Page 2 - Andy's Vision Experience

I guess the moral to this story is that I've never been on a bike with sound system that is so clear that I can listen to talk radio while driving at 70mph. This is quite a feat Victory. While other riders have posted concerns about the built-in speakers, I can only guess they have never had a bike with a built-in stereo system before and expect it to be a car-like experience. I can tell you first hand that the built-in speaker system is more than sufficient for a bike. It sounds great with the iPod and with XM Satellite Radio. I've read posts about other riders spending some big bucks replacing the Vision's speakers with those from J and M and have reported little if any difference. I guess this backs up my theory that the built-in speakers are more than sufficient for a motorcycle. 

My only complaint on the audio side is that the FM antenna could be a bit more powerful, but it is sufficient. With XM though, I really haven't used the FM Band. Next, I'll have to read up on the built-in Weather Band. I'm sure it's more accurate that those TV weather-personalities. (Yes, today is the Official Pick On Your Local Meteorologist Day!). If you're living in the frozen tundra...blame your weather person!

So, I passed a few exits then turned around and headed back home. I noticed I had around 90 miles to empty and stopped by the gas station for my second fill up. This time the tank accepted 4.399 gallons and
left me with 252 miles to empty. My gas usage is now at an average of 41.2 mpg per the Vision's computer. I can only estimate I'm logging around 60% highway miles and 40% around town...maybe a bit more on the highway. The fuel seemed to seep into the second tank a bit faster than the first fill up. I did my routine of filling near the top, slightly moving the bike side to side, then continuing the refill.

When I started the bike to leave the gas station a guy walked up to me to check out the bike. Although I had read numerous accounts of onlookers and question-askers, this is the first time this has happened to me. Nice guy, around my age wearing a Mirasol golf cap. He was familiar with Victory, but not the Vision and was blown away. I asked if he was a
rider and he said he hadn't ridden in many years. I told him that I had taken six years off from riding and this bike is what motivated meto get back into the game. I could tell he was pondering the thought. I'm wondering if he'll be on his best behavior with his wife tonight so that he can go bike shopping. Maybe he'll have to buy her a new car so that he can get himself a Vision.

I said goodbye and saw him in the rear view mirrors standing at the same place I left him...staring at the bike as I left the gas station.

It was almost sad to drive into my garage as I had a fun ride today. I can only hope that I wake up tomorrow to another beautiful South Florida Winter Day in the 70s. Unlike today, I won't pay much attention to what the weather forecasters say on the 11pm news about
tomorrow's weather.

I now have 315 miles on the Vision and called the dealership to setup my 500 mile service for next week. When I did, lovely Alexis told me that my trunk plate is in a the trunk's wall mount is on the truck and they'll deliver both to me next week when they return the bike from the 500 mile service. Alexis added that it should be a next day turn-around for the oil change. I'm truly not used to this type of service for a bike.

Alexis also took a look at this blog and was kind enough to point out a few typos. So, we can all thank her for making me look better. Thanks Alexis.

You can visit her at Victory of South Florida...see the banner near the top of this page.

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February 20, 2008
Day 7

I tried the advice of the tech rep from Cardo to get rid of that annoying beeping sound I was hearing in my headset. Evidently all that was needed was a slight adjustment of the microphone. As I mentioned, I ordered the Arai helmet with the Cardo Scala Rider Q2 installed by The Helmet Shop and somehow in the box, or by my error, the microphone was facing outward as opposed to towards my mouth. This was allowing the wind and/or ambient noise to trigger the voice activated intercom that "beeps" to signal you're communicating with another helmet. Understanding that I have not yet paired this device with another for intercom usage and it's only paired to my phone, the intermittent beeping was annoying. By simply twisting the microphone 180 degrees, I all but eliminated the beeps. Instead of hearing them regularly, I now only hear them occasionally. When I do, I simply reposition the
microphone. It was good to find a simple solution to this issue.

Here's the strange part: When I received my "test call" the previous day, the caller told me she could hear me perfectly. I could hear her loud and clear as well and that was at highway speed. After I adjusted the microphone to the proper position and received a second test call, she said she could still hear me perfectly. This is strange as the first call had the microphone placed away from me and the second, towards me. Go figure? Nonetheless, I can now receive calls while driving and not hear that beeping when the phone is not in use, which is most of the time. As I stated previously, I'm not a fan of talking
on the phone while riding, but it's comforting to know that I can be reached in case of emergency while on a ride or trip.

