Nice Riding Weather in the Winter...

gdrudd13 · February 25, 2015, 08:13:50 AM

Ah. gotcha.

Troll · February 24, 2015, 15:45:16 PM

When you exit the box, you go into the S turn, then the corner, and then line up for the other box

gdrudd13 · February 24, 2015, 09:09:12 AM

Which one is the double S? Either i don't remember it or they don't have us do it here.

Troll · February 23, 2015, 18:30:42 PM

Always was my favorite, along with the double S.....

gdrudd13 · February 23, 2015, 08:44:25 AM

So finally got a decent day to go ride. It was a bit chilly, but I at least got to take it for a short test ride on Saturday. Can't ride now as there is snow on the ground that started Saturday night.

Fork Upgrades: They seem to be great, but a longer ride will give me a better idea. At the very least, it doesn't dive when stopping anymore. My first impression about it is that it isn't near as rough over the small bumps, but again a longer ride will tell me more.

Cruise Control: Works great. Didn't really need it, but I still tested it out. It'll take some getting used to just getting it set to the speed I want, but so far I really like it. Tested the brake pop off part and it works well. I just tested it in a large parking lot away from cars and traffic, but worked just as it should. It's pretty cool. This also gave me time to practice slow speed maneuvering a bit. Can't hurt to keep up those skills. Troll will probably know what I'm talking about when I say I practiced "the box" as part of it. I still think it's a pretty fun exercise, but I bet I'm in the minority.

John Hopkins · February 12, 2015, 16:52:14 PM

Quote from: gdrudd13 on February 11, 2015, 17:12:58 PM
Here are pictures of the cruise control. I don't think it looks big or bulky on there. This is the updated version, and I think it is slimmer looking than the old version.

That would be an epic revenge snowball. I would be impressed.

Here are pictures of my cruise control/throttle lock..

It cost a little less than yours and is less bulky, more of a slim line version.

Fitting is not a problem, you just squeeze the hook end closed or pull it open a bit to fit different grips.

Use your thumb or index finger to slide the straight part forward against the lever to set the cruise speed and roll the throttle off to turn it off.

The downside is I do have to employ a full time security guard to prevent theft when I park.

John.

pcarrell · February 12, 2015, 09:05:48 AM

Quote from: greenbarn on February 11, 2015, 18:29:13 PM
Wow, I thin Ratman is rignt..... Be careful not to fall on the ice - you could easily break a hip, and then you'd be in REALLY bad shape/

I know! I'm falling apart!

gdrudd13 · February 11, 2015, 21:06:06 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on February 11, 2015, 17:59:48 PM
gbrudd13 it would be the fastest snowball you ever had thrown at you.......to say the least.........or I could go to Scott City and visit some friends there and then slide on over to get you....lol...you never know......and after Mar I am on my own clock and so boredom might set in and a I have to do something......... or I could go and get help and from Richwood it is only 889.3929 miles and you would be hit with 2 snowballs......lol

lol. I would probably deserve both of those. Actually, I know several people that would say I deserve a lot more than that, and something other than a snowball, probably closer to being hit with a snowplow or three. So what happens after March? I must have missed that.

greenbarn · February 11, 2015, 18:29:13 PM

Quote from: pcarrell on February 11, 2015, 17:25:21 PM
Believe it or not, I coughed really hard and immediately knew I had an issue.

Wow, I thin Ratman is rignt..... Be careful not to fall on the ice - you could easily break a hip, and then you'd be in REALLY bad shape/

CDNRatMan · February 11, 2015, 17:59:48 PM

GB FYI.......cough really hard = cracked ribs.........translation, weak bones or old age.........

gbrudd13 it would be the fastest snowball you ever had thrown at you.......to say the least.........or I could go to Scott City and visit some friends there and then slide on over to get you....lol...you never know......and after Mar I am on my own clock and so boredom might set in and a I have to do something......... or I could go and get help and from Richwood it is only 889.3929 miles and you would be hit with 2 snowballs......lol

pcarrell · February 11, 2015, 17:25:21 PM

Quote from: greenbarn on February 11, 2015, 16:22:37 PM
Cracked ribs?? Oh no.... WHAT did you say to SWMBO to get THAT?

