Tundra relegated to 2nd string status

With the cost of go-juice steadily climbing, along with the rise in everything else, and warmer weather around the corner, I pulled the trigger on a corner carving, gas saver I had been putting off for the last couple of years. It may not be the 60th Anniversary edition I had me eyes on but I could not beat the price, or timing, on this low mileage 2021 triple black beauty. This will give me time to really tear into the Tundra and VR to fix the little things 100% without having to work on them like a maniac on weekends.

 

Glad to see you dressed right.

Be careful with all that blackness. Makes you relatively invisible to all the blind, distracted idiots in their 4-wheeled transportation.

 

Congrats sir! Great looking machine, and great job on the gear. Stay safe out there!

 

Nice! i miss my zx6r especially now with gas prices.

 

Thanks and I heard that! Hoping the neon helmet helps Not wearing the safety vest in the pic and riding road bikes (bicycles) for 50 years, I know full well the level of invisibility of the two-wheeled crowd. Even with bright colors. The cager may be looking AT you, but do they SEE you?

 

they do not. Or they don’t care. Defensive driving for sure. First motorcycle? Or just getting back into it?

 

Thanks! Proper protection is key.

 

First bike but have ridden with my brother on numerous occasions in the past. Dirt and street.

 

this is a serious question, how loud is your exhaust? even a slip on exhaust can help people hear you that can't/don't see you. doesn't need to be obnoxious, but loud enough for people to hear you

 

If you’ve never taken the motorcycle safety course, it’s worth the time. They teach CONTROL. If you’ve ever been out of control on a bike. It’s an awful feeling.

 

tank slapping aka death wobbles are scary

 

My 99 GSXR 600 had really aggressive steering geometry, practically a track bike for the street. No steering stabilizer from the factory, think the 750s came with. Had a tank slapper episode mid corner at 50mph or so. Out of instinct, I pressed hard forward on both bars and got it under control. I was able to complete the turn thankfully and survived. Dumb luck as I had never been “trained” on what to do in that situation. Definitely scary, but felt safer afterward since I thought I had a solution for that problem should it occur in the future. Having a solution ingrained before the problem exists is what the safety training is about. Riding over unavoidable obstacles. Steering / counter steering with the bars and not just leaning the bike for control. Braking strategies etc.

 

FIFY.

Nice bike OP!

 

MSC is in April followed by continued training at Yamaha's Champ School. I am lucky enough to have a fully licensed instructor for my local MSC living a few blocks away from me that offers private lessons. Best part of those lessons is that they are free. MSC is just the beginning. One should strive for continuous improvement/skill building. Practice at least 20 minutes a day in an empty parking lot: emergency braking, evasive maneuvers and my favorite so far, maintaining a tight circle using only clutch manipulation.
Loud exhausts? Annoying IMPO. A little louder than stock is fine (almost picked up a '19 R3 with a Leo Vince slip-on that had just the right tone. Not for $7500 though ).

 

Tank slappers are no bueno and hope to never experience one. Correct, being prepared is best.

 

Will never go that route again. Due to the stupidity of others had to put a Goldwing down on the interstate doing 70. Luckily only minor injuries. We can be as careful as we wish but ultimately at the mercy of others.,

 

When I did the MSF course 10 years or so ago, after you finished the course they handed out a 20% off parts and riding accessories coupon for the local motorcycle shop. I used the coupon to get a nice helmet and the 20% off effectively paid for the course. I'd ask or see if they offer you the same thing.

 

That is a bummer BayRunner. Glad there were no serious injuries.

 

I've been on 2 wheels since I was 18 y/o. Riding the SoCal streets and freeways, and I will add this to the rest, always assume every driver will do something stupid, even when you make eye contact. They will still pull out in front of you, left turn, u turn, etc. It's like, okay I see you, I'll wait, never mind, I'm going to pull out in front of you now. I wear a Hi-Viz yellow helmet too, and it does seem to wake people up a bit.
Something else I don't do, is music in my ears, or a phone on the handlebars. No distractions at all. Focus 100% on the task at hand. Plenty of time for music at the end of the ride and if I'm lost, I stop and look at my navigation to get back on track.

 

15 months later....sorry for the brain fart. Lots been going on.
Exhaust is stock. I ride like the 4-wheelers don't see me and due to aforementioned experience, never guess what the vehicle in front of me is going to do. I can tell when a driver is surprised to see me in their mirrors. Besides, I'm never in a hurry to get anywhere while riding so there is no squiding happening. I will lane filter approaching stop lights with backed up traffic but only if there is room. Not going to annoy the masses by revving and demanding they make room for "His Majesty" . IMO, loud pipes don't do much for rider safety especially with the improved audio systems and sound deadening in modern cars. Even in my VR with the volume halfway, I will see a first responder's cherries and berries before I hear them, much like a motorcycle. I will see you before I hear you. Except those sneaky azz motor cops. They always come outta nowhere
I see loud exhausts as an excuse for riders that want to be lane splitting while traffic is moving along at a normal pace or to rev-bomb a driver that they feel may have wronged them in some way. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate a sweet sounding exhaust as much as the next person but they are by no means a safety feature.
Again, just my opinion\real world observations.