this was a hard choice. there are craploads of cheesy chinsy 4th of July animated gifs out there.
so instead I went with a classy one.
[via some aussie's flickr - how unpatriotic of me huh!]
appropriate encore!?
after an extended lane splitting adventure past multiple accidents on Northbound highway 101 yesterday, including a brief inconsequential encounter with a CHP biker, I figured I should find out exactly what the law states.
(as ignorance is never a valid excuse)
California Highway Patrol’s website states:
Can motorcycle riders “split” lanes and ride between other vehicles?
Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.
so it is entirely up to the officer to judge your technique. just hope you don’t split past an officer having a bad day, because they can make up anything to smack it to ya.
“You know what would be good on this burger? A ham sandwich! And instead of a bun let’s use two donuts. That way we can have it for breakfast. Look out McGriddle, here comes the donut ham hamburger!” - Jim Gaffigan
related links:
- via flickr
- the luther burger
- jim gaffigan . com
- mmm, hot pockets
So, I’ve become pretty comfortable on my daily ~35 mile commute (each way) but there’s always new ready-to-kill-me obstacles. This mornings were *two* abscent minded cagers changing lanes and a LADDER in the middle of the freeway.
I wish I had captured a picture of that gigantic thing. It was almost fun, though, because I spotted it a couple seconds before I needed to react. thus was able to gracefully glide around the death-trap with a grin on my face and the throttle held steady.
Here’s your friendly PSA: stay aware out there, your reflexes are the first and last defense on the road.
after seeing it done on various v-stroms, I decided this is a look I want to sport - My Ninja Wee.
removing the heat shield is simply unscrewing two hex screws:
naked pipe doesn’t look half bad:
I used krylon fusion camouflage ultra-flat black spray paint:
the goo gone is here because I screwed up the first coat (d’oh.) goo gone will remove new spray paint quickly and completely in just a few minutes. just spray, let soak and wipe - dirty job but just the ‘undo button’ I needed.
finally a finished paint coat that looks great*:
* overall though, the paint job while the color matches the rest of the bike well, turned out a bit patchy because I ran out of paint with the first reject coat.
the diablo 3 trailer:
a gameplay / narrative vid:
My estimate D3 release date — Q4 2010*.
* based on nothing scientific.
More info and eye candy over at the official blizzard diablo III page.
friday, yeah baby!
in related news, new futurama came out three days ago (june 24th!) holy crap!!
previously on AGF, dumb and dumber.
big time wasters here free blackberry games. going to have to add some of these games and other apps to my bb pearl.
[via my fav and least fav site, slickdeals.net.]
so I need some scotch-brite for a project I’m doing this weekend. as for most things I need, I do a lil web research. I stumble across this ad for scotch-brite.
looks old fashion, but it’s probably just retro old school. I dream of genie inspired?
having just passed 700 miles (it started at 1!) and getting the ehh-ok at the 600 mile service - $170, overpriced oil change much? - I’ve noticed the bike running more and more smoothly and enjoying it more as well. from shifting to the power curve everything seems less jittery.
part of this I am sure is myself improving my own skill and familarity with how my bike operates. the other part, I assume, is the break-in process progressing.
the biggest observed win is the shifting - I had some serious qualms with the jolty shifting. especially going from neutral to first while stopped (I know not the safest idea, I only go there at long lights and after there is someone stopped behind me.) the transmission would stick in neutral, I could not kick into first at all… often right when a light would turn green. because of this, I forced it once or twice before figuring out that all I needed to do is let off the clutch the slightest bit while pushing down (normal pressure) on the shifter and it would slip right into gear. also, first to second seems a bit smoother, and I find myself using the clutch with less and less tension while shifting.
as a majority of my engine break-in is complete (again, I assume,) I have been riding at higher rpm (i.e. going faster, yay!) on the freeway. cruising at ~5500 rpm in 6th feels pretty solid with a good amount of engine breaking (if/when needed) and an equally good amount of ready-torque when I need it.
only farkle have on the bike so far is a madstat windshield mount. I bought it to help with wind issues however I do not feel that they are “resolved.” I am still using the stock windshield and think that it may be just too small to provide the amount of protection and calm-wind-pocket I want on my commute. I am currently undecided which after-market windshield to purchase…
my OEM hand guards come today… can’t wait to put them on. I am also considering these stock mirror replacements - emgo mark ii mirrors - that I’ve seen a couple times and looks like a cheap and effective farkle.
the 2009 models have just started appearing on suzuki’s product website.
here’s the scoop:
colors:
- 2009 V-Strom 650 ABS comes only in gray, 2008 is flat black (here’s mine!)
- ‘09 WeeStrom non-ABS comes in orange and gray, ‘08 in flat black and wasp yellow.
cosmetic changes:
- gray version has matching gray rims.
- all have clear signals. (might have to pick these up an’ stick em on my ‘08..)
cost:
- 2009 models are universally MSRP $300 USD higher than the 2008 models.
spec changes:
- no technical changes (!)
I compared the ‘08 vs. ‘09 specs side by side both ABS and non, and the only differences are how weight and dimensions are listed :
2008 (both): Bore Stroke: 81.0 x 62.6mm
2009 (both): Bore Stroke: 81.0 mm (3.189 in) x 62.6 mm (2.465 in)2008 (ABS): Dry Weight: 197 kg (434 lbs)
(no ABS): Dry Weight: 194 kg (427 lbs)
2009 (ABS): Curb Weight: 220 kg (485 lbs)
(no ABS): Curb Weight: 217 kg (479 lbs)
lastly, the 2009 v-strom DL1000 has not (yet?) been announced..
previously, knight rider turbo punch!!
it looks like a tiger. grrr.
while not exactly my style, I dig it. especially like the blacked out exhaust cover. I will have to paint mine…
Update June 30 ‘08: I painted my exhaust cover. :)
I’ve always had an issue sticking to doing push ups regularly due to my bum elbow (it’s like arthritus/tennis-elbow/nerve damage but not.) it’s always been something I’d like to accomplish - that is, being able to do a shitload and reap all the benefits (superficial and otherwise.) I’ve seen firsthand how effective they are as one of my best buds has immaculate pecs and push ups are basically all he does (for exercise.)
onehundredpushups is a fitness plan of that sort.
so first “fix” the bum elbow, then invest six weeks in pushup training.
yeeah!
