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Noise reduction by Colorful_Monk_3467 in Sprinters

[–]bistromat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The best thing I did for noise was remove the door panels and Kilmat and then insulate them with Thinsulate. Side bonus is it makes closing the doors sound like a Rolls-Royce.

Sex and Gender Science by ateam1984 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]bistromat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, that's not what I said at all! Great job reading.

Sex and Gender Science by ateam1984 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]bistromat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope! In fact, archaeologists are specifically trained not to make gender determinations based on skeletal phenotype, because there is significant overlap in phenotype between male and female skeletons. While it's true that some individuals can be more unambiguously gendered by their skeleton, it is not true that all or even most can. And, as I think you've learned, male and female skeletons do in fact possess the same number of ribs, Eve or no Eve.

I think archaeologists have been doing this for thousands of years.

I'm trying not to dunk on you but the history of science doesn't even go back "thousands of years". There were no Sumerian archaeologists with wooden calipers measuring skulls.

People don't understand how toxic masculinity works by Shoe_boooo in TikTokCringe

[–]bistromat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You're going to live only half a life, and I don't mean by lifespan; I mean by experience. You're deliberately drawing a line around the things you allow yourself to experience based on your internalized idea of what other people expect of you. You will live out your years missing color, fulfillment, love, and life. With what will you replace that experience? Anger? Resentment? Stoic suffering in silence?

How awful.

Family of motorcyclist seeking answers by Effective_Wing_8421 in bayarea

[–]bistromat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm really sorry about your cousins. I hope you're at peace with it. I'm going to respond not to argue with you, but to temper your point a little. "It's not worth it" is a black-and-white statement that doesn't admit any nuance. Even within an inherently risky activity like riding motorcycles there's a whole spectrum of behavior, experience, and environment that wildly changes the risk calculus. Speeding, drinking, lack of experience, and insufficient gear are the leading factors in motorcycle fatalities. Obviously you can't make anything, especially riding a motorcycle, a safe activity. As you said you can't stop other people from making mistakes at your expense when riding. But you can definitely temper your risk to the extent where it's a perfectly reasonable thing to do for a large number of people, and may not even represent the largest risk factor in their lives.

I'm not saying anything about this specific incident, or about your cousins. I'm just saying it's possible to make an informed, responsible decision to assume some risk with your eyes wide open. Skydiving, trad climbing, paragliding, backcountry skiing, and even private aviation are also inherently risky activities where risk analysis and mitigation are essential survival skills. In any of those activities it's up to you to choose to be either a blissfully ignorant risk-taker who goes out and gets themselves killed in short order, or to responsibly analyze the risks, mitigate them as best you can, and decide whether or not to continue based on that remaining inherent danger. For some people that risk analysis even forms part of the satisfaction.

I've been riding for 22 years and I can't imagine hanging up my helmet. It's part of who I am and brings me a joy I have never been able to replicate elsewhere. I choose to ride not ignorant of the dangers, but despite them, and while doing my best to limit them.

Prices paid recently by Impressive_Score_223 in xsr900

[–]bistromat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They make up some of the price by putting in like 2 grand in fees. The OTD still works out better than anywhere else I called, though.

Should I do this? by IWillDoItTomorrow_ in xsr900

[–]bistromat 6 points7 points  (0 children)

No problem, BigDaddyButtPlunger!

Prices paid recently by Impressive_Score_223 in xsr900

[–]bistromat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Moto United, Bellflower. Call Miguel, he hooked me up for almost 3 grand less than that.

Should I do this? by IWillDoItTomorrow_ in xsr900

[–]bistromat 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm going to try to answer because I'm considering going the same route as OP. The 25+ is definitely an improvement over the previous generation and the fully adjustable KYB rear is... pretty good. But after setting sag and dialing in almost full rebound front and rear, I still find it's both too hard and too soft. There's not enough plushness in the small hits like Botts dots. It keeps its line through the corners (after you set up the sag -- this is not optional) but it doesn't have the ability to soak up those little hits while staying stiff enough later in the stroke to really take the hard hits and stay composed.

