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RE: Where did you ride today?
Place: Michigan - Steed de Jour: Yamaha FJR1300
I took I75 up to M57 to avoid the traffic snarls in SE Michigan. I'm not a fan of the slabs, but the FJR was made to eat them up, and this was my shake-down ride after having some pretty major repairs made to the bike. I was hit by a cage in 2006, then my uncle Mike hit a deer on it in 2007. The front end wasn't pointed in the proper direction any more. A nice 20 miler on the slab confirmed that the bike was rock-solid at 150% of legal speeds. That being determined, it was off to the side roads!
Exit at Clio (my old home-town), and West on M57 planning on picking up M66 North to Big Rapids. Made a last minute decision to use US127 simply because I have never ridden that particular stretch. Probably never will again. 127 North to Mt Pleasant at M20 West. Made a short stop at a Yamaha dealer in Mt Pleasant to kick a few tires and shop for street boots not designed by the Marquis de Sade. No luck - only cruiser-wear.
West on M20 to M66 (much better than US127), then North to Barryton. West at Barryton to Chippewa Lake, where a fellow rider had phoned to say he was out of cigars. Stashed the stogies in the boat house, and returned to the bike. North on back roads to Evart, fueled up (getting 45 MPG - not bad considering I am spending a LOT of time passing cages just for the sport of it), then East on M10 to M66 again. North on M66 to M61 through Harrison, Gladwin and Standish. M61 is where I have hunted the elusive Michigan White-tailed deer from the time I was 14. Can't tell you where, but it's mostly all State land, and the swamp rats are plentiful. Stopped at a Country Meat Market in Standish and bought some home-made sausage for lunch. I'd tell you where, but the sausage was pretty forgettable. South out of Standish past Bay City to a little spot in the road at the intersection of M46 and M15 called Richville.
Now Richville has very little to offer the traveling biker, but those of us in the know stop at the Citgo station just 100 meters North of the intersection for a hand-dipped ice cream treat. Men - get the single, and order a "Baby" for the little woman sitting behind you. They are more than generous with the helpings, and the quality of the goods is very high. I had the Mackinaw Island Fudge today, and didn't regret it for a second. Back in the saddle, and East on M46 to Sheridan Road - one of my favorites within an hour of my home.
Sheridan runs only to the South, and has more twists and bends than typical of a mid-thumb road. At some point it becomes Henderson Road, and stays paved until Otter Lake road at which point you the faithful rider need to make a decision: Left to M24 or right to M15. I turned right for a pretty mundane ride back to home in Clarkston.
Total Miles: 380. Miles before a sore butt: 300. Where do I find a saddle good for more than 300 miles? All my factory saddles seem too soft. Thanks for riding along. Hoped you enjoyed it.
Ride safe. Ride often. Ride in the rain just to say you can.
4BD
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4-Bike Dave
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07/09/08 08:59pm |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: First Motorcycle
The unfortunate reality is that bikes to fit frames like ours do not come (new) in the price range you mention. Except maybe Hyosung.
But if you would consider a relatively new used machine, the doors of opportunity swing wide open.
Having owned and ridden cruisers and UJMs (Universal Japanese Motorcycle - the "sit up straight" style), I have found the UJMs to handle better, which inspires more confidence (especially in the new rider).
Size does matter. As V-StarGuy points out, you may want to start small. Small equals light, and light equals fewer drops when you oops with the clutch or step into a pot hole. I see a lot of 250's and even 500's for sale with less than 1000 miles on them because the owner outgrew the bike so quickly. Stay away from sub-600's.
My choices:
Suzuki V-Strom 650: I am 6'2", 240 pounds and it fits me fine. All my other bikes are larger in dispacement, and I ride this one the most.
Yamaha FZ6: Built with an upright seating position and more power than you can use and stay out of jail. Just looked at a sweet 2005 with 3000 miles for $4200.
Suzuki SV-650: Not the SV-650S (race position seating, clip on handle bars), just the SV-650. Same motor as the V-Strom, good ergonomics. Looks less like a dual purpose bike than the 'Strom.
Honda 919: Haven't ridden one, but they have a good riding position and legendary Honda reliability. May be pricey.
Take a safety course. MSF offers one for $25 that you can do in a weekend. You will have the opportunity to ride the little Honda Rebels and other bikes that won't fit you, but there may be a dual sport in the line up that you can turn without bumping your knees on the handle bars.
Good luck with your search. Ask more questions. V-StarGuy and Ride_Slow have been around the block a few times and offer good advice. Find a bike you are comfortable on (ergonomics or style), and ride it.
