Half a Car: The Motorbike Thread

[Melon]

Only 2x, I'm 145. But yeah, one is like me riding 2-up.

I could see wanting more power to carry a passenger, but how often are you really going to do that especially as a new rider? I never even tried it on mine, partly because I wasn't interested and partly because the wife hates the idea of bikes anyway...

I've ridden 2-up with the lady, she loves riding.

Obligatory

[NeonJonny]

What helmet is everyone using? I loved my shoei rf1000 but it's too old. I need a new helmet asap. I only have the dirt bike and don't cruise faster than 73mph. Not a fan of the look of dual sport and dirt bike helmets. They catch the wind and draw more attention from police. Should I just get a newer shoei?

[4zilch]

What helmet is everyone using? I loved my shoei rf1000 but it's too old. I need a new helmet asap. I only have the dirt bike and don't cruise faster than 73mph. Not a fan of the look of dual sport and dirt bike helmets. They catch the wind and draw more attention from police. Should I just get a newer shoei?

I wear a Shoei X-14, but probably isn't what you're looking for. RF-1200 is universally liked. You might look at their new entry level RF-SR as well.

Other options are Bell - There's lots of nice helmets on clearance here: https://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/bell-closeouts/ Sno wears an RS-1 and loves it.

Bell is probably my 2nd option vs. Shoei, but Shoei's fit me better. YMMV.

[stripethree]

Ooops.

[4zilch]

https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news ... al-964550/

Interested. A city I liked visiting and would visit again. Interested in Indy, but maybe more of the road course than the 500 (sacrilege I know). Less interested in ovals, which is why I don't strongly consider Texas Motor Speedway either.

Not that I will go, but that is also likely Solo Nats weekend in 2018.

why this is in halfcar

[SixSpeeder]

I rode two up with my lady on the Grom, made it 2 blocks before she d out

[4zilch]

I rode two up with my lady on the Grom, made it 2 blocks before she d out

Was it her first time on a bike?

[Apex]

I rode two up with my lady on the Grom, made it 2 blocks before she d out

Does "she" refer to your lady or the Grom?

[SixSpeeder]

I rode two up with my lady on the Grom, made it 2 blocks before she d out

Was it her first time on a bike?

Yes

[SixSpeeder]

I rode two up with my lady on the Grom, made it 2 blocks before she d out

Does "she" refer to your lady or the Grom?

Yes

[wap]

I rode two up with my lady on the Grom, made it 2 blocks before she d out

Does "she" refer to your lady or the Grom?

[4zilch]

Was it her first time on a bike?

Yes

Perhaps she'd be interested in a Grom of her own....


https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy ... 65043.html

[stripethree]

why this is in halfcar

Because I'm dumb and apparently quick replied the wrong thread.

[4zilch]

why this is in halfcar

Because I'm dumb.

FIFY

[stripethree]

[SixSpeeder]

Yes

Perhaps she'd be interested in a Grom of her own....


https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy ... 65043.html

[goIftdibrad]

Kart track report: Had fun, dumped the grom on lap two on a moist patch. More embarrassing than anything.

What kind of tire pressures should i run at the track? Right now I am OEM, 28 psi i think.

[4zilch]

Kart track report: Had fun, dumped the grom on lap two on a moist patch. More embarrassing than anything.

What kind of tire pressures should i run at the track? Right now I am OEM, 28 psi i think.

I'd go several PSI lower than OE. I'd start cold pressures 23-24 rear - 26psi on the front and see how it feels. Retake pressures as soon as you get off track and log it.

You may want to go lower on the rear and see how it feels. Once you find a happy place with the tire, note the hot pressures - that'll will be your target pressure when you come off the track and you'll need to vary your cold pressures depending on ambient/track temp.

Probably wouldn't go much lower than 26 on the front and you won't build nearly as much pressure. If the front end feels mushy or wants to tuck, raise the pressure back up.

