The Great Tire Debate

Having worked the Service Counter on more than one occasion over the last 25 years, I always seem to be giving the same explanation on why Chicago Sports & Cycle doesn’t repair flat tires. Many riders believe that it is “OK” to not only repair their flat, but to consider that repair as permanent. I am of the “other” philosophy. In quoting an article from Cycle World, “repairing punctured tubeless tires poses too many unknowns to allow a comfortable margin of safety.”

When a tire suffers damage, even cleanly from a nail hole, neither the rider or repairer can be absolutely certain that there is no underlying damage to the carcass or belts. Nor can the rider or repairer be absolutely certain that the repair, whether it be plugging or sealing with liquid or foam sealant is going to hold up to the demands of high speed riding, cornering and braking. In fact, in the cases of plugging (the most common repair done in a repair facility), the repairer, in most instances, must first enlarge the hole which can tear or rip more of the carcass fabric.

So, still not convinced? Let’s look at a repair kit. When you read the instructions on the repair kit, they will state that they “usually” do a very good job at sealing the puncture, but is “usually” good enough? When you only have 2 tires and “usually” doesn’t work in your case, are you physically, mentally, and financially prepared for the “other” result.

The package also strongly recommends that you only ride at a moderate or safe speed until you have the tire replaced. So who determines what a moderate or safe speed is? And since we know that there are a lot of other factors including the individual model as well as tire design and compound, wouldn’t moderate vary from bike to bike.

Lastly, if Chicago Sports & Cycle has such a strong opinion on repairing tires, why do they sell all of those tire repair kits? Well, it’s because we know that you can get a flat at any time which can put a big damper on your party if you were riding through the desert at the time. Motorcyclist’s always seem to find the best, but most desolate roads to ride, so a flat tire at the wrong location can strand you for hours or even days. Therefore, repair kits DO have a place in our world. They serve a much needed purpose for those traveling those roads less traveled. In an emergency, these kits get you safely off of the road and to the nearest tire store. But as for them being a permanent repair, you have to decide if “usually” or “fairly good” are good enough. Are you surrounded by enough good Karma, or do you just feel lucky today?

US Motorcycle Legislature Updates

As part of our continued attention to the sport of motorcycling, CSC will be providing an update to the changes in laws affecting motorcycling from across the country. This doesn't mean that you should not be aware of all of the laws affecting your travel through the various states across the country, nor will we be providing all the laws that affect you. Please remember that ignorance of the law is not a defense. But we will try to increase your awareness with the ones we find.

US: The "Red Flag Rules" have once again been delayed for motorcycle dealerships. It has been extended to November 1, 2009. For more information go to www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule. As a note, Chicago Sports & Cycle has already implement Red Flags Rule and was in compliance at the first deadline of November 2008. For information, please ask Kathi or Kevin.

Missouri: HB253 specifically permits the use of compliant motorcycle headlamp modulators. These devices vary the intensity of motorcycle headlamps from their maximum intensity to a lesser intensity under certain conditions. Although already authorized by federal regulations, motorcyclists throughout the country continue to receive warnings and citations for their use. The bill was signed into law in Missouri July 7, 2009.

Missouri: HB683 and SB368 created an affirmative defense for motorcyclists and bicyclists stuck at an intersection controlled by a traffic-actuated signal that fails to recognize their vehicle. After coming to a complete stop, motorcycle and bicycle operators may proceed with extreme caution after waiting for an unreasonable amount of time and after having determined that the vehicle detection device failed to recognize them. The Governor of Missouri singed HB683 into law July 1st 2009 and SB368 into law on July 9th 2009.

US: Texting. This issues is gaining national attention following the puclication of a New York Times article alleging that the Nat Hwy Traffic Safety Admin withheld distracted-driver data to avoid angering Congress. With that data public, Sec of Transportation, Ray LaHood, then announced an upcoming summit on distracted driving to be held in September 2009. Details have yet to be released, but information can be found on the event's webpage at http://www.rita.dot.gov/distracted_driving_summit/. Also, a new study conducted by VA Tech Trans Inst reports that when long haul truck drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting. Now four US Senators are pushing for legislation to ban texting while driving anywhere in the country (see http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/29/texting.ban/index.html).

Richard "Gramps" Hansen 1931 - 2009

Last night, around 7pm, I lost one of my dearest friends and my surrogate father. Gramps, as most of us called him, was an icon in the motorcycle industry. I can remember, riding along interstate 70 in Missouri and pulling into a rest area, only to find Gramps there, sitting on a picnic table dicussing motorcycles with the other riders who had stopped for a break. He lived for riding and his motorcycle was his most prized possession. A lover of jelly donuts and milk shakes, Gramps could also tell you where you needed to be to get a gunderburger, or the biggest pork sandwhich, or that the Tool Shed was a restaurant and not someplace to park your lawn mower. His "little bit farther" on a map equated to 150+ miles.

I can hear him telling me, "don't mourn my death, celebrate my life becasue I had a good, long one". And he did. His lovely wife Marilyn and his children, Rick, Renee, and Ron were his greatest accomplishments according to him and my heart goes out to them as well.

I am going to miss Gramps greatly and I am still adjusting to a life knowing that he is no longer in it, but I can hear him saying, "don't waste your time worrying about me gal, you should be out riding! Trust me, it will make you feel better".

2009 2nd. Annual Shawnee Ride.......

