Speed and Strength Dark Horse Shoes

I've been holding out on replacing my riding shoes.  They've been worn out in a number of places and I kept patching tears up with E6000 glue.  It works but my old Speed and Strength Run of the Bull shoes really need a real upgrade.  So, I just purchased the Dark Horse shoes!

I like the Speed and Strength shoes.  They're comfortable enough that I could wear them to the office if I need to and could walk around for a couple of hours easily in them.  Plus, they're stylish too!  Very well designed shoes.  The only bad thing about these shoes I think is that they're not really durable.  I heard riding shoes should last forever.  Well, these shoes lasted me for eight years or so.  The soles are a pretty worn and like I said, there are tears in different places.  My Run of the Bull shoes are like a Frankenstein now.

The Dark Horse will be arriving shortly, just in time for some spring rides.

As of September 2024, Dark Horse has been discontinued.  If you're interested in a similar riding shoes, take a look at this United shoes on Amazon.com:  https://amzn.to/3XQbJFq

Spring Maintenance

Well, I finally got around to do the oil change last night and chain lubing this morning.

The oil change was rather simple.  I use the technique of not removing the entire left cowling.  Removing the bottom right bolt was enough to free that part of the cowling so you could pry it open slightly to access the oil filter.  As I use the KN-204 oil filter, it was easy to remove with the same 17mm socket I use for the drain plug.

I don't have an oil pan to collect the old oil.  What I use though is a Sterilite plastic container with alid.  I got mine from Dollarama but you could find one on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3K9Sujl.  It has to be big and sturdy enough to collect the oil.  It also needs to be not too tall so you can fit it under the bike for any oil pouring for both the drain plug as well as from the oil filter.  The added benefit of using an open top container like this is, is what I do to transfer the dirty oil back into the new oil bottle at the end.  That one is good for 6 quarts.

After all the oil has been drained into the Sterilite container, and after I add new oil back into the engine, I use the oil bottles to suck the oil back into the oil bottles.  I buy Repsol Moto Rider 4T Mineral Oil and the 1L bottles come with a telescoping spout.  You can use the spout to pour the oil out without having to use a funnel, and use the same spout to suck the old oil in the container back in--you'd just compress the bottle and let it expand and suck the oil in!  It's very cool, very quick and very clean.  No pouring down a funnel.  I recommend buying them from FortNine.ca:  https://fortnine.ca/en/repsol-moto-rider-4t-mineral-oil

BTW, the Sterilite container is great for many purposes, not just for collecting oil.  I use it to work on my chain as well!

The chain cleaning process is a bit more work.  I used a rear stand to make things easier.  The process is simple but feels long:  clean the chain, wait for it to dry, and apply the lube.

I've seen many YouTube videos where the cleaning is done in a garage or on the driveway where they let the old grime drip down to the floor.  That doesn't sound right to me, but I don't know if there is a better alternative.  I use kerosene to do the cleaning so there is a fair bit of the kerosene with the grime dripping down from the chain.  I used the plastic container to collect most of the drips and at the end of it, I poured it into a Coca Cola bottle.  I've been holding on to the Coca Cola bottle for a few years now and when it's half full, I'll take it to a local household hazards waste depot where they take the oil.  There are drips where the rear sprocket is and anywhere along the chain so I placed paper/cardboard to catch those drips.

One thing I like doing between the chain cleaning and chain waxing is to check for chain slack and to clean the tire rims.  I use a shop towel to wipe off the grime and old wax from the chain and I'd then use the shop towel to wipe the rims.  The rims look clean and dark now.

I should probably do other things with the bike, like maybe change the coolant and brake fluid.  I forgot when the last time I changed them.  I should do that either this year or next.

The temperature will rise to 9C in Toronto.  I think I'll take the bike out for a short ride later this afternoon.

Dark Side?

I heard about this, and I thought that was interesting.

Car tires are not designed for the dynamics of a motorcycle and can affect the handling, stability, and braking of the bike. They have different profiles, construction, and rubber compounds than motorcycle tires, which are engineered specifically for the unique demands of a bike.

Is stability and braking a problem?  I've seen YouTube videos where someone has put in 15,000 miles on the car tires on a Goldwing.  He had no problems with braking.  If fast, it seemed that he got better braking in wet conditions with a car tire.  In another video I watched, the car tire gives you more stability if you're pulling a trailer behind.

One thing I think though, is it's not meant for new riders.  A car tire can lead to reduced maneuverability and a less responsive ride.  You'd have to put in more effort when counter-steering.  This can be particularly dangerous in emergency situations.  I'd say, if you're a season rider of a large cruiser bike and are familiar with the controls of the bike and know how to deal with emergencies, it's probably safe to go to the dark side.  Half the price of a motorcycle tire and five times the life of the tire?

