400km and hurting
I decided to take a "Me" day yesterday and instead of turning left at Yarra junction I turned right.
Turning right means I head for Reefton and one of my favourite stretches of road. The Reefton Spur is basically the back way to Marysville & Lake mountain. I ride this section of road all the time but mostly its in the opposite direction as I take oit on my way home from alpine rides, trips to buller etc.
It's turn after turn after turn and while a faster bike can be punted up the warby side well over the limit the Harley if kept between 2nd, 3rd & 4th gears can be ridden within the speed limit and not scrape too much.
Despite the 30 degree forecast I was amongst the clouds before I knew it and the dry roads changed to wet and greasy covered with tree litter..
I didn't pass a single vehicle in either direction so as far as Reefton runs go that's the best they can be. Once across the range I dropped down into Marysville and then on through the Black Spur to Healesville for a late breakfast of Cottage Pie.
After feeding myself and hydrating it was off the back way to Kinglake via Toolangi then across to Whittlesea then don valley and into suburbia via Epping. I stopped in to see my grandfather who had just been released from 2 weeks in hospital before point my bars to wards Mt Dandenong.
Up the Mount Ev side, across to Monbulk then emerald and another favourite Paternoster Road, a short ridge line run that has a few good corners and awesome views. From there I headed towards Pakenham but doubled back at the turnoff to Gembrook.
Gembrook-Launching Place road is another fave of mine. Usually quiet on a weekday I was having a great run when an oncoming ute flashed me a few times. Two corners later I was met with a police road block. There was not only and MVA but also a fire blocking the road so I was forced to go all the way back to Gembrook, down to cockatoo then across to the Warby highway via Yelingbo.
Normally this route would be fine but just on the other side of that road block was where I intended to take a break. I'd been mobile for at least 70 km and not overly tired just a little numb in the backside. But neglecting to stop added another 50km before I was stretching my legs.
I'm really feeling it today. My coccyx is tender and my back feels sufficiently pounded. Its disappointing because on my old Dyna a 900km day didn't feel this bad. I put it down to the suspension and the bars on the fatty. Which sucks because I have a few trips lined up. One in Mid Feb and one in mid March. I won't have my bars fitted for the first and certainly won't be able to upgrade my shocks for a while longer.
Which means I'll take the beemer to the Machine show. Which is probably wiser anyway because I wanted to do an Iron Butt ride and being on the Bavarian means I can take my swag and save on accommodation. For the Feb ride I'll have to plan shorter days and smaller distances.
Another realisation I came to yesterday is that the fatty needs some better brake pads. I suspect that rears are seized or not performing properly. The fronts do the job but feel in the levers is a little inconsistent. I have been talking with a new mechanic who will be installing my bars to try and address this when the bike is apart.
The other issue is the exhaust. Its really freaking loud. I think I'll order some quiet baffles to put in while the bars are fitted (exhaust has to come off to fit the new clutch cable).
Apart from the comfort issues for short distance the Harley is still so great to ride. Which doesn't make sense because the Beemer is great for everything. The only thing it doesn't have is that vibration and sound coupled with stump pulling talk when you get on the throttle.
Funny that.
Turning right means I head for Reefton and one of my favourite stretches of road. The Reefton Spur is basically the back way to Marysville & Lake mountain. I ride this section of road all the time but mostly its in the opposite direction as I take oit on my way home from alpine rides, trips to buller etc.
It's turn after turn after turn and while a faster bike can be punted up the warby side well over the limit the Harley if kept between 2nd, 3rd & 4th gears can be ridden within the speed limit and not scrape too much.
Despite the 30 degree forecast I was amongst the clouds before I knew it and the dry roads changed to wet and greasy covered with tree litter..
I didn't pass a single vehicle in either direction so as far as Reefton runs go that's the best they can be. Once across the range I dropped down into Marysville and then on through the Black Spur to Healesville for a late breakfast of Cottage Pie.
After feeding myself and hydrating it was off the back way to Kinglake via Toolangi then across to Whittlesea then don valley and into suburbia via Epping. I stopped in to see my grandfather who had just been released from 2 weeks in hospital before point my bars to wards Mt Dandenong.
Up the Mount Ev side, across to Monbulk then emerald and another favourite Paternoster Road, a short ridge line run that has a few good corners and awesome views. From there I headed towards Pakenham but doubled back at the turnoff to Gembrook.
Normally this route would be fine but just on the other side of that road block was where I intended to take a break. I'd been mobile for at least 70 km and not overly tired just a little numb in the backside. But neglecting to stop added another 50km before I was stretching my legs.
I'm really feeling it today. My coccyx is tender and my back feels sufficiently pounded. Its disappointing because on my old Dyna a 900km day didn't feel this bad. I put it down to the suspension and the bars on the fatty. Which sucks because I have a few trips lined up. One in Mid Feb and one in mid March. I won't have my bars fitted for the first and certainly won't be able to upgrade my shocks for a while longer.
Which means I'll take the beemer to the Machine show. Which is probably wiser anyway because I wanted to do an Iron Butt ride and being on the Bavarian means I can take my swag and save on accommodation. For the Feb ride I'll have to plan shorter days and smaller distances.
Another realisation I came to yesterday is that the fatty needs some better brake pads. I suspect that rears are seized or not performing properly. The fronts do the job but feel in the levers is a little inconsistent. I have been talking with a new mechanic who will be installing my bars to try and address this when the bike is apart.
The other issue is the exhaust. Its really freaking loud. I think I'll order some quiet baffles to put in while the bars are fitted (exhaust has to come off to fit the new clutch cable).
Apart from the comfort issues for short distance the Harley is still so great to ride. Which doesn't make sense because the Beemer is great for everything. The only thing it doesn't have is that vibration and sound coupled with stump pulling talk when you get on the throttle.
Funny that.
You said it, man... A GS is indeed a go-everywhere bike, but it simply doesn't have the spirit, the character, the whatever that a Harley has, or the right Harley--or is it a V-twin thing? What about thumpers? Some of them can have spunk. Moto-Guzzis have personality, but what about modern classic Triumphs? I'm not certain that it can be nailed down, but one sure knows it when one feels it.
ReplyDeleteYou got it in one Ry, its a V twin thing. More specifically Torque.
Delete"Horsepower always wins the race, but torque puts the smile on your face"