Skidood

I frequently start the engine with no problems at all even before the digital gauges have finished booting...I dont bother waiting for the fuel pump to finish.....it will start easily even 2 seconds after turning the key....it takes almost zero time for the fuel pump to build full pressure since fuel is not compressible. 2020 might be different.

1 hour ago, knyte said:

So very cool to have had a partner that let you be you!

Great story, thanks for sharing.

I got in a bit late (late 40's, now 51) but I have a condition that's aging my spine rapidly - the specialists tell me I have the spine of a 60 year old.  So, I have some of the same concerns you do, to a degree.  Covid blew my gym and healthy eating habits out of the water; I lack self discipline, mostly.

However - summer is around the corner and it's time to quit languishing and get out there!

I sure hope to make it last as long as possible.  You, my friend, are an inspiration.

Does riding your bike make your back act up?  I have 2 herniated discs and have already had surgery for that 3 years ago.  After 1.5-2 years they have herniated again but since there is now more room in there (laminectomy) they do not press against the spinal nerves as badly as before.  I do have chronic back pain but it doesn't keep me from riding and riding does not aggravate it, which my family can't believe.  Your situation of course may be different.  And by the way, that's the best 5-o'clock shadow I think I've ever seen.

Good for you!!  Im 56 and frankly there is no way I could do a 500 mile trip in one day, let alone a 250 mile trip.  But I'm not aging well and doubt I will make it to 70.

Give yourself a pat on the back!

OK so it started with the sidestand down and in neutral and it didnt matter if the clutch was in or out, and as soon as I put it in gear, it cut out.  So your problem cannot be the sidestand switch as you already figured. 

"The engine would restart while the clutch was disengaged and in Neutral but  would stop as soon as as I selected a gear or let the clutch out."

So  now I'm wondering, if I went out to my 2019 Tracer and tried to start it with the sidestand down, clutch engaged, out of gear, would it start....and will it cut out as soon as I put it in gear or let the clutch out in neutral... let me check.  Should already know this but Im kinda brain dead today.

On 5/23/2021 at 6:49 PM, Bob K said:

Stopped raining this afternoon , I got in a 150 mile ride . I am happy with my suspension adjustments . I ran it over some hwy construction at 70 mph where there are speed bumps where they cut expansion joints out & filled with asphalt , they left the patch high since the whole slab will be ground down for paving . I would get a jolt but no bounce seams like the tires are staying on the pavement . I hit some corners hard for my ability , no problem no diving seams planted . Done some hard breaking & the bike stayed level . When I get my Corbon seat I will be all good . 😀

I set up the same settings as per the 2nd video from the Scottish guy and while all is good, I do think I may dial back the front compression damping just a little bit.  (instead of 6 clicks back from full, may be 8-9)   The front may dive a bit more when hitting the front brake but I want things a wee bit smoother over the bumps on the front.

On 5/26/2021 at 3:14 PM, deejay20005@gmail. said:

Hi guys.

This is what I've done. Not big fan of windscreens here. Wasn't impressed with aftermarket screens and only one I liked was made in Japan and cost was almost $200 with shipping to US. I've just cut my stock windscreen and I'm very pleased with result.

Very interesting. How did you cut it to get such good clean lines?

1st oil change and added a Kawasaki rear seat case I bought from someone else, fit like a charm.

On 5/25/2021 at 8:45 PM, Skidood said:

I'm going to be changing my oil in a few days, odo 645 miles , will post my observations.

oil was dirty..surprise surprise.  EXACTLY 2.7 litres to fill up to the high mark after letting it drain for a good hour

8 hours ago, quaxum said:

Very nice.

I replicated something like that for my boxes as well. 😆

OK that is definitely the biggest tail case I have ever seen.  I bet wheelies are easy for you.  And why does your exhaust tip look different?

I'm going to be changing my oil in a few days, odo 645 miles , will post my observations.

