B-King - An Odd bike's Journey

[RhadamYgg]

Being a real "biker" is way over rated.

That's good, because I'm not exactly sure what one is. Maybe that should be a topic of a thread.

RhadamYgg

[Wrider]

Hey, I've had the same thing happen where the bike doesn't want to go into gear. Seems to be a Suzuki thing for some reason.
Anyway, how I fixed it is letting the clutch engage in neutral for a split second and it will roll the tranny gears far enough that it will engage.

As far as rocking the B-King around for 70 miles... w00t!!!! Congrats!

[jstark47]

Before the light changes - I try to put it into first gear. No luck…….Anyway, it may be that it needs to be broken in a bit more before it'll cooperate with things like that.

It could be newness, or not being warmed up all the way (more oil in a 1300cc four than a 250cc twin!), but I'll bet it's just the "Suzuki thing." My V-strom has almost 20K miles and still has transmission snits.... eventually you get used to it (or p.o'd) and just stomp on the shifter. V-strom's like a 1950 Ford tractor, ya can't really hurt it anyhow....

Hey, I've had the same thing happen where the bike doesn't want to go into gear. Seems to be a Suzuki thing for some reason.

[RhadamYgg]

Hey, I've had the same thing happen where the bike doesn't want to go into gear. Seems to be a Suzuki thing for some reason.
Anyway, how I fixed it is letting the clutch engage in neutral for a split second and it will roll the tranny gears far enough that it will engage.

As far as rocking the B-King around for 70 miles... w00t!!!! Congrats!

I'll have to try that out. Rolling forward didn't seem to do much.

Yeah, I keep hoping to take it to work soon, then I'll really get some experience with it.

Darned weathermen. They had hours of rain this afternoon. It rained for like 10 minutes and the roads were fine for the way home.

Going to have to start an anti-weatherman league.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

Before the light changes - I try to put it into first gear. No luck…….Anyway, it may be that it needs to be broken in a bit more before it'll cooperate with things like that.

It could be newness, or not being warmed up all the way (more oil in a 1300cc four than a 250cc twin!), but I'll bet it's just the "Suzuki thing." My V-strom has almost 20K miles and still has transmission snits.... eventually you get used to it (or p.o'd) and just stomp on the shifter. V-strom's like a 1950 Ford tractor, ya can't really hurt it anyhow....

Hey, I've had the same thing happen where the bike doesn't want to go into gear. Seems to be a Suzuki thing for some reason.

Hehe, never heard someone refer to their bike being like a tractor, but I actually feel that way about the B-King sometimes.

Never new about the Suzuki thing with the transmissions, but as far as problems go - this isn't too bad. I've only had it happen the one time so we'll see. If it happens again or frequently I'll note it here on the blog.

RhadamYgg

[Dragon on Wheels]

RhadamYgg,

Could you describe what happened at the inspection? Did you register a time first? When you arrived, did you park in the parking lot or ride up to the inspection area? Then what happened next?

I have to get an inspection done soon(in a few months) and I was wondering what was involved in the whole process. Thank you!

[RhadamYgg]

RhadamYgg,

Could you describe what happened at the inspection? Did you register a time first? When you arrived, did you park in the parking lot or ride up to the inspection area? Then what happened next?

I have to get an inspection done soon(in a few months) and I was wondering what was involved in the whole process. Thank you!

Well, even if you are in NJ as well, it may vary by inspection station.

I had all of my documentation together and in my jacket. I rode over - and on the inspection and on the new bike from out of state I followed the normal course for cars at Rahway. This however, appears to be incorrect. They waved me around to the other side of the inspection station and I went in to the re-inspection line.

I got off the bike and hung out for a while. Took my helmet off - and eventually their 'bike' guy came out. Apparently, not all of their inspectors handle motorcycles.

In the case of the Ninja250 that I had which needed a full inspection - they did a very minimal inspection.

He had me turn on the bike. Check both blinkers, he did not check emissions. He did not have a sound meter to check the decibels coming out of my bike.

