All Day Rainy Day Ride

[Mike Ramos]

Hello Everyone,

It is said California is in a drought however at times it seems difficult finding dry weather in the far northern reaches of the state.  About three weeks ago I was in the San Francisco Bay Area and it was raining steadily.  Upon departure and traveling north, the storms were coming in from the west making their way east across the valley.

The timing of the rain clouds was sporadic with patches of dry areas from time to time.  Traveling toward the north end of the valley, I turned west and skirted the mountains but to no avail as the rain was fairly constant.  I then returned to the valley floor and made my way east towards Mt. Lassen where in the distance a clear sky could be seen.

The problem was to get ahead of the storm front and arrive in the eastern foothills before the rain.  One more fuel stop and dry riding seemed possible.  The weather was inclement all day and once I was able to actually get ahead of the front it was evident that the road was, to a certain extent, still damp from earlier rains.  However while it was very wet most of the day the temperature was mild and pleasant.

Once the weather cleared it was about 17 miles uphill into the foothills to almost 3,000 feet in altitude with the last 3-4 miles a steep incline.  Towards the end of the video the oil temperature gauge indicates a modest 200*.

A few notes: it has been said "no video no proof".  Well here is a link with the video which clearly shows several things.  Among them, the statement that "spooling up" a rear wheel in the wet at slow speed correlates to riding in wet weather at speed is misinformed and ignorant.  The tires in use were installed on December 6th and conservatively estimated miles on the tires is at least 6,000 with many additional miles left in them.  They are dual compound tires and predominately the reason they wear so well has to do with the suspension which not only allows for comfortable highway riding; but as seen in the video enhances the sport bike ride significantly.  The suspension also enables the tires to be inflated to 42 psi at all times which substantially increases tire life, enhances performance and allows for neutral, positive steering throughout the performance envelope.

At 3:43 (of the video) I got into trouble with mud from a dirt road that had been tracked onto the pavement.  At 6:55 there is an entrance on the right followed by a driveway on the left that calls for extra caution.  And about 5:50 – 6:12 or so the question remains, what must the motorcyclist, especially on a damp road guard against?  Surely the 'resident scholar' who unlike the "spooling up" comment, has not a mere opinion but a definitive answer based on experience, not conjecture or false assumptions.

There has been a considerable amount of debate concerning sport bike vs. over the road cruisers.  Some claim that you cannot have both; or the FJ is more sport than cruiser or more cruiser than sport. 

It is clear that with the modern updates available to all who own a Yamaha FJ, this motorcycle is both an enjoyable over the road cruiser and a very competent sport bike as well.  I started this ride in the early morning hours before dawn and completed it in the early evening covering hundreds of miles.  For all around comfort, ride quality and sporting ability across a broad spectrum of conditions it is difficult to surpass.

Reviewing the Forum, I see that the new exhaust from R.P.M. has now progressed from prototype to production.  Although the sound quality of the video is poor, the pleasant sound of the exhaust note is indeed of that particular prototype.  Here is to anticipating a production unit – although the carbon fiber muffler will remain...! 

In closing, the songs says "....hold tight we're in for nasty weather...". Perhaps, but a modern FJ takes it all in stride, mile after mile after mile...At times it seems like sitting in an easy chair.

Stay in good humor and ride safe,

Mike Ramos.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD_C0yhLiik&feature=youtu.be

[movenon]

Nice video Mike. I like it.  What camera are you using ? Been doing some trolling around for a video camera for the bike.
George

[TexasDave]

Nice video Mike. I like it.  What camera are you using ? Been doing some trolling around for a video camera for the bike.
George
I agree with George. Where did you mount it?    Dave

[Joe Sull]

Good video, nice story too. You travel at a good clip. If I couldn't see the speedo, I'd think you were going 80 or so. 

[pdxfj]

Is that what a FJ sounds like? 

Been so long since I've ridden or even started mine...

Nice video.   

[FJscott]

Very cool video. Love the talking heads sound track

Scott

[FJ MCC VII]

Cool vid, but why were all those cars parked on the road?

[Country Joe]

Cool vid, but why were all those cars parked on the road?

I see parked cars on the road all the time

Joe

[gumby302ho]

 Nice video, we all curse the rain but when all said an done its a great feeling for me, man and machine and the elements we cant control. Survived to live for another ride. Watching the video made me aware yet again of how dangerous bikes can be. A rabbit or dog or raccoon or any other creature of size could come out in front of our path at any second let alone the people that got there license from a gum ball machine that we need to look all around us at all times. Is this why we love to ride? 

[andyoutandabout]

Despite originating in soggy England, I ride like a girl when it's wet, I'm just so on edge.
Nice job on the vid Mike.
Next time, check the forecast for the bay area, it's usually better than what you experienced thank goodness, otherwise I'd have buggered off somewhere else years ago.
Andy

[Bones]

I ride like a girl when it's wet, I'm just so on edge.

I'm a little bit like that, had a few "off's" in my younger days with wet weather and roundabouts etc....and although tyre technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since then, my memory of those mishaps hasn't.

I'm still stuck with my dot matrix brain and Windows 59 software which is unupgradeable.

                                                      Tony.

[mark1969]

I don't mind the wet so much as the greasy roads that it brings, alongside diesel spilled on roundabouts or corners etc.

So if we had grease free roads with no diesel spills the rain would be fine..!

Living in the UK you learn to co-exist with rain, sadly.

[Mike Ramos]

Howdy everyone,

Answering a few questions:  the camera is a GoPro 3 Silver edition.  Fairly easy to use, improved night time viewing.

The camera is mounted between the clip ons; on a piece of flat stock from the mirror mounting points.

Re: the Talking Heads song.  Originally I lobbied for an old 1940's Duke Ellington tune called "Across the Track Blues" (from Mr. Conlon's era...!) because it is much like the ride, nice & easy & enjoyable.  However the film editor selected the song because it better reflected the speeds & conditions.

A memory that is "unupgradeable"...?  Hmmm, you are doing well, I have no idea what is "dot matrix..."!

So, what was the question...?!

Keep smiling,

Midget.