Still Wandering in Indiana

Well...currently awaiting admission to hospital. Might be nothing...but better safe than sorry.

Sorry to hear of your illness. That’s why the make modular helmets.

Was out looking at bikes yesterday. The Tiger 800 XRX Low was too small, the Tiger 1200 XRT was too big, the 800 XRT was just right.

It’s difficult to really tell how these bikes feel without a full tank of fuel but the 1200 would be a handful either way.

I also sat on a R1200GS Low and it is a perfect bike for me. The Tiger 800 XRT would need bar risers but it would not require a major tear down like my VStrom did.

Sat on a lot of other bikes too. It’s going to be a long winter but they are getting dumped on in Summit county right now so that might help me make it to riding season.

Hope you get well soon.

Thank you.

Ironically this was my first long ride with a new full face helmet after riding all summer with a modular helmet. Got too loud,so I picked up an HJC and i was looking forward to trying it out.

I'm going to have to spend some time trying to work out the differences in all those bikes you been checking out.

Joel - Hope everything went well with the illness. Sounds like you're out of the woods at any rate. Interested in how you like your new HJC. A lot of people I ride with like a modular but I for one do not. My Arai is due for replacement. They are expensive but the sound/crash protection and fit are worth it.

They are all just tall bikes, compared to the Scrambler, and have the triple engine. I'm not necessarily a fan of the triple but I do spend a lot of time at 60mph and above and would like a more relaxed engine at those speeds. I'm willing to trade some low speed handling for it. The R1200GS is a no brainer excluding depreciation and reliability. The late Tom Maggliozzi of Car Talk used to say, "Life is too short to own a German car" and, as well engineered as they are, I believe the same applies to Motorrad. Hearing guys with no offroad riding having front and/or rear shock failures out of warranty that cost $1500 each to replace is just not in my realm of comprehension.

I also sat on a Yamaha Super Tenere - it's very similar to the Tiger 1200 - a bit outdated - but reliable as a rock. Also top heavy like the Tigers.

I hear angels sing every time I sit on a R1200RT... but BMW. If Falcone has a BMW factory demo day - make sure you go and give the GS and RT a ride. You won't regret it.

A Road King or an Indian is still on the list. The Harley is the better bike but my experience at HD dealers is really off-putting. My wife has a few more years before she graduates so there's no immediate need to get a big two-up cruiser... hence, the consideration of a Tiger 800, or GS.

Dr. said I was normal. I tried to get her to tell Debbie, but Dr. emphasized "the stress test" was normal.

I may have attempted to exceed that limitation. Deb wouldn't have believed it anyway.

The HJC is just a LOT quieter and the CL-17 got an excellent review on webbikeworld. Decided to go for it since it was on sale. Saturday was the longest ride with it and it was comfortable and quiet. Can get my glasses on easily as well. DOT and Snell, so that will be okay for me.

I don't think I can dispute anything you say. I have loved a few of the German engineered cars I have owned, but they aren't cheap to maintain. The cost of keeping them running is one reason I don't own one


Though I'd take my '83 VW GTi back in a heartbeat.

The new GS850 or 750 interest you?


It can be difficult resisting angels singing

The Top Gear episode of 80's hot hatches was one of my favorites. I've always loved the tartan fabric in the GTi which is almost enough on its own to get me to pull the trigger... but I have resisted so far because of that damned five cylinder turbo engine before the 2015 redesign.

I have absolutely no interest in the GS850 or 750. There is a process in worldwide manufacturing these days to move major cost items to Chinese for 1/20th the cost and then not pass any of that cost savings on to the customer - just let it all go to the profit margin, don't increase the warranty period, and leave the customer to deal with the immediate out-of-warranty reliability issues. That is what BMW is doing with the 850/750. It's not a patriotic or xenophobic thing with me - it's purely economics.

I rode a 2015 GS700 with the Austrian-made Rotax in May 2017 and can't say I was impressed. I like the looks of the GS700 - not so much the new GS750 especially with its ridiculously small windscreen. I don't know why they bothered. On Saturday I didn't even stop to look at, let alone sit on the GS750 that I walked right past to get to the R1200GS Low I've been eyeing for four months.

