First ride of the season! - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**inspiron** · 03-04-2007, 02:17 PM

So, after a very mild winter (almost no snow at all in the lowlands), the past few weeks have been pretty rainy. The weather gods decided to have some sympathy, and gave us a break today.

Here's a couple of pictures from my first ride this season - about 200 km in the Black Forest region of Germany.

The picture above was taken along the B500, between St. Blasien and Waldshut. It shows the weather we were enjoying ... the temperature was in the upper 50s (F).

Now this picture, taken at the same location, shows another angle. Yes, boys and girls, those are the Swiss Alps in the distance.

My summary for today is ... YEA, BABY! It was abso-effin-lutely fantastic to be back on the bike! My riding skills ARE definitely rusty. I had to remind myself conciously about selecting the right line to enter the curves, not fixate on anything, and to keep the power steady through the turns. I was taking it nice and slow today, and enjoying the ride. YEA BABY!

The rest of the pictures are on my web site: inspiron: My Suzuki GSX 1400

**Clint** · 03-04-2007, 02:20 PM

Nice copyright. You afraid Nat'l Geographic was gonna pirate your snaps?

**inspiron** · 03-04-2007, 02:29 PM

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do...

Dave Nadeau · 03-04-2007, 03:09 PM

Me and the Mrs got out today after lunch for about 45 miles. Was fun but the temp was 40 deg F. The air smells warmer now...come on summer.

**drgibson** · 03-04-2007, 03:43 PM

*Yawn* Rode every day last week, two rides yesterday and today...

tallannie · 03-04-2007, 04:40 PM

Inspiron... happy for you

....and GREAT pics.
I noticed something in what you wrote... "holding power steady thru turn..". I recall clearly that my MSF class taught me to "Slow, look, lean and roll," and I interpreted "roll" as slightly accelerating thru the turn. I do this.

Am I doing something wrong??

omegajim · 03-04-2007, 07:04 PM

No tallannie, slowly accelerating is the method. Something about not throwing more weight onto the front tire and moving the "center of inertia" or some such.

Braking in a corner will kick out the front tire, as most of us go to front braking except for emergencies.

Oh and Inspiron, the "Black forest" has seen better days I take it?

Now, in Northern Wisconsin, I could show you miles of woods. Albeit under a heavy blanket of snow.

tallannie · 03-04-2007, 09:20 PM

Omegajim,
yes... that is what I do... perhaps you misread what I wrote? I accelerate slightly..."roll on" ....so I wasnt clear if Inspiron was doing something else?

**inspiron** · 03-05-2007, 03:17 AM

Annie, in my safety courses, we are taught to brake before entering the turn, then to open the throttle slightly (just enough to have the weight shift back off of the forks so that the suspension is back in balance), then lean into the turn. When you have reached the peak of the corner, you can then open the throttle a bit more to stand the bike up and make a clean exit from the curve.

My mistake has been not holding the throttle steady enough in the turn, so that I'm getting some weight shifts while leaned over. I'm used to it so it doesn't freak me out, but it does mean that I am doing something "wrong". It's just something I have to work on...

Omegajim, yes and no. The pictures were taken at the extreme southern edge of the Black Forest region, about 7 miles from the Swiss border. The "real" forest starts about 10 to 20 miles farther north, and there is still plenty of it!

Here's some shots taken a couple of years ago ... as you can see, plenty of trees!

Apertureguy · 03-05-2007, 06:53 AM

You would actually lose points for letting off the gas during a turn, if this were a Road Test.

You're doing the right thing...but it doesn't always have to be a roll on...it could be just a roll through the turn, which is a steady application of the gas to keep the center of gravity in the right place and make the turn nice and smooth.

tallannie · 03-05-2007, 09:06 AM

Inspiron....and all. Ok.... thanks for the clarification. I get it ...and I am doing the right things. I do roll on slightly as I see the exit. My turns are getting better and feel smooth and well controlled... frankly quite the best part of riding....but then you all knew that

Apertureguy · 03-05-2007, 11:15 AM

Yep...it's why we're here.

Smurf · 03-05-2007, 12:18 PM

Can't ride, mines still in the shop. At least they rode it and acknowledged that it was smoking and shouldn't be doing that.

