Money would be better spent fixing pot holes? Round here the roads are resembling a war zone in many parts.
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Just Ride.
- Thread starter Jim
- Start date
I Agree ..The more time watching the traffic and road the better.
And if one should ride very fast there is no time watch the speedometer even.
Starting looking into the woods you are off the road pretty soon and that is not good.
Those white lines over here are slippery when wet ( Don't ride on them at all .. never ) Should one lean the Motorcycle on the white arrow which can happen going into the bend .... in wet weather it is likely be game over or at least underwear change time.
Adding paint to the travel lanes at corner entrances in a wet country to help motorcyclists, what could go wrong?
It's a distraction just when you should be 100% focussed on the important stuff which IMO means vanishing point, traffic, road surface, speed, gear and throttle. Not half-arsed signs punted out by well-intentioned but misguided bureaucrats.
In Scotland, they've started using motion detectors and flashing signs - as you approach a bend, taking account of multiple factors, this effin sign lights and flashes 'BEND! SLOW DOWN!' - a nuisance distraction at just the wrong moment.
The local authorities were doing something similar in Scotland last year.
I don't know whether it had any effect on accident stats.
I don't mind flashing speed signs on an unobstructed bit of road.
When they first appeared it was a mark of something or other to get the reading as high as possible.
I once got a photo flash at night in my face from a speed surveillance camera .
speed enforcing camera.
I was coming fast and the camera was closer than usual . After a slight bend.
Those that have welded knows it takes a while before the eyes adapt.
I had to let go of the throttle trying to keep it straight for that time it took.
speed enforcing camera.
I was coming fast and the camera was closer than usual . After a slight bend.
Those that have welded knows it takes a while before the eyes adapt.
I had to let go of the throttle trying to keep it straight for that time it took.
Out for a 350+ km ride with friends today. Perfect weather and great riding conditions. The bike ran flawlessly but it appears I have a dying tach. It used to rev 4500 rpm at 110 mph and 5000 at 120, but now the tach doesn’t like to go much above 4K. I have a spare so I’ll swap it out tomorrow.
My butt was sore even with the use of an Air Hawk cushion. Without that I couldn’t have done the whole ride.
My butt was sore even with the use of an Air Hawk cushion. Without that I couldn’t have done the whole ride.
Attachments
Bureaucrats and "experts" will be the death of us all.
I got my ass chewed by the race car driver I was working for when I gave him a lap time as he was beginning to brake for a corner. Never did it again until I knew he was on the straight. Distractions kill.
Turns out a 500lb plus "adventure" bike on 80/20 tires is not much fun uphill in deep sand.
Going back down the hill wasn't much better.
Avoided the dump by
and had a nice 150 mile ride, whew.
Going back down the hill wasn't much better.
Avoided the dump by
and had a nice 150 mile ride, whew.
I feel ya Gary! When I had my V-Strom, ( also just a bit under 500 lbs ) I used to read these stories of guys thrashing them around like dirt bikes. I thought to myself…..oh yeah! I used to love riding dirt bikes! I was a limber teen ager riding 200 lb real dirt bikes.
So I looked up this road that was a 12 mile off road ride back to a rather remote dam. Well it turned out to be a very rugged Jeep trail, filled with steep , loose and rocky inclines, and extended sections of deep sand. I had about as much fun as you did. It just about beat me to death and I came perilously close to dumping it several times. I barely escaped with my dignity intact
( but I made it by golly
) After I got home I swore never again! Dirt roads are fine, but you can keep the serious stuff!
So who the heck are these guys that can ride these beasts like this?
Professional riders on closed course. Do not attempt this at home.I feel ya Gary! When I had my V-Strom, ( also just a bit under 500 lbs ) I used to read these stories of guys thrashing them around like dirt bikes. I thought to myself…..oh yeah! I used to love riding dirt bikes! I was a limber teen ager riding 200 lb real dirt bikes.
So I looked up this road that was a 12 mile off road ride back to a rather remote dam. Well it turned out to be a very rugged Jeep trail, filled with steep , loose and rocky inclines, and extended sections of deep sand. I had about as much fun as you did. It just about beat me to death and I came perilously close to dumping it several times. I barely escaped with my dignity intact
( but I made it by golly
View attachment 357424
After I got home I swore never again! Dirt roads are fine, but you can keep the serious stuff!
So who the heck are these guys that can ride these beasts like this?
View attachment 357425View attachment 357426
Ok innocent looking trail, until your heavyweight off roader sinks and you ain’t got the skills to get out. Been there done that. No way The Brat would survive that with my skill set. Just sayin’
I heard a story at a Cafe for motorcyclist .One Man had made a mistake with the Honda Goldwing At night .
Landing Horizontal . No damage to the bike and driver both OK. .
But he did not have the muscles or technique to raise it up again onto the wheels .Drive on.
Waiting and eventually another motorist stopped asking if anyone was hurt and an Ambulance was needed.
Helping raising the bike up.
Seen it on television that even Motocross bikes gets stuck in mud holes I believe it is called Enduro.
Giving throttle trying to come out.. the rear wheel can sink in to the Axle .And getting it up can also need 2 men.
Happens with cars also now and then Grass on clay soil is slippery .After heavy rain. Inexperienced driver Giving Reckless gas it sinks in.
One trick is get out find some branches in the wood and rocking it back and forth .But if to deep in it can be difficult.
