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.