I decided at the start of the summer that I would be taking a ride through the Rocky Mountains in the late summer or early fall this year...so I planned the route and picked a date for the ride...September 10th, 2011 to September 12th, 2011...sounded like a great weekend to do it...kids are back in school (so less travelers on the road)...I even found a couple of like minded friends that wanted to come along...
The date finally came, and we were all as excited as the kids when summer break starts tomorrow...we all met up in Sylvan Lake and had breakfast at the Humpty's Restaurant...then we were off...
This is a pic of us stopped in Canmore, AB trying to find some ice cream (it was 28C outside)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aXEHHMKeOeY/TnAGn8l17FI/AAAAAAAABXw/7Ek_ldEnwkI/s1024/IMAG000118.JPG)
Stopped and took some nice pictures while mounting our POV cameras...
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zn3UnvaWF_g/TnAHKzhef2I/AAAAAAAABYE/iOAUAQ4GhxY/s1024/IMAG000517.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B3YW_wiNYwg/TnAHzokj1NI/AAAAAAAABYQ/899rMg6nSFg/s1024/IMAG000816.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JZcZmclwUk0/TnAHt_-UQ7I/AAAAAAAABYM/82uMVmFStzg/s1024/IMAG000716.JPG)
This pic is where we stopped to stretch before reaching Cranbrook, BC...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8CCUbep7ifc/TnAH9NqPZEI/AAAAAAAABYU/Jh65vL84hIw/s1024/IMAG001015.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tOfRjUcqbrE/TnAIHA7w4YI/AAAAAAAABYY/RlDcuWbY1yU/s1024/IMAG001115.JPG)
The next day, someone broke their key in their saddle lock...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--wGb2cJrznM/TnAIhjC6TVI/AAAAAAAABYg/ZUVjhSY89N8/s1024/IMAG001215.JPG)
we got the piece out, but trying to find someone to cut a motorcycle key on a Sunday was a pain...so we improvised and found that an older Ford trunk key (if sanded or filed to be thinner) will work in an '87 Honda Hurricane ignition... :woohoo: ...we were off...at 2pm
We made it to Creston and turned up Hwy 3a...heading for the ferry across the Kootenay Lake...what a beautiful, twisty road!! We were in heaven...turn after turn, carving our way toward the ferry launch...the closer we got, the twistier the road got...it was AWESOME...until the third to last turn when I entered the turn on the left side of the lane on a left turn...the turn was a decreasing radius turn so I ended up having to lean the bike WAY OVER...I ground the peg and my boot, which startled me...so I wiggled and went a little wide, right out to the white line...and that's when I saw the gravel...next thing I know I'm sliding through the gravel and I am no longer on my bike...
These pictures still make me ill to know what I did to my baby...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AI8UQ3zkMZU/TnAJNg15QBI/AAAAAAAABYs/kLLDekQkpBg/s1024/IMAG001514.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AMfr5slZZDQ/TnAJ93ltIMI/AAAAAAAABY4/ZqpAv6QSIwM/s1024/IMAG001813.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TexsC5u1MhA/TnAJ_Rj2_CI/AAAAAAAABY8/JisFIaIa8gA/s1024/IMAG001913.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6zGneunhVvo/TnAJ7-qLjiI/AAAAAAAABY0/F4CC9xvFA5I/s1024/IMAG002013.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lJbgDxDOCiQ/TnAKeMLwr3I/AAAAAAAABZE/RUSXm0N-gSI/s1024/IMAG002112.JPG)
The major damage was to the left fork...bent...the shift lever is broken, the air filter cover is dented and scratched and the heat cover on the left exhaust is crushed...I don't know about the rim and tire...the impact popped the bead off, but I couldn't see any physical damage to the rubber...
I ended up getting it towed to a storage place in Nelson, BC...the guy there was excellent to deal with...he rides as well and felt bad for me, so he is holding it until this weekend for free so that I can go pick it up without missing work...I did have to pay $245 for coming to tow it...but it was Sunday night at 8:45pm...so there was a call out fee and mileage plus HST...
What about me, you ask? Well thanks for being concerned...but the speed limit on the road was 60kph, so I was travelling at 70kph...the turn had a "SLOW" sign, but no speed (usually the tighter turns said slow to 40kph...or something along that line)...so we slowed to 60kph ish...then as the corner presented itself I hit the brakes some more just as I entered the corner, so probably going around 40-50kph...thankfully I was wearing my gloves, jacket, helmet, hiking boots and jeans (I know, I should have riding boots and riding pants...)
I came out with some minor scrapes where my jacket rode up my arm a bit and the glove didn't cover...and my left ankle took a beating when the bike fell over...so I came away with a scrape that wouldn't impress anyone and a limp...
I also found out that riding pillion on a Honda VFR800 Interceptor isn't my prefered mode of transport, especially for a 800kms run...
But I made it home and I'm relatively unharmed...and I know what my winter project is...
mister asked me to add a "what did I learn" comment...
The biggest thing I learned...GEAR WORKS, WEAR IT!!
