the NATO garage

[JavaBrewer]

Todd, thanks for the info on maintainence.

Tomorrow I'm going helmet, jacket, glove shopping.

[nostatic]

don't forget boots. And pants help too. I picked up the Alpinestars airflo textile pants...they zip up almost the entire leg so they are like slipping on shorts...great design. For jackets, CE armor is the "gold standard", but some brands use their own design. Generally they will run CE in the shoulders and elbows, but just a foam pad in the back.

Be prepared...this is a totally different game then riding way back when. There is really good gear out there, and it makes a big difference, especially since you have a lot more hp and there are a LOT more cars on the road (most of them on the phone too). I feel alot better about life when I'm fully geared up.

[nostatic]

and don't be suprised if the '01 triple is clean as a whistle. There are owners out there that are just like 911 guys...they love their toys and take very good care of them. Often times it will be someone with 2 or 3 bikes, and they are just rotating to something new every few years. I think it comes down to if you really like have a pink slip/hate payments and have the $5K to spare. And whether you really want a warranty. '04 is the last year of the older design, so you will have some depreciation as more '05 and '06 bikes come online...but that is always the case. Getting a new one for more than $2K below the going new price though...that eases some of the depreciation pain. As for me, I like using someone elses money if it is cheap. 2.9% for the subie and triumph was OK by me even though I don't like debt. Then again, I bought a cheaper car than I had originally planned so I would have space in the budget for the bike...

[JavaBrewer]

Yeah last week at NCY I was looking at riding gear - and got the sticker shock on helmets. Anyway they had a line of really cool looking jackets with body armor on the back and arms/elbows. Not super heavy with good ventilation. I'm a guy who sweats alot...perhaps more info than needed here Good gloves and some boots are also mandatory.

Edit - drinking wine again. I want really good protection but back in my day protection = leather. Here in SoCal that can get really hot. I've seen some new synthetic jackets with body armor that looked really nice without the leather look. Anyone with experience on this stuff? Sorry I don't have the brand names in front of me, and on glass #3 of wine I don't have it on the brain either.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by Steve Carlton
http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/machine/models/model.jsp?model=r1150r_rockster
0.9% APR + 5 free payments... [/B]

Steve, that Rockster is a cool looking bike. I've never really been into the BMW bikes though I respect them tremendously. Back when they were the best touring bikes out there. Probably still are. I'm looking for a bike with attitude. I am after all starting my mid life crisis and Harley's just don't do it for me. The Rockster just might have it. Worth a look definitely.

[nostatic]

I've got a Tourmaster Cortech jacket that is "textile" (ie not leather). Armor on the shoulders, elbows and back. Vents on the arms and back. Zip out quilted liner. I am pretty happy with it so far...I can zip out the liner during the day, carry it in the backpack, then zip it in at night or when it gets cold. It was only $160. The Alpinestar pants are $140. I will likely get a pair of leather pants and jacket for the track though.

My Shoei was $350, but I am *totally* satisfied with it. I looked at cheaper ones (Icon for $200, various HJC for $150), but am glad I got the Shoei.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I've got a set of Alpinestar boots and I wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket most of the time. Sometimes I wear my Hein Gericke race-style jacket but it's already too hot for that.

[5axis]

Recently I picked up a Miline 3/4 length adventure style jacket. It has armor in the back, shoulders and elbow/ forarm (sp?) area. It seems pretty decent but I have never hit the pavement in on of these "plastic" suits. I think it will be okay but I bet it will be more of a mess than my dainese leathers. I looked at some of the mesh jackets and wonder how it would hold up. Will the doctor be scrubbing melted nylon off what is left of your skin? I think for agressive performance riding I will stick with my leathers.

[Shuie]

Dave Aldana style

[nostatic]

Originally posted by 5axis
I think for agressive performance riding I will stick with my leathers.

I"d have to agree with that, but for around town I'm hoping the textile stuff will work ok. But for track? Leather only...

[tabs]

I just love it...a 45 year old man riding a 20 somethings year old Death Wish of a bike....Bon Appetite....

[greglepore]

Aerostitch is good stuff, as are many of the Kevlar combos.

Helmets are a fashion thing. Figure out a manufacturer's sizing, then get a last season or 2 yr old one on Ebay for 1/3 the cost. Really.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by tabs
I just love it...a 45 year old man riding a 20 somethings year old Death Wish of a bike....Bon Appetite....

