[stlarson]

I've had some Shure e2c's for a little over a year. I bought them for use on the bus [0] and in the office and providing you're not a hardcore audiophile, they sound just as good if not better than a big set of heavy cans. The fact they work under a full face helmet is a big bonus. Getting them seated properly can take a minute or so but they're probably not going anywhere at that point unless you do a faceplant. With them in you get zero wind and very little engine noise. As a side effect, the lack of auditory input forces me to gain a much better feel of what is going on with the bike and traffic.

They're surprisingly loud, and when used under a helmet you'll want the volume turned down to a much lower level than you may first anticipate to be acceptable. At a proper volume all the aforementioned droning is gone but sirens should still be audible.

[0] The LA bus system is awesome [1]

[1] Sarcasm in full effect

 

[Zakman]

Easily the most useful item pictured among all of these is the one that isn't black. Why the public continues to purchase products that turn themselves into a solar collectors is beyond me. After all what could be better for almost any electronic item thatn putting inside of an oven. What could make your summertime trip better than a color that aquires heat. As long as we buy clothing, luggage, etcetera that is black and wonder why it's so friggin hot out there we will be supplied with black motorcycle products.



Zak

 

[12217]

Maybe we'd rather be hot than look dirty? Of course, that argument fails when your black gear meets dust...

 

[Buzglyd]

I've got the inner ear type plugs from Etymotic Research. I haven't tried to fit them under my helmet. I use them primarily when flying because they do a great job at blocking out the jet noise.



Believe it or not H-D offers a radar detector and mount system for the Geezer Glide. I didn't know Harleys could break the speed limit!

 

[seruzawa]

You danged ECOC Bush lovers ain't rippin' me off for those detectors no mo'! We got laser guns bein' used by the UHP now. No point in mounting a laser detector.

These guys claim to do independent testing of various products. They charge for the articles, though. Apparently unless you can mount a laser jammer you are wasting your time and money.

 

[Buzglyd]

The notable thing about radartest.com is that they never include the Valentine One because they don't sell it. That fact alone strains the credibility of their "testing."



Car and Driver magazine does a comprehensive test each year and for added credibility, they buy each detector off the shelf so no one can supply a "juiced" detector.



The Valentine One wins by a landslide every year with the Passport coming in second.



CHP uses laser too. I guess in Utah you'll need a rabbit in front of you so they get nailed first.

 

[seruzawa]

Usually there's enough bear bait around to ease my daily passage.



There does appear to be a dearth of independent testing data on various detectors. Naturally every manufacturer has all sorts of data to "prove" how great their product works.... just like the Slick50 people!

 

[Fenton]

FWIW, I've had a few types of bags and find the RKA stuff to be really well made and a better fit than many brands. I'm not a big fan of magnetic tank bags and take comfort in the 3-point fastening system on the RKA super-sport expandable bag. www.rka-luggage.com

The customer service from Aerostich is great and the quality and function of their products is hard to beat. It is difficult to look through the catalog and not spend twice as much as you intended.

 

[57343]

I'd say the best ticket avoidance system is the lack of a rear plate on that ZX-14. Naughty, naughty! But who the hell is gonna catch up to you on that?

 

[sarnali]

I think radar detectors are a waste of money myself, The last ticket I got was from a WSP in an airplane. Usually my cheerfull disposition and obsequeous fawning get me out of tickets anyway, if you're sportin' a detector every cop in the world will give you a ticket because they figure you're a chronic speeder.

 

[Buzglyd]

You unbutton your shirt, don't you?

 

[SmokeU]

I use a J & M helmet speaker/mic kit hooked up to a J & M Audiopak with XM Radio on my *gasp* Concours. I like to wear earplugs too.

 

[seruzawa]

I hear that the WSP is very receptive to fawning obseqious toadying lickspittles and has institutionalized this attitude in their new Community Outreacharound Program.

 

[Buzglyd]

Do you wear a blindfold too?



Hardy har har har!

 

[SmokeU]

I only wear the blindfold when I'm riding with my dad and his Road Glide. That way he can keep up. ;-)



I'd gladly ride something a little more modern, but they all cost an arm and a leg. I did see a used '05 FJR for $10K and only 2300 miles on Monday.

 

[Buzglyd]

Well there's always theft. Or drug dealing.

 

[seruzawa]

There are openings in the DEA?

 

[SmokeU]

I was thinking custom waterjet cut parts and use company time on Pro/E designing them. ;-)



If that doesn't work, the theft option sounds appealing. HAHA

 

[sfcrotty]

"We suspect that these bags may be better suited to a bike with a more conventional rear seat, like a KLR or something with a similar inclination to venture off the beaten path and into harm's way."

Yeah, not so much.

I've got a KLR650 and bought a set of the Ortleibs to use as saddlebags. On the first ride the muffler melted both the right side bag and the plastic bodywork under the bag.

On a positive note, I moved them forward where they serve reasonably well as tank panniers. Wouldn't buy them again, tho.

c

 

[sfcrotty]

Hey, I'm hot *and* dirty. Oh wait...wrong site. Sorry.