He did check: helmet, eye protection, white retroreflective stickers (min 2 or 4 sq inches on each side of the helmet).

And that was basically it. The new bike from a different state he didn't even really check that. Although I still have the same helmet, which has the tape on it and stuff.

Much easier than my car inspections. I almost fail for something - usually the most expensive thing - emissions.

So, after checking the bike, he goes in takes his time (or does whatever he does inside the building) he comes out and puts the sticker on my plate and off I go...

It was all pretty painless. Although the guy I was talking to at my last inspection was a HD guy and he always has trouble at inspection... For his protection level. I think he uses an open-face helmet and didn't have DOT approved eye protection. Had to go to home and get his goggles, failed because they weren't DOT approved, went to the Rahway HD dealer and bought DOT approved goggles, passed - and then immediately went to the HD dealer and returned them... For credit. So he ended up having to spend the money there, but you know its easy to spend money on accessories at a shop for stuff you want.

Anyway, that fairly proves how pointless inspections are - at least when they are checking for things in addition to the vehicle itself.

RhadamYgg

[Dragon on Wheels]

Thanks! The Rahway DMW is close enough that I might go there. I usually go there for all the things that aren't offered at other DMVs. I didn't realize they checked your clothing too.

[RhadamYgg]

Thanks! The Rahway DMW is close enough that I might go there. I usually go there for all the things that aren't offered at other DMVs. I didn't realize they checked your clothing too.

I don't think they are going to g ATGATT on you. Just the reflective tape and your head and eye protection.

I'm sure they would bust you if you went naked, but that's another ordinance.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

Well, I've recovered from dropping my bike two times. OK. Not really, but I did well enough today to be happy about it.

So, I rode out to work. Up a piece of US 1&9. NJ Turnpike North all the way up to GWB.

$3.10 for the Turnpike (no discount)
$7 for the GWB ($1 big whoop discount)
$1.29 (You do pay this toll both ways, though) for 9A - Henry Hudson Bridge (discount from $2.75 Cash or $1.90 with EZPass)

I have to say.... My hit rate for the HH Bridge toll was spotty at best with my Kawasaki. Often I would have to stop and remove my EZ-pass and the police office would run it on the post and send me on my way.

Well, I got to hit the toll two times today. My EZ-Pass is mounted high up over my handlebars... And it was to no avail.

Both times (100% fail rate) for the HH Bridge tolls. It is a big pain to take the EZ-Pass thingie off - even with the cool mount I have.

While I do appreciate the police there to help - it really pisses me off.

My EZ-pass works great - everywhere else. And just about anywhere else if it fails you go through NO TAG READ - and it takes a picture of your bike/car and they match the plate to their records. If they find a match - they charge your ez-pass account. It doesn't they send you a fine plus a bill for the toll in one convenient package.

But no, like many tolls in NYC it has those stupid arms. So, if it fails to read my EZ-Pass I have to stop. I have to wait for the (very helpful and almost always polite) police officer to remove my EZ-pass and then he puts it on the post. The arm goes up. It takes me like 30 seconds to remount the damned thing and concerned that the arm will go back down - I take off. Usually a little pissed and slopping it up on the clutch.

Grrrr. Friggin safety hazard from hell.

The ride up was very cold.... Couldn't find my balaclava. But the ride went well.

The ride home was relatively warm - at least with the level of gear that I wear. Thermal underwear, dress clothes, two pairs of socks, winter gloves and of course the helmet.

Up to 250 miles on the bike now. Saved $5 on gas + tolls.

It is a lot more work to ride the B-King. Not as much fun as the Kawasaki Ninja 250. Then again, I am capable of taking turns much faster and more confidently.

Every so often I feel like I'm falling while I'm riding, but I think that has to do with dropping the bike and being a little paranoid.

Sometime when I have money again I'm looking to get another camera and a decent mount to record the trip. At least I'm not riding on the city streets in the Bronx anymore.


RhadamYgg