.. I don't have that same eagerness to want to ride all the time this start of the season so far. Very strange. Just busy at work with a new position and new tools to learn. Not to mention the freaking gas price at over $4. Can't think of anything else to blame it on. Darn!
you?
These things happen. I've gone through peaks of intense motorcycle interest, and valleys of near complete apathy.
Let things move as they will. The enthusiasm will probably return.
Don't blame getting old for not wanting to ride... :-[
and gas at $4 a gallon shouldn't stop you either... :'(
jeez come over to europe and start having to pay what we pay for gas... [bang]
now that would surely put you off... :(
Olde but slow...Geoff... [coffee]
gas going up and draining your 4 wheeled wallet would certainly motivate me to ride to work at the very least...maybe I am weird?!?!?!
Because I have to remember to take a couple Advil if I want to last a couple-three hours at the helm.
I find I want to ride less to save tire life and lack of exciting roads to ride. It's just boring to ride around town can't go anywhere nice as I will have helmet head by the time I get there plus have all my gear on. I've just adopted the idea that riding is more of a sport for me so I treat it as such.
Quote from: El-Twin on April 10, 2012, 07:07:42 AM
Because I have to remember to take a couple Advil if I want to last a couple-three hours at the helm.
;D
Try Aleve and a Sargent saddle instead. ;) You might get 300+ miles that way.
When the other alternative is a 12 mpg Land Cruiser, $4 a gallon gas makes me want to ride more, not less! [Dolph]
Quote from: Curmudgeon on April 10, 2012, 10:56:19 AM
Try Aleve and a Sargent saddle instead. ;) You might get 300+ miles that way.
You know this feeling perhaps? I think that you and I are the same age, yet we still drag our sorry butts into the saddle. [Dolph]
Speaking of saddles, I'm finding the stock unit just fine so far. But then my max range is limited to ~ one tankfull. If I can get about 100-120 miles in, then I'm happy. The rear-end holds up, but the neck and shoulders start to feel it.
So I might just try that Aleve. ;D
I sound like my dad when I get up from a chair.
Two Aleve? I do what my physiotherapist tells me. ;) I'm 65 and HIGH mileage? Are YOU that ancient? ;D Parts falling off daily here...
Broke my left shoulder three years ago, so that arm is pretty weak. Check out my setup in my signature line.
The stock seat is better than the old ones but still forces you onto the faux tank at slow speeds. The Sargent is flatter and has high tech foam. You can try one and send it back if it does nothing for you. How tall are you? I'm 5' 8". The stock-looking Rizoma bar I fitted gives 5/8" more rise and 2" more sweep, also resulting in a nicer wrist angle. Cheap investment IMO. Bear in mind that my 796 has a 20mm higher riser than your EVO, so you could also swap that out.
Don't overlook the Tech Spec pads too because you can dig your knees into them at low speeds to give yourself some back support. This ain't my first Ducati or my first rodeo. Get that hot dealer of yours in Santa Barbara to set you up. Ordinarily they are all kids and don't consider the needs of old geezers. I TOO recall a time when I could ride my 851 SBK all day. ;)
at age 60...a day on the Monster requires mental commitment and lots of aspirin
aspirin thins the blood so it can get to the extremities better
and the pain numbing effects are very welcome too
5 hours is about my limit for decent/quality riding...
after that it is an endurance contest
Quote from: Curmudgeon on April 10, 2012, 11:48:57 AM
I'm 65 and HIGH mileage? Are YOU that ancient? ;D Parts falling off daily here...
Bingo! I sense a disturbance in the Force.... ;)
Quote from: Curmudgeon on April 10, 2012, 11:48:57 AM
How tall are you? I'm 5' 8". The stock-looking Rizoma bar I fitted gives 5/8" more rise and 2" more sweep, also resulting in a nicer wrist angle. Cheap investment IMO. Bear in mind that my 796 has a 20mm higher riser than your EVO, so you could also swap that out.
I'm 5' 10" and fit in the cockpit just about right. The wrists haven't suffered any stress yet, but I shall remember your Rizoma option as I get more miles on the old framework.
