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!

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.