Seriously... When Does STUPID Start?

Everyone has the right to make choices for themselves.  I consider myself a Conservative.  A Constitutionalist.

If that offends you, oh well.  I won't be apologizing.

I'm not perfect, but I would like to think that I have a good grasp on commonsense.  99% of the time I bite my tongue when I see something that sets off my "Warning STUPID CLOSE" alarm.  Today was no different, up until this CHALLENGE rider cut me off in traffic.  I would have simply bit down harder, if it wasn't for the "show" he put on through my front windshield.  Weaving in and out of traffic.  Stopping short, splitting traffic...  ENOUGH..!

No Helmet?  

If you think it's "safer" to ride without a helmet (any DOT helmet), you're an idiot.  Have most of us road without a helmet, @ some point?  Yes.  We're human, so moments of stupidity are sewn into our genes.  The difference is, MOST of the time we understand what we're doing is dangerous.  We supplement our lack of good judgement with over cautious riding behavior.  This rider was apparently numb in this area of the brain...

No Jacket? 

Here's a question for you.  If you fall off your bike going 25mph, are you going to tumble?  Are your arms going to impact the road?  How about your back?  Chest?  Shoulders?  Elbows?  For those of you that think the above "helmet section" was stupid, the answer is YES, to all of the above.  Every one of these body parts are going to hit the concrete.  Without protection you will...

1. Grind the skin off your elbows
2. Imbed gravel to your shoulders
3. Damage your back

Scroll back up and take another look at the picture of this guy, and tell me I'm wrong?  Oh, for those that think 25MPH is to slow to cause injury.  You know what, you might be right...  To prove me wrong, bounce up into your buddies pick up truck, and jump out @ 25mph.  Shoot me an email with your conclusions...

For those that still think the "Helmet Section" doesn't make sense, I WAS JOKING ABOUT JUMPING OUT OF THE TRUCK...

No Pants?

I CHOOSE to wear actual riding pants 95% of the time.  Today there are a wide range of styles.  I prefer the pants that look like jeans.  Again, look at this rider above and ask yourself if his legs will look the same after a 50 foot slide...

No Boots?

Just the thought of my ankle, caught under a sliding bike, going 40mph, makes me sick to my stomach.  Reach down and touch your ankle.  Does it appear to you that there's a ton of FLESH between your ankle bones and the rough, hard concrete...  Once again, for those that disagree with the "Helmet Section" above, the answer is NO.  Just thin skin.

Why is it that many riders simply can't understand that if they crash on their motorcycle, the deck is stacked against them?  Even with protective gear.  Take the protective gear away, and your life will NEVER be the same, even if you survive.

I'm sorry, but if you think you're bullet proof, you're not.  If you think you'll never go down, you're fooling yourself.  They're called "accidents" not "on purposes".  It doesn't need to be the most expensive gear on the market.  Something is better than nothing.

There's just not enough room on the road for guys like this.  Period.

Noisy Helmet? I can help...

If there's one thing I can count on, is that I'm going to get calls from customers about wind noise inside their helmet.  Models like the Arai Corsair-V, RX-Q and the Signet-Q have a bad rap for being loud.  I myself lecture that ANY high flow helmet is going to be noisy.  If you invite that much air inside a helmet, expect a little wind noise.

Several factors come into play when I hear customers having issues with noisy helmets.

1. First, SIZE.  If your helmet is to big, it'll be noisy.  The seal around your ears will not be snug, and sound sneaks in.
2. Age.  If you've had your helmet for a while, through general use, the foam will flatten, making the helmet noisier.  Again, the seal isn't snug enough to keep the ear isolated.
3. The VISOR.  When a helmet is being built, the visor is attached in a "neutral" position.  It may not be sealing against the gasket.

If you have a helmet with a removable liner, you might be able to fix #1 and #2.  Replace it.  #3 will take a bit of experimenting to get it just right.  For this reason, Ill be focusing on this one point.

Remove the visor from the helmet, loosen the screws holding the baseplate to the helmet, and move them slightly to the rear.  Tighten the screws.  The key here is to move them, "slightly" to the rear.  Since you'll be doing the same procedure to the both sides, it doesn't take much to make a HUGE impact.  You'll be walking a fine line between being able to close the visor, and not enough pressure.

Take your TIME.  Nothing about this process is fast.  You will make it worse, before it gets better.  Once you have it perfect, you'll know.  You should "hear" a noticeable improvement.

Firstgear apparel... OK, why these guys..?

Wait for it...  OK, here it is right up front!  I picked Firstgear because, I BELIEVE in the Company.

Honestly, buying gear would be much easier if I didn't have a history with EVERY apparel company on the market.  I could close my eye's, press my finger against the monitor, and let chance dictate my purchase.  When you have 1000's of products to choose from, and no one being honest about what's good, or bad, you're leaving it to chance.

I don't don't have the luxury.  I've sold just about everything, and have dumped companies on a regular basis.  Oh, and it's not always about the apparel.  No product is perfect.  Often I've kick products to the curb simply because the Company "behind" the product sucked.  A customer had an issue, and the "company" could careless.  The sale was complete; their only goal.  I end up disappointed, the customer is disappointed, and the manufacturer is booted to the curb in seconds.

I learned a LONG time ago (and I've been doing this for over a decade) that if the company behind the product drops the ball once, you don't automatically give them a second chance.  9 out of 10 times, it'll happen again.

So again, why Firstgear?

"Todd, why not Olympia, Joe Rocket, Aerostitch, Tourmaster, Roadgear, S&S, Klim...?"  The list goes on and on.  Simple, while many of these companies may make great products, I'm looking for the COMPLETE package.

• WELL MADE
• PRICE RIGHT
• LONG SERVICE LIFE
• INNOVATION
• OUTSTANDING WARRANTY
• COMPANY SUPPORT
• BROAD PRODUCT LINE
• A HUGE BASE OF HAPPY CUSTOMERS

Most companies fail, or fall short in one or more of the above categories.  Firstgear is the ONLY company that has NEVER failed me, or my customers.

Have there been issues?  Firstgear doesn't live in a alternate universe.  Of course, but I have never been disappointed in how they resolved these issues.  Each time I was impressed, and they've exceeded my expectations.

I also use their products.  I use a Kathmandu jacket for the winter, and a Mesh-Tex jacket in the summer.  I wouldn't be caught out in the cold without my heat jacket, gloves and socks.  I'm not spoiled, I've just figured out that EVERY ride is more fun when I'm comfortable...

Let me give an example of the INNOVATION I mentioned earlier.  The Kilimanjaro and Kathmandu jackets both come with a armor called d30.  I'm not going to explain WHY this stuff is amazing, since this video is worth 10,000 words.

"Google" Firstgear.  Read the customer reviews.  As you weed through the hundreds of positive comments, remember that only 1 in every 50 HAPPY customers take the time to leave a review.  1 in 5 UNHAPPY customers make sure too...

Soon Firstgear will be hitting the market with a rain proof heated liner, vented mesh boots, and several updated jackets.  If you're in the market for a new ANYTHING apparel, you owe it to yourself to look HARD @ Firstgear.  You'll be glad you did.http://www.helmetharbor.com/firstgear-kathmandu-jacket/http://www.helmetharbor.com/firstgear-kathmandu-jacket/http://www.helmetharbor.com/apparel/

Wave..!

Wow, I'm writing this , because....lol  Simple, it pisses me off when I raise my hand to another riders heading in the opposite direction, and they blow me off...

Is it a law that every rider MUST raise their left hand?  Lower it, palm open?  Wiggle their fingers?  Nod their head, or at least look in the general direction?  Nope, but it still PISSES me off when I waive, and don't get some sort of token reply.

After returning home from a recent weekend ride, I sat down and gave this subject some thought.  I REALLY focused during the commercials during my football games...  In my junk food induced coma, here's what I came up with.

1. First, maybe they simply didn't see my raised hand?  If this was the case, acknowledgment wouldn't have been an option.  If they "had" seen my raised hand, they would have willingly replied.  But lets not forget, they could have initiated upon seeing my bike approach...
2. My second thought?  These riders were simply too "good" to acknowledge another riders gesture. In that case, I got caught wasting my effort on an Ass$#@&*...
3. Raising their left hand off the handlebars is a hazard.  I'll buy this, but if this was truly the case, I'm a bit scared for everyone else in their path...
4. Simply anti-social.  Not an Ass%$#@*& like those in #2, but just not willing to engaged in a brief ceremony of interaction.  I feel compeled to cut this group some slack.  It's not their fault  We all know people who fit this category.
5. Bike selectivity.  In other words, if I was on a Harley, BMW, or another bike that they deemed "wave worthy" I would have received the lowered arm, open hand acknowledgment.  I pride myself in raising my hand, to ALL bikes, even scooters...lol

I understand that I can't allow the few to influence my own actions.  Wow, that sounds so "adult".  I need to focus on the 90% who do make the effort to acknowledge, or raise the hand as I pass.  

