Summer Mesh Jacket

Sure, it's not the top-of-the-line summer jacket, but it has all of the safety features I am looking for.

I'm going to get it in light grey (good visibility and less heat attracting of a color).

Sore Butt Solution for Long Rides

Apparently this cushion is highly recommended by sportbike riders who go on long distance trips. hmm...

technorati tags:motorcycles, plastic rocket, gear

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Remote Control and Another Glove Option

I found this iPod remote in the Apple.com store. No more digging around in my pocket to change tracks or the volume!

I think I like theses gloves better than the ones I listed in a previous entry. They look like they have even more ventilation. Nice for those hot August days/nights ...

technorati tags:motorcycles, plastic rocket, gloves, gadgets, ipod, audio

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Negotiating Your Ride

I used an online service to find out what the dealer's invoice on an '07 R6 is ... pretty cheap! Here's a link to a post I made in a forum.

2007 R6 Dealer's Invoice -- Great Info for Negotiating

technorati tags:motorcycles, plastic rocket, negotiation, dealers invoice

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Negotiating the Price of a Moto

I started researching negotiating the price of motorcycles. About.com has some interesting advice:

What do I mean by homework? Well, find out the dealer invoice price (this tells you how much the dealer pays for the motorcycle). Use an online service such as CycleBuy.com to obtain a report on each bike. This report also tells how much the list price is (you can also go to the official Web site for the motorcycle manufacturer to get the list price). By getting the amount that the dealer pays for the motorcycle, you know his "ready to sell price." This tells you his automatic profit margin percentage. This should come out to be 10% - 15%. The dealer will do his best to make 10% total profit on the motorcycle.

All dealerships will include certain fees with the sale of the motorcycle. Most common fees are destination charges, setup fees, documentation fees, taxes, and maybe an assembly fee. The dealership also makes a profit on all these fees. There is no immediate way to find out their profit margin on these items but it should be between 5% - 15%.
Buy a Motorcycle

technorati tags:motorcycles, plastic rocket, negotiation

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Peeps to Ride With

I came across a site that hooks you up with folks who have the same interests as you, and then lets you host/attend an event.

NoVA Sportbike Association (NVSA) (Springfield, VA) - Meetup.com

technorati tags:motorcycles, clubs, networking, plastic rocket

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More Gear Options

technorati tags:motorcycle, plastic rocket, jacket, boots

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Gloves, Dog.

I like these gloves. They look like they will give adequate coverage in a crash. Something I keep reading in the message boards is that crashes are almost inevitable, so I'm sparing no expense in quality equipment. I can't believe these gloves cost over $200, but two hundred spent now is much cheaper than $2,000 spent on hospital bills.

technorati tags:motorcycles, gloves, plastic rocket

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Jackets

I have found a few jackets which make my short list. Both of the ones below are made by Icon.

I'd get the one below in a heartbeat if it didn't have the stupid battle axes on the back.

technorati tags:motorcycles, plastic rocket, jackets

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Need a Brain Bucket

I really like this helmet. I've been looking for something that is really lightweight since a heavy helmet can cause rider fatigue. I also want something that has good venting since the majority of riding I will be doing will be during the warmer months.

Cool looking, eh?

I like both the pure carbon fiber weave (above) and the "vader" model (below).

Carbon Fiber materials are known for their strength, durability and light-weight, that is why HJC has chosen the most technologically advanced Carbon Fiber materials for the new AC-12 Carbon full-face motorcycle helmet FEATURES Super-Lightweight, Full Application, Carbon Fiber Shell Construction * Shell constructed using advanced full coverage Carbon Fiber composite and resins * Two-piece channeled Dual-Density EPS liner * Large eye port opening for greater visibility * Three shell sizes for a more comfortable fit Flow-Through "ACS" Advanced Channeling Ventilation System * Dual flow-through channels * 2 high capacity, multi-stage, forehead intake vents * Rear venturi exhaust spoiler and 2 lower exhaust vents Anti-Fog System * Side chin bar mounted vortex vents create a low-pressure vacuum effect drawing heat and moisture out of the face shield area * Adjustable chin vent re-directs air upward and across shield interior * Anti-fog treated 3D shield. Removable AquaTrans â "Open Cell" Interior Liner * Easily removable liner and cheek pads for cleaning or custom fitting * AquaTrans â interior material quickly wicks moisture away from the skin * Open Cell technology foam allows for increased internal air circulation * Streamline, wrap-around neck roll reduces wind noise * Padded chin strap design Nylon strap retention snap * Neatly secures excess chin strap Next Generation, 2 Stage Compression Shield Closure System * A two-stage pivot mechanism, compresses the shield into the eye port gasket providing an extremely secure seal * Improved, no guess work, tool-less shield removal and installation * Aerodynamic flush mounted fit for reduced turbulence * Scratch resistant hard coated shield * Optically superior 3D design * Rated at 95% UV resistant Built-in Communication System Speaker Cavity Deluxe Helmet Storage Bag Included TECHNICAL INFORMATION Standards: Dot-218, Snell-M-2005 Construction: Carbon Fiber Composite Weight: Adult: 1424 grams (approximate based on size medium solid color) M.S.R.P. Carbon: $419.99 Vader: $419.99 Elbowz: $439.99

technorati tags:motorcycles, helmets, plastic rocket

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Local Riders

I came across this forum for DC area sportbike riders called, dcsportbikes.net. Sweet! Kinda like the motorcycle equivalent to DC Metro MINIs.

technorati tags:motorcycles, plastic rocket, forums, message boards, online community, DC

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GPS on a Moto

Ask any of my friends and they'll all agree I have a horrible sense of direction. I have a GPS in my MINI Cooper S, "G8RMNI," and it has been a life saver.

I came across this GPS and think it might fit well on a motorcycle. Perhaps mount it on a gas tank? I'm sure there are handle bar mounts out there.

The thing I really like about it is how portable it is. You charge it at home, and then just take it with you whenever you need it. There are no wires or antennas either; everything is internal. Nice. Check out the review here: Garmin Nuvi 200 Reviews. Car GPS (Navigation) Reviews by CNET.

technorati tags:motorcycles, plastic rocket, gps

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Tank Protector

Perhaps I should get one of these to protect my tank from getting scratched? I like the carbon fiber look.

technorati tags:motorcycles, plastic rocket, tank protector

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Glove Options

These are cool gloves. I especially like the little vents on the knuckles that draw air into the glove. Might be a good option for "warm weather" riding.

technorati tags:motorcycles, gloves, plastic rocket

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