the NATO garage

[nostatic]

Shoei RF-1000. Best bang for the buck imho. But you need to try them on...some people have a Shoei head, others an Arai head.

http://street-bikes.ridegear.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/shop/Full_Face_Helmets/F-10662_RF-1000_Solid_Helmets.html?E+scstore

this is my subtle yellow one:

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Yes, try on every helmet you can...wear each one for 20+ minutes to see if it gives you a headache. Do the "roll test" (try to pull it off by rotating it forward towards your face) to make sure it fits. It should be snug all around but not squeezing 'til your eyeballs pop out.

Finally, don't bother with 1/2 or 3/4 helmets. I've seen guys who've done faceplants in 3/4 helmets and it ain't pretty.

[nostatic]

if you can find a local shop with a saleguy who knows his shiite, that is a great way to go. One of the local shops has a guy who is very good at fitting people to helmets...in fact he can look at your head and steer you towards one that will likely fit. Then he has you do a lot of twisting and turning to see how the pads fit/flex, etc. With me he swapped out the cheek pads to a bigger size to tweak the fit. I paid about $30 more than if I'd bought online, but it was very much worth it imho.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by nostatic
Shoei RF-1000. Best bang for the buck imho. But you need to try them on...some people have a Shoei head, others an Arai head.

I have an Arai head. Shoei's give me hot spots.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

PS: If your hemet ever makes any contact with the ground, you should probably replace it.

I'm a real safety advocate about this stuff, if you haven't noticed.

Kurt: Nice Viffer.

[nostatic]

well, I dropped mine from about 3 inches yesterday. Of course it landed visor-first on the concrete. Nice scratch right over the left eye. grrrr....

[Drago]

Originally posted by nostatic
well, I dropped mine from about 3 inches yesterday. Of course it landed visor-first on the concrete. Nice scratch right over the left eye. grrrr....

Follows the "cats always land on their feet" rule.

Helmets, when they fall, must land on the face shield. If they don't they've broken the laws of helmet physics.

Oh, and FWIW, I have a Shoei head. Ivory white with a nice big scratch on the face shield.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I'm a Shoei head too. RF-800. Silver.

No scratches on the shield but LOTS of bug guts.

[Drago]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
No scratches on the shield but LOTS of bug guts.

I once took a bumble bee in the face shield at ~80mph. Do you realize how big bumble bees get here in the late summer. Frickin' Susan B. Anthony big! Couldn't see a damn thing...had to pull off and clean it off before I could continue. Bleaaach. Bumble bee guts are sticky.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Yeah, I caught one in the chest at about 60. The thing bruised me through my leather jacket! It died on impact and the airstream blew it up into my helmet where it came to rest sitting on the ledge where the chinbar and faceshield meet.

I was not amused.

[JavaBrewer]

Ok another try at a used triple. This one is a 01, local bike, one owner, has the original bars, 12K miles. Guys says totally pampered and maintained cruiser (then why the clip-ons...). In the pictures it looks really nice.





He's asking $4700 including the bike stands. So tell my why I need to go $8K out the door for a new 03 Triple when I can buy this straight up w/o financing.

[nostatic]

David, jump on it. Has it had the 12K service? If not, factor that in (valve adjust is at 8K, every 4K is a minor service).

At 12K miles, the tranny is just getting broken in...seriously. That looks like an ideal bike for you. You should be able to flip it for no loss in a year if you want.

[greglepore]

Yeah, I'd drop 4700 on that in an instant, and spend another 300 on an AGV

[Drago]

Nice...jump on her. I wouldn't let the clip-on's bother you too much....though I'd replace them with the stock setup.

Edit: Spelling (this time). I really shouldn't post after drinking...

[JavaBrewer]

Thanks for the input guys. The seller says he has the original bars and will help installing them if I buy the bike. My weekend is totalled so I hope the bike is still available on Monday. I'll keep you all posted.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by nostatic
David, jump on it. Has it had the 12K service? If not, factor that in (valve adjust is at 8K, every 4K is a minor service).

At 12K miles, the tranny is just getting broken in...seriously. That looks like an ideal bike for you. You should be able to flip it for no loss in a year if you want.

Todd, can you give me an idea of what the local dealer would get for the 8K mile value adjust and 4K mile minor service? If not for the triple then your speed four?

Man I love the black...

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar

He's asking $4700 including the bike stands. So tell my why I need to go $8K out the door for a new 03 Triple when I can buy this straight up w/o financing.

I'm certain the engine and suspension were improved since '01. I think the earlier ones have a harsher suspension. There's new '04s on Cycle Trader for $8K, one with cowl & fairing.

Pros for new:
- 2 year warranty
- zero miles (no mishaps)
- half the price difference will return to you in resale
- low APR
- get the cool looking windscreen:


Cons for used:
- closer to needing shocks/brakes/clutch/tires/battery/chain/service
- shocks can be tired at 15K
- clips-ons not a good sign
- hassle to reinstall original bars
- are there service records?


Helmet-wise, Arais are #1, Shoei #2. Different lines of Arai have different shapes. Shoeis tend to be quieter. Call Kyle at www.helmetcity.com for some ideas/specials/closeouts. Trying one on for 20 minutes is good advice.

[Drago]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
Man I love the black...

"It's like....how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black."

(I finally figured out I could actually search for the correct quote.)

Go with the black and wear bright colors on YOU.

[nostatic]

minor service is about 3 hours of shop time and oil, filter, etc. About $300. I think major service is a couple hundred more.

[JavaBrewer]

Steve, I appreciate your comments, and for bringing the triple to my attention! So many folks have recommended buying a used bike vs. new one stating horrible depreciation in case I made a mistake. Are you saying a triple performs better on resale than the average (or Japanese) bike does? I admit I would much rather have the new 03 or 04 bike, and truth be told I'm 50/50 on doing just that. This bike popped up over the weekend and I'll check it out on Monday. My thinking is this. I could offer something like $4200 and work it to $4500. Ride it for the summer, and if I really like the experience sell it for near what I paid and get a 05 Triple to keep long term. Heck compared to my Gpz 550 this 01 Triple will probably blow my mind as far as performance, handling, braking, etc...

Again this 01 might be a dog that's simply photogenic with a good salesman owner. I will see on Monday.