OK, I bought it. Now What?

OK, I bought it. Now What?

Old story you've heard over and over. Serious rider 20 years ago,
haven't ridden in 15, wants to get back into it. I researched all
over, including here. I was all over the map. Cruiser? Sport
Touring? Adventure Sport? Since I couldn't make up my mind, I went
with what I know. I bought a 1995 Honda Nighthawk 750. After all, who
needs payments? It has low miles, looks great, runs great, and fits me
like an old shoe. It's like I never stopped riding. Now I need some
wise advice from the group.

I discovered Honda won't work on bikes over 10 years old. I live north
of Atlanta, Georgia. Any advice on where to take it?

My bike came with a dinky handlebar-mount windscreen. It doesn't do
much except cause turbulence. Where is the best place to get a larger
screen, preferably removable? I usually ride without one, but would
like the option for longer rides and bad weather.

I've looked for bags and it seems my choices are throw-overs or Givis.
I would prefer something that is lockable and easy for me to take off
but not for somebody else. Givis fit the bill but not my wallet. An
alternative is something that is lockable and permanently mounted. If
that's not practical for the Nighthawk, can anybody recommend some good
throw-overs?

Thanks in advance for the input.

--
Lew

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

Lew wrote:

> .. I bought a 1995 Honda Nighthawk 750.

Good choice for getting back into riding.

> My bike came with a dinky handlebar-mount windscreen. It doesn't do
> much except cause turbulence. Where is the best place to get a larger
> screen, preferably removable? I usually ride without one, but would
> like the option for longer rides and bad weather.

Whatever you decide upon, make sure it is a screen you look over, rather
than through.

--
-bts
-Motorcycles defy gravity; cars just suck

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

In article <Xns98FD7E3E9A4C5notmenotmindspringco@216.168.3.64>,
Lew <notme@notmindspring.invalid . com > wrote:

> Old story you've heard over and over. Serious rider 20 years ago,
> haven't ridden in 15, wants to get back into it. I researched all
> over, including here. I was all over the map. Cruiser? Sport
> Touring? Adventure Sport? Since I couldn't make up my mind, I went
> with what I know. I bought a 1995 Honda Nighthawk 750. After all, who
> needs payments? It has low miles, looks great, runs great, and fits me
> like an old shoe.

Good choice. My roommate had one and liked it.

> It's like I never stopped riding. Now I need some wise advice from the group.

If you had a buddy who told you the same thing but it was about flying
the used Cessna he just bought, would you go on a flight with him? No,
you'd want him to take some refresher courses and and update his FAA
ticket.

Go and take the MSF Basic Rider Course as a refresher. :-)

<snip stuff I don't have answers for>

--
Timberwoof <me at timberwoof dot com>
faq: * w w w .timberwoof . com /motorcycle/faq.shtml
It's easy to say a war is so important your neighbor should go fight it for you.

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

On 24 Mar 2007, Timberwoof wrote in
news:timberwoof.spam-6E0349.09501524032007@nnrp-virt.nntp.sonic . net

<snip>
> Go and take the MSF Basic Rider Course as a refresher. :-)
>
> <snip stuff I don't have answers for>
>

That might not be a bad idea. I actually do feel like I've never been
off the bike, but I'm sure my skills (and instincts) are rusty.

--
Lew

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:12:32 -0000, Lew
<notme@notmindspring.invalid . com > wrote:

>On 24 Mar 2007, Timberwoof wrote in
>news:timberwoof.spam-6E0349.09501524032007@nnrp-virt.nntp.sonic . net
>
><snip>
>> Go and take the MSF Basic Rider Course as a refresher. :-)
>>
>> <snip stuff I don't have answers for>
>>
>
>That might not be a bad idea. I actually do feel like I've never been
>off the bike, but I'm sure my skills (and instincts) are rusty.

From what I've gathered, the current understanding of riding
is far advanced from what is was back then. Even though some of what
the MSF teaches may not be all that relevant, or not even always
right, but IMO it can't hurt to listen and consider.