Speaking of cell phones, being on a bike after a multi-year absence (and with the proliferation of cell phones) has allowed me to notice something different about the driving habits of others. Simply stated, when I see a driver talking on a cell phone, I attempt to steer clear as they will not be as focused on driving when talking while driving. I don't know what has happened with legislation regarding cell phone use in cars in Florida, but I for one, will be supporting banning non-headphone cell phone use while driving. Let's face it, we can't completely stop drivers from driving while talking, but we can force
them to use either a wired or wireless headset that will at least make have both hands free. So, if you live in Florida, drop an email to your favorite Government Official to let them know your feelings on this subject. Maybe they can take a break from investigating steroid use of million-dollar sports figures and focus on making the roads safer for all drivers. This should be the law not only for the State of Florida, but for the entire country. Hey, this is my blog and I'm entitled to an opinion. Our tax dollars at work! Possibly when all
this political campaigning is over, maybe lawmakers will go back to work.

Also, late yesterday, I traded emails with Alexis and Walt from Victory of South Florida about my upcoming 500 mile service and the removal of the trunk. As stated earlier, the plate is in and the trunk wall mount is on the way. We agreed that the bike would be picked up on Tuesday and back to me on Wednesday. They would pickup and return the bike to me. However, in a later email Alexis asked my indulgence that it might take an extra day as Walt would be able to pick it up on Tuesday, but due to his schedule not be able to have the service commence until Wednesday and the bike would be returned on Thursday. Since I live nearly an hour from the dealership and that upon the return extra time would be granted to give me a hands-on demo of
what's entailed in the removal of the trunk and the installation of rear panel, it would take around three hours of his time with the round trip and the installation lesson. Hmm, two days without my Vision? Here's the email thread between me and Alexis:

ME: Wow, two days without my Vision? Do you have a 12-step program for
the withdrawal?

ALEXIS: Well I wish we did. You can come and stay with it and all of
the other Visions while the work is being done. Or I can send you a
care package with all of the brochures and pictures. (But I'm sure you have all of that already). Better yet I will take pictures of your bike and send them
to you throughout the day!

She's funny!

Since they have been so great to deal with, I proposed another option. I'll drive the bike to the dealership and have my housekeeper follow me to drive me back home on Tuesday morning. They can perform the service on Tuesday and Walt will return it on Wednesday.

I had also asked about obtaining a Vision poster to place in the garage near the bike. She said she had a few and they were not for sale...only for Vision customers. I mentioned to her that since they are not for sale, they could soon become a collectors item available to owners only. In my feeble mind, this means the poster cost around $25K! If anyone wants to buy mine, I might consider selling it for a mere $10K. Of course, the bike is not included with the purchase of the poster. Maybe we can get into a bidding war. Did I hear $12K? $15K? First come, first served!

Things have changed during my absence of being a bike owner. Just a mere five years ago a typical bike shop owner most likely could not use a computer. Today, they have websites and are using email to communicate with its customers. To me, email communications are in many cases better than phone conversations as it provides documentation as well as allowing you to send notes during non-business hours. Yes, you can use voice mail for this, but I choose to go the email route instead.

Little did I know when I took delivery of this bike just a few days ago, that I would miss it so much. But, this is prime biking weather season in South Florida and I didn't want to miss a day. In the words of Joni Mitchell her song Big Yellow Taxi, "You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone..."

I have an appointment today with my decorator, Patricia. I recently moved into a new home and she's helping me with the stuff that I'm just not good at, such as picking paint colors and wall treatments. I had a tough enough time deciding which of the three colors of the Vision to select. Imagine trying to through the thousands of colors available from Benjamin Moore! I'll let Patricia deal with that. I'll be taking two bids on the painting, one of which is from Al the Painter. Al is a Harley guy I met when he painted my old house. We
became friends and he had his Harley up for sale as he wasn't doing much riding these days as he didn't have any riding buddies. When I told him I was purchasing the Vision, he took his bike off the market. I let him know that I wanted to wait until after I took the refresher riding class before riding alongside of him (staggered of course). The course is scheduled for Friday. Golf on Saturday, maybe Sunday, we'll take a ride. We'll probably plan a trip to the Keys in the near future.