The other thing I learned...don't make assumptions about the road you are riding...just because the last 50 corners were one way, doesn't mean this one will be the same...decreasing radius, no "Slow to..." markings, sand/gravel, a stopped vehicle...anything can be around the corner and you need to leave yourself enough time to deal with these things...
I was very lucky...if the line up for the ferry was just around that corner, the result would have been much worse and it probably wouldn't have been just me that had an accident...my buddies would have probably crashed as well...or worse... :icon_eek:
What I did get to ride was pretty awesome, so I will try that trip again...just with more caution this time...
Later.
Ah crap!!! Sorry to hear about your crash madjak but I'm really glad to hear you only came away with minor scraps and bruises. I drove that rode a couple of months ago when I was over there, lovely scenery, sh!tty road in a car though!
Good luck on your project over the winter. I hope the Beast comes through alright at the end of it's surgery.
[POST HAS BEEN REMOVED BY USER]
Mad, Thanks for sharing.
There is a place in the USA that Removed their speed advisory signs and crashes went Down. If there had been no signs elsewhere you would have been Forced to judge the road for yourself, right? Forced to come in slower, correct? This is precisely the concept behind Pace Riding. You are Forced to become a better judge of the road.
In your case you became lazy and relied too much on the advised speed signs instead of your own judgement. Also, unfamiliar road gotcha. Also, bad line into the corner. I'd hazard a guess you were also looking at the gravel too (obstacle fixation) right? The others obviously made it around the corner under the same conditions so your line might have been the biggest contributor, unless they also took that same line :dunno_black:
The bike can be fixed. Glad you are alright, although, I guess, somewhat brow beaten from the missus :icon_mrgreen:
Man, you're just going to have to give her "no crash guarantees" from now on. :thumb:
Michael
But now ... well, road rash hates competetion ... so you're good now, first crash hurts the mostest.
Glad you're OK.
Canmore ? you talk to "Mike ..... from canmore " ?
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: mister on September 14, 2011, 04:07:06 AM
Mad, Thanks for sharing.
There is a place in the USA that Removed their speed advisory signs and crashes went Down. If there had been no signs elsewhere you would have been Forced to judge the road for yourself, right? Forced to come in slower, correct? This is precisely the concept behind Pace Riding. You are Forced to become a better judge of the road.
In your case you became lazy and relied too much on the advised speed signs instead of your own judgement. Also, unfamiliar road gotcha. Also, bad line into the corner. I'd hazard a guess you were also looking at the gravel too (obstacle fixation) right? The others obviously made it around the corner under the same conditions so your line might have been the biggest contributor, unless they also took that same line :dunno_black:
The bike can be fixed. Glad you are alright, although, I guess, somewhat brow beaten from the missus :icon_mrgreen:
Man, you're just going to have to give her "no crash guarantees" from now on. :thumb:
Michael
Yup, you pretty much nailed it...became complacent & target fixation got me...I saw the gravel and went straight for it...I just watched the video from the guy two bikes back and you can see my bike is on the inside of my turn to start, which was the biggest part...then the peg ground and I straightened up and then I stared straight at the gravel...guess where I went?? :sad:
And yeah, wifey wasn't too impressed...but she is calm now...still a little ticked, but the worry is over...now to rebuild the BEAST...and time for the experienced rider course... :embarrassed:
I agree about the signs...I think if I had ignored them all along, I would have been riding more cautiously...I'm not blaming the signs though, it was rider error...no doubt about it...lack of experience and adrenaline got the best of me... :nono:
I'll post a link to the video tonight...the video makes the corner look like a sweeper, but it was a 40kph corner (or maybe even less)...you just can't tell from the angle of the video... :confused:
Later.
The roads in BC have claimed many Alberta bikes over the years. We're just not used to that kind of riding all day out here in the flat and straight Prairies. I have been there with people who have literally ridden up the sides of the concrete barriers because they couldn't negotiate a turn. We spent all day in the hospital with a 22 yr. old kid that launched himself and his ZX6R through a ditch and fractured his pelvis and crushed a few vertebrae on the DH1 (http://www.destinationhighways.com/dh/9SouthKootenays/1sum.htm) and tore his bike in half.
One rider I know who lives in Nelson said if the corner is posted 40 or below it means it. This same guy goes three times the posted limit most everywhere else on his ZX10R.
Quote from: mister on September 14, 2011, 04:07:06 AMThere is a place in the USA that Removed their speed advisory signs and crashes went Down. If there had been no signs elsewhere you would have been Forced to judge the road for yourself, right? Forced to come in slower, correct? This is precisely the concept behind Pace Riding. You are Forced to become a better judge of the road.
The main idea of The Pace is to not use your brakes, which forces you to reduce your entry speed in the first place.
The alternative is what most people do, which is to get all excited and charge into the corner on the brakes like they were Valentino Rossi, only to discover they can't or don't know how to brake hard enough to get down to the speed they need to.