Dark side on a sports bike?  Nah.  It wouldn't look cool!

Caught in Snow

Winter can be treacherous for cars and even more so for motorcycles!  This was unnerving to ride at nearly 100 km/h on the highway with snow falling down all around!  The road looks pretty clean though as the snow was just starting to come down.  Still.

 

The First Person at Spring Equinox?

Could I have been the first person on the road with my motorcycle an hour after spring equinox?  I took my bike out for a ride last night, to go pick up something.  I didn't see anyone else on the road so I guess I was the first, or I like to think so!  Most other bikes are probably still hibernating in the garages or in storage. 😅

Chain Lube

I've tried a number of chain lube products over the years.  Most of the time, I was using those oil type of lube from a couple of brands, like the Maxima Crystal Clear Chain Guard. They were ok but I didn't like them too much.  They protected my chain quite well but they also make a mess as they fling a ton of the lub onto the rim and on top of the chain guard.  I'd always have to wipe them clean after a ride or two.  A couple of years ago, I started using a wax lube and what a difference it made!  No more mess or very little of it!  The wax also keeps my chain clean.  I recommend the Maxima Chain Wax product.  It's easy to apply.  Just apply it after a ride after about 700-1000 km.  It'd be best to do it while the chain is still warm.

This Should be Illegal

It's not the first time I've seen this on cars in the winter.  They don't bother to clear the snow on the roof of their car.  C'mon!  How much effort does it take to clear snow?  It's such a risk to other motorists on the highway.  I've seen snow and ice blown off of car roofs before.  It can cause accidents, and definitely it's a big danger to motorcyclists!  This should be illegal!

Using a Bicycle Pump for your Motorcycle

Huh?  Can you pump your motorcycle tires with a bicycle pump?  I've always brought my motorcycle to a gas station and after fuelling up, I'd ask the gas attendant if they could turn on the air pump for free.  They've always been accommodating but I don't feel like asking anymore.  They try to make some money from the air pumps so if I were to use it, I should pay just like everyone else.  However, I don't have to use the gas station air pump anymore because I have a bicycle air pump!  Yes, if you think about it, the bicycle tires need to be inflated to a higher PSI than your motorcycle tires!  My mountain bike tires need about 70 PSI whereas my FZ6R tires need 32-36 PSI.  They use the same air plugs, so why not?

I have one of these Bell pumps below.  It's a floor pump and it's quite well made.  I keep it in my car.  No electricity needed.  Just muscle power.

After a few months of riding, I'd check the air pressure.  Especially in cold weather, your tire will lose pressure every month.  It's important to check it every now and then.

They're perfect not just for my motorcycle but also for my car.  When I change car tires, I'd just it to pump them up.

When to Change Oil?

I've always targeted spring time to change my motorcycle oil.  I've been thinking though how wise that was.  I mean, wouldn't it be better to change oil in the fall after the many rides in the summer, or to change it in the spring after your motorcycle has been sitting mostly in the garage?  I think I've been doing it at the wrong time all these years.  After rides in the summer, the oil would have broken down more and might become more acidic.  The oil would become less viscose and with lower temperature of the winter, the oil would become thicker than usual.  It would be better for the engine if it were bathed in new oil while sitting mostly idle in the winter, no?  ChatGPT thinks so. 

This is what ChatGPT thinks:

It is generally recommended to change the oil of your motorcycle before winter. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Contaminants: Over time, oil can accumulate contaminants such as dirt, dust, and metal particles, which can cause wear and tear on your engine. Changing the oil before winter ensures that the engine is running with fresh, clean oil, which reduces the risk of contamination-related engine damage.
2. Protection: During the winter months, your motorcycle is exposed to colder temperatures, which can cause the oil to thicken and become less effective at lubricating the engine. By changing the oil before winter, you ensure that the engine is protected with fresh, winter-grade oil that will provide optimal lubrication and protection in colder temperatures.
3. Storage: If you store your motorcycle during the winter months, changing the oil before storage can help protect the engine during the period of inactivity. Old oil can become acidic and corrosive over time, which can damage engine components. Fresh oil, on the other hand, is less likely to break down and cause damage while the motorcycle is in storage.

Overall, it is better to change the oil of your motorcycle before winter to ensure optimal engine protection and performance. However, if you have already missed the opportunity to change the oil before winter, it is still important to change it as soon as possible to minimize potential damage to your engine.

