Which Color??

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Which Color??

What the wife bought me today after we finallized everything on the new bike.








She knows I love yellow and wanted to make sure there was some silver to match the bike and some black to tie in with the jacket.

She is something else.



Sal

[horsepwr]

Re: Which Color??

she insisted i try to match a bit -

lol, that's exactly what I say when I see the guy with the helmet to match the bike; "It looks like his wife/mommy geared him up" nah, but really, matching gear looks good. It's supposed to match. I just get whatever helmet catches my attention regardless of color contrast with the bike or rest of my gear.

But hell!..Huge congrats on the bike bro! And sweet gear! The wife has a good eye. HJC makes a fine helmet. Man, glad for ya! I imagine stoked is an understatement for how you feel. That's awesome!

Just make sure you go thru the break in process as precise as possible. Main thing, try not to ever lug or labor the motor. That is the 1 worst thing you can do during break-in. Don't go hitting the red-line before it hits 500 miles. But a couple of short high rpm wrap-ups in 1st and 2nd, then immediately close throttle won't hurt. It'll actually make for better polished inerds<--redneck for cylinder walls, etc...But I'm sure you've got all that info now.

Have fun! Be safe! and always, always wear your gear!
I hope the weather gets okay for ya soon. At least spring is right around the corner. I'm ecstatic. I just hate the dead heat of summer, but I love the long days.

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Which Color??

Thanks HP!!
That's the info I needed on the break in!

I still plan on getting the other helmet depending on how hot this one gets.
But the guy said it was an outdated model and she got it for next to nothing.
less than 80$ I think she paid.
And the gloves.....were under 50$!!

So at that price I can have something immediately and not stress the bank account one bit and i can save a few weeks/months and go for a diff helment if I so desire.

I did try a 750$ noggin bucket and DAMN!! THat thing felt SWEET!
I had to put that back though.

THanks again HP and this is actually my 4th bike - just first serious sport bike.
My first ride was an 82 Yamaha Maxim 1100 - sporty bike for the times. That one took me across the North/South part of the country from the Great Lakes to Ft Meyers Florida.
Then a 1400 Suzuki Intruder and small retro Honda at one point and last year I bought th ewife a 650 Suzuki cruiser that I rode all season until I decided I wasn't going to take the abuse on my lower back anymore.

Been riding on and off for 16 years but never - ever did any protective gear even after 2 incidents.
I think I wore my first helmet for a week maybe 2 and one of those weeks was in Florida when they had helmet law and I got a ticket - so I kept it on then.

I am just waiting for a decent day and it's coming home!! And I needed the gear before I'm getting on this new one.


Sal

[horsepwr]

Re: Which Color??

yes, you can feel the difference between a $700 helmet and $170 helmet, which is probably close to the original price of that HJC. But that HJC will get the job of protection done too. You can't beat those prices though. I got a killer deal on my current Alpinestars gloves. They have the look and feel of $150 for $80.

I've always been pretty, more like extremely, disciplined about wearing my gear. I had the raw dirt bikes growing up, and then moved to the straight sport-bike when I was tired of breaking bones. quick story; There was a time, early last summer, I think it was, that I had ordered a new summer jacket. I couldn't stand the one I had anymore. and a Joe Rocket Speedmaster just don't cut it sitting still in the summer. So while I waited on this new Alpinestars Sniper Air Flo to arrive, I figured I'd just do without for a week or 2. Then it turned into longer because they, the bike-shop, had to get Alpinestars involved with finding me one after I'd paid them for one they "had on the way"(whole nother story). But wouldn't ya know, I hit the asphault on my back, and slide about 80ft during my little jacketless stint. Thank goodness I had a backpack on, but the whole inside of my right arm, from elbow to arm-pit and up behind my shoulder got rashed to the enth degree. I've never felt the kinda pain every day when I changed the wound dressing. OUCH! I can't describe it. I didn't go to the hospital so my body just naturally got rid of the dirt and asphault grime that was in it. Usually came off with the layer of skin each dressing change. It took like twice for my close friends to get it how I got rash because they couldn't understand that I wasn't wearing a jacket. (they only unerstand me with gear on) But lesson learned. You never know when you'll end up somewhere you can play. And ya just never know, ya know? I've hit the ground hard, slid from here to there, etc...with my riding gear and never a scrape, bang, or bruise to mention of.

