Get some sidecases, it looks even worse
Todays ride
I don't see any recent ride report type thread, consider posting about yours. Here is my report from today, first good ride on my brand new SV650. First good ride because I bought it Friday and rode home 68 miles, mostly freeway.
Today was 127 miles out along Mulholland Hwy and through some of the canyons including some real tight twisties. Warm in the mountains, overcast and cold in my mesh gear along the coast this AM. Hot and above 90F coming back home to the Valley. Good ride and not much traffic on the good roads.
The thing handles really well in twisties. In the straight bits I found myself short shifting rapidly, trying to keep it under or not much over 5000 RPM. There's no comparison in power to the Monster 1200 I just sold, but it handles easier in the tight stuff and at slow speeds. Specs say it weighs 30 pounds less, and wheelbase is 56.9" vs 59.6" for the Monster. Seat height is a little higher. I am all of 29" inseam and about 140 pounds plus gear, so it is right in my size range.
Can't really say it is a long term keeper after only 195 miles, but so far so good. The Monster had excessive and unnecessary power levels, but that was part of the fun. I think I will be OK with the reduction in power. No need to go 0 - 100 MPH in 4 seconds or whatever craziness. Riding for 40 years now, so did not use all the Monstrous power anyway.
Plus I believe it will be quite a bit less dollar intensive to operate, maintain, insure. First gas fill up today (was full when I got it), showing 188 on odo took 2.814 gallons to pump auto shutoff, so 66.8 MPG. On regular not premium.
Ordered swingarm spools, luggage rack, oil filter, crush washers, and gotta have the T shirt. Things I like I tend to keep a long time, so we'll see how this goes. Love it so far. No thread is complete without pics.
![Tire Wheel Sky Vehicle Fuel tank]()
![Wheel Tire Fuel tank Ecoregion Vehicle]()
Today was 127 miles out along Mulholland Hwy and through some of the canyons including some real tight twisties. Warm in the mountains, overcast and cold in my mesh gear along the coast this AM. Hot and above 90F coming back home to the Valley. Good ride and not much traffic on the good roads.
The thing handles really well in twisties. In the straight bits I found myself short shifting rapidly, trying to keep it under or not much over 5000 RPM. There's no comparison in power to the Monster 1200 I just sold, but it handles easier in the tight stuff and at slow speeds. Specs say it weighs 30 pounds less, and wheelbase is 56.9" vs 59.6" for the Monster. Seat height is a little higher. I am all of 29" inseam and about 140 pounds plus gear, so it is right in my size range.
Can't really say it is a long term keeper after only 195 miles, but so far so good. The Monster had excessive and unnecessary power levels, but that was part of the fun. I think I will be OK with the reduction in power. No need to go 0 - 100 MPH in 4 seconds or whatever craziness. Riding for 40 years now, so did not use all the Monstrous power anyway.
Plus I believe it will be quite a bit less dollar intensive to operate, maintain, insure. First gas fill up today (was full when I got it), showing 188 on odo took 2.814 gallons to pump auto shutoff, so 66.8 MPG. On regular not premium.
Ordered swingarm spools, luggage rack, oil filter, crush washers, and gotta have the T shirt. Things I like I tend to keep a long time, so we'll see how this goes. Love it so far. No thread is complete without pics.
181 - 200 of 240 Posts
Perfect.
Took a ride the other direction today east on 178 through Walkers Pass. In the 60's here at about 2700' above sea level, but noticeably cooler at the top, over 5,000'. Used the heated gloves, much nicer than frozen hands. Lots of old mines and other history from the Gold Rush days around here. Like this old cemetery.
![Tire Plant Wheel Vehicle Motorcycle]()
Destination was CA historic landmark #766, says google. About 51 miles from home by road. On Hwy 178 by Hwy 14.
I guess maybe there was a plaque on this rock thing at one time.
Not an exciting destination, but a nice ride.
I'll be glad when some of the snowed in and other closed roads open up and the temps get warmer.
![Tire Wheel Land vehicle Sky Vehicle]()
I always found local history more interesting than world history and memorizing dates etc.
Wikipedia says:
History
Walker Pass was charted as a route through the Sierra in 1834 by Joseph Rutherford Walker, a member of the Bonneville Expedition who learned of it from Native Americans. Walker returned through the pass in 1843, leading an immigrant wagon train into California. In 1845 the military surveying expedition of John C. Fremont used the pass. He suggested it be named after Walker.[3][4]
The Walker Pass Lodge was built nearby in the 1930s and was a well-known rest stop before burning down around 1990.