Quote from: SAFE-T on September 14, 2011, 09:30:09 AM
Quote from: mister on September 14, 2011, 04:07:06 AMThere is a place in the USA that Removed their speed advisory signs and crashes went Down. If there had been no signs elsewhere you would have been Forced to judge the road for yourself, right? Forced to come in slower, correct? This is precisely the concept behind Pace Riding. You are Forced to become a better judge of the road.
The main idea of The Pace is to not use your brakes, which forces you to reduce your entry speed in the first place.
That's right... cause you use no brakes you are Forced to judge the road better to know When to come off the brake, change down gears etc.
Michael
Glad you're ok. I "layed my bike down" in a similar scenario on a trip to the dragon. I think MC trips can be pretty dangerous. Lots of saddle time on unfamiliar and challenging roads, but I'll be darned if I don't go on 'em...
Quote from: mister on September 14, 2011, 04:07:06 AM
Mad, Thanks for sharing.
There is a place in the USA that Removed their speed advisory signs and crashes went Down. If there had been no signs elsewhere you would have been Forced to judge the road for yourself, right? Forced to come in slower, correct? This is precisely the concept behind Pace Riding. You are Forced to become a better judge of the road.
Removing the signs probably isn't the worst thing that could happen. I've been known to shoot for twice the recommended speed as my minimum in my car. I'm generally more conservative on my bike likely for reason related to above...
Glad you're ok. I did that ride in June and really enjoyed it. Then in August, about a week before your Drumheller trip, a group of us went from Medicine Hat to Drum and then up to the hotel in Wayne for lunch. This one wasn't so good as I did exactly what you did at Crawford Bay. Misjudged a low speed left, dragged a peg, hit gravel and it was all over. Also had gear but had unzipped sleeve and it rode up leaving lower arm bare and road rash. Boots completely saved my ankle but glove didn't do as well. Was able to ride bike back home, had broken windshield, bent shifter and scrapes. I guess we live and learn.
The four friends I was with just completed the Three Flags ride to Mexico and back to Penticton. For two of them this was the 18th time they have done this.
Quote from: PachmanP on September 14, 2011, 05:10:29 PM
Glad you're ok. I "layed my bike down" in a similar scenario on a trip to the dragon. I think MC trips can be pretty dangerous. Lots of saddle time on unfamiliar and challenging roads, but I'll be darned if I don't go on 'em...
Did any of them dudes with the cameras that sit on that bend capture you're mishap?
Quote from: Twisted on September 14, 2011, 11:42:29 PM
Did any of them dudes with the cameras that sit on that bend capture you're mishap?
Nope...no one sitting on the corner with a camera, but the guy two bikes back had his GoPro taping and caught it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8EutOCaZ8s&feature=player_embedded
Completely rider error...started the corner on the inside of the turn, instead of the outside...going too fast for the corner...not used to grinding a peg, so I "panic'd" a little when I did...then target fixation on the gravel...and off the road I go... :icon_eek:
It was a rookie rider error all the way...got carried away and paid the price... :oops:
Later.
Glad you're allright and lived to learn a valuable lesson.
Quote from: mister on September 14, 2011, 11:55:21 AMcause you use no brakes you are Forced to judge the road better to know When to come off the brake, change down gears etc.
Michael
If you use no brakes in the first place, there is no reason to "come off the brake" at all...
Honestly, I have ridden almost the entire length of the DH1 without using my brakes.
Quote from: SAFE-T on September 15, 2011, 09:21:15 AM
Quote from: mister on September 14, 2011, 11:55:21 AMcause you use no brakes you are Forced to judge the road better to know When to come off the brake, change down gears etc.
Michael
If you use no brakes in the first place, there is no reason to "come off the brake" at all...
Honestly, I have ridden almost the entire length of the DH1 without using my brakes.
Oops... typo... obviously "cause you use no brakes you are forced to... know when to come off the brakes" makes no sense. SHOULD have been... come off the throttle.
:cheers:
Michael
Seems like single-vehicle crashes are mostly... (always?) on left-hand turns. I see videos on youtube, they're lefthanders.
When I crashed, it was a left hander.
I'm definately going to take it down a notch, on all my left turns on twisties from now on :-/
I totally agree. I can lean aggressively on my right turns, but those lefties just make me a bit nervous
Everyone has a Lean Preference - a side of the bike they feel more comfortable leaning into.
I would say I have (had) a left leaning preference. But, with forced increased right leaning on various roads, it's drummed out of me and now, sometimes, I prefer leaning right, but that's just a specific corner preference instead of an overall leaning preference.
Michael
Quote from: PachmanP on September 14, 2011, 05:10:29 PM
Glad you're ok. I "layed my bike down" in a similar scenario on a trip to the dragon. I think MC trips can be pretty dangerous. Lots of saddle time on unfamiliar and challenging roads, but I'll be darned if I don't go on 'em...
Quote from: mister on September 14, 2011, 04:07:06 AM
Mad, Thanks for sharing.
There is a place in the USA that Removed their speed advisory signs and crashes went Down. If there had been no signs elsewhere you would have been Forced to judge the road for yourself, right? Forced to come in slower, correct? This is precisely the concept behind Pace Riding. You are Forced to become a better judge of the road.