February 20, 2008
Day 7 - Part II

I keep learning new things about this bike. Today I learned three new characteristics/features:

1) At highway cruising speeds, when the windshield is up, the bike's instant MPG display indicates between 39 and 43 mpg. When it is in the lowest position, the display indicates between 41 and 47 mpg. This unscientific test was performed on a flat stretch of highway (hey, I'm in South Florida) with the windshield raised and lowered for about 30 seconds at a time and glancing at the instant MPG display.

2) Today was the first time I used the turn signal lane changing feature. To use, simply slide the turn signal right or left and hold for a minimum of two clicks. The turn signal will then immediately stop when it's released. I read about this feature, but today was the first time I used it. Previously I would just slide the directional arrow and press it when the lane change was completed. I like the lane changing feature as it will keep me from accidently keeping signals on until they self cancel.

3) I found something that Victory missed...

Yes, believe it or not Victory forgot something that is so blatant and obvious, yet so obscure that other riders probably haven't noticed that it was missing. Here goes:

On the left hand grip, there is a small button that is designed to be pressed the the index finger. It is placed so well that it is one of the few buttons that can be pressed without the hand leaving the grip (I have small hands). A press of this button scrolls through various information features on the display such as trip computer, miles until empty, instant MPG, odometer, etc.

 What they missed is there is an equal space on the right grip that is unused. I would have loved it if they would have used this empty space for the volume control or for changing the audio inputs. Yes, these features are located below the left grip, but having a rocker-type switch on the right index finger
would mean that you don't have to change hand positions to access. Yes, this is picky and after seven days of riding the Vision, I have been spoiled and continue to have great expectations of this bike.

Today's ride was 90% Turnpike. I rode from Palm Beach Gardens to Port St. Lucie. The weather was similar to yesterday (gorgeous) with the temperatures hovering in the mid to upper 70s. The total round trip ride was just under 80 miles. I made a point of checking the engine heat while cruising and I didn't notice an ounce of engine heat dissipating anywhere. As I've already stated, my old Harley's would develop a warm, uncomfortable seat even after short rides. There was not an ounce of heat on the seat or any discomfort whatsoever on my legs.

I also noticed the 6th gear power band is more than ample for passing trucks and effortlessly jumping from 70 MPH to 85 MPH (or higher). I've read some enthusiast blogs reports of having to down shift when riding around 70 MPH in order to achieve a passing speed. I don't know why someone would have to do this as just rolling-on the throttle generates more than sufficient on demand power. Granted, I weigh in around 145...maybe if I had an extra 100 lbs. down shifting into 5th gear might be necessary. However, I'm still riding with the trunk so I guess that would place me around 200 lbs. of weight over the street model.

After seven days of riding I can honestly state that the Vision is not a speed bike, it's a cruiser. But, there's more than ample power at any speed to get you where you want to go, when you want to go. It's not going to beat a crotch rocket off the line or at the high end, but this bike is much more comfortable and practical. I know I've said is before: For a V-Twin, the ride is more refined and nimble than the Harley's I've owned or ridden. It's much more fun to ride than a Goldwing.  I now have 391 miles on the odometer.

More tomorrow.

February 21, 2008
Day 8

And on the 8th day...the Vision rested in the garage. No riding today.

I've learned not to even check the weather the night before as they are always wrong! Today it's very overcast with isolated showers and some "predicted" thunderstorms. While I'm sure one day I'll try out the Vision in the rain, it won't be because I want to. So instead of riding today, I de-bugged the windshield, spoke to the dealer about next week's service, checked the message boards and I learned something new today about the Vision that I didn't know before.

Yes, I realized that Victory offers three windshield sizes for the Vision. But for some odd reason I assumed (yes, I know what "assume" means) that they were for the fixed, not the electric fairings. I was wrong. I also learned that the Vision includes the medium sized screen as the standard size. Since I'm shorter than the average rider I might opt for the small model that shaves two inches off the top. Walt (the Victory dealer) said he had one in stock and would hold it for me until I come in for service next week. He advised that to check the height while riding to see if at the lower position the top of the windshield was in my line of sight. If so, then the smaller model could be ideal. I'm wondering how the small windshield will affect the protection of a
passenger when it's in the tall position. When I figure this out, I'll pass it on. After further research I learned that when the trunk is removed and the small windshield is in the low position, it makes the bike appear sleeker. Is this possible?

