Author Topic: windy rides wear me out... (Read 8669 times)

lucydad · « **on:** April 20, 2015, 04:14:16 PM »

All,

After various legal reviews, phone calls, poodle poop scooping, fallen tree branch clean up and lunch I took the V7R out on a 100 miler. Windy out and as I got into Brazoria county it was pretty gusty. Typical of a Monday: lots of trucks and construction vehicles too. We had a nice outing and stopped for a break near Rosharon. Guzzi takes it all in stride. Wow do I push the small block's limits though, and again the bike responds with poise.

Been on the Triumph a lot the past few weeks. Switching to the Guzzi is quite a change. The biggest difference is braking: light and careful on the Trumpet, and take a handful on the Guzzi. I am sure others that have more than one bike experience the same switch-over phenomenon. My back does not like the V7R geometry as well as the more upright Trumpet---need to stretch more often. Each bike has its own graces and quirks....both very fun.

The wind wore me down though. Gusty spring winds are typical here, but otherwise a beautiful day, and the crops are up everywhere and baby goats and steaks-on-the hoof and such. It will be a short 3 day work week.

lucydad · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:26:14 PM »

Lucian,

Hmmm...my wooden head can't decipher your message. I am sure it is eloquent, and meaningful, but yeah...maybe I will ask the poodles.

lucian · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:30:19 PM »

Don't you love the mental list of things you feel obligated to get done before you can enjoy a motorcycle ride. Work ethic can be a real hindrance to a good time. Nothing wrong with feeling worn out after a good ride, I actually enjoy that somehow.

jomarti3 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:43:35 PM »

Quote from: lucian on April 20, 2015, 04:30:19 PM

Don't you love the mental list of things you feel obligated to get done before you can enjoy a motorcycle ride. Work ethic can be a real hindrance to a good time. Nothing wrong with feeling worn out after a good ride, I actually enjoy that somehow.

I agree totally about the Texas wind gusts. Just arrived in from a short ride on the Griso and heading north today was work with no windscreen ( well the Dart if that counts). I am so totally out of riding condition. And it's true about getting chores done before play. It's like I need those things done before I can really enjoy bike time. Must be early programming- "You boys clean out the garage before going downtown..."

rodekyll · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2015, 06:42:48 PM »

Quote from: lucydad on April 20, 2015, 04:14:16 PM

All,

After various legal reviews, phone calls, poodle poop scooping, fallen tree branch clean up and lunch I took the V7R out on a 100 miler. [snippity]

The wind wore me down though. Gusty spring winds are typical here, but otherwise a beautiful day, and the crops are up everywhere and baby goats and steaks-on-the hoof and such. It will be a short 3 day work week.

"After a day of legal crap, telephone time, chores and storm repairs, I got worn out by the wind."

Respectfully, I disagree. You were wound up and worn down before you got on the bike. :D

Cam3512 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2015, 06:47:57 PM »

I too have neglected many a "chore" (hate that word-we're adults) to go out and ride.

Let's get our priorities straight!

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2015, 07:16:47 PM »

When I first started going out to SoCal, I found I was "worn out" after an hour or two of serious twistys. Then, I *finally* ::) realized that the less I did, the better the bike liked it. Same same in gusty winds. Little to no pressure on the bars. Relax. Light touch. It's like flying. The more you upset the machine, the less it likes it. ;D

atavar · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2015, 07:44:09 PM »

I am sure it is all psychological but on some very gusty rides in SD I figured out a strategy that greatly helps me. On one ride in particular down Highway 85 a couple years ago the gusts were so strong I was leaning enough in gusts to drag the centerstand going straight down the superslab (no exaggeration) . If nothing else it scrubbed off my chicken strips. I found out later that there were measured gusts of 85mph in the area .
What I found was that if I left my leeward foot on the rider peg and put my windward foot on the passenger peg and kept a light touch on the bars the bike felt much more stable.
I don't know if this altered the human airfoil or weights and balances or if it just made me feel better to do something useless.
YMMV

PJPR01 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2015, 08:01:31 PM »