Removing the signs probably isn't the worst thing that could happen. I've been known to shoot for twice the recommended speed as my minimum in my car. I'm generally more conservative on my bike likely for reason related to above...
i almost did on the dragon. via target fixation. on my harley. well on my gs briefly too. caught myself looking, then bitchslapped myself emntally for falling into the same old thing again. so now i dont look at hte view unless im stopped
but at least you made it out fine. idk what the wife will say or has said. btu you made it out with minimal injury. thats what counts. insurance will pay for the damage. if you do the repairs yourself. you can upgrade lol
Nope...I don't carry collision..."I'm not gonna crash..."...so I get to foot the bill for the repairs...I am going tomorrow to pick up the bike and see the extent of the damage...who knows...maybe everything is just tweaked and when I loosen it, all will pop back into place... :embarrassed:
No, I'm not to hopeful about it being that simple...but one can hope :cookoo:
The repairs shouldn't be too extensive since the speed was low and I couldn't see too much damage...ebay has lots of parts available for my bike, so it shouldn't be too bad... :icon_rolleyes:
Later.
Quote from: mister on September 15, 2011, 07:35:27 PM
Everyone has a Lean Preference - a side of the bike they feel more comfortable leaning into.
I would say I have (had) a left leaning preference. But, with forced increased right leaning on various roads, it's drummed out of me and now, sometimes, I prefer leaning right, but that's just a specific corner preference instead of an overall leaning preference.
Michael
I am just putting a theory out there. My lean preference is left too. My theory is it is all depends which side of the road your country drives on. Here in Australia most riders would prefer leaning left because you are not leaning towards oncoming traffic and vica versa for those who drive on the other side like the USA prefer leaning in right.
Quote from: madjak30 on September 16, 2011, 07:57:19 AM
Nope...I don't carry collision..."I'm not gonna crash..."...so I get to foot the bill for the repairs...I am going tomorrow to pick up the bike and see the extent of the damage...who knows...maybe everything is just tweaked and when I loosen it, all will pop back into place... :embarrassed:
No, I'm not to hopeful about it being that simple...but one can hope :cookoo:
The repairs shouldn't be too extensive since the speed was low and I couldn't see too much damage...ebay has lots of parts available for my bike, so it shouldn't be too bad... :icon_rolleyes:
Later.
well look at it this way. if you had to PICK a time to have an off, now woulda been it. end of riding season draws near. and youd have all winter to get her back to 110%
Quote from: madjak30 on September 16, 2011, 07:57:19 AM
Nope...I don't carry collision..."I'm not gonna crash..."...so I get to foot the bill for the repairs...
And also get to discover that... the extra you Would have paid for Collision Would have been well worth it and Much cheaper than the repair bill you now face.
Michael
if bike is worth more than 2 years premium + deductible GET FULL COVERAGE! hell the free towing and rental car on some plans is worth it alone...
Quote from: crzydood17 on September 18, 2011, 12:59:59 PM
if bike is worth more than 2 years premium + deductible GET FULL COVERAGE! hell the free towing and rental car on some plans is worth it alone...
when i financed my HD. it was cheaper ended up costing me less by carrying full coverage plus warranty. plus myself beign HD certified to repair, i got paid to change my own plugs LMAO. Oh i made use of that plan, fill out a work order, submit. payment arrived in 10 days
I really don't see why people don't get insurance. Flick's insurance is $30 a month and I've used the free road side assistance twice this year so that's the insurance premium paid. I have a $100 deductible and it covers custom parts. It seems like a no brainer?
mary
It is less affordable is some places (i.e. Canada) and for some riders (speeders/young guys)
My insurance is $500 a year liability only. It's over 800 with collision and comprehesive coverages. 35 y.o. Canadian with no record of any sort.
Doesn't help that insurance is gov't-mandated and barely regulated.
The insurance companies make a mint off you while the provincial gov't turns a blind eye... unless it's election time... Then they are up in arms for a month until that's all over.
Sorry for the rant...
Yup, what CliffHanger said...I pay $418/yr for PL/PD & Comp (fire & theft) less Collision...Collision adds 50%...(41yo driver with a clean record) my deductable is $250 as it stands now, but with Collision I would go for the $500 deductable to keep the premium down to a reasonable level...so if the bike is written off it is worth it, but in a fixable accident you would get hosed... :icon_eek:
Yeah, it isn't that much more...but my collision, if I go through Yamaha to get all the parts direct replacement for my MT-01, will cost me $950 with tax and all in...I can reduce that further by using R1 parts from Ebay...my deductable would be $500 + $210 extra premium and after a claim who knows how much they would increase my premium (loose my safe driver discounts) and for how long? :bs:
So in my situation, I am better off without the insurance...I'm fully covered if I do damage to anyone else, or anything else...but I foot the bill for damage to my own bike... :embarassed:
I'll have it repaired and back on the road by next spring, so all is good...and
WEAR YOUR GEAR, IT WORKS!!
I walked away and all I got was a non-permanent limp...no road rash, no broken bits...nothing... :cheers:
Later.
