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Display Mesage #93332


I'm one of you now!
Written by motorcyclema... on 5/21/2010 at 02:00 am

PCers:

My black, 1995 PC arrived on my doorstep this afternoon (late, but better late
than never), and I've had a chance to make a quick run into town (about 14 miles
round trip.) Tomorrow, I'll head 75 miles west to the AspenCash Motorcycle Rally
in Ruidoso, so I'll have a little better chance to assess what I like and have
questions about.

For now though, a few initial questions.

First, the former owner could NOT find the manual. Is it on line or does anyone
have one they'd like to sell me? (Is the manual one of the things I can order
from the "Order a Shop Manual" link?) Some of my questions are going to sound
stupid, because the answers are probably in the manual, but since I don't have
one, I'll ask. (And in no particular order.)

No helmet lock? Does anyone make an aftermarket one, or do I just have to attach
a carabiner to the grab handles?

It does NOT have a rack. I saw two in the links section, althoiugh I can't seem
to find them now. Are both still made? One better than the other? Others?

Biggest disappointment is that the tank's plastic. :-( I just bought a beautiful
magnetic tank bag. It DOES change over to strap if I can find the straps, but
WHERE do I hook them? I LOVE the plastic, but is there a way to get the front
strap around the front fork? And how the heck do I get the seat off to attach
the bottom straps?

In fact, how do I get to ANYTHING in the engine? (I know my mechanic knows, and
I'll mostly let him do stuff, but I don't like to be totally ignorant.)

LOVE the self-cancelling turn signals. Haven't had those since my BMW. Also the
kickstand switch. That's cool! (Esp. for someone who tends to ride off with the
stand down.)

Do gotta get used to the lean (the Connie sits almost straight up) but I like
that once it's leaned, it doesn't go any further.)

It's missing one of the bar ends. Are those stock or how do I get just one?

Gas mileage and tank size? NO idea what to expect. With all the plastic, I'm
guessing there isn't a reserve, but maybe I'm wrong. If there isn't, is the gas
gauge accurate, and since I live in the land of VERY LONG ROADS with no gas
stations for 60-100 miles, at what point should I say, "OK, STOP and fill up?"
(And remember, I'm used to a Connie with a 7.2 gal tank and 300+ mile range.)

I'm going to think about the windshield. It's definitely taller than that on my
Connie or SilverWing, but I can just peep over and I'm going to have to see how
it does on the road (tomorrow) and at night. (I've got bad night vision, so need
bright lights and a clear view ahead.)

Speaking of which, how bright is the headlight? I saw some chatter about bulbs,
and the Connie had the electrical upgrade for the big bright bulb. (Can't
remember the wattage.)

It was still not as good as the Wing at night, so if it's a Honda vs. Kawasaki
thing, I'm hoping I'll be OK with whatever's in it.

Oh, and crash bars/road pegs. I saw the Mick-O-Pegs in the database, but
$299!!!!!! I'm a poor person. :-( And I want something that will save the
plastic when I do inevitably drop it at low speeds.

Suggestions?

It is smooth, and I love the way it sounds (SO quiet) and rides. Obviously I'll
know more tomorrow, but whoever said it was top heavy hasn't ridden a Connie.
Even the gas rides lower in the PC, and I feel MUCH more comfortable at slow
speeds and going around corners. I'm also sitting a bit lower, which makes me
more comfortable at stops.

Whew!!!

I said just a few questions <g>, so I'll stop now. But I AM going to the MC
rally tomorrow, so if anyone has suggestions for stuff I could get there, let me
know.

Oh, I AM digest impaired, so if you want to e-mail me directly, or copy your
post, that would help.

See what you're getting into with me on your list?

KAB
Roswell, NM

?Never underestimate the power of blind faith. It can manifest in ways that
bend the laws of physics or break them entirely.? "True Blood," Aug. 30, 2009

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