r/Eugene • u/transgreaser • Feb 20 '24
Eugene motorcyclists? Meetup
Hello! I’m new to Eugene and I’ve been riding a loooonnng time and am constantly learning; I am mostly self-taught and have mostly only ridden alone. Looking to see if anyone is looking to ride and practice, twisties to slow riding, all a plus.
Know the best parking lots to practice u-turns, figure 8’s, etc? Want to gather to discuss local rides? Practice skills? Motorcycle maintenance skills & tips? Best repair shops?
I’d appreciate your advice and hope to connect.
My current ride is a 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400EX ABS.
Rubber-side down! 🏍️ 🤙
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u/Ichthius Feb 20 '24
I was stuck at a red light behind a motor cycle yesterday for three light cycles. Look for the black diamonds of tarred concrete cuts at intersections. be over one so the lights know you're there...
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u/transgreaser Feb 20 '24
Thank you! They are circles in California. I appreciate the heads-up!
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u/Ichthius Feb 20 '24
Same concept, we may have round too but most seem to be straight cuts. I gave the guy lots of space then finally crept up on to the sensor so we could get through the intersection.
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u/transgreaser Feb 20 '24
Gotcha. If it doesn’t go the first round, space allowing, I try to move up so the car behind me can check that box. Straight cut, though. Never would have thought.
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u/LeftCoastBrain May 07 '24
Sadly a lot of motorcycle riders don’t know where to stop to get the light to trigger. Most also don’t know that if they sit through two light cycles without it changing they can go through the red when it’s safe.
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u/Embarrassed_Car_8827 Feb 20 '24
We can’t lane split here. Cars will do their damndest to cut you off if you try.
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u/Adorable-Author-353 Feb 23 '24
Blame Kate Brown personally for that one. She vetoed a bipartisan bill that was backed by safety research.
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Feb 21 '24
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u/Embarrassed_Car_8827 Feb 21 '24
Nope. SB 422 was passed by the Senate last year and sat in House committee until adjournment. Nothing passed, nothing signed. We’ve been doing this for years watching it die in committee or being vetoed when it makes it to the Governors desk.
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u/tangentandhyperbole Feb 20 '24
I have a 2014 KLX250 and 2013 CB500X, both currently not in running states would love to ride sometime this spring!
South of town between Eugene and Creswell has lots of fun roads. I usually take 99 south to creswell, hang a right and ride out past the wineries to Lorane Hwy, then back up on the west side of town for a bit of stop/go wind down on the way back home. Takes about an hour, is relatively light traffic, and lots of curvy bits interspersed with straights.
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u/transgreaser Feb 20 '24
Thank you! I will check it out for sure! Keep in touch! Hope they get running soon. Spring is almost here! :) 🤙
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u/tangentandhyperbole Feb 20 '24
Yeah, just need a battery for the 500, and I need to dig into the carb on the KLX. I thought I was clever replacing the air mixture screw with a thumb screw but messed up the order of the washer stack so the air mixture screw currently does nothing haha, and the rubber seal got stuck.
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u/bjazzmaps Feb 21 '24
For anyone that wants to ride “twisties”, I like to recommend this website called Road Curvature that analyzes the map and highlights roads that are more curvy than not. Check it out.
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u/Taricha_torosa Feb 21 '24
My baby is sitting until I get her stator replaced 😭
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Brutal! What is your baby?
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u/Taricha_torosa Feb 21 '24
'95 yamaha virago x250
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Btw, are you able to do the work yourself? They cost as little as $60 on eBay. But I get that’s risky. There are good sellers there though. Sending you good fortune!
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u/Taricha_torosa Feb 21 '24
I have it literally in a box and I have all the tools, i just need to get off my ass. My schooling is taking up most of my time
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u/Busy_Ad3571 Feb 21 '24
I am in the market for a motorcycle and want to learn to ride myself.
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Nice! It’s truly the best. I highly recommend! Have you taken a safety course? Not only do you get to drop someone else’s bike while you learn, but you usually get 10% off your insurance too. And you don’t have to take the driving test at the dmv. It’s a real win win win. Then you can begin shopping!
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u/Busy_Ad3571 Feb 21 '24
I haven’t yet. My plan was to wait for winter to be over to maximize my chances of decent weather for the course.
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u/GarmBlack Feb 21 '24 edited Feb 21 '24
I wish I could get back into riding but much like cars, bikes are soooooo spendy these days. Need to find an old 80s CM someone wants to toss or something..
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Feb 21 '24
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u/GarmBlack Feb 21 '24
Crazy, I must be looking in the wrong places. Up to a few grand I feel like I only see trash heaps and mini bikes.
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u/OregonMike Feb 21 '24
Welcome to Eugene! I sold all my bikes years ago but did a lot of exploring when I used my v65 magna as my daily driver. Take a look at Lorane hwy out towards King Estate. Hamm road to Creswell is super fun!
