Bike is great, car, not so much! BMW E90 Sedan

Well friends,

I've been riding as much as I can the past few weeks.  It is rapidly getting cold and the season is nearly over for riding (or possibly, completely over!?).  The bike is running well, with the stator, voltage regulator, and radiator fan all being replaced - at a cost of about $700.  Sadly, it's been cold and I've been taking the car to work, my 2011 BMW 328i xDrive.

Yesterday however, congestion was really bad, and I opted to take the back roads home after work.  Sadly, upon trying to cross a four-way stop, I guess I didn't see a black car (I have no clue how I missed the headlights and it being "stopped" at a stop sign - unless it actually ran the stop??) and drove head on into it.  The other car wasn't too badly damaged but mine was:

 There was a good amount of frontal damage, the bumper is toast.  I didn't look at the fog lights but they might be damaged.  The headlights are on and running but some of the plastic went flying.  The hood also clearly got messed up and it does not lay flat like normal.  The driver side airbag deployed, as well as the passenger side curtain airbag (??!).  I realize now that the airbag is pretty violent, as it left some burns, deep bruises, and cuts on my arm and knuckles:

This image shows the injury hours after the accident, but immediately after it looked horrendous, and VERY purple and bruised.  I first thought I was going to need stitches, but it turned out a layer of skin was ripped off, not so much a deep cut.

I hope my car isn't totaled, but personally I am estimating at least $10,000 of damage easily.  I think they will total it at 15,000, so I'm hoping it doesn't come to that!  It is a real pity that I had it perfect just two days prior....waxed vacuumed and beautiful:

I guess I'll find out in the next few days what is going on!  Wish me luck.

- Pandabear

Update:  The car was totaled :(  There was $22,000 dollars of damage so they took her away.  I managed to get the same car in Tasman Green, oyster dakota leather, with an upgrade of Navigation, bluetooth, and Xenon headlights!  The new(er) car is actually in better condition - and of course, I tinted the windows!  I will snap a good picture when conditions clear up and I can finally wash and wax the new girl!

Bike is back in action and better than ever!

Hello friends!!!

Great news, bike is back in my possession after a long stay at West Chester Cycles.  The team fixed my beloved up, and the Kawi is running strong.  My Shorai battery didn't get fried after all, and my bike is noticeably lighter, even after filling up the gas tank.  I'm pretty sure of it because I definitely haven't worked out in a long long time!!

Even better news, I cleaned up my garage, rearranged a boatload of heavy things (but not a boat!), and now my two car garage comfortably holds two cars AND my bike.  I don't even need to park it sideways or anything, and I have easy access, just drive straight in.  No more rain on my bike, and no more street parking.

Rode to work today and had a blast.  Hopefully I can still squeeze in many more rides this year.  Just need to put my brakes in this weekend!

- Pandabear

Update on my bike

Hey friends,

I haven't been riding for a while...2-3 weeks now.  My bike randomly died after swapping the battery again so it confirmed my fear that it has a charging issue.  I finally gave up (and was stuck again) so I called the local shop and they picked up my bike.  So what's wrong??

Voltage regulator, shot.  Stator, shot.  Battery, shot.  Cost..about $500.  Ouchhh.  Apparently there are no aftermarket regulators for this bike (so the shop claims) so they have to get the overpriced, crappy OEM regulator.  This is plaguing the 2009-2012 ZX-6R's.

I'll get the bike back soon, but I am still worried it will die on me again in the future.  I'm not sure how long the new regulator will last.  Hopefully another few years at minimum!

ARGH! Just want to ride again...

- Pandabear

Bike died on the way to work...

Hey Friends,

I was on my way to work last week and a few miles from home, I noticed my console went blank!!  No speed, no indicators, nothing.  I thought it was a glitch so I went to restart the bike and it flat out was dead!

I ended up jumping it, but it died again. AAA left me high and dry even though I requested an upgrade to Plus RV back in May before my tail of the dragon trip.  No towing, no help.  SCREW THEM!!  Fortunately, I was very lucky to get a tow from my neighbor, who I never met.  We had a great conversation on the way home, a lot in common!

Still in the trouble shooting phase.  I ordered a new battery from Revzilla (Shorai!), but in the meantime I threw the trickle charger on and charged the battery.  Seemed to hold the charge well, and I rode the bike around for a bit with no issue.

Call me gun shy though, I'm scared to take it to work again in case it dies on me.  Don't feel like getting stranded again!

Let's see what happens!

- Pandabear

Crazy day of riding!

Well friends,

It has been quite busy.  I barely even get to sit down and type anything so I haven't been able to post much.  I've mostly just been commuting to work and back.  Some instances...

