| Username: | Twisty_dan |
| Full Name: | Daniel M. Johnson |
| E-mail Address: | (Hidden) |
| Last Logged In: | August 29, 2011 |
| Registered: | September 28, 2005 |
| Total Posts: | 26 |
| Status: | RR1000 |
| Home Page URL: | http://dan.johnson@flowmastermufflers.com |
| Birthday (Year) & Occupation: | 12/7/46 Product Specialist/Tech Support |
| City: | Santa Rosa |
| State/Province: | California |
| Country: | U.S.A. |
| Personal Quote: | "I am a motivator of those around me by my ability to relate and communicate". |
| Bike Model (Ex - M2, XB12Rr, S1W, P3): | M2 Cyclone |
| Model Year (Please enter full 4-digit year): | 2001 |
| Color: | Volcano Grey |
| V.I.N. (To aid in problem resolution. Will not be displayed or shared otherwise.) : | (Hidden) |
| Servicing Dealership: | Vallejo H.D. |
| Performance Mods!: | Forcewinder intake/K&N filter Flowmaster prototype muffler |
| Problems/Miles (Please be specific): | Speed sensor wires shorted at unit(3K mi.), blowing main fuse. Separated and taped off the three wires and continued trip w/o speedo. Replaced rear cyl.rocker box gasket(3.5K mi.), and Front at 5.5K. with improved gaskets. Drive belt picked up stone and split off at 6K. Replaced seeping shift shaft with improved seal(6.5. Replaced seeping primary cover gasket with improved gasket(6.5). 4th gear "disappears" returning from Oregon(13K), but make it home with no other symtoms. Found 5 "dogs" sheard off,laying at the bottom of the case. Replaced two gears, with the improved parts. Replaced wobbly shifter detent with improved version, along with fresh springs, for more precise shift action(13K). Brought forks to Vallejo H.D. to replace seeping front fork seals and service. Mechanic says "spacers" missing from internals and installs them. |
| Other Mods/Misc/Customization.: | Eliminate rocker breather filter, and route 3/8" hose to exit between kickstand boss and rubber bumper with black tie wrap, spewing drool away from bike. Install "Cramp Buster" on throttle grip. This item is a great help on the "straights", and actually serves as a cruise control when spun over the outside edge of the grip, sticking the throttle for short periods of relaxing the right hand. In the "twistys" I spin it out of the way to avoid hitting it accidentally. Replaced original spark plugs with Screamin' Eagle Splitfires, and found noticably quicker starting, and crisper running. Found Metzeler Roadtec Z6 tires to be the the best sticking, and longest wearing out of all the Dunlop's and Avons tried previously. This is riding with the "fast boys" at a very brisk pace, grinding the pegs for an average of 150mi. a day on the weekends. I prefer Sport Touring tires with more tread pattern because they seem to find the pavement quicker when hitting the occasional gravel/sand/hillside scudder on blind right turns. That , along with over 5Kmi.for rears, and 6K for fronts, is just fine for me on the back roads. |
| Favorite Rides (Roads and Routes): | 1. The "race track" at Lake Sonoma(Skaggs Creek)is the ultimate test of anyone's abilities. For a little "adventure" riding, I can continue on Skaggs Creek through the the woods to either Tin Barn south to Meyer's Grade, north to Annapolis, or on to Stewarts's Point, all these options end up at the coast. 2. The 29 from Calistoga, over the hill to Middletown,(breakfast at Beulah's), the 175 to Lower Lake, and west to Hopland. Mountain House Rd. out of Hopland to the 128N to Boonville. Choices are the 253 out of Boonville to Ukiah, or continue the 128 to Hwy.1 at the coast. 3. Butts Canyon out of Middletown up to Anguin, or on to Pope Valley, around Lake Berryessa, to Silverado Trail. 4.Laguna Seca every year for the bike races, stopping at Alice's Restaurant on Skyline Dr., and a stay in Big Sur for the fun ride to and from the track, always over the Laureles Grade, for sure! 5. Note: After my "big one" from Officer Bonano in Marin County, and all the city folk up from S.F., I don't ride there any longer. It'so much better from Jenner, going north. |
| Why I do/don't ride a Buell: | The only reasons to own any other bike than an M2 Cyclone are: 1.If you're racing in a pro/amature series class where optimum power/speed/lightness are critical to be competitive, or win. 2.If you enjoy/need the aggressive "race bike" ergos/style of sport bikes on the street. 3.If you don't ride long loops, or travel occasionally, needing endurance without the discomfort from inadequate seats, and bar/peg vibration. 4.If you can afford/deal with repairs/service only done by a dealership/shop, rather than yourself. 5.If you don't mind avoiding any routes that have extremely tight turns/switchbacks/imperfect pavement, or adventure riding. 6.If you're OK with your bike looking/sounding like so many others at every gathering/event you attend. 7.If you don't need great fuel mileage even when pushing hard in the "twistys" all day. 8. If you don't actually enjoy "riding" your bike aggressively, wide open between gears without the front end leaping in the air, stuck in 1st or 2nd gear because the redline is 10,12,14,000rpm., with zip for torque until 5 or 6,000rpm. 9.If you can afford to recover from falls/lowside crashes with huge expenses for bodywork, radiators, and exhaust systems with side mounted mufflers. 