Hopefully soon..........

Rickster · 03-05-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf

Can't ride, mines still in the shop. At least they rode it and acknowledged that it was smoking and shouldn't be doing that.

Hopefully soon..........

Of course it's "smoking", it's red flamed.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Why is it smoking???

omegajim · 03-05-2007, 08:34 PM

Now, smurf, if that bike was a Harley, that smoke would "an option"

Smurf · 03-06-2007, 05:25 AM

Rickster:

It only smokes (Blue) when you are going through the gears (under a load). They haven't diagnosed it yet, however on another thread it was discussed that I may have a cracked ring, or a worn valve guide (it was either built on a Friday or a Monday). We have had a few nice days to ride, but mostly it's been hit and miss so I'm not too upset they have had it for two weeks. I purchased the extended warranty (5 extra years), and have not made any engine changes...exhaust, intake, fuel processor, etc. The only thing I can come up with is a ring, or a worn valve guide.

Omegajim:

If it were a Harley, I would ride it instead of worrying about it. I think they call it "Character" in a Harley.

**Louis** · 03-06-2007, 06:03 AM

It's freaking -20F (-29C) here this morning and -40F with the wind chill!!!

I'm not riding yet.

Apertureguy · 03-06-2007, 06:47 AM

We're having a blast of some wicked cold winds right now (last night & this morning) with snow expected tomorrow.

I'm so jealous that you got to ride...while we did have one 50 degree day, there just too much debris on the roads from all the salt & sand.

Smurf · 03-06-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

We're having a blast of some wicked cold winds right now (last night & this morning) with snow expected tomorrow.

I'm so jealous that you got to ride...while we did have one 50 degree day, there just too much debris on the roads from all the salt & sand.

I hope I say this right...

Yous Guys have been getting slamed with snow this year.

What's the total up to now ?

Apertureguy · 03-06-2007, 07:27 AM

The folks a bit further north & west of me are well over 100" so far. We got snow...but no where near as much.

03-04-2007, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,740	First ride of the season! So, after a very mild winter (almost no snow at all in the lowlands), the past few weeks have been pretty rainy. The weather gods decided to have some sympathy, and gave us a break today. Here's a couple of pictures from my first ride this season - about 200 km in the Black Forest region of Germany. The picture above was taken along the B500, between St. Blasien and Waldshut. It shows the weather we were enjoying ... the temperature was in the upper 50s (F). Now this picture, taken at the same location, shows another angle. Yes, boys and girls, those are the Swiss Alps in the distance. My summary for today is ... YEA, BABY! It was abso-effin-lutely fantastic to be back on the bike! My riding skills ARE definitely rusty. I had to remind myself conciously about selecting the right line to enter the curves, not fixate on anything, and to keep the power steady through the turns. I was taking it nice and slow today, and enjoying the ride. YEA BABY! The rest of the pictures are on my web site: inspiron: My Suzuki GSX 1400 __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

03-04-2007, 02:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,740	A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do... __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

03-04-2007, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dave Nadeau TurtleWax Taster Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 08 ElectraGlide ( IN Vivid Black)!!!!!!!!!! Location: Bridgewater, Ma Posts: 579	Me and the Mrs got out today after lunch for about 45 miles. Was fun but the temp was 40 deg F. The air smells warmer now...come on summer. __________________ The faster I go the behinder I get..... US Navy 68-72 Amphibs, Little Creek, Va. "The Old Man"

03-04-2007, 03:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
drgibson Thumper Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,453	Yawn Rode every day last week, two rides yesterday and today... __________________ I have been diagnosed with Electial Disfunction, I just can't get excited about any of our candidates!

03-04-2007, 04:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
tallannie Sit speling cheker Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: C50 Boulevard Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 1,855	Inspiron... happy for you ....and GREAT pics. I noticed something in what you wrote... "holding power steady thru turn..". I recall clearly that my MSF class taught me to "Slow, look, lean and roll," and I interpreted "roll" as slightly accelerating thru the turn. I do this. Am I doing something wrong?? __________________ ...Just in Time moto-cookie delivery

03-04-2007, 07:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
omegajim M-J Member of the Month! Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 5,593	No tallannie, slowly accelerating is the method. Something about not throwing more weight onto the front tire and moving the "center of inertia" or some such. Braking in a corner will kick out the front tire, as most of us go to front braking except for emergencies. Oh and Inspiron, the "Black forest" has seen better days I take it? Now, in Northern Wisconsin, I could show you miles of woods. Albeit under a heavy blanket of snow.

