Oh the shame.......

[ribbert]

The other weekend I was on the way home from a great 3 days of fanging through the mountains, the last time for the season before the snow sets in. I have sort of become accustomed to my bikes changed handling by now and rode around it without much complaint over the weekend, the fact that many of the roads remained damp, even when not raining, meant I was not pushing for much of it anyway.

However, on the last day the riding Gods smiled us and we were blessed with spectacular weather and dry roads, I had new tyres and my favourite stretch of twisties would be encountered about mid morning (when I reckon you're at your best) How good does it get.

A cup of coffee, some magnificent home made Baklava, a stretch and walk around to refresh myself and I was ready for the Whitfield Curves.

Got my eye in through the tight stuff and then hit the fast leg, yes, yes, yes, this is what's it's all about!

Half way through I literally got a fright to suddenly see a headlight sitting right on my back wheel. This is not something I'm familiar with nor even look out for, I can't even remember the last time I was passed by another bike.

Anyway, I upped the ante into uncomfortable territory and was abruptly reminded of the FJ's handling shortcomings. I don't normally bother to check my speed in such circumstances but a quick glance showed 140 through the corners. I pushed a bit harder and my mind was immediately cast back to the countless times I have ridden this road much harder with a wide smile and the exileration that only stitching a perfect set of corners together gives you and to a time when I could steer the bike with my eyes alone and it would hold a perfect line, not the arse puckering I was experiencing now. I can't remember the last time I felt this uncomfortable on my bike.

Oh, well, let's not be silly about it, the guy is still sitting right on my tail, so while my bike and I argue about who's in charge, I think why spoil his fun, I give him a moment between corners and let him pass- IT WAS A FUCKING HARLEY!

My only defence is that is was a V-Rod. Oh, the shame! (anyone know if Casey Stoner is riding Harley's these days? Please tell me he is)

That's it, time to do something about the handling. I don't like working on my bike and while it remained rideable, I put up with it. I have now been embarrassed into fixing it.

I fear I will go to my grave never shedding the shame of being passed by a Harley.

On a brighter note, the Great Ocean Road was closed till mid afternoon yesterday for a half marathon foot race. As luck would have it (and a bit of lane splitting)  I was at the head of hundreds of cars waiting to be released from Apollo Bay when it re opened to traffic, a once in a lifetime opportunity to have it to myself. The handling issues are not so apparent at those speeds, what a blast, nothing left unscraped except my elbows.

Google Maps and GPS allows me to avoid highways and find my way around the state on roads like this. Single vehicle width roads that exist only to service farming communities. They are never patrolled.
Someone mentioned siezed rings a day or so back. A road like this will fix them. You can leave the throttle pinned for 5 minutes at a time, back off for a corner then do it again and again........



Where's that V-Rod now?

I have new Metzeler Z8's I thought I'd try after 4 sets of Conti RA2 GT's in a row. Not sure I like them as much as the Conti's although to be fair, they were a bit over inflated for my liking. I'll try them at lower pressures and give an update. I had intended trying PR4 GT's but he didn't have a front in stock. Next time.

Pat and I are "brothers in arms(less)" with our heated Tourmaster vests. I left home in 5.0 degs yesterday and between the grips and vest was very comfortable. I just had the vest over a single layer (a long sleeve thermal top) under my jacket. It gives that wonderful sensation of the Sun on your back (and front). Like the grips, I find myself using it way more than is absolutely necessary and more than I would have imagined. Mmmmm, it just feels so nice, even when you're not freezing.

Noel

[novaraptor]

Great write up, ribbert. And, on the bright side, you were passed by a single harley. Had it been a whole crew of them, you might never have recovered. 

[The General]

Suggest you leave your helmet on while walking!
Only look up when seeking forgiveness!
But Nahhhhh......it won`t be there!

Take Arnie`s advice with his pinlock tank bag.
....There`s heaps of those blokes moveing South from Queensland!       

[Firehawk068]

Nice ride report!

Do those Tourmaster vests have their own controller for heat level? Or is it merely on or off?

[gumby302ho]

 You can relax Noel as the bike that went by you was not even close to being a harley, rather a european porche on two wheels made to look like a member of the harley family!! After it passed you the first thing on the riders mind was " Where is the closest petrol station!!!!!

[Pat Conlon]

Nice ride report!

Do those Tourmaster vests have their own controller for heat level? Or is it merely on or off?

Yes, there is a 3 step controller that is placed on your left thigh and secured via stretchy band.

