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Mike G in SC

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Everything posted by Mike G in SC

  1. Mike G in SC
    I was behind a young guy on a sport bike the other day. At a stop I saw nylon all the way around his rear tire. Tried to get his attention but was a two lane road. So I followed him the extra mile till he pulled into a gas station. I pulled next to him and politely told him. He said, "yeah thanks, I was too hard on the rear brake the other day." Well, I guess you chalk that up to young and stupid (and no helmet on a wreck-a-waiting). Hope he grows past young, but I don't think he can get past stupid. Sad thing is, just blocks away from that are still fresh skid marks from another 21 year old on a rocket, no helmet, who lost it into a guard rail. He didn't get past young. Mike G in SC
  2. Mike G in SC
    Mark, Do you want me to post your request on the Star Touring site? I went from a Road Star to my RSTD. When I have jumped back on a Road Star (my son-in-law bought it), it does feel like a smaller bike. But to be honest, my RSTD has spoiled me. Anyhow, let me know if you want me to mention it on Star. Mike G in SC
  3. Mike G in SC
    Chinto, Got the tire today. It looks fine. I figured it would not be too "new" as he was not aware of the outage. The date code is 0307, so that is third week of 2007. That is 3.5 years old, but it appears to have been properly warehoused. It is still black and feels as good as the rear tire I got "fresh" last month that had a 3908 code. I just handled it and can feel the soft tire "oil" on my hands. Tire was made in Spain. My local guy is mounting it now. He had no issue with the date. I will ride it tonight. I will let you know if there are any issues. Mike G in SC EDIT: PS: I work in the rubber business and my tech guy "knows". He said the age issue would mainly be an issue on steel belted tires as the steel in Chinese tires will start to corrode in 4 years and in American in about 6-7. He said as these are Kevlar they are good for 10+ years.
  4. Mike G in SC
    Somewhere in there I saw you were looking for a Michelin Commander 150/80-16. Yes they are out of stock nationally. But Friday I kept chasing and found a small Internet dealer in eastern KY that had 6 (now 5 maybe). He was not aware of the shortage, so he must be sitting on some inventory. (Someone here said Michelin is going to a Commander II, thus no old tires.) Anyhow,,, try www.ridedirect.com or 866-574-1939. Or the tire: http://www.ridedirect.com/index.php? I'm getting it for $130.95 delivered. He will ship next day. Looking at Google satelite, small shop so, probably gone for tonight. He said he will price compare,,,, if the other guy has it in stock,,,, nope. Mine is due Wednesday or Thursday. Mike G in SC
  5. Mike G in SC
    I got a roofing nail dead center (in the groove) on a new rear Venom. I used a "rope" plug but also followed it up with a bottle of Green Slime. Ran the tire to the nylon. (I did let the shop know it was slimed when the tire was replaced, just to be nice.) I did look at the plug pretty regular. Appeared stable. I think if I could have found Ride-On I would prefer that to Slime. Mike G in SC
  6. Mike G in SC
    I have used Avon Venoms for a few years,,, and yes, about the time you notice you are at the wear bars, you are just a day from cord. I got that again 3 weeks ago. That was about 13k on the rear. But, by time I ordered the tire, I had to park it at the shop cause I was in the cord. Front is still good but getting down. So, just for GP, I am trying a set of Michelin Commanders. I got the rear on. It is great. Just did Star Days and about 1000 miles in the mountains. The front was out of stock but I now have one on order. Looking forward to trying it. I think I will get similar miles and ride as the Venons but the total cost will be about $90 less. And,,,,, have not read any gripes about the Michelins. Hey, Big Bear, one clue your rear tire is getting thin (besides visual): As you drive through a parking lot with some loose stones,, when they start to shoot out from under your tire with a healthy pop (noise and distance), as opposed to a thud, I normally find that is related to thin rubber, it's close to gone. I usually notice this at my work parking lot just before I am at the wear marks,,,,, really. But, I would think that if you were at the wear marks at 38lb and you bump to 42,,,, yes you are going to get an accelerated centerline wear. You just added more pressure and less surface. And I do believe that the inner most layers of rubber are softer than the treaded. Note, you may actually see a lighter gray in the inner layers. So when they go,,,,, THEY GO QUICK! Mike G in SC
  7. Mike G in SC
    The front Michelin Commander stock size 150/80-16 has been on national back order for almost a month. I finally tracked some down in eastern KY. They must have been sitting on some (6), the guy did not know about the outage. Sorry I told him before we talked about price compare (he would if the other guy had stock, duhh me). Anyhow if you want that specific tire, check ridedirect.com. or 866-574-1939. It was $130.95 delivered, a little high but a bird in hand. If your order is over $200 free frt. Mine should be here Wed or Thur. I will post if there is any problem. (I have not bought from them before. Small tire shop in the hills of eastern KY. But on the Internet.) Thanks, I didn't know they were changing the model line. Mike G in SC
  8. Mike G in SC
    We're at the ChooChoo now. Star Days goes on till today at 4PM. There should still be vendors here and the Star Demo rides. There is a "Chattanooga History Trivia" ride today at 9-2. There is a bbq but its a pre-register thing. We pretty well filled the hotel with Yamahas,, guessing about 500???? The "Swampass" ride yesterday was Cherahola Skyway & TN 68 & NC/TN 64. The Dragon was optional as it was in the area. Several did. So head down for the day, still a lot of people here, many ride out tonight or, like us, tomorrow. Mike G in SC (now in TN)
  9. Mike G in SC
    I have always admired this bike. I have a Valkyrie friend who rides, usually 2 up with his wife. But I need to tell you what happend last month. We took 3 bikes on a road above Chimney Rock, NC. (Old Fort Road) I was leading and 2nd bike was the Valk, third was a Strat. A turn that snuck up on us happened. My RSTD made it with some pucker,, but 2nd bike did not. no problem for the Strat. His left foot peg scraped but he could not make a correction as he was too far into the turn. He lost it. He slid into the soft shoulder on his side (80 foot peg scrape). His wife was lucky to get thrown off there. His bike hung on a tree (this was a good thing). And he bounced down a 60 degree bank about 90 feet. Good thing, because that 900 lb bike did not follow him. I saw this in my rear view mirror,,,, yikes. God and luck were on their side. She broke a wrist, nose and anckle. He was okay,,, missed several trees. But the point here,, the stock Valk did not make a turn that the RSTD and Strat made just fine. Else,, great bike.
