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Old 10-17-2010, 12:25 PM   #1
equ
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Fall ride

Little chilly in the morning (45F-ish) but got better as the sun came up... Nice day to ride up the Hudson, staying in parks and smallish highways.

First ride for me in which I stuck a little camera in my pocket. Also the longest ride so far, 64 miles.
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Old 10-17-2010, 01:05 PM   #2
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Just got the message that Gf passed MSF. She seems to have really liked the course...
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Old 10-17-2010, 05:04 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by equ View Post
Also the longest ride so far, 64 miles.
How did you like it? Are you getting accustomed to being out in the open and smelling the fresh air ??

The last poker run had me riding up a mountain pass around 7,000 ft a.s.l. While the views of the valley below was AWESOME, what was even better was the smell of the pine trees as we were carving the turns.

Very few things in Life make you feel more alive than this type of riding....
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Old 10-18-2010, 11:36 AM   #4
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Absolutely. The same route done by car, while pretty, would not have been much of an event. That riding actually requires technique and being out in the open are two reasons why this is more fun.

I could go longer but the highways and even surface streets around NYC are no place for a beginner. I've been out in rush hour a couple of times in NNJ and it was very unpleasant. Timing and route planning is everything. My bike has a comfy seat and is all-around an easy handler at low speeds. Above 55mph (indicated) it gets very buzzy.

Actually had some trouble getting it up into the trail-y bit for the middle photo. Steep entryway + exiting traffic (in a hurry), meant that I just stopped and let them out. Required a trickier than usual braked launch to get going again (on leafy/gravelly dirt).
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Old 10-18-2010, 12:52 PM   #5
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That's great you're digging riding.

Just be aware of the road surface this time of year. Leaves that have fallen off the trees and onto the road makes the surface slicker than snot.

I'm gonna make a bold prediction here, so mark your calendar: I say you're gonna upgrade to a bigger bike, probably in the 500-750 cc range, within a year (provided of course, you still like riding....)
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2016 Toyota Sienna SE - hers
2002 BMW 325i - his
1994 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Sportside Z71 - whoevers vehicle is in the shop
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2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited - hers
2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
2011 Tao Tao 50 - whoevers bike is in the shop
2007 Reinell 186 FNS - the dog's
1995 Fleetwood Flair 27R - EVERYBODY'S !
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Old 10-18-2010, 01:04 PM   #6
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That might happen sooner than later... Gf has passed and seems to want a bike. Options (assuming we don't both decide to give up for some unfortunate reason):
- we get her a 250 of some sort, like mine or a ninja
- she gets my bike, I get to go shopping.

Second is more likely and may happen in a month (if we have enough warm weather days). I even bought this bike with her partly in mind. I knew she loved red.

Ninja 250's seem very liquid, lots of supply and demand, a known commodity, a honda civic of the bike world. I'm not thrilled about that. I'm sure it's a fine machine for the money, but I'd like something rarer. I like it that my suzuki model is rare here in the US, people think I actually restored something old.

So yes, I'm thinking about a triumph bonneville but not really rushing it either. Haven't test ridden one yet.

I need more gear. New full helmet is awesome, made the ride much better with better wind protection and the neon color made a noticeable impact on traffic. JohnV was kind enough to send one of his old mesh jackets but I need something warmer in this season (used a regular leather jacket on Sunday's ride). I need boots (my ankles were cold and the low street boots that I'm using don't have enough support/protection).

Gf needs tons of gear if she decides to continue. Jacket, boots, gloves, possibly pants (I have jeans with knee armor).
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Old 10-18-2010, 01:40 PM   #7
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Just be careful out there, very careful ...
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Old 10-18-2010, 01:42 PM   #8
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Equ, you now MUST read "zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance", if you haven't already
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Old 10-18-2010, 02:53 PM   #9
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Ed, I read that book in college... It went right over my 19 year old head. I remember a few salient bits, how he thought car trips were like television compared to motorcycling (this I am beginning to agree with). I remember lengthy ruminations on Quality and Phaedrus. I also remember his view on the reality of the theory of gravity. Something like: "It's all man-made, even the idea that it isn't." This struck me as a physics student... Somewhat lacking in scientific/philosophical understanding but interesting nevertheless..
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Old 10-19-2010, 02:57 PM   #10
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Test ride a Harley.

Buy it, and customize it to make it to look somewhat like this:



You'll thank me later....

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2002 BMW 325i - his
1994 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Sportside Z71 - whoevers vehicle is in the shop
2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Vivid Black) - his
2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited - hers
2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
2011 Tao Tao 50 - whoevers bike is in the shop
2007 Reinell 186 FNS - the dog's
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