| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
The last chance I had to ride was January 10 when I took my K1200LT home from the dealership (it was in for routine maintenance). Right after that, I came down with the flu and couldn't ride for about a week. After that, the roads have been consistently covered with snow and/or ice. I am going through some SERIOUS withdrawal here! Cold NEVER stops me; as long as the bike starts and the roads are clear, I'm riding. But I'm NOT stupid... if there is any chance of snow or ice on the road I'm on four wheels. I sure as hell hope the roads are clear in March because I plan on riding down to Daytona Beach this year just to get into some decent riding weather (even if it's only in the 50s down there)!! | ||
| Crusty |
Jaime, I know how you feel. I can't remember the last day when the temps got above freezing, and the snow banks on the side of the streets have become snow walls 8 to 10 feet high. There are some clear patches of pavement, but there is way too much ice and snow still on the streets. This Sunday, the temp is supposed to climb all the way up to 40 and we're supposed to get a good bit of rain. But then it's supposed to go back down to temps near zero. This is a tough winter, for sure. It's nice to know that I'm not the only nut case who rides to Daytona from the Northeast instead of trailering. | ||
| Xb9er |
Do the state and local trucks put anti-skid (little rocks) on the road where you live? Here is PA some genius thought it would be a great inexpensive way to cure bad roads during snow storms and anymore when it flurries. The anti-skid really puts a damper on riding anything with two wheels until late spring when they finally street-sweep all the roads and it rains to get whatever is left. signed, Disgruntled Northern Motorcyclist | ||
| Jaimec |
Crusty: The only time any of my bikes go on a trailer is when they're incapable of running under their own power, and then they get towed to the shop.  | ||
| Pwnzor |
I'm using the cold weather to work on a project, seen at left in this too-dark photo... CBR1100XX Super Blackbird  | ||
| Badgerbueller1125 |
Get a dirt bike and some ice tires and you got riding year round. That's how we do it in Wisconsin. | ||
| Uncle |
Blackbird.....nice bike. I almost bought one of those. What are your plans for it? | ||
| Pwnzor |
It spent a bunch of time outdoors, so I'm going through it from top to bottom. New plastics are on the menu, it apparently got knocked over at least once. Pipes, K&N, Power Commander, chain, sprockets, bearings, forks, seats, etc. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Mouse nests, mouse nests everywhere | ||
| 86129squids |
Pwn, good catch on the Blackbird! Had a buddy (dearly departed) who said that was one of his fave bikes. They make a killer sport-tour steed, FWIW. | ||
| Jaimec |
Weather like this ALWAYS brings me back to: One day I will have one in the garage; mark my words! | ||
| 86129squids |
Jaimec- I've been thinking the same thing! As long as you had a full set of electric gear, the Ural might be a <superior> way to get around in this crap! I forgot who it was, but IIRC someone was planning to head to Glitchfest on one... One of my MC subscription mags had an awesome piece about one of the editors buying a BMW sidecar rig, then taking his daughter on the 1K+ mile ride home- one of the best reads I've come across in a while! | ||
| Sidepipe79 |
Squids, That would have been Aaron Frank for motorcyclist. Big fan of Buells and good guy. | ||
| Jaimec |
I guess the BIG question is whether or not a modern Ural has a strong enough electrical system to handle a full set of heated gear. I know my old R100RT airhead had a tough time with my heated vest and heated grips; enough so that I installed the Euro "Headlight Switch" so I could turn off the headlight during the daylight hours in local traffic during the winter months. On the highway it wasn't too much of an issue. I also had to turn off the headlight if I was teaching an MSF ERC course, as running the bike at low rpm all day was a sure fire way of killing the battery otherwise. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I guess the BIG question is whether or not a modern Ural has a strong enough electrical system to handle a full set of heated gear. Throw a deep cycle marine battery in the side car. As far as the Blackbird goes, it actually belongs to my co-worker Joe. I'm happy to have it in my garage, I'm hoping to have it done before Suches comes around... but we'll see. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I'm using the frigidity to do a carb upgrade and high compression piston on my DR and body work on the Sprint. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Oh, and a subframe for my sidecar! | ||
| Jaimec |
According to Ural's web page, it has a 560W alternator. That is a helluva lot more powerful than the wimpy 380W alternator my old airhead sported. Should be more than enough to power heated gear. Should've known a motorcycle built by a company in Siberia would be well equipped for cold-weather riding... |
