Tips and Tricks

Didn't see anything in a search for this general category. Wondering if folks could share some simple tips or tricks that help them deal with a given situation while out riding.

For example, what does everyone do (or use) to keep their visor clear when riding in the rain, and at slow speeds where the wind won't blow the rain from the visor?

I'm sure I'm not the first, but I recently went to a "big box store", and for about $10, I purchased a 5 foot length of cable, couple of grommets to loop each end over and crimp, and a lock to secure this. I can take the cable and roll it up where it takes no room at all (fits inside my tool bag under the seat), and its great for running through my pants and jacket to secure to the bike so I don't have to carry them around.

I'm hoping that some of you tenured riders come up with some tricks!

Thanks!

 

Rain X on the shield and windscreen for me, water won't stick to that. I did the same trick for my jacket and pants as you. Now I'm making my own park and move for the garage so I can store the bike out of the way when I'm in mad scientist mode. Also putting a flash 2 pass in right now, I hate having to dismount and open the garage all the time, carrying the remote is just not as convenient.
One more thing, go to Wholesale Hardware Products Supplier: Barnhill Bolt, Inc. And buy a bunch of the plastic rivets they list for the vfr, save yourself a pile of dough when you mess up the factory one and the dealer wants over $4 for the buggers compared to $.15 if you get em there.

 

I went on the Barnhill Bolt site and can't seem to find the plastic rivets or push pins or whatever they are called.

 

Me too! Do you have a direct link to the part? Thanks!

 

rain x is the key...or don't ride in the rain......

 

I've never tried Rain-X on my shield.
My bottle says not to use on plastics.
Maybe they were afraid of liabilities if someone put it on their $150 Oakleys.
I'll give it a shot.

 

Geeze you must live in California or something! :tongue: :dance:

 

Rain?

Who would ride in bad weather???????We only have sunshine and hot chicks here.I always have paper towel or two in my jacket pocket to wipe the weak rain and road grime off and try to keep enough distance from vehicles in front of me to kepp it at a minimum. Last time we got caught in the rain I had it blow out of my hand while getting ready to pass it around the group , thats where two can be handy.:biggrin:

 

The only handy advice I can give is to keep a small piece of wood about 3 inches x 3 inches on your bike at all times. This comes in very handy when you need to put your kickstand down on soft surfaces like dirt/gravel or if you need to park on hot asphalt. I had to learn the hard way years ago when parking on a blacktop during the middle of summer. It only took a couple minutes for the kickstand to sink into the soft asphalt and cause the bike to fall over.

Regards,
Rollin

 

You are correct as it can damage some plastics(not all). But if you want the same thing and better (last longer). Try this:
RejeX: Nothing Sticks but the Shine!

 

HMM! you got me looking for RejeX locally! looks interesting! I've used Plexus on my entire bike, helmet and lens without a problem, and the water rolls off at speed like rainX... its the best thing i've ever used so far...
had always worried about the RainX but the RejeX looks promising!
Anyone else had any experience with this?? can you wipe the windshield down or maybe even the entire body/fairing??

all about bugs dropping right off....

 

Here's a tip: If you can afford to ride a VFR, you can afford quality tools. So don't use anything made in Taiwan or ( the other) China cuz they will break, they're crap, and will damage your fasteners !

Here's another: keep the front surface of your upper fork legs scrupulously clean and free of bugguts or risk damaging your fork seals.


i have more........

 

i use a junction box cover. 59 cents at lowes/home depot. i keep a couple in my tank bag, they take up no space at all.

 

I forgot about Plexus, that's a great one as well......

 

if i sacrifice the 5 cent deposit i can find an empty beercan in my backpack that, when crushed, does the same job and save 54 cents and not expose myself the crowd of saprophytic dolts that shop at those places looking for unprecedented savings on chrome-plated hosebibs.

 

Or, you can use anything roughly puck shaped/sized in your garage, and save all the cents...

I also knew a dude who took terry cloth from old rags, cut it and sewed it to velcro, then put the other side of the velcro on the back of the two finders of his riding glove. That way he had interchangeable rags on the back of his finders, and could wipe his visor while riding. Great idea, but I've never been that industrious.

 

and i thought i was cheap...

 

One thing I use instead of a water bottle, is a water bag I got at REI. I can put water in it and it will lie flat in my tail bag(as long as I don't try to fill it). so as I deplete it I don't have a bulky empty bottle to carry(I refuse to buy bottled water on principal).
Also, I carry a disc-lock in my tank bag. I keep a few micro-fabric cloths and a small spray bottle($2 eyeglass cleaner) for my helmet visor and wind screen.
I have a tire kit(tankbag) and a small/short hiVolume bike pump(under seat).

 

I have plans for sale at $9.95 to modify a windshield wiper assembly from a 1949 Pontiac to any helmet visor. I'm looking for plans to build a small two wheel trailer to carry all this stuff needed for trips back and forth to WalMart.

The really cool guys use Harley beer cans under their kickstands. The uncool guys use Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup cans.

 

I'll never forget when the great Maharishi told me this piece of advice... he said:
"Never"....... hmmm... No wait.... "Always keep a trash bag in your car...that way when it gets filled up you just throw it out the window..."

In NH it rains a lot...especially this year... I find if you have to ride in the rain 5 second rule behind car... stay in the tracks they leave behind in the water if you can maintain 40 mph I find tilting your head slightly to left or the right allows wind to blow rain off the helmet...

I took my MSF course and my exam in the rain so I have no issues riding in it...