Yeah...I haven't been able to spend much one on one time with any bike recently. So the excitement started to increase as I contemplated riding over to a new adventure riding meetup group dinner. Of course, I left work an hour late. And I also had to go to the market for necessities. So I arrived home at 7. Threw the groceries in the kitchen. Put the perishables in the appropriate fridgerated compartment. Left the remainder strewn all over the floor and counters. Slipped my sweaty feet into leather boots. Threw my jacket over my shoulder, grabbed my helmet and ran to the garage.
It is an adventure riding group. I have to take the GS. It is the adventure bike after all. Unfortunately the tank is absolutely empty.
Get the bike out of the garage, close the house and hop on the bike. The new gas station around the corner seems like the perfect stop.
Hop on the freeway at 7:20 and enjoy a spirited ride to arrive someplace 20 minutes away...in 10 minutes. ;)
Didn't quit make it on time, but no matter...the ride was enjoyable.
I consider losing a little face as I have to make a couple of circuits of the parking lot as others watch on. I just can't decide where to attempt to squeeze the bike in. But it isn't worth feeling chagrined about. I've got one HOT bike. And all eyes are on us. Hehe
I don't know. I just can't help but feeling a huge ego boost when I am one of only three girls in a sea of 20 guys...and the only rider. Oh yeah, baby.
And I didn't even get stuck in the garage when I arrived home to stable the steed. :)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Carburetors and Fuel Petcocks
So what happens when someone has become spoiled on his state of the art, fuel injected, luxury liner on two wheels and is put on a 1986 Honda duel sport? He completely forgets about carburetors and fuel petcocks that need to be turned into the proper position...
I figured he had stalled the machine when he didn't follow me through the right hand turn out of the parking lot. But I could see his frustration level skyrocketing when it died again a quarter mile down the road at the next light. His furious kick starting wasn't having effect. Luckily there wasn't anyone on the road behind us. I just pulled over and headed for the gas station. He was there jumping up and down on that kick start lever to save his life.
I was curious to see if he would pull it over to the gas station and just kick it over on its side. (He had spent all day Saturday trying to kick start that darn machine. You would think the fact that it wasn't getting any spark would have saved him tons of kicking.)
It didn't take him long to realize that the fuel petcock was in the "Off" position. Well...it didn't take him much longer...hehe
Just goes to show that you have to relearn some things on those older vehicles that you used to be proficient on. :)
I figured he had stalled the machine when he didn't follow me through the right hand turn out of the parking lot. But I could see his frustration level skyrocketing when it died again a quarter mile down the road at the next light. His furious kick starting wasn't having effect. Luckily there wasn't anyone on the road behind us. I just pulled over and headed for the gas station. He was there jumping up and down on that kick start lever to save his life.
I was curious to see if he would pull it over to the gas station and just kick it over on its side. (He had spent all day Saturday trying to kick start that darn machine. You would think the fact that it wasn't getting any spark would have saved him tons of kicking.)
It didn't take him long to realize that the fuel petcock was in the "Off" position. Well...it didn't take him much longer...hehe
Just goes to show that you have to relearn some things on those older vehicles that you used to be proficient on. :)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Four's a Herd
If two is company. And three is a crowd. What is four?
Apparently, a nice start to a herd...
The poor little thing is relegated to the patio for a couple days until we can make some space in the garage.
Oilburner and I have been wondering lately just how two of us are going to go adventure riding? I realize that he is ok with taking his RT(A) on some dirt roads. I'm sure he would be capable of taking it through some pretty interesting areas. But whenever I think about some of the places I am interested in exploring, I don't want to ask him to take the RT(A) down those roads. I'd be too afraid of what might happen...
He's just been too darn jealous.
We knew we would end up getting something that would allow us both to get out and dirty. We've always just wondering what it might be. I figured it would be some old, beat up thing that would allow me to learn to ride the dirt. And so it is.
I still think that 600cc is large for off-roading. At least to learn on. But the important thing is that the cc's will allow us to ride the bike to the trail instead of trailering it there. So what I think is going to happen will be Oilburner riding this on the highways and byways to reach the dirt...and then we can switch bikes. I'll ride on the comfort of the GS saddled, cushy shocked shiny luxury liner. :)
Some of you have been posting some of your pictures of the "basket case" bikes. And we are wondering if this will be one of them. Luckily the thing runs great. Oilburner is torn between just getting it out and riding or taking it apart and cleaning all the little pieces and prettying her up again. I'm more of the camp of just riding it right now and having some fun. Clean it up next winter. Maybe.
