Life Changes

[Tetge]

Beautifully put, Pat, as usual.

I will have to quote you on that when we discuss a GT350 purchase.

Thanks for the kind words. In truth I mostly rant for my own benefit, as, somehow, putting things into words help me clarify things. I tend to be wordy, and to ramble, but, this is just a reflection how my mind expresses things, and can not be altered.

In other news, although today is chilly and overcast with rain, and snow predicted, yesterday was an absolutely perfect day, and I took my KTM out for a spin across the Forest Hwy to the Nine Mile turn, and up that race course, I mean road, about half way before turning around and retracing my path back to my local gas station, and then home. I had not ridden in so long that I took it easy, and the two CHP units that I encountered had nothing on law abiding me. I will admit that on the way home, as I came around the final corner before Mt Emma basically goes straight for many miles, at just under 60 MPH in top gear, my throttle stuck suddenly and the bike snapped right to around 90 MPH +, before I could finally get the throttle unstuck. After not riding for so many months, and with the full blast of air hitting me, it felt quite lively, and, although slower than my hated Mustang doing the same pull, it felt great. So, I survived a 65 mile round trip, and some corners, and put some fresh fuel into the tank, although it seems that there was more left than I thought, as the KTM got about 50 miles per gallon on the tank, which is higher than I thought (and which proves my statement that I was taking it easy).

But, I still apparently have not matured sufficiently to not enjoy a ride around on a motorcycle, as I had a good time, even just cruising. Now it is once again hard to sell the KTM and hang up my helmet. But, at least it is paid for, and, although the insurance and tags are a bit steep, I can still afford them. The combination of sensations riding the KTM just feel too good to abandon, especially when a humble entry level little single cykinder motorcycle has so much performance on tap, and can also split lanes, which is a big thing in urban settings. I may not be able to get a performance cage, such as a GT350 or GT500, at this point, but, I still can do performance motoring at a price that I, and almost any common person, can manage. And, for me, performance is performance, be it a cage or a bike, although motorcycle sales are said to not be doing all that well these days, which is sort of strange as far as I am concerned, as motorcycles, more than ever, remain a major affordable high performance vehicles option, more than ever, considering the overall costs of current high performance cages.

[xbacksideslider]

Talking about good sensations, I bought this "Gentlemen's Express" recently.

Feels heavy around the garage but agile when rolling.
While it comes off corners nicely, I doubt that it can match Jay's KTM 1290 or BMW 1300.
Much better for long days than the Norton.

[Tetge]

Bandit carbs rear springs 001.JPG

Talking about good sensations, I bought this "Gentlemen's Express" recently.

Feels heavy around the garage but agile when rolling.
While it comes off corners nicely, I doubt that it can match Jay's KTM 1290 or BMW 1300.
Much better for long days than the Norton.

Good move backing it in so that the trailer hitch did not show!

[jhwalker]

I need a linky to the model... blame stroke or Mexico

[Tetge]

Looks like a Suzuki Bandit, to me, but it has some mods. I had a new Bandit back in the day, until Brakelate, got a used Kawi 900 Ninja, that flat out destroyed the Bandit in any contest of acceleration. After a short while, including a trip to LACR, where I verified that my Terminator was a lot faster than the Bandit, and after being constantly thrashed by a 900, I was forced to trade it in on a new Busa, which took care of the LACR, and the 900 Ninja, issues, and, which caused Brakelate to get a Kawi 12R, to keep up. But, I digress.

As I recall the Bandit had some vibration tingle but, was powerful enough for most purposes. It also handled fairly well for what is actually a very reasonably priced entry level large displacement machine. I found the stock seat very painful as it slanted forward and pushed me into the tank , but, the bike in the pic does not have a stock seat, so that has been addressed. I also changed the exhaust can on mine right away, for more sound, as they are too silent stock. In all, it is a civilized machine tuned for low end and mid range torque from its relatively large displacement four. Some models have ABS, and, they will scrape things in corners without crashing, so, an old pro can generally keep up most places. It also has a 5 gallon plus fuel tank, so, it is a fine, ~600 pound fueled, touring machine, at the price, although, due to its large displacement, the insurance on it was as high as that for a Busa.

