Sub-Zero Again / Monsoon

[Speedblastr]

I'm with ya' Bro. 26 degrees and more white stuff. What is this ? The fucking ICE AGE ! Speed.

[mark]

28 degrees today. Global warming, my big fat white ass! I got so pissed off that I went for a ride anyway.

--mark

[Speedblastr]

Were gettin' her tonight in my neck of the woods Rain/snow/Rain and more Rain.About a 4 state stretch. I can't wait ! Speedmaster is getting pissed off ! Must have patience. Had a window of opportunity this afternoon and blew it.

[mark]

Weather's finally starting to get nice(ish) here. Rode to work yesterday and today. Chilly this morning (28 degrees), but it's supposed to be in the mid-40s this afternoon.

Now we just need a few bright sunny days in the 40s to melt the snow out of my driveway. I'm hoping to pick up my new V-Strom next weekend, and it would be nice to have some place to park it.

--mark

[JEnfield]

Well I wish I had that problem its been warm in the high 50s even up to 65 but I am not allowed out when the suns out so fuck me runnin. Hey Mark I have to make up my mind if the drugs dont burn it out. I really want a sport bike but a touring would be awsome or another dual sport shit I dont know anymore whats worth buiying anyhow I know Tito has a V and your getting one Why? Honest question not a trick ? I looked last night at a Tiger and Vstorm plus several others. So give me you take and Tito weigh in also. Busa is not home yet and not sure I want the 1000 dollar a year insurance for it.

Jimmy

[mark]

Jimmy, I think Tito and I both bought V-Stroms for the same reasons: long-distance touring without sacrificing a fun ride in the twisties. (I decided I had to have one after riding Tito's on a twisty road.)

The V-Strom is an awesome bike. Very upright seating position like on a dual-sport, so it's comfortable for long rides. Small windshield for weather protection, without totally cutting you off from the environment like a freaking Goldwing or something. And the V-Strom is light and nimble enough for seriously fun handling in the twisties. It can lean really far and feels very planted. It's like a big supermoto that you can attach hard bags to.

The V-Strom 650's engine is basically the same one as in the SV650 (I think it's slightly retuned for more low-end torque, and it has a Nikasil-style cylinder plating instead of the SV's sleeves, which theoretically makes the Strom's engine even longer-lasting). It's got plenty of power for highway cruising and attacking the twisties, and gets 50-60mpg. But after my nasty speeding ticket last year, I'm glad that the engine isn't so powerful that I'll constantly be going way too fast without even thinking about it. It's just the right amount of power for me.

Also, the Strom's geometry is still dual-sport enough to work pretty well off pavement. Obviously it's no motocross bike, but word is that Stroms are surprisingly good on dirt roads and such.

Plus it's a cheap bike to insure. I'm paying a little over $250 a year, full coverage, for a brand-new bike.

If you want more power you could go with the V-Strom 1000, but for me the 650 is plenty.

--mark

[JEnfield]

Well as posted my first thought was a cruiser platform for two up but Tina (wife) doesn't ride that much Courtney (daughter) wants to take over the little ninja my father picked up when she passes her MSF . I like to push the limits or let me refraze that I used to like to push the limits not sure after some of the crap I have seen the last couple of years if I want to keep knocking on the door someone might just open it. I loved my Dual Sport for just running around town. But now listening to you guys wouldn't mind doing some traveling but I am not a Goldwing type of person(not that there is anything wrong with it) it just isn't my bag. The BVille is a great mid range ride but 500 miles a day ain't fun when you cant feel your ass. I really like the Tiger but not sure if it might be to heavy to play on some gravel. So I sit here playing with my ass wishing in one hand and you guessed it.

Jimmy

[Speedblastr]

Don't forget to wash your hand. Good Luck Choosing. On/Off road......or Cruiser ?

[mark]

I really like the Tiger but not sure if it might be to heavy to play on some gravel.

Try to testride a V-Strom. The new Tiger is very street-focused. Since you want to be able to ride on gravel/dirt roads, the Strom would probably be a better choice... or an older Tiger 955i.

