The first thing I learned about owning a bike.

[Mike Burnham]

It is always wise to buy spare parts and store them then to shop later and wait for shipping. This also lets you get back to riding faster even on a sunday or at night when no shops are open. Makes you look good infront of the other bikers, when you can rebound quickly for a bike problem.

I also learned when it comes to repair, never let yourself get too stressed. This only makes work harder, and that is when mistakes are made. Focus on what you are doing and keep an eye out for other conditions you can touch on while you have it apart.

On long trips, spare tubes and inflation system, or fixaflat and a tire plug if you don't have tube tires can be a life saver. Being stuck in the middel of nowhere is not fun.

I found if your pipes start turning blue the fule is too rich, and if they turn yellow it is too lean. No some change is ok but rule of thumb is you should not have to clean color off of them until oil change time. At that time it should be very minor.

Minni Maglights are great to keep with you but keep batteries out until you need to use it. Vibration from the bike will turn on light and kill batteries.

Durring passing rain storms if the best time to stop and have a cup of coffee. The coffee will warm you and cause kidneys to flush. Why it this good, kidneys will flush out histimine that may get flushed out your repitory system. Ever had your nose start running when you got real cold?
Whouldn't that be a mess in your helmet?

I have never seen a place travelable by bike that did not allow me to get to a gas station on reserve gas. I simply do not fret when it is time to fill it up. Try riding a few times to reserve, and see what milage is in difrent conditions. You may find you don't have to stop your 800 Intruder at 100 miles on the highway. I tipicaly go 125 mile and still am not on reserve.
Remember crusing distance and racing are not the same thing.

The only other recomendation is cary a small amount of liquid furniture polish and a rag. This works great on plastic face shield for urgent cleaning or bugs and even ditch effort to remove a minor scratch. It does ok at cleaning leather, and will resist rain after.

[Uncle Bob]

I agree, would add that when it starts raining pull off for a good 10 to 15 minutes because the rain will cause the oils trapped in the asphalt to rise and make the surface slippery. After it as been raining a while the oils will have been washed off the surface making it safer to continue your ride.

[Weazel]

Awesome first post, some good info there (especially on the flashlight).

Another rain thing I've found (accidentally) is that when painted surfaces get wet they're VERY slippery(usually at intersections where you're most likely to be accelerating or braking, adding to the problem). The newly painted reflective surfaces are the worst, be very careful.

The fuel thing is a good call too. Usually I'm on reserve at 120 miles, but getting close to 50 mpg. I find that I can get an easy 60 more out of my reserve, so I'm very confident that I know how much range I have, and that my reserve is most likely gonna get me to a fuel stop.

Now the fuel stop actually being OPEN, that's another thing

[Dwayne Hicks]

Originally Posted by Mike Burnham

Ever had your nose start running when you got real cold?
Wouldn't that be a mess in your helmet?

Been there, done that. I sneezed the other morning while riding to work. I had to stop and clean the inside of the visor.. it was gross...

Regards
Dwayne

[stevie c]

All good tips mate,except one,I live in england,if I pulled over to wait for a rain storm to pass it would take me 6 months to get home from work,and its only a 4 mile trip!

Stevie C

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by stevie c

All good tips mate,except one,I live in england,if I pulled over to wait for a rain storm to pass it would take me 6 months to get home from work,and its only a 4 mile trip!

Stevie C

Reread the post mate, I love riding in the rain, it's just the first 10 to 15 minutes of a rainfall that you should avoid. After that the oils have been pretty much washed off the road surface.

[stevie c]

I read it Uncle Bob,but my reply was to the original post by Mike,and I was just joking anyway,wet riding is sound.

Take care mate,
Stevie C

[Uncle Bob]

[stevie c]

To tell the truth Uncle Bob,I am happy to be riding in any weather.

I bet you are too!

Glad I found this forum,only got here today,very impressed.

Stevie C

[TINMANSGLOCK40]

Been there, done that. I sneezed the other morning while riding to work. I had to stop and clean the inside of the visor.. it was gross...

Regards
Dwayne

muah hahah , that has happened too me !! yeah , i usually check weather before i ride , rain makes me uneasy when riding .. havent been caught in it yet *knock on wood happy safe riding

[tlwisner]

[quote="TINMANSGLOCK40"]

i usually check weather before i ride , rain makes me uneasy when riding .. havent been caught in it yet *knock on wood happy safe riding

The rain isn't a problem as long as you realize your traction will be somewhat reduced and act accordingly. Windshields help alot there too. What gets me is riding along and a big thunderstorm blows in with 45 mph crosswinds. That's a bit much for me. I can handle getting a little wet, but I don't want the wind to push me accross into an oncoming truck.

[TL chris]

also to touch on the wet surfaces when raining. It's also a good idea to watch where you put your feet on the road when you stop. Painted lines and the oil strip in the center of the lane are bad spots too. Nothing more embarrasing than being almost home and stopping at a red light, only to fall over when your feet slip out from under you.