Also, I'll snap a shot of the medium windshield at the low position and if I get the new small replacement, I'll take photos so you can see the difference.

When checking the message boards, one reader pointed out that I have not addressed the issues regarding the hard-drive iPods. Here's a portion of his post:

"Victory discovered (learned this in the Victory Tech class sponsored by Victory) that the harmonics from the motor can cause hard drive failure."

There is no reason for me to doubt this logic as it could explain the problems some users are having with the hard-drive iPods.

I have two iPods (got rid of my iPhone) and both are hard drive models. After reading the posts about potential problems with these units as well as some issues with the current (3rd generation) flash-based iPod Nanos, I opted for the older 2nd generation Nano. the problem was they've been discontinued by Apple. So, I checked Apple's refurbished inventory (that's a hit and miss proposition) and found none were available. I then went to Amazon and found a used 2nd gen Nano for $90. It was the ugliest color - lime green - but I bought it anyway as it will be hidden in the glove compartment and probably will never been seen by others. It works great and I love being able to directly access play lists on the console. If I'm smart, I'll try to find another closeout model to have as a backup.

I also want to address the Tip Over Protection feature of the Vision. So instead of trying this myself and snapping a photo or lifting someone's image online, if anyone has a photo of the Vision in the tipped position, please email it to me at andy@pargh.com and I'll post it along with an explanation in an upcoming post.

I'm also considering taking a ride up to Daytona for a day at Bike Week. I've never been and am not one who enjoys huge crowds, but if I can find a hotel, I might drive up there. Next week. I'm going to take a quick trip to Orlando to meet a cousin who is visiting from the West Coast. If I can find good accommodations, I'll consider taking a cruise over to Daytona. Any recommendations on nice hotels in the Bike Week vicinity are welcomed

(PAUSE)

I just checked the Apple website and they have refurbished 2nd generation 4GB iPod Nanos for $99. The drawback, is that the only color available is pink. So, I might end up with one each of the two ugliest colors: Lime Green
and Pink. Thank you Victory for allowing me to hide these ugly suckers
in the glove compartment! (Apple hide's the refurbished products on it's website. To find them, go to apple.com, then iPod and type "refurbished" in the search bar).

If you've read my blog about my experience with the iPhone, you'll realize it's painful for me to purchase anything from Apple. I'll just enjoy the music and the ride, but try not to think about where the music is coming from. Hey, there's always XM!

February 21, 2008
Day 8 - Part II

Yes, today was a total washout...no riding. I did reload the iPod Nano with some new music. I really like the Playlist function on the Vision. When you're in the iPod mode, simply press one of the numbered rocker buttons on the Vision's console to jump directly to a playlist. I created a new playlist called Bike Songs...the type of music I want to hear when I'm cruising. The Doobie Brothers, The Rolling Stones and a lot of Rock and Roll!

Also today, Alexis from Victory of South Florida emailed some grammatical errors for me to correct on this blog. I think I missed a few, so if I did, be kind as I type faster than I think. Don't blame her, blame me.

In a million years I would have never imagined having a biker babe who works in a motorcycle shop edit a blog that was written by a former syndicated columnist. Talk about a full service dealership...

Thanks Alexis...see you Tuesday!

February 22, 2008
Day 9

I've mentioned on this page that I've received great information about the Vision from numerous blogs. Allow me to give them the proper credit (and a thank-you shout-out) and to take a moment to state the pros and cons (my opinions) of the two blogs I've found the most useful.

The first site I stumbled upon was www.vision-riders.com. This is a well designed and easy to navigate site. The pages move from page to page fairly quickly, but not as fast as I've found in other non-motorcycle related blogs. The community is rather small, but growing...as is the Vision. The riders/posters are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and provide timely responses. They welcome new posters in a friendly fashion.

