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thechalkoutline posted:My buddy recently bought a '76 Honda CB550 SuperSport and had a mechanic give it a once over. He mentioned it needed new tires and gave a vague quote of ~$350. Half-rear end googling indicates that $150 per tire is 'normal'. High end tires, sure. But if we're talking Dunlop D404s or something, $350 is pretty steep even with the mounting service factored in. Sounds like the shop doesn't get a very good wholesale price, or they mark up the product considerably. edit: And for what its worth, that bike probably doesn't need fancy tires. For perspective, I can get high end Michelin dual compound tires for my Buell (which has a biggish 180 width rear) shipped from motorcycle-superstore.com and installed at a local shop for around $330-360 all in including labor. clutchpuck fucked around with this message at 20:32 on Feb 21, 2012 |
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Feb 21, 2012 20:29
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clutchpuck posted:High end tires, sure. But if we're talking Dunlop D404s or something, $350 is pretty steep even with the mounting service factored in. Sounds like the shop doesn't get a very good wholesale price, or they mark up the product considerably. Thanks! Very helpful. thechalkoutline fucked around with this message at 22:06 on Feb 21, 2012 |
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Feb 21, 2012 22:02
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There's tubes in that too though...count another $30-40 in that. Doesn't seem like a great deal but it's not highway robbery either. Might need bearings/other stuff that could be included in that estimate.
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Feb 21, 2012 22:54
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thechalkoutline posted:My buddy recently bought a '76 Honda CB550 SuperSport and had a mechanic give it a once over. He mentioned it needed new tires and gave a vague quote of ~$350. Half-rear end googling indicates that $150 per tire is 'normal'. 1) You can almost always beat locally quoted prices for tires, but in cases where the savings are minimal, let the installer have the markup. He's performing a crucial service--the more incentive he has, the better. For indies, I'll even drop a tip for karma purposes and so they answer the phone next time I need a bike done. 2) Don't cheap out on tires or tubes, unless this is part of a stable and will rarely see the street. 3) Raised white letters if you're after historical accuracy, otherwise don't bother. I think there's a negligible price difference, maybe $5 each. Make sure you or they order correctly, typically the same p/n with -RWL 4) If you're up to the task, "off-bike" labor charges are significantly lower than "on-bike." 5) Great opportunity to do a wheel alignment. Most will just install the tires and call it good. Ask if this is part of their service.
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Feb 21, 2012 22:55
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Maybe this is a "you need to man the gently caress up" post, but I ride to be happy, so here we go. I'm still a fairly new rider, been riding about 6 months now. I've noticed on the occasions I'm on the bike for longer than 4-5 hours, my lower back starts getting pretty sore. I don't have any medicals problems or history of back problems. Is this something that will go away with enough long rides? I'd like to ride home from Austin, Tx to Chicago this summer, but I don't want to be miserable every day. Is this just something that the touring folks deal with?
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Feb 22, 2012 02:18
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CombatMedic posted:Maybe this is a "you need to man the gently caress up" post, but I ride to be happy, so here we go. Most people take breaks every hour or two. At least stand up on the pegs once in awhile.
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Feb 22, 2012 02:32
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I have lovely joints and assorted back pains, but motorcycle riding is one of the best isometric core exercises I can think of. Engage your ab muscles and glutes, relax your neck, bring your shoulders down and back, bring your weight down into your legs to whatever degree your bike's geometry allows, and keep it that way. You'll need to spend some time getting in tune with your body to know what's good and what isn't. Try various curvatures of your back, different postures, etc., but whatever you do, use your muscles for support. Don't just slouch and put all your tension on the joints and ligaments. It'll take some time if you're not used to listening to your body and working various muscles to figure out what's going to resolve the issue. If you and your bike are at all compatible, it'll get better with time if you just keep working at proper muscle support and posture. You'll build strength and all that. MotoMind fucked around with this message at 03:06 on Feb 22, 2012 |
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Feb 22, 2012 03:02
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If my back get sore, I just lie down on the tank for a while. Then my chest gets sore from sitting on the tank, and I get back up. Also I take breaks and dont ride for 6 hours straight.