  10. Mike G in SC
    ,,,,,,,,,,, 12".
  11. Mike G in SC
    Carol and I are going, staying at ChooChoo. I've been riding with Star (Columbia SC chapter) for 4-5 years. As for Dragon, I hear it will be Miata hell on the 24th weekend, so best go earlier in the week. The Cherohala Skyway is the main part of the Swamp Azz ride, Thursday. Star Days is Monday 19th through Friday, rideout Saturday. You don't have to be a member or even registered for a number of things. The Vendor area includes the Yamaha demo rides. If interested in the schedule, go to http://www.stardays.org/ then look on left for RIDES AND RALLIES, then Star Days, then Final Agenda of Events. I'm guessing that last time it was in Chattanooga, 3 years ago, there were about 800 there. Might be smaller this year,,,,,, it's the economy, and the ChooChoo ain't a cheap stay. But there's several cheaper motels in the area. See some of you there. I'll be on a black Yamaha. Mike G in SC (PS: anyone in the ColumbiaSC area interested in Star Touring, we meet monthly and ride at least once a month. Did the Beacon in Spartanburg last week. Email me mikeginsc@bellsouth.net or if you know Cajun,,, give him a call. We're looking for members but we don't push "membership" real hard. Visit the local site www.sc-starriders.com .)
  12. Mike G in SC
    I just ordered the PIAA 10904 Intense White twin pack from Amazon for $41.02, free ship. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=piaa+h4&sprefix=piaa+ I get much more life out of the PIAA than the Silverstar Ultra. Mike G in SC
  13. Mike G in SC
    Thanks Ross, They state out of stock on front tire. BUT, good pricing, will keep them in mind. Also nice to check stock without having to give them "my info". Thanks, Mike G
  14. Mike G in SC
    Oops, just decided to go from Avon Venom's to Michelin Commanders last week. (Between here and there, lots of good press on the Commanders. And good pricing.) Someone on Star Touring side noted that the front stock size is on national backorder. Had my local guy check. Yep, backorder through his sources. As I need a rear before the ST Chattanooga gig, looks like just a rear will do. Someone know of a fair priced reputable source that has the front in stock, 150/80B/16 ? Thanks, Mike G in SC
  15. Mike G in SC
    Yes, but if you are 5'9", or less than say 31" inseam, you may find yourself singing opera high-notes. Obviously, these raise the rear of the bike to increase steering (handling). Riding solo, it might be okay to loose some footing, but 2 up could prove challenging at stops. These are heavy bikes to trust balance to just the left foot. If seat height is no issue, so you can square both feet on the ground, good mod.
  16. Mike G in SC
    This might be simple. WD40 all moving parts there, get the brake lever while you are at it. Blot it good with a rag. This happens to me regular a day or so after a ride in the rain.
  17. Mike G in SC
    Grip Puppies is a brand I bought a few years ago. (Google for them) Also about $10. Glad you reminded me, I need to put some on my Strat. Mike G in SC
  18. Mike G in SC
    Did that several years ago. Lot's of pain leading to it. But two days later Steak and Ale! I had mine out on a Friday and was at work by Wednesday (should have milked a week or so out of it). But,,, I heal quick. Use your best judgement, but like Wanderer said, pretty easy now a days. Mike G
  19. Mike G in SC
    You may have a Zlob Trojan. One of my people got one similar to what you describe a year or so back. All the obvious stuff (named here) did nothing. She had Norton AV as the primary AV and their "help-LOL" desk said to pony up $99 dollars to continue talking. Nope. Not sure where they draw the line on HELP, but it was below this nasty one. After a lot of googling, I came across Smithfraud Fix. It is a freeware that DID IT! Google for it, read up, see if you want to try it. Also look up Zlob to see if you might have it. Now, it did clean it up,,,, but the later, every time she booted, it nagged to buy a pro copy or something like that. So, after a week I simply went to Add/Remove and removed the Smithfraudfix program. PC has been fine since. Disk format and data loss was not needed. But as I was at a last straw before Format, it was worth taking a chance. This is a link with the download and good instructions. http://www.precisesecurity.com/tools-resources/adware-tools/smitfraudfix/ Note: says it's for W2000 and XP, not sure about Vista or W7. The Virus Source: Oh, yeah, while on the Internet, the user did get a popup that said the computer was infected. Said to click OK and the Popup said it would fix it,,,,,, boy did it! If you see that,,, bail out. Either do ALT-CTL-DEL then kill the task or just hit the power button for 5 full seconds. She got the virus by clicking OK,,, invited the devil in.
