| Author | Message | ||
     Mikerocket |
Well this morning I went and took the written test for my class "M" license. Which I did pass. So tomorrow is going to be my 1st day I drive to work or even in traffic. I will be traveling 25 miles one way. However I really wanted to wear my reflective vest along w/ my Joe Rocket jacket, but I really need to carry extra gear to work so that I can change into my work clothes. So I went out and try to find the brightest backpack to carry along my jacket. My son says it looks cool. LoL. What do you guys think? I hope I will be seen. Sorry for being so cautious. I just dont want to get ran over    | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
WEAR IT. Don't be under-cautious when it comes to safety. Ride with it until you think you are safe to make "quick decisions". My dad made me wear this nasty looking puke reflective piece of crap shirt, but i'm sure people saw me coming. And good luck riding.....be safe....Bradley | ||
| Superbee24 |
Good Luck, Austin drivers are scary! Where do you work? Remember always give yourself plenty of stopping room and when you apply your brakes, Keep and eye on the fool BEHIND you. Superbee Austin Firefighter Buell Rider | ||
| Mikerocket |
Just checked the weather. U think I'll be fine in this? : ** partly cloudy, 88 degrees high, Precip: 10% and Considerable clouds early. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. Warm. High 88F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. | ||
| Superbee24 |
Perfect riding weather. Some of the Buellers up north would kill for that kind of weather right now. Superbee | ||
| Mikerocket |
High Superbee, I live in Cedar Park and I work off mopac & bee caves (I think its exite 2244). However.. I will be taking back roads. I plan to NOT either take hwy183 or Mopac right now. My drive will be volente, 620 to 2222 to 360 (south) to bee caves. I take this route always to work in my car and seems to be safe since all the stop lights and huge service lane just in case of thos ATX crazy drivers. -Mike | ||
| Lpowel02 |
you can't be too cautious...wear it! good luck...be cautious, drive defensively...you'll do fine  | ||
| Superbee24 |
You should be fine. Nice wide roads with a few sweeping curves. As long as you stay off of 183 and IH 35 the traffic in not horrible. Superbee | ||
| Mikerocket |
Thanks all!! I can't wait to ride tomorrow  Hey Superbee, are you in Austin? | ||
| Superbee24 |
Your local Firefighter, working at Station 35 off of East Ben White and Burleson Road by Advanced Micro Devices right now. I live in Lockhart. Superbee | ||
| Bindy |
Hi Ya Mikerocket, Good onya mate! Hope your ride went well, sorry I did not pick your post up earlier. BIG EVENT, Hope you just took your time and any precautions you thought you needed. You take Care, Be Safe and Stay Upright and a Happy Easter to you and Yours. | ||
| Mikerocket |
Well guys. I made it to work. All went well. Going down Volente road it was pitch dark. Thank god I asked how to run both my head lights on the same time. That really helped me b/c I had to dodge a dead raccoon on the road. I felt very alert and cautious and got to work safe and sound. XB9S is a great bike and love when people can hear me coming.  Thanks all!! | ||
| Southern Marine |
Mike, where did you get that backpack. I could use one of them for riding here on base to and from work. Looks good, is any of it reflective? From what I can see, it doesn't look like it, but that's an easy fix. (Message edited by southernmarine on April 12, 2006) | ||
| Mikerocket |
Hi Southern, I got the backpack @ my local wal-mart for $14.00 no refective stuff on it. Maybe I plan to get some, so then my wife has a reason to use her sewing machine which i got her last christmas that she never-ever used as of today!! lol | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Mike, if you want a smidge more safety from the rear, some suggestions, which I use myself...get a brake light licence plate and I also have a wireless helmet brake light. That helmet light is awesome for drivers behind you, when it's darker outside.. The jacket's awesome, I have a Joe Rocket too and the backpack is a great idea... Be safe! | ||
| Mikerocket |