See now...here's the problem. Yesterday's ride was "gust free" with fantastic weather, great Company (another Norge and a Brutale) a welcome stop for Greek Food in Galveston and a beautiful ride down from Houston via Brazos Bend Park, on to Freeport and San Luis Pass into Galveston (while infiltrating a weekend Harley group) and back again. After probably 200 miles, it felt quite refreshing! Cramming in a ride on a Monday after chores is a surefire way to feel run down! Getting a ride in before the chores is always advisable! Ha ha! :)

davedel44 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2015, 08:11:51 PM »

Quote from: PJPR01 on April 20, 2015, 08:01:31 PM

welcome stop for Greek Food in Galveston

Olympia at Pier 21 or Seawall?
[/quote

Dave

lucian · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2015, 08:33:37 PM »

I don't know whats worse, riding while thinking about all the stuff that needs doing, or doing all the stupid stuff while thinking about riding. :wife:

Moto · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2015, 09:11:01 PM »

Quote from: lucian on April 20, 2015, 08:33:37 PM

I don't know whats worse, riding while thinking about all the stuff that needs doing, or doing all the stupid stuff while thinking about riding. :wife:

The first one is more dangerous!

lucydad · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2015, 09:12:50 PM »

Guilty as charged...way too many moving parts in my life right now. See "how was your day" for explanation.

Inked the contracts today. Short week coming though, but Frank B. says "storm machine cranking back up".

Just too damn busy. Too much work ethic I guess.

PJPR01 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2015, 10:24:57 PM »

Good call! Olympia at the Seawall....great food, fantastic day for enjoying the outdoors. Couldn't have had a more perfect day to ride!

Penderic · « **Reply #14 on:** April 21, 2015, 04:57:24 AM »

Side gusts are my big worry, followed by strong headwinds (poor gas mileage and increased wind turbulence from speeding trucks).

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #15 on:** April 21, 2015, 07:53:56 AM »

Before my T-3 I had been riding a Suzuki GS400 for 11 years. It could be scary in high crosswinds. The day I bought my T-3 I rode it 90 miles home through the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills (very open with no trees) with winds gusty up to around 45mph. I don't think I would have done it on the Suzuki but that ride endeared me to the Guzzi, so much more stable.
GliderJohn

Nic in Western NYS · « **Reply #16 on:** April 21, 2015, 12:52:27 PM »

My Breva 1100 even with panniers and topcase is very good with gusty crosswinds. My old R11RT was scary. Probably the fairing acting as a sail. Not great memories of crossing Illinois/Indiana/Ohio on 2 lane country highways with every third or so oncoming tractor trailer giving a BLAST of unstable air. Not fun but keeps one alert.

lucydad · « **Reply #17 on:** April 21, 2015, 05:54:45 PM »

Just back from Cannondale bicycle ride...I swear the headwind was blowing both going and coming from park. Great workout though.
Sawbones doctor said today: BP down and weight down...good job! The bicycle is doing its job on my body... ;-T

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #18 on:** April 21, 2015, 06:33:28 PM »

Happy to live in the hills ;-T

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2015, 08:11:02 PM »

I bonded with the Centauro on a trip back from Florida in rain and gusty cross winds. Thought to myself, "If I was on the R100RT, I'd be getting off the interstate immediately." That sucker would have been all over the road. Seriously. The big C just bored on, ignoring semis, gusty cross winds, rain, etc. ;-T

Nic in Western NYS · « **Reply #20 on:** April 21, 2015, 08:31:55 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on April 21, 2015, 08:11:02 PM

I bonded with the Centauro on a trip back from Florida in rain and gusty cross winds. Thought to myself, "If I was on the R100RT, I'd be getting off the interstate immediately." That sucker would have been all over the road. Seriously. The big C just bored on, ignoring semis, gusty cross winds, rain, etc. ;-T

The Breva has and my old Sport 1100 had that 'on the rails' stable feel in the wind.

News:

Author Topic: windy rides wear me out... (Read 8669 times)

lucydad

lucydad

jomarti3

Moto

lucydad

Penderic

lucydad