RubberSideDown

150K will get you close to a nice ER-6N- there's a clean 2010 in the TV classifieds going for 170K- you could toss a 150K offer at the seller and see what happens.

Did another run today a bit before noon- almost no traffic and a dry road (though still cool with temps ranging from 16*-22*- ideal riding weather). I dogged it through a couple of the hairpins (my bike just ain't the ideal motorcycle for that run;)), but I quite enjoyed myself and I'll do it again over the weekend. Now I'm going to look for a fast road with sweepers rather than hairpins, which is more of the 14R's element- any suggestions, Mania?

The obligatory bike pic:

The spicy strawberry, tomato, and gooseberry salad (all sourced from a farm on the Loop a couple days ago) that my wife had waiting for me when I got back (I'd still recommend that you single guys stay single, but marriage ain't all bad;)):

^

Wear what you want (or go helmetless- I don't care- what bothers me are the people who make incorrect justifications for what they do, or believe- and post as fact- incorrect info that might negatively impact newbs seeking help). Choosing comfort over safety is a valid reason and it's a legitimate personal choice- your 'neck-breaker' argument isn't:

I took the time to google it- Here's what I found (also note that neck injuries to riders- helmet or not- occur in less than 1% of bike accidents):

Reason 7 for a helmet law: Helmets dont increase the likelihood of spinal cord injury or motorcycle crash.

Critics of helmet laws often cite a highly disputed study by J.P. Goldstein indicating the added weight of helmets cause neck injuries and spinal cord injuries during crashes. More than a dozen peer reviewed medical studies have refuted this claim. A study reported in the Annals of Emergency Medicine analyzed 1,153 motorcycle crashes in four states and determined that helmets reduce head injuries without an increased occurrence of spinal injuries in motorcycle trauma. Studies also show that helmets do not restrict vision, interfere with hearing, or cause heat discomfort

http://www.michiganautolaw.com/blog/2011/12/23/helmets-do-not-increase-sci-motorcycle-accidents/

Full Face Motorcycle Helmets

A full face motorcycle helmet is the most common type of helmet youll see on the road. This is the style most traditionally associated with what a motorcycle helmet looks like. Its also the style that provides you the best protection.

It seems odd that this is a claim which would need to be defended, but one common claim youll hear among anti-helmet riders is that full face motorcycle helmets actually increase your risk of serious injury or death in a crash. The reasoning of this urban legend tends to go along the lines of wearing a motorcycle helmet increases the odds of a broken neck then citing such reasons as the size of a helmet creates more leverage against your neck in a crash or the helmet adds weight that makes your neck break more easily, like an orange on a toothpick. Most people who tell this also cite some personal experience like I knew a guy who had a motorcycle helmet and broke his neck.

So, rather than arguing, lets look at the statistics.

First, lets just deal with the broken neck claim. The first thing to say is that, yes, a motorcycle helmet increases the weight of your head. But the question is whether that increases your risks. Interestingly, some surveys of the medical literature show a wash when it comes to neck injuries. According to these reports, motorcycle helmet use seems to neither decrease nor increase the incidence of neck injury. And yet, that sort of makes sense. A helmet is protecting your head, not your neck.

Other reports, however, show a large decrease in neck injury amongst riders wearing motorcycle helmets. There is no support, however, for claims that motorcycle helmets actually increase head or neck injury. And most studies show significantly LOWER neck injury amongst helmeted riders involved in a crash. (see Sarkar, S., Peek, C., & Kraus, J.F. (1995) Fatal Injuries in Motorcycle Riders According to Helmet Use. Journal of Trauma, 38(2): 242-245. )

So if wearing a helmet doesnt pose an increased risk to your neck, what about your head?

The leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes is head injury. Period.

(see: U.S. Department of Transportation/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, State Legislative Fact Sheet)

Second, the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Authority) estimates, based on cold hard crash statistics, that a rider without a helmet is 40% more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal head injury than a helmeted motorcyclist. Add that up and an unhelmeted rider is 55% more likely to suffer either a serious or fatal head injury in a crash.

Is that a coin flip youre willing to take?

Some would say yes, and there are understandable reasons some people choose to accept that risk. But please understand that the claims that wearing a motorcycle helmet actually INCREASES the odds of injury or death are just plain false. The facts support the undeniable conclusion that you are far, far safer with a motorcycle helmet than without one.

So the fact is this: statistics show that 35% of crashes involve severe impact to the chin area. The full face motorcycle helmet is they design which provides protection in this type of crash.

http://motorcycle-helmets-guide.blogspot.com/2008/10/full-face-motorcycle-helmets-types-of.html

There are loads of other links (if you take the time to google them...)

Rode as far as the international school very early (sunrise) this morning (I have some appointments today so I couldn't make it later or do the whole loop)- the road was very cold and damp and my TC came on several times, and the rear didn't feel very well planted at all, and the front was sliding as well, which I don't particularly enjoy...- I'm going to run it again closer to noon tomorrow or Thursday when temps are higher so traction should be less of an issue. Great curves, though, and (except for a few short sections) the road surface ranges from decent to excellent- I'd just avoid it really early (after 9am would likely be better this time of year).

I was nice to have it virtually to myself, though.

Temps ran between 13*-16* (this is Thailand? It's still going to get colder in the next couple of months???) Even in non-perf full leathers it was a bit chilly- the bike was loving it, though, and the engine was running over 10* cooler than usual- coupled with the cool, dense air the power output was the highest I've ever felt (not that I needed it on the Loop, but I opened it up on the highway a tad).

It's easy to see the appeal of CM for motorcyclists, and I've barely scratched the surface.

Never mind- edited- it's pretty pointless commenting on the OP in light of the responses that have already been posted- people have used a thread asking for respect to take digs at other posters- that's the nature of this board, and we all have to deal with it.

Riding fast on the street (which I do on occasion- I didn't buy a high-performance bike to ride it like a scooter- buying a bike that's not made for the riding you plan to do is pretty silly) is about judiciously picking your spots- skill does indeed enter into it (some 'riders' need to realize that 'skill' also encompasses knowing how to increase your margin of safety, and not just how to take a turn at speed).

If you want to be a 'rolling roadblock' go right ahead, but in LOS that's also extremely dangerous as having cars and trucks constantly overtake you means you have to have too much reliance on the skills of others rather than on your own. If you don't work on your roadcraft, you're an accident waiting to happen- if you ride fast in foolish situations, the same is also true.

Work on your skills- this includes properly reading the road and anticipating traffic- don't be lulled into thinking that plodding along like an old lady will keep you safe- a smart rider always rides faster than the flow of traffic as it's easier to see a 'moving target'- unless you're in stop-and-go traffic, ride with your brights on- know that with a few million scooters on the road, drivers are conditioned to think you're riding fairly slowly (under 80kph) and will assume they have time to make maneuvers that will kill you if you're going 160kph.

Most riders cause their own problems- learn how to minimize this and your chances of survival increase. Spend some money and improve your brakes, and practice braking drills and 'panic stops'- buy HID lighting- take a course or do an track day with instructors if possible. Ride smart.