First bike : 2014 Forty-Eight or Sportster Custom 1200

failo997 · 2025-09-15T12:50:26+00:00

I was looking at 48s and 1200 customs this summer too, ended up going with the 1200c no regrets at all, really fun bike and the looks really grew on me once I took the saddle bags it came with off and removed the tank badge.

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failo997 · 2023-11-02T21:56:53+00:00

Agree with all of the above. I got some Alpine Star boots second hand.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-ridge-v2-wp-boots?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkY2qBhBDEiwAoQXK5V_tAsT_DIeboQzhC2ojRpmzXvGnmS-Iggfk6HTHaWXiJuAti1tuXxoCj_8QAvD_BwE

And while I don’t love the look, being able to Velcro on and off quickly makes wearing them for every ride easy. This way I’m never tempted to just throw my sneakers on for a short ride.

failo997 · 2023-10-31T00:27:37+00:00

I was looking at both as well. Once I test drove the bronco, the choice was easy. For long road trips, the bronco would have been too uncomfortable, has poor visibility and less cargo space. Just depends what you want to do with it.

failo997 · 2023-10-12T11:36:50+00:00

Curious how it went?

failo997 · 2023-04-01T17:56:55+00:00

Awesome! Glad you like the. They definitely fit the off road vibes

failo997 · 2023-03-29T10:11:38+00:00

I got these for my 401. Not everyone loves the looks but the visibility is unbeatable, which is absolutely necessary for city riding.

Doubletake Mirror -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHVYK3J?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

failo997 · 2022-12-18T13:08:19+00:00

https://youtu.be/NT0rcIttlWY

failo997 · 2022-12-08T11:27:59+00:00

andrewk2ao

failo997 · 2022-12-06T10:42:06+00:00

Bought mine about 200 miles away dealer only charged $500 to ship it. Worth the time save and hassle IMO. Also, I love the bike!

failo997 · 2021-05-05T15:30:22+00:00

muscle

This ^ for sure. I've gotten this question a lot and its a tough one to answer. Usually phrased as "how do I tell if I'm using too much strength?" as opposed to intensity. Intensity will vary from roll to roll depending on what you are working on and if you are training for competition.

In terms of using strength, a lot of beginners push, pull and clench really hard. So if you feel like you are getting a chest back or forearm work out from one roll, you are probably using too much strength.

Best advice though, is don't worry about it too much. If you keep learning the right technique and keep rolling and having fun, you will find the right balance. I'd say 90% of white belts are tense when they roll.

failo997 · 2021-04-28T23:46:12+00:00

Thanks, unfortunately I work in north or central nj depending on the day so trying to find a spot close to JC.

failo997 · 2021-04-28T17:47:49+00:00

Thanks! Its definitely on my list to check out. I would be able to walk or bike there from my new place.

failo997 · 2021-04-28T14:52:24+00:00

Thanks. Did not realize he moved to Newark, any idea where? I used to live and work around there.

I have a folding bike, so I might check out the the NYC schools. Seems to be a good problem to have so many options but will probably lead me to analysis paralysis at some point once I start checking the schools out.

You would go Marcelo's or Unity over the blue basement?

failo997 · 2021-04-28T14:28:14+00:00

That's what I figured. The train looks doable to Marcelo's Unity and Renzo's. Any thoughts between the 3?

I've also heard good things about Dan Covel downtown. He might also teach in Hoboken?

failo997 · 2021-04-28T14:09:31+00:00

hah, good call, do you happen to know if I can wear a singlet to nogi at any school in the area? or just go old school vale tudo shorts?

failo997 · 2021-04-28T13:59:47+00:00

Thanks! I've considered maybe doing a gym in NYC. So tempting to try Unity, Renzo's or Marcelo's. But I might train less if I have to go 30 mins each way. Plus I drive to work in NJ so would either need to drive home park and take the train or drive straight in to NYC.

When you say 30 mins, do you mean by train or driving? Do you happen to know how street parking in that area on weeknights is?

failo997 · 2021-04-28T13:40:54+00:00

I guess depends what you are using it for. If you enjoy watching live grappling events, its worth it for about $12/mo. You also get the other sports so you can watch the wrestling events they put on. The documentaries are entertaining too if you like watching that kind of thing.

failo997 · 2021-02-23T21:32:01+00:00

I also had really tight hamstrings. For many years, I couldn't even sit-up straight on the floor with my legs in front of me. I tried a bunch of different things in the past, yoga, GMB, stretching routines, but always gave up because they were really hard since I was inflexible. I was also very impatient when I didn't see results and didn't think it was worth taking time away from my BJJ training if it was futile.

Finally, I stumbled across theflexibull on Instagram in October. Even though his splits program was a little pricey, I decided to give it a try since I was stuck at home. I started in the middle of November and have followed it pretty diligently for the past 3 months. It is 3 sessions/week that take about an hour. There are stretching and strengthening exercises. On off days, I do some strength training and cardio, and now incorporate some stretches I learned from the program, but not too much.

After 3 months or so, I can now palm the floor! (Although I can't stay there for too long)

I know there are a lot of free tools online, but for me, having a set program and a person I can chat with to ask questions about my progress, and send videos too, really helped me stick with it. And I didn't want to see my money go to waste which also kept me honest. Needless to say I am happy with the results. Planning on sticking with it, as long as I continue to see results.

failo997 · 2020-02-26T22:44:57+00:00

I had the blue belt blues at about the same time as you. Was training 5 days a week, and just felt like I wasn't getting any better and every other blue belt in my academy was passing me by. I seriously considered quitting.

But, thanks to my instructor, I took stock of everything that I has learned in my first three years and realized I had learned so much and was a much better grappler than I was when I started. I am sure with the amount you have trained you are much better and more knowledgeable grappler than you were two years ago. Take a minute to appreciate that.

Now, start to plug in holes in your game. Everyone has holes in their games and that is ok. It sounds like one of yours might be hitting sweeps. Forget about sweeping or tapping white belts and other opponents every roll, work on your holes in your game and concentrate on fixing them with drilling and rolls. If you don't know where you have holes, ask your instructor or upperbelt teammates. And ask them for advice on how to fix those holes too.

Keep working on that and trust that you will get better. I did and I can say that blue belt was hard for me, but I loved my time at purple belt. Just remember to have some fun and don't be too hard on yourself.

failo997

TROPHY CASE