The Repsol oil bottle in the picture above has a spout with a built-in funnel/tube for easy pouring.  You can use the same tube to suck oil drained into an oil pan back into the bottle.  This is what I usually do to dispose of the oil.  It's clean and quick.  No mess. 

You can get a gallon on the Repsol 10W40 from Amazon.com here:  https://amzn.to/3BeoJvV

Roadside Service

When I first started riding, I feared of running into a flat tire while riding out there.  Well, I still do have that fear.  I purchased a repair kit with a small electric pump.  The package was small but it's still bulky and I'd bring it with me if I'm on a big road trip to the Manitoulin Island perhaps or to North Bay, or to Algonquin Park.  That's when I'd put saddlebags on my bike.  When I'm out doing short rides around the GTA however, I don't use the saddlebags and now rely instead on CAA.  CAA is a bit like insurance and good peace of mind for me for the road.  You'd need the "Plus" membership plan for coverage for a motorcycle.

I never thought I'd use it but good thing I had it because I had locked myself out of my car once and had to call them!  I was far enough from home it would be inconvenient to go home to grab my spare key so I just called and waited for the CAA service truck.

It might not make sense for everyone to get CAA but for me, I have a car and a bike.  The CAA was for my car as I know I've had car problems in the past but for a bit more, I could get some peace of mind for my bike too.  I like living life on the edge, per se, but I don't need to deal with roadside problems on my own all the time.

Just a random thought at 2 AM.

Motorcycle Maintenance Accessories Store

I'm planning for an oil change soon.  If you're in Canada, here's a nice store that sell things like oil and oil filter for way less than the same products I've seen on Amazon: 

fortnine.ca.  They have a popular YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/fortnine.  Everyone in the motorcycle world should know about Fort Nine but what you might not know is it used to be called Canada's Motorcycle Powersport.

I've been buying oil, oil filters, a helmet, and some other items for very reasonable prices from FortNine for years.  I believe they're in Montreal, so delivery to my address has been quick and I know their items are meant for motorcycles and not for a car so there is less of a chance I'd purchase something else by mistake.

I just realized that the price of some parts have gone up (the "K&N Performance Gold Oil Filter - KN-204") and the price of some others have gone down since last year (the "Repsol Moto Rider 4T Mineral Oil").  Overall, the cost of an oil change for me this year went down slightly from last year.  The total for those items is just over $49 so free shipping for me; otherwise, I'd add something small like a carrying net.

I don't normally change oil for my car but for a motorcycle, you can easily change it on your own so you'll save a ton not having to take it to a garage.

Changing Oil Once a Year

I'm planning to change oil in March.  I do this once a year but I got curious if ChatGPT would have some advice around changing oil.  So, I asked and this is what it advised, below.  It's pretty cool.

How to winterize your motorcycle?

Winterizing your motorcycle is an important process that helps to ensure that it is protected from the harsh winter weather and is ready to ride again when the warmer months arrive. Here are some steps to winterize your motorcycle:

1. Clean your motorcycle thoroughly: Before winterizing your motorcycle, give it a thorough cleaning. Wash it with soap and water, and make sure to dry it completely. This will help prevent rust and other damage caused by moisture.
2. Change the oil and filter: It's a good idea to change the oil and filter before storing your motorcycle for the winter. Old oil can become contaminated with debris and moisture, which can cause damage to your engine over time.
3. Add fuel stabilizer: Add a fuel stabilizer to your gas tank to prevent the fuel from deteriorating and causing problems with your engine when you start it up again in the spring.
4. Drain the carburetor: If your motorcycle has a carburetor, you should drain it to prevent any remaining fuel from evaporating and leaving behind deposits that can cause problems when you start your motorcycle up again.
5. Disconnect the battery: If you are storing your motorcycle for an extended period of time, it's a good idea to disconnect the battery. This will help prevent it from draining and potentially causing damage.
6. Cover your motorcycle: Cover your motorcycle with a breathable cover to protect it from dust and debris during storage.
7. Store in a dry and cool place: Store your motorcycle in a dry and cool place, such as a garage or shed. Avoid storing it outside where it may be exposed to the elements.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your motorcycle is properly winterized and protected from the harsh winter weather. When spring arrives, your motorcycle will be ready to ride again without any problems.

Changing oil once a year?

The frequency with which you should change your motorcycle's oil depends on several factors, including the make and model of your motorcycle, the type of oil you use, how often you ride your motorcycle, and the conditions in which you ride.

As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that you change your motorcycle's oil at least once a year, regardless of how much you ride. This is because the oil in your motorcycle can break down over time, even if you don't put many miles on it.

