http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum Learn a lesson the hard way? Find a new way to do an old job? Have some experience that would help a new rider? Tell us about it! en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:17:14 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/images2/misc/rss.jpg http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/120480-dead-raccoon-dodging.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:27:28 GMT Or: Why I was thankful for the MSF/BRC skills I learned. Beautiful day, just had to get another ride in. Headed into Newport, RI. On East Main Road, Portsmouth, doing about 45 mph, left ample space between car in front of me and me (I thought). Car straddled the dead raccoon going over... Or: Why I was thankful for the MSF/BRC skills I learned.

Beautiful day, just had to get another ride in. Headed into Newport, RI. On East Main Road, Portsmouth, doing about 45 mph, left ample space between car in front of me and me (I thought). Car straddled the dead raccoon going over it, so it didn't even slow down or swerve, which left me suddenly staring at the thing, stretched out right in the middle of the right lane of 2 lanes going same direction.

Remember at the range that drill where you have to go about 35 mph and the cones are set up to simulate a truck right in front of you and the instructor tells you at the last moment to swerve either to the left or right and back? Car right on my tail (why DO they do that???), big SUV coming up on my left. Did the swerve into left lane, around the 'coon, and back into my lane, just like on the range. Didn't even have to think - the training just kicked in.

Wonder how many others have had experiences where they say - WOW! so THAT'S why they made us to that! Very glad today that they did make us do it. ]]> What I learned today Mamadukes http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/120480-dead-raccoon-dodging.html http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/120301-leaves-can-dangerous.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:39:17 GMT So I go to work today and where I park there are A LOT of leaves. So I back into the curb slowly making sure I am well balanced, put the kickstand down and go inside to start work. At the end of the day when I go out to the bike I noticed all the leaves are cleaned up EXCEPT for under my bike and... So I go to work today and where I park there are A LOT of leaves. So I back into the curb slowly making sure I am well balanced, put the kickstand down and go inside to start work. At the end of the day when I go out to the bike I noticed all the leaves are cleaned up EXCEPT for under my bike and in my bike. What seems to have happened was the landskeeper was blowing leaves into a pile and my bike must have been in the way. so instead of blowing away from my bike he blew the leaves into my bike, It took me 10 minutes to pick the leaves away from the engine and exhaust. If I knew he was going to do that I would not have parked there but I wish he would have enough respect to not blow leaves at my bike. ]]> What I learned today duayne77 http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/120301-leaves-can-dangerous.html http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/120141-new-boots-rock.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:42:26 GMT Just bought a pair of Ariat smolder h2o riding boots with built in peg rest.These things are comfortable and really stick to the floorboards! My old Scetchers would slide around and had a hard time putting them on the brake.They only seem to cover the very outside of the brake pedal.these new boots... Just bought a pair of Ariat smolder h2o riding boots with built in peg rest.These things are comfortable and really stick to the floorboards! My old Scetchers would slide around and had a hard time putting them on the brake.They only seem to cover the very outside of the brake pedal.these new boots hit the brake pedal dead center.they lace up and are waterproof also.I would recommend them.There is no vibration on the highway and I really like how they stay planted on the floorboards.It's like they are Velcro!You cant just slide them on the boards you have to lift them up if you want to move them.:mrgreen: ]]> What I learned today t conroy http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/120141-new-boots-rock.html http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/120055-ezpass-ny-sucks-period.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:27:10 GMT When i got my EZ pass back in 2006 i ASSUMED that when you inquire within ezpass for a "motorcycle specific" ezpass that they put you on the "motorcycle ezpass plan". Nice, so you have to SPECIFY THAT??

Excuse me? What the hell is the point of getting a motorcycle ezpass if they are going to charge you the rate of a car? So i can happily drive around with the big fat "M" on the back of my windshield only to pay 8 bucks a bridge instead of the 4 bucks its supposed to be? I was never offered that as an option. And its TOTALLY my fault for not reading my statements, well the amounts of the tolls i was paying rather. My fault. But still, thats 3 years of paying for a car rate when i should have paid for a bike rate. I dont travel THAT much but im willing to bet its ALOT of money over the last 3 years. And to make it worse you cant even just log into your account on the site and change it, or even call them on the phone to have them do it for you. You need to copy your registration and fax them a letter telling them you want to be put on this plan. Gee. What a bunch of hard ons. they really want to make it diffucult for you apparently.

I only came across this in an article in Motorcycle Cruiser magazine for the NY area and I was extremely angry reading this and finding out its true. Again, my fault for not keeping track of this but it really must be a nice running scam for people who arent paying close attention to their accounts.

Ok, done ranting for now. ]]> What I learned today S.D.Willie http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/120055-ezpass-ny-sucks-period.html http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/119847-diagnosing-low-side.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:52:48 GMT To add to the list of "I am an idiot" topics :tongue:

Well, after several years of being crash free, I low-sided this past weekend on a rainy ride. Two traffic lights away from my home! And on the way back from a dealer for maintenance and state inspection (one lesson learned – I need to do my own service!). How embarrassing. I was impressed on how relatively little damage there was to the VN900C – scuffed tip of the muffler, slightly filed-off front brake lever, scratched tank decal, and bent bracket that holds the right footpeg and brake. I was also impressed with the immediate concern and kindness from fellow NY cagers… I did not expect all the stopped cars and generous offers to help. Somehow I doubt I would have received this kind of attention if I had an accident in a cage! Luckily I was in full rain gear and was on my way about 10 minutes after the crash, only thing hurting was my ego haha.

Anyways I have been trying to replay the little I remember prior to the slide, but to be honest I have not come up with any concrete conclusions on what I did that ultimately led to the slide. This seemed like it should have been such a routine day, so obviously something is lacking in my knowledge of how to ride. So I am putting this out there for you guys to critique and for me to learn! This is what I remember:

-It had been raining heavy earlier but had turned into an on/off drizzle
-I was lightly braking using only my front brake (mistake?)
-I was in the center of the lane (I realize this was a mistake)
-The road was relatively flat
-I had already been braking for maybe thirty feet when the front tire gave suddenly. I was probably going 20mph when the tire gave
-I’m pretty sure I was going straight and hadn’t begun turning yet, because I was about thirty feet away from the turn when I slid (coincidently, I came to a rest right at the turn!)
-I low-sided to the right side, even though it was a left turn

Any “constructive” thoughts would be appreciated! ]]> What I learned today dude500 http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/what-i-learned-today/119847-diagnosing-low-side.html