As for the backpack. I was able to put 1 set of shoes, work shirt, pants, wallet, car keys, 1 power stick for my arm-pits and 2 bags of ramen noodles I also used to extra strap in the front to tie a knot so that the back does not come off of my back when riding. I actually could not feel it was back there. Then again my jacket is padded/shielded in the spine area.  -Mike | ||
| Mikerocket |
angelwild quoted:
What do you mean by brake light license plate? I never seen a wireless brakelight on a helmet. Those two ideas be cool. | ||
| Jlnance |
Mike, congrats on the license! And making it to work. The back pack is great. I wanted a Helmet that color, but I couldn't find one. I got a red one instead. I know people see it better than the black one I initially had. | ||
| Mikerocket |
JInance, Bright helmet would of been good idea for me, but I really wanted something to match my bike. I did almost got jet black one, then the sales person said to get one with silver. Also it does have a rear reflector. So here is my helmet: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/hifi_homeboy/IMG_2190.jpg (Message edited by mikerocket on April 12, 2006) | ||
| Jlnance |
Oh, and be careful on that 9. Thats a lot of bike. | ||
| Mikerocket |
No kidding 1st & 2nd gears are a beast on that damn bike!! Hell I can be going 30mph in 5th gear, trottle it and still boost like a SOB!! great bike. | ||
| Dmextreme |
I will say this from personal experience. It pays to be defensive. But it also pays to be offensive. Don't keep your guard up to much as you make yourself to tense to drive. Try to relax, but be alert at all times. Its a sport, have fun and enjoy it. Glad you got your M on the license. You know the basics. I am trying to get my wife on a bike.. but she is so scared and tense when she rides mine in the lot, I refuse to let her take it on the road.. i don't think she is bike worthy. At least she hasn't dropped it. And in Iowa tomorrow. 84 degrees. Sunny. Perfect weather. Where is my bike. Zylstras in Ames, IA, catchin the rays as I drive my truck. Stupid me.. stupid stunts.. stupid weather.. stupid money.. One of the best lessons I have ever learned. sorry I am bored at work. everyone make it a great day. Jerry - IA  | ||
| Doon |
Just curious. In order to get my M I had the written test to get me a learner permit, and then a road test for the endorsement (I took an MSF class in lieu of the RoadTest). I thought about riding to work this morning, but it was barely 30 in my driveway so I took the car. But it is very nice out there now. Hopefully cut out early to get some riding in. | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Mike, Helmet mounted wireless brake light, comes with replacement brake bulb and wiring that has transmitter for helmet strip. I don't love this first one, it's a little clunky, but on an all black helmet, it's probably more visible to others. http://www.helmetharbor.com/gear/rider_light/opening.htm this is the one I have, nicer looking and easy to use. It even has a hazard light mode... http://www.helmetsetc.com/detail.asp?product_id=tpr-1157 license plate brake light.. NOT WIRELESS.. but very bright. There are others to choose from, including a black framed frame. http://www.signaldynamics.com/../products/LicensePltFrame/QuadLED/quadlp.asp | ||
| Dmextreme |
those are great angelwild. I am sure those work great as a 3rd brake light. So people can see more eye level instead of looking down for a brake light on a bike when they are behind them. Bravo  | ||
| Mikerocket |
guys. I'm alive and at home. Hell I felt so damn comfortable and got really the swing of the bike. I even joy rode and put on over 130 miles today. i got her up to 80mph. It feels very unstable and shakey/wobbley at higer speeds. maybe its b/c i sit up right and the wind turbulance is making the bike shake. Maybe u thinkj I should go down to a crothch rocket position to help w/ this wobble at higer speeds? | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
On my Firebolt, when going anything over 85-90 i get a bad turbulance that makes me feel like my helmet is going to fly off. i just lay down behind the fairing and everything is well. you don't have the option though with an S. But try it, it might work....can't hurt anything...but make sure you feel comfortable cause it feels different down there. Bradley | ||
| Superbee24 |
joy riding, up to 80mph tsk tsk you should be a little more careful, considering just yesterday you were concerned about driving to work. ride safe, Pablo | ||
| Buellgirlie |
be safe. congrats, and welcome! D |
