Start your week with a bang!

Hi Friends....

Rear ended someone at about 5mph, yesterday.  Wasn't focused enough and by the time I noticed the guy quick stopping in front of me, I ran out of room and used his bumper as a stop.  I got flung off my seat and up the tank, but was still holding the grips, so I came back down while the bike crashed down on the left side.  There wasn't too much damage, but I watched in horror as the lifeblood of my baby (aka oil) streamed down the street.  Busted a cover (um..generator perhaps), have a small crack in the fender, and a bent clutch lever.  The rest is minor, some scratches and whatnot.

She got towed.  To bike Heaven.  Just kidding.  She's getting repaired, just waiting for the insurance adjuster to take a look and cut me a check.  Hopefully I'll have her back within a week or two!

As for me..I think I compressed my back.  It was already bad to begin with and now it's agitated again.  But other than that, I'm great!  I'm probably done riding for the year unless there's a really warm day in the future.

Maybe I can use the weekends to finally edit some video...hopefully!

- Crash Pandacoot

Brrr!!

Hey Friends,

Shortest post yet!  Going out for a colder weather group ride, the high is about 50F here, and out for 3 hours or so.  Glad I have all my RS Taichi gear to keep me warm.  The mornings are hovering around 30-35F so my commute will be getting much more chilly!
Who else is still riding!?

- Pandabear

Non-stop Action! I love BT-016 Pro's! MOAR GEAR! Some close calls...

Hey friends,

I have been sooo busy these days I barely have the time to breathe! My new job is amazing, and I get to ride 2 hours a day! A lot has been going on, but I am still riding like a crazy man.  My bike rolled over 10,000 miles a little while ago, and I think it's almost up to 11,000 now.  I got this bike at the end of February and it's still running as strong as ever.  Lube chain, change oil and filter, rinse, repeat...so far no issues. We've been through 3 drops (my poor baby) and a hit and run. I recently sanded and painted my bar ends so they look better.  You can see in the picture, I'm clearly a helpless noob, but I managed to fair well enough.

A little orange peel...meh.

Painting Fail. Patience, I has none!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I am very happy with my tires!  The stock BT-016's lasted roughly 5,000 miles rear, 5,500 front.  Bridgestone claims that the Pro version has 20% more grip, and lasts 20% longer.  I can't really comment on the grip, as I think I've had more slides than on stocks (although now that I recall, most of the time it's been due to gravel and dead critters - long parenthesis story..I hit some type of dead beaver once and had this HUGE blood splatter on my lower fairing.  I never got around to washing it so it was on there for weeks lol), however, I can attest to the longevity.  6,000 rear, 5,500 front, and depending on how courageous I am, can probably go another 1,000 miles for each.  Not bad for about 230 a set from RevZilla!

My SENA headset has proved to me that it is really worth every penny.  I still have to create a video for installing it, maybe finally this weekend (I have time, yay!).  My friends and I use it on all our rides...no more hand signals or guessing games.  We do have a bunch of "choreographed" moves and switches though which probably impresses cagers around us hahaha...no really, it does! I'd bet you 25 cents!  Anyways, for my commute, I listen to some music and it makes it a lot more enjoyable when I get stuck in traffic.

Yesterday I got a new leather jacket, the one I've been eyeing for many months.  If you are a regular reader of mine, you can probably guess what brand it is...I got the RS Taichi GMX Motion jacket in black and white.  I'll review it tomorrow after more "field testing."  Maybe I should just call this "road testing" since I really don't want to ride around in a field on a sportbike.

Finally, after moving back home, I've found that people drive like animals - much worse than in Mechanicsburg.  I see people run red lights regularly (while people are clearly already turning...), I've been nearly merged into on several occasions, I am tailgated on a daily basis, and I've had a few people pull out in front of me or cut me off.

Take today for example! Rode back from work, and 100 feet from my house, I come to a stop sign with my left turn signal on.  I saw a car coming from the other side of the four way stop, but I had the right of way as I got there well ahead.  As I start turning to get onto my street I noticed that the girl driving didn't even stop at the sign, and went straight through.  Would have plowed into me if I didn't stop.  Unbelievable!  :End Rant:

Life has ups and downs, but for me right now, it is mostly ups!  Regardless of random little first world problems, things are going well. I'm glad I had a little bit of time to write tonight.  I think I actually get more joy from writing these posts than slogging away at creating videos.  They are time intensive! Anyways, long story short, great friends, great riding, great times.

Kawasaki Sandwich - Start with ZX6R and Ninja 300, and fill with CBR600RR!

Ride safe!

- Pandabear

Ocean City, MD!

Hey Friends,

Just got home a little while ago from a weekend trip to Ocean City,  MD!  Really tired and a bit achy so I'm going to skip a huge write up.

It was bikefest, so my friends and I got to see tens of thousands of bikes!  Mostly choppers and cruisers, but a good deal of sport bikes too.  A lot of hayabusas and crazy stretched sportbikes, not really my cup of tea, but cool regardless. The tables were turned for a short time in OCMD, as there were only a few cars in the sea of bikes.

Yesterday we spent some time on the beach.  It was pretty chilly, as summer winds down, but it was still nice to be able to get out on the sand and watch the waves break.

There were some demo rides, Victory and Yamaha, and I was about to test ride an FZ8 when I was told the dealer double scheduled it.  Ended up not riding along with friends, and just sat under a tent.

Before we left, we stopped at Assateague Island, a place famous for the wild ponies that run free along the beaches.  We saw quite a few roaming around, my favorite being a little brown pony chilling in the parking lot, like he parked himself with pride.  The beach on the Island was beautiful as well, much nicer than OCMD itself.

All in all, it was a fun trip, with some really nice views!  It is definitely worth checking out if you are on the east coast.

- Pandabear

Busy Again!

Hello friends,

It's been a while, but I'll make this short.  Got a new job, with a long drive/ride so I barely have time in the evenings to do much, hence, no videos yet. So I'm very happy, and I have more money to do things and more money for the bike, yay!  Sadly, right now I don't have health insurance (until September 1st) so not really much riding going on.

Sad news though,  a few hours before I moved back to my hometown, I had gone out around town to grab some lunch.  The place I parked was a small parking lot, and it was crowded so I parked off on some gravel.  While I was eating, someone apparently backed into my bike, knocked it over, and drove off (hit and run!).  My bike now suffers from a scarred and dented right side, and also has a cracked center cowling. WTF!

As far as the Catskills video and Skyline Drive video..that's put on pause until I have some real time to sit down and play around with the new editor.  I ditched Movie Maker in favor of Lightworks, however, this new editor has a pretty big learning curve comparatively.  So sadly, as much as I'd like to bring you these awesome videos, it will have to wait until I have more time!

Everything else is going well, and I'm safe and healthy.  But sadly my bike is parked in the garage (at least it has a home indoors now!), and I'm itching to ride.  Bah, humbug...

And I totally forgot, I was creating a "how to install" video for the SENA SMH-10R as well.  So three videos on pause..!

Ride safely everyone!

- Pandabear

Short Artsy-ish Preview

Hey Friends,

Here's a little preview of my weekend ride.  There's a lot more to edit, and sadly I missed the best capture ever (let's just say I wasn't the only bear around town) as my camera battery died.  Get ready for a sweet post!

- Pandabear

Lots to do!