Quote from: madjak30 on September 26, 2011, 08:32:19 AM
all I got was a non-permanent limp...no road rash, no broken bits...nothing... :cheers:
Later.
Um... you're leaving out the worst bit... the reaction from the wife Dum Dum Daaaaaa.
(http://i.imgur.com/hDegw.jpg)
Michael
To be honest, I thought it was going to be worse than it was... :confused:
I think she was more worried than mad...and the bike can be fixed for not too much money (I think :icon_confused: )
I'll start a thread once I start on the rebuilding process...daughters 13th birthday in November, then Xmas...then bike...so I have a while to ponder the repairs...I'm also going to buy a bike lift (should be able to pick one up on sale for around $70ish)...then atleast the tear down can start...
But hurry up and wait again, just like last year...atleast it doesn't pend on me getting a bonus again this year, that would suck!!
:cheers:
Later.
Quote from: madjak30 on September 27, 2011, 10:08:08 AM
I think she was more worried than mad...and the bike can be fixed for not too much money (I think :icon_confused: )
Ah, so while the bike is off the road all is ok. Wait until you are ready to ride again................
Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine... :icon_razz: :flipoff: ;)
Once I'm on the bike, I won't hear her... :icon_mrgreen: ...she has mentioned something about not wanting me to do overnight trips...but I wasn't listening :cheers:
I'll deal with that stuff when it gets here (I hate it when you're right...) :icon_twisted:
Later.
Well, it's time to start ordering parts...I want to have all the parts available in the next few weeks...I have from December 21st until January 2nd off...so I'm hoping to do the work while I have a few days...then I'll be ready for spring...
I have a feeling next year is going to be busy at work for me, so I don't want to be trying to scramble just before spring hits...
Should I start a fresh "Rebuild of the BEAST" thread, or just keep this one going?? :dunno_black:
:cheers:
Later.
Sorry to hear your lovely trip got ruined. One of the good things about the GS500 is that although it's possible to go to hot into a corner, the bike doesn't really goad you into it.
New thread for sure. But I thought you had to wait until After xmas?
Michael
Bills won't come in until after Christmas...plus wifey asked what I wanted for Christmas, I said R1 forks... :icon_mrgreen: :cheers: ...she said "FINE...buy your parts..."
Hey, it wasn't perfect but I got the go ahead (yes, I know what she really meant but...meh)...Christmas is for the kids anyway...
I'll probably be in the dog house, but that is close to where the bike is parked anyway... :thumb:
Later.
Start a new thread.
DUDE!!! I haven't been on the forum in months, I can't believe what you did to my beautiful MT-01!! :technical:
seriously, glad you're ok though. I usually only have liability on my insurance too. It sucks to pay the repair bill, but insurance isn't cheap on 1700cc sportbikes either(full coverage on my yz426 sumo is $75 a year!). If you don't mind buying used parts off ebay repairs usually aren't that bad. Plus if everybody rode with full coverage, I'd have a much harder time finding good sportbike candidates for streetfighters :icon_mrgreen:
Also, as much as I love riding new roads and riding to new places with guys I ride with, nothing beats tearing down your same favorite roads over and over. I hate that feeling of uncertainty when you hit an unknown turn after another. It's a great feeling to be in complete control when you know exactly how each turn is shaped, where all the bumps, cracks, and side roads/driveways are. I also just bought a pair of riding pants, looking forward to trying those out. They were the only pair of gear I've been missing for a while now. For any of you who just don't have the cash for good gear, see if there's a cyclegear anywhere near you. Me and their clearance rack have a semi-serious relationship going on, haha. I've bought two brand new riding jackets for about $40 a piece, the riding pants for $30, and my wife got a ladies alpinestar jacket for $20. It was about $800 worth of riding gear for $130. They've always got gloves and boots on sale too. Some of it may not be the best quality stuff, but as long as it lasts you through one crash, I think a $40 pair of boots was worth the money.
Quote from: Twisted on September 16, 2011, 04:23:32 PM
I am just putting a theory out there. My lean preference is left too. My theory is it is all depends which side of the road your country drives on. Here in Australia most riders would prefer leaning left because you are not leaning towards oncoming traffic and vica versa for those who drive on the other side like the USA prefer leaning in right.
Don't forget the angle of the road. Most roads aren't flat, and are angled down on both sides slightly so water runs off of them. That means when you're leaning towards the right you have a slight berm to ride on similar to when racetracks have banked turns, and when you're turning towards the center of the road you've actually got a negative berm that gives you less traction. Some roads are barely noticeable and pretty flat, some roads you can see it pretty obviously just by looking at it, so they're all different. I do have leaning towards cars though, haha. Someday I'm gonna smack my head off of someone's side view mirror. I tend to forget that just because my tire is on the correct side of the center line doesn't mean the rest of me is :thumb:
Glad to see you're back...I'll be posting a "Rebuild" thread with a bunch of pics and maybe a video link...but not until Feb...need to order the parts then set aside a weekend to do the work...it shouldn't be too bad...one fork, one shift lever, some sanding and painting...should be good as new :thumb:
Happy New Year too!!
