As it gets cold out, and more and more people start to stash their bikes in a dark corner of their garage for a couple of months, There are a few good steps to help insure that you’ll be able to jump back right back on the old trusty steed come spring without issue.

There are literally 100’s of places on the internet with opinions of how to Winterize your bike: But there are two good ones for those of you who still may be looking for answers:

Winter storage: A photo essay [Ninja250.org]
How To Winterize Your Motorcycle [KawasakiMotorcycle.org]

And, as always — You can cunsult your lil’ spanish friend that comes with every bike: El Manũal…

Granted, it’s still not in the US, but getting stuff out of the UK is a lil’ bit simpler than having to bribe someone from Japan to smuggle a chunk of carbon fiber in their rectum for an intercontinental flight. (He says he used a ’service’ but common… we know the truth.) That being said, with the pound/dollar ratio being at an all time low, this hugger is a real bargain. Coming in two flavors, Black, and Carbon Fiber prices start right around 100$ USD (Plush VAT and shipping). Overall, a pretty sweet piece for the price!

[ High Res Images available on londonbikers.com ]

Manufacture: Skidmarx
Part:<N/A> ( No RHxxxxxx02 = BLACK / No RHxxxxxx09 = CARBON )
Price: £69.95 / £129.95 ( ~$100 / ~$200 USD )

Caught this video over at YouTube. It’s really nothing more than a fly-by of a ‘Race Track Ready’ ninja 250R. One thing that stood out on this is the undertail exhaust. It gives you a nice look at how this is done, along with a few other neat goodies like Dzus fasteners on the fairings.

It’s time to start breaking out your cold riding gear! Living in Florida, I never thought I would have to go this route, but after a quick spin in 58 degree weather the other night, I realized it’s time to get a good leather jacket. Not only to keep warm… But looking good while doing it can’t hurt..

So, what gear are you guys strapping on during these cold months? Anyone have any recommendations? For a jacket I’m looking at the Alpinestars GP-Plus jacket. I was told that it would be the First and Last jacket I’ll ever need to buy…But I’m stills hopping, so any opinions would be greatly appreciated! ( And not by just me, but everyone here! I promise… Except perhaps the Aussies.. They just love to hate stuff here… )

Thoughts?

Hey Guys,

Mr. 2Fiddy is taking a week off for his honeymoon… We’ll be back in a few days, and get the updates back on pace…

Sorry for the slow pace of news lately… I have been super busy with all the wedding crap, and have a bunch of great material for ya’ll in my inbox for when I get back…

While I’m gone… If you’re THAT bored, feel free to use the comments in this post to post up news and links… And when I get back I’ll try to sort through them and make some sense out of it..

Cheers guys!!! Thanks for sticking with me here…

(And no, that is not a picture from the wedding… Or is it? )

Dear “Dr. Banging Hair” aka Mr 2Fiddy:

Hey I just wanted to write in and tell you about my experience with making the move to full synthetic oil with my bike.

I made the change at 1500 miles and I could tell an immediate difference.  The bike became tighter feeling
where it has less of a buzzy feeling.  My gears seem to flow like butter now with more sure shifting and easier downshifting when you pull up on a light and forget to downshift.  Have not had the oil in the bike to test the mileage difference but I can only expect big numbers.

If people have not made the change in their bikes yet it is worth the extra money.  I got my Mobile synthetic 4-stroke motorcycle specific oil at Wall-Mart where it was under 9 dollars a quart. Also they have a filter there for motorcycles made by FRAM Stock #CH6009 and it comes with replacement O-rings for 4 dollars instead of 8 or 9 dollars from the Kawasaki store.  The filter looks exactly the same as the Kawi replacement oil filter and it is exactly the same size and shape so I am expecting it to work. They did not have a filter book at the Wal-Mart so I could look it up but I’m certain it will work.

Other synthetic oils at the motorcycle dealerships sell for 14 to 18 dollars a quart so the Mobile oil is a deal and is very high quality oil. Mobile oil is a name you can trust and I’ve been using it for years.

- Bryan

Another week, anther set of exhausts… However, this week they come from the quite reputable LeoVince.. In fact, I know quite a few people who have been waiting for these to come out, so they should be nice and happy!

This exhaust comes in two forms, a full exhaust, and also a slip on. Both are only available in Aluminum. One very nice feature is that they come with a silencer insert, so this would be a good road/track exhaust for people who wanna try to keep it a lil quiet when they are zipping aorund the neighborhood.

Overall, nice pipe. Perhaps a tad on the pricey side, but it’s a LeoVince — so you know it’ll be a quality piece. The site also only lists this as fitting 2008, but as we all know, it’ll work on the 2009’s too..

LeoVince Slip-On (Includes Optional Quiet Insert)
Part#: 8110
$449.00

LeoVince full system (Includes Optional Quiet Insert)
Part#: 8111
$699.00

Link: LeoVince
(Thanks for the tip JD!)

Full Kit Details:

The basic rearset kit consists of the rearset plates, footpegs and all of the needed hardware (shift rods, etc) to install the kit properly. These kits assume that you currently have the OEM rearsets on your bike, and also utilize the new CFM 3 piece billet shift and brake pedals.

They are made from tough, aircraft grade 6061 T6 Aluminum. They are much stronger than OEM brackets and will give your bike a look that will separate you from the crowd. Each kit is individually designed for your model of motorcycle to give you the optimum foot position and ground clearance for racing. Most kits are upgradeable at any time to accept the 3 piece billet shift and brake pedals.

Moves pegs up 1″ and back 2″

In addition to the full rearset kit, a basic kit (no pedals) and each individual part is available for purchase. So if you just want a shifter or a brake upgrade.. They are available as well. Or if you strapped for cash, upgrade over time..

Full Kit: $339.99 (Black / Silver)
Kit Minus Shifter / Brake pedal: $209.99 (Black / Silver)
Link: Woodcraft-CFM

[Thanks for the tip Brian!]

Laminar windscreen lips are a great solution for both the rider who goes on the occasion road trip, or the every day rider that is looking for a way to easily add on a little wind protection to their bike. Attached with 3M Dual Lock(TM) or 3M VHB tape this windscreen can be permanent, or come off and on when you don’t need it.

This product comes in two Styles: Touring Lip, and Lip. Touring lip (Pictured) being a tad taller than their standard lip. Both lips are available in clear and smoke. Prices start at around $84.

Manufacture: Laminar
Link: Here

[Thanks for the tip Ernie!]

Just some motorcycle news for motorcycle people.

Honda is bringing it’s DN-01 to the US. This is really a super interesting bike to me. It is almost a Ninja 250 for the mature transition yuppie  biker.  The reason I say that, is it fills a niche that is hard to to find right now. It’s a bike for that guy/gal that wants a sportbike style with cruiser comforts. In addition it comes with a very manageable 680cc v-twin to push it’s 595 lbs down the road.

The most interesting part is it’s transmission. Automatic / CVT… WTF?

Honda’s radical new HFT Transmission, it’s an automatic unlike anything you’ve ever seen. You can shift it into six preset ratios, or you can let it function as a stepless, no-shifting Constantly Variable Transmission, or CVT.

This, technology wise, is pretty rad.. Which also make it a really nice starter bike for some (yes, manuals can be the demise to some would be bikers…) But at the end of the day, to me, it does takes the fun out of function.

The only real downside I see, is that at $14,599, I don’t see fellatio as a standard feature? Perhaps that will be in next years model.

More Info: Honda USA