Oh yeah. Oilburner wants to make sure that I point out that I got the brand new, pretty, shiny big GS and he gets stuck with this old, dirty, rusty bucket o' bolts. I told him that you all would only say "that is as it should be". :)
Apparently, a nice start to a herd...
The poor little thing is relegated to the patio for a couple days until we can make some space in the garage.
Oilburner and I have been wondering lately just how two of us are going to go adventure riding? I realize that he is ok with taking his RT(A) on some dirt roads. I'm sure he would be capable of taking it through some pretty interesting areas. But whenever I think about some of the places I am interested in exploring, I don't want to ask him to take the RT(A) down those roads. I'd be too afraid of what might happen...
He's just been too darn jealous.
We knew we would end up getting something that would allow us both to get out and dirty. We've always just wondering what it might be. I figured it would be some old, beat up thing that would allow me to learn to ride the dirt. And so it is.
I still think that 600cc is large for off-roading. At least to learn on. But the important thing is that the cc's will allow us to ride the bike to the trail instead of trailering it there. So what I think is going to happen will be Oilburner riding this on the highways and byways to reach the dirt...and then we can switch bikes. I'll ride on the comfort of the GS saddled, cushy shocked shiny luxury liner. :)
Some of you have been posting some of your pictures of the "basket case" bikes. And we are wondering if this will be one of them. Luckily the thing runs great. Oilburner is torn between just getting it out and riding or taking it apart and cleaning all the little pieces and prettying her up again. I'm more of the camp of just riding it right now and having some fun. Clean it up next winter. Maybe.
Oh yeah. Oilburner wants to make sure that I point out that I got the brand new, pretty, shiny big GS and he gets stuck with this old, dirty, rusty bucket o' bolts. I told him that you all would only say "that is as it should be". :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Around The World In 8 Hours
Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Chanukah. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Happy Anniversary.
So much has gone on in the past month. Sometimes the smallest changes can be the most difficult to handle. I may backtrack at some point in time and tell you some of the stories. But for now, let's look to the future and get to the latest ride.
Well...the latest ride was Oilburner taking his bike in for the 6K service. And it having to stay a couple days extra to replace a leaking final drive seal. Ahhh...the beloved final drive on these R bikes. They arent getting any love, nor respect, these days.
So, the ride before?? We took a tour of the world. And we accomplished that in a mere 8 hours. OK. It wasnt really around the world. It was more of a European tour. I've always wanted to travel. Though I was hoping I would get to spend more time sightseeing. This was just a whirlwind tour that left little time to see or do anything. If we only saw the seedy part of town...so be it.
US Riders News is promoting world travel, almost armchair style. They want us to get out and see some International cities...that are located in our home, or neighboring, state. Submit 6 photos of you and your bike, or your bike and the magazine, and receive a patch.
I have a friend that is laid up after shoulder surgery, so he took on the planning. Of course you would think the obvious cities would be Rome, Cairo, Athens, Montezuma, GA. But really, so many names come from so many places. Of Europe. Since my friend doesn't run down the obvious path the first route he gave me, that was a day ride, covered Smyrna, Winston, Ithica, Bremen, Bowdon, and Fairburn. The other choice was a three day ride covering most of the state.
Now, I've heard of a couple of these international places...but Smyrna?? Fairburn?? I wasn't planning this shindig, so I'm not going to worry about it. I'm just along for the ride.
We figured the counter clockwise route was the way to go. We would get the speed up and the slab portion of the day out of the way and we could enjoy the back roads at the end. So Smyrna was our first stop.
Even though this wasn't my ride, I was the one elected to lead. I originally led us to a regular Public Library sign that wasn't plagued by vehicles passing by every few seconds. Invalid boy wasn't satisfied with that, so he went to find this one. We had the enjoyment of running up the sidewalk to park in front of the sign. We also had the difficulty of balancing the camera on a fire hydrant, set the timer, get across the street and dodge cars blocking the photos. Needless to say we were here for awhile. I'm happy the police weren't around.
Next on our itinerary was Winston. I didn't have much hope for a formal city. So many places here a merely bumps in the road. So I immediately made a u-turn for the Post Office with the official Winston name.
This was an easy one that didn't take any time. We were there and gone again in the blink of an eye.
The next city wasn't going to be so accommodating. Ithica.
