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Annoying gear

moto-rama

moto-rama

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
'22 R1250RS
'17 KTM 690
'07 Bonneville
Name
Jim
Ive gradually become.a bit of a gear whore since the mid 2000s. Making it worse was my own career change to computer/network stuff in the mid 1990s.

FF to recent years when bikes and stuff you can buy to clutter them up have really taken hold.
Me, I have really come to like listening to music or NPR, podcasts while I'm motoring along. I dont find the content distracting ...

But...the Devices and pitiful QC issues, coupled with Non-existent human support makes me want to take some of my recent purchases out to the woods with my 92fs and obliterate them.

Specifically 2 Bummer Products in a row kind of set me off.
They're both Android mirroring displays that came either DOA or were profoundly unstable.
As much as Jeff Bezos isn't my favorite person, I thank Gawd that both of these Pitiful POS's are returnable.

Today, analog ride on Bonnevile!

Note: this is not to say I don't love the advanced tech my R1250RS has, or a few othet things.in my life that are majorly improved with smart tech. (My Eureka Libra coffee grinder!)

But I admit some nostalgia for the days of phone booths, leaking Brit bikes, electrically buggy Italian twins, Mac275 stereo amps...
 

Attachments

  • 20260717_072024.mp4
    3.7 MB
I've just gotten used to listening to my phone via Bluetooth earbuds. I have no screen, even for GPS. Plus I have a Tasker task running which automatically reads out incoming texts and WhatsApp messages to me without me doing anything and automatically responds with an "I'm on my motorcycle and can't respond" text (except to my boss, who gets no response).

This des mean that sometimes I have to pull over to the side of the road to check things, but in general it works.
 
senpai71 said:
I have a Tasker task running which automatically reads out incoming texts and WhatsApp messages to me without me doing anything and automatically responds with an "I'm on my motorcycle and can't respond" text
Click to expand...
BTW, if any Android users are interested in my Tasker script (runs as-is - no root necessary), please DM me.
 
I tried listening to music once on my motorcycle and came to realize that it’s about the worst environment for music. I hated it. The most electronics I ever had on my bike was a radar detector with a Screamer and a phone charger in the fairing pocket.

One of the great things about riding motorcycles is that it pretty much forces you to leave technology behind.
 
I could see listening to music if you were slabbing it but in the twisties I wanna hear the song of my engine.
The comm between riders when not solo could be helpful.
 
larry kahn said:
Listening to music while riding your motorcycle is like watching TV while having sex.
Click to expand...
Kinda reminds me of a tasteless joke...
Why do Canadian couples have sex doggy-style during hockey season?
So they can BOTH watch the game.
( I know....sorry....)
 
Tunes on a bike can add to the experience,
Enhance a Red Mist,
or,
Chill to the bone.
When I was learning to ski, I did tunes, "Danger Zone" cranked up, and riding the Siberian Express.
Coming in for a landing, steep up, to a level deck, then IN, , , detachable quad, a fast one.
No Tail Hook needed.
 
I never used to listen to music while riding until I got a decent set-up. On long haul days, or when I need to stop overthinking and just flow, I love it. Paul's Boutique is an ideal album for a heavy mile day - and dancing at a stoplight to "Shake Your Rump" makes everyone smile. :teeth
 
I have a phone mount so I can use a cheap cell phone as a GPS, the real phone stays in my pocket. I wear earplugs and listen to the bike since the song of it's people. Or on longer rides listen to weird noises and wonder if the bike is about to explode and leave me stranded.
 
I try to keep it as simple as possible. My phone stays in my pocket, and I have a Garmin Zumo XT2 mounted on the center of my handlebars. No coms, no video, just foam earplugs and me hooning around. I've learned to really, really evaluate whether a gadget will be helpful or if I am just drawn to the shiny object. Because I am like a crow, I am ALWAYS drawn to the shiny object!
 
My phone is in the tank bag and a SPOT tracker is the only gadget mounted for now. Still use paper maps most of the time. I do have aux lighting I need to install and would like some form of camera (but can't make up my damn mind on what functionality I want other than EVERYTHING)
 
I sometimes have a camera, and I have lots of video footage I need to go through. Does it add value? Maybe? It can be fun to look back on a proper hoon or some scenic clips.
 
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