The same wet grass on clay soil will trip inexperienced riders on a Motorcycle also
I once was a driver for elderly people in an Audi road vehicle on a small road track that could have been a logging road..
Came to a steep downhill and stopped .Not sure if there only had been tractors and logging machines.Before
Asking if I go down there are we sure we can get back up. On the return . I was instructed to drive and did We did get up on the return Getting speed and not slide off the track. Luck more than skills.
Landing Horizontal . No damage to the bike and driver both OK. .
But he did not have the muscles or technique to raise it up again onto the wheels .Drive on.
Waiting and eventually another motorist stopped asking if anyone was hurt and an Ambulance was needed.
Helping raising the bike up.
Seen it on television that even Motocross bikes gets stuck in mud holes I believe it is called Enduro.
Giving throttle trying to come out.. the rear wheel can sink in to the Axle .And getting it up can also need 2 men.
Happens with cars also now and then Grass on clay soil is slippery .After heavy rain. Inexperienced driver Giving Reckless gas it sinks in.
One trick is get out find some branches in the wood and rocking it back and forth .But if to deep in it can be difficult.
The same wet grass on clay soil will trip inexperienced riders on a Motorcycle also
I once was a driver for elderly people in an Audi road vehicle on a small road track that could have been a logging road..
Came to a steep downhill and stopped .Not sure if there only had been tractors and logging machines.Before
Asking if I go down there are we sure we can get back up. On the return . I was instructed to drive and did We did get up on the return Getting speed and not slide off the track. Luck more than skills.
Dumbest idea ever. For new riders, they will instinctively follow the sign, looking at that, and not seeing the dead animal carcass in the way until it's too late.
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Baraboo wanted to emphasize our old time roots so put brick crosswalks at down town intersections.
Cept they are painted on with some sort of epoxy. They LOOK great! turning left through a traffic gap one damp morning I did a LURID slide across one on a bike, fortunately caught traction once back to bare damp asphalt and kept going, no issues outside of needing fresh undies. If there had been a parked car after the crosswalk it would have been different.
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New Rider Into The Fold.
My 21 year old grandaughter Elizabeth has been pestering me for a pillion ride for some time now; but so far her uni studies and dissitation deadlines have got in the way. Last Sunday the sun was shining and she had some free time (read needed a break from studies). Some borrowed (ill fitting) gear from Mrs C and she was togged up to ride. The Brat (1200GS) was the chosen steed for the morning. A few safety factors were discussed then mount up and off we go.
ROUTE:
Just a short run due to time constraints. Newport - Caerleon - Usk - Raglan - Abergavenny.
An easy ride with variable speed from 30mph zones to faster 70mph dual lane highway. This gave her time to settle into the experiance.
Ride smoothness and gentle braking were needed; not frightening high speeds or kamikazi braking.
She is a natural pillion and so far I was very happy with her developing passenger skills.
First stop Abergavenny Oasis Cafe (as usual).
We derobe and order some tea and buscuits, grab a table for a chat.
Elizabeth is smitten, a grin from ear to ear! Apart from a few very minor helmet clashes under braking (she quickly countered), she is a dream passenger.
She loved the feeling of freedom, and the sensation of leaning into the bends. After our teas we went to look at some of the bikes.
Lovely old guy on an old Beeza Single
Royal Enfield with huge milage of 80k!
JAWA Stinkwheeler Outfit.
Couple of Monkey Bikes.
Elizabeth and me with The Brat.
She was happy chatting with some of the bike owners; and asked one to take a photo of us.
Route back was a bit more twisty and fun. She encouraged me to go a bit faster and swoop through the bends.
All in all she enjoyed the few hours of fun. her parting words ''When can we go out again!''
I think we have a new sister into the bikeworld fold.
My 21 year old grandaughter Elizabeth has been pestering me for a pillion ride for some time now; but so far her uni studies and dissitation deadlines have got in the way. Last Sunday the sun was shining and she had some free time (read needed a break from studies). Some borrowed (ill fitting) gear from Mrs C and she was togged up to ride. The Brat (1200GS) was the chosen steed for the morning. A few safety factors were discussed then mount up and off we go.
ROUTE:
Just a short run due to time constraints. Newport - Caerleon - Usk - Raglan - Abergavenny.
An easy ride with variable speed from 30mph zones to faster 70mph dual lane highway. This gave her time to settle into the experiance.
Ride smoothness and gentle braking were needed; not frightening high speeds or kamikazi braking.
She is a natural pillion and so far I was very happy with her developing passenger skills.
First stop Abergavenny Oasis Cafe (as usual).
We derobe and order some tea and buscuits, grab a table for a chat.
Elizabeth is smitten, a grin from ear to ear! Apart from a few very minor helmet clashes under braking (she quickly countered), she is a dream passenger.
She loved the feeling of freedom, and the sensation of leaning into the bends. After our teas we went to look at some of the bikes.
Lovely old guy on an old Beeza Single
Royal Enfield with huge milage of 80k!
JAWA Stinkwheeler Outfit.
Couple of Monkey Bikes.
Elizabeth and me with The Brat.
She was happy chatting with some of the bike owners; and asked one to take a photo of us.
Route back was a bit more twisty and fun. She encouraged me to go a bit faster and swoop through the bends.
All in all she enjoyed the few hours of fun. her parting words ''When can we go out again!''
I think we have a new sister into the bikeworld fold.
I wish there was a cafe like that in my area. Not necessarily the stereotypical "biker bar", but someplace where there's an informal bike show every weekend.
