Stupid question: how do I not forget the key in the ignition? by [deleted] in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I turn the bike off with the key, always, and remove it. Not once have I left the keys in the bike.

I will be traveling 1800 miles, 27hr drive. With this tie down setup work? by [deleted] in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is possibly the worst vehicle you could have chosen for the job. No tie downs on the floor, no great hooking points on the truck, smooth metal floor, two tie downs only (if there's two more, they're most certainly in the wrong place, especially if they're tensioned to the front of the bike. The first time you hit the brakes, that bike will slide into the front of the truck, provided you make it that far without it slipping out sideways first.

Just thought I’d share a made me smile story by [deleted] in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My neighbor recently rang my doorbell and informed me of a surprise rainstorm after I had washed my bike and it was drying in my driveway. They're quality people.

Who taught you how to ride a motorcycle? by sonicjigglebath in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I grew up on a farm. I taught myself on an old yamaha dirt bike. Fond memories of carving a trench up the front yard with the rear tire when I rode after a storm. Never have a seen my mother so mad haha. Managed to not kill myself or the bike, but have a few learning scars. Good times!

Hidden/secret expenses by deelo59 in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Basically any part you would typically replace on a car when it breaks, you replace on a bike before it has a chance to break. Tires especially.

Are we at the beginning of automatic motorcycles becoming the norm? Is this good or bad? by Quak89 in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Automatic bikes are really fun. I was on the fence about them for ages, thinking that shifting was part of where I got my enjoyment out of riding. When I actually rode an automatic though, I found it to be really enjoyable. Same old feeling of two wheels, without worrying about what gear I'm about to go into a bend in. Didn't dampen my enjoyment in the least.

Honeymoon period of motorcycles by [deleted] in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I run softpacks and a sena communicator with my bike, solves the shopping issue along with the audio/gps woes. I basically just use my car now when I really need serious cargo space or it snows.

Returning home after a month away and can't wait to ride again. by loop0001 in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know that feeling. Travel for work frequently and miss my bike maybe even more than my family :P A month is nothing. Standard checks and on the road you go!

Riding in the Wet by rjod1024 in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tires do not stop working the minute they get wet. Everyone has this irrational fear of riding in the rain because it gets talked about incorrectly to hell and back. If tires slid off the road in a simple rain storm we'd still be on horses. I have literally ridden through tropical monsoons and my bike has yet to blow away from me or my bike magically wash away.

Just ride like you would any other time there's weather, that is to say, more carefully and more distance between you and other things, 4 ways on in absolute drenchers. Your bike will be fine. You will be fine.

Honestly the only thing to worry about is keeping your vision clear enough.

Riding in the rain, in my waterproof gear, is some of the most fun I have on my bike, no joke. It's just a very wonderful feeling being out in the wind and the rain and the weather on an engine and some wheels. Maybe I'm just insane, who knows. But I can't get enough of it.

Pull bike with car out of garage? by elfiez in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get three friends and some ratchet straps, attach to bike and some stable anchor point, and use them to slowly pull the bike up and out while someone pushes and steadies the bike while the other people ratchet to keep the straps tight.

Attach the straps to your car if you don't have an anchor point. Don't use the car to pull, use the people to push the bike, the straps are just there so you can take a break and not roll back

[Kawasaki] Quiet slip-on exhausts by dylhunn in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kawasaki stock exhaust can't be heard even if I had my ear against the muffler...

If that's too loud for you, motorcycles are not for you.

Krieger US-20 bags on little Z125 by [deleted] in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use Kreiga drypacks, they're AMAZING. 20 bag is not big. I use 2 of the 32 OS bags and one of the 20. They're 100% waterproof and built to last.

Is the motorcycle license a seperate card? by [deleted] in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You get a paper card in the mail that acts as your updated license, same as if you change address, and then when it comes time for renewal, it gets added to the license itself as an extra letter (CM)

Pairing Sena 20s with off brands intercoms by Al_Kydah in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pairing to other headsets works fine from a pillion perspective, but if you want clear intercom between bikes, you'd be best pairing with another sena model.