5 hours ago, thewrenchbender said:

Or the screens on a “modern” Lycoming or Continental GA engine...think the worst I’ve ever seen were R-985s that had been running “non-detergent” oil that were accidentally serviced with “detergent” oil-they would collapse and have to be levered out of the housing...

My nearly new (<400 miles) FJR oil and final drive changes did have me wondering...but after the first couple, and doing periodic oil analysis, Blackstone Laboratories assured me that everything was just fine.

How could an aircraft shop use the wrong oil?  THAT seems scary....

turned over 600 miles today, oil change kit arriving on Wednesday but I'm still heading out to ride tonight and tomorrow too, oil looks good in the little window..

5 hours ago, Bob K said:

Well I have looked at a lot of you tube & decided to try settings from a English GT owner that has quite a few miles on his 2019 Tracer . My first thought was to set everything up very soft , but changed my mind because of safety & tire wear problems . This is what I settled on . Fork tubes , 4 rings showing , both adjusting screws 6 turns out from hard .

Back shock spring , 15 click tight , adjusting screw 5 click out from hard . Don't know when I can ride , raining here & rain all next week . 😢

 

I found the video (the guy is Scottish not English) and am going to try those setting too.   Thanks for sharing.

13 hours ago, piotrek said:

Finally managed to peel myself away from work for a day, and took a reconnaissance ride out to Grand Bend ON, one of our favourite summer hangouts. Parked in front of the beach house for a photo (was chased off the sidewalk shortly after). Had some ice cream and water. A nice day out.

Roadside hydration stop on way back.

Love Grand Bend, I grew up over that way.  

I'm about the same weight as you and have my 2019 set up on the softer side as I have herniated discs and enjoy a soft ride..  My spring preloads and all damping settings are set at about 35-40% of maximum "hardness" or damping.  (35-40% of the available adjustment range on the adjusters)   I think I need to increase spring preload just a wee little bit on the rear, otherwise I'm very happy with these settings and don't have any issues with handling.

18 hours ago, Rick123 said:

And me too. Where about, if I may ask?

Hi there, I'm close to Burnamthorpe and Cawthra.  How about you?

Mississauga, Ontario which is essentially an extension of Toronto.

On 4/30/2021 at 6:23 PM, CJ3cyl said:

That looks like a freaking snake. It would make a great avatar.

Thats exactly what I thought too!

So easy..existing plate holder is much larger than our plates and it looks like crap......just removed the existing plate holder and screwed the plate to the plastic bracket that held the plate holder.  Took the reflectors off the plate holder and added them to the ends of the bracket. Required drilling new holes for machine screws and nuts in the plastic.

41 minutes ago, Wintersdark said:

I feel this is a UK problem more than a Canada problem, @Skidood.  I mean, your plate is publicly visible, and they (Canadian plates) are definitely not easy to replicate.  I can't say I've ever heard of that being a problem here anyways.  Definitely not something I'd worry about.  

Thanks, I tend to agree.  Having said that, I'm about to post a pic of my plate in the main GT forum and this time I obscured the number, lol...doesn't take that long when you're a MSPaint nut like me..

Hi all, wondering if anyone has one of these on their Tracer GT?

https://fortnine.ca/en/nelson-rigg-cl-1060-st2-commuter-touring-tail-seat-bag

This might be dumb, but...can anyone give me a plausible explanation as to why you'd go to the trouble of blacking out/obscuring your license plate # before posting photos? 

Thank you, and yes I agree that the way the fairings etc are mounted leads to some movement or jiggliness.  I've always been OK with some jiggle  🙂. I guess it would even stranger if there was no clunk sound when hitting a bump so I'm going to continue not worrying about it.

Hi, when I hit a sharp edge or abrupt bump, I hear a dull knock sound from the front end.  The bump could be the far side of a manhole cover, or when  entering a parking lot and you hit the flattened curb at the edge of the road at a good speed.  At first I thought it was normal since this bike is brand new.  Just curious if others experience this. Spring preload and compression damping is set on the softer side.