Believe it or not, I coughed really hard and immediately knew I had an issue.

gdrudd13 · February 11, 2015, 17:12:58 PM

Here are pictures of the cruise control. I don't think it looks big or bulky on there. This is the updated version, and I think it is slimmer looking than the old version.

Quote from: CDNRatMan on February 11, 2015, 14:49:14 PM
North Bay to Wichita 2240.6 km or 1392.2823miles..........I have nothing on my plate after Mar. 2 years of free time........small cooler, ride to Wichita, throw the snowball, me the Wichita Line man, ride to Trolls for supper, then to GB's to let him know I got my revenge.......then on home......very doable......

That would be an epic revenge snowball. I would be impressed.

greenbarn · February 11, 2015, 16:22:37 PM

Quote from: pcarrell on February 11, 2015, 07:42:16 AM
If it makes you feel better, I didn't get to ride last weekend when it was in the 50's. My bike is in fine shape and I had nothing to do........except nurse my cracked ribs back to health!

Cracked ribs?? Oh no.... WHAT did you say to SWMBO to get THAT?

Troll · February 11, 2015, 15:06:40 PM

You're quite welcome for dinner, just warn me in time so I can get some whale blubber for you.

CDNRatMan · February 11, 2015, 14:49:14 PM

my bike had a wicked dive to the front end and bounced at a stop sign really well, but since the switch it has become what I want in a front end.

But Mr. gdrudd13 even though we both ride 800's you have besmirched my reputation, so remember, you never know when, you will never know where, you will know why, so just beware that someplace, sometime, you will be smacked with a fresh snowball and you will know why.......

North Bay to Wichita 2240.6 km or 1392.2823miles..........I have nothing on my plate after Mar. 2 years of free time........small cooler, ride to Wichita, throw the snowball, me the Wichita Line man, ride to Trolls for supper, then to GB's to let him know I got my revenge.......then on home......very doable......

gdrudd13 · February 11, 2015, 13:51:25 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on February 11, 2015, 07:50:21 AM
Saw a video on the breakaway cruise control, looks awsome and seems to be the answer but the $230.00 plus price tag turned me off so I went with a Cruiser-Mate and am happy with it.

The place I got it from has it listed at $179, but I had some rewards points and a coupon for an additional $10, which when combined with free shipping made it not hurt as bad. It still hurt paying that much for cruise control, but I really do like the added safety of it kicking off when you hit the front brake. That was the main selling point for me. I might find that it isn't necessary and I never need it, but I'm one of those "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it" people. My bike came with one, but it wouldn't work with my Kuryakyn grips and it never did hold the throttle steady anyways. I'll try to get pictures put up later today. It actually looks pretty nice installed being billet aluminum.

Quote from: CDNRatMan on February 11, 2015, 07:50:21 AM
gdrudd, you will be amazed at how nice the bike handles and how smooth the ride will be. I will venture a guess that the oil in my forks had never been changed and the springs were original, after riding it that way for a summer and a half then the change and a full summer on the new springs and new oil....fantastic ride.....

It seems like it will be a good upgrade. I wish it wasn't so cold right now so I could test it out. Here in a bit it's supposed to get into the upper 40's for like a day, which would be warm enough to go for a short ride at least. The oil in mine was pretty bad too. It wasn't super dark I think because the bike doesn't have very many miles on it, but it looked almost like it had separated. Whatever the issue was it was nose diving badly when stopping, so it should be a huge improvement with the new springs.

John Hopkins · February 11, 2015, 08:18:40 AM

I got a nice little ride on Monday..

Cruise control.. I use the metal hook off a coat hanger. Works great.

John.