Later.
Sounds good! if sanding and painting didn't take so long you could have that business sorted in a Saturday afternoon! My bike has been out of commission for a while now too. My timing chain jumped from improper tensioner adjustment(oops), followed be some poor advice from the 'yamaha guru' of thumper talk on setting the timing right, which led to me having to do it over and over until one day I accidentally snapped the threads off the end of the crankshaft. I'm currently in the middle of an engine rebuild in my basement. I've got the new crankshaft in, the final hurdle is bolting up the shift mechanism right and then the rest should go back together easy as pie. The transmission would move through all 5 gears nicely but as soon as I start bolting on the parts for the shifter it doesn't want to move, who knows. At least it's winter and we wouldn't be riding right now anyway!
Yup...winter is here for a few more months anyway, so no sense in trying to rush :dunno_black: ...but I do want to start the teardown soon just to make sure there aren't more broken bits than I think there are...plus if I buy them a bit at a time, it won't scare wifey so much... :thumb:
I'm pretty busy for the next few weeks, organizing the garage, swimming competitions (daughter), motorcycle show :cheers: ...then I can start the process...as for the painting, I want to change the tank colour to black from silver as well as the front fender to black...also want to paint the air covers, since the right side got scratched & dented in the crash...it should look pretty good when I am done...
You still riding the Buell, or have you moved on from that? I seem to remember you mentioning something about wanting to change...and now you are talking Yamaha...
Later.
The silver sounds like a good plan. Those are great looking bikes either way.
I sold the Buell back in August. I was thinking about using the money to replace it with something faster, but I ended up spending all that money on truck/house stuff, so that's not really an option anymore haha. I was thinking maybe I'd buy something in spring, but I just replaced my furnace a week ago, and I think I need to redo the knee surgery my dog had last May, doesn't look like it worked because he's been limping pretty good again. Something to look forward to in the future.
Current bike is a yamaha yz426 supermoto. Definitely more fun than any other bike I've ever had, and a big recommendation for anyone looking to upgrade their GS who has that opinion of "I don't understand why you need 100hp on a motorcycle" because mine only has 45 and it's still a crazy bike that'll wheelie in the first 3 gears at least haha, plus it's only 250lbs wet.
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6005/6018301876_03d4491002_z.jpg)
Quote from: tt_four on January 07, 2012, 02:01:55 AM
Current bike is a yamaha yz426 supermoto. Definitely more fun than any other bike I've ever had, and a big recommendation for anyone looking to upgrade their GS who has that opinion of "I don't understand why you need 100hp on a motorcycle" because mine only has 45 and it's still a crazy bike that'll wheelie in the first 3 gears at least haha, plus it's only 250lbs wet.
So, what does the GS500 have, that your yz426 doesnt, that makes it 100lb heavier?
I'd say it's a technology difference along with no subframe...minimalist to the extreme...excellent bike!! :thumb: if you aren't gonna do any hiway riding, that is definately the way to go...I was looking at getting a dual sport as a second bike...but I don't think I will push my luck...but I will probably get a 50cc scooter this year for wifey that my daughter can use next summer...
I may leave the tank silver and change the colour on all the rest of the bits...I am starting the tear down tomorrow...had a swim meet today for two of the three daughters (one didn't qualify...yet), just got home...
I'll take some tear down pics and start a rebuild thread!!
Later.
Quote from: Phil B on January 07, 2012, 04:58:11 PM
So, what does the GS500 have, that your yz426 doesnt, that makes it 100lb heavier?
Haha, no idea but it's pretty ridiculous. My scrawny 155lb self can just pick up the back end of the yz, that wasn't happening with the GS. Makes scooting it around the basement a lot easier.
The only thing it really doesn't have is a 2nd cylinder. Since it's an offroad bike the exhaust weights a good couple lbs less than a stock GS exhaust, It does have a subframe it's aluminum, plastic gas tank instead of steel, I'm sure the wheels are way lighter, aluminum swingarm. Other than that it might not be what one bike doesn't have compared to another, but just the weight of the same parts in general. My engine has a few magnesium parts, less steel brackets. Ooh, of course no battery, no electric start(although my friends wr450 has those things and is still pretty light). The GS just hasn't really been updated since it was made, the yz426 was yamaha's top of the like dirtbike 10 years ago, so anything from the suspension to the frame was made lighter. Frame and engine are probably the biggest weight difference though.
Haha, dual sport would make a good 2nd bike for you, but you'll have to wait until the timing is right. I didn't ever assume I could justify a 2nd bike(even though it's my only bike now), but once my wife saw a puppy she just
had to have when we already had 2 dogs, it was pretty easy to use her argument for another bike. Scooter sounds like fun, I bet you'll have a good time on that one too haha.
Quote from: tt_four on January 08, 2012, 11:19:43 AM
My engine has a few magnesium parts, less steel brackets. Ooh, of course no battery, no electric start(although my friends wr450 has those things and is still pretty light). The GS just hasn't really been updated since it was made, the yz426 was yamaha's top of the like dirtbike 10 years ago, so anything from the suspension to the frame was made lighter. Frame and engine are probably the biggest weight difference though.