Be safe. Be responsible. Wear the gear.
4BD
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4-Bike Dave
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06/03/08 08:33pm |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: Long-Distance Kawasaki KLR 650
I can't help on the KLR, but I'd suggest looking at a V-Strom. I picked my 2006 650 off the dealers floor in June of '07 for $5800, which I thought was pretty reasonable. You can should be able to find a low-mileage used one around $3500. I've been impressed on how it handles on gravel roads, and I actually seek out gravel roads when I want a liesurely ride with no particular endpoint in mind. The wide bars and high seat make it feel like a dirt bike. Maybe that's why I feel so confident when the pavement ends.
Good luck!
Ride safe.
Ride often.
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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01/12/08 06:52am |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: Funny Motorcycle Stories
After I graduated from college, my friend Ken and I decided we'd ride from our home town in mid-Michigan to Rocky Mountain National Park. For no good reason other than to experience the ride.
The second day out I realized at a rest area that I'd left my gloves in a restaurant where we ate breakfast. My BRAND NEW deer-skin gauntlet gloves which I'd paid a lot of money for. I had to go back and get them. I dumped my gear by Ken's Honda, and Ken agreed to chill out and wait for me. We figured we'd come about 50 miles since breakfast, so he wouldn't have to wait too long.
I jumped on the Yamaha, and somehow got headed back towards the East. I was making pretty good time, as I was anxious about someone walking off with my gloves, and I was in a hurry to get back to West-bound. I had the bike WOT for quite a while (in Iowa) when I had to slow down for a semi which was making a pass on a slow-moving 4-wheeler. As I came around him, I gave him a big "wagon-ho" wave to say, "follow me and we'll make some good time!". He held up his hand and showed me two fingers - kind of like a peace sign, but with his fingers touching. I shook my head to indicate that I didn't understand, and he just did it again. I gave up trying to understand his signal, and opened the throttle and sped off.
Shortly thereafter, I was in the right lane an a long uphill with a bread truck about a mile ahead of me. With the difference in our speeds (I think I leveled out at about 130), I closed the gap fairly quickly. As I swung out around him, I saw the Police cruiser that was setting the pace at about 65 in the right lane. I panicked.
I grabbed all the brakes I could without skidding the tires, and down shifted one gear, but still couldn't scrub enough speed to keep from coasting past the officer's cruiser. As I passed him at an off-the-throttle speed of 75 or so, I had the courage to glance over at him to see just how busted I was going to be. To my surprise, he was doubled over the steering wheel laughing, and looking back at me! Apparently he'd seen the antics I had gone through to scrub speed. Thankfully, he assumed I'd learned my lesson, and let me go without so much as a toot of the horn.
I realized the trucker was trying to tell me there was a cop 2 miles ahead.
I collected my gloves, and made a quick trip (OK - so I hadn't learned my lesson yet) back to the rest stop to collect Ken, who was surprised to see me so soon. Turns out that I'd made the 100 mile round trip and collected my gloves all in just under 55 minutes. The ET was a personal record that stood for years until a pending divorce and a borrowed Corvette conspired against me.
That was when I was younger.
I'm smarter now, and I ride slower.
Almost always.
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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01/11/08 03:08pm |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: New Guy, got some Q's!
The International Motorcycle show was just in town (Novi, Mi) last weekend, and I had the chance to sit on a B-King. If you are much over 5'9", you are going to have trouble getting your knees tucked up under the tank. I'm 6'2" and it wasn't even close. Though I'd like the idea of the Busa power under me, no way would I fit.
The FZ1 on the other hand has gone the other way. I nearly bought a 2005, but the knee clearance was not quite there. In 2007, they either lowered the pegs or re-shaped the tank and now it's a comfortable fit. I test rode a couple and was impressed. In hindsight, the FZ1 would have been a better bike for me than the FJR I bought. I just don't tour like I thought I would, and the FZ would be lighter to flick around. My V-Strom (shares an engine with the SV-650) gets most of my saddle time.
The Honda 919 and the Suzuki Bandit 1250 are upright bikes with loads of power. Though the 919 is no longer offered (stopped importing in 2006?), the Bandit seems to be a great value in tems of g-forces per dollar, with a comfortable riding position to boot.
Good luck!
Ride safe.
Ride often
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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01/11/08 02:28pm |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: New Years Day Ride
I awoke at 5:30 to the sounds of a snow plow stuck in the road in front of my home. Never a good riding day when the snow plows get stuck.
Hope your ride is a great one!
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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01/01/08 10:16am |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: New Years Day Ride
I stepped out on the front porch last night for a breath of fresh Michigan night air and slipped on a thin layer of fresh ice. After I tobogganed down the concrete steps on my back, I lay at the bottom assessing which parts of me no longer worked. My back, head and right forearm were all candidates.
No serious harm done this time, thankfully. A few bruises and a 2-Bayer headache. Little events like this make me appreciate body armor and helmets, even though the bikes have been put up for the winter.
Michigan is a helmet state, and there are those who want to see that law repealed. I am not one of them. Maybe the insurance companies benefit the most from states which mandate the use of helmets - I don't know. I'm just a guy who has broken 2 helmets against trees, and have scars on the current helmet from bouncing off the pavement after a 4-wheeler broadsided me on the road.
I can't join you on your ride, Ride_Slow, and maybe you're wondering what the above babble has to do with a new year's ride. Just this: Conditions here do not allow a rider of my ability an enjoyable ride. If you ride tomorrow, ride safe, wear you gear, and know my thoughts are with you.
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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12/31/07 03:56pm |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: honda 2008 st1300
Yamaha fixed the FJR in 2006 with dual fans and cowling that directs the heat away from the legs. My 2005 has the much-talked-about issue with excess heat, but here in Michigan where my average ride temperature is around 60 degrees, I call that a "feature", not a "problem".
I'd bet heavily that Honda's ST1300 will not be a problem with heat. If we lived in Southern California - maybe you should worry. Buy the bike that makes your heart beat faster.
Ride safe. Ride often.
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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12/14/07 07:27am |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: New Rider New poster
A little funny story about my cycle endorsement riding test...
Back in 1977, MSC courses either did not exist, or I was unaware of same. I bought my first road bike after 4 years of riding dirt (which I strongly would recommend, BTW) - a twin cylinder Kaw 750. My previous bike was a Suzuki RM250 tricked out for racing, which I thought I would try. I never raced, but I practiced hard. Hole shots, of course, are an important part of MX racing.
Anyway, I rode the 750 to the Secretary of State office to take the written and riding test. They promised they wouldn't ask how I got the bike there for the riding test. I passed the written part and joined the instructor in the parking lot for the riding part. They didn't have the famous "figure 8" requirement back then, or much else of a formal nature. The instructor told me, "Do a quick start and a quick stop". Say no more!
I idled the bike to the other side of the parking lot and lined up facing the instructor. I pulled in the clutch, bumped the gear shift lever into second, leaned forward until by chest was on the handle bars, opened the throttle all the way and popped the clutch - a proper MX hole shot. I shot across the amazingly short parking lot in record time, and got on the binders in time to come to a stop right in front of him. I was pretty proud of myself! Never even had to shift! I turned my head to see how I had done, and the instructor looked scared to death! "I didn't mean THAT FAST he yelled!" (like it was MY fault).
The gods were with me though, and he granted the endorsement. 30 years later, the smiles keep coming.
Ride safe. Ride often. Welcome to the club (have you learned the biker wave?).
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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12/02/07 03:37pm |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: suzuki
I had a 2002 Intruder, and as I remember I could get about 140 miles per tank, though I started looking for stations at 100. Most of my riding was non-expressway, so speeds were 45-60 MPH. I thought that my mileage was in the 35 MPG area - not great, but not so bad.
My '06 V-Strom 650 gave me 68 MPG during break-in (keeping the revs under 5000). If you are looking for fuel ecomomy, you may want to consider downsizing the displacement of your bike. I was expecting half the performance when I downsized to the V-Strom, but I think the two bikes (Intruder and V-Strom) have similar acceleration, while the V-Strom handles quite differently due to the riding position and light weight.
Check the forums as VStarMan suggests. There may be a tuneup that will get you to the mid 30's, but I don't expect much more than that with a 1500. Be careful you don't run it too lean - that causes the engine to run very hot and tends to put holes in the tops of pistons.
Enjoy!
Ride safe.
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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10/21/07 06:20am |
Motorcycle Forum
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RE: Where did you ride today?
(From "Ride_Slow") "The proprietor of the Black Bear Motel just happened to be by her office as we pulled in, and she was able to set us up with rooms that were small, but clean, and we could turn the heat on enough to dry out. Very nice lady, she and her husband are putting together a very nice small motel, with a gift shop and a western motif."
Slow:
It's good to hear about business owners who embrace the two-wheeled crowd. At the end of a long run (looks like you had several), it warms the heart to be treated with civility by the one who's taking my money.
Great post! Thanks for sharing the details.
Dave
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4-Bike Dave
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10/13/07 06:44am |
Motorcycle Forum
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