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Rider beware, part 1

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It’s summertime and the weather is beautiful, the kids are out of school, people are vacationing and we are out riding whenever we can.  This sounds absolutely wonderful, but it is also a recipe for disaster.  Everyone that knows me, knows that I advocate confident riding and with that is rider training…seeing there are too few places to learn how to become better riders at speeds higher than a parking lot, I hope many of you are taking the opportunity to sign up for track days and track day schools.  While rider training is absolutely crucial no matter what speed, once you feel comfortable riding around at parking lot speeds and on the street a while, please go to the track to learn at higher speeds so that you are able to process information quicker allowing you more time to react.

You may ask why the track?  It isn’t about racing, it isn’t about getting your rocks off at high speeds, it is about knowing your bike and it’s capabilities, knowing your limits and seeing how little you were actually processing on the street.  On the track we teach seeing a wide view…not just what’s in front of you, but everything in front and around you.  What you should process as important and requires some of your attention and then to discard what is not.  Why is this important?  Let me give you an example, I was riding behind a car, who clearly did not know where he was going.  He signaled left and moved two lanes over to get in the left hand turn lane, I sped up to get on the freeway, he then decided he picked the wrong lane and swept across two lanes and cut me off…I had to break hard, but I saw him looking around so I had anticipated that he might try moving back.  He had no idea I was there, he didn’t even stop to look, even when I was behind him honking, he didn’t realize he could have caused a severe accident.  Truth is without the time on the track to learn and be confident in my skills, I could’ve ended up having a very bad day.

That is only one of several events that happened on that particular day, but it made me more aware that we need to not just make drivers more aware of us, but to also arm riders with enough knowledge (if not experienced) to make it through unscathed.  You have to anticipate people and their actions and even then it’s really a crap shoot.  Someday I hope we can add a chapter in driver training on motorcyclists and to be aware of them on the road, but until that day happens, it is up to us to be proactive.  Sure you can wear bright colored clothing and helmets, have modulating lights, but in the end that will not keep people from not seeing you.  With the smartphone, people in cars are clearly distracted and it is up to us to help ourselves.  Take your rider’s education in your own hands, I was always aware of motorcyclists because my brother and many of my friend were riders, I always gave them space because I had seen many of them get into an accident with drivers and it made me extremely angry that people didn’t realize that a poor decision they made in their car had serious repercussions for the rider.  We are exposed, quite literally with very little protection in comparison to their cages.

Remember, we have the benefit of speed on our side, use it when you need to to get out of clusters as I like to call them.  Go around them (safely, of course) and find yourself a nice open area to ride more comfortably without worrying about someone making a stupid move (not seeing you).  A cop who pulls you over will understand if you explain to them you just didn’t feel safe riding in the middle of a cluster and just wanted a little breathing space, this shouldn’t be a free pass however to be a tool and ride like a madman.  He will know the difference, trust me.  I’ve had many a cop drive up next to me after I broke clear of a cluster and just give me the hand wave of slow it down and I nod my head, but they really do get it.  Also, be aware that while you are close to a car to pass, they don’t know what you are doing, so give yourself enough of a cushion should they brake check you.  Again, another reason why I’d like to educate drivers in general.  Many don’t understand that you are trying to calculate speed to pass safely and may do the worst thing possible for you and hit their brakes, but most of the time, many will change lanes.  Do not tailgate them for a long time or they get edgy and things could get heated.

There are so many other things that I want to discuss, but that is enough for now to at least get you thinking.  I will do a part two here about how to make yourself seen better, at least giving you a fighting chance of being seen without any special equipment, just awareness.  It really is up to you especially if you want to get the most out of your experiences out there on the road and to free up more of your time on enjoying the ride.  And don’t forget to give the courtesy wave, two wheels down, hang loose, devil horns…whatever hand signal you choose, customize it if you wish to fellow riders.  We are all out there having fun together and heck it’s just common courtesy!  It’s gorgeous out there, what isn’t to love?  I don’t know about you, but I am always smiling ear to ear everytime I’m out on my bike and it is my honor to share the road with my fellow riders.

Vixens Ride!

