Archive for September, 2009


I added this under the seat of the V-Strom last year. This, along with a tire plug kit, should keep me going the next time I pick up a nail. (As I did once on my Triumph) I have not had the occasion to try this little gem out but I can say it appears to be constructed well it does puts out a fair amount of air. Reviews around the web are positive as well. If you have cast or sealed spoke wheels this compact compressor would be well worth its reasonable price.

Click here for the Slime Flat Tire Repair Site site.

It appears it has undergone some slight modifications but today’s Fieldsheer riding suit looks nearly the same as the one I bought 2 years ago.


I was looking for a one peice suit to step into that could handle temps from 75 deg down to freezing. I wanted the ease of stepping in and out of a suit no matter what I was wearing underneath and I’m always looking for ways to stretch my riding season here in the north east.

At first glance some of the brands knocked me out of my chair with their prices until I came across Fieldsheer’s version. Being one who believes that you get what you pay for, I was a bit nervous when I ordered this online. Was this going to be a suit that fell apart after one season? Fortunately that answer was a “no” and I couldn’t be happier with this choice.

This is a textile type of suit with zippers along both legs making it a breeze to step in and out of. I’ve used it up to 75 deg with vents open and as low as the 20’s with the included liner. The only complaint at 75 is if you’re not moving you’re going to get pretty warm. It’s also 100% waterproof which for me makes this the perfect commuter suit with the exception of the warmest weeks of the summer.

This heavily armored suit is anatomically fitted for the riding position and has exceeded my expectations in quality. It gives the rider a lot of pocket space for storage and is outfitted with highly reflective material in it s design. It is my choice to come along on the ride on all but the warmest days.

Prices can vary quite a bit on this suit so spend time looking around before buying. You can still find this suit in the mid 200’s.

Click here for the Fieldsheer site.

While sifting through the articles covering the David Hough hall of fame story I noticed most of them quoted David as saying “Take it seriously.” when asked for his best advice. In today’s world of short attention spans it is compact enough to get attention while at the same time encompassing an attitude we all should bring to riding.

I remember being in St. Croix in 1993 while playing at a weeklong jazz festival. A few of us got the idea to try scuba diving and so off we went to the diving store to try a short beginner’s adventure. The next day we had the chance to go out in the owner’s boat to go visit the site of a sunken tug boat. The emphasis on safety was intense particularly since some of us in the group were only beginners.

Now in my 8th season of riding, my thoughts of what I can do to survive motorcycling have led me back to that week with air tanks strapped to my back and 50 feet of water over my head. Within reason, our diving equipment was checked and checked again before submerging into another world, but how many of us do anything similar before venturing out on public roadways on two wheels? According to the Dunlop tire company, they’ll attend motorcycle rallies and randomly check tire inflation only to find a high percentage of rear tires under-inflated. How many of us would descend into deep waters without first checking the air in our tanks? Certainly, not being able to breathe can get a lot more of our attention than our tires but low tire pressure can and has severely injured or killed some of us.

When we dove, we asked ourselves what our escape routes would be in the event of an emergency. When we ride, do we ask what shape we’d be in if we fell off? Will what we have on protect us or will we need skin grafts? Do we check that all systems are in spec or do we just assume all is ok until next time? Riding is supposed to be fun, but leaving room for some seriousness can go a long way in allowing us to rack up those miles on the odometer.