The History Of Motorcycles Report

Open Question: Motorcycle Squeals after 5500 Rpms?

No matter what gear I am as soon as my Rpm reach 5500 I can hear a squeal. I know its not from the tire or breaks because when it warms up i can slightly heal the squeal in neutral while not moving. As of right now it runs great besides the squeal. I just don't like to hear it. I am afraid that it might lead to something worse. Can anyone help me?

Open Question: Shopping for my first motorcycle: logic says 250cc, heart says 650cc?

I just got my permit and some gear. I am a 28-year-old, generally responsible driver, very fit about 5'8". Next weekend I'm taking the 15-hour MSF course. And the following week I'm looking to buy a bike. I'm interested in getting a cruiser with a good smooth torque curve - not a sports bike. Mostly for country driving and cruising around town. I must admit, I'm kind of sweet on this Suzuki s40 that's for sale in my neighborhood. Think that would be too much bike for me? I know people say start with a 250, but I've heard that the habits you develop "bossing around" a smaller bike can get you in trouble when you go bigger. I also hear they can get boring quick. Thoughts?

Resolved Question: Durability and quality of Tour Master Nomad Boots?

I've been riding for some time now, but I've never bothered putting down the money to buy a purpose made pair of motorcycle boots. As a result, the $30 I buy from Wal-Mart wear out and are totally bald in the soles within two months (even though I don't Fred Flintstone at stops). These are on sale right now through the company I buy my gear through, and I'm wondering if they are worth the time and expense to get? I have avoided buying a pair of high dollar boots so far because I am worried that that I'll just be wearing out a $100+ dollar pair of boots in two months instead of a $30 pair. I'd just like to know what others experiences with riding boots are, and if they are durable enough to last for awhile, or if there's really no difference between a cheap pair of boots. This pair in particular is well reviewed, but I've had little luck finding out what their long range durability is like, so any help or advice would be appreciated! Here is a link to the boots. http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/last_chance_bargains/tour_master/nomad_motorcycle_boots.html

Open Question: Motorcycle clutch help please?

One of my friends has a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 that he uses for drag racing. he is very good at take off with the bike, up till about a week ago he was still using his stock clutch and after allot of drags it was still intact and was not slipping. About a week ago he installed a EBC Kevlar clutch plates, he installed it himself and i believe he torqued the springs 1 1/2 pounds. We where at a drag strip yesterday and it was the first time he every launched off of the new clutch, but right after he launched the clutch started slipping through gears during the race. After the race on the way back home the clutch was slipping badly through every gear, i was riding next to him and you can hear it. We have no clue as to what is causing the clutch to slip like this, my guess is that he didn't install it right and roasted it when he dragged his bike. What do you think it may be? and what do you suggest be done?

Open Question: Teachers riding motorcycles to school?

I just bought my first bike. I am a permanent substitute for an urban school district, and would never dream of leaving my bike out in that parking lot (would get stolen in a minute). However, this summer I am tutoring at a summer camp run by the college where I'm getting my masters (tutoring at the camp is part of my class requirement). Would it be inappropriate for me to ride there? Its about a half hour drive, so that's one full hour four days a week... I could save massively on gas, and get good use out of my bike. I plan on wearing on all of my gear all the time, but I'm worried that parents might not like it if their kid's teacher is some biker babe (although it will be in an area where riding is pretty popular... lots of bikes out on the road).

Resolved Question: Are Scooters Predominantly made for ladies?

I am a 27 years old man and I bought a second hand motorcycle for travelling. But i hate having to change gears and hold the clutch all the time in traffic. I am too impatient for that. I love riding however I do not like to change gears all the time. My question is are scooters just for ladies? I am contemplating buying a scooter however my friends say that scooters are for ladies. I hope to buy a vespa lx 125

Resolved Question: 1981 honda gl 500 owners- how responsive is the throttle on your bike? how good is its acceleration?

I just got a 1981 GL 500 as part of a trade, my last motorcycle was a 900 virago, upon twisting the throttle the bike accelerated nicely but this bike will rev up but there is very little acceleration unless I twist the throttle past a quarter or 1/3rd turn at which time it REALLY revs up and there is decent acceleration . what is wrong with this bike? it shifts through gears nicely doesnt make any strange noises has very very low miles and idles evenly ,hopefully this isnt just how crappy it accelerates, i mean its so slow off the line that its dangerous, cant be right, I've ridden little 250's and yeah you have to dip into the throttle but they dont hesitate this much and this is a 500 it should get up and go quicker then an average car but it accelates about as fast as a bicycle, its weird to hear it revving up but basically not going anywhere as if its towing something huge. I basically got this bike for free so its not that big of a deal to me if its actually a piece of junk but i wanted to hear other Honda GL 500 owners opinions, does this sound like normal acceleration for this bike? could it just be clogged up jets? any insight would be appreciated.

Open Question: 1998 ninja 250r not running correctly? ?

So I've been doing lots of research as to why my motorcycle won't run correctly and I think I ended up confusing myself. So here goes, my bike is leaking oil (lots of oil i think) I put a quart in and it was gone after 16 miles. I can see it drip onto the exhaust and evaporate. Before I had to have it on full choke just to start it and it revs really high but once I back it off it dies. There is no black smoke coming out of the exhaust so I know the oil isn't burning. And just tonight while on my way home from work it stalled twice. Once at a complete stop and the other time I was in third gear and it gradually lost acceleration until it died. It then continued to not start for awhile so I had to push it 100 yards until I got in my driveway then it started again! I'm so confused, from my reading I'm convinced it's not bad rings because it doesn't seem to have the symptoms (black smoke etc.) the carb is definitely a possibility, I'd really rather not pull it off and clean it though. Any suggestions? I'm sorry this is so long, I tried to be as detailed as I could to my knowledge. Thanks in advance.

Resolved Question: 1981 gl500 motorcycle-when i give it throttle it doesnt really speed up then suddenly it will rev up and there?

wow ok I didnt explain that very well, i guess you could say the issue is with power delivery, i turn the throttle it starts to take off then sorta boggs down, if i really give it throttle it hesitates then A SECOND OR TWO LATER will finally respond and rev up and the bike will lurch forward.kinda like a car with an automatic transmission if you floor it it doesnt really do much then it kicks into overdrive, thats what it feels like. anyway i got this bike as part of a trade, the guy said it had been sitting a long time,bike only has a few thousand miles on it so i think its safe to say it has mostly been sitting since 1981.it shifts through the gears very nicely looks brand new, the engine purrs away at idle not ticking or weird noises its just when i put a load to it when starting off its like it just doesnt want to go anywhere! what does this sound like to you? i can tell the bike a capable of having ample get up and go for me but as it is it just putts slowly through first second and third unless i throttle it and then it finally lurches forward.terrible throttle response and power delivery. im going to take it to someone to look at it but im curious to see what you guys think.

Open Question: 97 cbr 600 Parts bike or not?

got it from a motorcycle shop. they gave up on it. runs good sitting in the shop. take it for a ride and hit 2nd gear cutting out and boggs. New charging system , new coil packs, new pickup,new batt, new carbs , I have 2 bikes with the same problem . Any ideas.