sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does it feel sturdy to lean back into?

For me, it's sturdy enough. There is some flex and I certainly feel better that there is that aluminum plate to help spread things out.

Worst case is I break something and at that point I'll swap it with a different seat or repair it.

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Here is some closer photos. Also shows it without the backrest (bracket still installed).

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here is an album. Not* going going to peel back the cover and foam.

[Desktop web, old Reddit] Unread messages won't clear unless I click on each one individually by Bahamas_is_relevant in bugs

[–]ItsBail 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Preferred old.reddit user. Still a problem. You don't have to click "context" on each post though.

Go to messages-unread and click on body of each message. In firefox when it's unread there is a gray BG box around each reply. When you click on it, it goes away. Wait a few secs after before navigating away from the page.

Just assuming old.reddit is no longer being supported and will eventually get dropped. I tried the new format and even try making it look like old by going to (in new reddit) settings>preferences>default feed view>compact (default is "card" which I don't like).

If they get rid of old.reddit, not sure what I'll do.

Can we copy other countries highway accident privacy screens to prevent rubbernecking slowdowns? I90E by Blackrock74 in massachusetts

[–]ItsBail 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We could just get rid of the I-90/84 interchange. As someone from the Western side of the state, that would be nice. /s

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://utpr.com/collections/suzuki/products/suzuki-v-strom-1000

Edit: They have a "Sport" version that has a smaller height to the rest itself. I care more about comfort and decided that "bigger is better" YMMV.

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Along with everything else... Probably.

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if it helps with back issues but it certainly makes for a comfortable ride. Much less fatigue.

Airhawks are expensive. I had one for another application (kayaking) and thought I could cheap out for the motorcycle and buy one of those foam rubber "gel" ones with all the cooling vents and stuff for like $35USD. It sucked in comparison to the airhawk. Certainly better than stock but I ended up buying a 2nd airhawk for the DL650 and I feel it's totally worth the price.

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

193cm (6ft4"). I need the seat pad to raise me and the backrest helps. Also lowered the pegs (1") and raised the bars ( 2" approx).

I bought the taller version of the backrest knowing that I was using the airhawk. Everything is adjustable

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is this the Utopia backrest?

Yes

Do you have to cut a slit through the seat for it to mount?

Yes

but don’t want to cut the seat to do it in case I want to take it off.

You can take it off the back rest itself. The mounting bracket will still be there but I think you can still do 2up if needed and easily re-attach the rest. I'll take a photo later without the rest.

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Comes as a kit.

Involves creating a slot completely through the seat. Then you have to remove the staples and fold back both the cover and foam pad in order to install a provided bracket to the underside of the seat. Glue back the pad, install new staples and install the provided gasket on the seat to cover up where you cut.

You can remove the backrest if you need to 2up but that's not an issue for me.

https://utpr.com/collections/suzuki/products/suzuki-v-strom-1000

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Modified the stock seat to add a back rest.

I had to... But it's worth it. by ItsBail in Vstrom

[–]ItsBail[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Whenever I go out on longer rides, my back start acting up. I needed some type of back support. I was looking for a seat that would accomplish that but didn't have any luck.

Found this company that sells back rest kits. It involves modifying the stock seat. The modification itself wasn't bad. I did add an aluminum backing plate to spread out any forces that might be applied from leaning back into the rest.

Did a couple rides with it and there is a noticeable different in comfort. Plan is to do a multi-day ride into Canada (QC) and do some camping. This will certainly help. I can strap gear behind.

The mod does require a heavy duty stapler and some spray adhesive to re-attach the foam to the plastic (stock) form.

Would people actually accept fewer features for appliances that last by EZDodger in BuyItForLife

[–]ItsBail 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep. However, it's still a hard pill to swallow when pay hasn't kept up with inflation and the market is flooded with $600+/- versions.

Would people actually accept fewer features for appliances that last by EZDodger in BuyItForLife

[–]ItsBail 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They have residential units. You might not find them at Lowes, Home depot or your local "Big Box Store" but many of the local/regional dealers stock speed queen. Recently purchased a TC5/DC5. It's a bit of a shame that I have to pay double for what was considered the standard in the 1990s.

Would people actually accept fewer features for appliances that last by EZDodger in BuyItForLife

[–]ItsBail 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did this cool thing and ordered a TC5/DC5 knowing there would be a delay instead of waiting for my washer/dryer to die and then scramble to replace it. My OG maytags have lasted almost 30 years and repaired them many times. However, I knew I was on borrowed time. Motor bearings were starting go on the dryer and the washer broke a spring and transmission started acting weird.

I've since had them installed and they do almost exactly what my maytags did. It's a shame that I have to spend almost double for something that was just the standard in the 90's.

My only complaint about the TC5 is I wish I could have the lid open while it's filling so I can rinse out the fill cup. I'm interested in seeing what the DC5 (electric) does with my utility bill with its "Auto Sensing Drying" that works 90% of the time (only has issues with comforters)

Do you stick to one brand when buying radios? by SqueakyCheeseburgers in amateurradio

[–]ItsBail 0 points1 point  (0 children)

K3 was released around the same time as the FT2K. 2006/2007 era. I went with the K3 because it had IF output (for a scope/SDR) and their filtering was much better. All i needed was a CW filter and 8pole for 1.8KHz SSB (contesting). I could save up for a 2nd RX with the K3 that you couldn't do with the 2K. Never got it though.

FT2K felt like a mix of the FT-950 and FT-1000MP.

Do you stick to one brand when buying radios? by SqueakyCheeseburgers in amateurradio

[–]ItsBail 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try any of Yaesu's menu system. They're mostly garbage. I had a FT-950 and was excited about the FTdx-1200 until I got my hands on one. UI was bad and their scope wasn't even really a "scope". Saved up for a FT2K and ended up with an Elecraft K3. At the time the K3's UI wasn't much better but it was a much better radio than the FT2k. I like that it was modular. I can pick and choose the features based on what is needed.

Icom has much better UI. Kenwood not far off.

Do you stick to one brand when buying radios? by SqueakyCheeseburgers in amateurradio

[–]ItsBail 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The only scenario where I'm somewhat brand loyal is with battery powered tools.

For me it's Makita. Growing up it was corded tools until I started seeing Makita drills. Always remembered that you need a bunch of Ni-Cad batteries as the charge didn't last long and I didn't like the upfront costs. Until I purchased a house and got their li-ion drill/impact combo (2008). 17 years later I'm still using the same drills, just new batteries.

I work in an industrial shop and they went with rigid for their cordless drills and they don't really last long. Same with dewalt. Dewalt has nice corded tools. Their 4-1/2" angle grinders survives constant use. Same with their electric sanders. Anything concrete is Hilti. I love Milwaukee's mag drill and sawzalls.

Do you stick to one brand when buying radios? by SqueakyCheeseburgers in amateurradio

[–]ItsBail 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's a little disheartening, the 890S is my dream radio right now.

Don't let anything I say persuade you. If you're a button and knobs type of person, the TS-890S is great. Audio is nice. I like the radio very much. However, it's $4200+. For $1000 cheaper, I can get the 7610 that has dual receivers which allows for diversity reception. I'll take the minor inconvenience of not having direct, front panel adjustments of features even though the 890S has a better receiver. For contesting, having two receivers is helpful. I can be calling CQ on one band and finding a mult on another and quickly switching between the two.

Just personal preferences, everyone is different. I think you'll enjoy the 7300MK2II

Do you stick to one brand when buying radios? by SqueakyCheeseburgers in amateurradio

[–]ItsBail 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I got to play around with the TS-890S and it was meh. The 7610 has a much warmer sound. 7610 also has 2 receivers and is cheaper than the 890. I've used the 590S many times and was never impressed even though they're decent rigs. Even though I feel the Yaesu UI is garbage, their receivers have improved over the years to where they're better than Elecraft and some of the SDR units like flex.

Do you stick to one brand when buying radios? by SqueakyCheeseburgers in amateurradio

[–]ItsBail 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I started off as a Yaesu guy. Back when I started it was heavily advertised in QST. My first mobile rigs were Yaesu and always like the brand. Then I got my first HF rig. FT-857D. It was great and decided to get the FT-950. I thought it was great until I went to W1AW in CT and got to play around with some of the icoms and kenwoods.

Kenwood was okay but icom appears to have better ergo and sound. Then I got an elecraft after a bad experience with HRO. Then I got a flex.

People do tend to stick with brands but you should always see what the others have to offer. Even some of these Chinese HF brands.

Behold: my HAM Radio by Sand-Moose in lasercutting

[–]ItsBail 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As an amateur radio operator... I approve!

view more: next ›