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Post by danno on Jul 30, 2013 13:30:33 GMT -5
8 o'clock coffee is all I drink (when I make it myself) - whole beans ground right before, and brewed in a french press. Discovered freshly grounded beans with a Bodum burr grinder and the Bodum French Press method about 6 months ago. At home I drink it black. When I'm away from home, and there's only drip coffee, I have to add cream to hide the bitterness. Unlike you, I haven't settled on a favorite brand of coffee yet. I like to experiment each time I'm in need of beans. There's been some I've tasted and won't purchase again, such as GEVALIA. H.E.B. is a supermarket in town and they have a wide variety of beans. I'd guess about 2 dozen choices. I like to try something new each time. Eventually, I'll probably pick a favorite. |
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Post by danno on Jul 30, 2013 13:12:39 GMT -5
Hello, an1m3n00b
Just wondering how your learning progress is going? Being new myself I found this video to be most helpful. I practice it's counter steering tips every time I go out. I even pretend that there's a hazard in front of me that I want to avoid in a hurry.
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Post by danno on Jul 27, 2013 10:26:01 GMT -5
Wow, it would seem you guys know your stuff. Well I went for a second trip and this one went WAY better. I lowered the tire pressure to like 24/30 and that fixed about 80% of the uneasiness. I took corners slower, rolled (the throttle, not the bike) and approached gravel at a walking pace. I even got on the 55mph highway for a short distance (although I was at WOT the whole time so I'll probably stick to the slower roads) I think the biggest thing that helped was being more relaxed and the tires. Although, i'm still very inexperienced and I still get nervous about defensive driving. Mostly I'm worried that if something happened I won't be able to react fast enough, or i'll over-react and skid. I'm still getting used to all the controls and from what i've heard the transmission sounding like it's gonna fall apart is normal, could someone explain that? Also you were very right, nothing went boom  Hey New Rider, I too just finished the safety course. So you and I are probably at the same skill level which isn't saying much.  I have the same concerns as you. I do worry that if something happened I won't be able to react fast enough, or i'll over-react and skid. My practice time has essentially been in and around my sub division. Practicing left and right turns,leaning is a big learning curve for me. I practice panic breaking. What I've also decided to do is if I have an option of getting to my destination on a path less traveled by cars, I'll take that route. It seems to me when there are fewer cars around there's less a chance I get into an accident. This is a totally new experience for me, The learning curve is probably more steeper for me than many others. For the sake of others on the road, my family and for myself, I'm taking this learning process real slow and not feel pressure to be better than I'm ready to be.It'll come. Be patient Danno |
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Post by danno on Jul 26, 2013 12:00:36 GMT -5
Here's a product that helps
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Post by danno on Jul 26, 2013 11:11:49 GMT -5
Hi all my opinion is anything that blocks your senses is not good, one needs to hear as well as see whats happening around them to be safe. +1 For me, it is not just that it can block some sounds I might want to hear, it is the distraction. This is my second year of riding, and the first year I was uber attentive and watching EVERYTHING. This year I was driving down the road with lots of cross streets and noticed I was not watching every car, I was far more relaxed and inattentive. I went back to the old way of watching every cross street and every car and what they were doing. Still relaxed, but hyper alert. Listening to music is going to dull some of that alertness. I can rock out at home, on the street I just want to not get killed because I was playing Karoke with some Blink 182. Ear plugs might block out, say some wind noise and protect my ears, but you don't turn earplugs up louder than the windnoise to hear music. Earplugs might dull some perception, does not need to be even louder than the noise you are trying to block out. To each their own, but not for me. I was thinking along the same lines as Jwalz. The first year he was super sensitive...that's not a bad thing is it? I'm extremely knew at this but it seems to me, and I might be wrong, that many riders with years of experience, I'll repeat myself, MANY riders...not all riders, seem to become over confident and complacency sets in with their riding. They develop some bad habits. Jwalz mentioned he wasn't as attentive in his second year as he was in his first. It's my humble opinion that if you do choose to use ear bugs, your increasing the risk of having an incident. This places yourself and others at risk because of your decision. God gave us five senses, with "common sense"being the sixth. We need to use them all to avoid having an incident...don't ya think? It also crossed my mind if those who are in favor of the buds are slightly a younger group than us old folks who no longer think we're invincible?Just wondering? |