This blog is setup in chronological fashion where the first post remains at the top and additional posts are added below. This is a my favorite format for this type of blog as it is user-friendly for the"newbies" who, like me, just found the blog and can access various topics and easily scroll through the replies in an orderly fashion. It's important to point out that this blog is focused on the Vision and while other topics are addressed and welcomed, it is first and foremost a Vision blog. This is a free site and, as with any blog of this nature, it relies on advertising to keep it going. If you like this site (as I do), click the links and support the advertisers to insure its future.

The other site I've been using is www.thevmc.com. This site, The Victory Motorcycle Club is dedicated to all things Victory. It is a much more mature site - meaning it sports a larger, more in-depth database. It also features a clean design and navigates fairly well. However, maybe due to a poor hosting server service, it can be frustratingly slow navigating page-to-page...even with a fast Internet connection. But again, it's loaded with data and useful information and is a welcomed entity for any Victory owner.

The blog posts are in reverse-chronological order, meaning that in a long multi-page post, the first entry is on the last page and the most recent post appears at the top of the first page. While this is the standard operating procedure for most blogs, it has both pros and cons for use on specific subject blogs. The pro is simple: If you're following an ongoing topic, the most recent responses are at the top. The con is the same, but in reverse...If you're reading a topic for the first time or searching for information on a specific topic, you need to start at the last page and scroll upwards to view the thread as it was posted. Then, when at the top of the page you have to navigate to the previous page to read the posts in order. Again, this is a standard operating procedure for most blogs that deliver news and information as it doesn't require the user to have to go to the bottom to see the most recent posts. My personal opinion as a new Vision owner who is seeking information is that this format can be a bit frustrating. On the other hand, if you've been following an ongoing thread this format can be considered a bit easier to use. So, this is strictly personal preference. 

While I don't have access to the numbers, The Victory Motorcycle Club appears to be the most visited Victory site on the Internet and the responses are quick and clear. The forums are free but there is a step-up membership with various levels and allows you to enter its Members Only area. In a sign of support, I signed up for a Sponsor Level, not because I'm a sponsor or advertiser, but because I want to show that I support the efforts of the site as I realize they can be expensive to maintain. They can also be cash cows. Like Vision-Riders.com, TheVMC.com is filled with great people who all share the love of motorcycling.

The bottom line: I feel that Vision-Riders is easier to navigate and read, but it's still a relatively small, albeit a very friendly community. It focuses strictly on Vision-related topics. The Vision Motorcycle Club blog has much more data and features, appears to have a larger community and focuses on all things Victory. My personal opinion is that TheVMC.com could be a bit faster and the threads should be placed in a different order. Both sites are excellent resources for those considering a purchase of a Vision or Victory product or who already own Victory products.

To place things in the proper perspective, I'm thrilled to have these two sites available at the tips of my fingers. They both are excellent places to exchange thoughts and ideas and become more knowledgeable about your bike. Both are very friendly and welcome new owners or tire kickers. Just remember, before these types of blogs surfaced, there was basically no place to go for timely information...so please support them to insure their futures and that we can continue to have sites to go to with questions and receive honest answers and opinions.

February 22, 2008
Day 9 - Part II

Today I used the Vision to run some errands. Yes, there is a benefit to having the trunk mounted. Since there are no helmet locks, the trunk is the only place to secure it. One of my stops was at the bookstore to pick up a few of bike magazines to read some of the reviews that are not available online.

Allow me to state that I'm not one to trust some of the bike magazines...especially the ones that seem to gush over just about every bike they review. The basic business model of a magazine is that income is generated two ways: Magazine Sales (subscription and at retail) and Advertising. The advertising sales figures topple the income generated by subscriptions. It's a vicious cycle as the magazine publishers need circulation (sales) to command higher prices from the advertisers. In the motorcycle industry, there is no shortage of publications, but there are a limited supply of advertisers. In many cases, the purchase price of the magazine does not even cover production costs. Advertising is necessary to keep magazines afloat.

Over the years I attended more trade shows and manufacturer press events than I care to remember. I remember one press trip with a Japanese bike
manufacturer that made me question this specific magazine's credibility. Because I was with the Today Show (NBC News), we did not accept free travel or accommodations and paid our own way. This is not the norm for these trips and they were many times a wine and shrimp-fest. I remember one Editor from a magazine that was kissing-up to the manufacturer. It was a bit over the top for me as when I would attend a product launch, in my mind it was the manufacturer's job to knock my socks off with its new offerings, not
my job to gush at whatever they threw at me as more times than not, the offerings were fairly crappy.