Still, some say that a Norton Interstate is the Brit equivalent in terms of touring prowess, and, in fact, there once was a gent in N Cal, who rode his 850 touring Norton everywhere. They even had electric start and a big fuel tank and all that. But, of course, he was one of those hard core Brit bikers, and that group is slowing going extinct. In fact, it seems that motorcycling in general is in a decline, as many dealerships have closed, and sales have tanked.

[jhwalker]

Lots of jibba-jabba but no linky…

[Tetge]

Go to Suzuki and check on the 1250 Bandit, which is still in production. I have no idea what the bike in the pic is, as it has been modified, but, that is my best guess. Not that it matters, as it is a 600 pound giant bike, suitable for a large person who has the strength to handle such bulk, and who wants some comfort, as, if it is a late model, water cooled, Bandit, it is said that it is a lot smoother than the air cooled models that came before it, so, it makes a good solid touring machine. Not my thing, as weight is my enemy.

And now, since it is about 70* out and a perfect day, having already out my ear plugs in and laid out my riding gear, I am off for a ride on the ACH, as, some of us still ride, and, it is too nice a day in So Cal to miss out on.

[Tetge]

I managed to get all my riding gear on, which has become much more difficult in my old age, and, I took a ride up to Mt Emma, to the Forest Highway, and up to Newcomb's, via the Nine Mile. Naturally I rode slowly, both out of fear of a ticket and due to considerable rust and fear. But, it was a nearly perfect day and even the extremely in considerate drivers who never ever yield to faster traffic and apparently expect the people that pile up behind them to pass over the double yellow and take the risk of a substantial fine and points on their record, did not upset me unduly, since, even at 30-40 mph, on a highway posted at 55 mph (the ACH is actually an actual highway folks as it says so in its name). Just chugging along in 2nd and 3rd gear, is peaceful when shaking off rust, and the a-holes were only on the ACH., so the Nine Mile, and Forest Hwy, were open for any speed one might wish to motor at.

In fact, I waved a sports bike, that sounded like a 600, by at the top of the Nine Mile on the way home, and he disappeared instantly. But, shortly after that, I was caught by some fairly small BMW cage, that I also waved by, and that BMW, was, by far, the fastest machine that i encountered all day. I actually sped up to see a bit of the BMW at speed, but, a 690 Duke, is weak, and the BMW just disappeared down the Nine Mile. I have no idea what model BMW it was, as such exotica are far beyond my station, but, it looked very business like. Seems that newer performance cages move right along these days, but, it also is true that one has to fracture the posted speed limit to work them at all hard.

I rode about a 90 mile round trip without stopping, and, it actually took a physical toll on me, which I am now forced to self medicate with gin, but, as usual, it was fun, because, there is something about riding a naked motorcycle with traditional ergonomics that puts one in touch with motoring, even at sane speeds. I also did not see a single cop anywhere, including when in town. This surprised me, as there were a lot of interesting sports cars and many bikes out and about, and more than a few were going well over the speed limit. Today also reminded me once again of how cool it is to own a motorcycle in So Cal, as we still have the weather and the roads, and the well established car and motorcycle cultures. And, the 690 Duke still has a lot of character, so, that, and my very short gearing, helps make running slower, and taking it easy, still fun. It also always makes me feel good to split lanes in town when the weekend traffic is all jumbled up, and this too, is only legal in California. Just bark the throttle of the 690 Duke, and cages jump out of the way because, everyone knows better than to disrespect some outlaw on a loud motorcycle.

Yes, sensible and mature, or not, it can still be a lot of fun to ride......

[jhwalker]

a rational post, by golly
good for you

[jhwalker]

1. I rode the Ducati for the 1st time since the January 2016 stroke today. Felt scary, like the last time I drove the SPF. My brain is not good.
But, I rode it Gonna spend some time on the mtn bike before riding again.

2. My bad foot from the 7 month ago fall is finally healing. I still walk with a limp, but the pain is less. I was afraid it would never heal. meow

So we are still packing, wrapping, prepping for selling but still not on the market. I have no control over it, clearly. I'd have had it on the market a month ago.
But it makes no differece, in reality.