What #2, #4 and #5 don't understand is that it's not "just" a wave.  It's about displaying mutual respect.  An acknowledgment that we're "both" members of a small club, and that we "share" a passion.

I can't bring myself to "not" raise my hand in salute, even if you're a #2.  Oh, and numbering this group as #2 wasn't by mistake...  Just keep rumbling down the road, doing what you do.  Those like me will continue to give you a wave as we pass.  Maybe someday you'll understand.

Why "COOL GEAR" sits in the closet...

New gear comes on the market everyday.  Often it looks SUPER COOL, and we buy it, only to find it spends more time in the closet, then on our bike.  What seemed to be practical @ the time, now looks like massive pain in the butt and waste of money.

I've found that it's not always the products fault.  I've brought stuff in, played with it, only to toss it in the junk drawer.  Only months later do I discover that if I had purchased an accessory, or taken the time to install it correctly, my complaints would have been rectified.

Where were THOSE people when I plopped down the money...?

Here's some free advise, and a couple of examples.

GoPro Video Camera

Here's a product that sounds SUPER COOL.  You slap this little guy on your bike, helmet, heck, anywhere, and you're taking video.  And not just any video, but full HD video.  Want some "slow-mo", you got it.  Looking for something waterproof?  Covered.  Have a need to take 10 photos in under a second?  Yep.!

This little video camera takes awesome video, but to save it from the closet, there are a few things you need to buy...

First, GoPro makes a wifi remote that plugs into the back of the camera.  Why?  Say you have the camera mounted on your helmet.  Cool place right?  What you see, the camera will record.

You start the camera, but after about 20 minutes you decide to turn it off.  Why use all your memory on stop signs and traffic jams?  You reach up, while riding, and hunt for the "Off" button.  You feel something that you think is the off button, and you press; all the while wondering if you pressed it hard enough.

10 minutes later it's driving you nuts, so you stop, take off the helmet, turn off the camera, put the helmet back on, and head back out.  20 minutes later you enter some amazing country, something you want to record...  It starts all over again.

While the extra remote costs about $100, it takes your GoPro from a novelty item, and makes it into something handy and easy to use.  Without it, it's a pain in the butt...  With it, useful...

Cardo ScalaRider G9 Bluetooth Communication System

90% of the time your bikes engine is soothing.  You have zero need for music, a phone call, or any other type of interruption.  You're at peace with yourself, soaking in the freedom that your two wheeled buddy is providing.

But then, there is that 10%...

I've NEVER been one for communication systems, and I've used them ALL.  Most were hard to setup, harder to use on the bike, and they never worked like I'd hoped.  After only a few rides they would end up in a drawer, never to see the light of day.

Now lets fast forward to today.  The G9 is one of the easiest Bluetooth systems I've ever used.  Pairing to my iPhone (or anything else) is super easy, the buttons are easy to work on the bike, 8 other people can connect and talk, and the range is amazing.

Here's where riders make the mistake...

The G9 allows you to take off the big boom microphone and replace it with a wired version.  Important if your wearing an enclosed helmet (full-face).  Nothing can discourage you more than stuffing a boom mic inside your helmet EVERY time you put on your helmet.  Oh, and don't forget taking it off...

Why wouldn't everyone install it this way?  It appeared more complex, and permanent.  What if they wanted to remove it from there helmet?  Also, I scary high number of us fail to read the direction...  Many simply didn't know it was an option.

Advise; USE THE WIRED OPTION from the start.  Odds are, once installed, it not going anywhere.  If you use the wired microphone option, you'll discover that the G9 is amazing.  If you use the Boom, it'll turn into a HUGE PAIN in only a few rides.  The items in your JUNK drawer will have a new EXPENSIVE friend.