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Feb 22, 2012 03:07
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So i came out to go to lunch today and the instrument display wouldn't turn on nor would the bike start. Checked what i could but couldn't see anything wrong with the 0 tools i had to hand. Was about to push it up to the mechanics to get a charge on the battery when i tried again and everything worked fine. Whats really strange is the digital clock hadnt reset itself so there appears to be no loss of power. Is this likely to be symptoms of something else? Or just the old KTM electrics?
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Feb 22, 2012 03:08
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CombatMedic posted:Maybe this is a "you need to man the gently caress up" post, but I ride to be happy, so here we go. To a certain extent, the comfort/fatigue aspect will depend on your machine. Some are just better to you than others over the course of a long day. And there are usually things you can do to improve ergonomics - I used to get very sore shoulders on the vstar until I changed out the handlebar to move the grips down and aft by a couple inches. Usually when I travel, I do 6-10 hours on the saddle per day. I hurt the first day but by the second, I've worked out body position options and developed proper nerve damage. Take breaks. I extend every other gas stop or so with a quick break to stretch and get some water or coffee (in groups it's more like every stop because everybody has a different schedule/routine). Also, when I do a big planned trip, I bring ibuprofen and start dosing as directed the day before. Dulls just enough pain without impairing the riding. invision posted:If my back get sore, I just lie down on the tank for a while. Then my chest gets sore from sitting on the tank, and I get back up. This reminds me of a mildly-embarrasing moment on I84 westbound in the Columbia Gorge last summer. Was fighting a serious head wind without a windshield and was just having a miserable time of it. To lean into the wind I had my feet up on the passenger pegs in kind of a tuck, with the wind strong enough to support some of the weight of my body in an air cushion over the tank... until I passed a semi and hit the dead zone beside it. Wind disappears instantly and I whack my helmet on my gas cap. *WAKE UP, HELLO* Aargh posted:So i came out to go to lunch today and the instrument display wouldn't turn on nor would the bike start. Checked what i could but couldn't see anything wrong with the 0 tools i had to hand. Was about to push it up to the mechanics to get a charge on the battery when i tried again and everything worked fine. Whats really strange is the digital clock hadnt reset itself so there appears to be no loss of power. My Buell does this. If I wiggle the key in the ignition, it will light up and work. This tells me I probably need to find a new ignition switch before too long. clutchpuck fucked around with this message at 03:20 on Feb 22, 2012 |
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Feb 22, 2012 03:11
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CombatMedic posted:Maybe this is a "you need to man the gently caress up" post, but I ride to be happy, so here we go. What bike are you on?
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Feb 22, 2012 03:19
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The DRZ makes my rear end go numb after about an hr and a half of riding. I just stand up and stretch a bit or pull over and take a short rest. On a side note, does anyone here love the "Mayhem" insurance ad with the custom chopper wreck? I laugh every time I see it.
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Feb 22, 2012 03:58
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CombatMedic posted:Is this just something that the touring folks deal with? In a word, no. MotoMind came up with some good points with some potential ways to alleviate pain. Mainly, using your legs to grip the motorcycle and always being cognizant of not putting your body into stressful positions. My opinion on the matter is, nothing will help more than finding a variety of ways to sit on your motorcycle. Find slightly different places for your hands, sit on different parts of the seat, arch your back or stretch it out - basically, mix up your position every so often. If your lower back is getting sore, my guess is that it's getting fatigued from supporting the weight of your torso. The problem may be with how you're sitting on the motorcycle, but it could also just be your fitness level. Unlike MotoMind, I don't think being on a motorcycle will get you in good shape, really - you'll need to put the work in off the motorcycle with core exercises to strengthen your back and abdominals (bodyweight stuff will work, no need for a gym if you don't want). I'm not a doctor and I don't know how in shape you are or how you sit on the motorcycle so I can't really get more detailed than that. Ponies ate my Bagel posted:The DRZ makes my rear end go numb after about an hr and a half of riding. I just stand up and stretch a bit or pull over and take a short rest. You haven't mastered the one-cheek seating position to alleviate butt stress? 
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Feb 22, 2012 04:48
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Aargh posted:So i came out to go to lunch today and the instrument display wouldn't turn on nor would the bike start. Checked what i could but couldn't see anything wrong with the 0 tools i had to hand. Was about to push it up to the mechanics to get a charge on the battery when i tried again and everything worked fine. Whats really strange is the digital clock hadnt reset itself so there appears to be no loss of power. I had my Bandit's gauges off for weeks not connected to a power source. The clock didn't reset. (neither did the digital mileage either thank god) So don't rule out your battery.
