Spring and Bikes thread

[Toadroller]

It's spring after a long winter for most of the country.

In Maine where I live, despite the fields still covered in snow, our local golf driving range opened today in what we call wahhhhm, 45 degrees and sunny.

But the V-Strom is still in the garage; I couldn't get it up the ice on the driveway or ride it on the sand-covered roads if I wanted to.

So help a fella out and post a pic and tell a story of your ride this spring!

[velorush]

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!

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...

[Toadroller]

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.

[tbonesullivan]

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!

[Toadroller]

That an FJR? It's beautiful.

We're expecting near 60 in Maine tomorrow. I hope to go for a ride then do an oil change.

Oh, and tie-rod ends on the A4 when the eldest Toadroller gets back from his adventure to Massachusetts. An alignment, and then it'll pass inspection.

[tbonesullivan]

I got out a bunch on the FJR today. such a different ride from my nighthawk. Still getting used to it, how it tracks in corners, how the throttle reacts, etc.

Snapped some pictures, so I can prove I'm an ACTUAL PERSON. IN FULL GEAR of course. I don't ride unless I'm fully equipped. I'm also pale as a sheet and don't tan so it's either gear up or slather on sunscreen.

And about to ride into the curb

[Toadroller]

That's a beauty T-bone.

I got out for a short ride today, then the annual oil change. Also a short grocery run.

Lots going on today, what with warm weather, tie rods on the car, driving range, cleaning the deck, and Monsieur Jordan Spieth at The Masters.

Sometimes, Sundays are glorious.

[jettster]

got ticketed for reckless driving today on my Multistrada (they weren't able to clock a speed); I was having a bit too much fun I guess. Need to regain throttle discipline and not abuse the power...

Bummer, hate to hear that, hope everything works out alright. It's close to impossible to ride some of these bikes without going outside the "recommended limits". Kind of like having a Ferrari and driving 55, really hard to do.

[jettster]

tbonesullivan - Nice FJR!! Had one of those catch me off guard, dressed out like that (full bags) 2-up. I was on my Triumph, didn't think he was going to try anything, ended up going into neutral instead of downshifting into second, duh, couldn't quite catch him before we backed off. Been keeping an extra eye out for him every time I'm on the K bike.

[tbonesullivan]

Bummer, hate to hear that, hope everything works out alright. It's close to impossible to ride some of these bikes without going outside the "recommended limits". Kind of like having a Ferrari and driving 55, really hard to do.

I think the FJR is the most aggressive bike I would want to own. And while it can go fast, it isn't anything compared to the super muscle cruisers like the V-max or any of the sport bikes. I got it mainly to have the power to move on the highways and get the hell out of the way if needed.

[KofSeattle]

Didn't really get a winter this year. Looking forward to summer though! These are my scooters....

[tobereeno]

my new scooter arrived today. The Multistrada stays, but the BMW S1000RR is now on the market.

[Toadroller]

Just gorgeous. Enjoy that Italian bad boy!

[JES1680]

^ Sweet. It's been a while since I've had a Duc, but I still remember my Monster 900 fondly. One of my all time favorite bikes. The one you got looks too fast for my advancing age and would not help my back issues. Enjoy!

[JES1680]

Had to resurrect the thread. Liked my Low Rider, but missed the softail experience. Picked up my 2015 Softail Slim today. Very old school and always loved the 40' bobber look. Already started ordering parts, but plan to get at least 500 miles on this weekend. Glad HD's hold their value. I got almost as much as I payed for my FXDL on trade 1 year later.

P.S. Just realized that I have posted 4 bikes in the spring bikes thread. I may have a problem......

[crunchee]

I don't ride, but I do keep an eye out for the weather...just a reminder that Fall by the calendar is only a month away, so it'll soon be time to start looking for humidifiers for guitars (if they're not out and prepped/in use already), and get in your ride time while you can:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2015/08/19/old-farmers-almanac-winter-weather-prediction/31997189/

Of course, depending on your geographical location, YMMV...literally.

