sportsguy
searchgeek - author
While many here will scoff at this, it's a new "low point" for me with the FJR.
Last week (Friday evening), I went for a ride to gas up the bike prior to our Saturday run. It got down to 37 degrees on the dash, which I found refreshing, but not really cold due to the gear I was using. In fact, while cruising through downton slowly, I actually started to work up a sweat. But...
It kinda got me thinking of cold weather riding. There's something about the bracing chill of cold air on your skin. The way your lungs seem to fill just a bit more when you breathe deeply in freezing temps. And given one tends to ride pretty buttoned up in the cold, exposure can be reaonsably well controlled. You can dial in just the right amount.
So, while out walking the dogs this morning, I noted frost EVERYWHERE. First time in my neighborhood, to this degree. I knew I was riding into work today, and was grateful to own an FJR. The windscreen alone makes such a huge difference in comfort - I'm unsure if I could tolerate riding another style of bike in low temps. Maybe, but, ah, the Cee Baileys on that adjustable track - mmm, me likey!
It was cold and clear, so perfect weather for riding, IMO. Glad I moved the "wings" outboard on the fairing, too - makes a difference in redirecting wind past your legs.
As I left the garage, my eyes scanned over the crisp white outlines of frosted blades of grass, knowing each and every one indicated danger. Scanning the asphalt, my hope was I was actually seeing "wet" as opposed to "black ice". Gingerly I fed the gas on, testing the grip to the first stop sign. Hauling a bit harder on the brakes than usual, I was relying on my ABS to kick in if this traction test failed. Not that I wanted to take a dump, but I reasoned it'd be better at 10 MPH coming to a planned, controlled stop, than at 40 MPH on the main roads.
Seeing a gap in traffic, I slipped into commuter mode - whacked the throttle and blended in perfectly for the run into town. Nary a slip to be felt - truly these bikes lay down power so smoothly you could transport a cracked egg with no ill effects.
I'd been watching the temp gauge since I rolled out of the garage. It started in the mid-60's, and by the time I was 6 blocks from home, was rapidly plunging through the 40's. For a while it held at 42, not far from home. Next time I checked, we're at 38 degerees. OK, now you have my attention.
A few more stoplights and I'm running parallel to Lake Washington - the nearest "lowest elevation", so if the temp's going to drop, it'll do so here, I figured.
Sure enough, the temp gauge clicked down to 34 degrees! I had hit a new "low point" for riding temps. All felt good - traction was tops, body was warm, bike running well, no standing patches of water to worry a rider. A few dumbtards driving fully frosted over cars, with small slits in each window cleared for visibility, but I saw them early and kept them in front of me.
The run into downtown got me more than a few weird looks. I didn't care - I was warm and happy enjoying the fresh, crisp, clean air. The sun was rising over the Cascade mountains, casting a red tint on the snowcaps of the Olympic Range to the West - heck, even last nights full moon was hanging around to enjoy the morning. I figured that my run to low temps was over, as the reflection of the sun in the downtown Seattle high-rises across the lake started to shift it's angle. Sun up equals temps up...
About 5 blocks from the office, I glanced down to my dash and was surprised to note it had hit the freezing point! 32 degrees, F, 0 dgrees C. Still warm and toasty, I knew there was no need for heated gear on my commutes. Longer runs, or riding in lower temps might necessitate heated gear, but temps like this were completely ridable in what I have already - this rocked!
Knowing a few cynical types hang out here, I DID snap pics...
Not a driveway shot...downtown near my office
Hmmm... I know I'm early, but I seem to be the only one willing to ride into the office today... wonder why...?
Oh, maybe that's why... WOOHOO! New personal best for low riding temp!
A heartfelt thanks to Yamaha and it's engineers for this truely excellent machine. It continues to amaze me with it's ability to keep me comfortable in all conditions.
Here's an extra pic... fRoStY...
Last week (Friday evening), I went for a ride to gas up the bike prior to our Saturday run. It got down to 37 degrees on the dash, which I found refreshing, but not really cold due to the gear I was using. In fact, while cruising through downton slowly, I actually started to work up a sweat. But...
It kinda got me thinking of cold weather riding. There's something about the bracing chill of cold air on your skin. The way your lungs seem to fill just a bit more when you breathe deeply in freezing temps. And given one tends to ride pretty buttoned up in the cold, exposure can be reaonsably well controlled. You can dial in just the right amount.
So, while out walking the dogs this morning, I noted frost EVERYWHERE. First time in my neighborhood, to this degree. I knew I was riding into work today, and was grateful to own an FJR. The windscreen alone makes such a huge difference in comfort - I'm unsure if I could tolerate riding another style of bike in low temps. Maybe, but, ah, the Cee Baileys on that adjustable track - mmm, me likey!
It was cold and clear, so perfect weather for riding, IMO. Glad I moved the "wings" outboard on the fairing, too - makes a difference in redirecting wind past your legs.
As I left the garage, my eyes scanned over the crisp white outlines of frosted blades of grass, knowing each and every one indicated danger. Scanning the asphalt, my hope was I was actually seeing "wet" as opposed to "black ice". Gingerly I fed the gas on, testing the grip to the first stop sign. Hauling a bit harder on the brakes than usual, I was relying on my ABS to kick in if this traction test failed. Not that I wanted to take a dump, but I reasoned it'd be better at 10 MPH coming to a planned, controlled stop, than at 40 MPH on the main roads.
Seeing a gap in traffic, I slipped into commuter mode - whacked the throttle and blended in perfectly for the run into town. Nary a slip to be felt - truly these bikes lay down power so smoothly you could transport a cracked egg with no ill effects.
I'd been watching the temp gauge since I rolled out of the garage. It started in the mid-60's, and by the time I was 6 blocks from home, was rapidly plunging through the 40's. For a while it held at 42, not far from home. Next time I checked, we're at 38 degerees. OK, now you have my attention.
A few more stoplights and I'm running parallel to Lake Washington - the nearest "lowest elevation", so if the temp's going to drop, it'll do so here, I figured.
Sure enough, the temp gauge clicked down to 34 degrees! I had hit a new "low point" for riding temps. All felt good - traction was tops, body was warm, bike running well, no standing patches of water to worry a rider. A few dumbtards driving fully frosted over cars, with small slits in each window cleared for visibility, but I saw them early and kept them in front of me.
The run into downtown got me more than a few weird looks. I didn't care - I was warm and happy enjoying the fresh, crisp, clean air. The sun was rising over the Cascade mountains, casting a red tint on the snowcaps of the Olympic Range to the West - heck, even last nights full moon was hanging around to enjoy the morning. I figured that my run to low temps was over, as the reflection of the sun in the downtown Seattle high-rises across the lake started to shift it's angle. Sun up equals temps up...
About 5 blocks from the office, I glanced down to my dash and was surprised to note it had hit the freezing point! 32 degrees, F, 0 dgrees C. Still warm and toasty, I knew there was no need for heated gear on my commutes. Longer runs, or riding in lower temps might necessitate heated gear, but temps like this were completely ridable in what I have already - this rocked!
Knowing a few cynical types hang out here, I DID snap pics...
Not a driveway shot...downtown near my office
Hmmm... I know I'm early, but I seem to be the only one willing to ride into the office today... wonder why...?
Oh, maybe that's why... WOOHOO! New personal best for low riding temp!
A heartfelt thanks to Yamaha and it's engineers for this truely excellent machine. It continues to amaze me with it's ability to keep me comfortable in all conditions.
Here's an extra pic... fRoStY...
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