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| 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP - MotoGP Start | | Date Created: Sep 02, 2009, 09:36 PM |
Pedrosa rockets into the lead...
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| 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP - Kevin Schwantz RGV500 Demo Lap | | Date Created: Sep 02, 2009, 09:32 PM |
| Schwantz shows us the bike he won his title on. |
Schwantz wheelies off the line
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- News & Updates > 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP - Kevin Schwantz RGV500 Demo Lap
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| 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP - 250GP Start | | Date Created: Sep 02, 2009, 09:29 PM |
| 250GP Start and 1st Corner |
250GP Start
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| 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP - 125GP Start | | Date Created: Aug 31, 2009, 10:58 PM |
125GP Start and 1st Corner
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| 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP Picture Album | | Assorted pictures from the Indy MotoGP weekend.
Aside from the Desmosedici 2-up, stunt show and Schwantz's RGV500 demo laps and the race winner doing some celebrating, no race day pics were taken. Busy spectating not taking pics. | | Date Created: Aug 31, 2009, 10:41 PM |
| Quickie Thoughts - Lee Parks ARC | | Date Created: Jun 29, 2009, 01:06 AM |
Attended a Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic courtesy of the UIUC MRP this past weekend.
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Parking lots can be very fun...
Slower speed and tight confines and regimented exercises force you to focus and work on specific skills. No distractions during your run except whatever is going on with you and your control (or out of control...) of the bike.
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~ 90F weather. Full gear. Periods of idling in line waiting for your run. (I now have greater empathy for BRC/BRT students idling in-queue waiting for their run in August...) |
| Performance Boulevard - Fat Duc O2 Manipulator | | Date Created: Jun 29, 2009, 12:50 AM |
http://fatduc.com/home.html
I've had mine for a couple of weeks now and I can say it's worth the $80 purchase price.
As mentioned in an earlier post regarding the HyperMotard, the abrupt/choppy throttle response was my biggest gripe about the bike. Well... there is a fix in the form of the Fat Duc O2 Manipulator.
The connector lead from the lamda (oxygen) sensor to the ECU is tucked between the "crotch" of the V (between #1 and #2 cylinder) so it took a bit of finagling on the HyperMotard but I eventually got it. The Manipulator essentially plugs in between the lead of the lambda sensor and the ECU.
The install as I have it is not ideal and I'm concerned about the longevity of the component as that location has presumably very low airflow and the heat generated by the cylinder heads is considerable. I'll have to do a follow up on this sometime later.
Driveability is not perfect but it is improved from stock. It no longer pops excessively on decel with a closed throttle, there is noticeable reduction in surging and, most importantly, throttle response from closed to open is better.
I'm running about 13.4 - 13.3. Leaner and it doesn't do enough. Haven't tried 13.2 or lower but 'm willing to compromise as fuel economy on a bike with a 3-gallon (3.3 if you believe the specs) fuel capacity is already... well, compromised.
If you have a Ducati (that's allows the O2 Manipulator) and you don't want to pony up the cash for a aftermarket ECU or Termignoni/DP ECU package ($$$$$), I recommend giving the Fat Duc O2 Manipulator a try.
LT Snyder at Desmo Times also sells the product - and he endorses what he sells. However, don't expect a lower price (it's the same as buying direct). |
| 2008 CBR1000RR Coolant Hose Clamp Recall | | Date Created: Jun 08, 2009, 01:18 AM |
Don't have a VIN range for this recall but I'd imagine owners with affected models should start getting recall notices shortly.
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NHTSA Campaign ID: 09V174000
Component: Engine and Engine Cooling: Cooling System: Hose
Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Co
Recall Date: 05/19/2009
Potential Number of Units Affected: 12894
Manufactured:
Defect Summary:
Honda is recalling 12,894 model year 2008 CBR1000RR vehicles. A coolant hose clamp located on the water pump cover may break due to fatigue caused by vibration generated at continuous high engine speeds.
Consequence Summary:
If the clamp breaks, hot coolant can spray onto the riders left lower leg causing scalding to the rider.
Corrective Summary:
Dealers will install the new coolant hose clamp free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before June 6, 2009. Owners may contact Honda at 866-784-1870.
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| Persephone is gone. Long live Persephone. | | Date Created: Jun 06, 2009, 07:19 PM |
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It was sad to let my Monster S4Rs go but... when I saw the 2009 Hypermotard 1100 was available in a white/red/black color option, well, let's just say the rest is history.
On a more functional level, the S4Rs was a little too similar to the CBR and the water cooled bikes seem to not like the levels of traffic gridlock that afflicts the modern day metropolis. If only lane-splitting were legal... Also, I didn't want the S4Rs to decline too much more in value before either deciding to keep or trade it.
Since a cruiser was not an option (I'd rather go buy a Mazda Miata or something) and I loved the Hypermotard when I demo'ed it last year, the choice was simple.
Only put about 50 miles on it but everything I remembered from the Hyper Truck demo came back. Except for the fact that I was now riding my own...
My only gripes so far echo the gripes most of the moto press have about the bike.
1. Abrupt throttle response from closed throttle (I blame modern day emissions regulations. I think the air cooled DS1100 is running on the lean fringe. Conspiracy theorists will say its because they want you to buy a Termignoni exhaust upgrade with the accompanying Ducati Performance ECU to "fix" this condition).
2. Stock seat sucks (glad I have the 20mm lower gel seat on order, it's supposed to be better).
3. Short fuel range due to small fuel capacity (so you don't have to deal with that seat for too long...)
4. Wide bars with fold in mirrors have a down-side... the width with both mirrors deployed is truly massive at over 4'! The really wide bars also mean any unintentional handlebar input from the rider is instantly transferred to the front end... you can imagine how this can translate at higher speeds.
