Thursday, November 05, 2009

The Tortoise and the Hare

Today the forecasted high was in the low 70's and following the "rule" I've had to establish what with two mistresses in the garage and all, I rode Brigitta, my R80 Airhead Beemer to work this morning.

Wow, I'd forgotten how fast she is when compared to Natasha....hence the title of this posting.

I'd ridden the R80 this past Sunday but now as I wound my way down my regular work commute roads, I could actually accelerate "with elan" past half-asleep but yet still texting cagers! I could grab that open slot in the next lane with just a small twist of the throttle. I could come to a stop swiftly without exerting much more than a normal pull at the front brake lever. I could take that right hand curve at normal speed instead of slowing way down in order to not "fly the chair".

It's like driving a tractor one day and a Corvette the next....the best of both worlds depending on the weather! "Rapid adjustment of one's riding reflexes is required".

Brigitta and I positively exulted our way through the 12 miles of my commute to my job at DISH Network. Towards the end, I could see and realize the intoxication of speed; unused to it as I was after riding Natasha for so many days under "interesting" conditions at times.

So I dialed it down a bit and quit exhibiting squid-wannabe behavior. At least, I thought it was....I am sure that any real squid out there (of which I saw none) would have thought I was just another old man on an old motorcycle. : )

Lest ye think I think less of Natasha now, not even close! Natasha is my all-weather, all-terrain, pack a ton of gear, I might not get there fast but I'll get there conveyance of choice. Brigitta is my paved road with a small mix of dirt trails fast-mover. This combination should cover all the bases when it comes to my riding year-round!

PS: sorry, no pics of Brigitta, we were enjoying the zooming part too much.

9 comments:

Martha said...

Now all you need is a cute GS to complete the spectrum?

Yeah...and you wonder why I'm called Wifey the Enabler....

cpa3485 said...

I was just wondering if we would ever hear about Brigitta again. What a great combination of vehicles you have. You are a go anywhere, do anything type of guy!

redlegsrides said...

Martha, Yes Dear!

Cpa3485, oh Brigitta is around....the arrangement I've come to with "the girls" is this: Above 60 degrees, