GP Paul

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Suzuki GS750 Loved it until service guys messed up carbs. Traded it for a Honda XL185!! Loved that too.

Thanks very much for input and responses, gang. I knew I could count on the Vifferati to give sane info. It all confirms what I thought I knew about braking. I'm not losin' my mind! Situation in this town is that the Honda dealer WILL NOT schedule service; they expect you to drop off bike and they will get to it in order. Last time I asked, it would have been two weeks or more of the bike sitting in the wind, sun, rain, whatever just to get an oil change! (It was actually 32k service.) So I've started taking the bike to the only place I've found so far that does schedule. They do what they say. So I want to stay on their good side.. Again, thanks for responses!

I'm no newbie, mate. 30 years riding (so far); no course in my future. The thing is, what's the latest INSTRUCTIONAL advice these days. I know what I like, but what she said seems counterintuitive. I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt on what the latest professional advice is. I've heard car instructors are advising some crazy chit these days too.

She said sumptin' about stopping too fast(???) and lack of control. I disagree, just wondering if there's any instructors out there with edjumicated opinions.

Howdy, all! Quite a while since I've checked in. I took my CBR for fork seal replacement today. In conversation, tech said that she teaches motorcycle safety and they recommend using rear brake almost exclusively. Anybody heard of this advice? I use FRONT almost exclusively - am I wrong? (Shop services hogs mostly...) Probably discussed before, but I searched. Honest.

Old enough to know better... Young enough to do it again!

From the guy trying to sell me a $12 car stereo out of a shopping bag ("a really good one!"): "Do you drive a Harley? (No) Well, shut up then!" From everybody: "You don't look like a crotch-rocket rider." From a respected Safety Professional after I told him that a lot of bike collisions are caused by cagers: "Doesn't matter if you're dead right, you're still dead."

Go Iridium. And yes you can gap them, just be careful.

Got 'er back today. Mechanic did a whole checklist of routine things, gave me a copy. Also did a few extra tweeks including adjusting clutch and brakes, which I didn't think needed it, but do actually feel better. And, scrubbed the chain. +1 on service. But wait - when he pulled the bike out front, 2 bodywork bolts were missing. -1 for service. He did find them right away and installed. Overall decent job. Last plus: dropped me off and picked me up, no charge, 10 km across town. Price: about as expected. Oil change: Lucas 10/40 full synthetic, swears it will not cause clutch to slip. (Oils with moly will foul clutch in CBRs.) Overall: BYE, dealer. Your new ownership sucks. And Honda, still no reply? Is it because I didn't include the bike's VIN? Lame.

Dropped off bike this afternoon. VERY harley-centric shop. But that's northern Alberta for ya. The mechanic has 15 years' experience, and seemed to know what he's talking about, except for the "I did 300 km/h" story... We'll see. Report back Friday; I got called out of town until Thursday night. And hey, it's my birthday, so the gods have to smile on me, right?

Booked in to independent. They took the time to go through the owner's manual and service manual I provided and called me back to double-check a couple of items - "Was the brake fluid changed last service?", etc. Sounds like they actually WANT business. Nice! P.S. No reply from Honda Canada. Oh, and that "Little Wrenchday on the Prairie" is a nice idea, but I'm a nasty, old, curmudgeonly SOB with no friends. Just kidding. Actually, I just like to ride and not do service/repairs. (My mods I did myself.) I don't mind spending a few bucks or supporting/trying a local entrepreneur. Could be the start of a wonderful relationship!

No reply from Honda. I'll try the independent.

I don't really expect anything, but I sent a polite inquiry to Honda Canada. I bet I'll get the standard "Well, we don't dictate how independent dealers conduct their business..." No reply as yet from 10 hours ago. I'll look into a local independent shop. Leery though; they do everything for every make...

I occasionally use a big truck as a temporary "blocker" in high deer areas or to chaperone through an intersection or such because cagers often don't see bikes...