Adding miles to the V-Strom is easy: go to work. Come home safely. 4,600 miles already passed and it seems like the bike is still breaking in.
By my standards, it won't be broken in until 10,000 miles. At that point, I'll feel comfortable adding semi- or fully synthetic oil to the bike and consider running the oil a little longer. I know I'll need new tires sometime next spring. But after tonight, I think I might need something else.
I didn't check the weather coming to work. It was cool enough to ride to work with my liner in my mesh jacket, but I didn't think to pack my cold weather riding suit. So, returning to my bike at 1:15 in the morning to 46° F temperatures was a bit of a shock. I had only packed a sweater - which I was already wearing. Fortunately, I keep my arrangement of gloves (warm, rain, and cold) in my saddlebags, so I was able to at least have that.
Then I sat on the bike. Condensation seeped through my pants. "How many times have I sworn I'm going to pack a towel to dry my seat?" I swore. This was going to be a great ride home.
I started down the highway below the speed limit, thinking that would keep me from the cool wicking away too much of my body heat. I ducked below the turbulence of my windscreen to keep the wind off my neck. However, I couldn't help thinking about the protection of the half fairing on my old FJR as my lap turned into a frozen slab of numb meat and my forearms grew sore. I also marveled that the V-Strom never stressed its cooling system the way the FJR did. Even now, drifting in and out of pockets of even colder air, the bike offered no ambient warmth as I squeezed it with my knees and thighs.
But even though I wasn't warm, my core wasn't cold. I could safely operate the bike's controls, and gave thanks for the stoplight at the end of the deceleration lane so I could rub some feeling back into my thighs.
I wondered why I didn't go for a bike with a small fairing after having sprung for one of the most expensive dual sport 650's on the market. On top of that, it was a much better street bike than dual-sport, unless my observations prove incorrect. Why didn't I get a cheaper KLR? After all, I hankered for one of those for years, thinking I would purchase one once I got back in the saddle again. (I entered the dealership looking for a KLR and rode out with a V-Strom...)
But I figured I pay around $70 each month in gas and I would double that in a car. With that and the savings in insurance, the bike almost pays for itself. And it's a bike! Considering 99.8% of my riding thus far has been on paved roads, it justified itself.
But Midnight lacks one thing I can fix: a decent windscreen. And who knows? Maybe I can find a decent fairing for it, too? In the meantime, I have got to pack myself a towel!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
3000
I just ended a near week-long vacation from work. Did the Chronic Rider hit the twisty roads of the Hill Country? Did he go visit the Texas coast? Did he make his way to Big Bend and the scenic Chihuahua Desert?
Nope. I maybe traveled 10 miles on the bike, instead spending my time working on my computers, performing a little maintenance on the bike itself and generally resting from a sore foot with a nasty bone bruise.
The bruise came from dropping the bike in my driveway. I left my disc lock on the front wheel's rotor and tried to ride off. I can assure you that it will not let you get far, even under power! With that, I tested the goodwill of my insurance company and used my medpay coverage to get my foot examined after the bike put a significant amount of weight on it when it fell.
This led to the opportunity that comes only from a "broken in" bike. I got to literally demonstrate how to pick up a motorcycle from its side to a young rider from work. (I'm also ordering a "reminder" strap that stretches from the lock to the handlebar to remember to remove the lock! The old one had disintegrated so I threw it away...)
I just found out upon returning from my vacation that this rider had dropped her bike in the parking lot just a few yards from my original demonstration. I remember the story she told of her trying to lift the bike with two people and nearly breaking their backs doing it. She told me that this time she remembered what I taught her and righted the bike quickly, by herself and without any fuss. Boy, was I proud!
So even though I didn't do a whole lot of riding last week, it feels good to have been there in spirit.
Nope. I maybe traveled 10 miles on the bike, instead spending my time working on my computers, performing a little maintenance on the bike itself and generally resting from a sore foot with a nasty bone bruise.
The bruise came from dropping the bike in my driveway. I left my disc lock on the front wheel's rotor and tried to ride off. I can assure you that it will not let you get far, even under power! With that, I tested the goodwill of my insurance company and used my medpay coverage to get my foot examined after the bike put a significant amount of weight on it when it fell.
This led to the opportunity that comes only from a "broken in" bike. I got to literally demonstrate how to pick up a motorcycle from its side to a young rider from work. (I'm also ordering a "reminder" strap that stretches from the lock to the handlebar to remember to remove the lock! The old one had disintegrated so I threw it away...)
