500 Mile UPDATE!!!

[GAJ]

When I worked for the dealership, the majority of bikes that came back wrecked came back in the first 3K miles. I always tell a new rider to use that as their benchmark. Then go wide open

Yes, when new riders with a few thousand miles start feeling "comfortable" is when bad things can happen.

All the best to you new riders out there.

 

[taylorj]

Ironbutt- thanks for the reply and the backstory. This guy seems like a good kid and I don't get the feeling that he is "cheap" in that sense, I think he's a broke high school kid.

Very, very low budget might be his way of saying, I don't have much money, without coming out and saying it.

Thanks, again.

Maybe he just doesn't have money?

Is that a possibility? Hard to be a big spender if the money isn't in the bank account, no?

Don't even know why someone would have to point this out.

Yes to both of these! I am 17 and in Highschool and am looking for jobs... Motorcycle + insurance + gear (all from my own wallet) = Broke High School Kid

Its not that i don't want to spend the money IronButt, its that i have NONE left! my 800 mi check up at Diablo Kawasaki cost me $390... and I can't keep pulling cash out of the ground

But I have a job interview at a restaurant where I can hopefully make good money in tips so maybe i can start spending more on my bike!

Thanks for the replies guys!!

Ride safe

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

How much do these grips cost ? I am very very low budget so I may just use ski glove liners and a balaclava!!

BTW IM going on bear creek again today ! Pm me by 10:20 if you want to ride !!!

OK, kiddo, you and I are past due for our ride.
Next weekend I have the Memorial Gathering for Fallen Riders on Saturday, and Sunday afternoon is the Superbowl. So I have 2 options for you. Either Sunday morning, OR the following Saturday (depending on weather), let's go ride.
In the meantime, I'll pick you up a pair of CG's Freeze-Out glove liners. I bought a pair for myself, and I'm impressed all to hell with them- my gloves are fully vented race gloves... great for triple digits temps at T-Hill in July... completely SUCK for Redwood Road in December! Anyways, I was out all day when temps were in the low 50's, even down into the high 40's, and they kept my hands very comfortable!
Do me a favor, though, and watch Twist of the Wrist II again at least once before we head out!

 

[justanotherg20]

Nicely done. Have you ridden with Connie yet?

I thought the general consensus was to not even think about group rides til ~1000 mi. or so?

<-- *just over 700, pretty much all commuting, no time for nice long rides*

 

[davidji]

How much do these grips cost ? I am very very low budget so I may just use ski glove liners and a balaclava!!

Cal Sport Touring sells Symtec heated grip wraps--around $30 last time I looked. I've installed and used them and I recommend them if you're on a budget.

I've also had Oxford heated grips on a couple of bikes, and I recommend them for the dead-simple install. But they cost more. Maybe $80?

To install oxford grips you pretty much cut off your old grips, slide on the new ones, mount the controller on your bars or dash, tuck the wiring away, connect the ground wire to bike ground, and the fused power to the bike's battery.

With the Symtec grip wraps there are so many possibilities. And it's best if you have the bike's wiring diagram (and know how to read it), and have a multimeter and know how to use it. You might also need some of the following: an extra set of rubber grips (or an air compressor to remove the old ones intact), extra wire, positap connectors, crimping tool, solder and soldering iron, relay and fuse block. You can get by without most of that, but it's best if you know what you're doing.

 

[tagraff]

In the meantime, I'll pick you up a pair of CG's Freeze-Out glove liners. I bought a pair for myself, and I'm impressed all to hell with them- my gloves are fully vented race gloves... great for triple digits temps at T-Hill in July... completely SUCK for Redwood Road in December! Anyways, I was out all day when temps were in the low 50's, even down into the high 40's, and they kept my hands very comfortable!
Do me a favor, though, and watch Twist of the Wrist II again at least once before we head out!

I must still have a death grip on the throttle although I have consciously worked on relaxing my arms and grip (the single technique that made the most difference for my riding). Either that or my gloves have penny sized vents. My hands still get numb when it's cold out there.

I just crossed 1K miles myself and would love to get some tips/tow from the pros when your schedule permits. You have quite a reputation here.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

I thought the general consensus was to not even think about group rides til ~1000 mi. or so?

<-- *just over 700, pretty much all commuting, no time for nice long rides*

I personally don't think anyone with less than 1,000 miles has any business on a group ride. However, I'm planning on taking Taylor out for a one-on-one tow, which has quite a different dynamic than a group ride. I've worked with riders who had less than 50 miles under their belt... which mostly consisted of me running back and forth on foot in a parking lot in Sacramento giving instruction...

I must still have a death grip on the throttle although I have consciously worked on relaxing my arms and grip (the single technique that made the most difference for my riding). Either that or my gloves have penny sized vents. My hands still get numb when it's cold out there.

I just crossed 1K miles myself and would love to get some tips/tow from the pros when your schedule permits. You have quite a reputation here.

To help keep your arms/hands loose, periodically shake your elbows a bit, and flex your fingers. Also, a little "mantra" to chant can help- when I was riding horses, and began showing, I had some problems with setting my arms properly for English Equitation... so I had my little chant: "Elbows in, hands down, hands together". That ran on a loop in the back of my head... and fixed the problem!
So maybe "Easy elbows and happy hands" or some other bit of silliness that will be easy to remember!
If your hands are cold, seriously, pick up those Freeze-Out glove liners. They're amazing. I'm totally sold on 'em. And they have a 5 year warranty.
Thank you for your kind words!
If you haven't had a chance to watch Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II dvd, please do so... watch that 2 or 3 times, then shoot me a PM, and I'm happy to schedule a time to take you out for a tow!

 

[taylorj]

However, I'm planning on taking Taylor out for a one-on-one tow, which has quite a different dynamic than a group ride.

Thanks Connie

 

[tagraff]

Oops...forgot to include in my post that this was with the freeze out liners. I guess my cold tolerance must be low so it may be a good idea to pick up heated gloves or gore tech stuff. I read somewhere that if gripping too tight may cut off circulation leading to colder hands.

I have been devouring riding tips from any and all sources (barf, other websites, YouTube, Keith Code's book and DVD, other books, etc.) for the last two months along with raking up practice miles. I think it's just a factor of getting more practice, building muscle memory, greater confidence and generally having more fun overall while being safe.