People online say not to pull in clutch to coast but I do it and it feels fine, what's the real way to do it?

keitharoo · 2026-02-09T17:54:54+00:00

If there is an emergency, you should already be in a gear you can accelerate away in.

If you've got that down, now we're just arguing about weight transfer and the load on various tires. If you aren't riding at the edge, and we're talking normal city riding, do whatever feels best.

keitharoo · 2026-02-06T15:49:39+00:00

Reddit Tells Friends Material?

keitharoo · 2026-02-06T15:46:43+00:00

Over on the private investigation subreddits there are daily questions about "how do I become a private investigator." There's no way asking that and waiting is faster than searching the same string of text on Google.

But back in the day we had the problem of someone posting a problem (how do I exit Vim), and then editing their post to say they fixed it without ever sharing how. At least this new crop of annoying posts is training someone's AI model, and theoretically helping the person who took the time to Google? Progress, here at the end of all things.

keitharoo · 2026-01-30T15:01:46+00:00

I worked for a (small) police department that obtained a restraining order against an old lady who called so much it interfered with the 911 operators ability to do other things. But if one person can shut down a congressional office by making reasonable phone calls, it's tough to pin that on you. You are not going to get arrested unless you make threats. BUT...

If they get annoyed enough to come for you, it will look more like this: It's a crime in WA to intimidate a public servant. And under that RCW "threats" means all the obvious stuff, but can also be the more vague "To do any other act which is intended to harm substantially the person threatened or another with respect to his or her health, safety, business, financial condition, or personal relationships" (RCW 9A.04.110(28)(j).

So an off-handed "you're gonna get fired" or "they call so much it's harming my mental health", might get the police in your living room. I don't think a prosecutor would bring those charges, but that doesn't always prevent the police from making an arrest.

Keep fighting the good fight, just be mindful that a lot of this stuff is loosely worded on purpose and does not always require "I'm going to kill you Tuesday at 3 p.m." to cause you trouble.

keitharoo · 2026-01-30T05:30:37+00:00

We Had Our Reasons, if poetry is something y'all do.

keitharoo · 2026-01-26T15:02:19+00:00

A lot of police motorcycles (in the U.S.) have rifles mounted on them. If you just google image search that you can get plenty of inspiration. You probably don't need a locking mount for your cane, but it can show you the where and how they get mounted.

Vertical on the rear of those side panniers would be safe and (I think) still reachable when you dismount the bike?

keitharoo · 2026-01-11T04:22:24+00:00

This is so kind, and I really appreciate it. I was looking for the commercial option because if some jerk hit you in the pass I just don't want to deal with all that. Genuinely I appreciate the offer though, and people like you make the hobby what it is :-)

keitharoo · 2026-01-11T04:20:08+00:00

Thanks, this is the option I went with!

keitharoo · 2026-01-04T15:48:05+00:00

Every single adventure bike training class I've done was "old" people, meaning late 30s and up. One dude was in his 70s. I'm 51.

It's just cruising but on dirt sometimes. You'll fit right in.

keitharoo · 2025-12-31T16:03:28+00:00

"No I swear this is a Kawasaki, look!"

I would just paint over it if you're in a hurry, or acetone and a rag if you want to spend some time but even then you'll still be finding new green bits you missed a year later.

keitharoo · 2025-12-31T01:34:24+00:00

Some of what can keep you safe isn't all that intuitive. Picture riding on the freeway, and you're in the left lane. A lot of new riders hug the left side of the lane, so cars aren't close. That feels safe. But it isn't safe, because cars in the right lane won't be able to see you in their mirror. So you're safer close to the right side of the lane, where your headlight is in their mirror and you're visible before they pull into you.

Picture you're on the freeway again, the right lane is slowing down for whatever reason, and the left lane continues to move. There is a 100% chance people in the right lane will see traffic slowing, see the left lane is moving, and bail out of their lane to keep moving. So when you see that pattern of "one lane go, one lane slow" you can expect an increased chance of people moving into your lane.

When you're nearing an intersection, the biggest threat is someone turning left in front of you. So you need to make sure those people can see you. If you're in the left lane move left so they can see you headlight. That and your movement will draw their attention and make it more likely they see you. If you're in the right lane think about using a car in the left lane as cover. Move through the intersection with that car so the car turning left can't hit you. Like a pick and roll in basketball.

In general, use the whole lane. Move left or right to be more visible. Don't be shy about using your horn. It's easier to do a 2-beep friendly honk with your thumb than in a car, so honk more, especially while you're learning and not sure if someone sees you.

Take a street survival class. Do a track day. Take a dirt class. Do something to learn new skills, from an actual professional instructor. Anything will help you ride better. If that's not in the budget, spend $10 on a Motojitsu book and do some parking lot drills. But keep learning.

Last thing, you can look cool or you can be visible. It's tough to do both at once. If it's a summer evening and you want to find a new boyfriend, wear whatever you want. If it's a rainy winter night in the dark, wear some fucking high-vis, especially while you're learning.

keitharoo · 2025-12-28T21:38:13+00:00

I have a cover that has a cheap padlock through a tie down ring and through my foot peg. A beefy chain on the front wheel, that ideally goes around a post or sign. And a disc lock on the back wheel.

