I have been. Love it. Every dry or almost dry day.
Anyone else?
I did when I had my Monster. Now I do the same on my Enfield. As long as I can get to work mostly dry I'll ride, even if I get soaked on the way home like I did today. I put more miles on my bike every year than my car. I don't even winterize any more. Even in the winter there will be a nice day or two here and there. The bike never sits for more than a few weeks.
Scott
This is really a chuck question.....
Quote from: ryandalling on May 12, 2011, 05:38:59 AM
This is really a chuck question.....
That's what I was thinkin'.
When I had my 900SS last year, I was commuting on it when it was dry and above 40 degrees. Of course, in the Columbia Gorge, that wasn't very much of the year. [roll] I'd have ridden more in the rain, but the more aggressive sportbike handlears and lack of control made riding in the wet an unpleasant experience. I'd be comfortable riding something more relaxed with wider bars in the wet. Currently looking for an affordable adventure-type bike. If/when I buy one, it'll be a commuter. Only time I won't ride is below freezing or when it's supposed to rain all day. If it's only supposed to rain intermittently, I'll probably still be out. That's what the one-piece rain suit is for. ;)
Quote from: duc_fan on May 12, 2011, 12:13:56 PM
If it's only supposed to rain intermittently, I'll probably still be out. That's what the one-piece rain suit is for. ;)
In general if the chance of rain in the report is 30% or less I'll be dry. More than that and I end up wet.
Scott
So far I'm stickin to 30% or less days.
30% probability is a good limit if you don't want to ride in the rain. Seems to me when the POP hits 40% in the Gorge, that means you're gonna get at least one decent rain shower rolling through (enough to make the roads damp).
I avoided anything over 30% when I had the SS. Next bike will be more easygoing, and I'll prolly ride in POP up to 50%. We'll see. Weather preparedness will be much easier with a set of hard cases (which are a must-have for me now), and I'll have my rain suit tucked into one most of the time.
Also... with the 900SS, I bought tires based on dry performance. Next bike's tires will be better all-rounders (all weather, multi-terrain).
I'm hoping that Gran Canyon is still available this weekend...
I rode the 848 in the hail and the 999 in driven rain. None of it was fun. Monster riding is a bit easier in rain due to the ergos, but never fun.
Chuck rides daily.
I love Friday freeway commuting no traffic!
I wake up and I'm at work. The Monster is for fun.
When I lived in Portland, I rode on nice days that I didn't have to visit clients, so about 3 days a week, 3 seasons.
How many of you guys have the wind fairing on still? I road with it on and off on the freeway and it does seem to help a little. With it on I get it in the head more with wind but with it off chest more. Feels easier at 70+mph to get hit in the head, less resistance plus I have big traps/neck muscles.
Never had one in the first place. I got a Dart flyscreen for a while, ditched it. No screen on my RE either.
Scott
Yar. Mine came with one of the aftermarket screens. Not only was it uglier than sin, it seemed to be bent. Off it came, and I haven't looked back. My Shoei X-11 has a spoiler just behind the crown of the head that's designed to help keep one's head down. I've got faith in it.
I agree the aftermarket ones look like dog shit and even stock it looks better without. I've tried it with and without at 70+ (tucked, shoie hemet and latest mod lower bars) and there is a noticeably amount of less resistance with the stock fairing on as more wind hits hemet ,which is has much less drag then my large chest area lol..
That said I'm debating taking it back off because I like the looks of it without it
Really, how much time do you spend at high speed?
Well whenever I ride i guess, I "might" speed a bit..... [evil]
I also stick with the 30% chance of rain rule but consider my Monster as my primary vehicle. When I sold my Accord to buy the Monster I lost my only fuel efficient vehicle. I invested in some very versatile riding gear (Tourmaster flex series 2 jacket w/air venture pants) and have ridden down into the 20's with no problem. The heated grips make this much more manageable as well. I don't mind the rain, but the tail chop can make it miserable sometimes so I try to stay out of the downpours.