I use both of the above

I like taking video.  I enjoy putting together the clips into a movie.  I LOVE the idea of documenting my journeys.  I USE the REMOTE.  Mounting the camera on my helmet is my favorite location.  Without the remote, this would not be possible.

I own, and use the ScalaRider G9.  I don't make many calls (I can ever use Siri with the G9, which I have done to find something quickly), but I have received them.  I occasionally enjoy listening to the radio, or the music on my iPhone.  I've also chatted it up with riding buddies, but not as often as I'd thought.  The same goes for my wife when we take trips.  I installed the boom-less microphone on my helmet, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

So in closing...

Spending the extra cash, or taking the extra time can mean the difference between something that get used, or sits in your closet.  Play it smart and go the extra step.

Riding really in our blood?

"Hey, work the gas..."

I have a photo, taken by my dad, of me sitting on his bike, in a diaper, with the biggest smile.  If it had an engine, two wheels and a throttle, I LOVED it from day one.

I was also a rebel, sneaking out our little Honda Trail 90, only to flat both tires before bring it home...

I've always loved riding.

My Dads stories go all the way back to the early 1940's.  Adventures born from the seat of an old Harley...  Sleeping on the side of the road, dirt roads, no Interstates.  The "Old School" approach to riding; something he insists has disappeared today.

If the love of motorcycles was genetic, I would be a good candidate for the first test.

While my "love" of riding has never wavered, my "inner need" to ride has diminished; DRASTICALLY.  I even remember past rides differently.  Gone is the energy.  They've lost their magical properties.  Stories of my 1600 mile marathon's aren't as exciting to tell.  Now I simply remember the pain, no longer the triumph over pain.

Late I've felt detached.  Have I lost my inspiration for motorcycle riding?

About 2 years ago I sold ALL my motorcycles.  While I know every rider goes through dry spells, I've owned @ least one bike (at one point 7) for as long as I could remember.  I was never without one.  As I watched my BMW LT1200 ride off, I wasn't overcome by any emotion.  I simply turned and went inside.  Deep down inside, glad it was gone.

Leading up to the Olympics I watched a story on Michael Phelps.  First, I'm aware of the differences...lol.  The part of the story that caught my attention was his change of attitude toward swimming after winning his 8 Gold Metals in Beging.  The last thing he wanted to do, was swim.  When it was time to hit the weight room, he escaped out the back door.  Often he would simply leave with friends, for weeks on end.

He'd had enough.

Not that he didn't LOVE swimming, he simply didn't "want" to swim.  Don't tell me that Phelps doesn't have the DNA of a great swimmer, but he wanted to walk away.

He'd had enough.

Of course he came back for London, trained and won some more medals.  Now, he's officially finished.  He says he'll swim again, but from now on, in the ocean...

In my case, I was simply tired of riding from point A, to point B.  Riding, for the lone purpose of simply riding, had lost it's luster.  Spending 200 miles in the saddle, just to eat a burger, now seemed NUTS.  Cooking in the summer desert, so I could ride in the pines, now looked like a complete waste of a day.

A HUGE peice of ME, was missing, and I could careless.  I told myself it was time to turn the page.  It was time to focus my energy, elsewhere.

Sitting outside one morning, in the 90 degree heat, I started day dreaming about camping.  A cool river/creek, in the cool pines.  Each summer, I have the same overwhelming thought.  The strange twist was this time my plans included a motorcycle....

My mind raced, "I could get a dual sport bike (I've never owned one before), load it with gear, and a few days a month, explore Arizona backcountry.  How cool would that be?!  I'll head up North in the summer, and escape the heat.  I'll head South in the winter...  On a bike, but without limitations, like pavement!"

The following week I bought a Suzuki V-Strom (Wee-Strom), and the rest is history.

Why the change?  I have a theory, and a conclusion...

First, the conclusion.  Motorcycling IS in your DNA.  While we all might take breaks, turn away, we can't stay away.  Oh, and there's NOTHING wrong with that.

My theory is that all to often we get into a rut with our riding.  Every now and them we need to shake things up a bit, and explore the unknown.  Combine our LOVE of riding, with our other interests.  If we can just master this endeavor, motorcycle riding will forever be a part of our lives.

Isn't that what ridings all about...

When do you become a SPECIAL buyer?

Now, what do I mean by "Special"?

