Blowin Snow 

Every winter, around the same time it seems, I start thinking more seriously about motorcycling; not just my motorcycle - parked next to the much needed snow blower - but motorcycling in general. This includes, and is not limited to, reviews, forums - managing the many ride reports in the warmer parts of the world, and dreaming and scheming of equipment I have convinced myself that I must have. And it all happens after the Christmas season. Maybe I sense winter has turned the corner. Maybe I think it’s time to start planning a trip, or it might be my passion for motorcycling has completed its hibernation cycle and now needs to forage. Bring out the credit card!

 In previous winters I have ordered tires, gloves, bike parts, and tools for my current bike and at times for those relics that I don’t ride but tinker endlessly with throughout the year. Yes I built a cafe bike out of my 1976 KZ650, the bike from my youth that kept me riding to wherever and whenever.

 Well, last week package number two arrived. I am still waiting for package number three. I chose very carefully, reviewing these offerings to my current bike, a 2016 Yamaha FJ-09 that I purchased in the early spring of 2017 (or as we call it in Alberta – winter), and after said careful deliberation and countless hours on the interwebs, placed my orders.

  Package number one, already mounted on the FJ, is the smaller of the three Puig Clip-On Visor for my windscreen. It’s not completely necessary but I want to alleviate a bit of wind noise and buffeting. I’m looking forward to the results. As I said, I have read the reviews and all signs point to a positive outcome. First appearances are favorable with the visor and the mounting equipment seems adequate, however, I’ve read to not adjust this visor while on the move as it could come dislodged. Sound info indeed.

  The passion has been reignited! Let’s continue...

 Package number two is from a user on Ebay by the name of “moto-decal”. I was looking for adjustable brake and clutch levers, or as they are sometimes called, “folding stretch levers”, that have a 6 point adjustment. I’m not crazy about the stock Yamaha levers as I feel they are slightly beyond reach, even with my reasonably sized man-hands. Add to that the Puig levers I viewed on the Fortnine website had the similar “blurple” colouring as my FJ-09 rims. I’m not afraid of colour coordinating. But unfortunately they are out of stock (and I did not receive an email back from fortnine about when they may be in stock again). I’m now relieved I didn’t spend the hefty price Puig commands for their levers. Moto-decal’s levers looked just as good and similar in construction: CNC’d from T6061-T6 billet Aluminum and are sold as a package of both clutch and brake levers with mounting brackets, which Puig requires the brackets be bought separately. I was hesitant at first as the low price (and made in China moniker) may reflect the quality. It doesn’t take many clicks to find reviews of made in China levers and I was happy to find the majority of them favorable. I’ll admit I was unsure but when they arrived was pleasantly surprised by both the solid feel and the fit and finish which I would hazard to give 8 out of 10. I’ll see if that stands after the levers are installed.

 Package three is yet to arrive which is a FJ-09 specific Fender Eliminator or “Tail Tidy”, this time from Ebay seller “railsideperformance”.  I was pleased to see the seller is in Canada offering free standard shipping. I recently received an email from a contact at Railside stating a delay but its winter, I’m not in a rush – gotta love immediate customer service with a personal touch, as Shawn at Railside mentioned the weather in Toronto was no better than out here.

 It’s snowing and has been snowing for what seems like the entire winter season. The road is caked with a hard ice and snow covering, not likely to melt to slush any time soon. But I’ll be happy to spend a bit of time in the garage checking out and installing these new additions to my bike, and in turn, keeping the motorcycling feeling alive.