[tbonesullivan]

put 300 miles on the FJR today. I've not been riding as much as I should, though the brutal July heat is partly to blame for that. I hope to get out for a bit tomorrow as well.

We did a nice loop through New Jersey and part of upstate New York, and stopped by an old farm in Bethel where some concert happened 45 years ago back in August 1969.

[gorch]

We are just back from a 10 day bicycling tour for summer holidays. Drove the Oder/Neisse trail this year. Following the German-Polish border from south to north. Very much historic and great landscape. Met fantastic people on tour. We never count numbers, but I think we made some 70 km on daily average.

In Szczecin we went to see the Jakobi church. The organ and acoustic was impressive! It had been played to open a service when we just entered. The sound was so massive and organic. I had never heard any original instrument like this in my whole life. It has horns built in there and reminded me on the Avantgarde Acoustics demo we had at the HFC-EU meeting last year. The Trio system were sounding quite similar.

[sixlicks]

[tbonesullivan]

NICE BEEMER! How is the K1600GTL? I've seen a bunch of them riding around, though many of my Beemer riding friends liked the K1200 better, as it was "sportier".

I rode on Saturday with an R1200T, a K1200T, and an older R1150RT. Great bikes, just hard to find a dealer sometimes.

[sixlicks]

Thanks . For the type of riding I do the K1600gtl I think is a great bike . I love the power . This is a picture of my old bike . As you can see I like B M W`s

[Toadroller]

Maine was blessed with calm mid-fifties temps today. After doing some more work in my attic and changing the oil on Mrs. Toadroller's S4, I hopped on the V-Strom for one last joyride before winter sets in.

I can highly recommend fleece-lined jeans and hand warmers.

Just perfect.

I took some long, winding roads through familiar areas but noticed a few new things through the tree-barren leaves this time of year gives us. A shed here and a lane into a pond there and a view or two as the sun went down. I came home refreshed after some full throttle runs and hard braking. One final set of engine-braking downshifts and into the garage at last. Tomorrow I'll swap her parking space with the snow blower and pull the battery from the lawnmower in the shed and set up my battery tenders.

Winter has to come; I know. But early darkness and snow and the cold of the coming months make me wonder where the sun went and why it left so quickly.

[jettster]

Got out for the first time today since I wiped out on the K bike last month. Slid about 30-40 feet across the pavement into a 3 foot ditch. (Messed up my shoulder a bit) Thanks to the good gear, the bike took the worst of it, $5k+ in damage. Guys don't skimp on the gear!! The Street Triple was plenty of fun even though I missed the power of the K bike trying to keep up with my brother's S1000rr. it was upper 60's here today, we will probably ride again tomorrow.

[gwayne]

Spent black Friday on the HD. Perfect weather - clear blue skies and a high of 70. Rode over to my favorite Mennonite restaurant for meat and three (and killer red velvet cake). No traffic to speak of, just beautiful rural farmland. Plan on doing the same tomorrow.

[tobereeno]

well, I did some work on my Ducati 1299S, and it's stupid fast now. A guy with a Nissan GT-R tuned to over 1000hp wanted to roll. Sure, why not?

I even had my Ducati Multistrada reflashed. I decided to see how it'd run against a '15 Honda CBR600RR with a full exhaust and tune...and a rider that must weigh 90 pounds. 

I'm trying to "save it for the track", but with gorgeous days popping up here and there, it's impossible to resist going out to play

[diablo175]

Was fortunate enough to get out last weekend but only for short while. The Harley had been put away in mid Dec. clean, with a full tank and fuel stabilizer and on the battery tender for the Winter. She fired right up and roared to life! No plans for any mods or significant add-ons (maybe a tool case on the front forks or a light bag on the rear fender /sissy bars for keeping a few essentials on the bike) I had put new wheels on last Summer. So, this beast is as tricked out as it's gonna get.

Weather's looking superb next week, with Spring apparently making an early and decisive entrance. The bike will likely be brought out for the season on Sunday!

Bring it!