Hey I'm only 42. Don't age me too soon. I'm pretty confident that I've got all my hoodlum racing ways behind me. I'm a total middle aged poser now.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
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.

I see the buy used over new arguement all the time, and often it is a good way to go. Here's the thing... the Speed Triple used to list for (I think) $10,999 before it was reduced to a bargain at $8,890. The APR adds to the savings, at least if you need to finance.

I think all bikes depreciate badly. But I'd still rather have a bike 3 model years newer for $3K more. Start putting values on the warranty and lack of upkeep onto the difference in value when you go to sell, and the new one isn't a luxury. Plus, if you have one significant problem, you'll be in your '01 for the price of a new one, and will be losing money, relatively speaking. It looks like '04s are only $500 more than '03s, worth it considering resale, plus they haven't been sitting as long.

I subscribe to all the magazines, and usually every year there's improvements. I'm certain there were some good improvements since '01. I think the '02 makes more power, and I think the '03 or '04 got the suspension upgraded. The earlier ones got knocked on suspension issues. Do some research on the web, or post some questions at http://www.t595.net/messageboard/ for sure.

You won't find anything to complain about power-wise. Those things are very, very strong.

I was re-visiting the BMW idea, as the Triumph may not be as good for carrying a passenger, or on long trips. The BMWs make great torque and are very user-friendly with a lot of good features.

I'd highly recommend riding all the candidates before buying. There's no substitute for how each will fit you and "talk" to you.

I'll post some info about gear later after I get some FOOD!

[Jeff Higgins]

Take a look at the Harley Street Rod. The model designation is VRSCR; it's kind of a more sporting version of the V-Rod. If traditional Harleys don't cut it for you, this one might. Non-Harley bike magazine reviews have been favorable, and it has a Porsche designed motor to boot. You won't have to put up with the crippling depreciation that plagues all other makes, either.

[nostatic]

OK David, how did accessory shopping go? Enquiring minds...

[JavaBrewer]

Well...wife had plans and so mine got...well, you know.

Here's the deal. Wife and I had some big discussions on the whole bike topic. She agreed that the dirt bikes will wait until Zack turns 9 (next year) and is ok with it. There are several reasons for postponing the dirt bikes but primarily I am still rehabing my shoulder after a nasty fall suffered last year. I just know that it will get ruined on a dirt bike without more pt. So...wife was like "street bike contibutes nothing in our situation, dangerous, etc..." but definitely not "NO ****** WAY". I'm just gonna get the bike and "suprise" her with it. I'm pretty confident she won't like it, but also won't fight too hard as long as I show restraint.

So, I've got tentative plans to see the 01 Triple on Thursday morning and still waiting to hear back from the Triumph shop in LA with the new 03 and 04 bikes. I want to ride a local used 900 Monster and see the BMWs. I will be in and out of work this week getting this done, including the gear purchases.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
Well...wife had plans and so mine got...well, you know.

I'm just gonna get the bike and "suprise" her with it.

hey, that worked great for me with my first 911

Ride as many as you can...they are all different bikes. What complicates things somewhat is that you can tweak the riding position (clipons v. straight bars, etc), and once you get back on two wheels it all comes back very fast, so what is scary when you first hop on becomes not scary pretty quickly.

A motorcycle isn't a "sane" purchase (except for the gas mileage part), so i think you should buy one that "speaks" to you, rather than base it on specs, etc.

[JavaBrewer]

Haha, yeah I remember there was an "issue" for you - that occured before my time here on Pelican. Seriously my wife is pretty reasonable and sympathetic to my needs/wants. One of my most enjoyable hobbies is home improvement from which she derives lots of pleasure from as well. I'm not a high maintainence kinda guy and rarely do things like this. I'm not too worried in that regard.

[911boost]

David,

I was very much in your shoes when I bought my BMW. My wife was not pleased with the purchase, it was just something she did really agree with at the time. She has warmed up though, not quite to the point of wanted to take a ride on it or anything.

Buy the bike before you buy the gear. If you get the bike at a dealership, alot of times they will give you a discount on any gear you buy there too. I got 20% off everything I bought when I picked up the BMW. At the time I just bought a jacket and helmet. I have since bought pants and a couple different pairs/types of gloves and some Sidi riding boots.

Bill