Take offs, covers, saddlebags, ect

[bman]

Alright,  I've been riding for a few months now and have a few issues.

First when taking off I'm having an issue,  not sure mechanical or me being stupid, the bike wants to sputter or try to stall so I have to keep revving it a lot. I think it might be technique. or technical.

Second I need something to cover my bike while at work, something inexpensive and uncomplicated. I don't need security but to keep dew off and keep it out of sun since I work midnight to mid-morning shift.

How do you guys and gals deal with buggy windshields while riding?

Last I am in need of saddlebags, I think I have asked about them before but can't find the post.

Thanks for the help! I do plan on posting this other places so if you see it on another forum don't feel obligated to answer it more than once.

[bombshelter13]

As far as take offs, how many RPMs are you bringing it up to before engaging the clutch? Try getting it to around 4k or so first.

Any motorcycle shop should be able to sell you saddlebags, and for the most part they're not very bike specific - just measure and if they look like they fit they probably will.

[Falcon01]

I bought Cortech saddle bags and a top bag for my GS.  Works great.  I ran the connecting straps for the saddle bags under the seat, and they've been rock solid even the Northern Cal wind.  I only use the top bag when commuting to work.  It will hold shoes, laptop, coffee mug and various other small items, and it connects/disconnects quickly so I can carry it into the office with me.  The saddle bags stay on all the time.  Not sure what you mean by "buggy windshield".  I bought a Laminar Lip and although it looks a little goofy, it works well at keeping the wind and bugs off me.  Have to clean the bugs off it about once a week. 

[joelmath]

I use the Tour Master Select Motorcycle Cover, size medium. It works great! $38 at Motorcycle Superstore.

[bman]

Thanks for the suggestions and by buggy problem I mean all the bugs that get smashed onto your faceshield and windshield. It really bad around here.

[Twisted]

Thanks for the suggestions and by buggy problem I mean all the bugs that get smashed onto your faceshield and windshield. It really bad around here.

You know the moist refresher towelettes you get form KFC and other fast food restaurants?



Collect them and stick em in your jacket pocket.

Any bike cover that is water resistant and fits your bike will be fine. Just make sure it has some kind of strap to stop the wind blowing it off.

Have you considered a decent tank bag instead of saddle bags? A tank bag can easily be removed from the bike in a second since it is only held on by magnets.

[bman]

The towelettes sound like a great idea and I have a tank bag. just with me working the shift I do and such I need a bit more space than what my tank bag offers. I am also planning a couple overnight trips soon with my bike.

oh and the yankbag I have is the Joe Rocket Manta XL. It is a great bag and can fit a lot for its size. I really do like it for short trips or as a graphics bag for my most commonly taken items.

[Big Rich]

Yay midnight shift.......

We park all our bikes along a chainlink fence so there are about 20 rags through the links. Beginning of the shift just throw a rag over the seat. In the morning throw the rag back on the fence.

[mister]

Yay midnight shift.......

We park all our bikes along a chainlink fence so there are about 20 rags through the links. Beginning of the shift just throw a rag over the seat. In the morning throw the rag back on the fence.

+1 if you can't be stuffed parting with the few sheckles to get a proper bike cover. For night I have a rag from a bag-of-rags in our workshop. I keep it in my jacket pocket and drape it on the seat to keep dew off.

As for finding an old post of yours, click your name in the post to go to your profile, at the bottom is a link "view last posts of this person" or something like it. Click that and you can go through your past posts. 

Michael

[MarTeeNez]

I use a towel to cover my seat (cheap, and easy to stow away).  For the buggy face shield, I keep a bottle of glass cleaner (for plastic prescription lenses, get it in the drug store in the glasses aisle) along with the cloth that comes with it.  I bought a box of the glasses wipes and keep several in my tank bank, for for commuting, I use it every buggy day.  I have two cloths, one for my glasses & my monitor at work, the other for my faceshield.  Picky, I know, but I don't want bugs on my prescription lenses...  The windshield on the bike I clean about once a week.

I've heard great things about the Cortech bags.  I personally use a First Gear tail bag for gym clothes (it bungees on and is very expandable) and misc stuff.  Tank bag is for rain suit, wipes, water bottle, bungee cords, kickstand pad, pressure gauge).  I commute with a RoadSack.com yellow backpack with my purse, lunch, spare gloves.  I usually commute in chilly am weather and ride home in steamy hot pm weather, so it holds spare gear.  Love the fit, color, shape of that backpack, but it's not great for oversized laptops.