Anything headed towards the coast via back roads. River Rd. to Lancaster via Hentze farm. Out to Waldport via Alpine & Alsea falls. Lobster Valley. All great exploring roads!
Advrider used to have a weekly meet-up at Quackers. There were a regular group of dirt/gravel riders and most of us had street bikes too (I had a dr650 for a while too). Check out the local section of advrider here: https://advrider.com/f/forums/pacific-northwet-where-its-green-and-wet.48/
I imagine they still do a weekly meet & they also do organized group rides via that forum.
Have fun!
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Have you ever heard of Wet Leather, a riding group in the pacific north wet? My friend and I rode with them a few times back in Washington State in the late 90s. Fun people!
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u/OregonMike Feb 21 '24
Does not ring a bell. Have had plenty of wet leather gear riding year-round here in Oregon :D
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u/HikeClimbRideFly Feb 21 '24
I have a Versys 650 and love it. Many roads south of town (some already mentioned) are low traffic, scenic, curvy, and just generally great for riding at any skill level. Fox Hollow, McBeth, Lorane Hwy, Territorial Hwy, Siuslaw Road, Wolf Creek Road, and many more.
Watch out for the deer! I hit one last summer on Fox Hollow, south of Spencer Butte. I was uninjured, but the bike had some pretty good damage. I am always very aware that a deer could pop out from anywhere, and I ride conservatively in areas I know to be deer favorites, but they still got me. Side note: ABS is a wonderful thing. Also, ATGATT is real for me, and I hope it is for you, too.
Lastly, I've had bad experiences at Trak Powersports, our only authorized Kawi dealer/shop. Their shop has done some terrible work, and damaged my bike. Beware.
Ride safe, have fun!
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Thanks for all the info! Good to know about the deer! 🦌 Glad you are okay! Also good to know about the Kawasaki dealer. Ouch. ABS rocks and hell yes to ATGATT, but I’ve never had a full riding suit or armored pants. I have upper body armor, always a full face helmet, and gloves with Kevlar knuckles. I would blanche watching people riding in flip flops and shorts in California. 🙆♂️ I need better rain gear for Oregon though. Recommends? Rubber-side down! 🤙 Thanks again!
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u/HikeClimbRideFly Feb 21 '24
Thanks! Yeah, I'm a good-riding-jacket, Kevlar-reinforced jeans, boots, gloves, & full helmet guy. I would feel pretty silly in a riding suit. But I'd love to ride the track up in Portland someday just for funsies, and I think you need a full suit for that.
I generally don't ride in the rain, but lots of locals do. No judgement, it's just not for me.
I also just thought of this related thing; a winter/spring warning: Eugene (and Springfield and the County) sand the roads when things get snowy or icy. Eugene has a system where they track everywhere the sanders went and then send sweepers out after the melt to clean up all the sand that was spread, but I don't think Lane County or Springfield do that, so watch out for sandy patches! It generally takes a few good spring rainstorms to wash that stuff away and make things safe for us in the curves and corners.
Ride on, my friend!
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Oh I’d love to try a track too. Never been. Thank you for the heads up about the snow, ice, and sand! What a challenging mess. Right before I left California we had a huge rain that moved so much gravel and mud into the streets, it was a total nightmare to get around. I think we are in new territory weather wise with climate change. Never a dull, always an adventure. 😂 You too, friend! You too!
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Do you use one of these or have any feedback on them? My clothes tend to be on the dark side so thinking it would be prudent for here. BrakeFree Tech
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u/Tired_Thumb Feb 21 '24
I have a aural with a sidecar for my dog. I’m down to ride. It’s not fast but it’s fun.
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
How cool!! 🤩 Would love to see your bike and your dog. Dm me if you’d like to meetup. 🤙
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Feb 21 '24
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Thank you! Maybe will drop-in to cycle gear. I’m actually pretty shy so… 😂 Have a great day! It’s a wet one. I better get used to it. It’s so darn gorgeous here, I’m sure I will have no problem. My dogs on the other hand….rough rough.
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u/_-Rando_Calrissian-_ Feb 21 '24
I don't like riding in the rain, but when we get some nicer weather here soon I would be up for a ride. I have a rebel 1100 waiting for the sun.
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
Sounds good! Maybe we can all coordinate here? Or does anyone want to make a subreddit Eugene_motorcycles? Or something? I guess I could. Ride on Rebel!
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u/transgreaser Feb 21 '24
So, man this is tempting. Saw this on Craigslist last night. Wise mind tells me not for me to buy at this time. So thought I’d share it here. It actually costs $500, not $50 like the listing title says. Haven’t verified but it’s not been there a full day yet and is listed under parts instead of motorcycles. 1972 Honda SL-125cc <3000k mi. They have one in the National Museum! :)
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u/Eugenonymous Feb 20 '24
Top quality training lot out at LCC on the weekends.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zo9sPD8ycUEr8Ep19?g_st=ic
Rubber side down! ✌🏼