--mark

[hankspeed3]

ya, southern Maine 6 to 10 " of snow for Friday, March 28th. Oh well, we usually get snow in April every year though. Still sux though.

If you still believe in Al Gore's Global warming then you were stupid enough to spend $10 to go see the movie, or worse, spend money on his book. The ass never spent time in Maine, nor has he seen an Upstate NY, winter, a VT winter, nor a Maine wicked gooad winta.

Hey Al, nice nobel peace prize, dip shit. Come on up to the "County" we only got 15 feet of snow this year. Only.

[TonUp]

Well I wish I had that problem its been warm in the high 50s even up to 65 but I am not allowed out when the suns out so fuck me runnin. Hey Mark I have to make up my mind if the drugs dont burn it out. I really want a sport bike but a touring would be awsome or another dual sport shit I dont know anymore whats worth buiying anyhow I know Tito has a V and your getting one Why? Honest question not a trick ? I looked last night at a Tiger and Vstorm plus several others. So give me you take and Tito weigh in also. Busa is not home yet and not sure I want the 1000 dollar a year insurance for it.

Jimmy

Jimmy!

I already have a sport hooligan bike, a hot rod, and a long distance one up bike. I really like the V-Strom for a lot of reasons. First of all I needed a replacement for my FJ1200, I also wanted a bike that will tour long distances two up, great gas mileage, long range on a tank of gas, fun to ride, a mule capable of carrying my laptop and tools to work, or camping gear, clothes, passenger cross country. A bike that would be nimble and fun to ride 15 miles or 800 miles a day.

Here is what I know so far, DL-650, lighter, better on gas and handles a lot better than its bigger brother. I average 48-50MPG riding two up with gear at 80-85mph. I can ride it in the rain, cold weather, dirt roads for long periods of time. I was able to put on 10,000 miles in 3 months last year very easily. I can go 250-300 miles on a tank of fuel. The best mileage I have gotten so far is 62mpg at 67mph. Top speed in limited to 121MPH which it will do in 5th gear, it easily breaks the TON in 4th. It has buttery smooth 6 speed feagear box, great brakes and a very sweet clutch. The best feature is it's super bright headlight, which make riding at night a breeze.

Performance wise this a fun and sporty bike with a great motor, suspension and comfort. On a twisty road it will run with the big boys, yes it does, it will give any sportbike a headache if not a spanking under a skilled rider. You really to have to ride one to fully indulge the experience. This bike is not for everyone, if you like to cover long distances 500 miles every day for a few weeks, camp, get dirty every now and then you will like it.

It is very versatile and cheap to own. I am saving money for my next ride.


Tito


Ton Up!

[hankspeed3]

Since it snowing in Maine again today. Lets bring it back to the weather.

[hankspeed3]

and for all you global warming religion zealots.... here is whats going on in maine.

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This was taken up in Aroostoock County Maine, pronounced "roostick" county. Or simply, "the county". We call it the north 40.

Global Warming? Its all the Al Gore and the Dems have left to hang their collective hats on. But really, I mean really. Just spend some time up here. Now don't you just want to reconsider that whole nobel peace prize thing?

[Boondox]

Hank -- You spell "Mountain" differently over there in Maine...

I had a chance to take my Tiger out for a ride this past Thursday, but there was just too much ice on that first quarter mile of dirt road to risk it. Shame, because everything was clear once the asphalt started. I actually considered using my tractor to lift the Tiger and carry it down to the blacktop. In retrospect, looking at all this new snow, I should have gone for it!

I considered the Wee-Strom when looking to move up from the Yamaha, but even though it was an awesome bike I had that stubborn "wanna ride something different" thing that sends so many of us to Triumph. The Tiger has blown my mind since the very first test ride. I'm happy with it even though I live on a dirt and gravel road.

Pete

[hankspeed3]

that's very true pete, but the tiger just plain rips now that its more geared for street only. As you already know.