News:

           Enjoy your FJ


Main Menu

Hello from Los Angeles!

Started by silas, April 16, 2011, 07:31:56 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

silas

Hijack away! I'm takin notes. Rarely get a chance to venture too far from the house on a leisure ride. Usually just head up Big Tujunga and Angeles Crest. Trying to keep this year open for more distance runs on the FJ.

I did ride out to Joshua Tree my first year here on the KLR. Coming back through the wind funnel on the 10 at Palm Desert was quite a fright on such a tall bike. Another reason why I plunked down on a heavier, lower, faster machine. In fact, if I manage to silence all the plastic rattling, I may just forego the streetfighter stripdown and have the bodywork painted. I do appreciate the comfort factor of the fairing.

FJmonkey

Quote from: silas on April 17, 2011, 09:12:04 PM
Hijack away! I'm takin notes. Rarely get a chance to venture too far from the house on a leisure ride. Usually just head up Big Tujunga and Angeles Crest. Trying to keep this year open for more distance runs on the FJ.

I did ride out to Joshua Tree my first year here on the KLR. Coming back through the wind funnel on the 10 at Palm Desert was quite a fright on such a tall bike. Another reason why I plunked down on a heavier, lower, faster machine. In fact, if I manage to silence all the plastic rattling, I may just forego the streetfighter stripdown and have the bodywork painted. I do appreciate the comfort factor of the fairing.
Be glad you did not run Angeles Crest today. My 2 hour ride turned into 4+, I watched at least three riders get air lifted out. I almost rear-ended a trailer parked in the middle of a blind corner (the first of two accidents on my way home). Man am I glad I practice hard stops on open roads when I don't really need too. All the people that stopped were either helping the rider that went over the rail and down the hill some, or just standing around watching. I turned around and parked well before the turn and slowed traffic way down before the corner. The bike was totaled, he was going real fast. I just keep reminding myself, don't any ride faster than my guardian angel can fly. Keep it safe everyone.
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

silas

Tis the season. Sundays are way too crowded on the 2.

I never judge a rider down, but I've let a lot of "aggressive" riders (and drivers) pass me up in the canyons. The risk isn't worth a quick trip down the other side of the guardrail.

Just checked in on a certain Facebook page, "Angeles Crest Highway". It's just a local who posts news from the 2. Two crashes confirmed. Even a road closure due to the mess. Glad I stayed home to refinish the patio furniture.