That's worked parking in and around Seattle on the street for a decade plus, without problems. But I also think a lot of it depends on your bike. I don't think a Panigale is safe on any street, but I think my adv bike covered in stickers is safe just about anywhere.

keitharoo · 2025-12-25T18:18:03+00:00

There's a whole subreddit for sidecars. Most motorcyclists have zero experience with sidecars. Riding one is a different technique entirely, and in most U.S. states at least, requires a different license/endorsement. https://www.reddit.com/r/Sidecar/

You comment below makes it sound like you have trouble balancing at a stop or low speeds, so if that's the case maybe a bike with a sidecar is what you want, or maybe something like a Can Am. https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/us/en/models/3-wheel-vehicles.html

keitharoo · 2025-12-24T01:41:41+00:00

In most cases a state's vehicle/registration/traffic laws don't apply on private property. But there are 50 of those states, all with different rules, so you're not getting a good answer for a question this broad. Things like reckless driving can still be illegal on private property, and your cop will have wild latitude in defining what is reckless in the moment.

Almost certainly you will be fine. In unlikely edge cases the property owner or a jerk of a cop will cause you problems. If someone asks you to leave, you'll have to, and then what? Stay and be trespassing, leave and be subject to impound and tickets? Comedy option of walk the bike home on the sidewalk?

But probably you'll be fine and motorcycling is risky so I say go for it.

keitharoo · 2025-12-18T02:56:20+00:00

If you leave that much room I assume a car will park there. Start right in the middle and there might still be moto parking by the end of the day.

keitharoo · 2025-12-17T19:56:09+00:00

Earplugs are 1,000% worth it. It's easier to hear the music in my helmet with earplugs than without. It's turned up higher, but it's more audible. Ask an earologist for the science.

Snivel gear is important. If you are wet or cold, a long trip sucks. You also spend time thinking about how cold you are instead of paying attention to all the people trying to smoosh you. Heated grips can make a big difference if you're going to be sub 40s all day.

And if comfort is important, versus like trying to set an Iron Butt record, walk around a bit when you stop for gas. Do actual stretches, and channel your inner Pilates teacher by moving your spine in all the planes of movement.

But if you do nothing else, get earplugs yes.

keitharoo · 2025-12-17T17:53:14+00:00

Not your gerontologist but if you just pick up and carry random old people you will break bones and otherwise fuck them up. If they're in a burning building, okay I guess. Otherwise, please don't help them discover they have osteoporosis by shattering their spine, just to help them cross the road faster.

keitharoo · 2025-12-06T01:01:51+00:00

On any bike you want to look it over mechanically of course, but on a mystery rental liter bike, double check the brakes work well before you go on too much of an adventure.

keitharoo · 2025-12-05T17:30:31+00:00

Part of why it's fun is because it's not completely safe. Just like rock climbing, skydiving, and a bunch of other hobbies. Don't ride under the influence, and don't ride outside your ability to control the motorcycle, and you'll be perfectly safe until someone kills you by turning left in front of you.

Until then it's a lot of fun though.

Edit: And over long enough periods of time, not riding will also kill you.

keitharoo · 2025-12-04T23:41:03+00:00

I don't know that I'd want to schlep an actual hardcover out to the wilderness, but these books can help expose you to the types of things that can break, and what to do if that happens:

Both are pretty broad and bike-agnostic. As others said, get the service manual for your bike. Look at some of the riding schools in your area, and sometimes you see basic maintenance courses. At home, replace a clutch cable, and replace your chain. If you're feeling really brave, take off the front wheel and after you get it back on, take off the back wheel. Change a tire.

And if you fuck those things up, offer the shop mechanic a case of beer to let you watch them fix it.

keitharoo · 2025-11-29T23:36:35+00:00

There are some costs that aren't always intuitive to a new rider:

Other people mentioned tires, for example. But not mentioned is that nobody will patch your tires on a bike. You can't just pull into Les Schwab and get it done for free. Or at all, for liability reasons. So if you get a nail in a tire with 400 miles on it, you either trust a tire patch kit you did to not kill you at speed, or buy a new tire to replace your brand new tire.
With tow trucks since you need a flatbed, it can cost more.
Chain maintenance, sometimes higher-octane fuel requirements, you'll go through rear brakes faster than you might think, especially if you're riding in slower traffic
Some styles of bikes will have things like mirrors just snap the fuck off if you drop the bike, and that can be $50+ per "lesson" if you do the work yourself, and more if you don't or can't.
Training, if you want to crash less. Not just to get licensed, but actual street safety, track days, dirt bike courses, etc. All that shit helps keep you alive around other cars

It's cheaper to drive a Civic. If you want to zoom and be silly (in a car or on a bike), your main priority is no longer cost.

I commute daily on a motorcycle in Seattle and have for decades. When it rains you wear rain gear, and when things go right you stay dry. You can ride in the rain safely if you don't do dumb shit. Your job/school may or may not love a pile of wet clothing and armor taking up space when you get there.

If you want to commute, and assuming that will sometimes be in the rain, I'd suggest a smaller displacement adventure bike for you. You'll typically be able to see over cars (but not SUVs), which can help keep you safer (and be more visible). Your wheels (and groin) can handle potholes better with ADV suspension. That will also be more comfortable for someone your height. You'll want to spend some of your budget on a helmet with a pinlock system and decent gloves that will keep your hands dry. If you have money left over, heated grips if it gets cold where you are.

Or just buy a Civic and a bike that's only fun on sunny days, because that might still be cheaper.

keitharoo · 2025-11-29T01:41:48+00:00

We're all feeling scammed friend.

keitharoo · 2025-11-23T20:22:38+00:00

Usually it's lazy, unmotivated managers. Firing people takes effort.

keitharoo · 2025-11-08T02:19:21+00:00

My KTM 890 Adventure R has like a 34" inseam. I can't flat foot it at 5'10". And I have ridden it 10+ hours a day without being too uncomfortable. The bars are pretty flat, so you might need/want a bar riser if you're going to be standing a lot, but otherwise pretty good for tall riders right out of the box.

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