46 Degrees at 4600 miles

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!

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!

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.

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:

Aerostich: One less car

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!