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Messages - CommuterScooter

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31
General Discussion / Re: Safe riding clothing?
« on: January 02, 2012, 06:50:52 PM »
I ride All Gear All the Time.  

I have an Olympia AST 2 Jacket in Hi-Vis yellowhttp://www.olympiamotosports.com/ast_mens/ast_mens.htm, and Motoport's Ultra II Airmesh kevlar pants with liner http://motoport.worldsecuresystems.com/_product_106916/Air_Mesh_Kevlar_Pant. Plus the usual gloves, boots and full face helmet.  My thought is that it hurts just as much going down at 30 mph as it does at 60 and good gear is cheaper then skin grafts.  Studies have shown that a pair of jeans last about 5 feet of sliding before they start to shred and then you are skin to pavement...ouch!

Statistics say you will lay your bike down at some point (knock on wood), so when the time comes whether on a nice weekend ride or more likely that quick trip to the store by your house, be prepared and improve your chances walking away.

If anybody wants to know more about the pants I'd be happy to share with a write up on them if nobody else has already.  They are pretty sweet, expensive but worth it.

32
Xciting 500 / Aftermarket horns?
« on: December 20, 2011, 08:45:12 AM »
Anybody have any suggestions or luck with any particular aftermarket horn?  I'm looking to upgrade my horn for something a bit louder and more noticeable.  I would prefer something that fits in the original horns mounting spot.  Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

I ride an X250

33
Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Re: My 2008 Xciting 500 with a few mods
« on: December 18, 2011, 12:32:18 AM »
Quote
Here is my version of the voltmeter/ temp combo.

ChandlerScoot, where did you find that volmeter/temp combo?  I really like that set up.

34
Yager GT 200i / Re: Acerbis Flash Hand Guard Installation Help Needed
« on: December 17, 2011, 06:54:17 PM »
Thanks for the report fshfndr.  They looked like a good idea and I like the lights on them but it sounds like for the price they are not worth it.  I've installed heated grips on my bike and that has solved my problem for cold hands and they were only about $20 more.  I was hoping for some protection from rain but it sounds like they just don't do a good enough job.

35
General Discussion / Re: Keeping warm while riding.
« on: December 10, 2011, 06:26:36 PM »
I posted this in the Winter Riding Gloves topic:

I've just added a pair of heated hand grips by Oxford called Heaterz http://www.adventuremotorcycleparts.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=amp&Product_Code=TTLOXF-26-0696&Category_Code=motorcycle-gripsheated. I bought these from my local dealer and not this website.  Installation was pretty straight forward and took less then an hour.  I spent more time figuring out how and where to run the wires.  If anyone is interested I can try to leave a detail description and some pics for an Xciting 250.

Performance:  WOW! Nice toasty hands.  I actually have to turn them down a notch because they get so warm on my hands.  I have used them in 28* weather and that is when I turned them down a notch.  I wear my lightly insulated riding gloves and have no issues.  It has made a BIG difference in my overall comfort in riding, no more cold hands. 

A couple of notes is that I commute 5 days a week and have 20 mile each way ride with speeds up to 55mph, so I know I have ample time to keep the battery topped off and charged.

36
General Discussion / Re: Freezing Winter Weather Gloves recommendations
« on: December 10, 2011, 06:24:10 PM »
UPDATE:

I've just added a pair of heated hand grips by Oxford called Heaterz http://www.adventuremotorcycleparts.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=amp&Product_Code=TTLOXF-26-0696&Category_Code=motorcycle-gripsheated. I bought these from my local dealer and not this website.  Installation was pretty straight forward and took less then an hour.  I spent more time figuring out how and where to run the wires.  If anyone is interested I can try to leave a detail description and some pics for an Xciting 250.

Performance:  WOW! Nice toasty hands.  I actually have to turn them down a notch because they get so warm on my hands.  I have used them in 28* weather and that is when I turned them down a notch.  I wear my lightly insulated riding gloves and have no issues.  It has made a BIG difference in my overall comfort in riding, no more cold hands. 

A couple of notes is that I commute 5 days a week and have 20 mile each way ride with speeds up to 55mph, so I know I have ample time to keep the battery topped off and charged.

37
General Discussion / Re: Freezing Winter Weather Gloves recommendations
« on: November 27, 2011, 07:04:59 PM »
Riding in the Pacific NW I have to contend with our "just above freezing and drizzle" weather most of the time from Nov-April.  When it does dip below freezing and there is a possibility of ice I don't ride and take the cage.  I've got a system down that I can stay plenty warm and dry in almost all conditions except for my hands.  My main concern is that I am wearing a proper pair of motorcycle gloves so that if I go down that my hands stand a chance.  My current gloves are Olympia Motosport's "Cold Throttle" gloves (probably wouldn't by them again, not for quality just function).  They are acceptable to 50* then the colder it gets the short amount of time I can wear them.  I tried some what I thought were thin glove liners under them and it became too tight which constricted blood flow and made my fingers even  cooler.  I tried a pair gauntlet overmit shells over my riding gloves and these worked well for keeping my hands warmer but wasn't totally comfortable with the lack of feeling for the controls.  Luckily I'm an outdoor gear geek so I often draw upon that heavily when dealing with the elements.  I decided to check REI to see what they had as far as liner options.  Alas this is what I found http://www.rei.com/product/661608/seirus-therma-lux-heat-pocket-liner-gloves You look like Micheal Jackson but the best part of these is the Chem warmer pocket.  What a difference.  They are thin, and with the warmer my hands stayed reasonably warm and comfortable.  Yes those warmer can be a bit expensive but Costco has them cheep for a big box.  This is just my system that works for me for temps in the upper 20's and above. 