The settings are 1) Warm 2) Hot and 3) Broil

[movenon]

Nice write up Noel!  I really enjoyed reading it. We have a few fast Harleys around here also. Usually at there limits when you start seeing sparks from the floor boards. The trick is to lag behind and push them not you and when they think that they have it figured out pass them shortly before a planned stop .
Heated vest, ummmmmm .
George

[Pat Conlon]

Heated vest, ummmmmm .

Get one with the collar....mmmmm toasty

[giantkiller]

R&B racing. The company that built the turbo I'm putting on my latest project. Now makes turbo's for hardlys. They will build you a turbo motor for your bagger that put's out 360hp and you can drive it across the country. Now that would freak you out having a full dresser pass you at 55 smoking the back tire. I couldn't imagine having that kind of power on a big wallowing hog.

[ribbert]

Heated vest, ummmmmm .

Get one with the collar....mmmmm toasty

I'd be a bit wary of that. I found that anything with a collar, under my jacket, was too bulky. In my case it stopped my helmet tilting far enough back for my normal riding angle. This was the case with a thin polar fleece vest and with a borrowed heated vest.

I chose the Tourmaster largely based on it having no neck.

I have the non US screen which has the wind and rain hitting me mid visor so my neck is never a problem for rain or cold and I wear a neck sock which even in the most brutal conditions keeps me warm. If particularly cold, I push it up under my helmet for a perfect seal. Add a Pinlock visor and you are set for the worst possible conditions in complete comfort, clear vision and warmth.

For anyone considering buying one, and I highly recommend them, just make sure if you intend to get one with a collar that it's not too bulky with both.

Noel

[ribbert]

Nice ride report!

Do those Tourmaster vests have their own controller for heat level? Or is it merely on or off?

Yes, there is a 3 step controller that is placed on your left thigh and secured via stretchy band.

The settings are 1) Warm 2) Hot and 3) Broil

Pat, I have the 5 setting model, you can add - 4) Incinerate 5) vapourise

I found the leg strap not very good and opted for clipping it over the adjustable belt section on my jacket waist band.

Worried about paint damage, I mounted the wire here, and sit on it. No wires blowing about in the wind, all very tidy.



Even riding in near freezing temps, I have not managed to get it above #1. I tried it on #2 for a while when it was very cold but got too hot after a while.

For anyone contemplating buying one of these, they work best near you skin (infra red) such as over a T-shirt of thermal top only and it is quite liberating being able to ditch the multiple layers and regain free movement.
Being infra red, the heat is near instant, no waiting for elements to warm up. The vests/jackets are surprisingly thin and provide a good thermal layer even when not switched on.
Personally, I don't think you need necks or sleeves. If your core is warm it would have to be very, very cold to need the extra warmth (and bulk). More is not necessarily better.

These things, particularly the Tourmaster, are cheap as chips in the US and you wouldn't need to do much cold weather riding to justify or get your moneys worth from one.

Highly recommended.

Noel

[ribbert]

You can relax Noel as the bike that went by you was not even close to being a harley, rather a european porche on two wheels made to look like a member of the harley family!! After it passed you the first thing on the riders mind was " Where is the closest petrol station!!!!!

Haha, that's exactly where I passed him in the next town, at a petrol station

You're right Gumby, the V-Rods, from what I know, are a different beast. They don't even build them in the same factory.

Noel

[Flynt]

Personally, I don't think you need necks or sleeves.

Another perspective...  I do have the heated jacket (incl sleeves) and find I don't need heavy gloves or heated grips (had them on 2 BMWs, but didn't use them other than to try them out), so including the wind-exposed arms in the core can work as well.  My Garbing also has a nice neck gator that covers you from the helmet down with heated fleece...  that's maybe my favorite part.

Frank

[Pat Conlon]

Noel, the collar on my Tour Master vest is quite thin. Just a 1 wire heating element going thru it.
After you posted I double checked mine and yep, I've only got 3 settings on my controller.

Frank, I suspect I will wish I had heated sleeves when we are in the Sierras. It will be a chilly ride.
Other than my collar, my neck gator is unheated but still a marvelous piece of gear which blocks most of the wind noise.

[jo-sommer]

Wow, you guys are dealing with high tech (heated) gear...

... I still shiver remembering the last tour to North Cape in Norway in Feb. '13. Riding at -38° C / -36° F in northern Finland. We felt like one of those frozen Mammoets they found in Siberia...

Think I just about to reach that age of reflecting about heated gear.

Greetz Jo