Well friends,

Sadly I have to say that I've given up trying to create the Chicago video from my trip months ago.  I worked on it several times and the last time I nearly had it done.  But I realized that while it was an AMAZING trip, chalked full of memories and experiences, the ride footage wasn't that great (all highways..endless miles going straight), and it just didn't amount to a very interesting video. There was some interesting on-foot action, but I've decided that will be a personal video.

Never fear!  There will be much more to come.  Tomorrow I am doing a longer ride (but still short for me =P ) of about 200 miles up to the mountains of New York.  This time I will be going alone, and while I am a tiny bit nervous about this, I know that I am a competent enough rider to make the trip.  And the following weekend I am going with a few friends to Skyline Drive, in Virginia, to hit all the snaking roads through Shenandoah Valley!

My goals for this ride will be to obviously get there safely, but more so, to get some better, more interesting footage.  Hopefully instead of letting the bike and road tell the story, I will try to capture some of my emotions as well.

I will have to do another product review soon.  I recently purchased a Sena SMH10R bluetooth headset for my helmet, and I realize now, it's definitely something that is worth the money.  I won't go into it too much here, but it can take/make calls, play music from your phone or other bluetooth devices, allow you to listen to GPS directions, and best yet, pair with other Sena headsets so you can conference call with your buddies while riding!

I started recording video of how to install the system, so when I get back, hopefully I can get that started.  I'll do some additional testing this weekend - specifically how it sounds with ear plugs in at highway speeds.

Finally, the upcoming weeks will be pretty busy.  Not sure how involved I will be with video editing and blogging.  I will be moving again soon, so there's lots to do!

Wish me luck, and have a great weekend!

- Pandabear

Twisties after work!

Hey Friends,

The other day I went out for a nice ride after work on some local but unexplored roads.  Man were they fun!  Check out my video, first one with music!

Enjoy!

- Pandabear

What it's like being a short rider!

Hey everyone,

I was cruising around town just to get out of the apartment today, and to fill up gas.  I decided to make a video and do somewhat of a Vlog talking about what it's like to be a short rider.  Due to the horrible audio quality of the ContourROAM camera in the wind, I ended up doing a separate narration, and was pretty pleased at the end quality.  While you kind of miss the in-the-moment type talk, this is cool because it's almost like you can critique certain things which you may have missed during the ride.  Anyways, here you go, enjoy the video!

- Pandabear

New Front!

Holy moly friends,

I never realized how worn down my front was, in terms of handling, until my new tire was put on.  I nearly crashed in the dealer parking lot when the new sensation threw me off guard.

Instead of a quick drop into a turn, it now is back to the slow roll of new tires.  I felt very hesitant when making turns, even gripping a little too tightly, as if I was about to fall off or something.  But the bike did not falter and I came through okay.  Time to relearn how to ride my bike!

Oh, and I made a new riding friend!  He has a CBR600RR. Maybe later we will go for a ride! Awesome!

Enjoy the weekend,

Pandabear

BT-016 Pro in the Rain, Tire Replacement Costs, and My Dream Bike!

Well friends,

I have a LOT to write about today.  My evening was more action packed than an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, so let's get to the shtory, naaowwwwwww!!

Today on the way back from work, it went from drizzle to downpour (and flooding!) faster than my ZX6R can hit 60. As I left work, I laughed at mother nature, telling her that she could throw whatever at me - with exception of a lightning bolt...or tornado...or blizzard...or earthquake...or..well you get the idea - and my ride home would be ok.

Well, she heard my ridicule, took me up on the challenge, and unleashed her fury, Monsoon, Level 42.  I took it slow, limited by my shield fogging and the small problem of not being able to see well.  The bike and tires worked pretty well in the wet.  I have the worn down BT-016 on the front and the new and scrubbed in BT-016 Pro on the rear.  Cornering and steady riding were majestic, and while I didn't push it, everything felt natural, and confident.  I tackled puddles and rivers equally well, and even faced a tidal wave set in motion by a big truck, though I guess my helmeted face (vents open, ahhh so refreshing!) took the brunt of the wave, not my bike.  My coworkers most nearly think I am crazy, and I think I am too.

I did have one small incident when I was trying to slow down for a four-way stop.  I felt my tires squirming along the road surface, slithering side to side like a snake.  It did freak me out a bit, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle with my super panda bear powers. My best guess is that I was so focused on the road condition that I didn't anchor myself with my legs. Of course, the result is that I put weight on the bars which sent the force to the front tire.  And the front tire was like ROAR I HATE YOU PANDA!  Wet paint also doesn't help...

Managed to get home, mostly dry, but approximately 7.24% wet due to me completely ignoring the fact that my boot vents were open, as well as all the zipper vents on my jacket.  An extra shower never hurts anyone right?

I then got home, switched up my gear a little.  I set my soaked race gloves down and my Sidi boots aside, and took out my waterproof gloves and my new A* waterproof boots.  I forgot how narrow the boots were but they fit well overall.  The thing I noticed immediately was that they are much friendlier for normal riding.  The downside with brand new boots with untouched soles is that they are the equivalent of a slip 'n slide on the foot pegs. Not fun when you are straddling something, let me say..

I got to my destination, Velocity Cycles. My friend and I talked to some salespeople, who were very friendly.  I figured while I was there I'd ask about the cost to change my front tire.  I was shocked when I was told it would cost $55 just for labor, plus other fees and taxes!!!!!  Sorry, this Panda is not going to bend over like that.  I didn't mention to them that Motor-Vation (my dealership of choice) charged me $35 + tax to swap my REAR tire, and will probably charge even less for the front. I can't rave about Motor-Vation enough, they are the best in the area.

The real reason I went was to check out my dream bike..let me present:

BMW S1000RR, Best Rocketship in the World!!

I'll present a few impressions here.  

First, pictures don't do it justice, it is gorgeous in person, and has a lot of details that I love (for example..shift linkage is tucked THROUGH the frame, which will help protect it from damage).  Many people don't like the asymmetry but I love that cute winky face it has. I love white, but the black and grey versions are amazing too.

Second, it is extraordinarily light.  Granted, they kept them dry, but even still, dry weight is 400lbs which is close to my ZX6R (415lbs with the carbon fiber slip on).  This feels WAY lighter.  At 450 lbs wet, I bet it still is pretty light.

Third, it is SMALL.  It looks and feels smaller than my 600cc (and if you don't know, this S1000RR is a 1000cc).  The tank is narrower, and the reach to the bars is shorter.  Everything about it feels a lot more compact and good for a short guy like me.  The seating position isn't as aggressive either, and the suspension is VERY soft at stock settings.  It's a pretty modest feeling bike, though we all know it's a rip-your-arms-out-of-their-sockets type beast once it's running.

So to sum it up. ME WANT.  Sadly, my skills do not match the bike's caliber.  But good things come to those who work for it, and trust me, I will be racking on the miles, practicing, and honing my skills to work towards it! For now, I will just stand back and admire the engineering marvel.  BMW, well done, I bow to you.

Thanks for reading everyone, there was so much to say!  Have a great weekend!

- Pandabear

  

New Tire Feel

Hey Friends,

Just a short post here.  I was really loving the ride home on my new tire.  Having slowly but surely squared my previous rear tire off, I never noticed the difference between it new and used.  This has been the first time I have gotten a new tire on either bike (last bike didn't need a new tire before I got rid of it), and instantly I noticed the change.  The transitions from straight to leaned over is so smooth and willing.  It doesn't take any effort at all!  Such a nice feeling.

And even this cute little moth wanted to partake in the sport!

- Pandabear

Bridgestone BT-016 Pro

Hey Friends,

I have reverted back to the few days of excess caution, making turns like an extreme newbie! I just got a new rear tire put on.  I elected to stay with Bridgestone tires for now because they are rather cheap, and for my typical riding, they perform very well.  I had only one little slide in the 5,000 miles the rear tire lasted, and it was barely an issue.  I could have squeezed out maybe another 400-500 miles as I had enough tread yet and a hair over the wear bars, but I figured I should just play it safe seeing how much it has been raining lately.

I was going to say I got the OEM tire, however, I learned that while the OEM tire is the Bridgestone BT-016, what I actually ordered from Revzilla was the BT-016 PRO.  Apparently it's the newer version, with better grip and longer life (20% on average??).  So I guess I should be able to get 6,000 miles out of this rear tire hopefully!  More riding for less $$$!

I do have to break it in though, so the next 90 some miles will be cautious ones.  Once I get about 100 on there, it'll be back to having fun!

Oh and, I am finally making headway on the Chicago video.  Upon reviewing the raw footage I'm sad to say a good chunk is missing.  I'd forgotten that my battery died along the way, ugh!  I am about half way finished, so I will try to get it done early this week.  Stay tuned.

Enjoy your weekend everyone,

Pandabear

Belated Anniversary!

Hey Friends,

I thought I'd do a short post here.  A few weeks ago I rounded off my first year of riding!  I have successfully (a relative term I suppose lol!) clocked over 12,000 miles in that wonderful first year.  It has been a great mix of twisties, day to day travel, enormous superslab mileage, and regular 6-12 hour jaunts in the saddle.

I can safely say this is the best thing I have ever done in life.  Yes, perhaps riskiest (recall my crash on the 250!), but also the most rewarding.  I have made so many new friends, explored so many new places, and seen things which I would have otherwise missed. I have gotten my previous dream bike (still have my eye on you, Mr. S1000RR!).  I have ridden well over a thousand miles in a weekend. There is nothing like it!

On a more somber note, but equally important to keep my head grounded, I have dealt with the effects of losing fellow riders. Fellow Ninjette members.  And friends being injured.  It is a grave reminder of the perils of the sport.  A personal reminder that while I have fun, I must also be wary, and ATGATT (and using my brain 110% of the time) IS MANDATORY.

What the future holds, I am not sure.  I know I'd like to start riding track soon, so once my personal matters settle down a bit, you'll see a track video!  I'd also like to do a cross country trip with a good friend - yes, on a supersport!  All I know right now is that I can't give this up.  I can safely say it is 100% worth the risk.  This is living, at it's finest.

Your friend,

Pandabear

Got my SMX-5 WP boots back!

Hey friends,

Today I received my SMX-5 boots back!  Or at least, not the ones I sent out, but a brand new pair!  The guys at Alpinestars actually hosed my boots down to see where the leak was, and could not find any.  Very interesting to hear that. Either it was just a weird incident where my foot got wet, or they couldn't replicate the problem.

It is hard to believe that water would travel up my leg under my overpants (which were tightly fastened) and then down my (also tightly fastened) boots and then only wet the front of my foot and not my leg.  But regardless, the support at A* was top notch, and now I have my boots back, so I have two pairs of boots! My Sidi Vertigo's and my A* SMX-5's for cool or wet days.

Always nice to see a package at your door when you arrive home from work :)

This weekend I'm going to make some more headway on ride videos.  Maybe you guys will get a surprise for Sunday!

Ride safely,

Pandabear

TOE SLIDE!

Hey Friends,

As I just posted a review of my Sidi boots, I put one of their toe sliders into action!  Coming around my favorite bend on the way back from work, I went into the 90 degree bend a bit faster than usual, 45 instead of 35-40.  I hung off, knee out, balls of feet on pegs, and as I was leaned wayyy over I heard the plastic scraping on the ground.

When I straightened up, I was in shock, did I just scrape my toe!?  In the moment that made me induce a very small wobble, but managed to stay calm and keep the bike leaned over and on my line.  When I got back home, I checked my boot and sure enough, it was ground down a bit on the outside edge.  I don't know if that is epic, or a bad thing, but it was definitely a first.  All in all, I think I handled it well!

Any stories from you guys on scraping things...pegs, toe sliders, knees...elbows!!?

- Pandabear

Sidi Vertigo Boots Review

Hey Everyone,

I guess this is a bit overdue.  I bought a pair of Sidi Vertigo's about a month ago to temporarily replace my Alpinestars SMX-5 Waterproof boots while they were undergoing RMA (small leak, though Alpinestars could not find the leak after hosing my boots down!).  I've had a good amount of time and miles to test the boot out, roughly 1500 miles or so and have come to a few conclusions. Let me introduce the boot first.

Sidi Vertigo

First off, I got a size 42 Euro/8.5 US, similar to my A* boots.  I wear a shoe size of 8-8.5 depending on the shoe type.  While the A* boots are snug and secure, the Sidi boot fits more like my first pair of boots, the Spidi VR6 boots.  Even with the calf adjustment, I have to tuck in my pants or wear my suit to get a good fit.  Also there is a decent amount of space up front unlike the A*.  The 7.5US size may have been a better fit.

Now to protection.  This boot seems to offer a little more protection than the SMX-5 and VR6.  While it has the standard shin plate, heel guard, toe slider etc, it has a beefier protection around the upper rear part of the boot, including a huge calf plate.  Also, mostly all the pieces are replaceable, just unscrew the (ab)used piece and bolt on the new one.  Pretty good since this boot costs $300.  Hopefully it will last a while.  Also, the calf plate is adjustable, so if you somehow have hulk sized calves, you can expand the leg area! Needless to say mine are tightened all the way as I am a very scrawny guy.

Adjustable from Calf Size McHuge to Size Hulk 

Now that I've got 1500 miles, here are my conclusions.  First, you will possibly have to adjust your shifter.  I could not shift well, or even easily get my toe under the lever which made riding very difficult.  I finally raised my lever up so I had my room to get under it, as the heel plate does not allow much downward flex of the ankle.  This might be a good thing as it will protect your leg a bit better from over extension perhaps.
Second, the side vents don't really do much.  You may get a little airflow, but on my long ride yesterday in 90 degree temperatures, it was HOT.  I had to stop and unzip my boots to cool down a bit.  My original Spidi boots weren't as hot during the summer. Perhaps I should have gotten the Vertigo Air's instead of the regular Vertigo's.
Third, they aren't as easy to walk around in off the bike.  I kind of hobble around like a panda on two paws. This leaves me to believe they are a bit more geared towards the track, even though they are a street boot.  A street boot for limited duty track riding possibly!

Velcro Area is Small.  Sometimes Comes Undone!

As far as craftsmanship, these are solid for now.  Haven't noticed any faults.  They are even pretty waterproof!  I'm not sure if they would stand up to a heavy downpour but light rain is fine.

All in all I think these boots are great.  As far as the price?  I think they are a tad bit overpriced.  $250-275 seems about right, but I guess you are paying for the Sidi name.  That's just my opinion though...even so, these boots are great!  Glad I got them, I think they will handle the job well, but hopefully won't have to crash test them.

Ride safe, and always gear up!

- Pandabear

P.S. EWW bug splatters!!  Gotta clean them!

