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Letters, we got Letters |
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July 2001 Volume 2, Number 3 Lauranne covers the WIW Rendevous ============= All Letters and eMail sent to Rollin' eZine may be edited for content and placed on the pages of the magazine at the discretion of the editorial staff. Letters are not to be copied without the express permission of Rollin' eZine.
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OK, We'll keep the mail, just for this guy!
Don't discontinue the Letters page. I just found your mag
(courtesy of Tom Batey, at West Melbourne Lowe's -- while helping #1 son
remodel a room on his home), and expect to have a variety of questions
and comments. So far, I am very impressed!
BTW: you know why God made wheels round? So they'll
Keep Rollin'! I ride a '95 Connie (for the last two years), 16,000 miles
a year, commuting and pleasure; no LDR-Butt stuff, yet... Love the bike.
And really like B2's stories... (Only put 2,000 on my truck last year!)
Richard J. Wilson
Thanks for a great e-zine. I look forward to the July
issue.
Richard J. Wilson
I just read the June article regarding the spiraling accident and death rate for Boomer riders, and it touched a big nerve. I started riding again just two years ago when I bought a 1995 Concours. I am 50-something, and had stayed off bikes for 30 years after cart-wheeling a Ducati 350 Sebring over the back of a Corvair which turned left into my path. (The bike landed on its headlight and on me, still in the saddle. The Duck was totaled; I walked away with a raspberry on my right shoulder and small bump on my un-helmeted head -- I am apparently unimpaired only because for some unknown reason God stuck his hand between my head and the pavement.) With the Connie, I resolved to ride every day, and to use the bike instead of a cage unless it's raining when I leave for work. (Last year: Sweet Hot Connie 16,000 miles; Big Dog the truck 2,000 miles.) I commute about 50 miles a day, and ride from north Florida to visit family and friends between here and south Florida - too often too quick a trip on too much super-slab, with stop and go in Melbourne, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach... I am amazed at the idiots who spend mega bucks on glitter toys and more chrome, riding only occasionally, often without license or insurance or education. They mix booze and bikes and leave brain-buckets at home (I guess they don't have any brains to put in one). It's like they think they are 17 again, invincible. No, they are just pubescent stupid. Again. It's okay for groups like AMA and ABATE to emphasize the unfettered joy of riding, but these same folks need to push harder for responsible riding. When the value of safety gear and rider education receive as much press as anti-helmet laws (even with "first bounce" health insurance), we will be heading in the right direction. Until then we are asking for the disrespect of all cagers, be they native-borne crackers in pick-ups or blue-haired grannies visiting from the Buckeye State. May God help us, 'cause we are doing a lousy job of helping ourselves and our cause. Rich
You Want Larry's Advice?? I'm thinking about purchasing a Concours or and ST1100. I keep hearing that the Concours vibration is a REAL problem as far as comfort. Comfortable ride is my TOP priority for a new ride. I have a 750 Virago, and on trips the buzzy-ness of it can get annoying and fatiguing. I also found a Honda dealer with a left over 1995 ST for $8495.00. Do you think this is a good deal? I have read that the Concours rear shock leaks off, brakes are weak, and springs to soft. I'm not looking for a peg grinder, just a comfortable ride, hard bags, and good power. I haven't ridden a Concours myself yet, and would appreciate your input as an actual owner. Keith A. Martin Keith, I have to tell you, I have had my 99 Concours for almost 3 years now, and I love it!!! I have a little over 32K miles on the bike, and have ridden it from Florida to Canada and back... In fact on that trip I managed to put over 3K miles in 7 days... The buzziness that people complain about is real. However, there are a few things you can do to help lessen the buzz. First, change out the stock hand grips with some foam ones.. They are about 6 bucks a set and make a big difference. Second, get yourself a Throttlemeister or some other type of throttle lock. This is especially helpful when you are riding long days on the super slab. I have made both of these changes and the buzzing is tolerable. The problem is, buzziness is inherent to in line 4's like the Concours. A final thing to try is to pour very small shot (like you use for ammunition) into the handlebars. I have not personally tried this, but amongst the members of the Concours Owners Group (COG) this is a very popular remedy.. As to your other concerns with the shocks, brakes, etc., let me say this. I have been riding my "Connie" for almost three years. I have ridden from my home in Florida to Points North as I mentioned, as well as numerous trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway, weekends to Mississippi, and all points in between. I change the oil every 3K miles, and I keep up with the other Kawasaki recommended maintenance. I have never had any of the problems you questioned me about.. Finally, a 95 ST1100 for $8495.00??? It could be a good deal. I would want to know more about the bike, such as the mileage, was in adult owned, did a mechanic maintain it, where was it kept during the winter.. Well, you get the picture... But if you want to save $395.00, pick yourself up an 01 Concourse.. At $8199.00, you won't find a better deal for a new sport touring bike... And that price includes a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty. Larry
This Guy is Good in a Clutch Hey gang, I enjoy the site. When Ray wrote about downshifting, he mentioned increased clutch wear as a potential result. From this, I inferred that he is talking about slowing down by slipping the clutch in a lower gear. However, if you match revs ("blip" the throttle while the clutch lever is in) and then shift down, you will wind up with a smoother gear engagement and far less wear on the clutch. If you match revs correctly on a downshift, there would be no slippage at all because everything would already be spinning at the proper speed when you re-engage the clutch. Your transmission will last longer, your clutch will last longer, and your ride will be smoother. Done properly, a downshift should be something a passenger can't feel at all - they'd be able to tell by sound alone that you've shifted to a lower gear. Bill
We Might Have to Give Billy a Job Thanks for the article on safety. It has some good pointers, especially the crushed soda can. But, I am concerned about one piece of advice. You recommend releasing a locked brake and re-applying. While this is appropriate for a front brake, it can be risky on a rear brake. The new rubber we get is pretty sticky. So, it doesn't slip easily. If during a rear wheel lock-up the brake is released, the rear tire will regain traction. If the back of the bike is out of line with the direction of travel, this can snap the tire back on line. Frequently, this will result in a high-side accident. My recommendation for rear wheel lock up is to stay on the rear brake hard. Keep using the front brake by modulating it and steer the front to stay in line with the rear. If you are sure that the bike is still on line with the direction of travel, you can release the rear brake. But, be ready for the snap back to line -- even a small snap. Billy Street |
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