Motorcycles

It's been mild but Winter is finally here in the Northeast and snow is coming.

What rides are you planning?

All BMW motorcycle dealer sales stopped except for their EV:

Following a recent quality analysis, BMW is pursuing measures to further evaluate the material used in a component of its motorcycle evaporative system, which may not have been produced to material specifications. As a result, BMW of North America is issuing a temporary, voluntary stop sale for all new and pre-owned BMW motorcycle models in dealer inventory, except for the CE 04.

Other coverage:

• https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-news/bmw-motorrad-issues-temporary-stop-sales-order/
• https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmw-halts-ice-motorcycle-sales-in-north-america-due-to-possible-emissions-violation

Just a quick question: how reliable are these manuals ? Is this something that they create themselves or are they just making another copy of manufacturer service manual ? I'm looking for service manual for HD Sportster 2018 Forty-Eight and thinking about Cyclepedia and their printed version.

Rear Shock Absorber Fastener May Break

A loss of tire pressure can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V591000

Manufacturer Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 65,224

Summary

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2019 FLDE, 2018-2021 FLHC, 2018-2023 FLHCS, 2018 and 2023 FLHCS ANV, 2020-2023 FXLRS, 2022-2023 FXLRST, and 2022 FXRST Softail motorcycles. A fastener securing the rear shock absorber may break and allow the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the shock absorber fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2023. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0181.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

One rider's long term review of BMW's electric maxi-scooter.

https://unfinished.bike/bmw-ce-04-the-suit-and-tie-rocket-ship

That's all. I'm excited and kinda scared. I'm really into cars and absolutely love driving and motorcycles look like fun, so I signed up for a course on a whim. Still haven't told my parents and probably won't anytime soon, since they believe riding a motorcycle is borderline suicidal and I don't want them freaking out.

Weather is promising around here. Hopefully it's good near you.

What rides are you planning?

Went out yesterday for some wind therapy, came back with this :-(. Forgot to tighten the cap when I was getting gas. The lower rpms the more splashing out of the tank. Make sure everything is properly tightened before you ride your shaker guys !

Looking for gauntlet gloves to replace my old #amazon $20 gloves which I used on my #msf course and they look like their lifespan is over (rode with them not even 1 season). Anyway, full grain leather going over my forearms for the price which won't catch attention of my wife :-). I'm a cruiser rider (sporty 48) who prefers no colors on my gloves. Simplicity is an ultimate goal.

I'm looking for a fuel bottle which is not red, size of 1-1.5L which I could put on my bike to carry in case I run out of gas. Paying $50+ for a fuel bottle seems to be a bit ridiculous to me but get me on the right track if I live in different world :-). eBay has all the chinese red crap flooding results all over the place, Amazon is the same way (sometimes feels like those 2 sites are managed by the same company). Any other places that I should look into ?

thank you

I can't find anything suitable for my HD Forty-Eight. Everything looks like it's going to be a good fit for sportbikes but there is very little for old farts who ride cruisers and won't break the wallet. Also, I'm all about safety .. (yes, mesh ..:-)) What are you guys wearing ? :-) I know that this request sounds a bit ridiculous but I really need some suggestions :-). Looking for something which I can wear without motorcycle too and which would not look like a motorcycle jacket.

It's the annual Ride to Work day. Anyone planning to ride on Monday?

Teaser video about the upcoming super sport bike and the other M-series bikes

Just installed 14" apes on my 2017 FortyEight and I have a dilemma: handlebars are made for internal wiring however I heard people saying that running it internally could potentially lead to some issues as HD vibrates, cables can get damaged inside tubing and start acting up therefore I was told to put cables outside the handlebars. Still fighting with the idea of having electrical inside though statement earlier makes sense. So 2 questions:

1. what's your opinion running it inside vs outside ?
2. if I go with outside option, zip-ties are the only option in my garage unless there are some other more-aesthetic ideas how to clamp cables to the handlebars.

thanks for your inputs !

What did you used to ride? What are you riding now? Which one did you love the most? What's laying in a torn apart pile in your garage? Any stories behind them?

My first squidbike. Rode this thing EVERYWHERE, but then I busted the 2nd/6th gear dogs. Successfully replaced them, but it leaked oil from then on from splitting the cases.

My second less squiddy bike; I really loved the SV. Great handler after the RT prog springs and Penske rear shock were put on.

Number 3. I could never get the hang of riding this correctly. It wanted to go very fast and I didn't.

Number 3.5 (basketcase). Rode it, like, twice. Intended to restore it, but ended up giving it away for free. It was super dangerous to ride (i.e. brakes? what are brakes?).

Current (old man bike):

Satisfying.