Rear tire slide?!

Hey Friends,

It's been a little while.  I've been recording a lot of video in the past few weeks but haven't had the push to edit and upload all of it.  Nothing new has happened lately, though I did get a chance to ride to Revzilla, in Philadelphia, with some friends!

On the way back to my apartment, I was leaned pretty far over while entering the highway...it was one of those uphill jug handle type on ramps, and my BT-016's slipped for the first time.  The tires were already hot, so it was either stuff on the road, too much throttle (which I'm not sure it was since I was barely rolling on), or maybe I just hit part of my chicken strip which never was touched before!  Anyways, it was an interesting feeling, more of a squirm than a full blown slip, but I made sure I stayed on the throttle and rode it out without a hiccup.

The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful.  Not much to post.  If I do recall, I need to review my new(er) Sidi boots, and I'll push to finish editing my Chicago trip (it's been more than a month!) this week.  Hopefully I can get it done soon.

Sorry I've been a bit MIA, but never fear, I am healthy and riding everyday!

Stay tuned,

Pandabear

Happy Birthday!

It's my birthday! Woo!! Party up!

Enjoy cinco de mayo!

- Pandabear

Be Safe!

Hey friends,

It must be that time of the year or something, so two warnings from me.  One, be careful riding, and two, protect your bike if you don't live in a low theft area!

The first is obvious, take it easy.  Watch out for crazy drivers.  I dropped my bike THREE times, and I'm upset, but I'm thankful it was just that and no accidents.  Always gear up, no matter what, it'll most likely reduce injuries if you do crash.  I've had two people I know crash within a few days of each other, one via the classic car left turn into the way, and the other washing out in gravel. Both resulted in trips to the hospital.  BE CAREFUL!

The second, in my local riding group, we have already had a rash of bike theft.  It is that time of the year or something, the thieves are in full swing.  I'm fortunate to live in the safest area in the country in terms of motorcycle theft rates, but I still worry sometimes!  Protect your bike, and if you like it, make sure you carry comprehensive insurance because if someone wants it badly enough, they WILL TAKE IT!

Have fun, but stay wary, and please don't push it on the street.  There is too much that can go wrong! I plan on doing my first track day this summer, and that is the place to test your bike!

Rubber side down!

- Pandabear

Dropped my bike twice...

Well folks,

Dropped my bike twice already.  Last week, I was pulling out of a parking lot, and stalled out and tipped over.  This morning on the way to work, I was about to pull out of my apartment complex when....yes, I stalled out and tipped over.  Same side, same impact point.  Nothing broke or bent, but my fairing is a bit scuffed up.  I don't really know what's going on.

I haven't changed anything, and have never stalled out before.  I'm not sure if it was the bike, or if I was just not paying attention at all, but I really need to evaluate what is going on.

I'll snap a picture of the damage tonight and post it up in this entry.  I'm pretty bummed, but more so, just upset at myself for being careless.  I guess things happen though, and happen to the best of us.  I'll try to buff most of the scratches out and just suck it up and continue to ride.

Sigh...

- Pandabear

Alpinestars Waterproof - Maybe Not

Hello Friends,

My Chicago trip was successful!  I won't go into too much here about it, as I am still editing my trip video, but I can say it was a very LONG ride.

I will say though, my friend and I started from Pennsylvania and when we left, there was a torrential downpour.  We rode the first three hours or so through rain.  Surprisingly I stayed bone dry!! My RS Taichi gear was absolutely phenomenal..jacket, pants, and gloves kept me perfectly dry.  The only weak point was my Alpinestars SMX 5 boots.

I bought the waterproof version, and though I rode through some light rain on prior occasions, the heavy rain finally showed a flaw in the boots.  While my right boot was completely dry, somehow there was a small leak in the front left boot which left me with a soggy foot for my 12 hour ride (ride + break times).  Fortunately, the boot doesn't allow for much airflow so my toes stayed warm, thank goodness.  So sadly, I had to send my A* boots out for warranty work.

In the mean time, I ordered a pair of Sidi Vertigo boots.  I haven't yet ridden in them, but I did try them on.  They seem to fit pretty well, more in line with my prior Spidi VR6 boots (the A* boots fit a tad better around the heel).  I will review them soon, once I go for a ride in them!  I purchased them from Revzilla.com yesterday, and to my great surprise, they were at my doorstep today when I returned from work.  I guess it helps that I live about two hours from their Philadelphia warehouse!!

I will work diligently to get my Chicago video created...it is a LOT of video to edit, so it may take quite a while, but I'll do my best.

Look forward to a review on my new boots as well!

- Pandabear

First Long Distance, Wish Me Luck!

Hey Friends,

I'm packing all my gear.  Camera, chargers, cell phone, you name it.  My friend and I are making a long trip to Chicago for the weekend.  Exactly 668 miles each way... so long I'll need to lube the chain on the way!  I'm not positive how I'll feel after a few hours, but we plan on taking many breaks.

Wish me luck!  Won't get much great footage since we are superslabbing it, but if I see something cool, I'll be sure to capture it!  Have a great weekend!

- Pandabear

2nd Video, New Mounting Location!

Hey Friends,

Tried a new mounting location on the bike.  I figured this would cut down on the shaking, and give a clearer image.  What I didn't think of was that the wind noise will be drastically reduced, and the engine noise (vroom vroom!) would be much more audible.  Two drawbacks (or maybe one, depending on how you see it) are you can now hear the brakes applying, and the real one, you can't toggle the camera on/off when riding, as it's out of reach.

A perk of the location is that it makes the ride look nearly as aggressive as what I see in person, as opposed to the "easy" riding shot on the helmet. Here's the video:

The video quality is now in 1080P.  I mounted the camera to the front fender after sampling multiple locations.  I placed the camera onto the mount, peeled the adhesive covering, lined up the camera, and pressed onto the fender.  Then I removed the camera and applied pressure around all the edges to get a good application.

Contour Low Profile Mount

I went up to my apartment, and fifteen minutes later, I decided to test it out (Contour recommends leaving it overnight before usage though).  Slid the camera onto the mount:

Mounted ContourROAM

 And this is how it looks from the front, pretty nifty, and pretty discreet!

Front view of ContourROAM

All in all, I like this view a lot better.  It's more aggressive, it's better for capturing natural audio, it picks up the Firey's sounds well enough, and it's more discreet.

The biggest downside is the inaccessibility to the on/off switch.  For long continuous rides, it'll either be on or off which will kill the battery.  For those rides, the camera will be better suited on the helmet mount.  But for short rides, or rides where there are many stops before or during the action, the fender mount is going to be the mount of choice!

Should have a fun ride coming up this Saturday.  Stay tuned.  Also, going to make a video of my Chicago trip next week.  1300 miles round-trip!  This year's big adventure!

Ride Safe,

Pandabear

My First Video!

Hey Friends,

Here is my first video with my Contour Roam camera.  It was shot using "out of the box" settings, so 720P and medium microphone sensitivity.  The next video will be in 1080P, though I don't think I can make the wind noise any better.  Turn down your volume!!

I used Windows Movie Maker and used basic transitions and captions to put it together.  In the future I will put music onto my videos perhaps, and maybe create a catchy little intro!

Enjoy!

- Pandabear

Survival Reaction, and How I Could Have Crashed

Hey Friends,

This will be quite a long post, and I hope it will be useful for some. Maybe to learn something from my mistake perhaps?  Let's begin!

