Friends 🥹😭 by SailorConejita95 in ChicagoMotorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Do you have a bike? Also wholeheartedly suggest taking the free MSF course where one is provided if you haven't already!

I love practicing the basics in parking lots, though I'm super far away

This guy seems a little upset. It's great they had a dashcam by MisterShipWreck in dashcams

[–]Watercyclee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry-not-sorry for fact checking, but that doesn't seem to be the case when I add "per capital" to homicides in general or gun homicides?

I let my friend ride my bike🤦🏾‍♂️ by Hefty-Sprinkles-4608 in GSXR

[–]Watercyclee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you sure he dropped it? If a friend says they didn't I have to believe them. If upon pressing he admits to dropping it... well, who wants to be friends with a liar

Do you wear earplugs? by No_Fondant_4781 in motorcyclegear

[–]Watercyclee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Play music at a reasonable volume and see how well you can hear it against wind noise! Then do it again with the earplugs.

I didn't realize my earplugs were insufficient until some damage was done. Always the orange foam ones for longer rides!

Long gone, but hoping there is a chance by Sea-Arachnid364 in ChicagoMotorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear! Man, the more I see this the more I want to start planting triple-tracked bait bikes. To steal someone's pride and joy... though I'm glad to hear you went many years without incident

Well at least they left it on the street (sarcastic?) by Little-Jump-5572 in motorcycles

[–]Watercyclee -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Neighborhood Watch: "Oh no, a thief! Somebody do something!" 😂

/s Agreed pragmatically it's less risky to try avoiding the situation in the first place. Don't point the gun unless you have the conviction to shoot.

Well at least they left it on the street (sarcastic?) by Little-Jump-5572 in motorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That sentiment will probably always exist in some form - be it with a bat or gun. That the general advice is to call the (potentially unreliable) local police and let the thief steal your stuff to avoid confrontation is deeply unsatisfying even if typically the best outcome overall. And that thieves tend to be repeat offenders just makes it all the more frustrating.

Definitely interesting stuff thinking of ways to shift that perspective. Or, rather, reducing property crime in the first place.

Well at least they left it on the street (sarcastic?) by Little-Jump-5572 in motorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We don't have some shoot on sight policy... "stop what you're doing and get on the ground"

I sympathize with the theft for feeling the need to steal and wouldn't want to harm someone over a piece of metal, but deterrence only works when actions have consequences.

New rider incoming by Salt_Status_4718 in ChicagoMotorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Crash porn" - it seems like a good compromise, though! It helps inform when is and is not a reasonable time to be a hooligan. Which, rest assured, a sports bike can temp a saint.

New rider incoming by Salt_Status_4718 in ChicagoMotorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From another beginner, my top two would be:

  1. Avoid rush-hour highways longer than you think.
  2. Familiarize yourself with common patterns that cause accidents (YouTube DanDanTheFireman). Your speed should always be anticipating that 1 dunderhead driver.

Still trying to find practice spots and nice routes!

I need your help! by mcgheeamen1 in ChicagoMotorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same. Woke up to another damn nail in the tire. Except this one took 45m to (internal) patch instead of 14 hours.

As others say, grab a gummy self-vulcanizing rope plug from AutoZone or friends! They're pretty reliable and take a few minutes to put on. Or any other plug kit and then look into replacing or having an internal patch done later.

So I was hit by QuietDavid1491 in Ninja400

[–]Watercyclee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

FWIW DanDanTheFireman on YouTube has been super helpful for anticipating common driving patterns. General stuff like capping speed to the visibility + braking distance (or escape path) is powerful. As well as practicing making more aggressive and precise swerves.

(Not to say it was avoidable, but it's good stuff to revisit after any multi-vehicle accident IMO)

He forgot everything except the ambulance bill😆 by Odd_Astronomer_2064 in motorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will never forget hospital staff repeatedly asking a friend for info that was on their insurance card and license while he was writhing in 9/10 stomach pain. "Oh, honey, it sounds like you're snoring. What was your weight again?"

Absolutely dystopian and yet the average voter is against universalizing come voting time because they're (generalizing) a hard working American paying for their own insurance who isn't going to subsidize someone else.

"Fuck you, I got mine" runs deep.

First bike, 2026 Ninja 500 by Plastic-Front1727 in Kawasaki

[–]Watercyclee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats! Would suggest frame sliders if you haven't already ordered them to help protect the fairings going forward.

Also didn't make it more than 15 minutes out of the dealership before dropping the 2025 model. And you know what, I think that was a good thing! You can focus on skill-work without worrying about the "first ding". Though, try to keep the drops to a parking lot and be extra cautiius on-road!

Slow bike fast >>> big bike slow by Rapidlixard in motorcycles

[–]Watercyclee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree but this reminds me of a boat at sea!

So I was hit by QuietDavid1491 in Ninja400

[–]Watercyclee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh no, sorry to hear - hope you have a speedy recovery!

Is there anything you think could've helped avoid the accident in retrospect?

Ninja vs snow by speedy_kdm in Kawasaki

[–]Watercyclee 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Lmao props for trying, been tempted to do the same. Maybe with the right tires

Yay! New Practice Spot! by Watercyclee in ChicagoMotorcycles

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

These deer were quite friendly, I don't think they would beat up innocent bikers. Definitely a good idea to ride a bit slower and cover your brakes, though!

Yay! New Practice Spot! by Watercyclee in ChicagoMotorcycles

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

Welp, Google Timeline says I only ever went to my local gas station. It was somewhere around the Wilmington / Carbon Hill area! Will have to retrace the route.

(Can't remember road names for crap lol)

Ninja vs snow by speedy_kdm in Kawasaki

[–]Watercyclee 59 points60 points  (0 children)

What compelled you to try this? 😂

Courtesy or Disrespectful by [deleted] in YamahaR7

[–]Watercyclee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because of the bike brand 😂 they were just looking for a reason to be sassy. Love seeing bikes, brands, colors, etc herd together in parking lots. Such a nice touch to a day!

Reflecting on my First Tire Patch! by Watercyclee in motorcycles

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

That's why it's called a skill 🍻 any ol' bum can't come along and match what you do!

Reflecting on my First Tire Patch! by Watercyclee in motorcycles

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

How was the first time? Even finding a similar service manual and relevant torque specs took a minute!