What Did You Do To Your Dual Sport Today?

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Megadan

I was actually wondering how a 17/40 combo would do for on-road use. What RPM do you sit at in 5th at 60-mph? I would love to gear the bike to sit right at 5400-5600rpm (right on the torque peak) at 60 for street use, and simply carry around the 15 tooth front for some trail cruising. For now I am doing the 17/45, but I have considered going with a 42 rear. If my math is right for the transmission ratios, in 5th at 60 with a 110/100-18 tire a 17/42 should sit around 5600rpm at 62mph. Swapping to the 15 with the 42 would actually gear it a bit shorter than a 17/45 combo, which should do fine for most of the trails around my neck of the woods.

I didn't really pay attention to the exact rpm's but I think it was between 5800-6000 rpm's. I was too busy enjoying the ride.

[tarote9025]

Haven't got them yet but I ordered a set of handguards and heated grips for the shark also gonna use a ridgid tool box as a topcase it's plenty big and allows me to still tie stuff down on top using the metal handles on the side all together it was just under 70 bucks links below if anyone's interested

Handguards
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Y6..._st_dp_summary

Grips
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B018K..._st_dp_summary

Makeshift topcase
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00P4..._st_dp_summary

[Sullybiker]

Spent a lot of days on the Ninja this week, including a bike night yesterday evening, but was back on the 'Zong TT250 for the commute this morning, on some of my favourite back roads. I had a nice ride, up until a truck decided to park in a tunnel, right in the middle of the road. It wasn't that scary, but got me thinking of all the what-ifs.

If I'd have been out on the Ninja and riding like a bit of a idiot (not common, but sometimes I get exuberant) it could have been different.
I wrote about it here

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by Sullybiker

Spent a lot of days on the Ninja this week, including a bike night yesterday evening, but was back on the 'Zong TT250 for the commute this morning, on some of my favourite back roads. I had a nice ride, up until a truck decided to park in a tunnel, right in the middle of the road. It wasn't that scary, but got me thinking of all the what-ifs.

If I'd have been out on the Ninja and riding like a bit of a idiot (not common, but sometimes I get exuberant) it could have been different.
I wrote about it here

Good copy. You have so many chances of getting smashed being a daily commuter on 2 wheels. Glad you are so careful! Great report and great blog you have. the Kawasaki bike sure looks good on your header...looks new. Must have been one of its first photos? Can you show a tire to tire pic of your 2 bikes? (Your one of those who knows how to take photos like Joe berk can)

[Sullybiker]

Originally Posted by BlackBike

Good copy. You have so many chances of getting smashed being a daily commuter on 2 wheels. Glad you are so careful! Great report and great blog you have. the Kawasaki bike sure looks good on your header...looks new. Must have been one of its first photos? Can you show a tire to tire pic of your 2 bikes? (Your one of those who knows how to take photos like Joe berk can)

Ha! You're very kind. I keep meaning to get a photo of both bikes, but I usually forget when they're out together.

The Ninja is only a month old in the header image, that was about 15k miles ago...

Safety-wise, I don't find commuting too bad. I'm still the biggest risk to myself, and I've been lucky in that I don't tend to push it, but my closest calls have all resulted from going too fast, even a little too fast is too much, so I take it easy nowadays.

I've really enjoyed the TT250 for this, it's perfect for all these 30-50mph roads in Pittsburgh. The trouble with the Ninja (even though it's a small sportbike) is that it likes to be wound out, so that's how you tend to ride it.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by Sullybiker

Ha! You're very kind. .

Oh man....now it's gonna to go to his head! ;-)

Glad the truck situation was handled with grace. Nice job having your wits about ya.

[Republic]

(Oops, accidentally posted this on the wrong thread earlier)

I took my Hawk out looking for fish. Had so much looking for ponds, I never actually stopped to try one.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Republic

(Oops, accidentally posted this on the wrong thread earlier)

I took my Hawk out looking for fish. Had so much looking for ponds, I never actually stopped to try one.

Now that is how you are suppose to use a Hawk. But some of the trails I ride that cup holder better have Velcro on the bottom. lol

[pistolclass]

Just missing some curb feelers.

[michaelmania]

Installed burrito tube and got a MA inspection. Installed license plate by removing stock bracket that doesn't fit US plates, and drilled 2 new holes thru plastic. Adjusted clutch and drove for 20 miles.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by pistolclass

Just missing some curb feelers.

Those are those things on the bars with the balls on the ends.

[hertz9753]

When I was a kid I had two rods on the rack of my XL 185. My dad had me tie a red shop rag to them. When I think back on that it wasn't about the rods being extended, he just wanted me to be more visible to other drivers.

The top speed at that time was only 55 even on I-94 and the XL could do 63 on flat pavement with stock gearing. First gear was useless and only used for wheelies or rode the bike before it warmed up.

[timcosby]

took the fins off but left the blue shipping wrap on the gas cap???????

[hertz9753]

Originally Posted by timcosby

took the fins off but left the blue shipping wrap on the gas cap???????

Would get him more HP? He probably didn't know that it peels off.

The plastics on the fuel tank are called shrouds and the fins are on the cylinder.

[Republic]

Originally Posted by timcosby

took the fins off but left the blue shipping wrap on the gas cap???????

I read early on that leaving the blue protective plastic keeps the key cover from buzzing. I can report that has worked for me. So I have a blue but silent gas cap.

I removed the front plastics after seeing this guy's Hawk, I like the retro look: http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....65&postcount=1