I've decided that I want to ride more this winter than in the past. I'm pretty well outfitted with upper body and boots but I'm looking for suggestions as far as pants goes. I'm thinking of something I can maybe wear over jeans that will protect in a slide and armored that would also cut the wind. Right now I only wear Draggin Jeans.

I know Google can be my friend but I'm asking the good folks here what works best.....suggestions?

I receive far far more feedback in support of the way this forum is run than I do complaints on this subject. However, I know that here on this forum and now elsewhere, the ferret occasionally takes some heat for his moderation decisions. Yet another example of this was recently brought to my attention. With that in mind, I wanted to take a moment to say a few things in his defense and to acknowledge how much I appreciate all that he does. (As these comments are unsolicited, I'll apologize in advance to Mickey if he happens to find this embarrassing.)

First and foremost, the ferret became the moderator here because I asked him to. He gave it a lot of thought before agreeing to do so. Having served as a moderator on other forums, he was very familiar with just how much of a headache it could be. Anyone that thinks he's been doing this for his ego is sadly mistaken. For the most part it is a thankless task that often tests ones patience and makes it difficult to remain balanced and objective. I can tell you that on many occasions he has proven to more tactful and patient than I would have been under the circumstances.

The other important thing that I want to note is that he has my full support in his moderation decisions. We almost always find ourselves on the same page when it comes to how we feel about things that happen around here. If you have a problem with the way this place is moderated, then know that this extends beyond the ferret and includes me as well. One of the things that I put in place is a word filter to prevent certain words from appearing in posts here. While a bit extreme, I've decided to error on the side of caution when it comes to this particular issue. If anyone feels that I'm not being fair letting some words pass and not others, it's probably due to the fact that I just haven't entered those words into the filter yet. This has nothing to do with the ferret. If you honestly feel that I've been over the top by including a particular word, then send me a note and let me know why.

Contrary to the small minority of folks that find themselves frustrated by the moderation efforts here, I feel extremely fortunate to have the ferret around and involved the day to day tasks required to keep this place the way it is. He brings a wealth of motorcycling experience rivaled by few along with the tendency to lead by example when it comes to treating others nicely. I on the other hand love bikes, but don't have nearly the experience and while I'm a nice enough guy, don't have nearly the patience that he does at the times when it's probably needed the most, plus I seem to have the tendency to stick my foot in my mouth every now and again. But then I'm human, and so is the ferret. I know that we can't please everyone, but we do our best to trying to be consistent. I just happen to feel that the ferret carries out the task of keeping this place in order extremely well.

I should also add that the vast majority of those who participate here don't really require moderation and that is also truly appreciated. I didn't write this post to raise the level of drama around here, which is extremely low to begin with compared to most other forums. Rather, it's all to easy to forget those who play a role in almost any operation that runs smoothy. I didn't want that to be the case when it comes to the ferret and all that he does here.

Hey Empty Sea,

I really got a kick out of your latest avatar image — very clever, and nicely done. Glad I was able to find a larger version in your ride report.

All the best,
Guth

The image I'm referring to:

I'm pushing 26,000 miles and I'm starting to see that orange powder around a few of the links that indicates the plating has worn off the link pins. I could probably get a few more thousand out of it but I'd end up adjusting it frequently so I'm going to go ahead and replace it. Anyone else done that yet and if so how many miles did you get on the original chain?

This appears like something that could be interesting:

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/12/18/201...py-photos/

If Cycle World's speculations are accurate, it could be a nice performer, and I like the looks.

Has anybody purchased the top box (trunk) from Samurider? If "yes", is it possible to provide your comments and possibly some pictures?

Thank you.

I belong to a couple motorcycle forums, and lurk several others. One thing I notice in common on all the forums is guys buy bikes, farkle the blazes out of them, keep them a year, then sell the bike they just finished making "theirs" and buy something else and repeat the process over and over again.

I have motorcycling friends who always seem to have a new motorcycle in their garage. So much so, that a common question is the next time you see them is "So, what are you riding now?"

