Thanks for the report and great pics, but I'm a little squeamish with such lean angles and only wearing jeans (if they are armoured jeans then please ignore the rest of this reply. . .) for potential protection on your lower body. God forbid, you should go down.
I'd say treat yourself to a good pair of proper riding pants since you obviously like giv'n 'er in the twisties - warm weather and climate not withstanding.
It only takes one minor "incident" to cause alot of pain and it could happen to any of us at any time.
Not wanting to lecture, just sayin' . . .
saxman,
I am unable to even express how ironic your words are. I had this conversation with myself no less than 100 times before I left for the trip. Even more ironic, I have the matching Joe Rocket leather lowers that match my jacket in the closet. As the years pass by I find myself searching for more comfort while riding...hence the purchase of the FJR last August. I'm not trying to justify why I decided to go with the jeans, but here is my experience that ultimately lead to my decision. For 41 years I have been riding bikes, most of the time I road them and several times they road me. More often than not, here is the outcome from my experiences and coming upon others that have gone down (more than I wish to count with the trips I have been on). My main priorities when gearing up has always been starting at my feet and working up. Serious injuries seem to start with ankles (they just seem to break all the time in a bad accident) and then the core of the body...back, collar bone, neck, ribs, etc. That is why I refused to give up the good boots with ankle support along with the good padded jacket with back, ribs, and collar bone protection along with the gloves. The helmet just goes without saying. I can live with rash on the legs, but the rest is serious and potentially life changing. Again, this is my own justification and I admit freely my own experiences may be way off actual statistics. Anyway, your words ring true and have me re-evaluating my decision. I take no offense and your words were not taken as a lecture. We in the biking community stick together and watch out for one another...that is what you are doing. Thank you and ride safe.
Jeff
