My Friday Message

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend in whatever you do and wherever you go. Remember, motorcyclists WILL be on the roads.

Mind Training Road Practice: If people started thinking of motorcyclists as HUMANS, there might be more hope for fewer rider tragedies if you do.
Drive Safe. Ride Safe. Be Safe.

Proverb For The Weekend: Is it a day for firm decisions! Or is it?

(Note) I have sent a little safety diddy out every Friday on my FB page since its inception, and I thought I might as well post it here too for those readers that are not on FB, or who come in to read and don't leave comments, etc.)

Happy Trailzzzz Weekend Everyone♥

Motorcycling China Videos

A friend on Facebook, Gary Mraz, passed his vids around on his motorcycle trip through China. I really like watching videos on riding in other countries. These two give a little insight to just that. In the second video, you will see him get clipped by a bus. Safe journey Gary!

What Makes You Smile When You Ride?

I always wonder what other riders are thinking when I see the smiles on their faces as I ride by, or even while I am driving, which makes me want to get out of my car and into the saddle. For me its a "feeling" or the "music" of it all that keeps me going amidst all the news of riders going down these days. My perseverance in going forward with my life the way I choose amongst the naysayers.   The plain beauty of accomplishing a skill that I truly enjoy.  The people.  Traveling in a different perspective during this time of life.  I could go on and on, but plain and simple... it makes me happy. Just happy.

So a question to you: What makes you smile while riding? What are you thinking of when that smile comes across your face? We know what pisses us off already, but where does your brain-time take you while riding?

Smiling Roadzzz
KT Did

Easy Rider Show 2012

Nightster Ride With A Friend 1-4-2012

Product Review: Mobile Warming Gear Jacket and Vest

With this summer-like weather fooling us, Winter is not over.  Just a couple of weeks ago it was down to 32 degrees in California, which brought me into Anaheim Fullerton Harley Davidson to buy some heated gear, knowing that it is going to get cold again, I wanted to explore what was on the hook in that department.  Obviously, my review here is of the womens jacket and vest.  There is a Men's line available to look at on their website.

While there, I had the pleasure of meeting Scott McCaslin of Helmet House .  He was dropping off jackets and vests fitted with the Mobilewarming© Pro Heating System.  As I was trying on the jacket and vest, he started explaining the products to me, and I was given the water resistant "Cypress" model jacket and vest to take home and test them out.  I have never had heated gear, so when Tina at AFHD recommended this product, I was curious as to how it all worked and stood up to the elements.

Fit and Wear:
 
I really don't like bulk when riding, so I had my reservations when I tried on the jacket then put my leather one over it.  Surprisingly, it was very comfortable.  The units in the product are made to keep you warm and the larger the garment, the less you will feel the heat.  However, the fit is up to you, but I took one that fit closer to the body and it works for me and layering.  The neckline is high and it covered mine in the wind, so the addition of a scarf was not needed considering the warming ability.

The length of this style is nice too.  They are cut longer and cover the wind chill area of the waist and hips.

  

The jacket itself is made of a ©Windshark soft shell with four-way stretch inserts on the sides for a nice close fit that moves with the body.  The vest works the same way.  Both jacket and vest have two outside zipper pockets.  One pocket holds the battery which adds a little bulk, but for me it was easily dismissed after I got used to it.  There is still room for keys, etc.  There are no wires that need connection to the bike.  It is all self sustained, and that makes comfort and no pulls on a bike, and wearable at any given time for heat.

Heating:

One of the things that drew me to this product was no hook up to the bike.  No outside wires at all, other than for recharge.  Both the vest and jacket come complete with a rechargeable battery and the battery actually lasted a very long time, approximately 9-10 hours on low and about 3-4 hours on high. I adjusted the setting to the highest and as soon as it was hot (which was within minutes), I set it to the lowest and it lasted the whole day. It made the battery last longer and it was at a temp that kept me warm.   The combined heating elements are placed two on the upper chest area and one on the upper back.  Both products heated up fast and I could feel the warmth within less than 5 minutes.  Both are said to reach 135 F at full power.  I don't think I ever let it go that high, so I have not tested that out. Actually, I didn't need to.  It was substantially warm enough.

