Moar trackdays!

Hello again,

I said I was more or less done with riding for now, but it seems that was mostly for street riding!  After getting a bit hooked on the track, I ended up going for two more track days!!

I've learned quite a lot in three track days from being coached and sitting in on classroom sessions (and putting concepts into practice). I've picked up my pace, and I feel more comfortable going through turns quickly.  I can 150% say that I've become a better rider in a short period of time.  I can't say street riding would ever provide that boost so quickly.

Why yes, that is indeed my new Bell Star Carbon RSD helmet!

After my first track day, I picked up on the racing line, and practiced being smooth throughout the corners.  On day two, I worked on my body positioning, including anchoring better under braking and transitioning into leaning off.  On day three I picked up my pace and got a better handle on how hard I can brake in straight lines, in corners, how much gas I can apply while leaned fully over, and in general, how my bike handles.  Comfort level with my bike? Hopped on a rocket and went through the roof!

In general, I feel much more attuned to my bike's feel and feedback, and how my inputs affect my riding. Enjoying a nice cool down rain shower on day 2 allowed me to test my resolve on a partially wet track. I had no issues except for a small slide going over a puddle on a left hand turn.  My relatively new Pirelli Rosso Corsa's did the job and sorted out the issue, though I think a rain tire (for racing) would have been much better.  Street tires seem to be a bit of a compromise and while the are definitely better than race slicks, they aren't 100% fool proof...still have to use common sense and some caution!!

Body position needs some work. While I was close to touching down and dragging knee (even as a short rider!), I don't think I extended my leg far enough outwards.  Regardless, speed and skill is more important than dragging knee, it's not a goal but a by product.  I am still thrilled by my improvement and that's what counts!

I may have to book one more before I leave for school...more to come!

- Pandabear

Don't get egg-ed on!

Hey friends,

Yesterday I was a bit peeved.  I went out to my bike to ride to work and noticed something weird splattered on my seat.  I tried to wipe it off but it didn't really do anything, so I said whatever!  When I turned to put my key in the ignition, I noticed that someone egged my bike!!! ARGH!

The solitary egg hit my handlebar and clutch lever and splattered ALL OVER.  The fairings, tank, the back of the bulb of the high beam, all down the forks....it was plastered.  I was so shocked and angry, and it seems that my bike was the only target on the street.

Just ranting about how petty people can be.  This is such a cowardly act, and if people do it "for fun," that's just pathetic.  It's starting to make me wonder if the flat tire I got just two weeks ago was vandalism too.

Fortunately, once I came back from work, the hose made short work of cleaning the egg off.  However, it was an unpleasant ride to and from work with the smell of omelette wafting in my face.  I don't like eggs!

I've gotten over it and I've put the bike on the spool stand on my driveway now.  Hopefully no one touches my bike again.

Anyone else have their car or bike egged?  Did you catch them?

- Pandabear

Cold Weather...Go Away

Hey friends,

It's been a while!  Normally I would be out riding around by now but this year it is exceptionally cold.  Coupled with my upcoming vacation to the Himalayas, I won't be riding until April.  That's practically unheard of for me!

I decided to get a heated vest finally.  I opted to go the similar route as my heated gloves, getting the RS Taichi E-Heat Vest.  I'll write a separate post on that soon,  but through preliminary testing, it seems like a great product.  High quality, soft and comfy, and heats very well!

Can you guess what color I got? Hahaha...you shall see....

Get ready folks!

- 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!