Today was crazy.  I had some bad tailgaters, and one work van which decided to overtake me, IN MY LANE!  And then he just made the next right turn.  What was the point of that honestly? He could have waited two more seconds instead of doing something that could have resulted in something bad.

And finally turning into my own neighborhood, a pickup truck decided instead of braking for a guy making a left turn, he was going to use the right turn lane to overtake, while I was right next to him making, uh, a RIGHT TURN!

Sigh, people drive me crazy.  Nobody cares, everyone is on the phone, or who knows what.  And people think motorcyclists are reckless!!!!?

::END RANT!::

- Pandabear

Anticipate!

Hey friends,

Dropped my bike again today.  Someone slowed at a yellow light and then decided to go through it while I was turning left.  I stopped short to avoid a collision but on the road angle and turning angle, my bike was too far over to stay upright under braking.  She got scratched AGAIN on the left side and the person drove off.

Couldn't pick it up, and nobody helped me at all. Finally another motorcyclist stopped by and helped me.  I feel so fortunate to have people like that help me out.  I can not be more appreciative.  If you see a downed biker, stop and help out! I know I will in a heartbeat!

- Pandabear

Blue Ridge Parkway

Well Friends,

I have been very busy with work and life, so no videos yet from tail of the dragon.  The trip went well.  I ended up going by myself when my "friend" bailed on me the morning of, but I think it ended up being a very interesting and rewarding trip regardless.  I saw a baby bear on the road (so cute!) in the Smoky Mountains. I mocked the "Motorcyclists Beware!" sign on Lee Highway (Route 211), which on my route was an uphill, smoothly paved serpentine road.  If I had my race suit on I probably could have dragged knee all the way up!  Bah, so many good memories, but that'll be a longer post when I have more time!

For now though, all is going well though. Just did an oil change and am back to silky smooth shifting.

Do you expect me to go 25? No Pandabear, I expect you to die!!!

Today I rode around in Delaware with a friend.  We ended up in Dover at an Air Museum which was pretty neat.  I'll have to upload some pictures tomorrow (when I'm not tired and lazy!).  We saw some epic, huge transport ships.  I'm pretty sure the interior was as big as my house!

Anyways, sorry for the delay.  Life is a whirlwind!  I still don't think I've reviewed some of the other new gear I've gotten - Alpinestars Archer gloves and my RS Taichi GMX Motion jacket.

I'll be back!

- Pandabear

Alpinestars Archer Gloves, Tail of the Dragon, Warranties, Near Misses!

Hey friends,

A lot has been happening lately!  I haven't been able to make any videos or post lately due to work and just life in general.  So here's what has been going on!

I had to RMA a few items.  My RS Taichi Eheat gloves weren't properly heating my fingers, so I had to send them in.  Fortunately, Motoliberty and RS Taichi were great to me, and they replaced the gloves even though they were out of warranty (1 year period).  Also, my GMX motion jacket's liner buttons were defective, so they replaced them too.

Then..my SENA headset had some frayed wires and the unit was shorting.  SENA sent me a brand new headset, just in time for my trip.  I am ecstatic!  I just installed everything and updated it to version 5.0, which allows phone and intercom simultaneously.  I can't wait to try it out!

I got another new set of tires put on.  The local shop charged me $150 dollars plus tire recycle and tax to mount two tires.  It's effin robbery!  I used to pay $80 bucks for both tires installed at Motor-Vation in Mechanicsburg.  I'm going to ride over there next time and give them my business.  Anyways, everything is going well with the new tires.  I definitely got used to them a lot quicker than the last set.  I guess knowing that they would be "twitchy" helped me prepare for the difference.  Everything feels so smooth now!

I did have a near miss a few weeks ago.  I was riding down the middle of a road and a cargo van at a stop sign pulled out trying to cross the road.  I guess they weren't paying attention because I was going straight! I gunned it and swerved in front of them.  My heart was racing but I made it around, safe and sound! People need to pay ATTENTION!!

While my e-heat gloves were getting warrantied I ended up buying a new pair of gloves.  I got the Alpinestars Archer gloves, the top of the line "tech touring" gloves.  They are a tad bit big for me compared to the RS Taichi gloves (even in size small!) but I'm getting used to them.  I didn't get a chance to ride in a downpour yet but I did ride in some light rain and fog.  I'll do a full review soon, but what I can say so far is that the visor wipe on the left thumb works like a charm!  It was practically a windshield wiper, and it got ever last drop off my visor.  Love it to death, and worth every penny!