If you read the rules you will see the first problem right off the bat. Our Ithica vs Greece's Ithaca. The cities need to be spelled the same. Therefore ours wasn't going to work. Unfortunately we didn't realize that until we had already ridden down the roads searching for an official sign for Ithica. Good thing there wasn't one. But now we were going to have to find another city on our route.
Our next stop was a more identifiable Bremen. Bremen I could handle. I would much prefer it be the one that is more well known though. Approaching town there is a great "Welcome to Bremen" city sign. However, it was on a major road with only an embankment to ride up. And the police officer turning behind us probably wouldn't appreciate us blocking traffic. I decide to just get to city center and we can discuss it, when this shows up. How fortuitous.
Forward Ho! Just a few miles down the road is the city of Bowdon. Oilburner seems to be flauting his use of the handicapped spot. Which really has an eldery gentleman perturbed when he came to pay his water bill. I think standing around and chatting with us helped calm him down. Then he realized this was Saturday and the office wasn't open at all.
Next stop is Fairburn. Invalid boy seems to remember the city name growing in the bushes somewhere. So apparently that means it is my job to find it. Find it I did!
This was also the location where I took the little GS off the curb! Rebel me. Quite daring. hehehe. Oilburner had blocked me in and thought I wouldn't have the guts to go forward. Looks like it was him without the guts.
Our last city idea was Hampton. But first it was getting late and we need food!!
Good ole BBQ.
A little too much time was spent eating and gabbing. We hit the road knowing full well we were pushing the clock to reach Hampton before sundown.
Yeah. I know what you are thinking. It didn't happen. So not only are we trying to photograph our last city in the dark, the only good place is the police station. And without a tripod the only way to really get it all in is to ride up the sidewalk and park in front of the sign. Luckily the police took pity on us and didn't give us a problem.
Update. I wasn't able to submit everything through the website. Kept giving me errors even though the images were tiny.
I also had the chance to speak with a US Riders News representative at the M/C show last weekend. She confirmed that the magazine does have to be present. So now this little tour won't receive official recogition. :(
We're just going to have to hit the road again and do a little more International Touring.
Hope you are able to get out and have some, two wheels or otherwise.
So much has gone on in the past month. Sometimes the smallest changes can be the most difficult to handle. I may backtrack at some point in time and tell you some of the stories. But for now, let's look to the future and get to the latest ride.
Well...the latest ride was Oilburner taking his bike in for the 6K service. And it having to stay a couple days extra to replace a leaking final drive seal. Ahhh...the beloved final drive on these R bikes. They arent getting any love, nor respect, these days.
So, the ride before?? We took a tour of the world. And we accomplished that in a mere 8 hours. OK. It wasnt really around the world. It was more of a European tour. I've always wanted to travel. Though I was hoping I would get to spend more time sightseeing. This was just a whirlwind tour that left little time to see or do anything. If we only saw the seedy part of town...so be it.
US Riders News is promoting world travel, almost armchair style. They want us to get out and see some International cities...that are located in our home, or neighboring, state. Submit 6 photos of you and your bike, or your bike and the magazine, and receive a patch.
I have a friend that is laid up after shoulder surgery, so he took on the planning. Of course you would think the obvious cities would be Rome, Cairo, Athens, Montezuma, GA. But really, so many names come from so many places. Of Europe. Since my friend doesn't run down the obvious path the first route he gave me, that was a day ride, covered Smyrna, Winston, Ithica, Bremen, Bowdon, and Fairburn. The other choice was a three day ride covering most of the state.
Now, I've heard of a couple of these international places...but Smyrna?? Fairburn?? I wasn't planning this shindig, so I'm not going to worry about it. I'm just along for the ride.
We figured the counter clockwise route was the way to go. We would get the speed up and the slab portion of the day out of the way and we could enjoy the back roads at the end. So Smyrna was our first stop.
Even though this wasn't my ride, I was the one elected to lead. I originally led us to a regular Public Library sign that wasn't plagued by vehicles passing by every few seconds. Invalid boy wasn't satisfied with that, so he went to find this one. We had the enjoyment of running up the sidewalk to park in front of the sign. We also had the difficulty of balancing the camera on a fire hydrant, set the timer, get across the street and dodge cars blocking the photos. Needless to say we were here for awhile. I'm happy the police weren't around.
Next on our itinerary was Winston. I didn't have much hope for a formal city. So many places here a merely bumps in the road. So I immediately made a u-turn for the Post Office with the official Winston name.
This was an easy one that didn't take any time. We were there and gone again in the blink of an eye.
