knyte

IMHO comparing equestrian safety gear to motorcycle safety gear is a red herring, a false equivalency.  I grew up with horses, and learned to ride a horse long before a bicycle.  As a family we still have just under a dozen.

I never once wore protective gear, mostly because it wasn't available or popular back then.  Even now I don't think I would.  The reason being - it's simple - the types of surfaces and mechanisms of injuries on horseback are completely different than motorcycles.  I usually rode on dirt or grass - and it's far softer than asphalt.  I rarely went past about 30 km/h on horseback, but on bikes...?  ...multiply that by...well, several, at least.  On a bike, an unexpected sudden flight path into asphalt, possibly another vehicle, has a far greater impact, no pun intended.  So, slower speeds + softer landing = never once had a serious injury.  And trust me when I say I was thrown off my fair share, over many years 

None of this is to say one should or shouldn't use gear on horses, I'm just saying these are two different activities completely.

It wasn't until I starting riding bicycles and motorcycles that more serious injuries started happening...so, yeah.  Can't compare the two.  Another punchline of the joke that is the video.

While we're at it, what about MX gear ?  Now that is ARMOUR at a different level.  No one mentioned that in this discussion.  Too many holes in that vid to take it seriously.  I, too, will keep watching for the production value and writing - but reality is reality.

I saw it as a bit of a joke, frankly, and he as much says so in the intro.  Poking fun at virtually meaningless numbers when it comes to the standards of materials, how they're marketed, and comparing them to fractures.

Of the 3 fractures I've had, better or proper gear would have helped 2.  One of them - lower tibia fracture due to my big toe being forced outward - had I been wearing better boots, that twist would have likely transfered up to my knee and blown that out instead.

Whatever, I'm still wearing the best gear possible, I don't care what anyone says.  I upgraded to level 2 pads last year.  Pants have knee, hip and tailbone protection.  Jacket has all the usual padding.  Armour is for the slide, to protect against abrasion.  Good MX boots help prevent crush injuries.

I don't think anyone is under the illusion that gear protects against impact or twist, especially when it comes to the pads.

And yeah that single take was pretty rad.

I still have an '83 Nighthawk 550SC, all black.  It's a head turner

I'll vote for the 2015 FJ because, well, I'm biased.  Also, I prefer the simplicity, but that's subjective.

Yes, the wheelbase is slightly shorter, which I prefer for city handling.  So far it hasn't affected highway riding.  Bang for buck, it's a tremendous value.

On 9/30/2023 at 9:19 PM, DT675 said:

I put this one on my bike. It sucks. Vibrates too much. 

Dang, that hasn't been my experience.  My Zumo is very steady.

4 hours ago, Heli ATP said:

 It is really frustrating.

Yep.  Why list it if they don't sell it.

Sigh

Great troubleshooting!

Sucks that it happened, but at least now you KNOW what the issue is.

I just had an order for a 50L top case refunded by Yamaha Sports Plaza because - although the site said they had them in stock - no stock.    So, you may want to check with them first before ordering.

Cycle Parts Nation, Yamaha Sports Plaza, and Babbit's Online all seem to have the same menu system and available stock - they must share stock or otherwise be affiliated with each other.

So cool.  Looks like a fun project.

I can only find a NZ link on my phone at the moment, but I snagged a GYTR hi-flow & washable filter last spring:

https://shop.yamaha-motor.co.nz/accessories/road/road/maximum-torque/mt-09/1rc-e41d0-v0

For all my K&N filters in my SUV and pickup, I've been using K&N recharge kits.

Love it!  That's dedication.

16 hours ago, Mrtwisty said:

unpleasant… effect on the blood flow to my nether regions.

It could be your seat?

https://www.tracer900.net/topic/4812-fitted-new-seat-concepts-touring-seat/?do=findComment&comment=123402

I got one of these a few years ago, and like it:

Add compressed air, squeeze the handle down to create a venturi effect, and in about 30 seconds shlurp, you're done.  Next valve.

It wasn't cheap, but it is FAST.  I can flush a car / truck in about 1/2 an hour - all in - if I'm generous by 2x assuming rounded off bleed valves or something.  Otherwise it's a job of minutes.

I have used a squeeze-grip style too, nothing wrong with them at all.  Whatever makes the collection easy and fast - that's what I'm after.  I looked at Mityvacs too, but they seemed overengineered? somehow.

The FJ is due this spring, now that I think of it...

On 1/3/2024 at 7:41 PM, mikerbiker said:

Got around to straightening my Bars/Forks. Took a whopping 15 min   

- I loosened the front axle 1st  

- loosened the lower triple clamp retaining bolts 

- left the top triple tree bolts alone 

- stood in front of the bike and held the tire between my knees and turned the bars in the direction I wanted. I didn't feel any movement or hear any creaking, but looking at the bars from the back showed they were pretty straight. 

- tightened front axle Then lower triple tree. Took her for a ride and she's perfectly straight now.  

This makes sense to me (depending on severity I guess).  I've been wrong before, and could be again, but:

...reason being, in the terrible paint diagram, if the (lower) line at 10:00 is the right fork, and the (upper)line at 10:30 is the left fork, and the handlebars & triple tree are invisible, then it's clear that the axle could easily be at least part of the issue.

So, it makes sense to give it all a bit of slack, correct the alignment as best as possible, snug it up, bounce the front end a bit as if you'd just replaced the front tire, and lastly perform your final torque.

1 hour ago, 2and3cylinders said:

Huh?

Misfire on my part

Nope, I misread something; we're on the same page.  I was attempting (poorly) to add that aftermarket and factory grips etc commonly are warmer on the left side for the same reason - bare metal:

Again, my bad!

Their suspension kit seems like a good deal as well:

https://motomotto.ca/products/progressive-fork-shock-springs-yamaha-fj-09-tracer-15-16?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=015111508&pr_rec_pid=6265010028739&pr_ref_pid=6260774469827&pr_seq=uniform

Some interesting observations, as always

It seems to have

Michelin Pilot 5 tires
Paddock stand bobbins
Full Graves exhaust
Tank grips
Grip puppies
Sliders
Engine guards
FJR1300 foot pegs
Tail tidy
LED signals
V-stream touring windscreen

...and he's done something with the brake line banjo bolts, but they don't seem to be braided lines ?

Anyways, I think the slight whine you're hearing is a result of the exhaust.  Sounds OK to me
 

Sounds like a gap n the market...and an opportunity for someone!

9 hours ago, Wintersdark said:

claim is settled now

Bittersweet, I am sure.  Was it ever recovered, or...?

3 hours ago, piotrek said:

ethanol-free fuel

Yup.  Anything being stored for longer than a few months would ideally have a tank of ethanol-free.  Or some stabilizer, at the very least.

Some folks don't fit social norms.  We have a fellow at work who, if you don't understand who he is or his character, offends nearly everyone.  He doesn't mean to, it's just how we normies interpret him.

We're all different!

38 minutes ago, larolco said:

try to keep moving around

This is key!!  ...and anti-inflams like Ibuprofen.

On 10/20/2023 at 6:13 PM, larolco said:

those Alpinestar Belize boots took a direct hit, blew out the buckle and stitching, but saved my ankle from worse injury.

I feel for you, man.  Sounds like you took a bit of a beating, even though nothing's broken.

Makes me glad to have a pair.

How about some photos of that shiny new iron horse?