Took my bike for a first service yesterday.  Got it done early morning, and then went around town a little bit.  I was sitting in Panera eating a blueberry bagel, when the father at the table next to me started talking about his foray into motorcycling as a young man.  He was telling son about experiences he had on his bike.  I wasn't sure if he was very truthful though, or rode very long because he said he had a "ninja," followed by making chopper type sounds to represent what it sounded like.  He proceeded on to saying about how his wrists and forearms would ache pretty badly so he gave up riding (poor posture? maybe just repeating what he heard somewhere else?).  He then started on the whole "motorcycles are dangerous" speech, and "I was confident in my own abilities, but not the cars around me, so much that I gave up riding."  The very last bit I can kind of agree with, but not giving up, just needing to be extra careful. Oh well, I finished my bagel and rode home.

After taking a little break at home, I decided it was too nice to stay indoors, and left to hit Waggoner's Gap road, a twisty road over one of the "mountains" here in Central Pennsylvania (the banner image on this site was shot from that road!).  It started off well...on the uphill section I hit the first tight sweeper with good throttle control.  I got my entry speed, looked up and around the bend, flicked the bike over to the right, and then rolled on the throttle.  Perfect!  Then I hit the next corner, an uphill hairpin to the left.  Slowed, looked, leaned, and throttled up..no issues there.  I went around the blind sweeper at the crest of the hill, and then proceeded to the downhill section, where I soon ran into an issue.

I was coming down the hill at about 55 MPH (45 MPH speed limit), and began to see signs for the downhill left hairpin.  I took this a few times before on my 250R, and while not really an issue then, was still a little nerve racking.  I started slowing down, but overestimated my proper entry speed.  I was still going about 25-30mph for the 15mph curve.  Sure, a more confident rider would have no problem going 30, but I am not quite there yet, not on a downhill curve anyways!!

In the next second, I had a few survival reactions, SR's, as termed by Keith Code (watch Twist of the Wrist 2).  I will break them down so you can get a feel for what was going through my head at the time.

Coming down the hill I was starting to lean the bike over when I realized I was going too fast for my comfort level.  I had SR #4, visual panic, when the combination of speed and road surface kicked in. I saw that my speed was a bit too much, and there was gravel on the side of the road.  Instead of focusing on the turn, and looking down the hill, I let my attention to elsewhere and this kicked off the massive error.

Then there was SR #5, target lock.  I noticed heavy gravel on the side of the road, not even on the actual road surface, and it freaked me out.  All I could do was pay attention to the gravel.  I lost sight of what I should have been doing, and in the second I had to initiate my turn, I lost the opportunity.

This caused the resultant SR #1, chopping the throttle, and SR #6, steering towards my attention.  When I noticed I wasn't going to make it, instead of renewed commitment to the turn, I let off the throttle, stood the bike up, and steered straight off the road.  Had I been going faster, this could have resulted in great injury, or possibly death (the side of the road dropped down a cliff).

Finally came SR#7, frozen on the bars, and SR #8, jumping on the brakes.  I didn't commit to the turn, and "froze" on the bars.  I decided quickly to bring the bike up, and squeezed on the brakes.  I scrubbed off enough speed on the road surface so when I entered the gravel, I was going just a few MPH.  I managed to remember to go easier on the front brake when I felt it diving downwards into the rocky surface, and apply more rear brake.  I stopped a few feet into the zone, and managed to keep the bike upright.  I was about 10-15 feet away from the guardrail (and the cliff beyond it).  I got off the bike and cleared my head, thought about what I did wrong, and also noticed that the guardrail had been hit before, possibly by a car as it was pretty beat up and had red paint all over it.

There are two other SR's that I didn't mention here.  SR #2, counterleaning against bike, and SR #3 tightening grip on bars.  I didn't counterlean, rather just stopped leaning in, and as I was gripping hard with my knees, I did manage to stay loose on the bars.  At least I didn't check off all the SR boxes on the list!

When I had calmed my nerves, I then had to figure out how to get the bike out of the gravel (which was lower than the road surface).  I could not push the bike backwards as it was too heavy for me, so then I tried to push it forwards.  I couldn't get the bike up to the lip of the road going forwards either, so finally I turned the bike on and carefully applied a little throttle to move it along.  This was while I was walking beside it, praying that I didn't send it flying down the road without an operator.  It took me 10 long minutes to get my bike out of the gravel and back onto the road, but the whole time I was very much relieved that I did not destroy my beloved new bike, and more so, that I didn't die!

Back on the road, I tried my best not to focus on the mistake I just made and instead focus on the present time. I wanted to beat myself up, and had to constantly tell myself to stop focusing on the mistake, because that could cause another mishap.  All was well until later, I was entering a little town and a pickup driver was creeping out making a left turn.  At first I thought he was trying to creep out and finish his turn after I passed, but then I had to swerve around him when he was halfway into my lane, right next to me!!  I have a feeling he didn't even see me at all.  Oh man, I did not need this as well, my brain was already on the verge of exploding from trying to process everything.  In retrospect, as soon as I saw him creeping out, I should have slowed even more than I did.

After this, I headed straight home, which still was some 30-40 miles away.  I was thoroughly disappointed in myself and still am today.  I need to find a parking lot to practice my turning skills, big time. It's supposed to snow tonight into tomorrow, so I have the bike covered up.  Maybe this weekend, I'll find somewhere to practice.  Have you guys had any mistakes like this?  Did you recover in time, or did you crash?  If so, have you figured out how to improve?  Feel free to comment!

- Pandabear

Bye =(

Well Friends,

Sad day. Was hurrying to leave my apartment this morning and in that rush, I put my phone in my jacket pocket instead of in my tank bag. Got on the bike, forgot to zip the pocket closed, and somewhere along the way to work, my phone flew out and got lost. I had a Galaxy SIII, which I used to take all these awesome pictures! Always remember to zip your pockets if you put things in them!! Pretty common sense but sometimes we have other things on our mind...

I decided to order a Google Nexus 4. Should be interesting! It has a 360 degree panoramic shot, so hopefully I can take some great pictures for you in the future. My ContourROAM camera should be arriving late next week too, so get ready for some get visuals!

Zip your pockets!!

 - Pandabear

Camera for this season!

Hey friends!

I pulled the trigger and just ordered a video camera for this season. I had looked at the Gopro Hero 3 but heard it had issues, plus I'm on a budget for now, so I ended up choosing the ContourROAM. Got "last year's model," for a good price, only $120. I watched some video reviews and it seemed pretty decent, so we'll see how the quality is. Get ready for some awesome videos!

 - Pandabear

Out to the Countryside and through the Forests!

Hey Friends,

Today I went out on a scenic ride, which lasted about 70 miles covered in two hours or so.  I was on the hunt for some nice twisty roads, but was more or less disappointed, as the wide open tracts of land generally are painted in straight lines by left brained engineers.  However, the sprawling landscapes did make up for that with some great scenery of rolling hills and nifty little towns.  I ventured down to Michaux State Forest, about an hour south west of my apartment.  Google maps showed some marginally snaky roads, so I said why not!  It was a bit chilly, perhaps 38F give or take a few goosebumps, but I was geared up to stay warm enough.  Thank you RS Taichi!