Quote from: dark_duc on May 15, 2011, 07:25:38 AM
I also stick with the 30% chance of rain rule but consider my Monster as my primary vehicle. When I sold my Accord to buy the Monster I lost my only fuel efficient vehicle. I invested in some very versatile riding gear (Tourmaster flex series 2 jacket w/air venture pants) and have ridden down into the 20's with no problem. The heated grips make this much more manageable as well. I don't mind the rain, but the tail chop can make it miserable sometimes so I try to stay out of the downpours.
Heated grips sound wonderful, I might invest in some come colder weather because I plan on ridding her year round weather permitting. I'm sticking with summer compound tires though, like the twistys.
What's the worst weather you've been caught in?
I got caught in a nasty downpour that caused large puddles of water almost instantly. Then it started to hail :-\
I found an overpass and waited under it until it let up and continued on my way. About a mile from my house I had to make a 90° right hand turn over double railroad tracks and almost lost the backend. Definitely the most stressful commute home I have had, lol.
Riding my Royal Enfield back from San Francisco to Portland. It was about two 12 hour days down, two days there, two 12 hours days back. I was tired and sore and about 2 hours from home when it started pouring, and I had no rain gear :( It varied between light rain and downpour but never let up. I was soaked to the bone and shivering when I got home. Maybe not the worst weather but surely the most miserable ride I've had. Still a great ride and I hope I get to do it again ;)
Hey, heated grips are nice but Hippo Hands or something like them are even better. You can ride in sub freezing temps with summer gloves under those things. They are super ugly but there's a reason you see them on every Police bike in PDX in the cold, wet weather season.
Scott
Quote from: meanmonster on May 15, 2011, 07:39:15 AM
Heated grips sound wonderful, I might invest in some come colder weather because I plan on ridding her year round weather permitting. I'm sticking with summer compound tires though, like the twistys.
What's the worst weather you've been caught in?
I spent 2004 on my monster
lived in government camp
worked on 17th and Mcbrod
snow sucks
get heated gear
buy XL Nitrile gloves to put over your gauntlets
don't chop the frame
keep the beer tray
buy a 'stitch
rainboots
a tank bag deflects far more than you think
a balaclava is a must
spend the money and change out your shield regularly
and
maybe spend the money on a gs1200adv
:-\
Lol at buying a gs1200adv, those are sweet bikes though.
Jacob, forgot about suits! AeroStitch is the best if you can afford it. If you can't, a First Gear Thermo gets really good reviews and only costs about $160. Not for warm weather. I tried one on in the shop and was sweating in minutes. It's the suit I'd get if I commuted more than the measly 11 miles I do.
Scott
I spent very little on Joe Rocket Ballistic 4.0
nothing flashy
but
it kept me warm down to 42
and
relatively dry until last year or so
Hmm... I need to look into those Hippo Hands. Either that, or some handguards as wind deflectors combined with heated grips.
Tested out my Ducati Corse rain suit this weekend... works well. [thumbsup] Doesn't breath worth a damn, but it keeps the rain off! It is a bizatch to get in and out of though. Eventually I may spring for a 'stitch suit, if only so I don't have to fight to pull the rainsuit on over my leathers.
Anyway... I'll be starting to commute on the new bike this week. The rain was kinda heavy this morning out here, so I didn't ride today, but it's only supposed to be a 30% POP tomorrow... which means maybe one light sprinkle or shower. I'll throw the rainsuit in the trunk just in case.
Looks like sun all week!!! Hopefully my new ducati speed 10 perf leather jacket will arrive this week for the warm weather.
Bugger... it cleared off out here in Hood River. Looks like I should've just ridden through this morning's rain. :-\
Anyone else get excited about commuting when it's nice out? my commute is about 18 miles each way
Quote from: meanmonster on May 16, 2011, 02:21:53 PM
Anyone else get excited about commuting when it's nice out? my commute is about 18 miles each way
Oh yeah. My commute is along SR-14 between Stevenson, WA and Hood River, OR. Each way is 25 miles of two-lane highway through a National Scenic Area. [thumbsup] I seriously can't wait for tomorrow morning's commute.
Sounds better then my trip.... I work in a city (Lynnwood).
Good ride in. Little foggy.