I just found out upon returning from my vacation that this rider had dropped her bike in the parking lot just a few yards from my original demonstration. I remember the story she told of her trying to lift the bike with two people and nearly breaking their backs doing it. She told me that this time she remembered what I taught her and righted the bike quickly, by herself and without any fuss. Boy, was I proud!
So even though I didn't do a whole lot of riding last week, it feels good to have been there in spirit.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Texas Rain
Residents new to San Antonio often remark how local drivers don't know how to drive in the rain. I suppose perpetual drought may have something to do with it. However, when the city of San Antonio posts a sign like this on the interstate while its raining:
one readily suspects that the locals really don't know how to drive in the rain.
More seriously, however this part of the state can experience flash floods because the land here saturates quickly. In that case, police make every effort to prevent people from entering low water crossings where a car (or person!) can be swept away.
But I lean towards the lack of ability theory...
Update:
The sign was later altered to say "When flooded, turn around, don't drown." Well, now that makes sense!
one readily suspects that the locals really don't know how to drive in the rain.
More seriously, however this part of the state can experience flash floods because the land here saturates quickly. In that case, police make every effort to prevent people from entering low water crossings where a car (or person!) can be swept away.
But I lean towards the lack of ability theory...
Update:
The sign was later altered to say "When flooded, turn around, don't drown." Well, now that makes sense!
Monday, September 24, 2012
2,000
I've reached 2000 miles this past week. The time has just flown by, and so have the miles! As my familiarity increases, the more comfortable I feel with Midnight. She pulls strong down low and brakes well. I love how she handles, though I wish the seat was a little higher!
I dropped the bike in my driveway recently. I made the mistake of trying to ride off with a disc brake lock still attached. However, I was able to instruct a (relatively) new rider on how easy it is to lift a bike from its side by means of demonstration since what little damage the bike had would not be increased.
(Incidentally, you put your butt against the saddle, pull the lowest handlebar in towards yourself and use your legs to push up and against the bike, walking it into an upright position. If the bike is on its left side, try putting the bike in gear. If the bike is on its right side, put the kickstand down and grab the brake lever when lifting the bike. Either way, it will help prevent the bike from rolling away when lifting it!)
See also: How to Lift a Bike
Next time, I'll use a "disc reminder," a stretchy plastic cord that hooks over the handlebar on one end and through the lock on the other. (My excuse: my old one disintegrated. That's the honest truth!)
The state of Texas and the city San Antonio wants you to know this by posting this on their electronic signs:
I positively agree. Driving safely and texting later is not worth it. I'd like to text those people slowing down on the on ramp (formally known as "acceleration lanes") to get a little less safe and a little more on the throttle! Driving like you're afraid of the road kills me!
I dropped the bike in my driveway recently. I made the mistake of trying to ride off with a disc brake lock still attached. However, I was able to instruct a (relatively) new rider on how easy it is to lift a bike from its side by means of demonstration since what little damage the bike had would not be increased.
(Incidentally, you put your butt against the saddle, pull the lowest handlebar in towards yourself and use your legs to push up and against the bike, walking it into an upright position. If the bike is on its left side, try putting the bike in gear. If the bike is on its right side, put the kickstand down and grab the brake lever when lifting the bike. Either way, it will help prevent the bike from rolling away when lifting it!)
See also: How to Lift a Bike
Next time, I'll use a "disc reminder," a stretchy plastic cord that hooks over the handlebar on one end and through the lock on the other. (My excuse: my old one disintegrated. That's the honest truth!)
The state of Texas and the city San Antonio wants you to know this by posting this on their electronic signs:
I positively agree. Driving safely and texting later is not worth it. I'd like to text those people slowing down on the on ramp (formally known as "acceleration lanes") to get a little less safe and a little more on the throttle! Driving like you're afraid of the road kills me!
Monday, September 17, 2012
A Week of Riding
The 2 AM ride home has been interesting this past week.
In the rain of course, a young man rolled down his passenger side window at a stop light and said, "I bet you didn't see this coming!" I guess I'm a little socially awkward. I replied, "actually I did, and I love it." (Before I left work, I checked the weather map which showed a very active storm system over 100 miles across centered over San Antonio.) The man was kind and well-intentioned. But I really enjoyed the pattering of rain, the coolness rising under the chin bar of my helmet and the sloshing of rain under my tiers.