On the straights down to forest I went, zipping by houses and many cute fuzzy cows.  I waved to them as they watched me curiously, and laughed when I saw one scratching its face on a pole.  I guess we underestimate how lucky we are to have hands and fingers to scratch ourselves with!  Down the straights I went, kicking up through gears, clutchless shifting up to sixth.  I enjoyed the moderate hum of Fiery's engine as I puttered around a 5k RPM for most of the trip down the forest.  I used these straights as my playground, practicing downshifting without the slipper clutch, upshifting smoothly, and experimenting with body positioning and tucking.

Before I knew it I into the forest.  I quickly lost all sense of direction, but I let Fiery lead me to the right path.  Though it was cloudy out to begin with,  and the trees hunched over the roads, cooling the air even further.  It was also very quiet, not a sound but the buzz of my bike.  Opportune time to open her up?  You know I did!  With a loud wail, I was flying through the forest, a straight shot until I ended up in more countryside.  I came out into some random little town where the speed dropped to 25, so I rev matched smoothly (success!) from 6th to 1st.

Fortunately did not meet any axe or chainsaw wielding people in this little town!  

I stopped for a little to relax and find out where I was.  My phone's GPS said "Middle of Nowhere, Pennsylvania."  "Great!" I thought, and took a few pictures like a hopeless tourist.  Stretched a little bit, and then back to the fun.  Zipped through more countryside, passed a pretty neat old iron bridge over a stream, and eventually also passed a large blue lake, and a dam with a waterfall.  Sadly no pictures, as I was zipping along at a pace maybe a tad faster than I should have been going!

Do Not Pass?  Whoops, I must have passed everyone on the road!  (Well, in my mind anyways.)

I pulled over once again when I saw a neat little store with a lake behind it.  I snapped some more pictures, and found that this place was actually around part of the Appalachian Trail!  How cool!  I think it would be fun to one day go for a long hike, but for now, I'd rather make Fiery do the hiking while I enjoy the ride.  I did manage to get a good shot of the lake, with gazebo, driving green??!, and plethora of duckies alike.

Hitting golf balls into the lake, the American way!?  I'd aim for that house!  (Just Kidding!)

I finally made my way back to roads more familiar.  Interestingly enough, the last mile or two were actually the most rewarding (motorcycle wise).  Challenging too, as the corners were sharp, with changing elevations and many blind spots.  This is where Fiery proved that the hunched over riding position is valuable in handling.  It was so easy to hang off, grip the bike, and throttle through the corners.  I flicked the bike over from side to side, hitting pretty decent lean angles with not one sense of doubt.  The bike was planted, and assured, and let me focus on picking my lines and rolling on smoothly.  But just as I was starting to have a hell of a time, it was over, and my apartment was in sight.  I pulled in, did a little u-turn, and rode into the little space between my car and the curb.  Put a towel on the windscreen (to prevent scratches) and put the cover on.  

Today was a great ride.  I learned a lot, saw a lot, felt a lot.  Cue the poor weather for this week!

Hugged my beloved bike, patted her on the head, and went inside.  Can't wait for the warmth!

Have a good week!

- Pandabear

Pic :)

2011 ZX-6R

New Title!

Hey Friends,

Came up with a new title for this blog, based on my new bike!  I will still will be going on some great adventures, just on a new trusty steed!  The new title for me represents the escape from the everyday that motorcycles provide, and in my life right now, I think I need it!  Definitely helps keep me a little more sane (though my coworkers would probably say insane!).

Anyways, these past few days I've been developing a new bond with the ZX-6R, herein still temporarily named Fiery.  She is quickly warming up to me, and I to her. Though right now we simply commute together, I am becoming more proficient at handling Fiery at slower speeds, and beginning to trust the immense amount of grip that her shoes provide (tires, for those who are not following along!).

I think the next battle coming up will be practicing U-turns.  I am a bit out of practice, but now to park at my new apartment, I must make u-turns everyday!  Practice makes perfect, I suppose.  I will keep you all updated for sure.

Have a great day!

- Pandabear

Highway and Back

Well friends,

Took that trip home and back, about 2 hours on the highway each way.  The bike is moderately comfortable  for me.  When I say that, it's kind of a trade off between having a nearly fully relaxed back while being jostled by the wind (250R), and being tucked over and aerodynamic but at a small expense of a slightly more tired back (ZX-6R).  I think I favor the latter since tucking on the 250 can get pretty tiring after a while!

As for rideability, while the 250 had no trouble merging onto the highway, nor cruising along mile after mile, the 6R makes it silly easy to merge and cruise.  Twist and overtake everyone, no challenge.  6th gear roll on is also very strong for moderately fast overtakes.  At 75mph, the bike hums along around 7,000 RPM, with 9,000RPM left to go.  Not shabby at all!

Gas mileage came out to about 40-43MPG.  Didn't hammer down exact mileage due to having to fill while off the bike, but it won't make a huge impact.  Not bad, still much better than my car!

I definitely love this thing, I think I made the right choice.  However again, I noticed you really need to be careful with all the power.  It almost wills you to ride faster than you should.  I easily was cruising at 85+ MPH, something I'd never do in my car or on the 250.   Had to often times look down, check my speed, and slow down!  The tires stick like glue on the ramps too.  I had an oh-shoot moment on the offramp when I went to roll on the throttle a little bit and went from 35 to 50mph in a blink of an eye, which wasn't a problem whatsoever, but it did take me by surprise a little bit.  Again, another thing that reminds me to be always on guard!

Today I rode in the rain.  Stayed perfectly dry with all my gear!  Unfortunately the area around me is quite dirty, so my gear got pretty splattered with dirt.  Can't say I mind riding in the rain now, nothing will stop me!! (Though my coworkers think I am crazy!)

- Pandabear

First Time at the Pump (For the ZX6R)

Well friends,

I decided to go ahead and fill my gas tank tonight, since I am riding home tomorrow to see my parents and friends.  I put about 73 miles on the odometer, and filled 2.3 gallons of premium fuel.  My mileage came out to 32 miles a gallon! Ouch!  However, a few things could be the reason for this.

First, coming out of the showroom, the tank possibly wasn't absolutely full.  Even a few tenths of a gallon would reduce my calculation by 3-4mpg at least.  Second, I filled the tank to the very, very top. Those two reasons combined could be why it came out so low.  And finally, and this may very well be the biggest reason, as I was starting out, I primarily rode around in first and maybe second gear.  This probably eats gas like crazy!! Om nom nom nom!!  I started testing how the bike pulls from higher gears, so now I ride in 4th and 5th around town to keep my RPM's as low as possible.  Hopefully this helps!

I'll report back what I achieve after my highway ride, which hopefully will be all in 6th gear.  It may still be a bit lower since I plan to vary the RPM's since the bike is still being broken in, but it might be a little more on par with the 40mpg that I heard this bike gets.

One final note, I'm not a stickler about gas mileage.  Sooooo before anyone is like, "Well it's a supersport, if you want good gas mileage, get a scooter," I just wanted to throw that out there ;).  While I aim to get the best gas mileage possible when riding around town or to work, at the end of the day, I do like to have fun and give it a little extra throttle, and I didn't buy this bike to pinch pennies heheh.

Have a great weekend, should be nice out.  Bring out your bike!

- Pandabear

Short Ride

Hey Everyone,

Took the new bike out for a ride today for about 30 miles.  Didn't want to go too far in case anything happened!  Did two things on this ride, check out my new jacket and boots, and of course, get used to the bike!  Keeping this post relatively short, I'll just go over the main things I experienced today.