New focus on street riders

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June was an incredibly busy month for track days and if you add the number of days I was at the track along with auditions, bookings and shoots it was exhausting.  I am not sure I’ve ever relayed what I do on the side besides MotoVixens (and just appointed AXO dealer), I am a mom of two sons, one going to college and one just turned 16 (and driving!)…I am also an actor/model/voiceover talent/whatever they need me for and pays ;).  What ends up being a week where I believe I can gain headway and write a blog, ends up being booked up with auditions to sometimes as far as Portland.  This brings me to my first love motorcycle riding…it is the most rewarding thing I do.  Honestly if it paid well I’d give everything up just to do it, but since it doesn’t, I have to resort to spreading myself around…

The one thing that I’ve noticed as an instructor is that track day companies are now very focused on street riders which excites me tremendously, one for the fact that they are reaching out to people who need to gain more knowledge and skills for surviving the craziness out there and two because seeing the person start the day nervous to ending it with a great big shit eatin grin makes me feel honored to be a part of that journey.  The truth is there is a lot to be gained by riding on the track; knowledge, confidence, no cops, emergency vehicle (in case), adrenaline rush in a safe place and hopefully keeping that off the streets where there can be dire consequences and above all what you accomplished while there for the day.  I try to attend every session of every school Mark puts on and while I know the curriculum, each class is unique in that with each group there are things that get stressed more due to the questions raised.  Plus the truth is, I’ve sat through a couple recently where I got a refresher on things that I’ve forgotten to pay attention to, so I still continue to learn. It is an ongoing thing and honestly your brain can’t wrap it’s head around ever concept discussed in one shot, it requires repetition, practice and nailing one concept down is an accomplishment.  I encourage students to go away with the knowledge they’ve obtained work on one or two things then hit a few track days and take another school course and build upon what they have as the foundation.

The focus is clear – teaching riders to make better decisions, knowing their machines capabilities in a way they never thought possible, trust themselves and the machine together, understand how to make it work for you and giving them the knowledge and confidence to survive even the most hairball situations out on the road.  Panic is not our friend, it causes people to make kneejerk reactions which upset the bike and in turn the bike ejects you for pissing it off…we hope that in the knowledge you gain, you KNOW you can handle it and will stay relaxed when such an event happens and it does everytime you ride.  So let’s save our fellow riders and tell them how beneficial track riding is and let’s all be around for a very long time!

Vixens Ride!

KFG (not just for racers)

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KFGLOGO-350x261KFG located in Auburn, WA is a constant presence at the track with owners, Barry and/or April Wressell at the helm with Bressa, Sage, Stephan, Jake and Ross to welcome you in.  What you don’t know is all the services they can provide whether at the track or at their shop at 1415 22nd Street NW, Suite D, Auburn, WA 98001; (253)397-4474.  They provide a wealth of information, such as tire pressures and will even check them for you for free, they sell Pirelli’s and will change and balance your tires for you while you wait.  Want to set up your bike?  For a small fee, they will set your sag, adjust your compression and rebound and will be available for adjustments throughout the day.

For other things it is best to call and discuss what you would like to do (repairs, upgrades, etc) from there they can set up an appointment to bring your bike in.  KFG offers free MPI (multi point inspections) which very few people know about which are detailed inspections of your bike to detect any potential issues or just to confirm all is well.  These can be done by just calling and seeing who is available to do it that day.  KFG isn’t just for racers, it is for all riders…they welcome questions about anything bike related and actually encourage it!  They are offering a discount to anyone who mentions: “MotoVixens” and this applies to parts and labor.  Take care of your bike and your bike will continue to bring that smile on your face!!!

May I suggest that you gals, ok guys too, take your bikes in for a quick MPI before the track day (KFG won’t be at the track on June 23rd) and ask about tire pressures which might be different for the track than on the street.  If it is, don’t forget to inflate them before you leave the track to the appropriate pressures for the street if you are riding home.