Aside from the paved road, the pass is essentially unaltered since Walker mapped it in 1834.[3]
I guess maybe there was a plaque on this rock thing at one time.
Not an exciting destination, but a nice ride.
I'll be glad when some of the snowed in and other closed roads open up and the temps get warmer.
I always found local history more interesting than world history and memorizing dates etc.
Wikipedia says:
History
Walker Pass was charted as a route through the Sierra in 1834 by Joseph Rutherford Walker, a member of the Bonneville Expedition who learned of it from Native Americans. Walker returned through the pass in 1843, leading an immigrant wagon train into California. In 1845 the military surveying expedition of John C. Fremont used the pass. He suggested it be named after Walker.[3][4]
The Walker Pass Lodge was built nearby in the 1930s and was a well-known rest stop before burning down around 1990.
Aside from the paved road, the pass is essentially unaltered since Walker mapped it in 1834.[3]
No ride today, but maybe the rain is stopped for a while and the temps will be coming up above 40's..
Happy days are here again! You know, the song that comes out of that hand held poker game when you win.
More riding soon.
![Rectangle Font Parallel Screenshot Circle]()
Happy days are here again! You know, the song that comes out of that hand held poker game when you win.
More riding soon.
Canyon road north of Kernville closed just at McNallys about 16 miles north of town.. Their burger shack looked open but it was too early. Next time. Sierra Way goes along the lake, still closed, I suppose at the river. Went down the river canyon to Bakersfield A little more traffic but nothing to slow me down much.
The bike says about 56 or so mpg, my math puts it at 60. Maybe I should go faster but I did get to almost 200 on one empty straight. 200 Kph, but it sounds better than 120, yeah?
![Tire Wheel Cloud Sky Vehicle]()
Don't smell the flowers, they're an evil drug and they'll make you lose your mind.
And they are everywhere.
![Flower Plant Plant community Ecoregion Leaf]()
The bike says about 56 or so mpg, my math puts it at 60. Maybe I should go faster but I did get to almost 200 on one empty straight. 200 Kph, but it sounds better than 120, yeah?
Don't smell the flowers, they're an evil drug and they'll make you lose your mind.
And they are everywhere.
Did this on Tuesday.
goo.gl
The ridge in the distance is what Skyline Drive runs along.
![Wheel Tire Sky Vehicle Automotive tire]()
Sheetz to 6618 US-15
goo.gl
The ridge in the distance is what Skyline Drive runs along.
Yep, lots of fun.
If you are getting that kind of MPG it tells me your Motorcycle engine and fuel system are in excellent conditionThe bike says about 56 or so mpg, my math puts it at 60. Maybe I should go faster but I did get to almost 200 on one empty straight. 200 Kph, but it sounds better than 120, yeah?
My '07 gets mid-50s mpg, I think it's a testament to efi on this particular model. My 250 hardly gets any better.If you are getting that kind of MPG it tells me your Motorcycle engine and fuel system are in excellent condition
I'm to some extent changing my strategy from riding On Any Sunday, to riding on weekdays but not holidays.
Avoid the tourists and RVs as much as possible. So far not a big deal in my new home area.
It's great not having to w*rk every day. Went to store, did stuff around the house on the weekend even though real nice weather.
Monday / today it was warm, good leather weather. Woohoo!
Rode down to Bakersfield and tried a new to me road, Rancheria Rd. Goes through some orchards, sign says road closed in 22 miles, seasonal closure. Then it goes through some rolling hills, past a few cows. After only 5-6 miles, came to a sign said pavement ends and just ahead, snow not removed. Decided that was far enough for today. I need to do some hiking while the flowers bloom, and it's not too hot.
![Plant Wheel Tire Sky Vehicle]()
Avoid the tourists and RVs as much as possible. So far not a big deal in my new home area.
It's great not having to w*rk every day. Went to store, did stuff around the house on the weekend even though real nice weather.
Monday / today it was warm, good leather weather. Woohoo!
Rode down to Bakersfield and tried a new to me road, Rancheria Rd. Goes through some orchards, sign says road closed in 22 miles, seasonal closure. Then it goes through some rolling hills, past a few cows. After only 5-6 miles, came to a sign said pavement ends and just ahead, snow not removed. Decided that was far enough for today. I need to do some hiking while the flowers bloom, and it's not too hot.
181 - 200 of 240 Posts
