WCody

Be glad you don't have to sit through my MSF classes. I re-use all these old jokes in each one.

Hi all, Glad you liked the joke. Not trying to bait anyone. It's just one of the few motorcycle jokes that I know. I generally use that joke to break up the monotony during my MSF classes. LOL I've mostly owned Hondas (ST1100, ST1300, Goldwing, SL 90, Trail 90's) but, I have also owned a Yamaha TW200 a Suzuki Hayabusa, and a Rokon. The only parts that I have lost off of any of those bikes was a front fender (while riding over a very rough, dirt/gravel road) and myself (when I went down). ;-) I almost bought a 95th Anniversary Road King Classic when they came out but, I decided that it just didn't fit the kind of riding that I wanted to do then. Now, I'm more mellow and might enjoy that type of bike more. But, I do have friends who ride Harleys and they have mentioned losing parts. My best friend from High School owns a Road King. He's a motor-head and enjoys rebuilding engines and adding high performance parts. For him, a Harley is the perfect bike to tinker with. However, I do tease him that his bike will never be able to keep up with mine in the twisties. Funny story about my ST1300. I bought it used several years back. Once I started taking things apart to modify the farkles, I discovered that the previous owner had put Loc-Tite on literally EVERYTHING... even on the bolts holding the plastic windshield to the windshield brackets (the owner's manual specifically states NOT to do that as it will eat the plastic washers and the plastic windshield). I grumbled a little and went about removing all the Loc-Tite that I could find. I figured that the previous owner must have been an ex-Harley rider. As for BMW's, they used to be very reliable until those arrogant Germans came out with the self-exploding Final drive rear-end. I quite counting how many of my friends had theirs go out, spilling final drive fluid all over. I don't trust them anymore. Although, I have to admit that their new K1600 GTL is a sweet ride. Test rode one about a year or so ago. Nice! Decided to wait and see how its rear end held out. So far, I haven't heard of any failing. Regards, Bill

The rest actually made it home. Ba-dum-bump.

The problem with this is that there is more than one reason to use the Custom Earplugs than just to hear music. The first, more important reason is to protect yourself from permanent hearing loss from the wind noise one experiences while riding. It has been proven that permanent hearing loss can result if you do not wear earplugs of some kind. But, I suppose that one could still use earplugs AND use this device. I still prefer my Custom Challenger C Earplugs from the EarPlug Company.

Hi Marcarl, I was referring to what SilvrT said two posts above mine when he said, "If you use countersteering...". Sorry if that was confusing. ;-) I should have quoted from his post to show what I was referring to. Best regards, Bill

I had the opposite experience with the WindBender. I actually bought one and it worked to eliminate the head buffeting for myself and my wife. You do have to experiment with the height setting but, since that is adjustable on the WindBender, you can adjust it easily. Basically, the buffeting is caused by higher pressures behind the windshield sucking air into the seating area. Vents in the windshield can help. However, the WindBender's solution is better than just a vent. It allows air to get up behind the windshield and equalizes the pressure as the air flows off the trailing edge. There is also a powered option you can add to it but, it is rather expensive. I opted not to get one. YMMV - I'm 5' 9.5" and my wife is shorter than I. If you or your passenger is taller, you may have to adjust the windshield higher or, it may not work for you. (shrug) Regards,

One thing I haven't heard mentioned here pertaining to the Outside/Inside/Outside path of travel - don't get too close to the yellow line where your upper body will actually be leaning over into the on-coming lane. That could ruin one's day if there is an oncoming vehicle coming around the turn at the same time. And as others have said, O/I/O is the best path of travel as it allows you to see around the corners sooner and it helps "straighten out" your line through the curves somewhat. And eye fixation is to be avoided. As others have said, look where you WANT to go, not where you're going. A friend of mine got eye fixation on a tree and was headed right for it until he forced himself to look away. He managed to lean the bike enough to make the turn but, it looked bad there for a bit.

Howdy, I live in Portland, OR but, I have been teaching MSF classes in Vancouver, WA for over 10 years. I haven't taken the Team Oregon training but, I kind of know what they teach. Anyway, I've taught a lot of classes in the rain and I always worry about the students over-braking in wet conditions during our emergency braking exercises. Whether you are emergency braking or just normal braking, always do it the same way. Apply BOTH brakes gently at first and once you feel your weight transfer forward, you can apply more and more pressure on the hand brake, gently squeezing harder and harder. If your front tire starts to skid, release the hand brake and re-apply it more gently. In wet conditions, give yourself more time to stop (i.e., start braking sooner than you normally would). You also might want to ride at slower speeds. Living in the Great North Wet, we "get to" ride in the wet all the time. It is perfectly safe if you follow certain safety guidelines such as the ones I mention above. Others would be: Do not ride during the first 1/2 or a rain storm in order to avoid the oily surface combining with the rain. Waiting will allow that oily film to wash away. Give yourself a larger following distance. Ride slower. Use some sort of anti-fog device or spray on your visor. Don't look through your windshield, look over it. Another tip would be to avoid riding in the rain, if you can. Best regards,

"IF you use countersteering"? There is no "if" about it. Countersteering is what causes the lean of the bike, whether the rider knows that is what they are doing or not. There are some body steering techniques also but, they are not as effective as countersteering. Every rider should learn and practice countersteering as it is a skill that will someday save your life. Oh, MSF instructor here. Which is probably why I am so adamant about this. ;-) There are several gentle curves on the way to my father's place which have crosses on various trees from where poor riders have crashed and killed themselves. I always shake my head and think to myself, "if only they had learned how to countersteer". Regards,