However, if you ride your motorcycle frequently or in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures or dusty environments, you may need to change your oil more often. In these situations, it is best to consult your motorcycle's owner's manual or speak with a trusted mechanic to determine the optimal oil change schedule for your motorcycle.

Ultimately, regularly changing your motorcycle's oil is an important part of its maintenance routine and can help ensure that it runs smoothly and reliably for years to come.

Hard to Own Both a Car and a Bike

I was thinking of writing something about winterizing a bike vs. keeping it running throughout the winter when, while I was thinking about fuel and stabilizers, I started to think about how I'm not using the car all that often, and much less for a motorcycle in the winter.  I'm read that unused gas in your gas tank starts to go stale apparently after 30 days.  It's not that it's not usable anymore but it will decrease fuel efficiency and I'm guessing because of deposits stale gas creates, it's probably not a good thing long term for the engine.  Gas in my car tank has been sitting in there for at least a month now and I haven't used it up yet.  The same goes for the gas in my motorcycle.  I don't drive/ride enough and will certainly not drive/ride more just because I want to keep the gas from going stale.  The situation has gotten worse since I've bought a car as I'm splitting my time between the car and the bike.  I should maybe half-fill the tank instead of filling them up fully, eh.

Electric Heated Gloves - Part 4

Ok, so I'm eyeing on these gloves below.  They're supposed to warm all of your hands and not just fingertips.  They're next on my test to find the perfect gloves for street walks and motorcycle riding!

UPDATE:  Oh shite!  They've available only in x-large size!

Electric Heated Gloves - Part 3

The OWZ heated gloves didn't live up to my expectations!  I thought the whole glove, including palm side would be heated.  All I felt were the back side of my fingers getting some warmth.  There was nothing on the palm side.  Nothing on the back side of the hand except for back side of the fingers and it's mostly toward the tip of the fingers.  Plus, there was only "some" warmth.  It's nothing what they advertised and I had on the highest level.  I can't imagine riding my bike at -10C on the highway with these gloves.  My fingers will very likely freeze!

This is what the ad stated as of February 27, 2023:

Heated gloves with 7.4V 3000MAH Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries. Larger capacity and longer working time than others. Give you warmth all day long. Moreover, electric gloves wіth heating properties can assure a lot оf coverage - іt covers almost the entire hand( (Back of hand, fingers and main part of palm) аnd ensures comprehensive warmth.

At the highest heat level, it's supposed to feel like 60C (140F), but it felt more like 10C!  The gloves were advertised with 3 adjustable temperature levels:

• 3000mAh battery provided Instant heat in 30 seconds and longer working time, 3 heated levels control giving you excellent heat experience in adjusting the temperature:
• High Level: 140℉-145℉/60℃, 3-3.5 hours
• Medium level: 122℉-131℉/50℃, 3.5-5 hours
• Low level: 100℉-113℉/40℃, 6 - 7.5 hours
• Heating Area: cover the entire hand back, all the fingers and main palm

Well, I'm disappointed.  Maybe they shipped me a dud?  It goes back to Amazon.

Electric Heated Gloves - Part 2

The heated gloves arrived!  I'm excited to try them out.  The user guides says to recharge the batteries to 100% and then for 30 additional minutes, before use.  The batteries are being recharged now.

These gloves feel like my snowboarding gloves, except that my snowboarding gloves are a bit shorter than these.  I bought medium as they didn't have a small size so there is a bit of empty space at the tip of the fingers.  That's probably fine for what I'll be using the gloves for.

You can see the item came with two batteries.  These are 7.4V 3000mAh outputting 22.2Wh.  I'm not sure what 22.2Wh actually translate to in terms of heat comfort.  Monday morning will be around -6C (21F) and feel like -12C (10F) so it will be a good test.  I hope they will be a lot warmer than my leather gloves which offer virtually no warmth if the weather goes below 0C (32F).  Even at -2C (28F), my fingers inside the leather gloves often feel cold.  I'd make a fist inside the leather gloves to warm up my fingers.

Crossing my fingers!

Group Rides

 When I first started riding, I joined a couple of group rides.  I did a few rides with them.  I remember going to Port Dover on the edge of Lake Erie and to Fenelon Falls in the Kawartha Lakes area and we'd have lunch together before returning home.  I believe there was another ride I did with the group but don't remember now.  What I do remember though was how uncomfortable I was riding with the group.  Don't get me wrong, I like hanging with them but there were a couple of things I didn't like.