03-04-2007, 09:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
tallannie Sit speling cheker Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: C50 Boulevard Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 1,855	Omegajim, yes... that is what I do... perhaps you misread what I wrote? I accelerate slightly..."roll on" ....so I wasnt clear if Inspiron was doing something else? __________________ ...Just in Time moto-cookie delivery

03-05-2007, 03:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,740	Annie, in my safety courses, we are taught to brake before entering the turn, then to open the throttle slightly (just enough to have the weight shift back off of the forks so that the suspension is back in balance), then lean into the turn. When you have reached the peak of the corner, you can then open the throttle a bit more to stand the bike up and make a clean exit from the curve. My mistake has been not holding the throttle steady enough in the turn, so that I'm getting some weight shifts while leaned over. I'm used to it so it doesn't freak me out, but it does mean that I am doing something "wrong". It's just something I have to work on... Omegajim, yes and no. The pictures were taken at the extreme southern edge of the Black Forest region, about 7 miles from the Swiss border. The "real" forest starts about 10 to 20 miles farther north, and there is still plenty of it! Here's some shots taken a couple of years ago ... as you can see, plenty of trees! __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

03-05-2007, 06:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,050	You would actually lose points for letting off the gas during a turn, if this were a Road Test. You're doing the right thing...but it doesn't always have to be a roll on...it could be just a roll through the turn, which is a steady application of the gas to keep the center of gravity in the right place and make the turn nice and smooth.

03-05-2007, 09:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
tallannie Sit speling cheker Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: C50 Boulevard Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 1,855	Inspiron....and all. Ok.... thanks for the clarification. I get it ...and I am doing the right things. I do roll on slightly as I see the exit. My turns are getting better and feel smooth and well controlled... frankly quite the best part of riding....but then you all knew that __________________ ...Just in Time moto-cookie delivery

03-05-2007, 11:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,050	Yep...it's why we're here.

03-05-2007, 12:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
Smurf Quiche' King Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Red Flamed M-50 Location: McDonough Georgia Posts: 4,252	Can't ride, mines still in the shop. At least they rode it and acknowledged that it was smoking and shouldn't be doing that. Hopefully soon.......... __________________ "I would rather be lucky than good!"

03-05-2007, 08:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
omegajim M-J Member of the Month! Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 5,593	Now, smurf, if that bike was a Harley, that smoke would "an option"

03-06-2007, 05:25 AM	#16 (permalink)
Smurf Quiche' King Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Red Flamed M-50 Location: McDonough Georgia Posts: 4,252	Rickster: It only smokes (Blue) when you are going through the gears (under a load). They haven't diagnosed it yet, however on another thread it was discussed that I may have a cracked ring, or a worn valve guide (it was either built on a Friday or a Monday). We have had a few nice days to ride, but mostly it's been hit and miss so I'm not too upset they have had it for two weeks. I purchased the extended warranty (5 extra years), and have not made any engine changes...exhaust, intake, fuel processor, etc. The only thing I can come up with is a ring, or a worn valve guide. Omegajim: If it were a Harley, I would ride it instead of worrying about it. I think they call it "Character" in a Harley. __________________ "I would rather be lucky than good!"

03-06-2007, 06:03 AM	#17 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,652	It's freaking -20F (-29C) here this morning and -40F with the wind chill!!! I'm not riding yet. __________________ Louis

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03-06-2007, 06:47 AM	#18 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,050	We're having a blast of some wicked cold winds right now (last night & this morning) with snow expected tomorrow. I'm so jealous that you got to ride...while we did have one 50 degree day, there just too much debris on the roads from all the salt & sand.

03-06-2007, 07:27 AM	#20 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,050	The folks a bit further north & west of me are well over 100" so far. We got snow...but no where near as much.

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