As time goes on I may invest in some electric glove liners but for now and at least this year this might have to work.

38
Xciting 250 / Re: Just bought an 06' xciting 250
« on: November 19, 2011, 05:10:17 PM »
Keep us posted on how things are going for you in the future.  I'd like to hear your feelings after you have 500+ miles on it.

39
Xciting 250 / Re: Just bought an 06' xciting 250
« on: November 15, 2011, 05:25:50 AM »
Honestly I just keep the tool kit that came with the bike, a rag to wipe my helmet visor, mirrors and seat down with, a flashlight and my registration and insurance card in a zip lock bag taped to the back of the battery case. I'm not much of a mechanic so if something goes wrong outside of the tools in the kit I'm going to have to take it somewhere.  I'm sure others have good suggestions though and I wouldn't mind hearing myself.

40
Xciting 250 / Re: Just bought an 06' xciting 250
« on: November 14, 2011, 09:29:45 PM »
Sounds like you've got the right mind set. I would also reiterate what Jay said about a full face helmet, they did a study on what part of the helmet takes the most impacts and the chin was by far the greatest.  Also after you have put some miles on the bike, reread your MSF booklet and search for some riding technique videos.  That really helped me out to help understand some of the principles they teach and relate them to real world situations.  Again welcome and be "uncool".

41
Xciting 250 / Re: Just bought an 06' xciting 250
« on: November 13, 2011, 07:27:44 PM »
Welcome slunkmonkey to an Xciting new world!  I'm sorry I couldn't resist, I know its bad.  I ride a 09' Xciting 250 and it is also my first entry into the two wheeled world.  I couldn't be happier with mine....except now that I have some miles under me a 500 would be fun although I don't need one for my needs.  I use mine to commute to work everyday with a 40 mile round trip.  I don't have any freeways that I take so its top speed suites me just fine.  Like others have said, do be careful this is a heavy bike and will go over on you quickly if you are not paying attention.  I had mine tip one morning in my garage when I was getting ready to leave for work and my coffee hadn't kicked in yet.  It just so happened that I had a roll of carpet laying next to it when it fell so no harm done other then the major cramp in my leg from trying to save it.  The extra weight does come in handy when the weather isn't so nice and the wind starts blowing.  I've had mine out in some pretty windy and nasty weather and it felt solid, you still have to ride with extreme caution though.  Also you may find that the seat is a bit tall if you are shorter in stature.  I had to have my seat custom lowered which made a big difference but it is still kind of high.  I wasn't blessed with height genes.  I also have turned my front turn lights into constant on running lights which helps in being scene. http://www.customled.com/products/magic_blinker/magic_blinker.htm 

My wish list for other mods would be to add some driving lights, convert my rear turn signals to running lights, install a louder horn, add some more rear lighting.  Since I ride so many miles in a fair amount of traffic my whole goal is to be scene.  I gave up looking cool a long time ago, coming home to see my wife and daughter is way more important.  Remember; Ride Safe, Ride Smart and NEVER trust the other guy on the road.  Enjoy the ride!

42
General Discussion / Re: GoldwingCountry.com
« on: November 12, 2011, 03:05:53 AM »
Sounds like you got screwed.  I don't understand why it was shipped to a 3rd party in Canada and not directly to you but either way, no bueno.

43
General Discussion / Re: GoldwingCountry.com
« on: November 09, 2011, 04:53:14 AM »
Did you intend for the package to be COD?  Which courier was used to ship the item?

44
General Discussion / Re: Well its winter.
« on: October 23, 2011, 06:05:03 PM »
I agree with Axy, full face or nothing.  Sure the wind in your face is nice but you can rearrange your face at 25 mph as much as you can at 65 mph.  I'm all about safety, and being seen, spent the money on a proper high vis jacket with armor and pants and trying to add as much lightening and safety features as possible, in the end its cheaper then the medical expenses. Just because we are on smaller bikes doesn't mean we have smaller crashes.  But I digress, a bit off topic.  Proper safety gear = proper weather protection.

45
General Discussion / Re: Well its winter.
« on: October 23, 2011, 06:58:50 AM »
I bought my Xciting 250 for my commute.  I live in the Pacific NW and have to take a ferry everyday for work and riding a motorcycle/scooter on the ferry saves me over $3000 a year so its a no brainer.  Luckily our weather doesn't change much from around now until May.  Unless its icy I'm riding.  Just put on waterproof riding gear and I'm quite comfortable. Plus I feel I earn some toughness points riding in all weather while the "tough" Harley riders put their bikes away until the sun comes out again.   ;D

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