dynodon
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Everything posted by dynodon
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I still have my '86 VR and love it, but bought an '04 Wing to see how I liked it. Mine has an odd handling thing, but otherwise, I love it. So much power that when I get back on my VR I think I am taking off in 3rd gear every time! As for warranty, get an extended warranty through Honda, it isn't that much, and covers almost everything including headlight bulbs I hear! Very good used ones aren't hard to find, and they come in a lot of different colors. Very good wind/rain protection. I just got back from my New Years ride about 45 miles, 50 minutes at highway speeds at 18 degrees by one bank. 21 by the Wing's display. Love the sound system, and I do like how it looks. The VR still is more stable and I think it rides just a touch nicer. One thing a lot of people don't realize is that the Wing has NO air adjustable suspension. Front end is plain jane, and not very high tech at all even for plain jane. Lot of people spend money on upgrades, Traxion, Progressive etc. Rear has a power pre-load function, but just the one shock. Changing rear tire is super easy, like a car, and can be done by just laying the bike down (gently!). Give one a ride, the handling thing on my bike is NOT what most of them are like, I have ridden others that don't do it. They are hard on tires. Many people get about 9000 miles from a set, others claim they can get 15,000 or more, but from what I see, the majority are at or near 10,000. I like the bags on the VR best, even better than the RSV. But both beat the wing for usefulness and capacity. Wings trunk is OK though. Give the Victory Vision a look-see though, they are pretty neat.
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Bob, good one, my target only lasted a day! You also win the cold ride on New Years award so far. I saw 21 on the GoldWing and 18 at a bank clock. Took a 45 mile, 50 minute ride today, just got back. Had grips on high, gloves on medium, and no other heated clothing. Had toe warmers on my toes, but could have used two of them with my un-insulated leather boots. Could also use another layer on my legs( just jeans and chaps) but at the end I was still comfortable, a long way from shivering, and having fun. Saw one bike (an Electra glide) yesterday, and one bike today, but didn't see it soon enough to see what kind of bike or if they rider waved. A business sign with "Q" huh? I looked over the phone book and there are several within 10 miles, so if it keeps up being sunny and nice (should rise in the upper 20's tomorrow, and 30's by mid-week. I should be able to get this one. If it is just the two of us going at it, I will chose a harder target next time! LOL Have a great day Bob, and to everyone else!......get on your bike and play!
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My drive had a crust of snow/ice the last month+ and I was about to go stir crazy. Then it rained overnight two nights ago and warmed up and 10+" of snow was gone like magic. Crust on drive was gone and out I went! Hope to get out today (New Years Day) for a ride, but like you Bob, I will be wary of ice. 17 degrees here in Peoria land right now, and the roads never dried before the temps fell. So I will take the cage out to scout how safe it is. Don't like falling down! Happy New Years everyone, get used to writing 2011
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In between tornado warnings and heavy rain, there was a tiny patch of blue sky and I took the trusty VR out for a 1.5 hour ride. While out, I stopped by the local HS football field. here are my pics: First pic has me in the mirrors and Babcook Field in the background. Second pick is just a better shot of the field. Glorious day for a ride. If this is OK, I will set the next target. You and your bike and a bridge of some sort. bonus if it is a covered bridge. another bonus if you are ON the bridge when taking the picture(do NOT stop in traffic! stop in a safe location!, remember bonus really doesn't mean anything but bragging rights!).
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From the album: football field
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From the album: football field
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Even if your bike will sit all winter and start withOUT using a Battery Tender (brand) or other maintainer, you will be money ahead to use one. Between three tractors/mowers, two bikes, and a couple old cars, plus our daily drivers I was replacing 2-3 batteries a YEAR till I put a Battery Tender JR on everything all the time, year round, unless we were using it every day, and every day in the winter for stuff like tractors that sit outside or in the cold. Since doing that, I have averaged about one battery every other or every THIRD year! Paid for all the Tenders the first year, money ahead since then. Batteries are lasting years longer, and everything starts every time. A battery will still die eventually, but if you keep a lead-acid battery close to full charge with a proper maintainer, it will have a much happier/longer life. (edi9) Oh, I forgot to mention that since using the maintainers, I get virtually zero acid accumulation on everything including the tough to keep clean mowers/tractors.