Whether it was a bike or an electronic or housewares product, my job was simple...find the best of the best and put it on the air and in print. Since I had a big audience on TV an in print (USA Today), the manufactures had their PR people constantly soliciting me for for space and/or time. At this press event, the bike magazine Editor in question was way over the top at trying to kiss-up in order to get them to continue their advertising. He was going out of his way to say how much he loved their bikes. Since then, I've been wary about reviews in advertising supported mediums. Now that I have nearly 500 miles on my Vision, it's now time to read the magazine reviews to see which ones I agree with, which I don't and hopefully learn something about the Vision I didn't know previously.

This afternoon, I had scheduled a private advanced safety lesson for the Vision. I had booked this lesson before I accepted delivery of the bike. I had only taken a short test drive prior to purchase and knew this was a big bike. Since I hadn't ridden in five years, I thought this was a good plan. Riding safely is a good thing!

For the record, I recommend that even seasoned riders take the one day refresher class every few years. Not only is it a great way to hone your skills, it's a pleasant way to meet others who share your passion. While I'll go through the details of today's class in a later post, I was able to pick up some good habits that I had forgotten.

On the 35 mile highway cruise home, while adjusting the height of the electric windshield, it appeared to come down a bit crooked, but seated in position properly. When I stopped for gas I checked the windshield and noticed that one of the bolts that connect the windshield to the motorized mechanism
had fallen off. Hmm, this was strange. When I arrived home, instead of trying to find a replacement bolt, I inserted a sturdy pull tie and cinched it closed as I didn't want to strain the other bolt or did I want it to fly away. While this is only a short term fix, I'll have it properly repaired when it's in the shop next week.

Has anyone else has this issue?

Now, back to safety, while I'll go into what I learned at the class today, a post surfaced on one of the blogs that is nothing short of noteworthy. I asked the poster if it was okay to place it here. He said that he was not sure where it came from originally, but gave me his approval...Here's a shout-out to thank FishWitch!

10 Ways to Save Your Ride

The following is a list of very good ideas you should remember every
time you get on a motorcycle.

1. Lane Check
While riding it can be easy to become complacent. Besides just checking your mirrors, do a full head turn, left and right, before changing lanes. How many times have you checked your mirrors only to find someone in that blind spot once you started to switch lanes?

2. Riding the Line
A fluid, efficient turn begins with taking the proper line. The proper line is the quickest, easiest and safest way to negotiate a turn. Approach turns wide, meaning you start a right turn from the left part of your lane, or a left turn from the right part. This gives you the best view of a blind turn and requires the least amount of braking and lean. Use your whole lane as needed, but be very sure to not cross the center line!

3. Braking
During a hard brake, momentum makes the bike want to continue forward. This puts weight on the fork and compresses it as the rear lightens and rises, making the rear brake easier to lock. That is why the front brake is designed to handle 75 to 80 percent of the braking load. Practice hard stops on a quiet but well maintained road using mostly your bike's front brakes. If you tend to lock the rear during hard brakes, try leaving the clutch lever out and the bike in gear when braking, and pull the clutch in just before coming to a complete
stop.

4. Cornering
We love to ride our cruisers and dressers, but they come with a downside. Being low it is easy to drag the pegs, floorboard or pipes on the driving surface during a turn, and even lever the weight off the tires and cause a slide. A solution is to set up the suspension with the maximum amount of spring preload on your shock absorbers. Some riders even install longer shocks and fork springs.

5. Passengers
Two people on one bike make for potential problems. Avoid surprises by giving passengers some basic guidelines: 1) Do not mount or dismount the bike until instructed to do so; 2) Do not suddenly talk into my ear unless first squeezing my arm; 3) When approaching turns, stay neutral except to look over the driver's shoulder in the direction of the turn (right turn, right shoulder, etc). (I'm adding that I tell passenger to "be part of the bike.).