At work:
(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x431/moremuscle29/29d3546c.jpg)
Have an office dinner Wen I'll be the only guy in riding jeans lol
pretty
Quote from: duc_fan on May 16, 2011, 10:31:39 AM
Hmm... I need to look into those Hippo Hands. Either that, or some handguards as wind deflectors combined with heated grips.
With deflectors you may not even need heated grips. the wind is what makes your hands cold. CycleGear has some small ones that I'm thinking about for next winter, cheap too. I think they were about $40 and came with the mounting hardware, couldn't find them on the site. They only mount to the inner part of the bar. The ones with the full wrap to the end of the bar seem like way too much hardware for me.
Scott
Yeah, I think I'm gonna try deflectors alone, first. Acerbis makes an awesome looking touring handguard. They're over $70 not including the mounting hardware, though... I have some higher priorities, especially since we're headed into warmer weather. And Erica told me now that I've spent this money on a bike, no going crazy on mods... we do have other things that need bought, like furniture for the new place. ;) You know, important stuff.
Quote from: duc_fan on May 17, 2011, 09:46:46 PM
And Erica told me now that I've spent this money on a bike, no going crazy on mods...
Um, who does she think she married? ;) She'll soon learn what it's like being married to an addict.
Scott
LOL... she knows... I just need to pace myself, realistically. Basically, as long as I'm not racking up debt and we're taking care of our other obligations, it's all good. I just can't go drop the thousand-plus dollars I've already plotted out in my mod list all at once. ;)
Speaking of my wife's opinion of mods... she likes seeing me enthusiastic about modding things, so she's given me permission to start tweaking her Sky roadster. ;D There are some cool suspension parts I have my eye on which will make a great handling car even better. Then, just maybe, one day, I'll drop a couple grand and get the supercharger kit for it. [evil]
I seriously cannot wait 'til we move to the new place... no rent to pay... that's a thousand bucks a month. Part of it will need to go toward savings, part of it toward increased commute costs, and part of it toward paying down student loans faster... but there will be some of that money left over for fun.
Back to the subject of the thread: commuted to work on the Cag again, and what a beautiful morning for a ride! This is definitely becoming a habit. The Givi trunk makes life a lot easier than it was on the SS, too. I can carry my laptop, notebook, lunch, a change of shoes, and my rainsuit quite easily, whereas I used to have to hassle with a backpack.
Speaking of commuting... parked outside work in Hood River yesterday:
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii304/duc_fan/Ducati/2000CagivaGranCanyon-3-web.jpg)
Quote from: duc_fan on May 18, 2011, 11:54:11 AM
Speaking of commuting... parked outside work in Hood River yesterday:
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii304/duc_fan/Ducati/2000CagivaGranCanyon-3-web.jpg)
Nice! [thumbsup]
All but 3 days last year.
Quote from: INFIDEL on May 19, 2011, 10:29:15 PM
All but 3 days last year.
Crikeys dude, took you long enough to post in here... Do you surf the inter webs anymore?
I've been sorta reclused in my cave ...
My Monster.
I accidently rode in snow and on ice a couple of times. Not fun.
Ya I bet.....
Broke in my new 2/3 'A' boost today, got the sliders down on the pavement a few times (and the toe once when I had my foot sticking out wrong). Was fun.
Bikes defiantly slower then a CBR or r6 600 in the straights overs 60 or so,
(compounded by my friends weighing 150 and me 230 lol) kept up great with my buddy's in the curves though (no problem). Good day to put 120 miles on her.
She won't wheelie in 2nd unless I want her too, I let off and slammed the throttle down a few time and the front stayed firmly planted with me laid out over it (I had not tested this yet up to now). Tested in 1st - 4th (first it might have picked up a bit and 2nd it got light but not off the ground).
2009 1100S
Probably be out with some "ruff riders" Sunday, will see.
"RUFF" RIDERS?
Rough [roll]
Was invited ended up not going, don't like big group rides personally. So I'll be doing some twistys with the r6 and cbr again.
Damn lady in a SUV almost killed me yesterday, she ran a stop sign in front of me and then stopped in the middle of the road. Thank god it was a slow 25mph road and some quick front/rear brake and a down shift stoped me just fine. The Brian W was on a cell phone, needless to say she got the finger and a few choice words.