If you're starting to see tearing (not sure a Grom can build that much heat in the tires), post up some pics and we can review. Given my tire woes this year, I'm getting fairly confident in my tire reading abilities (most ricky racers don't know wtf they're talking about).

Finding the "right" pressure can be tricky and varies by tire manufacturer, motorcycle, and riding style.

[goIftdibrad]

Kart track report: Had fun, dumped the grom on lap two on a moist patch. More embarrassing than anything.

What kind of tire pressures should i run at the track? Right now I am OEM, 28 psi i think.

I'd go several PSI lower than OE. I'd start cold pressures 23-24 rear - 26psi on the front and see how it feels. Retake pressures as soon as you get off track and log it.

You may want to go lower on the rear and see how it feels. Once you find a happy place with the tire, note the hot pressures - that'll will be your target pressure when you come off the track and you'll need to vary your cold pressures depending on ambient/track temp.

Probably wouldn't go much lower than 26 on the front and you won't build nearly as much pressure. If the front end feels mushy or wants to tuck, raise the pressure back up.

If you're starting to see tearing (not sure a Grom can build that much heat in the tires), post up some pics and we can review. Given my tire woes this year, I'm getting fairly confident in my tire reading abilities (most ricky racers don't know wtf they're talking about).

Finding the "right" pressure can be tricky and varies by tire manufacturer, motorcycle, and riding style.

I'll see if i can get a pic tonight. I did see some graining both this day and the previous, hence my question. thanks!

[4zilch]

Thinking out loud for Grom replacement/Sumo acquisition.

Initially planned on Honda XR650R and converting it to motard status, however, I have found a racy KTM 560 SRM for what I'd likely have into an XR build. Laying pro's and cons:

XR650R
Pros:
Loads of aftermarket and knowledge
Dat Honda reliability
Will have dirt tires too
Winter project gives me something to do
Probably a bit better on the street

Cons:
Total costs slightly higher
Doesn't have the KTM bling factor
Heavier than KTM
Slightly slower on the track

KTM 560 SMR
Pros:
KTM bling w/ top shelf components out of the box
Likely slightly cheaper
Probably better around the track

Cons:
Limited aftermarket
Dat KTM reliability
Not a project
No dirt tires
Small (tiny) stock gas tank
Not as street friendly

I like the idea of doing a project and building the bike the way I want it built, but obviously that comes at a cost (both time and money). These bikes are super reliable. Maintenance is pretty much a wash. These were both intended to be race bikes. The KTM has the bling, is cheaper, will perform very well out of the box, and I can get a bigger tank for it. The reliability of it is a bit of an unknown and could cause selling.

[goIftdibrad]

Thinking out loud for Grom replacement/Sumo acquisition.

Initially planned on Honda XR650R and converting it to motard status, however, I have found a racy KTM 560 SRM for what I'd likely have into an XR build. Laying pro's and cons:

XR650R
Pros:
Loads of aftermarket and knowledge
Dat Honda reliability
Will have dirt tires too
Winter project gives me something to do
Probably a bit better on the street

Cons:
Total costs slightly higher
Doesn't have the KTM bling factor
Heavier than KTM
Slightly slower on the track

KTM 560 SMR
Pros:
KTM bling w/ top shelf components out of the box
Likely slightly cheaper
Probably better around the track

Cons:
Limited aftermarket
Dat KTM reliability
Not a project
No dirt tires
Small (tiny) stock gas tank
Not as street friendly

I like the idea of doing a project and building the bike the way I want it built, but obviously that comes at a cost (both time and money). These bikes are super reliable. Maintenance is pretty much a wash. These were both intended to be race bikes. The KTM has the bling, is cheaper, will perform very well out of the box, and I can get a bigger tank for it. The reliability of it is a bit of an unknown and could cause selling.

Id go for the honda simply because its 2 bikes in one.

[Melon]

I vote Honda.

[stripethree]

Is this with or without keeping the current KTM? If "with" do you give any fucks about having variety in the stable?

[Melon]

Also, Hondas have more bling factor.

[Apex]

I vote KTM.


#becauseorange