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Feb 22, 2012 05:08
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CombatMedic posted:Is this just something that the touring folks deal with? I think that unless you're on a purpose-built adventurer with insane range, most street bikes are going to need topping off at about the two hour mark anyway, assuming you're on open road. Walk around the Snappy Mart, observe the locals, look through the Merle Haggard CDs, update Facebook, go back to the bike with fresh legs. It's amazing how your faculties and reflexes are top notch again when you hit that onramp.
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Feb 22, 2012 05:09
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Ziploc posted:I had my Bandit's gauges off for weeks not connected to a power source. The clock didn't reset. (neither did the digital mileage either thank god) So don't rule out your battery. Every time ive had the clocks off to try another method of water sealing theyve reset. Bike started super easily right after lunch so will double check before i head home.
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Feb 22, 2012 05:31
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FuzzyWuzzyBear posted:In a word, no. MotoMind came up with some good points with some potential ways to alleviate pain. Mainly, using your legs to grip the motorcycle and always being cognizant of not putting your body into stressful positions. I do that for the first hour and a half. The stock seat sucks, a better one is on my list.
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Feb 22, 2012 06:24
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Ponies ate my Bagel posted:I do that for the first hour and a half. The stock seat sucks, a better one is on my list. Swapping the seat and/or doing something with the bars may help. A posture issue with the reach being too long / high / whatever may not be obvious in shorter rides. Maybe try sitting on the bike with your eyes closed and reaching for the bars and seeing where your hands end up relative to the actual grips.
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Feb 22, 2012 07:46
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CombatMedic posted:Ouch I suspect a lot of this is due to the way your harley's ergos are set up. I have had similar problems riding cruisers.  With your feet out in front of you, every bump and vibration from the road goes right into your rear end and lower spine.The answer is to get up off the bike and move around more, do stretches at scheduled stops, etc.
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Feb 22, 2012 14:40
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Snowdens Secret posted:Swapping the seat and/or doing something with the bars may help. A posture issue with the reach being too long / high / whatever may not be obvious in shorter rides. Maybe try sitting on the bike with your eyes closed and reaching for the bars and seeing where your hands end up relative to the actual grips. I think I have the bars set to far back. When I got the bike they were to far forward so I set them all the way back. I think I'll rotate them forward a 1/2" and see how that helps.
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Feb 22, 2012 17:07
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In my own anecdotal experience, a sore rear end is more likely pointing to a lovely seat or you being fat. A sore back could certainly have to do with that too, but I think points more towards overall geometry. You might want to try tweeking the bars as been mentioned if you can or even see if you can get risers.
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Feb 22, 2012 20:44
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slidebite posted:In my own anecdotal experience, a sore rear end is more likely pointing to a lovely seat or you being fat. A sore back could certainly have to do with that too, but I think points more towards overall geometry. You might want to try tweeking the bars as been mentioned if you can or even see if you can get risers. I have a lot of tweaking I can do, but I don't usually ride for more than 30-45 minutes at a time. I like to get off the bike and take pictures, smoke cigarette's and take a whiz where I haven't whizzed before. My back doesn't hurt at all, just my rear end. I've lost about 120 lbs. over the past 3 years, I did it for a lot of reasons but motorcycling was a big one. So I don't think it's being overweight I just think(know) the DRZ stock seat sucks.
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Feb 22, 2012 21:58
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Has anyone tried sheepskin pads? Thinking of picking one up before the eurotrip for improved butt comfort. There's a multitude between $30 and $50, any experiences?
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Feb 22, 2012 22:15
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Ola posted:Has anyone tried sheepskin pads? Thinking of picking one up before the eurotrip for improved butt comfort. There's a multitude between $30 and $50, any experiences? You could just get some kind of chair pad instead of a moto-specific one. I've seen it done, it looks like poo poo but also looks extremely comfortable at the same time.
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Feb 22, 2012 22:28
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I had a sheepskin thing on my Vulcan and I could go either way on it. I preferred the bead seat, it had numerous practical advantages over the sheepskin.
