Problem here in NJ is that everything is COVERED IN SALT. And it's below freezing. But the salt is a bigger worry. I don't want my motorcycle or myself covered in salt, so currently the motorcycle is in hibernation in the garage.
Spring and Bikes thread
- Thread starter Toadroller
- Start date
Sweet ST3, especially with the red frame! I love Ducati dry clutches, well, listening to them anyways! My old ST4 cramped up my left hand more than once.
I got two days of riding in a row as Nashville temps were around 60 both days of the weekend, whoo! I took out the Multistrada both days and got reacquainted with being on two. I thought about taking out the S1000RR but I'm already rusty from winter and the two bikes require fairly different riding techniques, so I didn't want to confuse my hazy muscle memory.
Of course now it's freezing again /emoticons/default_sad.png
I got two days of riding in a row as Nashville temps were around 60 both days of the weekend, whoo! I took out the Multistrada both days and got reacquainted with being on two. I thought about taking out the S1000RR but I'm already rusty from winter and the two bikes require fairly different riding techniques, so I didn't want to confuse my hazy muscle memory.
Of course now it's freezing again /emoticons/default_sad.png
I've gotten mine dialed in pretty nicely since my "what fork to buy?" thread. Some might remember I picked this basket case up around October for 10% of the HFC-approved price.I took mine out too, but I think I went a lot slower than you did!!
Merlin Cycles (Chorley, GB) had a workable fork for about 2/3 the stateside price and shipped it for free in two days (they even did the transaction in $US so there were no foreign transaction fees on my card!). Got some shifters for Christmas and now all that's left is to ride it!
I've been riding it in the 30-acre hay field next to my house, but last weekend a friend and I went to some real trails at Union University (Jackson, TN). This guy is half my age and grew up racing motocross at pro level - fearless! He was amazing to watch. I was more cautious, but was able to catch up on the climbing sections. That was more fun than I've had on a bike in forever.
The one thing that was less than optimal was I had my road pedals (Speedplay) and shoes on the bike and they don't like mud. A few times I had to grab a tree and knock the debris out of the cleat. I stopped at a local bike shop on the way home and bought some proper mountain bike shoes and pedals - I'm sold! Not ready to hang up my road bike for good, but I certainly thought about it.
I grew up riding Japanese dirt bikes and, later, spent years riding Harley Davidsons, so my riding skills were deeply centered in feathering the clutch and using the friction zone.
I burned out the clutch in my first BMW in one riding season before I learned the "on/off" riding technique required for dry clutch bikes. It still feels awkward at low speed.
That sigh you heard was me after I fired up and went for a ride on the first warm day of the year up here in Maine.
Bikers were out everywhere, grins and thumbs up shared enthusiastically among the brotherhood.
Bikers were out everywhere, grins and thumbs up shared enthusiastically among the brotherhood.
That will be me tomorrow. It's gonna be a bit chillier, but I'm aiming to get some pretty serious miles on the bike Saturday and Sunday. Also want to put on some farkles.
Rode about 170 miles on the Street triple today, all back roads and twistys. Haven't had it out since last year since it doesn't have heated grips or any wind protection. Damn sure ain't as comfortable all day long like the Beemer but tons of fun nonetheless. Good to see that some of you other guys up north are able to get back out and ride again. Luckily, we didn't have more than 4-5 weeks without riding, even though it was rather brisk on more than a few occasions.
Mrs stonge has been prodding me to put the Kawi back together so we can putt around this summer. Might have to do that.
That KZ650 was sweet; I grew up riding Kawi and my mom flogged a KZ440 back in the day. Every once in a while she should take dad's 440 out to blow the carbon out.
That KZ650 was sweet; I grew up riding Kawi and my mom flogged a KZ440 back in the day. Every once in a while she should take dad's 440 out to blow the carbon out.
I'll be in Reno next week with a full day to spare. I've reserved an Indian Scout rental and plan to ride around Lake Tahoe. Looks like the weather will be high 60's and dry.
Certainly cheaper and healthier than some of the alternative diversions available in Reno.
Be interesting to hear your take on that one, seems to be getting really good reviews. Enjoy!!