Hello Everyone, I hope your riding season is going well. Just a reminder that our second annual Shawnee ride is coming up on September 12th thru the 14th. Reservations "MUST" be made by August 21st. Cabins ae very limited and this ride fills up fast. Please call Kevin Watson or Kathi Wolfe to get your spot reserved. This is a beautiful ride that rolls thru some of the nicest backroads of southern Illinois. If you missed last year, this is your chance to make it up! Hope to see you there!!!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away.....

Come again some other day.......

Once again, we have weather with temperatures well below normal and rain, rain, rain. Does that keep us from riding.... Heck No!! As witnessed by our Service Dept every day, a majority of our riders are enthusiasts and weather does not stop them. And like Mother Nature, we are a force to be reckoned with....

So how do they ride without being bothered by the weather? Here are a few tips to assist those less apt to ride in the rain.

Tires - Those two pieces of rubber are what provides the traction to the road and keeps you from sliding all over the place. If you are a multi-weather rider, you need tires that have adequate water deflection from the center of the tire. Also, please make sure your tire inflation in correct also. We hear alot of people who over-inflate or under-inflate their tires based on someone elses recommendations for tire longevity. Changing the inflation on your tires may allow for longer tread life, but it also may change the amount of tire making contact with the road, and your traction. While maybe not noticeable on dry, hot pavement.... that may be different when the pavement is cold and wet. Please also only purchase tires with treads/compounds that match! A mixture of compounds and treads is a recipe for disaster in the elements. See Josh, Frank, Gage or Mike in our Parts Dept for any questions you may have about your tires. Also, please remember that CSC discounts the installation when you purchase your tires from them. So the combination of loyalty points and discounted labor makes purchasing your tires from us very cost effective.

Brakes - Brake calipers need to be bled on any motorcycle at least once every two years. Unlike cars, the master cylinder/slave cylinders cannot be put in a location away from heat. This causes the brake fluid to "gel" causing braking problems. To ensure that your bike is ready for inclement weather you should have your brake pads checked with each oil change or twice a year and your brake lines bled every other year. Chicago Sports & Cycle offers a FREE Safety Check. Call Kevin Teague or Joe B and schedule one for your bike.

Gear - Frogg Togs - The best rain gear out there. It is lightweight, folds into a compact ball, breathes so you don't overheat and is water resistant. You can't beat them. Last year, at the Chicago Sports & Cycle Shawnee National Forest weekend ride, when the weather looked like it might turn, we all pulled over and all you saw was Frogg Togs coming out of the luggage. They are made specifically for motorcyclists with more room in the crotch so they don't pull while you are sitting, longer legs so they don't ride up and get your ankle wet, and longer arms to provide a shield even when your arms are stretched out holding the handlebars.

So don't be afraid of the weather. Even if you are a "fair weather" rider, at some point you are going to get caught in the rain. And when that happens, it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

The CSC Stimulus Plan - Ride away your Stress

Today marks the start of the Suzuki Double Header at Road America as well as the Ride for Life in Manteno. For those of you at Road America, I only have two words for you, "Race Gas!" You know exactly what I am talking about. For the rest of you.... Riding season is here! For those die hard riders who ride 10 months of the year, they are going to tell you that riding season started as soon as the weather hit 45 degrees. But for the average rider, the weather is just beginning to announce Spring....

This year has been a little different from the norm. We have the news pounding out to us all the doom and gloom they can muster. We are not saying to ignore the world around us or to go against your instincts on how to handle today's economy, but instead to take each day as it comes, make a difference when you can, and treat others as you would like to be treated. In order to be able to do that in today's world, stress relief is the key. For the motorcyclist, that equates to riding.

There is nothing better than a nice ride to take the edge off of the day. Feeling the wind as you gracefully cut through it. Smelling the corn erupting in the fields, the flora and fauna as you pass the many parks, and the feeling of complete abandonment as it becomes just you and the open road. Many of us can only compare the feeling to flying. It's a way to rejuvenate from the trials and tribulations of life.

But riding is also a lifestyle. It's filled with riding groups like the Shadow Riders (http://www.shadowridersinc.com/) who ride constantly together, have monthly meetings filled with laughter, food and drink (occasionally grog...lol) and they even have their Wii parties together. They share the good times and the bad, and one thing that is the biggest plus... you will never be alone, unless you want it that way.

In celebration of the unofficial beginning of riding season, and the beginning of this blog, Chicago Sports & Cycle is offering a FREE $10.00 CSC Gift Card or a coupon for 10% off a new motorcycle, ATV, scooter, or PWC. All you have to do, is sign up as a follower/member of this blog by July 31, 2009 and we will email you your coupon/gift card.

We are excited about Spring! We are excited about Road America! We are excited about riding. So Start Those Engines Everyone..... Lets Ride!!!

CSC is going green.... digitally!

Hello everyone. Welcome to the new CSC Blogger. This is Chicago Sports & Cycle's way of imparting all of our recent events, rides, rider information, etc without cluttering your mailboxes and landfills. CSC is committed to finding new and innovative ways to keep in touch with our riders and customers with minimal carbon footprints.

I am Kathi Wolfe, the General Manager of Chicago Sports & Cycle. I am excited about CSC's continual efforts toward customer satisfaction, sharing of information, reducing our carbon footprint, and most of all riding. Look here for future blogs about upcoming rides, events, education information, and any other item we feel is newsworthy. If you have a note, an article, or anything else to share, please feel free to leave your comments.

Again, welcome to the CSC Blogger and keep checking for new posts. This is going to be a great year in motorcycling and you don't want to miss a second of it!