And lastly, on Wednesday, I am starting my trip to Tail of the Dragon!  My buddy and I are riding down, taking Skyline drive and Blue Ridge Parkway all the way down.   I have been packing my stuff, making sure everything fits.  So far so good, having a tail pack is really helping me.  I remember the Chicago trip with a full tank bag, which was nice to rest my chin on but for these upcoming twisties, it'll be nice to have it at half size to remain out of the way.  The Kriega US-20 is a great addition to my luggage!

Videos to come!

Ride Safe,

Pandabear!

RS Taichi E-Heat Gloves..Sena SMH10R...PROBLEMS!?

Well friends....

Been having some issues with my gear.  My e-heat gloves aren't  heating my left hand's pinky and ring finger.  It is getting warmer, so I guess I should be ok. RS Taichi is wonderful though and even though my gloves are technically out of warranty, they are going to repair/replace them!

As for my Sena SMH10R..it is shorting out.  It has a full charge and it keeps shutting off.  So hopefully that will get taken care of too.  Customer service is everything it seems!

When I had an issue with my Alpinestars boots, they took care of them in a heartbeat.  So while I'm a bit saddened by my bummed gear, at least they will get replaced or repaired soon!

It's a rush to get my gear back too, for my Tail of the Dragon trip is fully booked and I'm ready to ride!

Stay tuned!

- Pandabear

One warm day..and then...

SNOW!?!?!?

I thought we were through the worst, but once again, more snow.  I managed to squeeze in one commute.  It was cold in the morning and I misjudged it (high thirties).  By the end of the hour commute to work, my hands were so cold, even with the winter gloves.  But to be fair I didn't bother using the batteries, which most likely would have kept my hands warm.  This was a stark contrast to my balmy return trip, which felt so amazing!

I wanted to stand up on my foot pegs and feel the breeze everywhere.  Sadly, there were too many potholes to dodge.  I did a pretty good job doing so, but I managed to hit one straight up.  I can't even say it was a pothole.  It was more like a giant hole in the earth.  My steering got a great shake but the Ohlins damper did the job and settled the shake well.

And now..snow..in mid-late March.  With subfreezing temperatures every morning until April practically! Ugh. Ok rant over!

- Pandabear

Cold weather, go away!

Well..It is still cold out. We have nearly gone through the first week of March and it is still below freezing here.  I am getting stir crazy, I need my bike on the street!!  It should hit 50-60 early next week so I'm hoping if at the very least, I can take my bike out to fill air in the tires.  I did get some oil on my front tire which I need to clean (stupid snowblower, spewing oil/gas on my bike!).  Makes me kind of paranoid that it'll cause me to lose traction and crash...again.

In other news, I have a rough travel plan mapped out for my big trip this May.  I may book the hotels for the first leg soon!

Almost...there...

- Pandabear

Watch me go! Lightworks editing skillz, activate!

Hey friends,

I am getting slightly better (and quicker!) with using Lightworks.  I managed to mash together a full video this time, with transitions and music!  I think my goal will be to add some new feature for each video as I go...maybe video in video?!

Maybe this weekend I'll start working on the skyline drive video I promised many many months ago!

Anyways, here is the video!

Get ready for spring!

- Pandabear

Back into video editing mode!

Hey friends,

I finally sat down and attempted to make a video!  Took about an hour to make this basic 15 second clip.  I guess as I get used to Lightworks again, and get back into the swing of things, I'll try adding music and some effects.

Hope everyone is having a good winter! Hopefully only one more month until I can pull the bike out.  Pray for warm weather early!!

- Pandabear

Too long!

Hey friends,

It's been too long!  Everything is going well.  The zx6r is in the garage on the battery tender.  I bought one off of Amazon (battery tender junior, as recommended by a good friend) and it seems to be working well.  I didn't buy fuel stabilizer but I do turn on my bike every few days so it's not a problem.

It is way too cold up here in PA.  Today it was "nice" at 25 degrees.  It is snowy and icy and miserable!! I can't wait until I can pull the bike out, maybe late February or early March!!  I've been mulling about trips to go on.  I think this year a major trip will be Blue Ridge Parkway and Tail of the Dragon.  Maybe it will be in May, I don't know yet.

I'm hoping to pay off my bike by mid February, I think I will have the funds to do so, but I need to make sure.  This will be my very first title!  I still plan on tracking my bike, but I'm cautious about wrecking it too!

If you watch any foreign films, I saw Dhoom 3.  It is a decent movie, and it showcases the BMW K1300S and the S1000RR.  It is amazing, I highly recommend checking it out if you can!  I still want the S1000RR but I should probably learn to really ride my 600cc!

Anyways, hope everyone is pulling through the winter, or if you are lucky and in the south, riding safely!

Best regards,

Pandabear