10.If you enjoy a refined multi-cylinder sound at idle, as opposed to a bassy rumble, or prefer a high pitched F1 scream as opposed to the animalistic snarl of an american V8. Note:I apologize if any of the preceeding descriptions may appear to be negative, or critical of others choices of bikes. I only know that after a year of test riding all the offerings in '01, I broke into a huge smile when going through the gears for the first time on the Cyclone. I mostly attribute it to being a harley drag racer(60's), chopper rider(70's), road racing cars(80's,90's), and back to bikes('00-present. |
| How can Buell improve their motorcycles?: | The new hollow frame bikes are fantastic, and I love how different they are from anything else. Unfortunately, they're a little too "sporty" for this old man. Got huge front end wobble testing a XB9S after hitting a bump in the road. Scary! The XB12Ss "Long" would be my choice for the M2 replacement. The obnoxious fan noise has got to go! There are quieter fans available out there, for cryin' out loud! |
| Life History/Philosophy: | Born '46 in the Upper Peninsula of MI. First two years of high school at Gov. Livingston Regional H.S. in Murray Hill, NJ. Graduated from Plymouth H.S., Plymouth, MI, in '65. Had several early Ford hot rods, and raced a 12 second '55 Chev drag car at Milan Dragway. Got into bikes just before entering the Air Force in '66, and just after receiving orders for Viet Nam in '68, as a combat air traffic controller(CCT), I stuffed my Harley ex-drag bike into a car at night and ended up never going to the war. After my discharge at Langley AFB, VA, in '70, I traveled around the U.S. and Canada for a year on a Pan Head rigid frame chopper. After a stay in Tucson, I ended up in Honolulu in '71, working at Honda of Hawaii , and began my dirt track racing. Two years later I'm back in the mainland, living in Sepulveda/North Hills. Tore up an ACL in the rt. knee at Indian Dunes, ending an attempt at Speedway racing. Built one last chopper in'74, a '71 Super Glide with a Sonny Razlowski motor, and a year later something snapped in my mind and I gave it all up for family's sake. After open heart surgury in '99 to replace a leaky valve with a lifetime mechanical valve, I began to desire the "ride" again. Looked at every thing out there for over a year, test riding every kind of bike, but felt my appreciation for road racing/handling would be best served with a sport bike. Found I couldn't stand the inline multi's no matter how much performance the had, and leaned towards a twin. Considered the usual SV650S/VTR/Monster/etc. thing and was not thrilled with the uncomfortable seats/ergos and costly parts/service. Never was attracted to the look of the Buell, but one popped up in the local paper and the seller encouraged me to test ride it. First time through the gears I broke into a smile and realized this was exactly what I was looking for! In a very short time, I'm all over the "fast boys" in the tight stuff, and really don't care that they run away from me on a long straight. Also, I've been to Oregon 3 times, San Diego/LA 3times, and go to Laguna Seca every year for the bike races, including this years Moto GP. I just returned from the Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, with a trip through Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks. I came close to overdosing on extreme uphill/downhill switchbacks and twistys! On the ride home I am amazed that my appreciation for this "do it all" bike continues to grow, and can't imagine owning anything else for the best "all around" kinds of riding. The weekend rides with the "fast boys" have become so aggressive lately, I'm considering track days at Sears/Laguna/Thunderhill to stop the weekend madness on our local back roads. What to ride is the problem. Do I stay with the M2 which I'm familiar with, or another choice of bike that's more race style. It would take an extreme amount of self control to take it easier on the weekend rides, and would I even enjoy that much restraint on the M2? I'm considering an '06 Super Glide for the street, and just set up the Buell for track days. I'm sure the answers will come in time, "God help me to make the best choices". |
| Top speed on 2 wheels (mph): | 136mph |
| Preferred engine oil (brand/grade): | H.D. SynTec 3, 20/50wt. |
| What mistakes or crashes have you experienced on your Buell? : | A young kid on a bicycle darts across the entrance of the gas station I'm pulling into. I flinch with two fingers on the front brake, leaned over, with the front wheel bouncing over the Bott's Dots. The flinch on the front brake costs me an ambulance trip to the hospital with a broken collar bone. I now have a matched set from a previous crash years ago. More to come! |
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