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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Was fooling around with the radio trying to get it to unlock as it was frozen up again. I forgot I had raised the side stand and leaned the bike over to place it back on the stand, PLOP!!!! Right over on its side in the parking-lot.
First instinct was to just stand there straddling the bike thinking "damn." Second instinct was to shut her off and then look around to see if anyone was looking......lol
Took two times getting myself in position to get her back upright. The first time I had kicked the shifter down thinking I had caught 1st gear but as soon as I put a little leverage on the bike it began to roll rearward. Set her down and hit the shifter again, this time making sure it was in gear, repositioned myself and up she came.
Felt stupid but hey what are you gonna do....... BUT it gets better 
I leave the school and start heading for the dealership to check on a couple things. I'm cruising along enjoying the ride when I notice it is getting really really REALLY black up ahead. No problem I'm thinking, the clouds are east and I'm gonna turn north. Turn north onto this country bumpkin road which lead to the dealership via the back-roads when it starts getting darker north. I get to a point where I'm 1/2 way from anything and any cover in any direction when I feel the first drops. Got this covered I just re-weather proofed my rain suite as I pulled off on the side to suite up.
I got the jacket on before the dam broke and the heavens opened. Grabbed my pants but there wasn't much point by then as I headed for the woods and a little tree canopy cover.
Lightning, thunder, and rain like you wouldn't believe pounded for more than 40 minutes. The rain-suite was a waste of time, soaked right through (guess I should have taken my new gear) and when it finally did stop I had to change out my wet clothes with the dry in my saddlebag.
The GOOD news is I had my trusty "Absorber" (which you can buy in automotive at Wal-Mart) which is like a sham-wow and soaks up water like you wouldn't believe (won't mark your Visions paint either). Dried the bike off and the rest of he trip was uneventful.
Just one of those days I guess  |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Compared to other heavy bikes you have owned, how does it rate on picking it up?
What we would give for some rain down here. I use Frog Togs and they really keep me dry. I just saw a kit that you can add a patch to the leg to make them heat resistant.
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2009-08-11 2:35 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | radioteacher - 2009-08-11 3:34 AM
Compared to other heavy bikes you have owned, how does it rate on picking it up?
What we would give for some rain down here. I use Frog Togs and they really keep me dry. I just saw a kit that you can add a patch to the leg to make them heat resistant.
Ride Safe
Not as bad as my VTX 1800 was...
Please post a link for the patch to the leg to make them heat resistant.
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Cruiser
Posts: 127
| I dropped mine in my driveway accidentally when I first got it. Didn't know anything about backing up to the bike to pick it up, just basically lifted it while facing it. It's actually not as bad as picking up the Kingpin. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I just saw it in a catalog last night. I did a search and found it online at the link below.
... link removed by request ... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | on dropping, not like the Wing either. My left arm is permanently damaged from either from keeping that piece of junk from falling or picking it up. I hope I don't have to give up riding because of it but I think I've lost about 30% strength and 20% functionality. It makes me glad I've got the Vision. So far, no droppy, droppy, and it is not top heavy to me in comparison. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| RT, the Vision picks up about the same as the other heavy bikes I've owned (couple wings and RG's). Of course they all have fall over protection so they really never go down all the way like you would on a cruiser without engine guards. There is a distinct advantage if only mental when compared to the RG's. The Harley had rubber mounts in the handlebars which would flex a little on lifting.
Ok better clear this one up, lol. I am NOT in the habit of dropping my bikes. When the others have been on their side it has been on purpose. If you do a lot of road trips at some point you'll need to plug a tire and rolling the bike on its side is a great means of accessing the tire when doing so. I have to admit I put the Vision on its side a LOT to check and air the rear tire (also makes cleanup easier), this was just a dumb drop and my bad.
On the rain suite; I have another, I just prefer to use the "First Gear" set I've had forever. One of those favorite riding items if you know what I mean. I have TourMaster ride/rain pants and jacket for trip use. I treated the 1st gear stuff a few weeks back but I must have got the mix wrong. Guess I'll do it again.
As for the FroggToggs? I know a lot of folks who use or have used them. Most upgrade to a better suite, particularly if you ride a lot of cross country rides. I think most would agree that HD makes the best overall suite but it is pricy and then you have First Gear and TourMaster with top end suites as well. I'm sure there are others but the folks I ride with ride with one of the three. I've got well over 10 years and probably in excess of 200k miles of rain riding on the FG suite with no leaks until this year. Not a bad statement for FG suites, but a severe blem on my ability to retreat them, lol. If you like your Frogg Toggs thats great and with the Visions protective characteristics they are probably all you need. You should be able to buy some kevlar iron on patch material (online) to prevent burning the pants on your pipes. Worse case buy some iron on denim patch at WalMart. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Teach,
Those are the kinds of days that, when you look back in a few years, will bring a smile to your face.
It's hard to remember the hundreds of uneventful trips we make, but the ones where it's minor calamity after minor calamity - providing no one is hurt - stick like oatmeal in the memory.
Plus, told correctly, you can milk that story for a drink or a nice dinner. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Radioteacher!
This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for! Thank you.
I love my Toggs, but I melted them to the pipes last spring. What a PITA go get those off the pipes.
EDIT: They are out of stock at the link below, but Amazon has them.
radioteacher - 2009-08-11 7:34 AM
I just saw it in a catalog last night. I did a search and found it online at the link below.
...link removed by request |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Breaker,
Glad to help out. It was the first link I found. I will have have my local shop, Moto Liberty of San Antonio, order me a set. I like to spend my money local when I can. Nathan the manager there is good people.
Ride Safe |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Breaker, oh ya those are the best one's for sure. With 40 years and several countries of riding adventures come some really good stories. They never seem all that fun at the time but sure do make you laugh looking back. Would make for some interesting posts here I'm sure. |
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Finally happened