6. Unstable Surfaces
Have you ever see riders navigating a gravel parking lot or rough terrain by dropping their feet and awkwardly walking their bikes? Ride with your feet up as your bike's low center of gravity and low torque pull you through. You may feel more comfortable executing a U-turn with your feet down, but once you have the bike pointed in the right direction, get your feet up and look like you know what you are doing. A little practice helps a lot.

7. Obstacle Fixation
Have you ever rounded a corner, seen a pot hole or stone you could have easily avoided and run right over it? That is obstacle fixation. You tend to steer your bike where you look. Focus on a pot hole or tone, and that is where your tires will go. Try looking where you want to go versus at the obstacle. Do not look at the pot hole, look at the path around the pot hole.

8. Equipment
Equipment is worn by everyone exposed to potentially hazardous activities. Athletes wear shoulder pads and a helmet if they play football, construction workers wear hard hats and steel toed boots, and firemen wear helmets, breathing apparatus, and fire/water resistant gear...and nobody dares call these guys wimps! So what is stopping you? We are firm believers in letting the individual decide, but things like boots, gloves, long pants and a protective jacket are pretty much the basics. The helmet may be the most controversial, but it makes sense for many riders and may be required by law.

9. Practice
Practice maneuvers in a quiet parking lot or the like. Practice hard braking from 30 miles an hour. Practice very tight turns with your feet up. Try pulling in the clutch and lock the rear wheel so you can see how you and your bike react. Run over a 2 x 4. There are many different road situations you can recreate in a parking lot. It is better to encounter areas you need to work on in a parking lot than a busy city street!

10. Drinking
You know this already. It is not a good idea to drink and ride. (it's a REALLY BAD idea). DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.

Allow me to also thank all those who emailed the photos of the Vision in the tipped position. I'll get them up here in a few days. Hey, it's the weekend...Golf and Cruising. Life doesn't get any better than this!

February 23, 2008
Day 10

As you know by now, I took a vacation from motorcycles as I lived in an area that was not bike-friendly.

During my absence from the sport there has been a breakthrough on one area of the world of motorcycling that I have not yet mentioned: Safety Gear.

It used to be that wearing a pair of jeans, a leather jacket, gloves, boots and of course, a good helmet were considered ample safety attire. Today though, new research has proven that jeans and a leather jacket don't provide the level of protection we once thought. Also, the majority of motorcycle-related injuries happen below the waist. After learning of these new facts, I went on the Internet and started doing some of my own research. I was amazed on how much new attire is available and how technology has trickled-down to the world of biking.

It came as news to me that the leader in motorcycle safety is Europe and they have a fairly stringent standard for motorcycle body protection. From some of the information I gathered (and have not yet confirmed) there is no testing or performance standard in the USA for motorcycle clothing. This struck me as strange, but not so much when you consider how the Consumer Product Safety Commission is so overworked they cannot keep lead based paint toys out of the hands and mouths of American children. I'll be checking with the Motorcycle Industry Council to confirm this information and publish my findings onto this page.

I found something online that I've read about, but never tried: The Bohn Bodyguard System. (Remember this is an advertising-free website and no consideration was given to me by Bohn for this review. They won't even know I purchased and reviewed their products until they find this site). I ordered a set of uppers and lowers and decided to give them a try. This is beyond a doubt the strangest gear I've ever worn as it is designed to be worn under your clothes. Yes, motorcycle underwear! Since I live in a hot weather climate, having protective clothing that breathes and is comfortable is an important factor to me. Although the Bohn website stated this is a breathable fabric, I'm a skeptic and was hoping I just didn't burn my cash on pair of padded long underwear. Also, since I ordered them online, I did not see them until they arrived.

The best way to describe the Bohn System is to imagine wearing a pair of heavy-duty pantyhose. Yes, pantyhose. Mantyhose? Okay, before you laugh, let me go on record by stating that I've never worn pantyhose before, so this was a new experience. 'Nuff said? Let's get serious now...this is about safety and a subject most bikers don't want to talk about: Loss of life and limb.

Inside this mesh underwear are strategically placed pockets that allow for the insertion of a series of absorbent rubber foam cushions that promise shock absorbing capabilities in critical areas of the body. Located inside the lowers are pads for both hips, full knee guards and a rear pad to protect the "upper butt/lower back" area. There is also some thigh armor that is included, but considered optional. The best part of this product is that it easily fits underneath a pair of standard jeans.