Truth about Carbs

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With all the talk about carbs being evil and more and more people jumping on the carb free bandwagon, no wonder people are nixing any form of bread for the promise of being thin.  But did you know that you need carbs?  Did you know it is also an effective way to stay slim?  And did you know that carbs (that evil thing people blame for being squishy) should make up the majority of your diet especially if you’re active?  No carbs are off limits, but lets just say some are better than others so lets break them down with what you should be eating daily.  Starches and whole grains (6 servings):  1/2 c. corn or peas, 1 potato, 1/2 c. chickpeas or lentils, 1/2 c. brown or whole grain rice or pasta, 1 slice whole wheat bread.  Veggies (3-5 servings): 1/2 c. broccoli, 1 cup leafy greens, 12 baby carrots.  Fruit (3-4 servings): 1 apple, 1 banana, 1 c. berries.  Dairy (2-3 servings): 1 c. low-fat yogurt, 1 c. skim milk, 1 1/2 oz. reduced fat cheddar.  Refined grains (no more than 2 and they count toward your starches):  1 c. white rice, 1 flour tortilla, 1 plain bagel.  Treats (1 serving :(, yup just a nibble):  2 squares dark chocolate, 1 small cookie.  It is all about keeping track of things either writing them down or in your head, but be honest as we all kind of think we are eating a serving, but in reality are eating several.  If you keep track by writing it down, pretty soon it will become second nature, but the way I remember how to keep track of serving sizes is balling my hand in a fist and that generally is my serving size (obviously if you have massive hands this won’t work).

Carbs are necessary to keeping our brain working and our heart pumping, they break down into glucose, your body’s primary source of energy, and loads of foods contain them.  Not all carbs are equal though and that is where they get their bad rap.  Natural sugars like fructose in fruit and lactose in dairy, sugars that are added to foods and refined grains like white rice are broken down quickly by our bodies.  They provide almost instant energy, but it fizzles out fast, and unless they are eaten with an apple for the fiber and the protein in yogurt then they are empty calories.  So bundling is key.  Whole grains, veggies, legumes take longer to digest and you get a steadier supply of energy.  Carb-rich foods like bread are high in calories and low in vitamins and minerals, but fruits and veggies are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals.  Whole grains have lots of nutrients, but lots of calories.  Dairy has a medium amount of both.  Just cut down on added sugar and refined grains, the rest are the carbs (whole foods) are fair game.  Carbs release insulin which helps your body regulate an increase in blood sugar, but your body being this amazing machine processes refined sugars so quickly it may cause your blood sugar to dip and send “eat more” to the brain.  If you cut out all carbs when you are active (your primary source of energy during exercise) you won’t get the same level of intensity during your workouts.  You need 130g/day for your brain to function, 200-300g/day if you are active.  You can miss out on important nutrients if you cut carbs out of your diet, many come from fruit and veggies and this can in turn lead to deficiencies.  Cutting out carbs messes with your moods, it has been studied and reported that people on low-carb diets felt angrier and depressed.  Which makes sense since carbs help produce serotonin which helps regulate that “I want to kill you or cry” feeling.  What it boils down to is moderation, keep it in your diet and don’t overindulge and you can enjoy it without guilt and adding to your waistline.

Premium Rush Rentals

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Just on the track for a Ducati Bellevue track day on Monday, May 19th and met Phil Melnyk, President of Premium Rush Inc.  They have a cool concept where they have bikes (Kawasaki Ninja 250’s) they bring to the track to rent for the day so you can just show up and ride.  The cost is $299 for the day which includes fuel, tires, bike setup for the rider, a pit area for rider and friends and family to hang out and relax, water and snack as well as the option to receive instruction from either Jonathan Wood or Phil, both accomplished racers and riders.  They make it easy to come to the track and just enjoy your day…we’ve gotten you a special deal and are offering you 20% off the rental price as a first time customer, just mention that you heard it thru MotoVixens.

For more information visit www.premiumrushrentals.com for more details.  Women’s track day is only a month away ladies, start getting those bikes track ready and let’s show those boys what we got!  Vixens Ride!

Are you ready to ride?