The spotty weather the rest of the weekend gave me an opportunity to get familiar with the mechanicals. I installed the Garmin Zumo that I pulled from the S4Rs, along with the pigtail for the CTEK battery charger. MCC already put in an SAE pigtail so I can hook up my electrical vest for the chillier days. Kudos.
Now if I can only get skillz like Ruben Xaus (footage from Hypermotard launch a couple years ago).
Thanks to MCC for a above KBB trade-in on the S4Rs. |
| Motorcycle Rider & Non-Rider Attitudes | | Date Created: Apr 19, 2009, 02:42 PM |
Wendy Moon has written about motorcycle training and safety issues for the past five years and her latest work - actually, it was a work a couple years in the making - is in the May issue of Motorcycle Consumer News. It was the results of a survey on the 40-plus rider.
Now, she has a new survey about rider and non-rider attitudes about motorcycle safety. Folks who would like to contribute to the dataset for what I surmise to be a new article on motorcycle safety should go here and send in the completed survey to her.
Rider and non-rider attitudes about motorcycles and safety |
| The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice | | Date Created: Apr 19, 2009, 02:22 PM |
 I started this book a year ago but never finished it. Finally picked it up again and was reminded what a good read it was.
Some readers may not like the writing style and presentation - author Trevor Corson jumps around from the main story going off on tangents that are very interesting and revealing factual tidbits about the history of sushi - but sushi lovers will get a lot of knowledge about this most wonderful cuisine.
I highly recommend this book for those of you who enjoy sushi and have always wondered about the history and backstory of this most delectable food.
The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice available on Amazon.com. |
- Rants & Raves > The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice
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| 2008 CBR1000RR Clutch Inner Product Update Campaign | | Date Created: Apr 18, 2009, 06:36 PM |
If you own a 2008 CBR1000RR and have VIN # that spans these ranges (as mine did), you should have gotten a "product update campaign" notice through the mail.
2008 CBR1000RR (A-type) JH2SC590*8M000001 thru JH2SC590*8M010632
2008 CBR1000RR (2A-type) JH2SC594*8M000001 thru JH2SC594*8M000559
2008 CBR1000RR (AC-type) JH2SC591*8M000001 thru JH2SC591*8M001693
2008 CBR1000RR (3AC-type) JH2SC595*8M000001 thru JH2SC595*8M000087
"Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is conducting a Product Update Campaign to replace the clutch inner on 2008 CBR1000RR models. Under certain usage, abrupt clutch engagement can transmit shock loads through the clutch, which may decrease the service life of other engine components. Improved clutch inner components are now available to improve long term durability and provide smoother drive engagement."
I've included the service bulletin here (PDF) if you want the 411 on this update. The update is performed free of charge by your authorized Honda dealer. |
| A (late) Vernal Equinox Day's Update 2009 | | Date Created: Mar 27, 2009, 01:09 PM |
A quick 411 on what's happenin' (or not happenin')
Pros:
Spring is here!
Gainful employment!
Cons:
Uncertain economy.
Gotta do more with less.
Quickies: |
 BMW ComfortShell Jacket + PantsInitial Impressions
+ Very comfortable once you get used to the stiff NP protectors. They almost mold to you after you don the jacket and wear it for a bit.
+ Truly does what the Schoeller c_change "bionic fabric" advertises. In cold weather (high 30s/low 40s), the fabric seems to somehow keep you warm. As the temperature increases, (low 60s), the jacket somehow adapts and maintains a comfortable temperature.
I haven't tested it's waterproofness nor its performance in truly warm or hot weather but I think I have finally found a riding suit that will work on motorcycle trips and day rides from early Spring through late Fall.
The only downside is its price... and the fact the 2009 model now comes in red. I have the blue...
Review
http://www.pacwit.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26:bmw-comfort-shell-review&catid=7:jackets&Itemid=20 |
| 2009 Chicago International Motorcycle Show - Friday, February 6 | | Date Created: Feb 16, 2009, 10:54 PM |
Did a whirlwind tour of the place from 7:30 - Close on Friday night. Spur of the moment thing... main goal was to find gear for the girlfriend and have her sit on a few bikes.
Nothing from the Big Four that really caught my eye.
- If the CBR1KRR had ABS last year, I probably would have gone for it despite the weight penalty (allegedly some 25 odd pounds). From the preliminary reports, they say it's a pretty damned good system. Unless you want to do stoppies. :) At anyrate, I got my `08 at a decent price so... no regrets.
- The new -R1 supposedly is the cat's meow but jeebus... that styling just looks wrong to me. They shoulda copied the front end of the YZR-M1 in addition to the long bang engine concept.
I don't like the neo-samurai headdress styled front end of the new GSX-Rs and am not really a Kawi fan...
From Europe
- I didn't like the Ducati Streetfighter as much as I thought I would. The headlight assembly just looks a bit "off" to me. Anyone notice the unpolished plastic lens on it? Perhaps it's a weight savings from the Brutale's glass unit but at least make sure it's polished plastic. Maybe this is just a pre-production unit...
My favorite of the show was unobtainium. I would have liked to see a production S1000RR Beemer. If they can pull off pricing that undercuts the 1198S by a few thousand... perhaps a bike that wears the blue and white Roundel may be somewhere o'er the horizon for me. Especially if the bike delivers, and can keep the weight down and the technology in (dynamic traction control, ABS, etc.).
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2009/02/04/motorcycle-news/2009-bmw-s1000rr-entering-production/
Oh, and the production bike will be available in BMW Motorrad Racing colors (Alpine White/Lupine Blue/Magma Red) |
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