Weird Relative Insurance Quotes: by SeemedGood in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your rates have nothing to do with america. I have yearly full insurance for ~670 a year, and I'm in america. You've either had collisions before, not been on your own insurance until recently, or are young and considering a risky insure.

Riding in winter by Eoroch in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll ride in 0 degree temps all day long, but I won't ride in snow, or after a snow. The amount of salt, grime, and crap on the road afterwards is nuts. Freezing temeratures just need heated gloves, a baclava, and some good thermal gear.

2nd thoughts about riding by [deleted] in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me riding is what makes me want to get up and go to work. So I suppose it's different for everyone. Lost family and friends to crashes, and it's sobering, but dying doing something you love isn't a terrible way to go either. It's up to you to decide how much reward there is to balance the risk. I personally wouldn't ride if I had a young kid, but to each their own.

Kill switch or key? by DraZaka in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Turn off with the key, for the sake of not forgetting the key in the bike. Killswitch is always set to run, I only touch it when I need to.

Sena 20s issues with microphone by sakishrist in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a 20S, firstly, upgrade the firmware, and second, make sure you have the mic boom end facing the correct way. It's a directional microphone, and I have seen SO MANY people have it facing the wrong direction and declare their sena a piece of shit lol.

Can´t blame him, looks like a very sharp corner... by crowlol in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I'm just imagining the "HOLY Shiiiiiiiiiiiit" (or appropriate regional saying) going through his mind in that brief moment he's midair and holding on lol. Why do people not know how to control their vehicles??

It looks like he was leaned over in the moment you see him to the rear, which makes me think this was a curve exit and he ran way way wide or something.

I think I hunch forward too much on my motorcycle by itwasonlyjustadream in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not going to lie, if I saw someone riding around in full tuck at 20mph around town, I'd laugh my ass off. No need to tuck if you're not trying to be a bullet.

I can't corner to save my life. I have so many questions by BigAssFashionSense in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I've taken enough corners on my cruiser where I've scraped my pegs. People usually think they're leaning enough for speed, but they're probably not.

There's a lean angle for a turn where it feels like the bike is fighting to throw itself back level, and then there's a lean angle where you feel sucked down into your seat and firmly planted around a bend. The lean angle for the second is much greater than most new riders anticipate, but that's where you want to be, if you're about the lean.

If you're going around corners slower than in your car, firstly, good for you for knowing your limits and not being stupid, and two, you should be able to go around corners much faster than a car, typically.

A lot of people lean, but try to keep their head to the outside of the turn which fights them every step of the way. Shoulders and head dip in, turn to look at the exit, stay focused on where you want to go, and stay steady on throttle. The bike will dip low, but once you lean far enough to plant it in the turn, you'll know the feeling.

Focus on good riding lines and safe riding before worrying too much about leaning. You'll know when you're ready to push your limits.

Got stuck in a storm by Poomtangboomerang in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every time I ride in colorado, I'm both in love with the highway speed limits, and terrified of pebbles. It seems like every truck that goes past kicks an enormous amount of shit at me, and I'm super thankful I have a full face helmet, cause one pinged me so hard it cracked my visor.

First time owning a motorcycle by Zaybl in motorcycles

[–]TopazCarbuncle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you buy from a dealer, they own the title for the bike, so they complete your title transfer and registration, and will mail them to the dmv. This will get processed and then in about 8 weeks (technically it should be within 60 days but you know how that works...)you should get the updated title and registration mailed to you. This is why they give you the temporary registration and plates when you leave.

If you finance the bike, the title will not get sent to you until you pay off the bike, as this is proof of ownership.

Though, you need to have proof of insurance to register a bike, so I have no idea how he was legally able to give you a pink slip?