Breaks, Warm Clothing, and In Need of a Suggestion

Breaks, Warm Clothing, and In Need of a Suggestion

by Natasha

Okay so on my motorcycle I have this AWFUL squeal on my front breaks, I can hear it clear as day even with my helmet on. I have taken it to the mechanic and he said that I was not pressing the breaks on hard enough... so because I am a new rider and a young rider I listened to him. Now my breaks sound worse, and they are less effective. I have shown many people and they say it's in my head. I need some help.

Second question I am about to go to college, my motorcycle is my first and only vehicle, and I want to keep it but I am moving to Chicago, so what clothing should I get to keep from dying.

Thanks

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Breaks, Warm Clothing, and In Need of a Suggestion

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Apr 03, 2009

Brake Squeal
by: Anonymous

Find a good mechanic or cyclist who knows his or her stuff. Ask them to put rubber pads BEHIND your disc pads. There are also products that squirt on the BACK of your pads and decrease the harmonics that cause the squeal. The rubber pads and gel products are available in the brake section of some motorcycle catalogs. I think the thin rubber pads are about $2.50. Also be aware that some OEM brakes are known for squeaking, and changing to another (good quality) brand may solve your problem. Hope this helps.

Jan 10, 2009

Brake Pads
by: Jenny

Ok, I'm sure they already checked your brake pads I replaced my brake pads even though they were still in great shape, and not long after they were back to loud squealing. I took my bike to the mechanic, and he told me that the newer brake pads have a higher metal content so that they work better on wet conditions but also make a squealing noise. Perhaps you could ask the mechanic if that's the issue? However, here's my issue - any mechanic who poo-poos you should not be seen. I have to ride 45 minutes to get to the mechanic who doesn't disregard me. The local shop (maybe five miles from my house) has an owner who disregards me and ignores me (he talks to my partner, but I have gone in and spent an hour asking for help and been ignored). I won't go there. Find a mechanic, no matter how far you have to go, who will take you seriously. It's worth it!

I live in way up state NY. Once it's too cold, I have to winterize (it's warm today, 20 degrees F) and go back to using the car. However, I ride as long as I can. I don't have heated gear (I dream of it, though!). However, I have flannel lined jeans, silk long johns, and strong desire to own a pair of chaps just for wind! Yes, I know, I don't have the right safety gear pants. That's on this winter's purchase thing - I've been riding for years in jeans and started doing more research, the better safety gear is worth it. That being said, I wear a leather jacket in winter (a textile jacket with pads in summer). I have thick wool gaters (scarves will do if you don't have a gater), I wear silk long johns with a turtle neck on top, a wool sweater on that, and then the quilted leather jacket. I paid a ton of money for good quality, thinsulate gauntlet winter gloves. At some point I will get heated grips. I always wear a full face helmet. I wear good, warm, wool socks with a good pair of motorcycle boots, too. Oh! I almost forgot - I knit a pair of wool fingerless mitts that I wear underneath my gloves so that my lower arms have yet another layer. Seriously, that makes a HUGE difference for me!

Nov 29, 2008

Brakes Squealing
by: Anonymous

This is not in your head. Only you know your own motorcycle well enough to know when something is wrong. Take it back to the mechanic and insist they find what it is. Second in cold weather use good socks and boots, chaps, leather jacket, gloves and many layers of clothes. If you are miserable you will not ride well.

Nov 28, 2008

Be Warm
by: Lauren

You may have brake dust clogging up the pads and taking up the millimeter of space needed to keep them off the pads when in motion. They can be cleaned with sandpaper.

Lot of ppl really like heated clothing, and those same ppl say, dont even think of riding if there's snow or ice. You can go down at 4 mph, not be able to stop, or cars not be able to avoid you.

I ride (in a non-snow, high humidity climate) with 4 or 5 layers, outer layer wind-coat, windshield, hand shield, and bar chaps and its still cold. The one thing i cant go without is a tight ribbed knit turtle neck. Keeps any air that manages to get in from contacting skin, and warm air layer right on the skin. Keep wrists tight. seal the seams on your coat.

Hope you live near a bus line. Be safe!

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