I don't make this stuff up.  In "General" you get one type of service at Walmart, and another at Nordstrom's.  It's different between Best Buy, and The Apple Store.  Black Angus and Gordon Ramsey Steak House.  I can go on and on, but I think you get where I'm going with this...

First, a short story.  A few Christmas's ago, my wife completed one of those video DVD workout programs (OK, Power 90), and lost a bunch of weight.  That Christmas I wanted to get her a pair of expensive jeans to celebrate her accomplishment.  She would never buy them for herself, so it was the ideal gift.

I had ZERO idea were to go, and I was pretty sure Walmart wouldn't be the place, so I started at one of the larger department stores.  I wandered the isles for 30 minutes, looking straight at the price tag.  I figured if they were SUPER expensive, I was on the right track.

I found a pair over $200.00, and it was now time to get some help.  Even with all my face gestures, no one helped, and when I asked, the young lady wasn't a whole lot of help.  She knew a little about all the jeans, but couldn't tell me all the fine details.  When I asked, "which brand has a reputation of being the best?", she couldn't really give me an answer.  "Well, they're ALL good."

She simply wanted to make a sale.  That's her job.  I got a smile, and she seemed nice enough.  It was the lack practical information that drove me nuts..!  I wasn't asking about what type of cotton was used, where they were made, or how they were built.  Simply, were they the most prestigious brand on the market.  Would my wife recognize the brand?  I'm sure plenty of men walk into that store, want a fast conclusion, and bought the first item placed infront of them.  I just couldn't do that knowing I was about to drop $200.00 + on a pair of jeans.  They had to be the "right" jeans.

I left and called my daughter.  Her advise?  Visit a store (30 miles away) that did nothing but designer jeans.  I made the drive, walked in, and was greeted right away by a classy looking middle aged women.  She was also WEARING SOME AWESOME JEANS.  Kim happened to be about the size as my wife.  Fitting was now going to be a breeze.  Kim asked meaningful questions about my wife's taste, answered all my questions, modeled the jeans, and assured me that if I made a mistake, they would correct the problem.  Most importantly, she assured me my wife would know the Brand as PREMIUM and EXPENSIVE.

I spent $350.00, of my hard earned money, on cotton in the shape of jeans, and LOVED it.  I knew my wife would "GET" the magnitude of the gift making it all worth the expense.  I also knew that if she didn't like them, Kim would make it right.  I was a happy guy, even if I paid full retail.

While my wife protested at first (she knew how much these jeans cost, which was the exact point I was trying to make...lol), she never once asked to return them.  By the way, they fit awesome.  Kim had nailed it with the styling, an amazing feat.

Both places sold high-end jeans.  One got my cash.

I'm not saying that customer service is directly related to the price of the products sold.  At one time I sold a ton of helmets under $100.00, and hope that everyone felt special.  But lets face it, many times this isn't the norm.  By the way, I've been treated like crap in fancy designer shops as well.  It happens.  What I'm asking is "where" is awesome service most likely to happen?  In a mass product store, or a speciality store?

I say a Speciality Store.

Knowing your product is EASIER when there are only 50.  Yes, there are a few people who've been around since the meteor wiped out the dinosaurs.  By simply being around so long, they know pretty much everything there is to know on 100 products.

Thought I would say 10,000...lol.  Nope, the average human must SPECIALIZE in order to have great knowledge, and we have our limits.

If you walk into a store, and you see a HUGE selection, hope for the best.  Yes, there's always the possibility that you'll find the guy, on his own, decided to specialize.  He picked a few (typically big ticket, or hot sellers) and went to work studying.  Smart!  Nothing wrong with this approach, but I've found it to be rare.

Personally, if I'm going to spend over $100.00 I want the guy helping me to know what they're selling.  Over $250.00; they better impress me with above average insight.  North of $500.00?  Wow, the sales guy better earn my trust from the handshake.  Now we're talking about some serious cash.

Why do we interrogate poor teenager at Best Buy about $30.00 headphones, but demand much less from the guy selling us a $700.00 TV?  The truth is, we can do hours of research, but we all crave a sales guy who has the answers.  We ask, "is the TV going to look better in my room, than it does on your wall?"  If get a simple, "yes" we're happy.

It's time we all start asking hard questions.  I expect it of you, the second you walk into my store.