Riding should be fun and it shouldn't be just to get from point A to point B.  Often, that's how it feels like when riding in a group.  You don't get to stop and enjoy scenery or to take a break whenever you feel like.  You're part of a group.  You follow the group wherever it goes and whenever it stops.  So, I felt I lost the freedom that comes with riding freely.

Riding in a group also means you're riding behind someone all the time.  It's ok for the most part but if you're following someone who has a tendency to brake for some obvious reason, it's very unnerving!  Your instant reaction would be to brake as well and that's what happened to me in one of the rides.  I couldn't understand why the person in front of me was braking.  After a while you want to ignore it but complacency is dangerous.  You need to be on the alert at all times on the road but a red light that frequently flashes in front of you is just no fun.

It's all cool when we get to our destination.  There, we'd have lunch together as a group.  The group would tend to leave shortly after lunch though.  I'd find myself alone because I like to stick around and explore the town.  I'd stay back for an hour or so then would head back home, on my own.  I didn't have a GPS navigator back then and heading back home often meant getting lost for a bit before finding my way to the main roads.

Nowadays, I just ride by myself or sometimes I'd have a passenger.  I don't get to grab lunch with people but that's fine. I like being a free spirit.

Is 600cc Enough?

I've ridden a Yamaha FZ6R for I believe six or seven years now.  It was an upgrade from a Suzuki GS500F.  The FZ6R has the same engine as the R6 but it was retuned so there is more torque at lower RPM so the acceleration is smoother overall.  I've never ridden an R6 or anything bigger but truthfully, I don't know if I want to or need to.  The FZ6R has plenty of power that I'm comfortable with.  I could weave in and out of traffic if I really wanted to and have enough torque for good acceleration.  I can still feel the sudden acceleration as I need to pass a car.  I just enjoy the ride, to be on the road alone all by myself sometimes.

So, is a 600cc engine big enough?  It definitely is for me.  I have no urge to go bigger.

Electric Heated Gloves

I decided to buy heated gloves for riding in cold weather, possibly in rain as well.  I looked around hard on Amazon and went with these gloves below.  They're supposed to be waterproof but breathable.  The heating elements cover the entire glove so it should offer warmth all the way to my finger tips.  There was a discount of $15 so they're about $70 + tax.  

 [UPDATE - Feb 27, 2023:  See my comments about the gloves I received.  I was disappointed!]

I'll receive them tomorrow and will test them this coming week--not on my motorcycle as there is too much snow on the road still but I walk to the office every day so it'll be a good test.  I've had cold hands over this past week when temperatures went under -5C.

Winter Riding Gears

So, I got a car but I'm still riding my Yamaha FZ6R in the winter when the roads are dry and clean.  It's exhilarating to be on the road in the middle of winter but there is no way I'd be out there if there were a good chance I'd run into black ice or even just a bit of snow.  It'd be crazy.  But, it'd also be equally crazy if I'm not geared up for winter riding!

I layer up as follows:

1. Base thermal layer, upper and lower
2. Moisture wicking middle layer that's wind resistant
3. If really cold (i.e., -10C [14F] )
1. I'd wear a USB powered heat jacket
2. Fleece jacket -- highway riding would add another -10C to the temperature!
4. My summer motorcycle jacket -- nothing special here, just a regular riding jacket with a moisture wicking inner layer
5. My regular summer gloves
6. USB powered heating pads that go inside the gloves, palm-side. I got mine here: https://amzn.to/3knofeV
7. Jeans
8. My motorcycle riding pants -- nothing special here either but it's got a thermal inner layer
9. Beanie under the helmet:  https://amzn.to/3EzWHda
10. Fleece neck warmer -- it goes up to your chin, and you can cinch it tight with the helmet chin strap. I got mine from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Z3D6dl
11. Leather winter boots

In winter, your hands will freeze in seconds at -10C (14F), so handlebar muffs (https://amzn.to/3Ip1Nty) would go over my handlebars.  They act as wind breakers.  My gloved hands would go inside the muffs.  The USB powered heating pads would keep my hands warn.  Without the heat pads, you can ride for 20-30 minutes on the highway before your hands get uncomfortably cold.  Remember that on highways at 100 km/h, the wind will make the temperature feel like 10C or 15C lower than ambient temperature.  There is this wind chill calculator you can use to figure that out:  https://weather.gc.ca/windchill/wind_chill_e.html.  If you punched in -1C at 99 km/h, it will feel like -12C.  If you punched in -10C at 99 km/h, it will feel like -15C!

I haven't tried electric gloves yet as I didn't think I'd do too much winter riding, but now, I'm thinking I should.  I suspect electric heated gloves alone wouldn't be sufficient.  I might still need the handlebar muffs.