Tewster2 on this site thought he had a perfect bike in a brand new GS700 he took to Deadhorse in 2017. A few months after returning home the front wheel bearing disintegrated mid-ride. Chinese made bearing. I don't care where it's made but it better damned well better have the same quality if I'm paying the same price.

I know I wouldn't be comfortable on an RT without bar risers. Maybe I have short arms for a person of my height. Even with bar risers I'm concerned the bodywork limits lower body movement. I like to move my legs around and shift positions on occasion - the RT looks like you really can't do that. But when I was headed down the road at 80mph on the demo ride and I hit that electric windscreen button the wind noise completely and totally disappeared. It was the most amazing thing. Maybe when I do the demo ride in the spring I'll try the RT without ear plugs and see how that sounds. My Strom is reasonably quiet (with ear plugs) behind the Madstad windscreen but nowhere near as quiet as the RT was.

You've done more thinking on the economics of it than I have, but having read your thoughts---I don't disagree.

I'm almost afraid to do demo rides on bigger touring bikes. I doubt I'd become disenchanted with my bike, but why risk it?

I've always thought I like smaller bikes, but that's all I've ever ridden too, so maybe I'd become a fan of a bigger bikes. Not going to buy one, or any other, for a long time but it is fun to consider what is out there.

I'm going to have to look up that Top Gear episode. May have missed that one.

Personally, if my wife didn't like riding pillion I would probably have never considered an 800 lbs touring bike. Although I did find myself hours into a highway slog envying a guy on a touring rig who was obviously more comfortable than me.

You have nothing to fear. Compared to 400 lbs bikes the tourers have all the agility of a hippopotamus (except maybe the new Goldwing which is not really a traditional touring bike - it's more of a sport tourer now). No matter how good they are, they are never going to be quick off the line, flickable underneath you entering a corner, or confidence inspiring at walking pace or slower. They are big. But there is a place for them in the broad spectrum of riding.

It all comes down to having the right tool for the job and as long as you have the right hammer for your type of nail - it's all good.

My local Triumph dealer has a lot of T100's, T120's, Bobbers, and Scramblers on the floor along with the Tigers. All gorgeous bikes.
https://www.moonmotorsports.com/--inventory?condition=new&pg=1&customSearch=Triumph

There is another Triumph dealer about 45 minutes south of me in a small rural town and I'm surprised at how many Triumphs they sell compared to the other brands.
https://bpmotorsports.com/Inventory/New-In-Stock/NEW/Triumph/Motorcycles

Enjoy the two wheel porn.

Got out for little while today. Temp was near 60, so I unhooked the battery tender and geared up. Got a chin curtain for the new helmet and that helped a lot.

No big adventure, just bopping around my usual route when I don't have much time. It was definitely getting colder as I headed back, but man...it felt great to get some time on the bike.

Have both racks on the bike at the moment, but won't most of the time.




Possible snow and ice tonight, so not sure when I'll get out again.

It’s solidly winter here. About +11F outside this morning. Snow on the trees so it’s pretty.

Was able to get out to Summit county last week and ski a couple days at Keystone. I’d post a pic but I don’t know how. It was an ok trip. Skiing was fine but the airport experience on both ends was a drag.

The Strom is asleep next to the basement fridge. It’s sad every time I go down there.

I will likely be in Brownsburg the week of Christmas. Hope it’s a bit warmer than here.

Have friends still living in Caribou, ME where I spent my childhood. Eleven below zero yesterday. I'll take the 29ish it is supposed to be today.

My Scrambler looks pretty lonely in the garage, but I am slowly adding farkles to be installed (new tailbag, paddock stand bobbins) when it warms up.

I saw the snow reports from Summit County and wondered if you had made it out there yet. Heading to Boyne Highlands over New Years--not quite the same, but at least I'll be skiing.

Went skiing in MI last weekend, took the bike out today for about an hour. Wadda' country!

A couple of observations:
1. Pinlock shields work as advertised
2. My new HJC helmet is quieter without earplugs than my last helmet was with them.
3. Paddock stand bobbins for Christmas are a great gift.
4. The soft luggage tail bag looks better on the Scrambler than the Givi topcase.
5. Riding in January is always an unexpected treat to be treasured.