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Post by danno on Jul 25, 2013 11:23:40 GMT -5
If an added brake light on your helmet interest you, GMAX sells a few of their helmets with a light on the back.The light has 3 different modes, solid, slow blink and a faster blink. It also can be set up to coordinate with your brake lights.That's extra $ though. |
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Post by danno on Jul 23, 2013 11:23:10 GMT -5
The words small and large are both relative to what one compares it to. To a New Yorker, a town like Milwaukee would be considered small. But, to someone from an extremely small town in Wisconsin, it's a huge metropolis. The Burgman can be both small and big.It's all "relative" to what you're comparing it to. I chose the Burgman for several reasons. 1-I'm a big person 2-Reputation of being reliable 3-Storage space For me personal, it's a big bike to learn on. For others, perhaps not. I'll eventually increase my confidence, it just may take me a little longer to get there.  |
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Post by danno on Jul 23, 2013 3:15:15 GMT -5
Hey guys, I appreciate all the tips…. *Use proper safety attire *Use the throttle to maintain balance *Hey young man, I’m  years old, if I can do it so can you *Turn your head to where you want to go *Start with a smaller bike I decided to take all your advice and it seems to be helping. I got on a smaller bike, I began using the throttle to maintain my balance. I made sure to turn my head more. I became a younger man with a new identity! I even had someone video tape me . Thanks for all your help!  |
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Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 17:14:35 GMT -5
I'm 54 now, just starting to ride. I decided this would be my mid life crisis! ;D
It's one of those things I've always wished I did and never have.
It seems like a fun way to get around rather than a car.
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Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 17:05:30 GMT -5
[replyingto=scootnwinn]scootnwinn[/replyingto]Just getting back in Rob. Put in about an hours worth. One area I need to work on is making a right hand turns from a dead stop, typically a stop sign. I tend to over reach and go over the yellow line a tad. I'm compensating by dragging my right foot on the ground until I get up enough speed to balance the bike again. Can anyone relate or has it been too many years to remember when you first started out? Any tips? It's a Burgman 400, so consider that too.
Dan
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Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 14:29:28 GMT -5
Pretty "cool"..Appreciate the tip |
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Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 10:31:21 GMT -5
Scumbag?....Really?  I don't think I'm liking this game |
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Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 10:24:35 GMT -5
know thyself I just couldn't bring myself to post "Know it all" knowing 3 words are acceptable to Dom and Kat |
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Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 10:20:42 GMT -5
Very sorry to hear of your accident. (and congratulations for having the guts to get back on and ride) That said, may I recommend (if you are not using it already) Armored Motorcycle gear? At 54 I love to ride, but wish to reduce the chance of injury if (Heaven forbid) I go flying off the bike. Having been in a few scrapes already, it's amazing what it can do to stop serious injury and can mean the difference between getting a lift home or an ambulance ride to the hospital. (BTW, May you rides from now on be "incident" free. ) Do I remember correctly that you're in Florida? I recall having a conversation with you...I think about wearing armored jackets in the summer? Really? Living in Texas in July that seemed so strange. Nevertheless, I purchased an armored jacket months ago. Wore it during the safety class despite it being  degrees. I've worn it continually ever since. It's actually not too bad, as long as you're moving. The ironic thing about that jacket was I ordered it on line. I received it in the mail the day I got home from the emergency room.  |
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Post by danno on Jul 22, 2013 10:14:48 GMT -5
divisive me |
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years old, if I can do it so can you
degrees. I've worn it continually ever since. It's actually not too bad, as long as you're moving. The ironic thing about that jacket was I ordered it on line. I received it in the mail the day I got home from the emergency room.