I inflated my tires, but the roads around here are so crappy that only the mountain bike will go out. I don't want to destroy my rims on these potholes.
As for the motorcycle, that got out monday. Saturday she goes in for the 6 month oil change/etc and then I will be blasting off for a lovely weekend of riding. I also got some new farkles to put on.
As for the motorcycle, that got out monday. Saturday she goes in for the 6 month oil change/etc and then I will be blasting off for a lovely weekend of riding. I also got some new farkles to put on.
Last edited by a moderator:
As I woke up to yet another four inches of snow in Maine this morning, and as I rode my road bike less than one time last summer, and, since I'm pushing *maximum density* of late, I've made the attempt to at least ride my rollers in the basement this week.
Talk about numb nuts.
Anyway, there has to be a better way, and there is. Check this out!
Talk about numb nuts.
Anyway, there has to be a better way, and there is. Check this out!
For those that haven't been out here to the Blue Ridge, you may not know what you're missing. Here's a video the local private school made for their cycling team (As part of the Endurance Program). I got to ride their on-campus trails with the coach and Dean of Students, but the video shows their trails AND the roads around here. Seriously seriously beautiful.
https://vimeo.com/118518878
https://vimeo.com/118518878
I have and ride rollers - I say they are the quickest and most dangerous physics lesson (specifically, inertia) you'll ever have.
Summary analysis: rollers use strong negative reinforcement (namely, crashing) to train the user to turn absolutely even, perfect circles with the pedals. Any deviation from a perfect circle from either foot results in flying off the rollers onto the floor, typically with the bicycle (and rider) in some spacial orientation other than that the rider was in when the error occurred (for example, perpendicular to upright, parallel to the floor).
I considered it a huge accomplishment the day I was able to reach down and grab the water bottle, take a drink and replace the water bottle without stopping.
I've never seen any with the bumpers at the edge. Looks to me like that would just ensure you got maximal air as you went flying off (a fulcrum point, if you will).
ETA: Toadroller, do you have a trainer, too? I bought the rollers first, but the next year I bought a trainer (Kurt Kinetic) because trying to do intervals on the rollers was hazardous to my health. The trainer allows me to get on YouTube and dial up a spin class so it isn't quite so boring in the garage... /emoticons/default_biggrin.png
Last edited by a moderator:
Velo,
I've had trainers in the past, from the rear-triangle only ones to a fork and bottom bracket mount. I could never stand them.
I've had the rollers for over a decade and much prefer the sense of balance and riding on them. I use them maybe 5 times a year, when I want to get jump started on spring. Interestingly, I've only crashed off them once, and that was last year, but then again, I've never achieved the grab-the-water-bottle trick. I'm amazed when you see videos of people going no-hands or out of the saddle. Just amazing.
The bumpers kind of freaked me out, but the front-to-back absorption of his min-wheels on the bottom, giving that front-back motion from standing or accelerating... wow. I've been digging through my basement for my old roller-blades to give this a try. I'm danged curious.
I've had trainers in the past, from the rear-triangle only ones to a fork and bottom bracket mount. I could never stand them.
I've had the rollers for over a decade and much prefer the sense of balance and riding on them. I use them maybe 5 times a year, when I want to get jump started on spring. Interestingly, I've only crashed off them once, and that was last year, but then again, I've never achieved the grab-the-water-bottle trick. I'm amazed when you see videos of people going no-hands or out of the saddle. Just amazing.
The bumpers kind of freaked me out, but the front-to-back absorption of his min-wheels on the bottom, giving that front-back motion from standing or accelerating... wow. I've been digging through my basement for my old roller-blades to give this a try. I'm danged curious.
Rear case is on!!!
Also, make sure you check your radiator, if you have one. Most companies use these crappy little radiator guards, if they put on anything at all:
The stock yamaha plastic radiator guard is on the left. pretty much useless against small rocks, and some had already put a few small dints in the radiator:
Lets see the rocks get in there now!
Also, make sure you check your radiator, if you have one. Most companies use these crappy little radiator guards, if they put on anything at all:
The stock yamaha plastic radiator guard is on the left. pretty much useless against small rocks, and some had already put a few small dints in the radiator:
Lets see the rocks get in there now!