On the break in thing. That is of the utmost importance. The guys at the bike shop should have went over that with you, and if not. The bike shop regimen is just; "keep it under 5k RPM until 500 miles. First service (1st oil change) between 600-1000 miles, (depending on riding style). Then after 1000miles, ride the piss out of it. That is an error free, generalized break-in regimen advised to the everyday buyer so not to have the average joe bringing the bike in because they put the wrong oil in it at 100 miles. I'm a little more particular with mine, but the under 5k for 500miles, 1st service @ 600, full break-in @ 1000 works fine. One thing that's unarguably fact is the break-in period is complete @ 1000miles. And just as the break-in regimen described above is fine, so is a few short higher RPM blasts. And try to always vary the load on the motor during break-in. meaning, try not to ride at a constant RPM for long. That's a key point as well. And I believe that pretty much covers engine break-in. Remember; never lug the motor. lugging/laboring motor at real low rpm = very bad.

You can find some good reads on proper break-in of the sport-bike motor on the net. Google it. I think I posted something about it...

Here it is:

http://www.fitnessgeared.com/forum/showpost.php?p=840286&postcount=7

That's getting down to the business on getting the most out of your motor.

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Which Color??

Thanks HP -
The 4-5K for 500 mile thing was the basic info given but they said we'd go over it in more detail when I go to pick her up.
The break in sounds very, very similar to a new car engine rebuild when I break those in just a bit higher on the RPM.
No loading, vary the RPM range - don't let it get "flat" spots, kick it a little here and there just to vary the RPM range, etc. but don't let it stay high for any period of time, etc.

I'll do some more research, etc. Thanks for the link.

They suggested a 600 mile bring back, but I can do everything myself if wanted they said- just keep the receipts for the stuff so they have a record of service.

Thanks again,

Sal

[horsepwr]

Re: Which Color??

yes sir

[busapig]

Re: Which Color??

I would have picked the silver too--
I had an all black Hayabusa, and even though it looked Effing FANTASTIC clean, it never stayed clean more than a few miles. And I hate cleaning my machines more than I have to

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Which Color??

Thanks busa -
I posted the pics and thought the Silver was "touched up" showing more highlights and such.
It turned out that the thing really does look like that!!

It was the first Silver ZX I saw in person and it blew me away much more than the darker color did.
I just need some damn warmer weather!! UGH!!


Sal

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Which Color??

Well the cycle came home last night and was riden to work this morning.
Should have 50deg and sunny weather today!

Now it's time to put a few miles on the tires and get those scrubbed in and then get the damn break in period done with.........


Sal

[O2BESOHUGE]

Re: Which Color??

BE CAREFUL ON THAT THING SAL...COLD TIRES ARE DANGEROUS!!

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Which Color??

BE CAREFUL ON THAT THING SAL...COLD TIRES ARE DANGEROUS!!

Cold tries and they're brand new! Still slick from the tire molding.
No worries - I've been riding like a GRANDMA!!

Of coure my normal riding would be considered grandma slow to most everyone else!
I don't think I've topped 85mph in the past 15 years on a bike.
Last time was back in 92 or 93 I think, when I ran my 1982 1100cc Yamaha Maxim open on one of the newly paved freeways and it was clear as far as I could see.

Today at lunch it was warmer - almost 50 - and I got a chance to get tires worked in a little.

I will say this - I need some new riding boots.
After always wearing western/cowboy style boots for riding the heel is not condusive to foot position on the sport bike and my dress shoes won't cut it.


Sal

[O2BESOHUGE]

Re: Which Color??

THE PROBLEM SAL....85 ON THAT BIKE WILL FEEL LIKE 45

HAVE FUN AND RIDE SAFE!
O2

[jamescb77]

Re: Which Color??

nice man im planning on picking me some boots up here soon as well. I just need to get my bike up here also

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Which Color??

THE PROBLEM SAL....85 ON THAT BIKE WILL FEEL LIKE 45

HAVE FUN AND RIDE SAFE!
O2

I don't notice a difference around town.
I can feel the 35-50 (it gets' there QUICK!) and know where it's at but after that I would have to agree - although I have not had it up that high yet.
I can definitely feel how the bike will seem like it's going much less that it is at higher speeds.


Sal

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Which Color??

nice man im planning on picking me some boots up here soon as well. I just need to get my bike up here also

Speaking of boots --
Does anyone have recommendations for a wide boot?
Are some brands wider than others?


Sal