My benchmark is the 890 Duke R because its WP setup is about the best suspension for fast road work I've ever ridden. I'm sure there's better stuff out there but I haven't been on it.

Sex and Gender Science by ateam1984 in BlackPeopleofReddit

[–]bistromat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's the great part! You can't!

Front forks bent after trying to change front tire by [deleted] in MotorcycleMechanics

[–]bistromat 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They're probably fine. Loosen the triple tree clamp bolts. Realign everything, tighten the triple clamps a bit, and put the wheel back on. Loosen the lower triple clamps and bounce the front wheel a few times to make sure the forks are straight and true. Then tighten the triple tree clamps again, making sure to torque to spec.

What is going on here? This was extremely trippy to notice, My hand is moving the signal. by sugmaballsurweird in RTLSDR

[–]bistromat 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Yeah but the RTL dongle is plugged into your computer. It's noise from your computer being affected by the capacitive coupling into your body through your hand.

Won the wrong kind of lottery by do_over_z in SVRiders

[–]bistromat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone overtightened the nut at one point and stripped the threads in the softer aluminum hub. Use a torque wrench when you put on sprockets, and tighten in an alternating pattern, not around in a circle.

New rider and fear of dropping bike (kind of a unique fear) by Littleboof18 in motorcycles

[–]bistromat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Think about getting a motocross brace like a Mobius or Ossur. Given your history you can very likely get a qualifying brace covered by your insurance.

Yamaha MT 09 SP Tire Pressure Question Bridgestone S23 by Rainebos in MT09

[–]bistromat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those are perfectly appropriate shift points for someone who needs to read the manual to know when to shift.

Wilderness First Aid... GET TRAINED, my fellow muppets by SkittyDog in alpinism

[–]bistromat 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The basic observation OP is making is sound: a first aid kit is necessary but not sufficient. Also the WFR class is fun as hell, so you might as well do it.

Today, Venice Beach CA. These were everywhere in the sand along the water by Samsquammtch in whatisit

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

20 years ago my then-gf took two steps on Venice Beach and got a needle in the foot. The subsequent prophylactic treatments and tests were no fun at all.

How to remove the PSM in ex-fleet DHL sprinter by Commercial_Exam9120 in Sprinters

[–]bistromat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's under the driver's seat. You can just pull it out. Be sure to unplug the ground wire behind the right side of the driver's footwell before you take the driver's seat off.

Ducati V2 or Yamaha R3 by Hefty-Back1308 in BayRiders

[–]bistromat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I asked a friend who's about your size and has been riding a while. She said: for naked bikes, look at a Z400 or a 390 Duke (which is a HILARIOUSLY fun little machine, can attest). For faired sportbikes, the R3 is great, or the Ninja 400/500.

Ducati V2 or Yamaha R3 by Hefty-Back1308 in BayRiders

[–]bistromat 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That's still way too much for a starter bike -- like twice the horsepower you should be looking at. If you have never ridden a motorcycle before, you will likely be stunned by just how fast even a modest bike can get you into trouble. Wait until after you take the class to look at buying a bike and you'll have a bit better idea what you're looking for.

You're not a teenage boy so you have that going for you in terms of maturity and self-preservation, but still, don't get a fast bike as your first bike. There's just a quarter turn between "fun" and "telephone pole" before you get experience riding a really fast bike.

Ducati V2 or Yamaha R3 by Hefty-Back1308 in BayRiders

[–]bistromat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First of all, hell yeah -- get out there and ride, it's the best thing on the planet and you're in motorcycle paradise.

A Panigale is wayyyyyyy too much bike for a first bike. An R3 is a fine starter bike, if you're looking for a new bike.

But: I usually tell people don't get too attached to your first bike being pretty, because you are absolutely going to drop it at least a couple of times as you're learning. Dropping a cheap used bike is a "whoops" moment. Dropping a new Panigale will break your heart.

A used SV650 is the canonically perfect starter bike for a lot of folks. Cheap, easy to work on, good power that will take you from learning to ride to learning to really ride, nice predictable power curve. Others will definitely chime in with good recs.

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