Esteemed forum members,

I've been absent from this form for quite some time, but I feel it is time to reach out and ask for some advice.

Due to work, I've relocated from Rochester, NY to Seattle, WA. I'm still getting settled, but plan on using my S40 to do battle with traffic here. I know there are several members that live in the Seattle area and I'm hoping to get some friendly advice on a few topics.

• Dealing with the traffic
• Dealing with the weather
• Any tuning recommendations
• Any shopping recommendations
• Any fun/interesting routes

I appreciate any advice from those that are familiar with the area.

Thanks.

-D. Dwarf

Born, raised and long time rider out there (Puyallup, not Seattle).

You want the bike to be visible. Upgrade your lights to the brightest bulbs you can find.

Dunlop D404 or other name brand equivalent tires. Kenda will work out there, just. You want a good water channeling tread. Dual sport tires work really well out there, lot's of beat up roads, chip seal, tar snakes, gravel, sand and other junk on the roads.

Best gear prices are at Bent Bike. Good source for your oil filters (dealerships buy from them) and air filters. Don't buy oil there, way overpriced. Okay selection of tubes and tires, great selection of windshields (pretty much mandatory in western Washington), mufflers, lights, bike luggage, etc. I prefer the store in Auburn, only 8K sq ft but... Lynnwood is 3x bigger but has a 10x worse attitude. DO NOT do any business with Hinshaw's Honda (and Suzuki, Victory, can't remember what else), orders take forever to arrive, they forget to call you and get mad when you come in to check your order status.

Good rides? 101 loop around the Olympic Peninsula, stop and meet up with KimChris1 and her husband, they live over there. Cascade Loop, just don't waste time stopping in Leavenworth, and watch out for cows, much of the route is open range. Seaside Oregon has a couple good car/bike events. Old Snohomish MC Days is worth the trip. Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens are over rated. Alki area of west Seattle has okay bike events, but the roads are junk. Yella Beak Saloon (Enumclaw) has okay bike nights, or used to, they might have stopped them last year.

Pick up the free monthly bike mag at any local bike shop, religiously. All kinds of events listed for the entire Pacific NW.

Keep an eye open for a burgundy 1500 Drifter sporting a real 1950s red/clear windshield and about 5 bags. If you run into him, get to know him. Name is Doug, he rides out there year round, in the 6 years we've been friends I've seen him drive a car exactly once.

Good luck.

Replace your horn with a foghorn off a tugboat..

Thank you for the responses so far.

I'm a little fuzzy on where things are. So far the only places I know are Capital Hill (where I live) and the two Microsoft campuses (opposite ends of Bellevue) where I work.

I need to buy something for my legs in the rain and new gloves. I'm hoping to get riding this week, but I still have too many boxes to unpack.

-D. Dwarf

Edit: Seattle Cycle Center seems to get good reviews.

I need to do an oil change soon, I didn't see Rotella listed on Walmart's website for the Renton location. Any local sources recommended?

-D. Dwarf

Check out the Seattle Times archives on motorcycle parking issues. Coming from the dry East side I find the traffic there ugly but I have family who do just fine. One lived in Orange Co, CA so it is like home to her. Seems like you have to commute over one of the floating bridges, I see from the paper there are some issues with the planned toll on the 520 one. Haven't used the I-90 one in years so don't know if there is a toll on it now. Take care and welcome to WA State. Max

WalMart doesn't list chemicals and such, but they'll most likely have it. Hope you enjoy the change.

Welcome to the PNW man. The suzuki owners club has a lot or riders in your area usually a ride every weekend.