NFB: Got the bike home Sunday night.

[fastTa]

You don't have time to be messing with shift lights. I listen to the motor and go by feel, and I usually hit the shifts just right according to my tank cam. I thought about a shift light too, but I'm too busy listening, leaning, feathering, shifting, and making sure nobody is gonna hit me to worry about a stupid light

I know I just need some more seat time on the bike, but I still feel it would be safer and easier and yield a more accurate shift to install an LED shift light. I was looking at the Autometer Quick Light. This way I can focus on leaning and driving. I don't feather at all when I am going through the gears so that's why I was thinking of a shift light.

[MN6WS6]

I'd be looking around on the ZX12 boards and see what people are using. I'm sure somebody has a waterproof one that you could leave on the bike all the time. And don't think your bike won't ever get wet, because you WILL get caught in the rain. As a matter of fact, you should take your bike out in the pouring rain on purpose to see how it reacts. That way when you get caught out in it, you will know the stopping differences and turning limits in the wet. I take mine out about every 6 months as a refresher course.

When I said feathering, I meant out of the hole. I clutchless shift too at the track, but first is a MOFO on a sportbike so you feather a lot more than you'd think. And considering most of my experience is on 1/8th, you only shift twice.

[fastTa]

I'd be looking around on the ZX12 boards and see what people are using. I'm sure somebody has a waterproof one that you could leave on the bike all the time. And don't think your bike won't ever get wet, because you WILL get caught in the rain. As a matter of fact, you should take your bike out in the pouring rain on purpose to see how it reacts. That way when you get caught out in it, you will know the stopping differences and turning limits in the wet. I take mine out about every 6 months as a refresher course.

When I said feathering, I meant out of the hole. I clutchless shift too at the track, but first is a MOFO on a sportbike so you feather a lot more than you'd think. And considering most of my experience is on 1/8th, you only shift twice.

I saw that a few guys were using the Quick Light from Autometer on a few Kawasaki boards. It is supposed to be waterproof. I will research it a little more, but it seems to be the best answer now. I'm pretty sure I will be catching 4th before I get to the traps in the 1/4. Those Metzler M1 Sportec's seem pretty sticky on dry, but i've heard they are not good in the rain. Obviously I won't ride if there is any resonably good chance of rain, but you are right, getting caught in it is likely inevadable.

[MN6WS6]

"Obviously I won't ride if there is any resonably good chance of rain..."

You see, that's the problem. That is exactly when you need to go ride. Your bike acts COMPLETELY different in the rain than in the dry. Stopping distances are increased, in some instances, up to 4 times longer! Our rotors are not protected from rain and splashes like car rotors are, so they become instantaneously soaked as soon as you let off the brakes. Also, our tires do not have the tread depth of an all weather car tire, so the straightline traction decreases greatly. Your lean angle has to decrease due to less tread depth on the sidewall and less contact patch with the pavement as well. All of these things on paper sound like something the average rider could handle, but in the real world it makes a huge difference. I guess the only way to explain it would be like riding a bicycle on ice. You need to go ride in the rain, because if you get caught in it, you will not know what to do and something bad could happen.

Also remember, the worst time to be out is when it first starts to rain. That's because the water brings up all the oil that has settled into the pavement, and the roads become sometimes worse than ice. When it first starts raining, or if it's just misty or sprinkling, stop. But once the road washes off, or if it's a torrential downpour, you can get back on the bike and continue on your way.

[fastTa]

That's exactly why IF I get caught in the rain, I will not ride the bike at all. It is simply not smart and I just won't do it. So there is no sense in practicing riding in the rain for me. Just doesn't add up. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, this isn't the first bike I have owned nor will it be the last, but I will never try to cruise home in the rain. No matter how good a driver you are, it is just way too risky. Pull over and wait it out.

BTW, I "burped" the coolant system and the temp has not risen over the halfway point since. Thanks for the tip! It seems to have worked.

[MN6WS6]

Does the Kawa have bleeder valves on it, and if not, how do you burp yours? My bike has them, which makes it such a pain to do it, since you have to pull both lowers off and have a lot of rags handy.

[DJ Taso]

Kev,

what happens when you put a GSX-R motor in a go kart?

[fastTa]

Does the Kawa have bleeder valves on it, and if not, how do you burp yours? My bike has them, which makes it such a pain to do it, since you have to pull both lowers off and have a lot of rags handy.

Haven't found a bleeder screw persay yet (didn't really look yet), but I just refilled and squeezed the coolant hoses to get any excess air out and then added just a little. Seemed to help. I will get some Water Wetter this weekend anyway.

[fastTa]

Kev,

what happens when you put a GSX-R motor in a go kart?

I've seen that video before. That would be a pretty cool machine to drive!

[fastTa]

Really good article comparing the Busa and ZX-12r:

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0110_hayabusa/