Stopped to get a shot of the bike with the tail bag. The guy getting out of the truck across the street hollered over asking what year the bike is. He was surprised to find out it was new. Kept saying, "Beautiful bike." Hey, who am I to disagree?


The aforementioned bobbins. The Triumph comes with a hollow hub so the bobbins just slide into place and get tightened down. Makes it so much easier to maintain the chain.


Wasn't out long, but I really enjoyed the ride. And the Colts won, so there's that.

Unrelated story: Went over to the auto parts store last night in the Miata. Guy working on his battery next to where I parked started talking to me about Miatas. Used to be the president of the Indy Miata Club. Sold the car to get back into bikes. He has a Honda CB750K that he bought new in '83. Had to sell it with 3600 miles on it 30 years ago for the proverbial minvan. Started looking on Ebay and spotted one just like it and called about it. It was in WI and had been owned by a guy in Chicago.

Long story short, it was his 1983 bike. He confirmed it by a copy of the VIN on an old insurance card he had kept. Only had 4200 miles on it when he got it back. Pretty amazing story. Only 600 more miles on it than when he sold it.

I'll never understand that.

Later!

And that is what riding is all about. It's not a purpose built machine used a a tool, but what stirs the soul. Subscribed to this thread.

Glad you were able to get out and ride. I was in Indy last week to spend a couple days with my mother. After a cold and rainy December 27th in Indy, the 28th and 29th were pleasant and I saw a guy riding each day on my drives into downtown. I picked up some trinkets at the Pacers and Colts team stores. I also visited the Eideljorg museum - one of my favorite places in the entire country (I have a thing for art of the American West).

I hope your Michigan ski trip was all that you hoped for. My son and I are headed to Summit county on the 14th for a couple of days at A-Basin.

Riding season is still months away for me. We've had a couple of nasty ice storms and, after several hours of work with the garden tractor and 120 lbs of salt, and two forty degree days, it is finally clean down to the concrete. But I did see a guy on a naked Harley riding yesterday on my way to play golf on a simulator. Typical Harley rider - no helmet. His face must have been mighty chilled. And his bike will have some slat grime on it when he gets home.

The skiing was pretty good for Michigan. Sure not Summit County, but I was on skis, so that was good. My old boots broke in half and I ended up renting gear for the second day. Just as with motorcycles, technology has REALLY changed and moved on since I bought my last stuff.

Was feeling really old on the first day. Boots weren't comfortable, legs were tired, etc. Second day I was skiing like I was forty again. Nephews in their teens an low twenties were working hard just to keep up with me (so was my ultra-competitive son-in-law, heh heh heh.) Felt great!

I saw one bike out yesterday and I was surprised not to see more. The riding was really good and it just felt great to be on two wheels, if only for the day. Definitely unusual to get riding time in January, but I'll take it to feed the soul until warmer days roll around again.

Enjoy your time in Summit County!

Joel - Glad to see you got out even if just for a bit. I got out yesterday to try out the farkles on the Yamaha. Cool story on the guy with the CB750.

After fracturing my humerus last season doing nothing remotely dangerous or risky at less than 10 mph, I have committed myself to skiing more conservatively this season. I lived up to that commitment on my last trip and have every intention of doing so on this upcoming trip.

I don't know if you saw that a 53 year old died of cardiac arrest at Keystone a couple days before XMAS and a 66 year old died of the same on XMAS day. Both were found by skiers - they didn't hit anything. Skiers and Ski Patrol did CPR on the 53 year old in the sled all the way down to base to no avail. Whether we like it or not - we are in THAT population.

I will still do ridges and steeps but I'm going to keep it below 60 mph from now on. [I don't recall if I told you that I GPS'd 83.6 mph two years ago at age 52.] I've only done fast carving speeds on completely empty runs but a fall at those speeds could seriously shorten my motorcycle enjoyment. So the narrative is: Ski Safe to Motorcycle. Motorcyle Safe to Ski.

Ouch! Well, earlier this fall I had to return home rather than meet up for the LooseNut's Ride over near Turkey Run. Thought I was having a cardiac issue. Stress test passed with flying colors, so that worry has subsided.

Sounds like you are WAY more aggressive on skis than I ever have been, so guess I'm okay on that end too. 83 mph on skis? Nuh-uh, not happening even on my craziest days. Guess I was born to be mild.