For the jacket, it was 32 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and windy.  I had a tshirt on, and my jacket on top.  Before, I would have worn several layers, with my ICON jacket on top, and still have felt a little chilly.  Not anymore!  This jacket is great! Also didn't even notice I was wearing it, and no more neck burns, amazing!  The boots were a little different.  They were warm and not too intrusive, but I kept my jeans and overpants on top like I normally do, and my left leg started getting irritated by the boot at the upper shin level (the leg I use to hold the bike up).  To be fair, I was in a lot of stop and go traffic..a longer continuous ride would have avoided this.  The fix will be simple most likely, tuck jeans into the boot!

As for the bike, I'm still having trouble getting used to upshifting.  I think I am so used to where the clutch engages on the 250R that it's interfering a bit.  Not to worry, I did have a few better shifts on the way back home.  The other thing I found was sitting at lights is torture.  The clutch pull is a LOT heavier and my little girly hands (no offense ladies!) got a bit tired holding it in at lights.  I like to remain in first in case I need to move, but after a while I just had to put it in neutral.  I guess my hand will get stronger over time.  As for the brakes, I'm getting a little more used to how strong they are!  I also really like that they are a shorter reach now, much quicker and easier to get to for a little person like myself!  And finally, I didn't have any problem holding the bike up at stops.  I'm rapidly getting used to one footing, and if I need to change legs I gently transition to the other foot.  Only had a little "AH BOTH FEET OUT!" moment on my final parking attempt near my apartment!!  Overall, I love this bike so far.  Once I get more accustomed to it, I'll be able to post some more fun adventures!

Well, time to sleep.  Pesky thing called work in the morning!  Let's all dream of our bikes :D

- Pandabear

More Gear, Part 2!

All right friends,

Continuing on from the previous post, here's a review on my new RS Taichi Armed All Season Jacket.  I ordered a Japan Medium, hoping to everything under the sun that it would fit my tiny body.  Just for reference, I'm about 5'3" with a slim but somewhat muscular build (for my size anyways hehe).  Put the jacket on and it fit very well and was extremely comfortable!  It is a textile jacket, also waterproof, and is very warm with the liner in.  It comes standard with two chest protector hard plates, and CE shoulder, elbow, and back protector.  The elbows and shoulders meet EN 1621-1. The back protector is EN 1621-2, though I haven't been able to find if it was level 1 or 2.  Most likely level 1 is my guess.

The Front!

Certain things I'll touch on, it's got quite a few buttons, straps, zippers, etc for getting just the right fit. That will also help keep the armor in place a little better, in the case of a crash.  It's got vents for warmer days, and a nice soft liner for cold days. The material feels pretty durable, enough for the purpose I'll put it through. I opted for a textile jacket instead of a leather one, as much of my riding is done in cooler, or wet climates, or for commuting or town riding.  I may occasionally take it on the highway, but then again, I'm not a highway hooligan and more or less stick to the speed limit, or normal flow of traffic.  The warmth/waterproof component is what made it a more viable option.  Days which are warm and sunny, I'll wear my leather suit anyways!  Power ranger up!!

The Back!

The back of the jacket has some motion panels, making it easier to stretch and reach.  There is some nice design on the jacket, and some reflective panels for night riding.  There are some foam padded areas, and you can see the two zipper vents.  The inside of the jacket is nice and plush up near the collar.  This is much nicer than my Icon jacket, which has literally burned my neck when I do head checks.  I have a small scar on my neck from that jacket.  This jacket has a higher collar, and is plush.
There is an internal pocket for your phone or wallet, and pockets for the chest protectors.  The jacket is  so nice I just want to wear it indoors too!

Inside View..So Warm!

One small gripe with this jacket is the back protector.  It does cover the majority of my back and shoulders, but it ends about 2-3 inches above my butt, which means the spine is a bit exposed there.  I'm not sure if this is normal with slip in back protectors, but I figure it must be.  If you want a full blown back protector, a strap on protector will probably be a better option. Besides that though, this jacket is wonderful.  Even though it's a textile, if you go sliding on your back or chest, and the fabric wears away, you'll still have some decent armor in the way of you and the ground.  Don't quote me on that, but it seems logical ;)

Here's me with all my waterproof gear, minus helmet and gloves!

I do wish I could have gotten the jacket in the white and black combo with green screen printing, but I wanted this jacket soon and STG did not have it in stock sadly.  But on the bright side, black will hide the dirt a bit better!!

Next up, I have a Cortech tank bag coming in.  I'll review that when it gets here, and when my helmet comes in, I'll go for a ride with all this new gear and write a followup!  Thanks for reading!

- Pandabear

P.S. My friend came over and showed me how to adjust my brake lever, which ended up being very easy!  The stock setting was set to pretty far out so my little hands had a hard time quickly reaching the brakes, and covering was impossible.  Simple push the brake lever forward, turn the silver knob to a higher number (I maxed it out to level 6) and voila, brake lever is much closer!  Now I can cover the brakes easier in traffic!!  Always be aware and ready for evasive maneuvers and emergency stops!

More Gear, Pt 1!

Hey Friends,

Got a few new pieces of gear into the lineup.  Remember that time I got soaked on the way back from Ocean City?  Well I learned my lesson and decided to get full waterproof gear.  When my beloved 250R got scrapped, so did my helmet and boots.  I am replacing the Spidi VR6 boots with the Alpinestars SMX 5 Waterproof boots.  I'm not sure how swamptastic my feet will get during summer, but at least in current temperatures, they will stay warm.  If they are too unbearable I will report, and buy summer boots. Anyways, here's my first impression (off bike).

Overview Shot of Alpinestars SMX 5 Waterproof

 I got size 8 (42 Euro).  I wear a size 8.5 in street shoes and the boot is comfortable.  They are relatively narrow, but not too bad.   They fit very well, and are a bit more versatile than my Spidi VR6's.  They do come in a little bit pricier though, at about $270.  I did manage to get a deal and get them for about $220 from sportbiketrackgear.com  so it was a bit closer to the VR6's.

 They have a bit less flex (could be because it's still new) and a tiny bit more protection as the boot seems a bit more rigid in areas such as the toe and heel.  It also has a little more protection at the back of the leg, though not much more.

Instead of a single flap up top as on the Spidi's, Alpinestars designed a continuous flap all along the zipper path.  This actually gives a better fit and more customization based on what other gear you are wearing and how big your leg is (mine are twigs!).  You can pull the bottom part tighter and secure it so your ankle doesn't move as much, which is what I really enjoy about the boot as it feels more comfortable and safe.

Unzip the boot and you can see the full velcro strip.  Also, and I'm assuming because it's a waterproof boot, it has a continuous curtain of material instead of an opening like the VR6.  This I found handy because it adds to the fit once on the foot.

 Now we can take a look at the boot on my foot!  Ahh so comfy!  Please ignore my hairy twiggy legs.  On the left, you can see that the boot can be worn a bit more loose, as to let you tuck pants in.  If I were to wear this with my leather suit, that is how I would fasten the boot.  On the right, the boot is fully tightened.  This will give a nice "cushy" fit and works well when having pants out, such as when I ride in overpants.

Boot Out!

Boot Not Out! I mean..Boot In!

