AtoB

On 7/17/2019 at 12:06 PM, wordsmith said:

Farkle # 13 – July 17^th.      I have just completed the installation of one of the more satisfying safety-oriented farkles, the rear-mounted brake-operated flashing/ pulsing brake lights.    

Components comprise the tiny GS-100A Modulator, aka a ‘brake light strobe controller box’ which creates the pulsing function; a relay; an in-line 5a fuse; a single Posi-Tap into the yellow brake-light lead; and some wire.   The few joints were soldered and heat-shrink tube applied: crimp-on connectors would be as good and easier, but I enjoy soldering.   I pre-fabbed most of the wiring while awaiting the delivery of the Modulator, so the final steps took only a short amount of time.  

The satisfaction is largely because I know as much about electronological stuff as the average Neanderthal cave-dweller, but this is the latest of several such installations I’ve done on various bikes, and it gets easier every time.   The hardest part is waiting for some of the components to arrive from overseas!   

I could afford a ready-made kit, say the P3 kit from Skene Lighting (excellent stuff that I have used before) at AUD$214, but I choose not to afford it: my set-up cost about AUD$40 and works just as well.   The ‘job well-done’ is a bonus!

All the components and wiring are neatly tucked-away under the rear seat, while the LED strips are fastened to a short length of aluminium angle under the rearmost part of the luggage rack, for maximum visibility.   When either brake is engaged, the LEDs pulse five or six times in rapid succession, alerting following vehicles that I’m braking, then remain ‘on’ in steady state until the brake is released. 

If anyone here is interested in doing something similar I can post the wiring diagram.   It’s pretty easy stuff – if I can, you can!  

The last pic here shows the LEDs illuminated, but in real life believe me that they glow blindingly red!

 

 

Thanks Wordy for posting all these details. This looks like a very good idea as I spend quite a bit of time in traffic. Would love to see the wiring diagram also. I am comfortable with a soldering iron and some heat shrink so this would seem to be within my capabilities.

On another note  -Whats the thinking behind the day time running lights? Is it better than just driving on full beam in the day?

On 7/5/2019 at 1:42 AM, edgarjessop12 said:

Hi,  does anyone leave their traction control on 2 all the time, as it does not do anything unless you hit a patch of diesel

or something , or a thunderstorm happens. So there is no need to switch it off, plus it is already there should you need it.

Don't see the point of having a switch . The bike should just come with it on. Plus less electronics to go wrong. And the 

less switches the better.😀😁😂.

Cheers  Edgar Jessop. 

I have mine on 2 the whole time and never notice it. Mind you I am so green that i still go looking for the seatbelt when I jump on the bike 😏.

On 7/3/2019 at 12:25 PM, wordsmith said:

 

FARKLING MY NEW 2019 AUSTRALIAN TRACER 900 GT

Farkle #1 – July 3^rd. .  

Love this. I installed mine on the inside of the mirror.  I found my elbow view that would otherwise be there a bit useless. They swivel round a little ball joint which gets me the angle I want. I found this made a surprising difference to my riding comfort as I find the original mirrors quite small. I drive in a lot of traffic so mirrors are extra useful.

On 7/6/2019 at 2:02 AM, wordsmith said:

Farkle #9 - July 5th.  

 

Simple and clever. Now if only there was a way to change the mode change switch on the front so it became the full beam flasher.

The very first time i filled mine up I didn't realise you were supposed to put the nozzel through that hole and petrol splashed all over me. Thought I was going to go up in a ball of flames within 1 min of my first ride!

Soooooo....
I did this. Got the tracer. Wanted to wait till I had clocked my first 1000km on it before i reported back, to try and minimise the cognitive dissonance getting into my reflections. And also see if I survived

After purchase and use, my exact question I realised, essentially boiled down to whether I should get  a bike with abs/TC and actually the QS vs one without. The tracer is clearly a lot more powerful than the versys as well, but that power is optional and quite easy for me at least to decide to not use. Boy is it a lovely machine. I have enjoyed every minute on it and every minute thinking about riding whilst off. One of those 'would I always be disappointed if I hadn't made this decision' decisions? Definitely.

Mode B is the big answer to getting going with it. I have done the odd ride in standard recently and can see the move happening soon-- no big drama at all in the difference between the two. I actually think it might be a bit smoother when pulling away in standard.

So far I am up at blue belt skill level from a motojitsu.com point of view. Haven't dropped the bike (will probably tomorrow😀), but come close when trying to nail the 16ft u turn. Still working on that. I have crash bars installed also now as well as the Shad 59x top box (love it!!) . I have done at least 500 emergency stops whilst practicing. And Abs is totally and utterly the right choice. Plus in Malaysia when it rains it is often  like the  sea coming down out the sky. And the bike performs beautifully in these conditions. Feels planted.

What is interesting is how easy I have found the switch from my 10bhp automatic scooter to the 115bhp big bike. Almost easier to steer with any speed. At slow speeds definitely harder, but  practicing on the motojitsu skills is proving invaluable on the road at traffic lights etc and particularly splitting which is de rigour here in Kuala Lumpur. The big bike is unsurprisingly way better for the 30km motorway commute. I bought the thing thinking it was going to feel a lot safer than a scooter with the ability to drive more positively, and it has definitely panned out that way. That plus the complete fully armoured gear I now wear.

