Short ride: FJ *LIKES* the cold

[Steve_in_Florida]

Since I fixed the shifter pivot bolt yesterday, I decided to take the FJ on a little spin around town.

Hopped on the highway to clear out the cobwebs, and the bike performed like a rocket!

The temperature has been a bit chilly (for Florida) between 55 and 65 Fahrenheit (13 to 17 Celsius), and the engine really likes the dense air.

I must mention that I took the recommendation of some on the board and installed Lazertec tires on the front and rear. (stock rims on a `92 ABS FJ) After about 2500 miles, they have not worn funny and still have a healthy amount of tread.

The powers that be have deemed a particular curve on the westbound side of Interstate 4 (known locally as "The Fairbanks Curve") as particularly hazardous. Every time it rains, it seems that a truck will jackknife or a car will leave the road at that point. A while back, a lot of taxpayer money was spent on a proposed solution to cut slits in the concrete to facilitate the draining of rainwater. Apparently, that solution didn't work, so last November they spent a WHOLE LOT MORE MONEY to resurface the quarter-mile curve with asphalt.

Wow! That curve is actually a PLEASURE to negotiate now on the bike. It used be concrete, and the cracks in the slabs no longer coincided with the lanes, due to several years of lane width adjustments to keep up with traffic volume. Now, it's one big sheet of nice, sticky, smooth asphalt.

One of the things that makes the curve so dangerous, is the fact that Interstate 4 has very few curves between Daytona Beach and Orlando. The speed limit drops down to 50 mph at the curve, but people routinely try to negotiate it at 70 to 90 mph.

It's late. Just wanted to post my joy at having the bike back on the road after a brief hiatus.

Kooky-Lou!

Steve

[markmartin]

The temperature has been a bit chilly (for Florida) between 55 and 65 Fahrenheit (13 to 17 Celsius), and the engine really likes the dense air.

Steve

That's some funny stuff Steve!

9* Fahrenheit  and 14" of snow in the last 4 days here.

[anson45]

Steve,
   We had a heat wave today. It hit 30 degrees F.
Up here the natives are out in shorts at 40.
I'll be in Tarpon Springs in March...
Anson

[rktmanfj]

Definitely NOT FJ weather around these parts, but there is riding to be had.

One of my buddies posted this ride on his KTM today:

http://youtu.be/bd4fMrzMsMU

[The General]

Definitely NOT FJ weather around these parts, but there is riding to be had.

One of my buddies posted this ride on his KTM today:

http://youtu.be/bd4fMrzMsMU

Thanks for posting. Really enjoyed and passed on to a KTM mate here in OZ.

[justdon]

Good you are back on the road.And i know that area where people overate their ability to handle the curve.Have a happy new year..

[neo297]

No reason not to ride in the cold OR snow just ask this guy
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/29/intrepid-motorcyclist-rides-ural-through-blizzard/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing9%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D251888

[rktmanfj]

No reason not to ride in the cold OR snow just ask this guy
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/29/intrepid-motorcyclist-rides-ural-through-blizzard/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing9%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D251888

Heh, I happened to see that live... it's only about 10 miles from here.

I wasn't going out in it.       

[Steve_in_Florida]

Good you are back on the road. ... Have a happy new year..

Thanks Don! Same to you (and EVERYONE ELSE here, too!)

How are things going with your FJ? Are you out on the road yet?

Steve

[justdon]

Yes steve.Everything is going along pretty good with the fj.I rode over to daytona and new smyrna was a good ride had fun..Had a kid tell me i was riding an old school rocket..But he felt his ninga was the ultimate bike..

[Steve_in_Florida]

...He felt his Ninja was the ultimate bike.

Ha! I'm certain that _EVERYONE_ on the Ninja Owners Group feels that way!