Now the only small thing that I didn't like about the boot was the toe sliders.  They seem really cheap compared to the VR6. Pulled these bad boys out of the box and I immediately noticed that they look like they are ready to pop off!  They don't really conform nicely to the boot, but after a yank or two, they didn't come off so I suppose they should be ok.  It just doesn't look as nice, that's all.  Small issue I suppose!

Toe Slider..Not Planning on Testing These Anytime Soon!!

All in all, I like these better than my other boots.  They fit better, look better, and seem like they will do the job well.  They are waterproof (ran them under the faucet) but I'll have to test them out in a downpour to verify.  We will see how they are in the summer too, I'd ideally like to use these year round, but we will see how it turns out!  So there's new gear #1.  I also got a new RS Taichi Jacket which I'll go over, but instead of making this post really long, I'll just post as an independent entry.

Oh yeah, and of course, one more bike pic!!

2011 Kawasaki ZX-6R - Big Ninja!

- Pandabear

Surprise #1 - Main Surprise

Friends!

Here she is!  My new 2011 Kawasaki ZX-6R, got her with 1 mile on the clock!  Rode her home from the dealer in a bundle of nerves.  No name for her yet, but she is fiery!  Came with a carbon fiber Yoshimura slip on.  My 250 is still at the dealership.  She is getting scrapped by the insurance :(.  The 250R is a great bike, and the only reason I'm letting her go is simply space constraints.  The ZX was supremely discounted, so I decided to get it.  Sadly,  I only get one parking spot and it would be tough to fit two bikes and a car into one space.  Garages are expensive!

Starting out, immediately I noticed how grabby the clutch is..as soon as it starts engaging it's go time.  Much quicker than my 250.  The throttle is also much more sensitive and responsive, and at low speeds, it's twitchy.  It will take some time to get used to it, and to keep it smooth.  The other thing, it's definitely tougher to turn, it can't really be thrown about like it's little sibling.  The flip side, you turn that throttle and it takes off like crazy!  I went from 30-60 in a blink of an eye!  But its tough to ride on some streets here, where there are 25mph speed limits..it's definitely not meant for riding in town. The 6R will be for fun twisty rides, and highway trips!

Well, it's only got 8 miles on it now.  92 more to break in the tires, and then about 600 more to break in the engine.  I have to admit I already got it up to about 12K RPM's for a short spike.  The rest was in the lower rpm ranges, gotta be gentle!  It does sound great, much louder than the 250R.  Also, I could finally hear my bike over my friend's bike when sitting at lights, though I think I may start wearing ear plugs for in town too, for safety sake.  As for height, the seat is higher than the 250 by a good bit.  For a very short rider like myself, I can tippy toe the bike in good conditions. I thought this would be a problem, but I just one foot the bike, no issues.  I underestimated myself!  Definitely need to practice a bit more in terms of paddle walking and backing the bike but that will take time.

I will always have very fond memories of my first bike!  Sadly, at this time in my life I can not have more than one bike at a time.  It was a good run, she helped me learn how to ride properly, and took the abuse I subjected to her.  Anyways,  more surprises coming shortly :)

Oh and as a final note, I am thoroughly glad I started on a 250 before a 600cc.  I feel much  more confident understanding and practicing all the other riding techniques, now it's mostly just getting used to the feel of the new bike.  I will post a review later on the transition from the 250R to the ZX6R!  Need more seat time.  Unfortunately I will have to wait a little bit due to bad weather, and also my boots and helmet got scrapped with the bike.  More on that in the next few days!

- Pandabear

Many surprises!

Friends,

I have quite a few surprises coming your way!  Stay tuned..you won't be disappointed!!!

- Pandabear

A possible surprise?

Hey friends,

I may have a surprise for all of you in the coming weeks.  If all goes well that is!  Stay tuned :D

- Pandabear

Fastest

Hey Friends,

I just got done watching the documentary called Fastest.  It's a bit old but still good.  It's about MotoGP, from the riders themselves, to the bikes, teams, and social aspects.  Mostly focused on Rossi and Lorenzo, but there were interviews and short biographies on many other top level racers too.  If you are into racing, I recommend seeing it!  Definitely puts a more human aspect to racing, instead of the usual mindless following or statistics.  It's not only regular people like you and I who hug and kiss our bikes!  They love theirs too!!
Worth a watch, figured I'd share!

Have a great Friday everyone!

- Pandabear

Missing My Bike

Well Friends,

It's been quite a while since I've been consistently on my Ninja.  I did get a chance to take it out one weekend with a few Ninjette.org members.  It was a balmy 55 degrees (bear in mind, it was January, typically in the 10's and 20's), and we took to the twisty backroads.  I felt slow and rusty through the blind turns and sharp corners, and it reminded me of how badly I'd like to get back to riding every single day.  Perhaps one more month to go until it warms up and roads are cleared.

In the mean time, there are some events and trips planned for the coming months.  In early March, there is an open-house event at a New Jersey race track, with free on track rides.  My first taste of track riding, kind of!  Then in May, a few of us will ride down to Virginia to take a cruise down Skyline Drive, and possibly some other twisty, scenic roads.  Hopefully by then, I will have a GoPro camera.  If so, you will all be treated to videos AND pictures!  Woohoo!

Started my bike up this weekend, started up no problem with the choke on.  She was happy to see me!  Probably is as excited as I am to get back out on the road!

Anyways, stay tuned folks.  Get excited!!

- Pandabear

Hawaii!

Hey Friends,

So this post is obviously not very motorcycle related, but then again I said when I started this blog, it may also include other adventures as well!  I really wish I could have rented a motorcycle or even tried my hand at a scooter in Hawaii, but sadly did not have time.  But anyways, I wanted to share a few pictures because well, it was so awesome!!

The first day my family got there, we checked into our hotel, Marriott Ko'Olina Beach Club in Oahu.  It was wonderful leaving freezing temperatures behind and stepping off the plane into 75 degree temperatures.  The place was beautiful, from the resort itself, to the views, and the man made lagoons.

The water was warm, the sand soft.  The faces were friendly, and the views spectacular! We got a chance to see the Dole plantation which was neat.  We also then took a drive up to the North Shore, which had some great waves and lots of surfers!

 Sadly, we did not stay at this resort the whole vacation.  We relocated to Waikiki, which is more of a city beach, not as pleasant in my opinion.  Too crowded and horrendously overpriced!  It was however closer to Diamond Head crater. We hiked to the top to experience that "top of the world" feeling.  You could see for miles in any direction!

We explored different areas of Waikiki.  At one point we encountered a seemingly angry/crazy man with a fold-able wooden side table around his neck.  Why he had adorned this piece of furniture, I have no clue.  But he did give us quite a scare, as well as several others, so much that several police officers came and questioned the guy, and drove him off!

As our vacation began to wrap up, we decided to go to Hanauma Bay to go snorkeling.  This was the first time that I had gone, and it was phenomenal!  Felt a little awkward at first, as well as getting over the fear of swallowing tons of salt water trying to breathe underwater, but once I put some trust in the snorkel, I found it was very easy and a blast.  We saw all sorts of fish, colorful and small, sparkly and several feet long, single fish, schools of fish, and various clams of purples and greens.  I decided that after motorcycling, snorkeling  is one of my next favorite things!

Though I am sad to have left so soon, I will always remember this trip!  Now that I'm back to the cold, it's time for some snowboarding adventures, and hopefully when it warms up in March, I can break out my Ninja! Woohoo!

Have a great weekend everyone, I'll be in the Poconos shredding powder!

- Pandabear