The most difficult part of riding a dual sport in the rain is relaxing enough to allow the bike to do its job properly without pushing it beyond it's traction threshold. In a turn, a motorcycle tire has more road contact than a car tire. However, once traction is broken, then without care, other things will break in turn... But riding in the dark on a rain covered road with invisible "road snakes" will cause the handlebar to twitch as if hydroplaning, but the bike will keep itself righted so long as the rider relaxes enough to let the sensation pass and is responsible enough to not react by breaking or swerving. Which is why riding on the near desolate, well-lighted streets of San Antonio at night is actually safer than during the day whenever it is raining.
A BARREL OF FUN
I had the pleasure of watching a full-size pickup truck drive at full highway speeds through an on ramp with several construction barrels under the vehicle. I backed off - way off - and watched as one of the barrels dislodged and unpleasantly bounced across my path. Naturally, I was well prepared for this possibility - and quite safe. Moments later, a police car who was monitoring the intersection and construction zone pulled the truck over. That the truck pulled over onto the left side of the road with the driver's door against the highway barrier leads me to think - among other obvious reasons - that this individual suffered from chemically induced impaired judgement.RIDING IN THE RAIN
I also enjoyed riding in the rain. This was a first for me and midnight, but she handled superbly. On the way to work, traffic was very slow since enough San Antonians don't know what that wet stuff on the road is or how to drive on it, which in this case suited me fine. On the way back, I got to experience 68° weather with cool rain beating down on my leather/mesh gloves. My rain gear worked wonders, but some weather-resistant gloves were definitely in order. I also remembered how wonderful hand guards work to prevent things like trees, rocks, flying squirrels and cold rain from hitting your hands. (Mental note: shop for hand guards.)In the rain of course, a young man rolled down his passenger side window at a stop light and said, "I bet you didn't see this coming!" I guess I'm a little socially awkward. I replied, "actually I did, and I love it." (Before I left work, I checked the weather map which showed a very active storm system over 100 miles across centered over San Antonio.) The man was kind and well-intentioned. But I really enjoyed the pattering of rain, the coolness rising under the chin bar of my helmet and the sloshing of rain under my tiers.
The most difficult part of riding a dual sport in the rain is relaxing enough to allow the bike to do its job properly without pushing it beyond it's traction threshold. In a turn, a motorcycle tire has more road contact than a car tire. However, once traction is broken, then without care, other things will break in turn... But riding in the dark on a rain covered road with invisible "road snakes" will cause the handlebar to twitch as if hydroplaning, but the bike will keep itself righted so long as the rider relaxes enough to let the sensation pass and is responsible enough to not react by breaking or swerving. Which is why riding on the near desolate, well-lighted streets of San Antonio at night is actually safer than during the day whenever it is raining.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Cool
When I think of winter or when the temperatures drop, I remember of some of the best rides and adventures I've ever had took place in that kind of weather.
But here, right now a cold front drifted in and has decided to make itself comfortable for about a week. The daytime received a much welcome respite from the 100° + days that brought asphalt on the way to work at 4:00 in the afternoon a blistering 107°, with temperatures "down" to 80 or 85° at 1:30 AM when I leave work. A mesh jacket worked quite well; I used the "3 season" rain liner for keeping warm in the zealous air conditioning that descends upon my cubicle.
Tonight presented a dilemma I've not considered in some time - certainly not since I returned to two wheels. When I stepped out of work, air in the 60's shocked me as slightly cooler than my cubicle! With a mild shiver, I pulled the liner out of my tail bag and fit it under my mesh jacket. I put my vented gloves on after my helmet. I regarded the other rider leaving at the same time: she wore a sweater and a 3/4 helmet. We both knew she would get very cold on the way home. I rode much farther - so I'd get a chance to test my gear and see how much protection Midnight gave me.
The ride did chill me a little. I noticed how little protection my hands have from the cold. Wind blew all around my legs and arms. The bike protected only my belly and chest. I forced myself to relax and get used to the cool; gripping the handlebar tightly and tensing up fatigues the body and lessens the ability to concentrate and maneuver gracefully.
The 25 mile ride home took me through spots as cold as 64° and as warm as 75°! But I enjoyed the mildly crisp air and the stars shone brightly when I could see them. Has fall arrived? I hope so! I look forward to making more memories as the weather begins to cool.
