Arkansas Trip Sept. '08

[Duc L'Smart]

Maybe Cyclone's time setting is off?

[Duc L'Smart]

Never mind... They must be having problems with the server transition

[Duc L'Smart]

getting your frame, suspension and tires sorted out are 95% of the program.

+1

I'm having Jeff Nash put some stiffer springs in the front forks, & check the suspension settings all around.
Oh, & dynotune the bike with the new FULL TERMI EXHAUST






Oooooohhhhhhh, THREADJACK

[fastwin]

Not really a threadjack... just a minor, semi related diversion.

That's a good plan Tommy whoever you go with. Getting your bike set up right for your weight, riding style, etc. can produce volumes of good riding feedback from your bike. Which always makes for a happy rider. Heck, even my Battlestar Gallactica of a bike worked a lot better on Sunday without the anvil of a duffle bag strapped up high on the back seat. Wish I could have junked the heavy weight tank bag too but it had all the tire repair goodies, rain suit and a couple of cinder blocks in there just for fun. Tuning that battleship for corner carving is like putting lipstick on a pig but every little bit helps. Especially on a bike like your 1098S. That baby is born to carve and haul butt. Hope you get it sorted to your liking! [moto]

[cdc]

I had a great time with everyone and cannot wait for the next run! Can't wait to see Zach's Scenic Drive video from yesterday too!!

All in all, that was a great trip.  One long conversation with the LEO and some bikes with cosmetic damages from accidental drops but no one hurt from crashes was the total of in the incident report.  Slow moving cars and motorcycles were the negatives of the ride.  But the roads were well paved and maintained.  The views from the roads if you had time to look up and around were spectacular.

With Brian running point and me running sweep, the young-uns in between were well behaved.  Brian had the discipline to choose passing opportunities safely for everyone and remembering to slow down when entering towns so as not to upset locals.  Me, on the otherhand, I held back so I could look around and not worry about running into someone ahead of me or slowing down anyone behind.  Just perfect! 

OK, I admit, I almost did run into Zack a couple of times when I was in too high of a gear and had less engine braking than I needed, my bad.  He did not know it so he wasn't bothered by it.  I learned that being in 3rd and 4th gear worked best and 5th was too high (too little engine braking) even if the motor had enough grunt to pull with that gear.  Being the last one let me hang back and try different things and on my bike, the trusty and reliable yellow ST4S and oldest of the bikes.  She ran perfect with only one, well two hiccups, hard shifting and hard starting on the last day.

Yes, I know what Tommi did and he knows that I know. 

cdc

[pipeliner1978]

Yes, I know what Tommi did and he knows that I know. 

cdc

dooood!!  sssshhhhhhhhh!!!!!! 

Are your old eyes playiing tricks on you?  Can see the straights like I can........

[Slag]

OK, I admit, I almost did run into Zack a couple of times when I was in too high of a gear and had less engine braking than I needed, my bad.  He did not know it so he wasn't bothered by it.

Sounds to me like I was holding up traffic  Please accept my humble apology 

[fastwin]

I just really found myself struggling to keep up with Brian's Busa in the corners..........no bueno. 

It seemed like either you or Patrick were behind me 99% of the time and I never noticed anyone having trouble hanging with the old fart. At times I was wondering if the pace might have been a little slow for ya'll. I know Patrick didn't like 90-100mph on the slab for extended periods due to no fairing and head buffeting. I can relate to that! But I just kept it dialed in on auto pilot speed and figured if folks wanted to get more frisky they would blow by me. Either that or they let me hang out front running "point" so I'd get all the tickets! " No officer, I don't know any of those other riders who didn't stop." I never saw any struggling... just nothing but fun! [moto]

[pipeliner1978]

just nothing but fun! [moto]

+ 1,000,000,000,000,000 

BTW, thanks for leading!

CHARLES, THANKS FOR RIDING SWEEP! (that's not yelling, merely talking loud so Chuck can hear me)

[newslacker]

Brian is the perfect cow catcher. He takes hits like no one else and comes back for more and rides a Busa so the rest of us on Ducati's can honestly claim he must have nothing to do with the rest of the group if we get pulled over.

[cdc]

dooood!!  sssshhhhhhhhh!!!!!! 

Are your old eyes playiing tricks on you?  Can see the straights like I can........

that was a straight!?! hmm. 

Next time follow Bonnie and learn.

CHARLES, THANKS FOR RIDING SWEEP! (that's not yelling, merely talking loud so Chuck can hear me)

Eh?  Speak up boy!  no sense mumbling when ya got sumpthin' to say.

Sounds to me like I was holding up traffic  Please accept my humble apology 

Actually, everyone bunched up in front of you and I was in 5th gear when I rolled off the throttle and had to add l' brake while already begining my turn, quite the a** pucker moment if I have to say so myself. 

I figured out that if I just left it in 4th gear, I had just the right engine braking in most situations.  Holding 3rd gear for when the roads where tight and/or uphill after the turns.  Live and learn!

cdc

[fastwin]

Brian is the perfect cow catcher. He takes hits like no one else and comes back for more and rides a Busa so the rest of us on Ducati's can honestly claim he must have nothing to do with the rest of the group if we get pulled over.

Yeah I thought about that angle if questioned by an officer during a stop. Me: "No sir, don't know 'em. Just a bunch of Ducati riders I ran down and passed. They were going kinda slow. Don't know a thing about them." Officer: "Well, I find that a little hard to believe with you wearing that Ducati Advanced Motorsport t-shirt and all! Hmmm, license and insurance paperwork if you don't mind."

Wish I had a cow catcher for that nice sized white tail doe vs motorcycle interface! Mmmm, venison at 80mph!! Wish Zach got that on tape! Maybe my new line of work should be a wild animal hunting guide since I seem to have found my niche!

[cdc]

Yeah I thought about that angle if questioned by an officer during a stop. Me: "No sir, don't know 'em. Just a bunch of Ducati riders I ran down and passed. They were going kinda slow. Don't know a thing about them." Officer: "Well, I find that a little hard to believe with you wearing that Ducati Advanced Motorsport t-shirt and all! Hmmm, license and insurance paperwork if you don't mind."

"Yes Officer, kicked some butt and took shirts too.  The one I'm wearing came from the guy in yellow looking lost in the back somewhere"   

BTW, why was it that a Black 1098S and a 'Busa decided to take off at 162 MPH on the turnpike?   responsible riding?  whoosh out the window! 

cdc

[Slag]

I have NO idea what you are talking about...

[cdc]

I have NO idea what you are talking about...

OOH KAY.  What about the 'Busa Boy, what does he have to say?

cdc