[motodolphin]

Rode the lower half of the Hwy 9 twisties this morning. First time so I made sure to do it early so I wouldn't hold up the pros. On the way up I took it nice and slow, sticking to the speed limits or just above them. I'm only just starting to get the hang of leaning the bike over for cornering and turning while also looking completely through the turn.

After a ride up Skyline to a really awesome vista of San Francisco Bay I went back, going faster and leaning the bike over more even though it was downhill (which I thought would make me more timid rather than less). I'm starting to trust the bike and not think so much about all the mechanics involved, just letting things happen naturally. I'm learning I can still go faster and lean the bike over more -- and will with each subsequent ride. And I know the twisties will be more fun ;-)

I almost made a really big noob mistake at the end, grabbing the front break during a turn. As soon as I started squeezing I immediately let go in favor of just a little more lean, preventing a low-side spill. :-D *phew!*

 

[earlthepearl]

Power steering everytime....
It'l get u threw it most times....
even if ur ascared....LOL

 

[motodolphin]

Power steering everytime....
It'l get u threw it most times....
even if ur ascared....LOL

Heh. I know that's true. Just have to get used to doing it

Maybe I'd be more confident in flip-flops ;-)

 

[motodolphin]

Also I think I've finally figured out exactly where the sweet spot of the friction zone is. I'm taking off from stops like I actually know what I'm doing

 

[earlthepearl]

Also I think I've finally figured out exactly where the sweet spot of the friction zone is. I'm taking off from stops like I actually know what I'm doing

Flipflops give u extra confidence....:whistling:

 

[motodolphin]

Rode to San Gregorio (and back)

today via Hwy 9, 35, 84, 1. That stretch of 84 between 35 and 1 is fun! And the ocean was beautiful.

 

[motodolphin]

And here's a picture of my bike in the Starbucks parking lot at the bottom of Hwy 9 in Saratoga. Haven't done any mods to it yet. But it looks pretty in the sunlight. Should have taken a picture of it by the ocean. Oh well next time!

 

[earlthepearl]

And here's a picture of my bike in the Starbucks parking lot at the bottom of Hwy 9 in Saratoga. Haven't done any mods to it yet. But it looks pretty in the sunlight. Should have taken a picture of it by the ocean. Oh well next time!

Picture....we don't see no stinkin picture....LOL..

:facepalm:

 

[motodolphin]

Picture....we don't see no stinkin picture....LOL..

:facepalm:

D'oh! It said it attached. Or I was distracted by the moto and forgot ;-) . Trying again.

 

[earlthepearl]

D'oh! It said it attached. Or I was distracted by the moto and forgot ;-) . Trying again.



View attachment 6033

:thumb:

 

[motodolphin]

Frame sliders and good, full gear can't remove gravel from the road that's just around that corner, but they're more than worth the cost. So is going a wee bit slower around that corner.

I'm fine. So is my bike. Just a mirror and frame slider to replace.

 

[earlthepearl]

Frame sliders and good, full gear can't remove gravel from the road that's just around that corner, but they're more than worth the cost. So is going a wee bit slower around that corner.

I'm fine. So is my bike. Just a mirror and frame slider to replace.

:thumb:

 

[motodolphin]

Played bingo at the Dainese store in SF tonight. I won a day pass to Moto Shop SF (www.motoshopsf.com)! Sometime in the near future I'll be getting hands-on personal intimate time with my bike ;-)

Seriously though this is awesome! Just what I need to learn how to do basic maintenance and stuff. I never would have thought to look for a place like this.

 

[motodolphin]

www.motoshopsf.com/

 

[motodolphin]

www.motoshopsf.com/

Hmm that link gives me an "Access Denied" page in the phone app. Bu it works if you tap on it when trying to reply to that comment. If it doesn't work in your browser just type it in manually or google it.

 

[motodolphin]

3.5 hour ride today! Hwy 9 from Saratoga to Hwy 1 in Santa Cruz (hippies! So many hippies! ). Then Hwy 1 to Hwy 84 (the ocean was beautiful! When you could see it . So clean, clear and blue. Would have taken a picture but all the parking areas were sand-covered. Also quite a bit of fog that got very thick at one point with maybe 1/4 mile visibility -- IF cars had their headlights on otherwise couldn't see the cars until max 100 yards away).

Hwy 84 to I-280 took me home. 84 between 1 and Skyline/35 is a lot of fun and I did really well in all the turns keeping my speed up while leaning the bike over (in each turn and from corner to corner where it was nice and twisty), picking and maintaining better lines, and just doing things naturally instead of thinking about everything. It also helps to I'm familiar enough with that stretch I know I'm able to do those things.

Speaking of being familiar with where I'm riding, it was my first time taking 84 from Skyline/35 to I-280. I probably shouldn't ride that stretch again until I'm really good at tight cornering. The speed limit is 35mph but half of it is filled with turns (hairpin and otherwise) where the suggested speed is 15 to 20mph. After the first of these turns I decided to just go really slow so that I was comfortable, pulling over when possible to let other vehicles pass. I'm sure the more familiar I get with that stretch the better I'll do. But going from one really tight hairpin turn into an even tighter turn -- for more than just one instance -- is not something I'm currently ready for and especially when I have several vehicles behind me that are obviously itching to go faster.

The final stretch home was 75 to 80mph and I was just barely keeping up with the flow of traffic. It was nice to get in a super-tight tuck position for several miles and just cruise along while making sure I wasn't the fastest vehicle on the road. Can't afford the ticket right now

Probably going to go for another long ride tomorrow. Not sure where though.

 

[motodolphin]

Wasn't supposed to rain today. But about 1/2 mile before getting to work it started. Freak shower that feels good but means I had to find a protected spot near the building to park the bike. Guess I'll have to lube the chain up this evening when I get home. Anything else I should do?

 

[motodolphin]

Saw a rider wearing a t-shirt, jeans that don't stay up as high as they should, and canvas shoes. I really hope he doesn't crash. At least he was wearing a helmet, right Earl?

 

[motodolphin]

Even worse today: passed a rider wearing a vest that may or may not have included armor. No shirt. We were going opposite directions so I'm not sure if he had shorts to complement his choice of torso attire.

 

[motodolphin]

On the plus side, today I got cold weather gloves. No more freezing fingers during commutes!