The upper portion is a long sleeve mesh undershirt with a zippered front that features a back plate, shoulder and elbow protection. Like the pants, the upper portion is designed to breath and be worn under standard clothing.

Tonight, I had an early dinner date in Boca Raton which is a 35 mile one-way trip. I left the house around 6pm...just a half an hour before sundown. It was still hot and humid outside with temperatures in the mid 80s. (It's unseasonably warm right now...sorry about that to the cold weather climate readers!). It took just a minute or two to put on the Bohn protective underwear. It is a mesh fabric and needs to be placed-on carefully. Since I would be wearing a protective jacket with internal "armor," I didn't feel the need to ride with the uppers. However, if I was taking a long trip, I wouldn't think twice about wearing both the upper undergarment along with a protective jacket. This way, if it does get too hot, I wouldn't feel guilty about removing the jacket.I did try it on and I have to say that I could pass for Arnold Schwarzenegger (during his lean years) while wearing this under my shirt.

The mobility of the lowers I chose to wear was good, if not very good. You knew you were wearing them, but they did not inhibit any movement. Unlike protective lower gear that is worn outside the pants, they were not bulky...quite the opposite as they fit skin tight...like I would imagine pantyhose would feel. I liked the fact they were concealed and could be worn under standard jeans or khakis or for that fact, dress slacks. But would they pass the heat test? The answer is both yes and no. Yes they breathed and were fairly comfortable in the high temps. However, beneath the locations where the foam inserts rested, I felt like I was perspiring a bit. Not uncomfortably so, but I noticed a bit of warmth. However, the trade off was in the favor of the Bohn product as I felt good knowing I had a fairly high level of protection and did not look like a geek or a snowmobiler on two wheels.

Looking like a geek? Maybe I'm speaking too soon. When I arrived at the restaurant and met my friend, I had her feel my knee under the table...really. She laughed when she felt the padding. However, when I took a restroombreak and walked away from the table, she evidently was staring at my rear...no jokes please! Upon my return she commented that from the rear view it looks like I'm wearing a diaper...and I was wearing jeans over the Bohn system. What she was seeing was a the outline of the lower back/upper butt protective pad. That didn't do much for my ego...but safety isn't about ego, it's about riding smart and preparing for a hopefully never to happen accident. Let's face it, accidents do happen. The proper protection can determine the outcome of the accident. A cut or a bruise is one thing, but being rushed to the hospital is another. These are the types of things that riders do not want to talk about, but they need to be addressed.

When I see these kids on crotch rockets flying by me at 100+mph wearing shorts, a tee shirt and no helmet, I wonder when, not if, they will learn a fatal lesson. Maybe I'm getting older and more conservative, but this is a serious topic.

On the ride home, it was around 10pm and the temps had cooled. It was still a bit humid for this time of the year and the undergarment protection felt fine. I must add that when I got home and put the bike away, it felt good to remove them. Not to sound strange, they were a bit tight in the crotch area and required a level of personal "adjustment." Once that was accomplished, it was riding as usual.

The moral to today's story is that Safety is Good and that technology has made it easier than ever to wear protective gear. There is no longer an excuse not to wear the proper gear.

The prices on the Bohn system was not cheap as it cost me around $300 for both the uppers and lowers. I consider this purchase one of those items I buy and hope I never have to test. The foam pads are removable and the mesh garment is machine washable. If I do have a situation where I do use them, I'm sure I'll feel that the expense was minuscule compared to what was at stake.

I'll be wearing them on my trip to Orlando this week. My plan is that when I arrive to meet my cousin for lunch, that I can go to the restroom, remove them and then put them back on for the ride home. Allow me to add that you need to plan an extra minute or so for a restroom break as there is no opening for...well, you know what I'm talking about. They don't have to be removed, but some juggling might be in order.

Allow me to note that in the photos above, that is not me, I "borrowed" the photos from the Bohn website: http://bohnarmor.com . If anyone from Bohn feels I have violated a copyright, email me (use the contact link at the top of this page) and I'll promptly remove the images. I respect the copyright and intellectual property laws.

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