But here, right now a cold front drifted in and has decided to make itself comfortable for about a week. The daytime received a much welcome respite from the 100° + days that brought asphalt on the way to work at 4:00 in the afternoon a blistering 107°, with temperatures "down" to 80 or 85° at 1:30 AM when I leave work. A mesh jacket worked quite well; I used the "3 season" rain liner for keeping warm in the zealous air conditioning that descends upon my cubicle.
Tonight presented a dilemma I've not considered in some time - certainly not since I returned to two wheels. When I stepped out of work, air in the 60's shocked me as slightly cooler than my cubicle! With a mild shiver, I pulled the liner out of my tail bag and fit it under my mesh jacket. I put my vented gloves on after my helmet. I regarded the other rider leaving at the same time: she wore a sweater and a 3/4 helmet. We both knew she would get very cold on the way home. I rode much farther - so I'd get a chance to test my gear and see how much protection Midnight gave me.
The ride did chill me a little. I noticed how little protection my hands have from the cold. Wind blew all around my legs and arms. The bike protected only my belly and chest. I forced myself to relax and get used to the cool; gripping the handlebar tightly and tensing up fatigues the body and lessens the ability to concentrate and maneuver gracefully.
The 25 mile ride home took me through spots as cold as 64° and as warm as 75°! But I enjoyed the mildly crisp air and the stars shone brightly when I could see them. Has fall arrived? I hope so! I look forward to making more memories as the weather begins to cool.
Monday, September 3, 2012
50+ MPG, One Less Car
This morning, I got all the flashy Suzuki lights blinking at me. Whenever I get down to "one bar" on the fuel gauge, a tiny little fuel pump starts blinking in the corner of my instrument panel. Once the fuel has dropped below a certain point in the gas tank, that one bar starts blinking, too.
With nary over 1,300 miles on this bike, I'm wondering if the headlight is going to blink next and how hard it would be to push the V-Strom to the next gas station.
Regardless, I made it home. The mpg readout before I filled up stated I averaged 53.8 mpg this past tank of gas. Not bad! I did chuckle as I added 4.77 gallons of gas to my 5.3 gallon fuel tank. I might have made it back to work with what was left!
Not that I would try... But it's good experience for when I'm touring and a long way from home to know that I've got 25 miles to safe and 50 miles to just plain out of luck.
Which reminds me of Aerostich's infamous motorcycle license plate holders:
With nary over 1,300 miles on this bike, I'm wondering if the headlight is going to blink next and how hard it would be to push the V-Strom to the next gas station.
Regardless, I made it home. The mpg readout before I filled up stated I averaged 53.8 mpg this past tank of gas. Not bad! I did chuckle as I added 4.77 gallons of gas to my 5.3 gallon fuel tank. I might have made it back to work with what was left!
Not that I would try... But it's good experience for when I'm touring and a long way from home to know that I've got 25 miles to safe and 50 miles to just plain out of luck.
Which reminds me of Aerostich's infamous motorcycle license plate holders:
Monday, August 27, 2012
1,000
I just passed 1,000 miles on my new black beauty, "Midnight." She is my new Suzuki DL650A, a VStrom 650 ABS Adventure model.
Some observations:
There is a new bike smell, and it is wonderful.
That rear tire really likes to slip when it's cold.
The factory mirrors are great - for long glances at your elbows.
It helps to remove the disc lock from your brakes before riding off into the sunset.
Downshifting into first gear isn't always easy. The transmission is kind of clunky like the FJR's.
Earplugs are my friend.
The clutch lever needs to be properly positioned on the handlebar or every time you shift, the display button engages and changes the display.
Fuel mileage is much more impressive in Imperial Miles per Gallon.
There's lots of low-down torque.
Those saddlebags are big but it makes the bike so wide!
Why in the world is Plexus over $20 a can?
I like sitting way up high.
It's good to be back in the saddle again!
But I still miss my 'ol gal. Midnight reminds me of her in a lot of small ways, but she's definitely her own creature!
Some observations:
There is a new bike smell, and it is wonderful.
That rear tire really likes to slip when it's cold.
The factory mirrors are great - for long glances at your elbows.
It helps to remove the disc lock from your brakes before riding off into the sunset.
Downshifting into first gear isn't always easy. The transmission is kind of clunky like the FJR's.
Earplugs are my friend.
The clutch lever needs to be properly positioned on the handlebar or every time you shift, the display button engages and changes the display.
Fuel mileage is much more impressive in Imperial Miles per Gallon.
There's lots of low-down torque.