Also, buy Proficient Motorcycling and Proficient Motorcycling
for $ 32 total

* w w w .amazon . com /Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1889540536/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7103203-8309747?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174757280&sr=8-1

aka * tinyurl . com /366j9p

The quality of the binding isn't great ( watch for tearing out pages
), but it will make you think about things you 'just did' back then -
some right, some wrong, all worth thinking about.


--
Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
* w w w .theanimalrescuesite . com /

Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's
Free demo now available online * pmilligan . net /palm/

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?


<.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address . com > wrote in message
news:ii1b03pvgmd7n6s44dk76d5a58qjuhnbpq@4ax . com ...
>
> From what I've gathered, the current understanding of riding
> is far advanced from what is was back then.

Sheeesh, you really haven't been paying attention at all.

>Even though some of what
> the MSF teaches may not be all that relevant,

Spoken like someone who hasn't taken the MSF or even talked to someone that
has taken the course.


>or not even always
> right,

Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect portions
of the MSF course.

>but IMO it can't hurt to listen and consider.

With your preconceived notions it probably won't help someone like you at
all. Those with an open mind and postive attitude will benefit.
>
> Also, buy Proficient Motorcycling and Proficient Motorcycling
> for $ 32 total
>
> * w w w .amazon . com /Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1889540536/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7103203-8309747?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174757280&sr=8-1
>
> aka * tinyurl . com /366j9p
>

Yeah, reading a book is better than actually riding a bike and being coached
by a qualified instructor.

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect
> portions of the MSF course.
>

They don't teach you how to "lay 'er down"?
--
Stupendous Man,
Defender of Freedom, Advocate of Liberty

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 14:00:24 -0700, "Stupendous Man" <spam@trap . com >
wrote:

>> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect
>> portions of the MSF course.

Sounds like an echo from some asshole in my killfile. Not
worth looking it up to find out who it was - only assholes live in my
killfile.

Sounds like the kind of asshole who says 'The MSF is perfect,
it can't possibly ever ever be wrong on anything, everything it
teaches is perfect for every rider on every bike, all of which of both
are the same, there can be no variations, no exceptions, it's
perfect'.

What a fucking buffoon.


>>
>
>They don't teach you how to "lay 'er down"?

--
Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
* w w w .theanimalrescuesite . com /

Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's
Free demo now available online * pmilligan . net /palm/

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?


<.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address . com > wrote in message
news:a0gb03hng7hrqn4tq9mj8tth2iluful584@4ax . com ...
> On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 14:00:24 -0700, "Stupendous Man" <spam@trap . com >
> wrote:
>
>>> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect
>>> portions of the MSF course.
>
> Sounds like an echo from some asshole in my killfile. Not
> worth looking it up to find out who it was - only assholes live in my
> killfile.
>
> Sounds like the kind of asshole who says 'The MSF is perfect,
> it can't possibly ever ever be wrong on anything, everything it
> teaches is perfect for every rider on every bike, all of which of both
> are the same, there can be no variations, no exceptions, it's
> perfect'.
>
> What a fucking buffoon.
>
>
>>>
>>
>>They don't teach you how to "lay 'er down"?
>
> --
> Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
> * w w w .theanimalrescuesite . com /
>
> Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
> 'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
> 'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
> HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's
> Free demo now available online * pmilligan . net /palm/

And here we have .p attributing a post to Stupendous Man that I wrote....
He can't even cut and paste correctly.

OK .p you fuckin' genious tell us what exactly is wrong with the MSF
curriculumn (sp?).

And who is in your kill file, me or Stupendous?

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?