Sigh. I'd love to see a modern update of the gs500. Lighter-everything, but still cheap, and NOT more power. I dont want to have to buy a more powerful bike, to get a lighter (freeway worthy) bike of the same caliber. ...
grmblegrmble...
Quote from: Phil B on January 12, 2012, 09:39:25 AM
Sigh. I'd love to see a modern update of the gs500. Lighter-everything, but still cheap, and NOT more power. I dont want to have to buy a more powerful bike, to get a lighter (freeway worthy) bike of the same caliber. ...
grmblegrmble...
You could just buy a supermoto. Even a DRZ400sm or wr250x(fuel injected!) if you want something lighter and aren't looking for a giant power boost and don't want to deal with converting an RMZ or a YZF. They're still seriously fun bikes, even if you're not looking to go offroading or goofing off, and you get a serious upgrade in brakes and suspension.
If I had more money, space, and fabricating abilities(although more money really haha), I'd LOVE to get a dirtbike, get it registered for the street, get some bodywork for it from one of those super single kits so it had a more sportbike styled tank and tail, shorten the suspension, and use it for a city/around town bike. It would be absolutely perfect. Super light, good handling, reasonable power, low maintenance.
To be honest, they look better than your normal supersport/superbikes anyway...
(http://www.motorcycle.com/images/content/Product/monogp_11.jpg)
sorry this one is so big, I couldn't find it in a smaller version, but it's exactly what I want for street riding only with dirtbike bars, and obviously cleaned up a little bit but 45 hp in a bike that's less than 250lbs wet would be amazing...
(http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/kawasaki_profile_right.jpg)
Quote from: tt_four on January 12, 2012, 11:53:18 AM
Quote from: Phil B on January 12, 2012, 09:39:25 AM
Sigh. I'd love to see a modern update of the gs500. Lighter-everything, but still cheap, and NOT more power. I dont want to have to buy a more powerful bike, to get a lighter (freeway worthy) bike of the same caliber. ...
grmblegrmble...
You could just buy a supermoto. Even a DRZ400sm or wr250x(fuel injected!) if you want something lighter and aren't looking for a giant power boost and don't want to deal with converting an RMZ or a YZF. They're still seriously fun bikes, even if you're not looking to go offroading or goofing off, and you get a serious upgrade in brakes and suspension.
If I had more money, space, and fabricating abilities(although more money really haha), I'd LOVE to get a dirtbike, get it registered for the street, get some bodywork for it from one of those super single kits so it had a more sportbike styled tank and tail, shorten the suspension, and use it for a city/around town bike. It would be absolutely perfect. Super light, good handling, reasonable power, low maintenance.
To be honest, they look better than your normal supersport/superbikes anyway...
[img removed]
sorry this one is so big, I couldn't find it in a smaller version, but it's exactly what I want for street riding only with dirtbike bars, and obviously cleaned up a little bit but 45 hp in a bike that's less than 250lbs wet would be amazing...
[img removed]
HOLY CRAP! That thing is SEXY! Now I know what I'll be buying next.
Quote from: tt_four on January 12, 2012, 11:53:18 AM
Quote from: Phil B on January 12, 2012, 09:39:25 AM
Sigh. I'd love to see a modern update of the gs500. Lighter-everything, but still cheap, and NOT more power. I dont want to have to buy a more powerful bike, to get a lighter (freeway worthy) bike of the same caliber. ...
grmblegrmble...
You could just buy a supermoto. Even a DRZ400sm or wr250x(fuel injected!) if you want something lighter and aren't looking for a giant power boost and don't want to deal with converting an RMZ or a YZF. They're still seriously fun bikes, even if you're not looking to go offroading or goofing off, and you get a serious upgrade in brakes and suspension. ....
(http://www.motorcycle.com/images/content/Product/monogp_11.jpg)
Wow! what are those things, *exactly* ??
oh wait, images.google.com to the rescue :)
....
http://www.motorcycle.com/products/450-super-single-project-68605.html
I'm guessing they dont fit my "like a gs500" criteria of "good(reasonably comfy) for commuting", though.
Or price :-} or availability, for that matter. sigh...
(plus they're single cylinder...)
Quote from: Phil B on January 12, 2012, 07:00:55 PM
Wow! what are those things, *exactly* ??
oh wait, images.google.com to the rescue :)
....
http://www.motorcycle.com/products/450-super-single-project-68605.html
I'm guessing they dont fit my "like a gs500" criteria of "good(reasonably comfy) for commuting", though.
Or price :-} or availability, for that matter. sigh...
(plus they're single cylinder...)
haha, yeah I was mostly just giving my idea of an ideal bike for my situation. Just for anyone else who isn't sure what we're looking at, these two are the same exact bike just with the conversion kit:
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/450ss_450.jpg)
I think they'd fit your criteria well, all aside from the availability. Dirtbikes are everywhere, and they can be had dirt cheap, but of course the title issue is the main barrier. KTMs are pretty easy to register street legal, and I have a friend who just got his WR450F registered without too much of a hassle. I bet you could find a decent dual sport for less than $2000, spend the money on the tank and tail, and having the suspension lowered, and you'd still come in less than or equal to the price of a used gs500.
