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Message started by Gary_in_NJ on 04/16/18 at 11:39:20

Title: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 04/16/18 at 11:39:20

Every fall I winterize my bikes, and every spring I dread that first start. There's always something wrong that needs correcting, a battery that needs additional charging...something that always ruins the plan for that first ride of the year. With all of the tires checked, chains lubed and adjusted, oil changed - I was ready to ride.

This Saturday was the first real riding day we had in NJ. The county roads were clear of salt/sand (township roads...not so much) and with the temperature rising well into the '80's I had no excuse not to ride.

First out was the FZ6. I undertook a remake on that bike this winter and wanted to see if my efforts produced the results I was hoping for. After a 2 hour trip I declared that bike a success. I got to try out my Sena bluetooth thing. It played music like I had hoped...no one called me so I couldn't experience the quality of the phone...but I was happy that no one called. I installed the Sena in a new Scorpion EXO AT-950 helmet and I have to say, I love my new helmet.

Next up was the DRZ-Tracker. After lunch I did a hooligan run through town, brought the bike home and put it on my bike stand. It's ready to be torn down and completed. Fun bike, and now my summer project.

Last but not least was the LS650 Cafe. I'll be honest, this bike wasn't properly prepped for winter. I rode it late into the season and by the time I remembered that it wasn't winterized it was late January. I dumped some Seafoam into the tank and hoped for the best. To my surprise, Saturday afternoon the bike woke right up and presented me with a smooth idle and its usual great throttle response.

During my sunset cruise it occurred to me that I saved the best for last. This bike is just a pleasure to ride. It's a relaxed bike that begs to be ridden aggressively through the turns. It gets what it wants, and so do I.

The 2018 riding season is off to a great start.

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by norm92de on 04/16/18 at 11:45:32

Gary,
I have an advantage over you, I ride year round. In winter, early mornings can be a bit too cold but mostly not. :)

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Dave on 04/16/18 at 12:00:24

Spring was here on Friday and we got up into the high 70's, and I rode 100 miles on the new BMW.

Saturday threatened rain and it did come in the afternoon - I added a washer to the Ninja slide needles and squeezed in some yard work before the rain.

Sunday was a frog choker as it rained endlessly.

It is now 37 degrees and has been snowing all day - the good news is the ground is warm and nothing is sticking.

The Savage Cafe' and Ninja are still hibernating - but I am confident they will fire right up as I drained the float bowls when last rode them.

The forecast for the rest of the week bounces around a bit - 68 on Wed, 49 on Thursday, 60 for the weekend.

It appears the end of April may be in the 60's on a regular basis.

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Papa Bear on 04/16/18 at 12:02:53

I was out for the first run of 2018 on April 12th.
It got up into the 50s here and I got both machines up & running.
The S40 rolled over about 5 times and came to life ... I was on the road in about 5 mins. ;)

It's been a long winter here in The Great Lakes area - ready for Spring !!

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by ohiomoto on 04/16/18 at 12:05:45

Road last Friday and I think it's been raining ever since. I think we are getting snow tonight and tomorrow. :'(

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 04/16/18 at 12:09:33

Yeah, we had the temperatures a few times, but I've never seen so much salt/sand used in my life. That stuff gives me the willies. So I had to wait out for a flooding rain (getting that today) or for the sweepers to do their job. The sweepers got there first. Now that we've had a flood, the local roads should be much better.

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Serowbot on 04/16/18 at 12:14:05

We've already been up to 98' here in Tucson.
The ice breaks at 100'...

My summer riding becomes limited... :'(

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by MMRanch on 04/16/18 at 17:44:17

Hay Bot

Go North with us in August ... I understand there may be a trip across Bear Tooth Pass ;D

That would make a warm summer ride into a distance memory 10,890'

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Dave on 04/22/18 at 04:17:11

OK....I am dragging this thread back up to the top - as I believe the riding season has officially begun in northern Kentucky.

Two weeks ago was a weather fluke and I was able to "sneak" in a ride on Friday when the temperatures got up into the 70's.....the only downside was the strong winds. The following Monday the temps dropped into the low 30's and we got snow!

The last few days I was able to get an evening ride to visit my uncle who is trying to recover from surgery - the temps were in the high 50's and the ride is only 12 miles long so I could tolerate 15 minutes of shivering. Yesterday the afternoon temps were in the low 60's and it was the first day I was able to take my Saturday morning ride on Route 10 down to the Lennexburg store for my "Hot Momma" Jalepeno hamburger, then continue the ride on Rt22 and Rt 158 past. I wore a long sleeve shirt and had the liner in my textile jacket - the wind was able to leak through the zippers or fabric on the arm/shoulders and I got cold.....I needed another layer!

The forecast for today is 66 degrees - and the coming week shows overnight temps in the 40/50s and daytime temps all very near 60 degrees.

The lawn mowing :( and motorcycle riding :) are going to resume with vigor!

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 04/22/18 at 06:11:05

08333E2938342F29323A37285B0 wrote:
The lawn mowing :( and motorcycle riding :) are going to resume with vigor!

Yes, the unfortunate balance of life.

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Ruttly on 04/22/18 at 20:55:24

What we need is a riding 2 wheeled lawn mower , must be able to wheelie !
;D ;D

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by stewmills on 04/23/18 at 10:39:12

1B3C3D3D2530490 wrote:

What we need is a riding 2 wheeled lawn mower , must be able to wheelie !
;D ;D

/
How about 3 wheels?

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Dave on 04/23/18 at 11:22:40

Stew:

It appears that mower would take nearly all of my yard just to turn it around!

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by stewmills on 04/23/18 at 11:50:27

It's not how fast you mow, it's how cool you mow fast!

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Papa Bear on 04/23/18 at 14:59:48

Out for about a 35 mile run today. Mid 60s .. very pleasant ;)

Bike ran like a million bucks

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Ruttly on 04/29/18 at 17:25:24

I hate mowing , who invented grass anyways , ¥#}\~€*+£}[*+^=€

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by MMRanch on 04/29/18 at 20:57:28

Stew , That could qualitify as a " RAT " Bike ... or a "Rat" Mower ! ;D

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Dave on 04/30/18 at 05:41:19

I rode 260 miles on Friday!
It was in the mid 60's in the afternoon, a little bit windy at times - but there was light traffic and it was my first "real" ride of the year!
(I have mowed the grass 3 times already....I can still mow when it is cold and Windy).

I rode up to get dinner at Sonic last night just about dark and the temps were dropping fast......I made the mistake of drinking my ice water before I left - I had a really cold ride home! It was 31F at my house this morning.

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by MMRanch on 04/30/18 at 06:57:27

The weather was so pretty yesterday I had to ride somewhere . I've got a new Road-Rider Avon rear tire on the Guzzi and REALLY needed to take a ride somewhere ! ::) so I got a 50 mile lap around the neighborhood without really going anywhere ! ;D.

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by ohiomoto on 05/01/18 at 06:39:27

I've started riding to work again. Mid 40's in the morning...I'm not used to anymore!! By the end of the riding season, I was riding to work in the mid/upper 30's. Who would have thunk that I would soften up over the winter??? :)

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by LANCER on 05/01/18 at 07:18:26

Yep, that happens. I’ve become much more of a fair weather rider over the past years.
I have gear for riding in just about any weather except for the extremes, but just cannot get myself out there unless I can be pretty comfortable.

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by engineer on 05/01/18 at 09:07:54

Spring is finally and suddenly here. Today's forecast is for 70 + degrees and the ten day forecast shows 60s and 70s every day with the nights no cooler than 40 degrees. Definitely time to go riding but this week I'll be putting new tires on two bikes. I like to do it when the weather is warm and sunny. I lay the tires out in the driveway in the full sun so they can get good and warm, then they go on with a lot less effort.
It's so good to open the windows and get some fresh air in the house!

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Dave on 05/01/18 at 09:21:59

25272C272E272B31420 wrote:

Spring is finally and suddenly here.

Same thing here in northern KY.

Yesterday morning the temperature when I got up was 31 degrees - now the forecast shows overnight temps in the 50's, and daytime temps in the upper 70's.

Woo Hoo! 8-)

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by norm92de on 05/01/18 at 16:21:34

I'm with you guys. However, I know that many years ago in England we rode when the temp was in the 30s and didn't think anything of it. I couldn't do that to save my life today. Youth has its advantages doesn't it.

Now 50 degrees is my cutoff, and I prefer a lot more than that. Cold knees and hands are not my favourite. :'(

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 05/01/18 at 17:44:15

I've post this before...

In my 20's I'd ride when the temperature was in the 20's
In my 30's I'd ride when the temperature was in the 30's
In my 40's I'd ride when the temperature was in the 40's
Now that I'm getting close to 60 I'm gonna have to move south.

Title: Re: Spring is here - Let the riding begin
Post by SoC on 05/01/18 at 20:51:33

So it was pretty incredibly nice here today at the Jersey shore, particularly this evening. So with that, after work at my shop just outside Asbury Park, NJ, I pulled the bike out and and took the long route along the ocean home to my house in Highlands. Some back roads to the ocean front, than a nice cruise along the beach to home.
The first ride of the season is the best. Plenty of other riders out and enjoying the weather, low fives for everyone you pass. It's what you wait all winter for and it never disappoints.

Got home, grabbed a back pack and made a grocery run just to add some miles to the experience. It's interesting when you walk through the suermarket in your gear with helmet in tow how all the "Dudes" with their girlfriends are giving you the nod.

But I digress, riding is about being in the immediate, the now. You have to heighten your senses to the moment, every moment. There is nothing you take for granted. Life is about experiences and riding provides a "nonstop" exposure to all that is, in the world, when you are on the road. You can't miss anything, and it's the focus that entails that keeps you in the seat and riding.