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Feb 22, 2012 22:34
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Oh yeah, beads. Beads for your butt. I've heard about those, supposed to be pretty good even though they look uncomfortable. Let my google tha...OH GOD
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Feb 22, 2012 23:12
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Ola posted:Oh yeah, beads. Beads for your butt. I've heard about those, supposed to be pretty good even though they look uncomfortable. Let my google tha...OH GOD Sonds like Safe search didn't protect Ola. Let that be a lesson against googling "butt beads".
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Feb 22, 2012 23:18
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Or "butt" anything, really
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Feb 22, 2012 23:29
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Ah yes, beaded seats. The choice of every cabbie ever and people from the eighties. It might just work.
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Feb 23, 2012 00:23
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I tried both, the Vulcan came with a sheep skin in the saddlebag, and I bought a bead seat in Sturgis. In the rain, the sheep skin gets wet and stays wet because it doesn't promote airflow. Beat seat separates your butt from the seat so the water just drains off, and since air flows through the beads, you dry out fast and never get a chance to to get all sweaty in the crack area.
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Feb 23, 2012 00:29
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Personally I think you need to exercise your touring muscles. I used to get all sorts of weird pains when riding the R6 long distances. After a few weeks I could stay on the bike forever and feel fine. Doing dead lifts and other exercises that work core muscles really helped too. I think many people blame ergos, boots, whatever when they are really just out of shape. Riding a motorcycle is somewhat athletic.
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Feb 23, 2012 02:30
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Ponies ate my Bagel posted:I have a lot of tweaking I can do, but I don't usually ride for more than 30-45 minutes at a time. I like to get off the bike and take pictures, smoke cigarette's and take a whiz where I haven't whizzed before. My back doesn't hurt at all, just my rear end. I've lost about 120 lbs. over the past 3 years, I did it for a lot of reasons but motorcycling was a big one. So I don't think it's being overweight I just think(know) the DRZ stock seat sucks. Oh sure, I don't know what it is with OEMs but they can sure blow. Even on my Concours which is well, supposedly designed for touring made anything more than 1 hour brutal on my rear end. I know I'm not the smallest guy but I don't weigh 300lbs either. I think I ordered up a corbin within 1 week of having it. Night and day difference.
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Feb 23, 2012 03:13
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thechalkoutline posted:Thanks! Very helpful. I am really curious as to how much your friend paid and how many miles are on the bike, if you are still privy to the thread.
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Feb 23, 2012 05:12
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Anyone else have a problem with small bugs getting through the mouth vent at speed? I've got a Shoei helmet, and if I leave the mouth vent open and ride through the countryside I invariably get bugs inside the helmet. Very distracting to have a gnat fly into your eyes at 60mph.
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Feb 23, 2012 07:01
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My three helmets (GMAX GM68S, Zox Genessis, and Vemar Jiano EVO TC) all have meshes (metal or plastic) underneath all the vents to prevent that from happening.
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Feb 23, 2012 07:07
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Geirskogul posted:My three helmets (GMAX GM68S, Zox Genessis, and Vemar Jiano EVO TC) all have meshes (metal or plastic) underneath all the vents to prevent that from happening. My Rjays has a plastic one as well, although it doesn't stop big juicy ones that explode from flowing through D:
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Feb 23, 2012 09:21
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This is true. I have forgotten about big ones, and have focused only on small ones. The big, juicy ones to tend to slip though, but that's not an issue of any helmet once you get to that scale.
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Feb 23, 2012 09:56
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Geirskogul posted:This is true. I have forgotten about big ones, and have focused only on small ones. The big, juicy ones to tend to slip though, but that's not an issue of any helmet once you get to that scale. Yeah, just make sure your mouth is closed. I consider myself lucky I keep my mouth shut most the time.
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Feb 23, 2012 10:26
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Shimrod posted:Yeah, just make sure your mouth is closed. Quite difficult when one is singing Sweet Caroline/Rocket Man/Walkin' After Midnight at the top of one's lungs. 
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Feb 23, 2012 12:05
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Bucephalus posted:Quite difficult when one is singing Sweet Caroline/Rocket Man/Walkin' After Midnight at the top of one's lungs. True that.
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Feb 23, 2012 12:41
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