OK. I'll play ... what's a Rough Rider?
<winces while waiting for inevitable butt of joke>
Quote from: INFIDEL on June 05, 2011, 08:40:48 AM
OK. I'll play ... what's a Rough Rider?
<winces while waiting for inevitable butt of joke>
(http://www.weeforestfolk.com/images/new2006/M-336%20Rough%20Rider-boy.jpg)
[laugh] [laugh]
Apparently its a local "club" of sport bike riders who do "rides" or maybe a its just a group of guys who ride rough?
Had fun Sunday, good day for some twistys.
Finally got the edge broken in (been commuting a lot but not a lot of real spritited until this weekend, just 2 prior weekend days).
(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x431/moremuscle29/d76f9220.jpg)
My hats off to anyone that rides in foul weather.
When I used to live in the Bay Area, I didn't own a car. Just a Super Hawk and a VFR 750. So I rode to work 33 miles each way, and everywhere else I had to go too. Rain, shine, heat, winter storms, whatever. If I had to get there I rode....I put over 40K on the Super Hawk one year. Went through a few sets of tires too.
But not anymore. Now that I have some cars (and a wife that I go places with) I usually drive. The Bike is just for fun now.
Commute 30 mi each way (weather permitting, AKA no snow) here in Central Oregon... Was a tad cold this morning but will be glorious going home... :)
Yeah, it was a bit rainy-er here than the "20%" the forecast called for, but at least the temps were in the 50's. Light rain off-and-on until I got to Hood River. Should be better on the way home. If not... well, I have a rain suit in the topcase for a reason. ;) Nice thing, having a topcase... keeps the rooster tail off my back.
Today was some sort of "Ride to Work day".
Who else participated?
I work from home most days... but I did ride to my dentist. [thumbsup]
Quote from: markz2004 on June 20, 2011, 09:27:31 AM
Today was some sort of "Ride to Work day".
Who else participated?
Oh crap... that was today?
The one day this week I'm not on the bike... [bang]
I rode all 5 days last week. I'll be riding the rest of this week. Today, though, I was picking up an ammo order from one of my coworkers (bunch of us went in on a group buy... several thousand rounds total). Let's just say I'm hauling home way too much weight for the luggage capacity on the bike. ;)
"Oh, I couldn't make Ride to Work day 'cause I had to get munitions from my friend and my new bike doesn't have ammo boxes."
Seriously dude, how many times are you gonna use that excuse and expect us to keep believing you?
Shoulda gotten the Enfield:
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=686 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=686)
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=226 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=226)
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=374 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=374)
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3001 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3001)
Scott
Quote from: scott_araujo on June 20, 2011, 09:04:17 PM
"Oh, I couldn't make Ride to Work day 'cause I had to get munitions from my friend and my new bike doesn't have ammo boxes."
Seriously dude, how many times are you gonna use that excuse and expect us to keep believing you?
Shoulda gotten the Enfield:
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=686 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=686)
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=226 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=226)
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=374 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=374)
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3001 (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3001)
Scott
[laugh]
I really like those last two. [thumbsup]
I wonder how much work it'd take to modify the Givi side bag mounts for big ammo cans? Hmm...
On the way home from work on Friday I took the scenic detour along Cook-Underwood Rd, instead of just blasting home SR-14... there's a cool turnout up there with great views:
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii304/duc_fan/Ducati/GCoverlookingHoodRiver1-web.jpg)
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii304/duc_fan/Ducati/GCoverlookingHoodRiver3-web.jpg)
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii304/duc_fan/Ducati/Self-portraitoverlookingHoodRiver-web.jpg)
What a gorgeous day for a ride!
If you're ever out on SR-14 in the Gorge and headed to Hood River or farther, I highly recommend taking Cook-Underwood Rd instead of sticking to SR-14 the entire way. It adds a few miles to the trip, but it's a fun detour with some nice winding asphalt.
Quote from: ryandalling on June 20, 2011, 04:21:07 PM
I work from home most days... but I did ride to my dentist. [thumbsup]
1st three times I read that I got "I did ride my dentist today." The mental image of a dentist in gown and mask with a sadlle on his back ... AWML!!!