Those saddlebags are big but it makes the bike so wide!
Why in the world is Plexus over $20 a can?
I like sitting way up high.
It's good to be back in the saddle again!
But I still miss my 'ol gal. Midnight reminds me of her in a lot of small ways, but she's definitely her own creature!
2000
(Note: I found this post saved, waiting to be published after how many years? I'm not going to edit it any further, just let it speak for itself.)
On the way to work this morning I noticed I rolled the odometer over 2000 miles.
A lot has happened in the past 1000 miles on this bike. It's become a comfortable commuter - a small but nimble companion that asks very little and does enough. I appreciate its utility and economy. Since I'm not riding highway + speeds, the super-cold gear gets used but not heavily taxed.
I took out Angelina (my neighbor's 600cc CBR 600 F4i) last weekend on a fluke. I griped that I hadn't made it to the hill country lately since my bike doesn't like highway speeds, so he let me borrow her. After about 40 miles, my hands and wrists were tingling mightily, reminding me of some of my woes as I retired from the FJR.
Which got me to thinking all this week. The XT really is a comfortable bike and gets great mileage. The FJR got decent mileage for a large bike and ate up highway like it was nobody's business allowing me to unofficially conduct 1000 mile day voyages on the drop of a hat. How would the XT fare on a 1000 mile voyage? A 2000 mile voyage? A 10,000 mile voyage?
So I started thinking about the Iron Butt Association and the kinds of bikes used for those events. I noticed a heavy use of the megasized bikes has gone down a little bit, replaced with venerable sport-tourers (with the FJR holding a sizeable share of usage).
So what would it take to travel like that? I used to ponder that question a lot, but I began to become more comfortable with my responsibilities than riding. Soon enough, riding became increasingly uncomfortable and - thanks to my recent work in the industry - less than satisfying.
Every ride I've been on - especially the longer ones - I've overpacked or brought stuff that I really could have lived without. I also manage to break at least one of my golden rules that ensure that I have a safe and fun time. (Last time, I didn't bring an extra pair of gloves and the linings designed for my riding gear AND I rode into the dark when I should have stopped to camp. Together, that made a long and uncomfortable night!)
So could the XT make such a journey? Certainly, though I don't know about the rider!
Mechanically, the bike is ready to go. Pack some chain lube and the bike will ride well for a long time. The factory tires seem to last a long time, though I have my doubts about their durability at sustained highway / near-highway speeds.
The rest is about rider comfort. That will make or break how a rider performs over any voyage of any length.
The seat is narrow, which unlike the FJR puts less stress on my pelvis. The seat is also very firm the way the FJR's was when I first bought it. It's starting to break in nicely, and I suspect that it will remain fairly comfortable in stock trim for a long time.
The narrowness of the bike lends itself well to leg comfort, too. Even if the positions for foot placement is limited, moving about on the bike is easier, lessening my complaints in this department as well.
It's the upper body that takes all the stress. I've been pleased with the windflow around my helmet, and the air deflection onto my chest reduces the energy I expend to stay upright at certain speeds, so at most a small deflecting windscreen could come in useful. Moreso, the vibration in the grips of the handlebars concern me enough for normal commuting that I'm left wondering about the effects of long-term riding and the viability of any plans I make with this bike.
The handlebar's vibrations are punishing. Compound this with a lack of any kind of cruise control and the wrists are in for a punishing ride. The handlebars (if replaced) need to stay the approximate size they are now; I tried a set of ATV bars but couldn't get the important stuff to reach well... A mechanical cruise control (like the thumb-actuated Vista Cruise) by itself would help enourmously. The paddle throttle assists work wonders on larger displacement bikes, but due to the full changes in throttle position on the smaller bike, the just aren't as practical. I'd also like to find some foam to slip over the grips to further insulate vibrations from the handlebar. The grip protectors I have should also help null some of the vibrations, but also will increase my temperature range for colder weather gear.
The lighting is good. Sure, it'd be nice to have some LED's lit up under the bike or some fog lights, but... technology really is no replacement for good judgement.
In fact, navigation is 100% possible without GPS, despite the techno freak in me that wants to hook up every kitchen appliance to any vehicle I own... Heated grips, radio and the like are all frivolous.
Indeed, my packing looks the same way. Who needs riding boots, hiking boots, walking shoes and sandals for an overnight camping trip, right? The XT is a veritable Swiss Army knife of riding utility; my approach to riding it should reflect that strength as well.
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