"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast . net > wrote in message
news:2I-dnWd9-sBjIZjbnZ2dnUVZ_oytnZ2d@comcast . com ...
>
> <.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address . com > wrote in message
> news:a0gb03hng7hrqn4tq9mj8tth2iluful584@4ax . com ...
>> On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 14:00:24 -0700, "Stupendous Man" <spam@trap . com >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect
>>>> portions of the MSF course.
>>
>> Sounds like an echo from some asshole in my killfile. Not
>> worth looking it up to find out who it was - only assholes live in my
>> killfile.
>>
>> Sounds like the kind of asshole who says 'The MSF is perfect,
>> it can't possibly ever ever be wrong on anything, everything it
>> teaches is perfect for every rider on every bike, all of which of both
>> are the same, there can be no variations, no exceptions, it's
>> perfect'.
>>
>> What a fucking buffoon.
>>
>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>They don't teach you how to "lay 'er down"?
>>
>> --
>> Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
>> * w w w .theanimalrescuesite . com /
>>
>> Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
>> 'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
>> 'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
>> HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's
>> Free demo now available online * pmilligan . net /palm/
>
> And here we have .p attributing a post to Stupendous Man that I wrote....
> He can't even cut and paste correctly.
>
> OK .p you fuckin' genious tell us what exactly is wrong with the MSF
> curriculumn (sp?).
>
> And who is in your kill file, me or Stupendous?

I say it's me after I plonked him. Prace your bets now:)


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast . net > writes:

> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect portions
> of the MSF course.

Not to dispute anything you said, but...

When I was taking the BRC, the classroom instructor asked if anyone
believed that applying the breaks too hard could throw you over the
handlebar. I was one of a few people who raised my hand. We were
then told this is absolutely not possible.

It could be that I misunderstood the question. Certainly the
Nighthawk 250 that I used to take the riding test could not do that.
Not with its front drum break. In fact, that the brake shute was the
only place I lost points because it took me a Little longer to stop
than it should have. At least I got it down to first and put my left
foot down.

What I thought the instructor was saying was impossible was something
like this:

* w w w .youtube . com /watch?v=IgF7zHvYXMw

--
This post uses 100% post consumer electrons and 100% virgin photons.

At 2.6 miles per minute, you don't really have time to get bored.
--- Pete Roehling on rec.motorcycles

I bump into a lot of veteran riders in my travels.
--- David Hough: Proficient Motorcycling

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

On 25 Mar 2007 04:14:13 -0400, David Steuber <david@david-steuber . com >
wrote:

>"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast . net > writes:
>
>> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect portions
>> of the MSF course.
>
>Not to dispute anything you said, but...
>
>When I was taking the BRC, the classroom instructor asked if anyone
>believed that applying the breaks too hard could throw you over the
>handlebar. I was one of a few people who raised my hand. We were
>then told this is absolutely not possible.
>
>It could be that I misunderstood the question. Certainly the
>Nighthawk 250 that I used to take the riding test could not do that.
>Not with its front drum break. In fact, that the brake shute was the
>only place I lost points because it took me a Little longer to stop
>than it should have. At least I got it down to first and put my left
>foot down.
>
>What I thought the instructor was saying was impossible was something
>like this:
>
> * w w w .youtube . com /watch?v=IgF7zHvYXMw

As bikes get lighter, brakes get more powerful and the riding position
is thrown more on top of the tank and the weight is transferred over
the front forks, that becomes more and more a possibility.
Manyinstructors may not be familiar with really good sportbikes.
I daresay that Tim's Ducatis could pull a stoppy endo.

More likely is the locking up and sliding out of the front wheel ob
anything with an upright riding position.

Either way, squeezing the front brake for all you are worth is not the
best solution to your braking needs. No more than slamming on the
brakes in a car will stop you faster than braking to the limit, but
not past, of traction.
--
Bob Mann
85 K100RS (traded for...)
04 FXD Stage 1(traded for...)
04 FLHTCUI 95" Stage 3

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?

On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 07:25:02 -0600, Bob Mann <Bobo@nowhere . com > wrote:

>On 25 Mar 2007 04:14:13 -0400, David Steuber <david@david-steuber . com >
>wrote:
>
>>"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast . net > writes:
>>
>>> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect portions
>>> of the MSF course.
>>
>>Not to dispute anything you said, but...
>>
>>When I was taking the BRC, the classroom instructor asked if anyone
>>believed that applying the breaks too hard could throw you over the
>>handlebar. I was one of a few people who raised my hand. We were
>>then told this is absolutely not possible.