There is also a nifty "circuit breaker" near the lower zipper area for fast disconnect if you get too hot riding.  I particularly like the fact I did not have to stop and unzip my pocket to turn it off.  Just one quick hand-swipe and it is disconnected, and again that saves battery life, and pull over time.

Care:

Easy.  Hand wash or machine wash on a gentle cycle.  I put mine on a hanger to dry and the next day it was pretty much set to go.

Warranty: 

Scott had also informed me of the lifetime warranty and the jacket 5 year warranty for any zippers, tears, etc. and they stand by it.  The battery has a warranty of 90 days and is replaceable. 

Price:

Vests:  Depending on whether you buy online or at a dealer, it varies.  I found the Vest running from $143.99 online and up to $179.00 at dealers. 

Jacket:  Online for the Jacket was anywhere from $161.00 to $180.00, and well over $200 at dealers.

So, my total summation of this product line is this: 

I like them.  I still have the vest and actually wear it around the house and while out grocery shopping.  I have a tendency to overheat, so the jacket was just an added layer I did not want in case of getting hot on the bike.  Otherwise it was nice to walk around town and use that way.  I think it was a good expense for my lifestyle and have used it plenty so far.  I normally wear a vest over long sleeves in the Winter and having a heated one that I can use both ways is a perk for not only packing lighter for a ride, but just walking around exploring after rides. 

You can contact Steve McCaslin at www.helmethouse.com or Anaheim Fullerton Harley Davidson in So. California for any questions on this product. 

Warming Happy Trailzzz
KT Did

Nightster Canyon Ride 1/1/2012

Happy New Years Promises

Well its getting into 2012 and since its the time for resolutions, I have made my promises to myself hereinunder.  Last year I was pretty right on with myself and this year I hope I can keep up just the same. 

1.  Give more.
2.  Take more out of life for my life.
3.  Don't make goals... just do it.
4.  Barf when called for.
5.  Stick with " I don't care what you think of me, its none of my business anyway" motto.
6.  Love posers and love them for who they are... people in need, everything falls into place then.
7.  Get the Nightster Project on a smooth go into bobberville.
8.  Listen more with less reaction, I can always barf in hiding.
9.  Eat healthier... ughghghghg
and...
10.  Ride more and more and more and more and more.................

Wishing all a very Happy, Healthy, and Safe New Years!

Happy Trailzzzzz into 2010
KT Did

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Rip Off Warning on Jamin' Leathers

Just giving all a heads up on Jamin' Leathers.  They have been in business for a few years now and I have ordered from them before, but this time they ripped me off.  Kept my money and did not send me my order.  Initially when I did not receive the product I contacted their "Chat".  Luckily I printed the screen  out where they stated they sent a copy of my invoice via e-mail and in the next sentence they stated they do not send copies of the statement via email and that they are in the merchandise box.  A box I have yet to receive...since November.  I have called, written, and even got on the Facebook, and guess what... no answer.  They even gave me phoney USPS tracking number.  They told me they do not send confirmations or even invoices over the e-mail, but they took my money and ran with it. 

They continue to advertise on Facebook for holiday shopping and I strongly say that if you order anything, you are taking a huge chance on never getting your product.  Yes, I have called my bank and they are investigating it.  Pay Pal is useless, but the Bank does go in for their customer in place of Pay Pal.  Next step, is Better Business Bureau and putting a claim in with their phoney USPS tracking number with the USPS.  I have done that on one other occasion and it works.  Believe me, some things are just worth fighting over.  There is another complainant trying to find out where his order is too on Facebook.  So I know I am not alone. 

There it is.   I am shouting this out for those of you doing last minute shopping and thinking of these guys, as a consumer who got ripped off.

Happy Jamin' Shister Leathers...

KT Did