As far as commuting, I bet they'd be amazing. Single cylinders are great for traffic, a 450 will have plenty of power, comfort is all about the seat and handlebars you go with.
I have seen one of these kitted bikes on the track. I think it was some kind of 350 single. The dude was over taking the litre bikes up the inside on the bends!
so are basically all 4stroke dirt bikes, single cylinder? which is why they're so cheap and light?
Quote from: Phil B on January 12, 2012, 11:29:29 PM
so are basically all 4stroke dirt bikes, single cylinder? which is why they're so cheap and light?
Yes
The only dirtbikes I remember seeing that aren't single cylinder are some of the aprilias, which have a Vtwin them. They sound pretty mean.
Ah. like
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/571/2902/Motorcycle-Article/Aprilia-MXV-450-Twin-to-America.aspx
but I dont like how dirtbikes sound, anyway. So, oh well.
Quote from: Phil B on January 13, 2012, 03:38:52 PM
but I dont like how dirtbikes sound, anyway. So, oh well.
I understand the feeling, but to be honest I don't really like the sound of any motorcycle, people are just too obnoxious with all of them, whether it's a sportbike, harley or a dirtbike. At the same time though, listen to this aprilia, if you don't feel like watching the whole video at least listen to the part from 1:10-1:25. it sounds awesome. It's the same feel you get from seeing a buell xb, just a bike who's sound doesn't match up with what it is at all.
http://youtu.be/r9LT3DqzKQo
Yup...me likey...but I enjoy the sound of bikes as long as they actually have a muffler, straight pipes suck...IMHO...
Here's a good sounding bike...hehehe
Yamaha MT-01 (http://youtu.be/X5CxnmIy618)
Later.
Quote from: madjak30 on January 13, 2012, 08:23:56 PM
Yup...me likey...but I enjoy the sound of bikes as long as they actually have a muffler, straight pipes suck...IMHO...
Here's a good sounding bike...hehehe
Yamaha MT-01 (http://youtu.be/X5CxnmIy618)
Later.
I'm sure my neighbors would appreciate me riding that at 4am.
On the other hand, a nice collection of sounds to be used as foley sounds for some footage Hmmm..
Michael
Quote from: madjak30 on January 13, 2012, 08:23:56 PM
Yup...me likey...but I enjoy the sound of bikes as long as they actually have a muffler, straight pipes suck...IMHO...
It all depends, it's not actually the sounds that bug me, just how they're used. I've always thought I hated the sounds harley's made, until I started looking into Buells more. Then I realized the noise isn't half bad, it's just the bikes they always get associated with. I don't mind the noise a sportbike makes. I just hate hearing it at redlights, and redlining all the way up the bridge next to my house. I don't know why people are so obsessed with loud bikes though. All it does for sportbikes is point out your location and speed to cops, and all it does for harley's is emphasize the fact that you pretty much redlined your 2000cc american muscle away from that stop sign through the first 3 gears, and are still only going 20mph.
Quote from: tt_four on January 13, 2012, 11:11:08 PM
all it does for harley's is emphasize the fact that you pretty much redlined your 2000cc american muscle away from that stop sign through the first 3 gears, and are still only going 20mph.
That is GOLD :thumb: :thumb:
Quote from: tt_four on January 13, 2012, 06:23:01 PM
I understand the feeling, but to be honest I don't really like the sound of any motorcycle, people are just too obnoxious with all of them, whether it's a sportbike, harley or a dirtbike. At the same time though, listen to this aprilia, if you don't feel like watching the whole video at least listen to the part from 1:10-1:25. it sounds awesome. It's the same feel you get from seeing a buell xb, just a bike who's sound doesn't match up with what it is at all.
http://youtu.be/r9LT3DqzKQo
Nice. Although it doesnt "sound like a dirt bike", because in many ways, it isnt: it's V-twin ;)
Var' nice though.
Pretty, nice, light. Would be fun to see that "convert to sport bike" kit on it and ride it. For the $12,000 it would cost, I'd probably just buy a BMW 800st instead.
the aprila SXV is fully street legal. electric starter, etc, etc. not much to mod there. Nice. but I heard that sort of bike gets unhappy (very vibey) at normal freeway speeds.
275lbs vs 412 lbs though. sigh....
I don't even know if it weights 275lbs. If you looked the weight up you'd be ahead of me, but even my yz426 only weights 250 wet, and it's 10 years old. Mine doesn't have a battery or electric start though so who knows.
I'd had y426 up to highway speeds for a while and it does alright, but no matter what you do to it, it's still a dirtbike, and definitely not the best option for highway travel haha. Plus it gets pretty squirrely as soon as you hit 86mph, I'm sure it's a suspension adjustment, but honestly I find it easier to just avoid the highway instead of sorting it out haha