Should my view on these things inform others making similar choices, - well only maybe. I am clearly very inexperienced compared to most and my mindset is at the very end of the scale re safety first (eg. I wear full armoured gear all the time in the consistent 90+ f heat), which might not match everyone's sensibilities. But can the tracer work as a first bike - so far so good as long as you practice all the time and try and get better and safer everyday. Any big bike is clearly a weapon and needs to be respected as such, but tameable. Are there better options - inevitably, though I honestly think in my local market it is a fair choice. And the scooter practice for a year has been surprisingly helpful.

Thanks harraseeket. Good to hear on both cases. Totally agree that if versys had abs, would be clear decision. No idea why it doesn't here. Nearest other bike here in seating comfort that does is the suzuki v-strom 650, but it definitely doesn't feel quite as comfy and very few around here, hence resale will be harder. Plus, i just dunno - not loving it at all. Slightly wider as well. Getting a lot closer on price to the gt also, so vstrom is a pass for me.

Ongoing thanks to everyone for their points. Part of the big bike licence acquisition process in Malaysia is about 20hrs of training (biometric log in log out) going round an obstacle course on a kawa z650 (with Abs), followed by a test on that obstacle course.

You have to get through 6 obstacles when you take one of the three in total tests required for the licence (theory, slow skills obstacles, and road driving) : the obstacle course consists of  (1) complete a tight figure of 8 twice, around a double roundabout with a radius of about 6m; (2) drive onto and over a 'bridge' - a raised bit of concrete about 6 inches off the ground and 8 inches wide 10m long taking over 7 seconds to get over it - a lesson in balance and slow speed / clutch control, dragging the back brake, using revs to push the flywheel to keep balance. (3) wiggle through a series of cones, (4) emergency stop - hit About 40-50 km/hr then brake sharp (hello abs), and stop within a set space without stalling. (5) manoeuvre around a series of 90 degree turns within about 1.5 m wide road without putting your foot on the ground, (6) go over a series of 15 concrete bars on the road and not let your wheels move out of the two lines around them (generally easy, but even more so if you stand on the pegs a little).

All of it can be done in first gear. Takes about 8 mins to complete it all. I have now logged 15 hrs on this so have done the course about 80+ times and so far never dropped the bike. It's good for giving you first gear riding skills I guess. The forced, repeated practice has definitely developed some strong muscle memory at low speeds manoeuvring.

Apart from it being fun, I particularly like the fact that there are 4 different bikes that you practice on, all with quite different amounts of play in the clutch, front braking response, effectiveness of a back brake - so having to adjust to them is good.

There is also an 'on the road' course going around traffic lights, roundabouts, intersections - not on a real road, but full of newbies trying to drive their cars round it. About third gear max on this one.

To segway back into the point of this thread - do I feel this training prepares me well to take on gt or a versys? Not really, but it will have greatly reduced my chances of dropping the machine at low speeds (though at 187kg for a z650 vs 215 for the bikes I am considering buying, a little more to contend with). Also, the emergency stop routine shows the advantages of abs clearly to me. +1 for the tracer. The z650 is not to my liking comfort wise, so the sports tourer remains a good target.

After this though I think I need some more urgent training probably, some track time to get me more comfortable on higher speed cornering than I have done so far. Dirt bike recommendations I can also see the point of. Have read a twist of the wrist II,  and Motorcycle Roadcraft now so looking forward to putting those wise words into practice. With my learners licence now in the bag with the theory test passed, alarmingly I can now go out on the road solo so about to complete my purchase.

Many thanks to everyone for all these replies. Very helpful. Frankly I was expecting more people to talk about the lunacy of going for the tracer, so it's useful to get these perspectives. Wish the versys was available here with abs, tc etc. - be an easier decision. Anyway, sounds like I am going to be enjoying either choice.

I think I know what people are going to say to this question, but here goes......

I am 44 yrs old, 6ft 1, and have very little experience on a big bike, though pretty sensible mindset etc., fit / pretty coordinated for whatever that is worth.

I have been driving a 135 scooter for about a year, every day - so have the little road sense that brings me (very limited I understand on something that is only about 10 bhp). Completing all the training to pass my test here (Malaysia) for riding big bikes, and then plan on doing all the other safety training I can beyond that immediately, plus practice constantly, carefully, do loads of slow maneuvering exercises - whatever I can do to get my skills up - thoroughly looking forward to it all.

Looking to buy my first big bike - will be used for mainly highway/motorway commuting - about 50 km a day round trip, with some longer weekend trips - roads here are pretty good and there are so many bikes on the road that the drivers are pretty aware of them - more so than many countries at least. Having sat on and given a brief test ride on all the obvious contenders [to me] (V-Strom 650, Versys 650, Kawa Z650, MT-07 etc.), by far and away the most comfortable for my height were the GT Tracer 900 and less so, the Kawa Versys 650.

Reluctantly, I would accept that the Versys is the more sensible first bike, though where I am living, the Versys does not come with ABS. The GT obviously does (though no panniers ?!). I love the bike and felt more comfortable on the GT than the Versys.  Though I am very aware that the GT is very overpowered for a first big bike.  Is there anything to be said for going for the GT over the Versys, just because it has ABS, Traction Control and using it in B mode initially, or am I better off going for the non ABS Versys and then trading up in say a year / XXX miles etc? (I accept I will likely drop whatever I have at some point).