Another (Part 3)

[Idaho]

Sorry about that people, first time posting and still learning. So anyway, I find this forum and decided on the Volusia (the M50's were not available yet). Just before winter set in I made it to town to test ride a new Volusia, I was so nervous I could not make myself leave the parking lot with it which was good for other reasons, like no riding experience and no protective gear. But I did enjoy the brief ride. Along comes winter and with it came the M50. A restyled Volusia? Whatever, I liked it. I live in the country and not handy for me to get to town is one of the main reasons I wanted a new bike for the reliability. I leave the house on a gravel road and the first pavement I get to is highway so I wanted a bike large enough to get the job done also. I will admit that someday the bike I would love to have is the M95 (but much later). My M50 is awesome, no complaints.

Usually at the beginning of each ride there is a small turn around/parking area a mile down the highway which I pull into to practice slow turns, remembering to turn off signals, stopping etc.. So one day I finish doing that and go to enter the highway so I can go up to West Yellowstone. I still can't figure out what I did wrong but I stalled the bike as I was turning right leaving the stop sign. I ride covering the brake so I braked, of course the bike was stopped and leaning right and was going to fall. No problem, foot comes down and I would have been able to keep it up even though heavy. But, my right foot was on just a little bit of gravel and it just slowly kept sliding. The bike went down in sort of slow motion cause I was doing my best to keep it from happening....lol. Then I rolled off....felt like the newb I am. But it was all good, a little scratch on the exhaust (I have to look for it to see it) and the handlebar end, brake lever end and the brake pedal was the only thing damaged. I have learned from mountain biking to put your handgrip into the dirt to let it take up most of the impact, in this case it works. Brake pedal was barely bent, just grabbed it and fixed it. Sanded the rough edges off of the brake handle (just broke the little knob off), but have Kury levers on order. I wanted ISO grips anyway, have them now.

Post is getting long again, sorry. Ever since I started wanting a motorcycle I have wanted to make a sissy bar for it, don't know why. Glutton for punishment I suppose. But I did and I decided to make my own saddlebag supports as well. Supports are being chromed now and as soon as I put the design in the sissy bar it will be ready for chrome. I have Willie & Max slant bags, wow it will be so nice to be able to carry something finally. I need to finish the project soon as I will be taking my first short road trip. Gonna spend a few days in Montana and check out the beartooth highway. Can't believe I have lived here for so long and not done that yet and now I get to see it on a bike, oh yeah looking forward to it. Only have 1200 miles so far and will probably take it to have the valves checked before putting it up for winter. I have done the other service work to it. Gonna change to synthetic oil after the road trip also. Or maybe I will let it sit over winter with this oil and start off next season with the synthetic...don't know yet. Be nice to have a windshield, I like the Memphis "pop top" but will probably have to make this trip without a shield. I have grown to like the feel of the bike except when I am in a head wind....sucks, not to mention bugs. Don't know what it is like to ride with a shield but everyone seems to like them once they get them on. I really wish I had highway bars so I could extend my legs. Seriously considering having a shop bend some for me on my design and leave the ends long so I can fit them to the bike and then just make some brackets and a little welding to bolt them on, add chrome...done. As for the seat...I could not be more disappointed. But I knew this was a problem before I bought it. I got a Carolina Butt Buffer pad and it is some better, but not a lot, maybe I just need more time in the saddle, but pain is pain and when my but hurts that bad it takes concentration away from what I should be doing. I just stop more often.

A word about the Butt Buffer pad however. I did find that by moving it far to the rear which I apparently favor it helped more. I bought the medium pad which is what fits the M50 seat nicely. However when I put the pad all the way up on the back of the seat it is obvious to me now that I should have gotten the large size. I believe the large size would work nicely in the position I have it in now. Hope this will help some of you. Thanks everyone, enjoy. Michael

[farmbone]

Do you live anywhere near Anaconda, Montana? I visited there a few years ago and would like to go there again. My brother's Mother-n-law still lives there. I seem to remember Montana as a very beautiful state.

Oh , yeah. Good job on not damaging the bike too bad!!!

[Pinhy]

seethis thread for info on highway bars you can buy for the M. anytime you are looking for something to buy for your bike, i am sure you will find Zuki Dude has already done it, so you can have info on what part numbers to order and how hard the install is. hahaha.


again welcome to the M50 club......

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[Idaho]

Hi farmbone, Anaconda is not too far away up by Deer Lodge if I remember right. Around 200 miles I guess. Most of western Montana is very pretty for sure.

[MagnumForce]

Although the M50 replaced the Marauder and carries the same model number (VZ800) it is based on the Volusia/C50 design. Congrats on your choice for the M50. I second Pinhy's suggestion to seek Zukidude for your modification needs. His website has a comprehensive list of mods, part numbers, how to's, etc.