Just finished six days riding in Montana, Alberta, British Columbia, Washington and Idaho. Fine weather, excellent roads, spectacular scenery, good company, delicious food, wonderful beer and an exceptional motorcycle.
Only had one close call along the whole route when I was tailing my brother (Bandit 1200 S) and he overcooked a posted 25 mph right turn and fixated on a concrete barrier, missing it by about two feet after crossing the entire oncoming lane. I, in turn, was fixating on him and nearly followed him in, running halfway across the oncoming lane. Still learning what NOT TO DO after more than 30 years of riding...
But, backing up a little... About a month ago I had the FJR into the local shop for some routine maintenance, including servicing the shocks/replacing shock oil. I also had the stator cover replaced due to some unrepaired cosmetic damage relating back to the 2005 theft of my FJR. This is essentially a new local Yamaha shop so I had no experience with them and was a little skeptical but thought I'd give them a shot. So, two weeks ago I develop a leaky fork seal on the left leg, then on the recent tour the stator cover begins dribbling lube all over itself, the oil filter and my boot. We finished our tour last night and the bike went to the dealer today over my lunch hour. I was in a hurry and doing about 90 mph on I-90 west on the way to the shop. An SUV is doing 70 or so in the right hand lane as I come up from behind to pass on his left. We are both approaching an on-ramp that comes up from the right and well below the road bed, and just as that fact gains my attention I see a car coming up the ramp and moving pretty good. SUV decides to move left to let the car merge and, of course, I am now about even with his bumper. The FJR brakes work really well but the pavement is cold and I lightly locked the back and felt it slewing a bit as the SUV came within feet. Of course he sees me as I move to the far left shoulder and he panics and damned near takes out the merging car on his right as he swerves back.
No recriminations, here. We both bear some fault, but mostly I blame myself for not anticipating a car rapidly merging from down below. I know this stretch and should have been ready for this kind of a situation. Also, I was moving too fast and SUV driver did not see me coming up, another fact I should have anticipated.
Got my heart slowed and changed underwear. But the irony was inescapable - 2,100 miles of spirited touring - some very technical roads, wildlife (two bears, elk, dear, even turkeys), rocks, gravel, wet plank bridges in the middle of turns (yikes!) - all kinds of potential hazards, and I near wad everything up AFTER the tour on my way to the local shop. IT can happen anytime, anywhere.
Incidentally, have logged 4,500 miles on the '03 since mid-April and 4,000 since I spooned on a set of Avon V-45/V-46s. The rear is shot after 4,000 miles, even though I religiously check pressures. I just can't seem to get a rear to go past 5,000. We ride two up and loaded so I suppose that is the price. I really did like the feel and handling characteristics of the Avons and just ordered a set of Storms. The FJR, running 65-75 and up to 80 mph, still delivered 45-46 miles per gallon consistently, two up, loaded and with windshield nearly full up. Canadian fuel: $2.11-$2.21 per liter - yup, $28 to fill the tank and their currency is near on par with U.S. now.
Touring in this part of the country is fabulous this time of year - before school gets out. In two weeks the local roads will be loaded with Winnabagos and SUVs. And we've finally had some rain so everything is very green and the rivers are running. Life is good.
Big Sky
Only had one close call along the whole route when I was tailing my brother (Bandit 1200 S) and he overcooked a posted 25 mph right turn and fixated on a concrete barrier, missing it by about two feet after crossing the entire oncoming lane. I, in turn, was fixating on him and nearly followed him in, running halfway across the oncoming lane. Still learning what NOT TO DO after more than 30 years of riding...
But, backing up a little... About a month ago I had the FJR into the local shop for some routine maintenance, including servicing the shocks/replacing shock oil. I also had the stator cover replaced due to some unrepaired cosmetic damage relating back to the 2005 theft of my FJR. This is essentially a new local Yamaha shop so I had no experience with them and was a little skeptical but thought I'd give them a shot. So, two weeks ago I develop a leaky fork seal on the left leg, then on the recent tour the stator cover begins dribbling lube all over itself, the oil filter and my boot. We finished our tour last night and the bike went to the dealer today over my lunch hour. I was in a hurry and doing about 90 mph on I-90 west on the way to the shop. An SUV is doing 70 or so in the right hand lane as I come up from behind to pass on his left. We are both approaching an on-ramp that comes up from the right and well below the road bed, and just as that fact gains my attention I see a car coming up the ramp and moving pretty good. SUV decides to move left to let the car merge and, of course, I am now about even with his bumper. The FJR brakes work really well but the pavement is cold and I lightly locked the back and felt it slewing a bit as the SUV came within feet. Of course he sees me as I move to the far left shoulder and he panics and damned near takes out the merging car on his right as he swerves back.
No recriminations, here. We both bear some fault, but mostly I blame myself for not anticipating a car rapidly merging from down below. I know this stretch and should have been ready for this kind of a situation. Also, I was moving too fast and SUV driver did not see me coming up, another fact I should have anticipated.
Got my heart slowed and changed underwear. But the irony was inescapable - 2,100 miles of spirited touring - some very technical roads, wildlife (two bears, elk, dear, even turkeys), rocks, gravel, wet plank bridges in the middle of turns (yikes!) - all kinds of potential hazards, and I near wad everything up AFTER the tour on my way to the local shop. IT can happen anytime, anywhere.
Incidentally, have logged 4,500 miles on the '03 since mid-April and 4,000 since I spooned on a set of Avon V-45/V-46s. The rear is shot after 4,000 miles, even though I religiously check pressures. I just can't seem to get a rear to go past 5,000. We ride two up and loaded so I suppose that is the price. I really did like the feel and handling characteristics of the Avons and just ordered a set of Storms. The FJR, running 65-75 and up to 80 mph, still delivered 45-46 miles per gallon consistently, two up, loaded and with windshield nearly full up. Canadian fuel: $2.11-$2.21 per liter - yup, $28 to fill the tank and their currency is near on par with U.S. now.
Touring in this part of the country is fabulous this time of year - before school gets out. In two weeks the local roads will be loaded with Winnabagos and SUVs. And we've finally had some rain so everything is very green and the rivers are running. Life is good.
Big Sky
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