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Hopping on your bike and taking off spontaneously is great, the freedom of just getting lost and being in the moment…there is nothing quite like it right? Sure if everything goes as planned and you return safe and sound, but how about we take a moment to do a pre bike check for whatever type of riding we plan on doing? If you are planning on a long trip, chances are you’ve put some thought into the trip, the schedule, etc. so why not put some time in checking over your bike to make sure everything is working properly and there are no loose nuts and bolts? Checking your lights, blinkers, brakes (making sure they aren’t too spongy), Oil level, fuel and tire pressures the night before you embark will allow you to rest peacefully before your ride. This also applies to just a quick jaunt around town, if the bike hasn’t been ridden or even looked at for a while, it may require a little attention to get it ready for the riding season. Maybe even a little maintenance at the shop…so before you get on and try to fire it up only to discover that it won’t turn over, get it ready before you plan on riding again so you won’t be frustrated. Now if you are planning on hitting the track, please be mindful that while you think you may pass tech, if you come with less than 50% wear on your tires, you will not be riding or you will be at the mercy of purchasing whatever tires they have at the track in order to continue your day. I know this can be irritating, but remember this is not about you, this about the safety of everyone out there. You are not riding that track alone which is why it is important to know what it will require to pass tech and if there is any question, have your bike serviced within a month or so of the track day and you should be good to go. When you have large groups of people going around the track together at a very spirited pace, it is important not to ride over your head and show off because if you should have to maneuver quickly to avoid someone/something, you may end up being “that guy” that sends out the red flags and stops the whole session. The reason there are requirements are because we all have families and jobs we would like to return to the following day/week so let’s each do our part in making sure we are being safe, not just for ourselves, but considerate to the others we are sharing the road/track with.

That being said, just knowing and being confident that you are good to go can allow your attention to be on the task at hand, riding, and enjoying it. I ride with tunes through my Sena SMH10 (which I personally love) and yes there are plenty of other brands out there, but I have to say for ease of use and clarity I really love it. I have also placed an order on their newest generation of the Sena 20s which you can read about through www.sena.com. It links your music, gps, phone and intercom, allowing multiple applications to be open at the same time. “Sena 20S Audio Multitasking™ technology allows you to have an intercom conversation while simultaneously listening to music, FM radio, or GPS. No longer do users have to deal with the frustrations of interruption-based audio functions of past Bluetooth communication devices. Now audio features won’t interrupt each other but simply overlay for a smooth listening experience.” The SMH10 can intercom between 4 users, now the Sena 20s can link up to 8 at a 1.2 mile range as well as be used with other generation Sena units and non-Sena bluetooth units. This versatility will be groundbreaking as it will allow groups to communicate with each other and keep track of everyone…no more herding kitty cats! I am really excited about their new design which is lower profile and sleeker than the SMH10…look for a review when I finally receive mine, they are due to be released beginning to mid-June. In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful weather!

Vixens Ride!

Things you should know about buying/selling your bike

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When we buy our first bike all these illusions of grandeur about how to trick it out, make it louder, faster… cooler. Just a word to the wise though, keep all your stock stuff in a box in the corner of your garage for the day you decide to sell your bike or upgrade. For those of you looking for a bike all that really cool stuff the current owner has put on it, is worthless, unless of course you wanted it anyway, then great! But those aftermarket parts and accessories honestly do not add to the value of the bike, they are personalizations (as I like to call it). Most everyone out there will buy a bike and then do their own additions anyway so when you are looking to sell your bike, take off all the aftermarket stuff to eBay it and put all your stock stuff on, since none of those things will add to the value of your bike. Now the sellers will convince you that it adds to the value of your bike, but let me tell you from someone who has dumped a bunch of money into her bikes, when you trade them in, none of those aftermarket parts are worth a cent. It will piss you off to no end, so be smart about what you choose to upgrade on your bike and make sure it is stuff you can either move to your next bike or you can eBay those parts and accessories because they aren’t worth anything to the dealer.

