Good morning Chicago!!!

 Good morning Chicago!!!

Well we are back on the bike and after a winter oil change last month and a good chain scrubbing we are on the saddle again!

I hope to be riding a lot more lets see!

Tire Plugger and Patch Kits

 Almost a Year and no updates.... :(

Well plugged a rear tire nail, didn't seal well, therefore took the tire off, cleaned it passed by my local AutoZone, got a patch kit that places a adhesive round cover over the hole and up and running.

I don't like using that SLIME stuff, one my first bike i did and when removing the tire off the wheel it was a mess!!!

To get you off the road right away carry one of those tire kits with Co2....

I have and recommend this. Worth every single penny, I say it pays for it self after one use.

Stop & Go Tubeless Tire Plugger With CO2

Once home patch that up with something like this: 

Slime Round Tire Patch Kit 5 Piece

OR

Camel Round Tire Patch Kit

Trusted Motorcycle Websites

Over the years I have purchased Motorcycle items Online from Oil to Tires to cleaning chemicals to OEM parts. Below is a list of websites I trust for Motorcycle Hardware, gear and accessories. I always recommend testing out gear at the local Motorcycle store just to check fitting and sizing. In no particular order here are my recommendations:

https://www.revzilla.com/

Great website for gear and parts as well. Usually you can save cost when purchasing the exact same tires that the dealership offer, online and if you remove your own tires which usually are only a hand-full of screws you can save money that way as well.

https://www.chapmoto.com/

Its been a couple years since i ordered from chaparral but looks like they are still up and running.

https://www.cyclegear.com/

I love how Cycle Gear has a location near me and I can ship to store. Great gear in stock at their local shops.

https://www.amazon.com/ (caution)

The two main items i have acquired from amazon have been oil and cleaning equipment/chemicals. I wouldn't trust the vast items that amazon has for motorcycle hardware just because amazon is simply the middle man of connecting vendors with persons. In other words I see them more as a glorified ebay with better options and tracking (sometimes). So just cause items state they ship from USA distributor most likely the items are from third overseas part.

Hey i'm always ordering items from Ebay directly from a Chinese distributor but there is one thing you don't want to jeopardize is the safety of your Motorcycle.

Manufacturers

There are so many Motorcycle Manufactures out there where to begin?

I'll name the big contenders (10 manufacturers) but if you wiki it you'll find them all.

The 4 big Japanese names are (in no particular order):

 

(http://www.suzukicycles.com/?sc_lang=en)

(https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/motorcycle)

(https://www.kawasaki.com/Category/MOTORCYCLE)

(https://powersports.honda.com/)

The next six are, once again in no particular order:

(https://www.ducati.com/us/en/home)

(https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/index.html)

(https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/)

(https://www.ktm.com/us/)

(https://www.mvagusta.com/en/)

(https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/home.html)

Can't forget those Electric guys...

(https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/)

And last but not least this is one of the lowest cost manufacturers of motorcycles I can find, with delivery in the USA and nice styles:

(https://www.cscmotorcycles.com/)

A brand new 2020 cafe style motorcycle for under $2,295 wow!!

COVID-19 WFH struggles

So the USA (Chicago, IL) is getting hit pretty hard with the COVID-19. Nearly 3,500 infected individuals with a 1% death rate so I'm guessing 35 people in Illinois so far are dead from the virus. It appears your system also becomes  immune to the virus after you have been infected and it doesn't kill you.

Enough chit-chat, took the Triumph out on Wednesday to get some fruit from the "fruit guy", the guy that sells the fruit in the street from his pick-up truck. No luck. Weather was nice 55F (12.7C).

Bike is reaching 5K, hopefully business start to open up and the COVID-19 starts to die down, Would like to take the bike in for its recommended 6K maintenance service by end of May.

With Working from home (WFH) doesn't look like I'll be traveling much, which isn't the worst scenario, small trips on the bike are convenient to keep my motorcycle gear on instead of a mask when entering stores.

Gear is holding up good.

I'll post more soon....
 

Chilly Morning and Gear

Chilly morning today, 

37°F but still good enough to ride.

During these cold mornings I like to make sure to wear an extra pair of jeans (2 sizes large than my typical jeans) or my Bohn Body armor (https://www.bohnarmor.com/) for my legs. An extra layer under my shirt. The brand "32 Degrees " has good cheap under layer that keep heat in; (https://www.32degrees.com/collections/heat). And my ixs motorcycle gloves; (https://ixs.com/us/moto/motorcycle-garment/gloves/)

GEAR

Textile

I'm definitely a textile fan when it comes to gear. The protection is there, they are light weight. Don't get me wrong I do have a pair of wilson leather gloves, thank you outlet mall. My BILT motorcycle jacket (https://www.cyclegear.com/bilt-jackets) has great inner liner for those chilly mornings as well.

Bags

I have ridden with Tail bags and Tank bags and Book Bags, Each individual will prefer their own but my personal preference is my OGIO motorcycle backpack (OGIO No Drag Backpack from Revzilla). Multiple pockets and expands to fit those items on a grocery run on the motorcycle.


Remember, wear your gear, and keep on riding.

Introduction

Good Morning World!!

First post on my website, lets see how this works.

My name is Alex from Chicago!!

My First bike was a 2004 Suzuki GS500F

My Second bike was a 2009 Buell 1125CR

and

My Current bike is a 2017 Triumph Speed Triple R

I like keeping things simple so this site will be just that. I'll be sharing my experience and knowledge of motorycles here so come again to get some insight!!