The next city wasn't going to be so accommodating. Ithica.
If you read the rules you will see the first problem right off the bat. Our Ithica vs Greece's Ithaca. The cities need to be spelled the same. Therefore ours wasn't going to work. Unfortunately we didn't realize that until we had already ridden down the roads searching for an official sign for Ithica. Good thing there wasn't one. But now we were going to have to find another city on our route.
Our next stop was a more identifiable Bremen. Bremen I could handle. I would much prefer it be the one that is more well known though. Approaching town there is a great "Welcome to Bremen" city sign. However, it was on a major road with only an embankment to ride up. And the police officer turning behind us probably wouldn't appreciate us blocking traffic. I decide to just get to city center and we can discuss it, when this shows up. How fortuitous.
Forward Ho! Just a few miles down the road is the city of Bowdon. Oilburner seems to be flauting his use of the handicapped spot. Which really has an eldery gentleman perturbed when he came to pay his water bill. I think standing around and chatting with us helped calm him down. Then he realized this was Saturday and the office wasn't open at all.
Next stop is Fairburn. Invalid boy seems to remember the city name growing in the bushes somewhere. So apparently that means it is my job to find it. Find it I did!
This was also the location where I took the little GS off the curb! Rebel me. Quite daring. hehehe. Oilburner had blocked me in and thought I wouldn't have the guts to go forward. Looks like it was him without the guts.
Our last city idea was Hampton. But first it was getting late and we need food!!
Good ole BBQ.
A little too much time was spent eating and gabbing. We hit the road knowing full well we were pushing the clock to reach Hampton before sundown.
Yeah. I know what you are thinking. It didn't happen. So not only are we trying to photograph our last city in the dark, the only good place is the police station. And without a tripod the only way to really get it all in is to ride up the sidewalk and park in front of the sign. Luckily the police took pity on us and didn't give us a problem.
Update. I wasn't able to submit everything through the website. Kept giving me errors even though the images were tiny.
I also had the chance to speak with a US Riders News representative at the M/C show last weekend. She confirmed that the magazine does have to be present. So now this little tour won't receive official recogition. :(
We're just going to have to hit the road again and do a little more International Touring.
Hope you are able to get out and have some, two wheels or otherwise.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
My Night of Danger
I could have died! I could have died...and Oilburner was wandering around less than 100 feet away. He was oblivious to my screams for help. Oblivious or intentionally ignoring me. I will reserve my opinion for now.
I was in the garage and trapped by my bikes. Oilburner had walked away without a second thought as to my well being.
I was trapped with the only option being to spend the night there hollering my foolish head off or hurting both of my bikes. Apparently I was opting for the foolish. Come hell or high water I wasn't hurting my bikes if I didn't have to.
What happened, you ask? For a first, after pulling into the garage, Oilburner closed the garage door. Closed the door before the bikes were completely put up. He had dismounted and rushed into the house, taking care of the alarm. I wasn't in danger yet, and this was just standard operating procedure.
I sat there enjoying the bike under my butt, while slowly removing my gloves and helmet. I easily rested the helmet on the mirror of my other bike. The problem now rears its ugly head. I put the kickstand down, begin to lean the bike over, and bam...right into the saddlebags on the R12R. This wasn't going to work.
With the garage door down I was limited in how much I could maneuver the GS. I look a quick shot and tried to execute a 9 point sashay with the GS to move it a little farther away from the R.
Nope. Not enough. I sit there for a second and wonder where the hell Oilburner is?? He's normally right back in the garage polishing his bike. I make a quick holler but hear nothing indicating he might have heard me.
I take stock. I don't have the Flass2Pass on the GS. So I can't open the garage door. I can't reach the key on the R to get its opener working. As I am pondering I hear the front door open. What??
I take my chances and make another 9 point sideslip. Better. I can lean the bike farther, but still no luck in landing it all the way on the sidestand.
What is this? Where is Oilburner??
I start screaming my fool head off a lot louder. Oilburner finally comes running.
He takes a gander at my predicament and just about doubles over laughing. I wasn't as amused. He opens the garage door so I can finallly maneuver the bike enough...and I promptly attempt to set the GS on the side stand...without actually making use of the sidestand. At least Oilburner was there for that one.
The mess gets sorted out. I am finally able to dismount with both of my bikes intact. My pride isn't quite so lucky. I'm still screaming, for different reasons now, to find out that Oilburner had wandering around disrobing of his riding gear, actually plugging his helmet in, sauntering down to the mailbox and picking up the days offerings. All while I am in grave danger.