Now when buying a used bike, buyer beware…there are tons of bike out there for sale and some have clean titles, others are salvaged and there are hassles when titles are salvaged but it can mean you get a really great price. With that comes how badly the bike was damaged for the insurance company to salvage it, typically when a bike goes down the cost of replacing the plastics far exceeds what it’s worth but yet the engine and chassis are just fine. In cases like this the deals are great, but how do you know how badly the bike was damaged? You don’t, it’s a crap shoot. If you see a bike listed for significantly less, it’s either a scam, salvaged title or something is seriously wrong with the bike…on a rare occasion it might be an angry spouse looking to just short sell the item to piss of their ex, but that is rare. Go look at it, ride it and if you want to really negotiate, bring cash. Cash is still king when buying from a private party. Also, they are going to tell you all the stuff they did to “mod” out the bike, you don’t care, that doesn’t add to the bike, so make sure you tell them that it means nothing to you. You plan to strip it anyway to customize it to you, you might not, but they don’t need to know that. Most of all trust your instinct, take someone with you that you trust and if anything seems remotely wrong, walk away. These two wheels hold your life in the balance and the worst thing you can do is ride home with a bike you don’t trust.

Buying a bike can be fun if you go into with a little knowledge and ability to negotiate. Do your homework, test ride lots of bikes before making a decision and if you seriously can’t walk away from a deal, make sure you check the bike out top to bottom before you call it yours. We all love to find a deal and most people think their bike is worth more than it is so be willing to walk away when push comes to shove. Unless you are buying your bike brand spanking new, you don’t know what the owner(s) have done to the bike and how much maintenance they actually did do, was it well taken care of or was it stunted? That is why riding it is paramount to get a feel if the bike rides true and straight, and looking at it will give you an indication of whether or not they took care of it or it was just transportation to them. Take your time and don’t let anyone rush you, this is something you will enjoy for many years so make sure you really love it. Most of all, don’t get bullied into buying, pressure selling is a complete turn off for me so if they start the there are two other people looking at it today thing, I just tell them if it was meant to be mine, it will be here when I’m ready.

With that happy hunting to you all looking for your first bike, adding to your stable or upgrading…Vixens Ride!

Bad Advice

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When I started out riding I asked everyone I could about everything, minute details and treated the pearls of wisdom like gold. Then when applying those little pearls of wisdom I realized they were flawed, that I didn’t fully grasp the concept or process because what I did wasn’t working. What I did do was not dwell and went to many different schools to hear what concepts they could teach me and apply it to myself. In doing so I learned a lot, that there is not any real right way to do it, that if it is uncomfortable you will not do it well and that knowledge is key. There are many schools of thought in how to ride but the main thing remains true…keep two wheels on the ground. Now that could mean straight up and down, leaned over in a turn and unless you are pulling a wheelie or frontie it is really that simple.

What irks me is the fact that many people don’t even maintain their bikes to be ride ready and most importantly safe (for themselves and others around them). Considering we are two wheels short of being completely stable we owe that to ourselves and our loved ones. Tire pressure, I wish people would just take the time to check that basic thing and while today the tires are manufactured to be way more forgiving with this screw up, you are taking a risk. Check with the manufacturer for recommended tire pressures (which will vary from street to track). Check fluids, brakes and look for anything loose (nuts and bolts that may jiggle off during a long ride) and tighten them. Always bring a few tools you might need just in case and top off your tank so you aren’t that guy that holds everyone up (when riding in a group). OK done bitching…

I’ve been privy to many a conversation about riding, I’ve listened to good advice and bad advice being given and it worries me that there tends to be more bad advice than not. When asking for advice, realize this person may ride way above and beyond how you will ever ride, but to him this is normal so it may put you in a “seeing God” situation. It is however good to take this kind of advice and file it away for later when you progress and can apply his/her concepts with control and confidence. What I have noticed is riding brings out the hooligans in all of us and at times egos get too big to contain, the talk of dragging knees, leaning the bike over so far that the pegs drag, blah, blah, blah. The fact is sure it can be done, it is just how comfortable are you in doing it? I’m comfortable dragging my pegs, yet I know people comfortable enough to drag bodywork even knees and elbows and not have an “Oh Crap” moment. It is all about comfort and understanding that any quick panic moment can lead to dire consequences for yourself and others around you. If you aren’t truly comfortable doing it and are riding well above your “talent” then back off. Sure it’s OK to push a little everytime you go out there, but trying to show off and prove to everyone you are the s*#t is a bad idea because sooner or later your ticket is going to get punched.

