bryan217

I'm not too concerned about 6lbs, but I like the low maintance of it. And yes, I do occassionally ride in <30* F weather. It was about 32 when I left for work this morning.

I've had the battery (new) since I got the bike (new) in 09. Lately it's been giving me a hard time starting sometimes, mostly after being off for a short time. It started fine this morning. Went to do a quick errand at lunch, and it wouldn't start when I came out of the store. I had to push start it. I got back to work, shut it off, and it restarted, though reluctantly. It's given me a hard time starting like this before. It resets the clock and trip meters, etc. I didn't leave it on the tender all winter, just from time to time. So does sound like it's just the battery (hopefully)? I'm likely going to get a Shorai, as I've followed them for quite a while now and am pretty impressed with them, and have heard good reviews.

I was just thinking that battery on my 07 probably won't last much longer. When it's time, I plan on replacing in with a Shorai as well. I saw them at the NYC show a few years ago and have followed them since.

Who needs a bag when you have side cases?

I wish they would add this feature to their previous models (like my 550) via a software update. I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. At the time I bought my 550, I was able to easily justify the price, about $550. I love it to death, and would have a hard time doing without it, even though I don't use it all the time. That being said I would have a hard time justifying the outlay now, even to myself. If there was an easy way to import your own routes into the apps on the iPhone, I'd probably put the 550 up for sale. Everything else the 550 can do, the iPhone can, except for the water and shock resistant, but there are cases available to handle that even.

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed the rear top vent on my almost 4 year old Arai Vector was jammed. I registered it with Arai online, and the next day they sent me a new piece at no charge. I still haven't had the chance to replace it on the helmet, but that's beside the point. I've always heard good stuff about Arai customer service and now I've experienced it first hand. I'm due for a new helmet next year and am still looking at Arai. Yeah, they're pricey, but I've tried on numerous brands and styles of helmets and nothing feels as good on my head as an Arai. Between the fit and the quality of liner, I haven't yet found anything else I like. Well except for Schuberth. The best liner I've ever seen by far, but they don't fit my head right.

Thanks guys. No, Dale, I don't have a test light. Now that I have a real garage, it might be worth picking one up.

I've got a Ram mount in the steering stem for my Zumo. I use a short arm to keep it low to the tank so it doesn't obstruct the gauges. I don't need to see it (though I can with a quick glance down) as I have it synced with my Cardo headset to hear the directions. I can't find a picture of mine right now, but here's the Ram link with pics. http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045051052050085/Default.aspx

I searched first, but all I found was a thread on finding a hot wire to hook up an accessory. I'm looking to add an LED taillight that will function as an additional brake light, signal lights, and even running lights (haven't completely decided on the running light part yet). I checked the service manual, but it was no help, to me at least. I've got the Posi-Taps, and now I just need to know which wires are which, for the brake light and signal lights especially. Any help would be appreciated, pictures would be even better.

^^ what he said. I used to have an Icon helmet a few years ago, not a bad helmet. I had an Icon jacket that I really liked but sold to a riding buddy when I switched from all black to hi-viz. I actually went to my local dealer at lunch and was trying on a bunch of helmets, just for fun. The Icon Airframe and Alliance were pretty nice, until I tried the Arai on afterwards. I have an Arai currently, and after wearing it for a couple of years and trying on the new one, most of the other liners don't compare to the softness and comfort of Arai.

I put PR3's on mine late last year. I've put about a thousand miles or so on them, and love them! I would definitely buy them again.

I'm still considering heated grips. I'd prefer a pair of heated gloves, seeing as I already have the jacket, but they'd have to be "Yev priced". (Inside joke from our local forum.)

I orderd my 6th Gen bags from them a few years ago. Best price I found anywhere. Nice to hear they have great pricing on the 7th Gens, too.

I started wearing hi-viz after my wife was following one time on my old R6, wearing all black, and said she couldn't see me. (The little aftermarket signal lights didn't help either.) Plus I saw an ad in a magazine one time with a picture of a motorcyclist wearing hi-viz in traffic. He was much easier to spot. I don't know for sure if it makes a difference or not, but I feel like I'm more visible. Plus this time of year with it getting dark earlier, I really like the reflective strips on the jacket.