Wait. Strike that. I didn't almost die. But if Oilburner keeps up the snickering...he might.
I was in the garage and trapped by my bikes. Oilburner had walked away without a second thought as to my well being.
I was trapped with the only option being to spend the night there hollering my foolish head off or hurting both of my bikes. Apparently I was opting for the foolish. Come hell or high water I wasn't hurting my bikes if I didn't have to.
What happened, you ask? For a first, after pulling into the garage, Oilburner closed the garage door. Closed the door before the bikes were completely put up. He had dismounted and rushed into the house, taking care of the alarm. I wasn't in danger yet, and this was just standard operating procedure.
I sat there enjoying the bike under my butt, while slowly removing my gloves and helmet. I easily rested the helmet on the mirror of my other bike. The problem now rears its ugly head. I put the kickstand down, begin to lean the bike over, and bam...right into the saddlebags on the R12R. This wasn't going to work.
With the garage door down I was limited in how much I could maneuver the GS. I look a quick shot and tried to execute a 9 point sashay with the GS to move it a little farther away from the R.
Nope. Not enough. I sit there for a second and wonder where the hell Oilburner is?? He's normally right back in the garage polishing his bike. I make a quick holler but hear nothing indicating he might have heard me.
I take stock. I don't have the Flass2Pass on the GS. So I can't open the garage door. I can't reach the key on the R to get its opener working. As I am pondering I hear the front door open. What??
I take my chances and make another 9 point sideslip. Better. I can lean the bike farther, but still no luck in landing it all the way on the sidestand.
What is this? Where is Oilburner??
I start screaming my fool head off a lot louder. Oilburner finally comes running.
He takes a gander at my predicament and just about doubles over laughing. I wasn't as amused. He opens the garage door so I can finallly maneuver the bike enough...and I promptly attempt to set the GS on the side stand...without actually making use of the sidestand. At least Oilburner was there for that one.
The mess gets sorted out. I am finally able to dismount with both of my bikes intact. My pride isn't quite so lucky. I'm still screaming, for different reasons now, to find out that Oilburner had wandering around disrobing of his riding gear, actually plugging his helmet in, sauntering down to the mailbox and picking up the days offerings. All while I am in grave danger.
Wait. Strike that. I didn't almost die. But if Oilburner keeps up the snickering...he might.
Monday, December 5, 2011
If You Can't Laugh At Yourself...
...you probably aren't riding your R1200GS. After all, we are on the White Horse of the Apocalypse. The Alpha and the Omega. ;)
Where's my little "strongman" emoticon when I need him??
Where's my little "strongman" emoticon when I need him??
Sunday, November 27, 2011
How's the GS?
I realize I have been away a little. Work and life balance is not one of my strong points. :) I was facing a product (software) release the week after purchasing the GS. Many hours of overtime and a Sunday deploy kept me grounded and merely watching the GS sit in the garage.
Really. A brand new bike and I get to watch it sit in the garage... Argh...
During the interval the GS has received:
1) It's 600 mile service (965 km). Do you conceive of how difficult it is to put 600 miles on a bike when you cannot ride on the freeway?? This was the longest and most difficult 600 miles I have ridden!
She got new oil:
New final drive fluids:
2) Received engine and tank guards:
3) Installed a Centech unit for all those electronic accessories. Oilburner did a great job, didn't he?
4) Auxiliary headlights, to better be seen:
5) Hyperlights (no pictures)
6) We took a quick trip to snag a tag and she saw her first bit of dirt...errr water:
I think the next item should be a Fender Extender to save those pipes. :)
Can you believe? Even the RT was showing RTA (Adventure) stripes:
Really. A brand new bike and I get to watch it sit in the garage... Argh...
During the interval the GS has received:
1) It's 600 mile service (965 km). Do you conceive of how difficult it is to put 600 miles on a bike when you cannot ride on the freeway?? This was the longest and most difficult 600 miles I have ridden!
She got new oil:
New final drive fluids:
2) Received engine and tank guards:
3) Installed a Centech unit for all those electronic accessories. Oilburner did a great job, didn't he?
4) Auxiliary headlights, to better be seen:
5) Hyperlights (no pictures)
6) We took a quick trip to snag a tag and she saw her first bit of dirt...errr water:
I think the next item should be a Fender Extender to save those pipes. :)
Can you believe? Even the RT was showing RTA (Adventure) stripes:
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