But.... but ...... The BRC said so ! It must be gosple !!!!
All those vids of people pushing a stoppie too far must be hollywood
camera tricks !!!! :-)

Or maybe I'm right, as usual ;-)


--
Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
* w w w .theanimalrescuesite . com /

Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's
Free demo now available online * pmilligan . net /palm/

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?


<.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address . com > wrote in message
news:763d03tsnq049pfb1bodfgtj9i751buma7@4ax . com ...
> On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 07:25:02 -0600, Bob Mann <Bobo@nowhere . com > wrote:
>
>>On 25 Mar 2007 04:14:13 -0400, David Steuber <david@david-steuber . com >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast . net > writes:
>>>
>>>> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect
>>>> portions
>>>> of the MSF course.
>>>
>>>Not to dispute anything you said, but...
>>>
>>>When I was taking the BRC, the classroom instructor asked if anyone
>>>believed that applying the breaks too hard could throw you over the
>>>handlebar. I was one of a few people who raised my hand. We were
>>>then told this is absolutely not possible.
>
> But.... but ...... The BRC said so ! It must be gosple !!!!
> All those vids of people pushing a stoppie too far must be hollywood
> camera tricks !!!! :-)
>
> Or maybe I'm right, as usual ;-)
>
>

Sorry David wasn't paying attention or his instructor was not following the
course outline or did a poor job of explaining front wheel braking.

I will quote from the BRC manual which I happen to have in front of me:

"The best way to achieve maximum braking in to apply both brakes fully
without lock either wheel"

and

" It is important to emphasize the need to smoothly and progressively
squeeze the front brake lever....."

Nowhere does the manual state that bikes can't do stoppies.

So I suggest everyone learn how use that front brake. It has the stopping
power. Except forvyou .p. The front brake is very dnagerous, never use it,
you will fly over the handle bars.

Of course that assumes you actually ever ride a motorcycle.

Re: OK, I bought it. Now What?


"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast . net > wrote in message
news:dtKdnRCvjM1hEJvbnZ2dnUVZ_riknZ2d@comcast . com ...
>
> <.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address . com > wrote in message
> news:763d03tsnq049pfb1bodfgtj9i751buma7@4ax . com ...
>> On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 07:25:02 -0600, Bob Mann <Bobo@nowhere . com > wrote:
>>
>>>On 25 Mar 2007 04:14:13 -0400, David Steuber <david@david-steuber . com >
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast . net > writes:
>>>>
>>>>> Again, you are clueless. Please do enlighten us with the incorrect
>>>>> portions
>>>>> of the MSF course.
>>>>
>>>>Not to dispute anything you said, but...
>>>>
>>>>When I was taking the BRC, the classroom instructor asked if anyone
>>>>believed that applying the breaks too hard could throw you over the
>>>>handlebar. I was one of a few people who raised my hand. We were
>>>>then told this is absolutely not possible.
>>
>> But.... but ...... The BRC said so ! It must be gosple !!!!
>> All those vids of people pushing a stoppie too far must be hollywood
>> camera tricks !!!! :-)
>>
>> Or maybe I'm right, as usual ;-)
>>
>>
>
> Sorry David wasn't paying attention or his instructor was not following
> the course outline or did a poor job of explaining front wheel braking.
>
> I will quote from the BRC manual which I happen to have in front of me:
>
> "The best way to achieve maximum braking in to apply both brakes fully
> without lock either wheel"
>
> and
>
> " It is important to emphasize the need to smoothly and progressively
> squeeze the front brake lever....."
>
> Nowhere does the manual state that bikes can't do stoppies.
>
> So I suggest everyone learn how use that front brake. It has the stopping
> power. Except forvyou .p. The front brake is very dnagerous, never use
> it, you will fly over the handle bars.
>
> Of course that assumes you actually ever ride a motorcycle.

Now that's stretching things Bryan.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19