Quote from: Curmudgeon on April 10, 2012, 11:48:57 AM
Don't overlook the Tech Spec pads too because you can dig your knees into them at low speeds to give yourself some back support. This ain't my first Ducati or my first rodeo. Get that hot dealer of yours in Santa Barbara to set you up. Ordinarily they are all kids and don't consider the needs of old geezers. I TOO recall a time when I could ride my 851 SBK all day. ;)
I've noticed that it's sometimes necessary to support yourself with your core, to give the arms some relief. So I can see where those pads could help. The dealer has been great so far, by the way. My goal is to get in for the 600-mile service at the end of the month.
Don't forget that 14T at the first service. ;)
Check out my cockpit in this thread and compare angles. The frame is the same as yours. http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=56238.msg1045134#msg1045134 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=56238.msg1045134#msg1045134)
Those pads are cheap and look good IMO but are tricky to apply. Have the dealer do it. Cheap enough and they come right off if you don't see the benefit but I'll wager you will around town..., and quickly. ;) http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/621500SS/696/621500SS.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/621500SS/696/621500SS.html)
While you're in there, lose the evaps canister and have the holes plugged with the right screws. Keep the junk in case you ever need it in CA. Looks cleaner with a left shroud which matches the right. http://motowheels.com/i-6921561-ducati-air-deflector-left-side-m696-m1100.html (http://motowheels.com/i-6921561-ducati-air-deflector-left-side-m696-m1100.html)
Quote from: ab on April 09, 2012, 09:26:27 PM
I must be getting old because...............
I am now a firm believer that
"youth is wasted on the young." :P
My daily commute to work is 4 miles one way. So i ride to work but that is not the issue for me. I am used to riding so much on weekends in the twisty rural roads about 70 miles away and then ride it all day out there n ride back to town. But nowadays I don't even bother meeting up in town rides etc. just seems like a chore..... That gas price to ride for FUN is hard on the wallet. Weekend i filled twice and in past seasons we were filling up 4 times on a saturday long ride and another 1 fir Sunday and twice weekday. It just adds up now n ruins the fun. Yes, I can't imagine Europe etc gas prices. Darn!
It's first time I experience this kz lack of excitement since I started riding in '03. Let's hope it's temporary experience as someone mentioned on this thread.
Ps I just asked a friend to bring my car from his shop (fixed) n he can take back my bike n have fun with it until he gets his bike part comes in a week. That's how bad things have gotten. I wouldn't have done that before.
Man I'm in the same boat. Coffee instead of sleep, [coffee] stress and ambition instead of feckingoff in the Sun. Over eating instead of exercise.
I'm totally convinced, after having aged several times, then recovering, that "aging" is a whole lot to do with getting out of shape and getting really bad habits.
I started playing soccer, eating better, lost weight, sit ups all that.
Energy is back, fun is back, desire is back, fight is back, need for speed is back.
[Dolph]
Now MotoGP started...
I NEED ME SOME SPEED! I need TRACK DAYS!! W0000000t! [thumbsup]
Quote from: ab on April 09, 2012, 09:26:27 PM
.. I don't have that same eagerness to want to ride all the time this start of the season so far. Very strange. Just busy at work with a new position and new tools to learn. Not to mention the freaking gas price at over $4. Can't think of anything else to blame it on. Darn!
you?
Umm .... I was going to say something about I not feeling my age at all but I forget now what it was. [bang]
Is it just riding or are you unmotivated/disinterested in other things? If so ,it may be depression.
Wow reading 2 much into it. Lol. Just saying not riding or eager like b4. Busy at work in a new position, lots of support/oncall duty In I.T. Dept. That is taking too much time. N the freaking gas price has affected FUN rides. That's all.
Sorry,hope I didn't offend.I have skied and snowboarded most of my life and worked in the ski industry many years but there have been seasons when I didn't go at all.Burned-out but I always seem to get back into it renewed.Hope it will be the same for you.
Count me in.
Of course, I believe that The Deer Incident in late '09 has been a huge factor also. I find I don't relax and enjoy the ride as I did pre-deer....
Sounds like your just a little burned out with the motorcycle scene. I felt that way before because of musclecar overkill , so that's what brought me here.
