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RIDE PHOTOGRAPHS AND INFORMATION
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AGIRL'S 4-CORNERS TOUR 2006
Click This Link For Her Ride Map
My friend AGirl (aka Stromette) took a 4-Corners Motorcycle Tour
between September 6 and September 24, 2006. I set up a map to track her progress during her trip
and it can be viewed by clicking the link above. I couldn't be there with her on the road so I kept
track of things here!
She is a habitual traveler and she now has her own web site with a number of reports
from some of her trips this past year. It is still under construction (for one reason because I
can't keep her still long enough to do ride reports!), but check it out. I handle her web site
and may move her 4-Corners map there at some point. I've already set up the entire day-to-day
ride report there. Her site is at
www.SeizeTheJourney.com
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MOTORCYCLE FACTS OF LIFE
Click This Link For More
Apparently a lot of people think a motorcycle is a magical machine with a plastic
bubble around it to protect them from the elements. That isn't so, and this page
was written for prospective riders who want to know the true Motorcycle Facts of Life.
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WIND CHILL CALCULATIONS
Click This Link For Calculations
Ever wondered what the windchill is at a particular temperature? Here is an
easy way to find out. I ran across a forumla on the
National Weather Service web site at This Link
that shows how to calculate wind chill for a given air temperature and wind speed. The
program on this page will show the wind chill in 5 mph increments from 5 mph to 100 mph for
a temperature that you provide.
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V-STROM BUFFETING
Click This Link For More
A number of people have experienced a severe buffeting problem with the Suzuki V-Strom,
and to some it is severe enough that they have sold the bike. It isn't a problem
for me but I have added this web page to compile information from people who are having
the problem (or even from those who aren't). If you are having this problem there
may be some information here that might help you find a resolution. If you aren't
having a problem you might want to share what you have done to resolve the problem.
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NATIONAL PARK PASSPORT STAMPS
Click This Link For More
Many of the National Parks have "Passport Stamps" that can be used to stamp a passport "Book". Collecting
them is addictive but fun. My friend AGirl got me interested in them, and since that time
I've logged a few miles on a quest to capture some of them. I only have a few so far,
but more will be acquired this year! Click the link above for more information.
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BACKGROUND
After a 30+ year hiatus from riding motorcycles I decided I wanted another one. I
looked at numerous different models before I found one that I felt suited my needs and wants. I first looked
at sport bikes, but the seating position just didn't look that comfortable to my 54 year old frame. I don't
care for the true "Touring" bikes or the "Cruisers" and I didn't want a dirt bike. That left the "Standard"
and "Dual-Sport" categories. Many of the "Standards" are naked bikes and I prefer a fairing (or at least a
partial fairing) and windscreen. I ran across photos of the Suzuki V-Strom and that was all I needed to see. I
looked at them at the local dealers, mulled it over for a couple of weeks, and bought one.
Somewhere along the line the motorcycle endorsement on my driver's license went away so I had to get that reinstated. I
also decided that because it had been so long since I was on a bike I needed a "Refresher Course" in how to ride
one. Succesfully completing an approved
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)
course precludes one from having to take the written and driving test for a motorcycle license or endorsement in Tennessee, plus
I knew it would give me the valuable instruction I needed after so many years away from motorcycles. To that end, before I put one single mile on the
motorcycle, I took the Basic Rider's Course from Mid-South Motorcycle Training Center. In
two days of riding and classroom activities I learned how much I had forgotten, and got back enough confidence to take my
bike out on the road in a relatively safe manner. I strongly recommend this to new and returning riders, it is
without question the smartest thing you can possibly do.
I also took the MSF Enhanced Rider Course from Volunteer Motorcycle
Training Services on October 29, 2006. At that time I had slightly over 6,000 miles on my bike. The ERC is
basically the same riding maneuvers as the BRC, however they are done on your own motorcycle. In many cases this
is a much different experience than doing them on little 250cc trainers. Once a rider gets some experience under
their belt this is something I highly recommend. The course teaches you how to do things on your bike that might
make a big difference on the streets.
I have two bikes, a 2006 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom and a 2007 Honda VFR800FI Interceptor. I bought the V-Strom on
May 1, 2006 and the VFR on August 6, 2007. When I bought the VFR the V-Strom had over 17,000 miles
on it. I decided I wanted something a bit sportier and with a bit more power. After looking around
at what was available I decided on the VFR. Both of these bikes are fabulous machines in their own right,
and both are excellent for different purposes.
