only.

Also, I bought some offset mirror extenders off Amazon (that I just learned are unavailable as I write this; see screenshot) which work well, too.  I imagine the same kind of offset extenders from anywhere would also function fine.

Anyway, here's some pics of my setup.  Hope they help a little.   Apologies if the pics are too big.

On 3/12/2021 at 7:32 AM, fddriver2 said:

This is what I use.

Defender Half Cover | Defender Cover Series (nelsonrigg.com)

Before reading this thread, I used to use a twin-size vinyl mattress cover for the few times I rode cross-country or over a long weekend involving camping.  Would drape it over the top half of my little V-Strom and roll up and secure the excess with medium binder clips (or a few wraps of small nylon line to secure the cover to the bike in heavy breezes).  It was butt-ugly, but it worked like a charm.

Think I'll go with the Defender Half Cover from now on, though.

On 2/22/2021 at 2:34 PM, keithu said:

The foil is a good tip.

But how dumb is it that we even need a thread about this? What idiot thought it would be a good idea to put the oil filler under the clutch cover? Every other Yamaha I have seen has the filler on top of the clutch cover or side cover where any old funnel works just fine. Probably designed by the same shithead who created the bodywork puzzle. 

Now I'm wondering if the oil filler design happened on a Monday morning or an early Friday afternoon...

47 minutes ago, Ride365 said:

Mine is no worse than any other bike I've owned, but yeah I added a nice sidestand foot which made a world of difference for contact patch, and even raised the bike straight up a bit more.

+1 on a good sidestand footpad.  Well worth the investment.

On 2/21/2021 at 8:53 PM, whisperquiet said:

Maybe my 2019 wiring is routed different than the 2020 (doubtful), but my wiring was wound around other wiring tight enough that you would not be able to remove the old harness unless the ties were cut or the harness cut to allow sliding the connector or switch through.  My Super Tenere was routed in a normal fashion.

Did my 2019 2 weekends ago and had the same experience as you, WQ.  Wiring wrapped around wiring and extremely little room for error.  It was more of a chore than I expected, but after some amazing profanities and a few really mean looks, I got it done.  All part of the journey, I reckon...

Rode to Sturgis from MD back in 2008 on my little V-Strom.  While there, I took a trip around the intersection of SD, WY and MT.  I remember Wyoming's and Montana's roads in that area had been treated with tar snakes, and my DL650 was squirreling all over the place.  Kept my hands and shoulders relaxed and it worked out well.  The sun was out and the tar snakes were warm, so traction was a bit inconsistent for a little while.  Definitely kept me awake till I left the affected roadways.  One more lesson learned...

4 hours ago, Coop said:

Bring some crab cakes when you come.  My spy in Northern Virginia says the old place in Lorton was torn down and replaced with something useless.  My last time into Reagan I decided to stay off of I-95 on my way to Triangle and instead took Hwy1.  I didn't stop to think what traffic would be like going through Alexandra at 1700 hours.  LOL!

Will do, Coop.  Yep, that crab shack is gone in favor of something not worth having.  Such is progress, supposedly.

And your trip down Rt 1 was a hard lesson learned, too, eh?  I've done that many a time out of necessity due to 95 being the complete snafu that it usually is.  DC metro traffic absolutely "insert profane adjective here!!!"

LOL!! 

I mean...Dammit, you're killing me, Scotty!   😁

On 12/24/2020 at 6:28 PM, Coop said:

If it rained here the dog would need therapy.  The damned dirt was blowing the other day.

Coop, I'd almost pay some good money to be in Texas right now (it's also my birthplace).  Hang in there with all that wayward dirt and dust, and count your lucky stars you're not out here living in the shadow of DC.  

Gonna be a few more years before I can move back to the Southwest.  Believe me, I can't f'n wait.

13 hours ago, Yamajank said:

Whistler - Any rationale for the names of your bikes?  Or just kind of pick one that sounds right?

Very fun

Nah, no rhyme or reason, other than I'm an old school vet who's always believed sea-going vessels, aircraft and motorcycles will always be referred to as "she" and "her."  Way out of date and favor, but that's how I was raised before, during and following my Navy career.

After each bike's acquisition, I just looked at it for a few seconds and then named it in my head.  If it sounded right, the name just stuck.

I know...it's weird.

On 12/15/2020 at 8:18 PM, 2and3cylinders said:

"A X-Blaster Tail Light is going in this winter..."

Nice work.  Defensively speaking, it's always nice to be seen.  I think you'll really like the X-Blaster.  

7 hours ago, Ride365 said:

...give the Dupont chain saver lube a try......best I have used for any of the lubes, and I have pretty much tried them all over the years.  

Big +1 on this stuff.  Been using it on all my chain-driven bikes for about 160,000 of my 182,000 total miles so far.  Have had nothing but great results.  Will keep using it till the end.

On 11/10/2020 at 9:12 PM, JasonTheLucky said:

Hey Guys, I'm coming from an 09 Suzuki 1250 Bandit and the Tracer 900 GT could be my next bike.

I have a question about riding this bike. It looks like the back of your right foot is going to be right in front of the stock exhaust. I ride around a small town in my normal shoes often, they aren't always black. Does this position cause any shoe discoloration or excess exhaust smell on your pants? Sorry if this is a silly question but I've only ever ridden around with the standard sport bike pipes that jet out the back.

You'll be fine, Dude.  Had an '08 1250 Bandit a couple of bikes ago.  No issues with hot boots, hot smells, etc. 

If you do take the 900GT plunge, you might find you'll be grinning yourself silly in very short order.  My Bandit was a massive torque and wheelie monster and would pull down redwood trees for fun.  I still miss that beast something fierce, but I also get major happy-times from my 900GT.  

Get one...you know you want to . . .