videoarizona

((What should be a good ohm reading for a good plug cap?)) From memory, each wire/cap combo needs to have a 5K ohm resistance to the plug. This is what keeps the original computer happy. When I bought my plug wires and caps...they were tested and showed 5K ohms. The wires are solid wires...no resistance there...so it's got to be in the cap.

Just make sure you run the tires right at or very near max. A number of us have had problems, myself included, with chunks or splitting. I personally think it's because the tires might have been underinflated. My 1st gen had the rear tire at 38lbs when I got it delivered. I rode it that way for two months then the bike felt squirrly. Found out the tire had split open. Other than that, I loved the way the tires handled...

Prayers Up!

I think you will be happier with scoot...for sure! Let's hope that helps with the visa card issue! (know that feeling well - with wifemate) david

Exactly. When I read that 2nd gens were getting better mpg's not upshifting all the time, I thought I would try it for a tank. It worked for me. Staying in 3rd or 4th depending upon speed around town really helped. Plus, I do believe the motor is happier...these V4's do like to rev.

Good question, Todd. I don't know. I ordered one of those cheapie digital tachs just so I could check, but it's so inaccurate, I didn't bother to install it. My guess is....the same as you...around 4K. She sounds like the 1st gen at that rpm around town...so that's as close as I can get without a tach. Still a guess though. I do know the PO put new plugs in/sync'd carbs, etc., last Fall...so she has very few miles on since then. So I "assume" those are good. I did put a new fuel filter in which helped my high speed stumble... david

I put my calipers back on after changing the front tire. One of the notes in the manual said to squeeze the lever firmly a few times to make sure the pads are seated back where they need to be before riding. So either Skid's thought on something hanging up or the pads haven't seated right makes sense to me. Especially if you swapped the pads. If one or more of the pistons have gunk on them and aren't moving forward to compensate for the different pad...that could be a small part of this as well....

(Thanks for that mini review. Interesting that you run the RSV in 4th, which is virtually the same as the Gen1 ratio 5th.....0.906 vs 0.960) Hmm..didn't know that. I feel better about being in 4th all the time. Thanks! david

Last thought from me regarding those getting in mid30's in normal around town riding on a 2nd gen. Stay in 3rd or 4th and let the rpms run. I'm getting the mpg's I'm getting by doing just that. Someone mentioned that here and since then... I'm much happier with the 2nd gen. 5th really is an overdrive!

(The RSV has a bit taller gearing and I'm wondering if anyone who has ridden both a GenI and an RSV (the 98HP version) can give me their impressions of the differences between the two in normal riding?) I wouldn't do the swap for the reasons you gave of just riding around town. The 1st gen is about 50 pounds lighter and a whole lot more nimble. The 2nd gen gearing is really made for touring the interstates over 65mph. I own both scoots and really enjoy the 1st gen for town and hills touring. On 2nd gen around town I'm never higher than 3rd gear...and in hills ... I'm shifting or leave it in 4th. I personally think the 1st gen is really geared perfectly and as such, is truly a sport touring bike. The 2nd gen is geared to high in 5th. If you pull a load or a trailer, 5th gear is useless unless you are hitting 80 all the time...straight and level. Bottom line for me: I'll use the 1st gen for camping in the hills...more storage and far better gearing for those kind of loaded rides. I'll use the 2nd gen for long interstate stuff. If you decide to go with a VMax rear end at some point in future...then the 2nd gen tranny may make a nice combo for you on the 83. But you need to be able to live with the 2nd gen tranny until the VMax rear becomes reality for ya. Last thought...if you don't mind zipping to work in 4th gear..then that will work if you run around 45 to 65 mph. I've found my 2nd Gen mpg's goes up cruising at 55 to 65 in 4th gear...never shifting to 5th. If you can handle those additional rpms, then this argument could be a moot point. david call me if you want to discuss...

I do the same...no problems.

Seriously. This brings up a question: What gear do people use...who have needed them...and how well did they work? Since I'm in the market for new riding gear and there are lots of choices out there...this would be important information for me to have. I imagine others might be interested as well... I have to balance the need for safety with the need to be cool since we have heat most of the year in AZ. Or do I? david PS if this needs to be a new thread...feel free to move...or let me know

I just looked them up...says around $10-12?? http://www.partshark.com/oemparts/a/yam/500454e2f8700209bc792b4c/valve david

You got me grinning on that one! Glad that wasn't your skin! david

Ride to Rio Rico for breakfast. Got there early Locals were in the booths. This is Nichols Diner. Exit 17 on I-19...a few miles from the Mexican border. http://nickelsdiner.com/4601.html Had nice brekkie..... They are biker friendly. Oh...almost forgot...front wheel rides smooth as silk. Thanks Cycle Gear! $20. now to install all the crap I've bought.....sigh... grins, david

Took scoot back to dealer to check the balance on the front wheel. They added two more ounces of balance beads (total 4). Still didn't cut it. Still not balanced. So this morning I took off the front wheel and zipped up to Cycle gear in Tucson. 30 minutes later, they handed it back to me...balanced with real lead weights. Tomorrow, we shall see. In researching this issue here, found out some guys use 5 to 6 ounces of balancing beads. I'll save that thought for later. Guess I'm old fashioned.... But am willing to try that sealant/balancing goop...if I can find it for sale. Can't hurt having that in tires. david

Rusty, This is a really interesting problem. I'm still puzzled as to what could cause the motor to not rev to full potential. If we had a set of points, I would say the points are bouncing at high rpm's....floating. Remember that well....My Austin Healey would ground out at high rpms...loose condensor. So what would be the equivalent today? I'm following. Ready to learn...

Prayers UP!

Agreed! Thanks Puc so much for posting these videos! I Get to put faces to names!! Good to see you all! And Prayers, UP, Dan! david

This Spring's headwinds about beat me to death as well. 30 to 40 mph gusts! 80mph indicated got me 36mpg. I figured it was the wind more than the speed. Heck...at one point going straight into the wind...I could hear and feel the carb throats howling. Had very little throttle left. That's when I realized 5th gear is not good for headwinds like that. Shifted to 4th, slowed to 70 and motor quieted down a bit. david

Snow in my front yard....It does snow here once in a while. But most of the time it's riding weather!!! BTW, Green Valley is named because the center of the valley is green most of the year. Pecan Orchards. The green roadside pic in earlier post is on East side of GV... I'm at 3K feet elevation so cooler than Tucson and Phoenix. Star...let's get together and ride. This Fall I will be taking plenty of trips to Tombstone and that entire area. Maybe we can get KIC along as well.... david

I think I figured it out...but thanks Patricia!

Prayers up! Wishing for a speedy recovery! david