| Author | Message | ||
     Sanchez |
I just finished up 2000 miles of mountain riding, and I thought I'd share my impressions on some of the stuff attached to my bike. Air flow deflector kit:  Cheap, effective, and easy to install. It doesn't completely cure the right leg bake off, but it helps a great deal. Definitely worth the money. HVMP heavy bar end weights:  I love these things! The Ulysses handlebars didn't vibrate much to begin with, but hours of riding would still leave me with sore hands. With the weights on, I didn't have any soreness or numbness at all. Emgo soft bags:  These are a great deal at $99. The large bag attaches to the triple tail with velcro straps through the holes and around the back.  The included bungee net holds the smaller bag to the top of the larger one. If you just want to use the small one, it has the same velcro straps.  Both bags have extra straps to hold things on, and they have plenty of rings for bungee cords. My only gripe is that they aren't completely waterproof, and hard rain will soak through to the insides. SLIME tire inflator:  I picked one of these up for $15 at Cycle Gear. It plugs into the 12v outlet on the dash and airs a tire right up. It has a gauge built into the side so you can see when to stop. I didn't have a flat, but I did use it to reinflate my tires when I came down out of the mountains, and it worked like a charm. | ||
| Florida_lime |
On the Slime tire pump: Good luck fitting all those pieces back in the case with the compressor once you take them out the first time!  | ||
| Sanchez |
Haha, yeah, I just tossed all the stuff I knew I wouldn't use and packed as little as possible. Here's one more essential piece of gear: Mad Maps. I picked up a couple of Mad Maps at Cycle Gear at the last minute, and I was glad I did. I used the hell out of them. The maps have twisty loops of anywhere from 100 to 250+ miles laid out with turn by turn directions. It maps out roadside attractions and good restaurants, and it includes interesting trivia about the areas. I had no destination in mind, so I just rode half a loop till it connected with another loop, and then rode half that one. I made my way west across the Allegheny mountains and back like that. | ||
| Gtmg |
How did you like the Avon Storms? (Message edited by gtmg on September 12, 2007) | ||
| Sanchez |
I think there might be something wrong with my front tire, but I'm not sure. After loading the Uly down with 100 lbs of luggage, I noticed a head wobble in right hand turns. It's very strange that it would only show up in right turns and not left turns. Increasing rebound damping helped but didn't eliminate the feeling entirely. I also dialed the suspension up for the added load, but that didn't really change anything. I underestimated the weight of my luggage, though, so maybe I didn't dial it up far enough? I should've weighed it all before I left instead of just guesstimating. Some days into the trip I checked my tire pressure again and saw that it had increased due to the rise in elevation, so I lowered them back down to 38 in the rear and 36 in the front. At the same time, I also reduced compression damping because the previous day's ride had felt harsh. That almost completely removed the wobble until I got back into Georgia. There's one particular highway where it shows up again in tight right hand turns, and it's really disconcerting. I've never noticed the wobble with the bike unloaded, and after I fixed the tire pressure and compression damping, I didn't notice it again except on that one stretch of road. Other possible culprits: - Maybe asphalt wears differently in right corners vs left? - Maybe my technique is somehow different in right turns? - Maybe there's a problem with the right fork? - Perhaps there was still something wrong with my suspension settings? Per Buell specs, I should have had more damping and preload in the rear than I did, but I don't know why that would cause problems turning in one direction but not the other. I need to take the bike back up to the mountains without all the luggage and see if I still notice the same problem. I'm also due for a 10k service, so I'll have the dealer check out the fork. Beyond this problem that might be tire-related, I've been pleased with the Avons. They feel solid in the corners, they handle great on wet pavement, and they're wearing well. | ||
| Uglyhawg |
thanks for the review bought the air deflectors and will be getting the hvmp weights! | ||
| Bertotti |
I just got home and the HVMP extra heavy bar ends were waiting for me. I went and put them on for a short ride. I noticed a decrease in the low idle rumble in the bars but not all and I think I have more display vibration now. I'm to tired to go play with it now but tomorrow I will pull them off and see if the display is still shaky. My eyes are very tired now so I can't go by what I am seeing now. *00 mile in a van and hours in two separate shops today makes for worn out eyes. | ||
| Iugradmark |
Bertotti, I've got the HVMP's on my bike as well and they will not eliminate the unsteady mirrors especially at certain speeds. The funny thing is that my left mirror is usually fairly clear by the right continues to have the blurry look. | ||
| Bertotti |
I didn't mean the mirrors, they are steadier but not perfect, they didn't bother me before anyway. I meant the display tach and speedo, they really seemed blurry tonight. I put the bar ends on for protection and for better width judgment. | ||
| Alchemy |
Regarding Air Flow Deflectors Does anyone have any comments on whether the installation of the deflectors has changed the sound of the fan? Maybe deepened the sound a little or muffled it? | ||
| Bertotti |
Just my eyes no speedo vibes other then what was there. The right mirror is much more steady and the left is a bit more steady but not as steady as the right. I think will reposition it and see if that helps. I do like the bar ends now that I have them. I like them for the added protection the vibes didn't bother me before and these do cut that down so if vibes are an issue for you you might give these a shot. | ||
| Tomtower |
Were did you get the Air flow deflector kit: | ||
| Alchemy |
More properly it is the Buell Air Flow Guide Kit. Part number M2138.1AK from your friendly local Buell parts supplier or I got mine mailed to me by Andy (Buellerandy) at H-D Buell of Appleton, WI. Call 920 757 1651 and ask for Andy in Sales. I am still taking stock of how it changes the cooling, noise and seat heat etc and whether it is a solid overall improvement or something slightly less than that. | ||
| Old_mil |
I'll second the recommendation for those bar ends. They're great. Next (and probably my last farkle) will be the air deflectors and heated grips. | ||
| Tomtower |
Keep us updated with your findings. thanks | ||
| Sanchez |
I didn't notice any change in fan noise. I don't really notice it much to begin with anyway, though. |