  20. Mike G in SC
    If you suspect the fuel pump (or filter) you can bypass directly from the tank to the carb input to do a gravity feed. I ran my RSTD that way for a few days while dealer ordered a pump. Yamaha pump is not cheap. If you do this, go to the left side cover and pull the power from the pump,, else it will try to run,,, and spit out what gas it has. Search for "gravity feed" on this forum if you need more detail. On a similar problem, my dealer replaced the ignition and some other electronics in the starting system, also did some carb work. Somewhere in the long run, they fixed it. If under warranty, ask them about it. Mike G in SC
  21. Mike G in SC
    Nitro, I have a '06 RSTD with right close to 70k miles. It runs great. I think his price is about $1000 high, just guessing. I haven't looked it up. With 40k, he needs to back off. (But between us, that bike will go 150k, no problem.) An '05 is likely out of warranty. The 5 year warranty is the best, if supported by a good dealer. Things I have had done under warranty: replaced clutch basket to get rid of the whine replaced fuel pump replaced rear shock replaced stator & regulator/rectifier replaced ignition switch and some other switch/relay in that circuitry set the mixture on all 4 carbs when they were chasing the ignition issue None of that cost me a dime, all warranty. I did also recently replace the clutch. It wasn't bad, just wanted to go to the Barnette. As his price is high, I might try to find one that still has warranty. They can't extend the Yamaha warranty beyond 5 years, perhaps he can do a dealer thing? I really wish they still made the RSTD (and in Midnight/raven). In a year or two I would like to get another just like the one I have. Mike G in SC PS: if you get the bike, yes get used to it solo. It's heavy. Your main issue will be at 5 mph and less. Stop & go with a passenger is going to be what you need to get used to. Be aware first time the rear floorboards are out, they will bite you in the calfs! Watch out when you stop, if you roll foreward, they will nip you. BUT, it is a GREAT 2-up bike!!!!
  22. Mike G in SC
    Mine died last year, under warranty. Shop replaced it. (it's a few hundred if your pocket) But it died 100% when it died. When you turned the key,,, no clicks. I did do the gravity feed,,,, to prove to me & the shop it was the pump. But also to ride it for a week. The gravity feed will make it run just fine,, except maybe the bottom of the tank or MAJOR throttling. To do gravity feed,,, let me remember,,,, undo the tank bolt under the seat. Lift the tank up a couple of inches (don't need to undo the front, it will pivot.) use a needle nose to pull the gas line that runs from the tank off the fuel filter. Then pull the hose off the carburetor feed line and put the line from the tank to that feed. Now you are running straight from pitcock to the carb. I suggest you also open up the left side panel and disconnect the fuel pump electrical connection so it won't puke out remaining gas. If you think you want to run this a while (more than emergency) you could also include a $3 inline filter from Wal-mart just below the tank. Buy a few inches of fuel line to run between the pitcock and the filter, rather than cut your good line. I ran it this way a few hundred miles till I got a new pump. But, in your case, this may prove if it is the pump or something else. Stick close to home till you know. Mike G.
  23. Mike G in SC
    Another in the "for what it's worth",,, I once mentioned using the Carbtune to my Yamaha shop mechanic Matt. He rolled his eyes. This was after I sat in on a small clinic where 5 of us had them and got nowhere on one difficult RSTD. (Which he healed.) He made a comment to the effect of, "you have to get the 3rd carb set before you go anywhere. Then you balance the others to #3." So, he was saying that the #3 is the baseline. He did not tell me how to get #3 set. But later when I had the shop set the mixture on each and sync it for me,,,, everything ran GREAT. Like I said, for what it's worth.
  24. Mike G in SC
    Get the RSTD and put the Ultimate seat pack on it. Get a Kuryakyn grand tour bag. That takes care of long rides. Save $4000 if you get studs. Wear a full face and sing like you're on American Idol if you need sound. Mike G in SC
  25. Mike G in SC
    Figure a way that gets you to Hwy 301 above Jax to Ga, towards Allendale, SC. Then Hwy 321 towards Bamburg, thru Orangeburg, then catch Hwy 601 through my home town, Lugoff, SC. To Camden, SC to find Hwy 97 (you'll like this one, more twists than FL) towards Great Falls, SC, to Hwy 21, to Rock Hill. Then probably go ahead and jump on I-77 to Charlotte. Just some roads I have taken, and some I travel real regular. Mike G in SC
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