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Who rides all year and how far north are you?
dynodon replied to 1joeranger's topic in Watering Hole
I ride all year, but not when wet/icy/salty, or much below 30 degrees (f). So far this winter it has been horrible "riding" weather here in Central IL. Streets, with snow/ice patches, and salt on the roads. Will be 45 today and maybe 60 tomorrow, but rainy, and there may still be icy patches even with two days of warmer weather. Worst is my driveway is fairly long, and shaded, so ice stays on it longer than city streets, and I would hate to crash within sight of my garage! Still, hoping it rains and cleans the roads Friday, and is dry enough for my New Years Day ride. I will go, if streets are safe and I can get out of my drive, no matter what the temp, at least around the block! -
I also don't like cable or sat because of the fees and attitude they have. I am on an antenna, and watch a lot of PBS. Best show IMO now is Big Bang Theory. As for what I would like to watch, I wish college sports was NOT all on ESPN, right now I am sitting at my computer watching the Illini beat Baylor on computer, and then the OK State-Arizona game. Put it back on major networks and get rid of dozens of reality junk. Although I might go back to SAT if someone started up a channel dedicated to motorsports, something might be called "Speedvision" for instance LOL But then NASCAR would buy it up and ruin it and have Speed/NASCARvision channel 2!
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I expect they will have some at the motorcycle show in Chicago in february. Look for me and others from Peoria at the STAR display when I am not drooling over the Bimmer! (Beemer? I can't ever keep that straight).
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OK, that was just cruel. You go to the corner and think about what you can do to make the new year BETTER for us all!
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Well we had a great day with both our son's and their families. Everyone was in a good mood, but the best present other than that was:::::: A "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock "geek" T-shirt because my current favorite show is Big Bang Theory! Don
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Thinking of a K&N air filter but...
dynodon replied to shikano53's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
Flowing and filter don't have to be mutually exclusive. The K&n has proven technology, that is copied a lot. I used to own a Chassis Dyno (for cars) and saw a measurable increase in HP in EVERY car I put one in, with no other changes. How much hp? Depending on how hot the car was, it could go from 1-2 hp peak for a 120 hp street car to 5-10 hp for a stock muscle car or high hp sports car. Usually though, 1-3 hp is what most stock systems got. They won't help fuel mileage any, because fuel mileage is basically measured at part throttle where air flow isn't impeded by a clean stock filter. I have checked the intake tract of every vehicle I have had a K&N on for decades, and NEVER found any dirt past the filter except one time when I found i had put a hole in the filter! Closed the hole with some gasket maker, and the intake was clean again. but if you don't believe a "white glove" test on the intake, then believe the oil analysis I did on many cars before and after installing a K&N. Oil will pick up a noticeable increase in silicon as that is what is in most dirty air from concrete, dirt etc. NO increase except the one time with the hole in the filter. Huge difference before, during and after the hole. If you have to have every last HP in your bike or car, then a K&N is some of the cheapest HP you can buy, but it won't be enough for you to feel. If you plan on keeping your bike for many years, you may be able to pay off the investment by just cleaning it for years. If the above isn't true, then stick with a decent factory style filter, and don't worry about it. -
OK, I was just going to bypass because the trick is they are "identical" pictures, so there won't be any differences...darn you Joopster.....
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Can't see how those tiny beads could possibly void a tire warranty. I defy anyone to show any damage from them to the tire or rim.
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beads in tire balancers
dynodon replied to Seaking's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
I put the beads in previously balanced tires late this summer, got a couple thousand miles on them. Didn't notice any real difference. I left the lead weights on. Don't notice any out of balance at low speeds, but you probably wouldn't anyway. No change when I hit bumps that I can tell. I run E3's, and they started to cup front and back almost immediately but since putting in the beads it hasn't gotten worse. That isn't any sort of scientific test for sure, but the beads are so cheap, I thought it was worth trying. I am thinking about going with the Centramatic balancers next time on my Wing. -
beads in tire balancers
dynodon replied to Seaking's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
That test with the tire balancer may not be valid. 1. Tire balancers typically go at a pretty low rpm. you need to ask for a specific different test to get a balance at a higher speed. 2. Most machines give a balance after only a few revolutions. I doubt the beads would do their job in that short a time. I have no idea if you can make the machine take MORE time to check the weight, but it seems that the balance beads would take more than just a few low speed revolutions to do their job. Just saying! -
Dale, That was a hard hit! Please take it from someone that knows about neck/spine injuries first hand, that ALL of you should get checked out by a physician for neck/spine trauma. The slight soreness that you all had, went away in a couple of days, but in 15 years you could have some serious trouble! I had a roll-over accident (was a passenger, unbelted, back in the 70's) and had nothing more than a slight sore neck. After about 15-20 years I noticed that I couldn't turn my head as much as I should be able to. The injury caused vertebrae to fuse over time, and now I can't look over my shoulder either way. Edit: Also I am told by Doctors that if I am ever in a bad accident and my neck gets twisted or moved a lot, I could wind up paralyzed or dead. If I had known that this would happen, I could have done some simple exercises on a regular basis to reduced the long-term damage. Do NOT under any circumstances assume you are 100% OK, get checked out and talk to a spine/neck specialist about long term effects and what you should do. This may or may not be something that insurance will need to get involved with, at least after the initial visit, but go get checked out. IF someone had given me this advice 40 years ago, I would still have a functional neck today.
