Tuesday 31 March 2015

First Highway Ride on Winter Bike

Today I rode my latest motorcycle; I have three now. It wasn't just a little scoot around the neighbourhood because it's not licensed; nope, this was a full fledged out the highway to Salmonier line ride in March when it's pretty freakin' chilly...not typical motorcycle riding weather. But, I rode and it was pure tranquillity...albeit cold tranquillity. For anyone who read my last post they will know I have purchased an old beater for beating the winter blahs when the colder months rob me of my greatest therapeutic relief, riding my motorcycle. The bike had been in storage for a while so it did need the attention of my bike guru, Keith at Toy Box. However, with not to much mechanical fuss, he got her rollin' within a few days. 

The bike is an old Yamaha FJ 600, an early version of the crotch rocket but really not resembling anything like today's sleek highway burners. It's got an inline 4 with 4 carbs and cleaning and syncing those proved to be the greatest task after the bike came out of storage where it had been for over a year. The only alterations I made to it were to put aggressive tread tires on it in case I do run in to some snow on one of my jaunts...or a clump/patch of salt or sand for that matter. Anything is possible this time of year. 


So, I suited up with my lined snow pants and as many layers of shirts as would fit under my bike jacket. I was kinda bulky but comfortable enough and relatively warm. It was my first ride and so I learned a few things. Definitely need to wear extra socks and maybe even those little shake-up heating pads in my boots. I bought a set of handlebar muffs (yup that's what they're called) and you slide your hands (with gloves on) into these. It takes a couple of minutes to feel around for the switches and levers but I got the hang of it and my hands were fine. Indeed, other than fixing the cool tootsies thing and maybe wearing something warmer around my neck, I was actually pretty comfortable;The continuous drip of snot not withstanding. After a while you just ignore it, plus my face mask soaked most of it up.

Keith did warn me in that stern Keith way he gets when he is dead serious, this is no joking matter, that I was not to ride over 100kms because of the nature of the tires. They are not high speed highway tires, more suited to off-roading but great for what I need. This does have it's advantages. At 100kms/h I could hear my music, which sometimes is a strain at 140 +, and also, at the slower speed, no risk of attracting the local law enforcement, something I have unfortunately done on past excursions. It did irk me somewhat at being passed continuoulsy, but I kept my pride in check. I was a bit concerned about insurance because with my ticket history, my insurance company is a bit sticky about the type of bike I ride. I pay a nasty premium for the ST1300 because it is classed as a sport bike and thus considered a higher risk...for what I'm not sure. Anyways, this sucker is so old it didn't even show up on their charts, so  whew....no sport bike designation.

Anyways, after years of talking about it, I finally have my winter bike. I call it middle digit because it's my way of flipping the bird at old man winter who hangs around these parts far too long for my liking.

Anyway, no more waiting for spring rains to wash away the salt residue from the roads, so I can bring out the Magna or the ST. I expect to get a couple of good months of riding yet out of the FJ before more civilised conditions are upon us here on the rock.

That's all for now. Until Next Time, see ya out there! Ride One....

11 comments:

  1. The street looked pretty good, the snowbank behind said the street was just a tease, but still you are way ahead of me here in ON. (There must be someone who sells heated socks!) Even with heated grips my thumbs always let me know when it's cold, I have no faring. Glad you had fun - enjoy your new extended season and watch out for the local law enforcement.

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    1. Spring is slowly nudging its way in, but it's only just April. We've had our share of blizzards in April on this little rock in the North Atlantic. I'm kinda looking forward to ridng in in one. :) Much snow still left up in your neck of the woods is there?

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    2. The snow has begun a quick melt these last two weeks, but the sand and mud and salt and pot holes are now being uncovered.

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    3. The snow is slowly receding here on the avalon Peninsula but other parts of the island are bracing for a blizzard. I just got in from an Easter Sundat ride on thevwinter bike,,,winds at 74 kms but nice to get out and see the waves crashing at Cape Spear & Signal Hill

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  2. You're frikkin' CRAZY my friend !!

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    1. Sass, you say that like it's a bad thing.

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  4. Glad you got out for a shake down ride. I have been known to use the disposable heated footbed liners. They are like the shake ones but stick to the bottom of your socks before you put your boots on. Mixed results. Sometimes my feet are toasty, sometimes they don't work.

    I find a fleece buff around the next helps keep drafts away between the helmet and jacket collar.

    Have fun.

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    1. I will try the fleece buff. my current one isn't lined so not much more than a bandana. Thanks.

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  5. Now thats great that you can get out and ride even with the rotten winter weather you been havin', enjoy !

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  6. Yeah, it's already made alot of difference to my head. Hope all is well with you folks.

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