CDNRatMan · February 11, 2015, 07:50:21 AM

You know GB that about the only person I trust anymore about not lying about when they ride is the only person who posts pictures of his rides and that is the guy who is turning 66 this month. Who is the member who said no pictures it did not happen.

gdrudd, you will be amazed at how nice the bike handles and how smooth the ride will be. I will venture a guess that the oil in my forks had never been changed and the springs were original, after riding it that way for a summer and a half then the change and a full summer on the new springs and new oil....fantastic ride.....

Saw a video on the breakaway cruise control, looks awsome and seems to be the answer but the $230.00 plus price tag turned me off so I went with a Cruiser-Mate and am happy with it.

gdrudd13 · February 11, 2015, 07:44:37 AM

If it's as nice as you guys say it is it'll be great. It'll be awhile before I get to test it out.

I don't feel bad for me either. I'd rather give up a couple riding days to have really nice days to work on the motorcycle so I can get it done quicker.

I don't have any pictures of the cruise control installed with me, but here's where I bought it:

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/brakeaway-products-motorcycle-cruise-control/part/BAW-MCC

pcarrell · February 11, 2015, 07:42:16 AM

If it makes you feel better, I didn't get to ride last weekend when it was in the 50's. My bike is in fine shape and I had nothing to do........except nurse my cracked ribs back to health!

greenbarn · February 10, 2015, 21:29:24 PM

When you get a chance to ride that bike, with the new progressive springs in, You'll be thankful that you gave up a winter riding day for all that comfort all summer long! We'll expect a complete apology!

I don't feel bad for you...
We had 50 here on Saturday, and I didn't even get to WORK on my bike - spent most of the day shopping for a mattress
Believe me, you had more fun....

I'd like to see pics of that cruise, though. Where did you buy it?

gdrudd13 · February 10, 2015, 21:05:59 PM

I just couldn't resist lol. I would have had to do it anyways before my trip, but it just so happened that when I finally get around to starting it, the weather gets unseasonably warm right after and there wasn't going to be any riding with no forks. But yes it is done, and as for being happy, I haven't been able to ride it yet so that's still up in the air, it got cold again. It sure does look cool sitting in the garage with the fender light though.

You should be happy that I took your advice though. And that I threw Greenbarn under the bus too so you aren't alone. If it makes you feel better, my father in law rode by on his bike the other day to torment me because he knew I was working on mine.

As for the snowball, I still completely deserve it

CDNRatMan · February 10, 2015, 20:39:30 PM

Wow I get slammed for someone finally getting some work done on their bike that would have been left for another time.
You would have been out riding in the nice weather then said oh bad weather I should do it and pass on to other things and then nice weather rand you would be out riding more and pass on the work again and soon summer is here and you would say oh next winter.....so don't blame my....
Is it done? Are you happy.....so there......I am going to hit you with a snowball if I ever met you..........

gdrudd13 · February 10, 2015, 20:22:04 PM

...Otherwise known as days you weren't able to ride because your bike was blown apart after listening to Greenbarn and Ratman...

So we did have several very nice days (not normal around here) where the temps got into the 70's that would have been great for riding. But having listened to GB and Ratman rant and rave about upgrading the front fork springs on the 800's, my bike was up on a lift. It wasn't all bad though, they were nice days to work on the bike and during that time I was able to change the oil and upgrade the fork springs to progressives, wire in the fender light that was installed when I bought the bike but never actually wired, and finally I was able to install a Brakeaway Cruise Control. This does mean that other than changing the brake fluid my bike is ready for my summer trip as well. Although it will also need the oil changed by then, but I don't count that. The timing of finishing it is perfect as well, just in time for the temps to go back into the 30's and low 40's.

On a side note, the brakeaway cruise control is a very cool product in my opinion. I like that as soon as you tap the front brake the cruise control turns off. Once you get it adjusted correctly it works really well, but the adjustments are a major pain, so you'll have to be patient (I suck at this part) while you are working on it.

Has anyone else gotten any riding in this winter that normally doesn't get to?