I turned 40 couple years ago and was feeling old and worn out, fat. I decided to return to the gym hard core ( as hard core as you can get being over 40 and beat up :D ) two years and 20lbs. Lighter, more muscles, and still going, I feel like a new man.
May be reading too much into your original post though! ;D
Quote from: cyberswine on April 11, 2012, 12:47:19 AM
Umm .... I was going to say something about I not feeling my age at all but I forget now what it was. [bang]
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] Yeah, I thought I had a funny retort to this .... but.... I got nuthin'
Quote from: Curmudgeon on April 10, 2012, 01:51:27 PM
While you're in there, lose the evaps canister and have the holes plugged with the right screws. Keep the junk in case you ever need it in CA. Looks cleaner with a left shroud which matches the right. http://motowheels.com/i-6921561-ducati-air-deflector-left-side-m696-m1100.html (http://motowheels.com/i-6921561-ducati-air-deflector-left-side-m696-m1100.html)
This is a great tip, thanks. I plan to do it. [thumbsup]
I agree with Zarn: these things happen. I have been devoting all my free time to getting my 67 Comet put back together and have only one ride over 100 miles in 2012. Get the new project done and riding will be a welcome relief!
Quote from: ab on April 09, 2012, 09:26:27 PM
.. I don't have that same eagerness to want to ride all the time this start of the season so far. Very strange. Just busy at work with a new position and new tools to learn. Not to mention the freaking gas price at over $4. Can't think of anything else to blame it on. Darn!
you?
I turned 40 over the winter...not only do I enjoy riding more than ever...I bought a Monster to go with my Harley. :D
I am in denial, I am going to stay 28 until the day I die even if it kills me! Working out at the gym three times a week has been a second burst of life. ;D
Gas hurts to think about so don't, it will only do things like keep you off your bike.
Been hitting the gym 3 times a week snice November. I think it's the gas price that is the major culprit. Just cant justify those FUN rides anymore. It makes no sense but I just ordered forcefield action shorts as well as I was planning to ride a lot this season.
Also new work position taking huge amount of time and stress. Learning new IT tool n changing gear of expertise totally from .net to informatica is not helping. No time anymore :-(
On a good note, the monster is almost ready to ride after the trailer accident last season in October. :-)
Danaid - no offense taken :-)
It might also be because we had such a mild winter... nothing makes you want to get out on that first ride of the season like a miserable winter. It's that first 60 degree and sunny day after a winter of snow and slush that drives us all out there. haha
With gas prices going up and up, i find myself riding more, which is a great thing, i feel really badly for those cagers
Quote from: El-Twin on April 10, 2012, 07:07:42 AM
Because I have to remember to take a couple Advil if I want to last a couple-three hours at the helm.
I wrap up my Advil in a piece of aluminum foil and tape it to my cell phone. After I broke my neck my wife freaks out if she doesn't hear from me every couple of hours. So when I stop for gas, etc. I call her and take a couple of Advil... since they are taped to the phone! [laugh] Hey, whatever works. [thumbsup] [Dolph] And whatever keeps you moving and riding.
^^^ [laugh] [laugh] Brilliant!
El-Twin,
Switch to Aleve and see if that works for you. Take two one hour before you go out. They last for 12 hours. Aleve doesn't work for everybody but if it works, at least you can have a pint, G&T or whatever your poison apres ride and not have to worry about liver failure! ;) Made by Bayer and good stuff. My physio put me onto it after I broke my shoulder.
Alleve is def strong stuff, works really well, the only issue that makes it different than popping an advil is that it takes longer to take effect. For me personally, advil takes about 20 min to kick in, alleve around a hour. Advil I use for headaches/pain that I want to go away fast, alleve for muscle soreness etc.
Quote from: Curmudgeon on April 14, 2012, 04:46:22 PM
El-Twin,
at least you can have a pint, G&T or whatever your poison after your ride and not have to worry about liver failure! ;)
Ah yes...
I'm partial to sitting back with a G&T afterwards and replaying highlights of my ride to my better half, who's sitting back with her V&T and sometimes actually listens to me. ;D
And I'm liking this Alleve idea of which you and "Thought" speak.