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For toes, I use these: http://www.warmers.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemid=TWES40 One on top of each foot over the toes (lay them on sideways on top of your socks) and I am good for 2-3 hours at least, and they keep making some warmth for another 2-3 hours once I get back home, I just leave them on till they go cold! As for glasses and shield, I get decent results (best so far) from this product: http://www.nanofilmproducts.com/products/clarity-defog-it-optical.htm I like that it is good for glasses with anti-glare treatment. Also, do you have the Baker Foot Wings? I put these on my '86 VR and it made a HUGE difference in cold weather keeping the wind off my feet.
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HELLLOOOOO! (knock knock knock) anyone out there!? I had some chances to get the football picture but just forgot about it. Now there is lots of snow on the roads in spots and it is COLD! Supposed to be near 40 Saturday, so maybe if the roads aren't too wet I can get out. How about you warm weather folks? Got to be a football stadium out there near you, let's get this going again!
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I will also say Battery Tender brand has been good to me. years ago between the motorcycle, three mowers and a mid size tractor, and a couple old cars, I was buying 2 or more batteries a year. bought a Battery Tender Jr. for each unit, and now, 10+ years later, I have bought maybe three batteries since. Had ONE of the units go bad, sent it to the MFGR. (it was still under warranty) and they sent me the bigger unit free. Since then zero problems with any Battery Tender brand unit, and they pretty much all are on all the time.
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I have used tourmaster heated gloves for the past two winters, and they do OK, but the wires are seemingly randomly placed. I am going to go with the new microwire Gerbings gloves. My new '04 Wing has heated grips, and in weather down to about 40 or so they do fine with some insulated gloves, but when it gets near freezing and longer trips, I need the heated gloves, and the grips help make sure my hands stay warm. If you really do cold weather rides, for any length, get both, and you will be happy you did. Anyone here have experience with the new microwire Gerbings gloves? My Tourmasters, leave the bottoms of some fingers unheated, and have too many cold/hot spots.
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Another winter storage question
dynodon replied to ragtop69gs's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
Saddlebum's advice is good, but I can add a little more to it. I have stored old cars and have friends that do the same for decades. Unheated concrete will cause sweating when temperature and humidity swings wildly, or even mildly. Use a sheet of plastic (drop cloth, or slightly thicker. Cover as much of the floor as possible, be at least several feet away from the edge of the bike (or car/tractor etc). Then, go to a carpet store and get a bit of old carpet that isn't too bad that they throw away. cover the plastic with the carpet. It helps hold down the plastic, and acts as insulation. I cover my stuff in my garage, and it is fairly well sealed,but there is so much dirt in the air these days that no matter what you do, you will get dust. So When inside, just use an old bedsheet to cover that bike. Will keep dust off, won't harm the paint if the wind can't get to it, and is something you probably already have in the house...the wife needed an excuse to get a new set of sheets anyway....right? This won't prevent your bike from getting fogged over if you pull the bike out into a warm moist day and the bike is cool, but it will keep it from getting any moisture on it from the concrete. -
Was getting cabin fever already here in IL, and with the sun shining, and a toasty 36 degrees out, I got the bike out and rode for about an hour. Heated gloves, toe warmers in my boots, extra layer of leather on and my Shark Evoline in full face mode, I was pretty toasty, although I forgot the face/neck wrap that would have kept away a little of a draft. Still was nice to get out, never saw another bike. Any other cold weather riders out there?
