Zen and Motorcycles

[krustywantout]

I usually workout in the mornings by lifting weights and running. Worked on abs today and ran for 6 miles. I had fasted for 16 hours so I was gassed by the time I hit the shower but felt better once I had some breakfast. I wasn't going to take the motorcycle because I was tired but with the temperature getting up to 75 F and the morning temp around 50 F, I decided to take the bike and enjoy the last days of fall in New England. Leaving my house, I felt the chill wind in my helmet but otherwise, I was comfortable. Once I hit the highway and with the sun shining bright, my body had adjusted to the temp and I was fully engaged in riding. About 10 minutes into the ride, this wave of peace hits me and all of my senses were focused on the noise/vibrations from the engine, the wind hitting my body, and the feeling of one with the motorcycle. I haven't had this feeling in a long time. I don't know if it was the combination of everything I did this morning and the weather but whatever it was, it was intoxicating. Felt like sharing. Enjoy the ride and ride safe.

[jminer]

@krustywantout Damn you're serious about fitness!

I occasionally get the same feeling when on a motorcycle. Everything seems to melt away, it's truly wonderful. It's always a stress reliever, but occasionally pushes right past that into an overwhelming peace.

[DipodomysDeserti]

@krustywantout I always have the internal debate about whether I really want to ride the bike to work. Once I throw a leg over it always turns out to be the right decision.

Decided not to today. I have parent conferences after a solid ten hours of in class instruction. My current runner is a 6 volt bike, and I know it won't be a relaxing ride home with dim headlights after all that. I've been getting in solid 3-4 hour rides on the weekends which have been a much needed reprieve.

[jminer]

@dipodomysdeserti Any thought to converting lighting to a 12v led? It'd be way easier to source parts and you can install a 12v to 6v converter for the sensitive electronics like ignition. I've done it on an old 8n before (different beast obviously).

Charging would be the issue, but application of a trickle charger might solve the issue with total loss on LED lights.

[DipodomysDeserti]

@jminer My main bike right now is a '77 TT500. The lighting and ignition run off two separate circuits which is nice, and there is no battery. I'm not even running a regulator (the ignition circuit has a built in regulator). I can convert the lighting coil to 12v by running more wire around it, but the 12v LED tail light I have on there now has been holding up well, so I'm leary to mess with it. I had built my own sealed beam headlight using a cheap H4 LED from Amazon, but it finally died (I ran it for a few years on my CL450). People have been successful running 12v headlamps with scooter regulators/rectifiers on these bikes, so I may just go that route. I really only have the headlight on there in case I get pulled over, as I don't ride at night anymore.

[krustywantout]

@jminer I decided a couple years ago to take my health seriously and set a goal of 100 miles a month running/walking. I've kept up with running and weight lifting and now can't go without doing one unless I'm going on vacation.

[Exage03040]

I'm about to head into withdrawals. I have some 5 days left of insurance but it's going to be cold-ish [only 4C/40F right now] and cloudy the next 2 days, rain the rest. All the shit that's gone down since last week; screw in the tire, oppo move, more Covid restrictions and the weather... It already feels like 'dark winter'.

Riding was the high point of this year. I barely saw any of my friends but while everyone locked down I would go out for a burn and stop for nothing but fuel. It was amazing when there was like 70-80% less traffic but it also brought out some dangerously inconsiderate cage drivers. The many flybys, cut offs and impromptu 'races', it was cute for 2 days after that I was just annoyed and wanted my bubble.

[krustywantout]

@exage03040 April, May, and June were great for motorcycles because of the lack of traffic. But as you said, there were plenty of crazy people doing bad things in cars and motorcycles. Riding in 40 F is doable with heated grips. When I had my R1100RT, I'd be out in 30 F weather but that was the limit. I haven't installed heated grips on this bike but was thinking of getting heated gloves. But then I think, why go through all of the expense for a few extra days of riding.

[Exage03040]

@krustywantout It's not so much me as it is the tires being well below op temp in the cold and the poor drivers. I lowsided last year in Dec so I'm saying the hell tempting that fate again. If I had on commuter based Road 5s or something then maybe, but the Power GP just becomes too hard and slippy near freezing and the anti-ice crap on the road doesn't help.

[krustywantout]

@exage03040 Got it. That was one of the reasons I switched to sport touring tires on the ZX14R. The other reason is that the OEM rubber lasted only 6000 miles.

[HFV]

@krustywantout
Okay but am I the only one who sings “born to be wild” to yourself while riding? Lol

[DipodomysDeserti]

@exage03040 Just ride vintage motorcycles with skinny tires and you can low side in any weather!

[krustywantout]

@hfv My song changes from Kickstart my Heart, You Really Got Me, or Shoot to Thrill. When I buy a cruiser, I'll be singing Born to be Wild.