so instead I went with a classy one.

[via some aussie's flickr - how unpatriotic of me huh!]

appropriate encore!?

(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.

related links:
- via flickr
- the luther burger
- jim gaffigan . com
- mmm, hot pockets

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.

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.

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.

in related news, new futurama came out three days ago (june 24th!) holy crap!!

previously on AGF, dumb and dumber.

[via my fav and least fav site, slickdeals.net.]

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.

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!!

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. :)

onehundredpushups is a fitness plan of that sort.

so first “fix” the bum elbow, then invest six weeks in pushup training.
yeeah!

If you’re a lark, apt to wake as early as 6am, and go to sleep around 9 or 10 pm, you’re going to feel your nap need around 1 or 1:30 pm. If you’re an owl, preferring to go to bed after midnight or 1am, and to wake around 8 or 9am, your afternoon “sleep gate” will open later, closer to 2:30 or 3pm.

I am an owl. larks are weird, imo.

view the entire nap graphicy goodness at boston.com

you know, because they are so flipping happy.
[img via jezebel & splashnews]