Using one of Chip's pics, I want to ask a question...

We know that the heaviest portion of the bar end weights is actually inside the handlebar, isolated by the two rubber grommets. The question involves the larger diameter black weights, that we see visible and external to the handlebar. From the factory (or dealer setup) were yours somewhat loose, such that they could easily be rotated a few degrees, for and aft, before hitting the stops?

One of mine (throttle side) was loose and one was tight. My presumption was that the loose, wiggly, one was correct and that the screw on the other side was snugged down too tight, preventing the weight from moving as it should, and doing its job.

Then, as I thought about it more and more, I wonder. Consider the heavier weight inside the handlebar. It dampens the vibrations because it is suspended in the rubber grommets. Not solid to the bar, but yet not all loose and wiggly. Should the big black bar ends actually be snugged down tight, adding even more weight to that inside the bar? Or, should they be slightly loose, able to move a little, and vibrate differently than the weight inside the bar?

Not so much curious as to everyone's opinion, but more on exactly how they were when your bike was delivered? Like I say, my bike had one loose and one tight, so no clue which was actually intended by design.

Okay, much has been said about how effective or not the rear brake is on our mistress.

Really, how much do we use it, and for what?

The front brake on my 2014 is really assertive, and combined with the ABS, really inspires confidence.

The mild and meek rear brake however, lends itself really well to adding stability by trailing the brake in slow speed manoeuvres.

Have we now got to the stage where, for most of us mortals on the road, the front brake is king for scrubbing the mph off, and the rear just for fancy stuff?

Enlighten me!

From todays ride..been a week since chasing color 1 thread so thought I'd try and find some more. Would help the brilliance of the pics if the sun came out, but it's been like London around here lately. I think it's rained at least part of each day for 8 days in a row, and temps have been in the 40's and 50's.. Hasn't made for pleasant riding

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Set your DVR's or heat up a pot of black coffee.

Ch 219 Fox Sports 1 Sunday morning 1 a.m. ( just after midnight on Saturday)

Lorenzo seems to be on fire in free practice.

I have ridden many...many motorcycles. Worked in the industry from 1972 to 1989 and rode about everything produced during that time period from Japan, England and Italy. I test ride a lot of bikes even now since I live near a shop that lets me test drive anything on the lot or in the building, any time I want. A new model comes out, I go test ride it (Honda or Yamaha). They get something in used I haven't ridden, where's my helmet? be back shortly. I go to Demo days and ride everything they have, from R-1s to Strykers, from Piaggio 3 wheeled scooters to Can Am Spyders. I will ride anything.

Additionally we have 13 members in our family who ride. I get to ride all their bikes as well. My sons Ducati 696, my nephews NC 700X, my daughter in laws Ninja 300, another nephews SV 650, and another nephews KTM 690 duke, my brothers Triumph 790 (which used to be mine)

If a friend offers me a ride on his bike, chances are I will be back in 15 minutes. I've ridden Versys, and Vstroms, and R1150 and R1200R Beemers, and and Guzzi Brevas

I like ALL motorcycles!

But....the bike I find MOST satisfying to ride is a big torquey inline 4 cylinder liter plus bike. I like bikes that pull like a train, in any gear, at any time, that have a little bit of size to them, and a little bit of weight. When I roll the throttle on, I want the scenery to go blurring by..now. Don't want to wait for the revs to pick up. I don't want the power band of a 2 stroke in a 4 stroke. I want the power to be linear, building like a long low slope. When I'm rolling down the road at 55 in high gear and hit a little Burg with a 35 mph speed limit I just want to slow down to 35 cruise thru and then roll it back up to 55 when coming out the other side, without downshifting. Liter bike torque baby!

There used to be lots of them..GS Suzukis, XS Yamahas, KZ Kawasakis and CB Hondas. I was afraid the manufacturers would quit making them. Instead there seems to be a resurgence of this type of bike. Yamaha and Suzuki have both announce big " road burners" and of course thank goodness we have the CB 1100. Figure Kaw will be bringing their big Zrex back soon too. Great bike. They won't want to be left out of the market.

Thank goodness they are making a comeback!

Purchased a Yoshimura full system for my 2014 Std. Left the center stand off because the spring return is in the center versus the side on the 2013 models. Some have cut the adapter plate and made it work. Thought I'd try to reuse the stand by making an extension off the pivot rod & exhaust bracket/hanger.

Here's some pics
Machined a piece that goes into the center stand pivot rod. Welded it to a piece of 1/4" x 3/4" flat stock, bent around in a "U". It'll make more sense later.


Extension piece made from 1/4" x 3/4".


Aluminum spacer. Cut the rubber sleeve. Really tight fit.


Series of photos showing how everything came together

Is anyone else having a problem with their tires losing air? Mine lose about 2-3 lbs. per month. Luckily I check them fairly often, but this seems like a lot of loss for that short amount of time. And it's both the front and rear at an even rate, not just one, so it's not like there's a leak in just one of them.
Just curious if that's the "norm" for these cast wheels?!

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/10/y...d-stryker/

This has my attention. I have been toying with the idea of a cafe style bike and for some reason keep wanting to build my own around an older Virago or V star. I saw this new model of Bolt yesterday and really like it.

Looks like they put longer forks and shocks for better lean angle. It looks like the ergos might be a bit tight for long legged creatures such as myself, but such a bike isn't meant for long distances.

It's a glorious day here at Phillip Island and the big guys are warming up as I write. Bikes in the foreground, ocean behind. And two days ago we were riding through snow!

All the way from Cairns to PI, 3300kms.