It's not like the bikes they get rid of are bad bikes. There are no bad bikes anymore. Bikes have gotten so good any of them could last someone their entire riding career for the most part, with very few issues.

No, it seems to be a case of the wantsies.

Hey, I'm bad at it myself. In the last few years I have owned a Triumph Bonneville, a Honda CB 750 Nighthawk, 2 Yamaha FZ-1's, 2 Honda CB 1100's, 2 Yamaha Majesty 400 Scooters, and a Honda ST 1300. I've never come close to wearing one of these motorcycles out. I think the highest mileage is my current ST 1300 at 53,000 miles, one FZ in the 30,000 mile range, an FZ, the Nighthawk and the Bonnie in the 20,000 mile range, the 2 CB 1100s in the 10,000 mile range and the two scooters in the 5000 mile range.

I've lived in the same house for 21 years. I worked at the same place for 25 years. Been married to the same woman for 41 years. Always put over 200,000 miles on my cars before getting a new one.

So why the motorcycle leap frog?

How about you? Are you guilty?

Looking for purchase advice on a '14 STD CB1100 here in Los Angeles. A few dealers have been sitting on these for 6-10 months, with no sale. Now they are priced around $9,300 (we know MSRP on the STD is around $10,500). Sales tax here in LA is about 9%.

I've never purchased a motorcycle before. This will be my first.

What in your collective opinion would be a great OTD price here? Not interested in extended warranty etc. I am a cash buyer, but I'm not sure that makes a difference. What would you be prepared to pay OTD in my shoes? Obviously I want to pay as little as possible but not insult the dealer with my offer.

Thanks!

close to taking plunge for a new gold wing have choice between 2013 and 2015 about1200 cheaper for the 13 any thoughts

I figured I would start a thread to keep track of what I have done to the bike since I bought it. I got it in June 2014 with just over 3k miles. It was bone stock:
[url=http://s960.photobucket.com/user/Pflugerville_Bike_Guy/media/20140719_202618_zps11528a5a.jpg.html]

First thing I did was make my own license plate bracket:
[url=http://s960.photobucket.com/user/Pflugerville_Bike_Guy/media/20140720_194530_zps1adb9c1e.jpg.html]

Then, I tried some adhesive rubber tank knee pads. I ended up not liking how they looked. This is just too pretty of a tank to have those. I may try some magnetic pads that I can remove when I don't want them on:
[url=http://s960.photobucket.com/user/Pflugerville_Bike_Guy/media/20140727_095631_zps0bb7f8c5.jpg.html]

I love the naked looks, but no wind protection was killing the enjoyment of riding at highway speeds. The Dart Flyscreen did the trick:
[url=http://s960.photobucket.com/user/Pflugerville_Bike_Guy/media/20140801_065203_zps6aaf80d2.jpg.html]

With the small screen on, I wanted to tuck in just a bit lower. Also, I felt the tall bars and mirror were a little awkward aesthetically. So, I got a set of Type 2 bars and some lower profile mirrors (Bikemasters):
[url=http://s960.photobucket.com/user/Pflugerville_Bike_Guy/media/20141007_181824_zpsf04035a2.jpg.html]

I needed to carry some stuff and settled upon a single left side saddlebag. I found one on japan.webike.net which had a relief for a blinker and ordered it along with an Agras fork brace. I also tried some different mirrors since the ones I bought were too narrow. The new mirrors are Bikemaster Old School Tube mirrors:
[url=http://s960.photobucket.com/user/Pflugerville_Bike_Guy/media/20141127_162327_zps4cd89c87.jpg.html]
[url=http://s960.photobucket.com/user/Pflugerville_Bike_Guy/media/20141127_192435_zps9021f053.jpg.html]
[url=http://s960.photobucket.com/user/Pflugerville_Bike_Guy/media/20141127_162312_zps82925221.jpg.html]

My K&H seat I ordered at the end of November should be here before Christmas. I am quite anxious to receive it and will post pics. I also will have some Chic Designs hand guards and Moriwaki skid pads on the way shortly.