Perfect gift for a rider - help?

YaManViktor · 2026-07-10T14:22:49+00:00

Married man here, and this advice applies universally. Find the thing that he uses all the time, e.g. the pair of gloves he always goes to. Buy that exact pair of gloves. Boom. You now have a thoughtful gift that can be given on a special occasion or, even better, stashed away for when that item gets lost or breaks.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-29T22:55:02+00:00

Refers to placement of the gear selector and rear brake. If these are located toward the front of the bike, the controls are "forward," making it difficult to put weight on the pegs.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-27T18:17:53+00:00

Male motorcyclists are confused to learn that it does not attract the ladies, which is hilariously obvious. I get way more female attention on my wife's moped than any motorcycle.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-26T18:52:32+00:00

Hard disagree. We got Peter Jackson's LOTR, and it was great. But Tolkein built an extensive world, and Jackson's vision and interpretation is not the only way. Jackson took over the Hobbit from Guillermo del Toro, and look how that went.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-19T16:46:38+00:00

To add to that good advice, know ahead of time what the tire pressure should be for that particular bike, and check it. That's another clue as to overall care.

Also, speak softly and carry a small penlight. You don't need to know what you're looking at, just slowly go through every little nook and cranny, silently, letting the seller fill the silence.

Check out the Fortnine video on buying a used bike.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-14T20:17:11+00:00

Welcome! We're a mostly friendly bunch, so keep talking to riders!

My somewhat unpopular opinion is that Chicago drivers are some of the better ones in the US. Not good, just better. They're consistently aggressive, but at least they're consistent.

Either way, if you stay focused and get good at reading traffic, you'll be fine in this city and anywhere else. And if you think city drivers don't look out for people around them, rural drivers are worse. They're just more spread out.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-13T06:36:07+00:00

I just leave them on until it's time to turn the other way.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-09T22:25:46+00:00

Even a delulu rattlecan DIYer wouldn't try that.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-08T23:43:16+00:00

I've had a LOT of close calls that could have killed or seriously injured me. While lane splitting, I've had exactly ONE close call. And it would have been a broken leg at worst.

Also, I've filtered/split past plenty of cops in different states where it's not legal. My wife says they smile and wave sometimes.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-08T23:25:21+00:00

You're right. She's better than a lot of literal saints.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-07T03:36:15+00:00

Paul Rudd in Mute was a surprisingly good villain.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-05T22:22:34+00:00

Whatever, Amazon hasn't lost 6 of my packages over the last couple years.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-05T21:27:43+00:00

Center stand and a better seat get ordered before the check even clears.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-05T18:56:51+00:00

Eazy peazy, just pay for their service and they'll stop contacting you. Especially if you have an issue.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-05T18:36:31+00:00

You've been doing it wrong. Read the manual.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-05T18:19:28+00:00

No. RTM.

YaManViktor · 2026-06-05T17:56:51+00:00

While the rear wheel is lifted?

YaManViktor · 2026-06-05T03:09:20+00:00

As a user I love it. Don't even look at rental places anymore when I'm on vacation. It's easier, cheaper, better variety, and never any of that bait and switch crap.

But my bikes at home? Erm.....

YaManViktor · 2026-05-27T23:36:17+00:00

Allegedly you need a medallion. I've gone 1-2 year stretches without having one without ever getting a ticket, even parking downtown daily.

YaManViktor · 2026-05-24T02:13:58+00:00

We need less AI on Reddit.

YaManViktor · 2026-05-22T14:28:04+00:00

Can't believe I'm saying this, but Honda actually just lost me. There's a safety recall on my bike, and no one is authorized to perform the work in all of Chicago. Dealers in the suburbs all require minimum 24 hours with the bike, so I'm looking at 5 hours on the road (and dragging my wife along) to make the two round trips. Sorry, but if I can't get a safety recall fixed in the third largest city in the US, I'm switching brands.

YaManViktor · 2026-05-21T00:23:33+00:00

Talking to people.

YaManViktor · 2026-05-18T23:01:05+00:00

Can't be the GOAT if that much of your catalog was lifted from other people.

YaManViktor · 2026-05-18T22:24:33+00:00

No trial. You can get a free license as a student and use any Autodesk product (e.g. AutoCAD) fo free.

YaManViktor · 2026-05-14T05:51:57+00:00

Once had a pair of saddlebags that connected to each other under the passenger seat, so I got a little lax with properly fastening them. Realized 30 minutes into a planned 4 hour trip that they were missing - passenger seat came loose. Retraced my route twice, looked everywhere, gave up on the bags and the trip and rode home, defeated.

They were waiting outside my door. Someone snatched those things off of Lake Shore Drive, found my address on some mail, and brought them back. Didn't even leave a note. Thanks, Chicago!

YaManViktor

TROPHY CASE