I don't remember seeing this thread when you first started it, but thanks for bringing it back from the dead. Now I have an excuse to post this pic. I've been seeing this GS850 around work lately. I work at a college and my guess is it's some student's dad's that was sitting in the garage for a while. It's only got about 6k miles on it.

I started out with Icons. Very nice graphics, not bad helmets, but a little heavy. Now I've got the Arai Vector (old model). I love it. The liner is one of the most comfortable I've found, next to Schuberth. But I don't think I have the right head shape for Schuberth. It was mentioned before, but determine the shape of your head first. That's about the most important thing for a helmet to fit properly and be comfortable. I agree that Arai has the broadest range of shapes. Most other manufacturers have only 1, maybe 2 shapes. I've had problems with my visor, so I don't replace it much. I've got a clear shield with a tint strip along the top for riding into the sun in the morning. Works fine. And my glasses fit comfortably. My biggest gripe about the Vector (which has since been corrected with the new model) is the non-removable liner. It would make cleaning a lot easier. I had a Suomy Spec1-R. Super light helmet, but noisy. Though that could have been due to the fact it wasn't the right shape for my head. The graphics on Suomys are also top notch. I tried on the Bilt ones at CG, just to check them out. Pretty much what you'd expect from a $100 (or less) helmet. Felt like I was wearing a bucket.

This is not the typical, 'how do I remove the stupid Honda clips on the fairing'. I actually had no problem at all removing them, didn't break or lose any. But now that I'm putting it back together, I can't figure out how to put the clips back in and have them lock. BTW, what a pain to change the headlight bulbs on the 6th gen. I had one of the low beams go out, and knowing it was so much work, I decided to replace the other low beam while I was there. The fairings weren't that bad. Too be honest, the hardest thing was removing the plug from the back of the bulbs. But I got it done, got everything back in place, but can't seem to get the clips to catch. Somebody please tell me what I'm missing.

Corbin seat w/backrest (didn't like, sold it, now back to stock) Honda OEM side cases (well worth the $$) Zumo 550 Grip Puppies Fazzo adjustable levers Pilot Road 3's (I agree with Mark, they're fantastic!) I've been thinking about a taller screen, but really haven't felt the need for it. I love the bike the way it is. The only thing I'd consider is a Sargent seat, if I ever get some extra money.

I have a Zumo 550 I bought a couple of years ago. I was hoping Garmin would really step it up on the next Zumo. But I guess not. Yeah, it's got lifetime map updates (worth about $60-70) and it's about time they got lane assist, but dropping mp3's, using the same ld design maps and putting all together in an ugly package, and pricing it ridiculously high, it looks like a total pass. If you look at any of the better GPS apps for smartphones, you'll see how good an inexpensive GPS can be. If my iPhone were waterproof and worked with gloves, I'd use it instead of my 550. Oh and if it took custom routes. I love my 550, but have yet to see a reason to upgrade to any of the newer Garmins.

It's been two years since I did this, but if the bracket looks the same and everything lines up nice and tight, I'd say your good.

I like the looks of the RWB. If I were to get mine painted, that's what I'd go with. Off topic, Red Runner, I rememeber that Evel. My brother had one when we were growing up. Too bad he doesn't have it anymore.

I had the Corbin with the backrest for a season, then sold it. It was the carbon finish, which we found slippery for my textile pants and her denim. Leather may be different. That's why we sold it. My wife loved the backrest, especially being new to riding. But it limited where she and I could sit on the bike, and like I said, was quite slippery. So I sold it and went back to stock. It's more grippy than the Corbin and lets us move around a little more to find the right place to sit. With the side cases, she feels plenty secure even without the backrest. I'd like to try a Sargent one of these days, just to compare. But we're both happy with the stock, even for a full day of riding.

The new Alpinestars textile look nice. I like the hi-viz mesh one. I don't need another jacket, though. Nor can I afford one. But if I was in the market, I'd look real close at the AStar.