Knowledge is key. Take classes…lots of them if you can and ask questions, there are never any stupid ones, just stupid people who don’t ask. Consider the source and if that person is bragging about everything they do or have done, overly share their knowledge and seem cocky…move on they will not be a good resource. Ask people you admire, people you’d like to ride like everyone in the riding community is generally very warm and inviting. Some people may overshare others may be shy, but by and large there is a wealth of information out there and it is yours for the taking! Some of the best little tricks and tidbits came from just hanging out and everyone talking, that is where the best information lies. Always be open to hear the most amazing advice in the strangest of places and never stop asking questions and learning…it is never ending. Keep two wheels on the ground and ride!

Vixens Ride!

Tea Please!

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Sure we live in the coffee capital of the world, we love our caffeine and who can blame us? But did you know that tea is the second most popular drink next to water? Tea (other than herbal) contains caffeine, just like our beloved coffee, but has way more health benefits. Just drinking one cup of tea can mean 5% higher bone mineral density and lowers the risk of high blood pressure by 46%, two cups and the benefits include 26% lower risk of mental decline that comes with getting older as well as lowering your risk of skin cancer by 35%, three cups can lower your chance of heart attack by 11% and will give you added benefit of 37% lower risk of breast cancer. Tea is not only hydrating, but is brimming with up to five times more antioxidants than any fruit or vegetable, has disease fighting compounds (lil ninja fighters) that prevent certain cancers, keeps your heart healthy, burns fat, keeps weight off, sharpens your mind and keeps father time at bay while helping stress. That is an amazing resume for a tiny leaf don’t you agree? Not only is tea calorie free, but it has been shown that tea drinkers can multi-task easily which may explain this wonder leaf’s ability to fend off Parkinson’s and possibly slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. It’s also been shown to protect you from bone loss, heart disease, lower your LDL cholesterol and help prevent the development of skin tumors. If you want to boost tea’s benefits, squeeze some lemon or add some orange juice to help you absorb up to three times as much of those polyphenol antioxidants. With all these benefits we would be crazy not to brew a few cups a day and toast our health!

Generally speaking there are 5 types of tea: White, Green, Oolong, Black and Herbal. Herbal tea is usually made from dried fruits, flowers, herbs and spices and while the are known for their pleasant perfume and relaxing properties, they do not contain any caffeine. White tea is picked when the leaves are young giving it a mild flavor, while delivering anticancer benefits and 10 to 15 mg of caffeine per cup. Green tea (traditionally from Japan or China) is heat treated right after harvesting keeping the leaves from oxidizing which helps it retain high amounts of healthy antioxidants and has 25 to 30 mg of caffeine per cup. Oolong tea is withered and rolled by hand, the leaves are partially oxidized before being fired in a pan or basket. Oolong tea is the best of both worlds, having the complexity of black tea while tasting like green, it has been shown in studies to boost metabolism and this leaf has 30 to 50 mg of caffeine per cup. Black tea is fully oxidized leaves that are full bodied and strong as well as slightly bitter in flavor. Black tea has been shown to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease and pack 40 to 60 mg of caffeine per cup. Just for comparison, an 8 oz. cup of brewed coffee has between 95-200 mg of caffeine and 1 oz. of expresso has anywhere from 40-75 mg without all the health benefits. Loose tea leaves has the most potency when it comes to delivering antioxidants, but tea bags will do in a pinch. If you are brewing your own just remember the lighter the leaves the cooler the water…White tea should be steeped in 155 degree water (take boiling water and let rest for three minutes before your pour), Green at 165 degrees (let boiling water rest 2 minutes before pouring), Oolong at 200 degrees (let boiling water rest one minute before pouring) and Black tea at 212 degrees (no resting time). Steeping time is usually 3-5 minutes, but stay closer to 3 with tea bags which steep more quickly than loose leaves. Don’t worry if you overstep, just add more water to dilute it for taste.

Always finding something interesting to post and this caught my eye. Caffeine, that won’t give us the jitters, revs up metabolism, wards off disease, sharpens your mind (not a bad thing when on bike), keeps us young(er) and helps stress. We all like twofers, but this is way more than that…I call that a major win win! Keep two wheels on the road gals and I look forward to seeing you out there this year on the road and on the track! Vixens Ride!