The DL650 has a 15 month head-start on the VFR so it has a few more "Farkles" on it. I'm not sure how long
that will last though.
MAINTENANCE ITEMS REPLACED DUE TO WEAR ...
MAINTENANCE ITEMS REPLACED DUE TO WEAR ...
I don't stray too terribly far far from the Middle Tennessee area, but I am starting to spread out
a good deal. Below are links to maps of where I have ridden in the past couple of years.
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RIDING GEAR
I'm a firm believer in ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time). Or, perhaps more appropriately, "MOTGATT" for "Most" of the gear all the time. The bottom line is that I don't ride without protective gear. I did my time sliding on asphalt when I was young and I didn't like it at all. I've still got the scars to prove it to. Like most young people I guess I felt invincible but now that I'm older I know better. I know how easily and how quickly things can go wrong. I may get hot in the summer but I know I'm doing all I can to improve my chances of not getting hurt.
Obviously the gear listed above is dependant on the weather and temperature, and it is frequently in a state of change. I pick different jackets and gloves depending on the expected temperature. I also replace gear regularly when I find something that I feel will be more comfortable or provide better protection. In fact I went through several pairs of gloves during the winter of 2006 trying to find some that were warm (the Joe Rocket Revolutions are good when used with handguards and heated grips!) My wife gave me some Gerbing heated gloves for my birthday so I expect my hands to stay warm this coming winter (December, 2007 Note: They are!!)! I much prefer leather gloves to textile gloves because for some reason textile gloves cause my hands to hurt. I have a couple of pair of textile gloves but seldom wear them. I tend to lean on the handle bars somewhat, and even textile gloves with gel in the palms do not feel as comfortable as leather gloves. As to helmets I always prefer my Arai helmet but it is snug enough that I can't wear a balaclava underneath it. When it is cold and I need the balaclava (actually the Turtle Fur "Shellaclava") I wear my HJC helmet. One thing that is constant every time I get on a bike is a full-face helmet. I absolutely refuse to get on a bike without one. I've had far too many things bounce off of my face shield that would be in my face or eyes, and I will not take that chance just to feel the breeze blowing in my face. I just cannot understand how some people will take that chance with the only brain and the only pair of eyes that they will ever have. I ride in Kentucky from time to time where the helmet law gives me the option of wearing a helmet or not. In my opinion there is no choce, my helmet is always on my head. Every rider can do what they want as far as I'm concerned. Some prefer comfort to safety, others tend to put "Looking Cool" ahead of safety. I think the guys riding with shorts and t-shirts are foolish, but that is their business. I suspect that most of them have never been down yet. I know for a fact that sliding on pavement hurts, I've been there and I've done it. It is said that there are only two kinds of riders; those who have gone down and those who will. I treat EVERY ride as if it will be one when I go down again and I do everything I can to minimize the damage. There are just too many drivers on the roads that do not pay attention to motorcycles. When I got this bike I decided that it wasn't worth taking the chance. My choice is to protect myself, and that's the way I ride every time I get on my bike. |
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FAVORED VENDORS
I buy a lot of motorcycle items over the internet and there are literally hundreds (perhaps thousands) of online dealers. I can find companies all day long that provide average prices or service but so far I have only run across a handful of companies that provide above average service or prices. When I order something I expect it to be shipped within 24 hours, I expect to be notified if there are any problems with the order, I expect competetive prices, and I expect assistance if I have an issue with the order. There are far too many companies floating around the internet these days to expect anything less. The links shown below are to vendors and manufacturers who have never, ever let me down. Every single time I have ordered from these folks I have gotten exactly what I ordered, it is shipped on the day I order it, and if I have a problem I know for certain they will do everything they can to make it right. I'm pretty picky and there are some very well known companies that didn't make my "A-List" for one reason or another. There are some pretty well-known companies I hesitate to order from for one reason or another, and there are some I categorically refuse to order from again. Everyone has their own favorites and their own reasons for liking or disliking a company. These are my good ones. Notice that I have absolutely no affiliation with these companies whatsoever other than being a well-satisfied customer. They don't give me free stuff or discounts to put up a link to their site. They are just plain good people to deal with.
o Cycle Gadgets This is a group of vendors and manufacturers that I have dealt with once or twice and have had very good luck with. Some are somewhat specialized and I don't need what they offer very often. Others I just haven't ordered from very often. Regardless, what little experience I have had with them has been good and I would not hesitate to buy from them again or recommend them to someone else. o Hyperlights
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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You can usually find me on the Strom Troopers Forum or on the VFRWorld Forum