Ducati Upgrades

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Ducati RimsI had the unfortunate luck of getting geared up one day (in fact it was the warmest we had in a while) only to have my bike not start. Have you ever had one of those days? The worst part was it was Monday so no shops were open and the frustration was due to having the bike on a tender which should have guaranteed a start right? Wrong! The battery was less than a year old, in fact it had a sticker bearing the words “NEW 5/26/2013” so was I one of those lucky Ducati owners with a bike that had character? After messing with it for about 3 hours, I gave up and called Troy, my boyfriend, to discuss the issues I was having and a quick text to Fuzzy in Seattle Ducati to confirm that the symptoms amounted to a dead battery. Come Wednesday I was pretty cagey and unhappy, I called Ducati Bellevue and inquired about batteries and their opinions. Not sure why I do that, I am gonna do what I want regardless of what anyone says…I know you gals know what I mean ;)! I was planning on getting a Shorai battery, since my stock was a Yuasa and I sure as heck was not going to do that to myself again. Let me tell you this battery feels as light as a feather in comparison to the Yuasa being a lithium-ion battery. I was told that it will require getting a special charger for it, but I’m hoping that this years riding weather won’t require it since I will be riding all the time. This battery change got the ball rolling for all the parts we already had, but needed a good reason to take the bike apart for upgrades.

Ducati BatteryThe list of things we did included new tires, SBS sintered brake pads, Vortex rear sets and of course the new Shorai battery. The battery is smaller and lighter than ordinary batteries and if you ask the shop it also requires a bit of rethinking when starting your bike…normally you’d just fire it up, let it get to temp, then go. With lithium ion batteries I was told by John in Ducati Bellevue that you needed to turn bike on, let the cells wake up, even turn on the brights for a minute then fire it up. Shorai comes with foam which you pack around the battery (see pic) to fit the area your old battery used to be, the first thing you’ll notice is that the bike even fires up differently there seems to be a more deliberate delivery system as it doesn’t cough and choke. If you are in the market for a new battery, give them a try (and no I am not sponsored by them or get kickbacks, just a very happy owner of a bike with a little less character now).

DucatiI was fortunate to get a set of Dunlop Q2’s and went from a 180 in the rear to a 190 (had to check the measurements to make sure they would fit). Thanks to the village it took to not only get that rear wheel off (torque spec is 130 ft lbs), had to borrow a breaker bar, get Barry from KFG to balance rear tire (the Axle is bigger than most and requires a special size cone to correctly balance the tire) and lastly buy a torque wrench that would allow us to tighten the rear wheel to 130 ft lbs. Taking it to a shop to have it done certainly sounds way better now huh? With the tires off, the calipers were easy to get to and replace the brake pads (although mine were only slightly worn, Troy swore by them and said I would never go back once I got a taste of them). Then came the rear sets which stock has always been too low and too far to back for my small frame.

Ducati BikeThe adjustable nature of the vortex ones allowed me to raise them up and forward to get me in a nice aggressive and comfortable stance while riding. With everything in pieces it was the perfect time to really clean all the nooks and crannies on the bike and the wheels which I normally can’t get to. I used Silkolene’s Pro Prep to clean the wheels and Silkolene’s All in one to clean and polish the bike’s hard surfaces (see pic). With the bike all put back together, it was time for a ride to determine if anything needed tweaking, my absolute favorite part! So off I went heart racing as I felt the tires and took the first turn in them, felt the brakes and how progressive they were and the comfort of being able to sit in a much more aggressive and comfortable position. Had to be careful of course, new tires on cold pavement could lead to a bad day…with going up in the tire size, the rear felt really stable and secure on the road, turns were not a problem and the brakes are amazing! Interesting side note having the lighter battery was obvious to me in the weight near the front of the bike, not sure why, but I really do like the feeling. I have ridden two more days after the test ride and both were equally enjoyable. If you haven’t fired up your baby, it’s time to start getting her ready for the upcoming great weather (being positive her) and track days! Feel free to comment on this post and ask questions, hope you got the chance to enjoy the few days we had that were dry and mild. If not, be ready for the next opportunity! Vixens Ride!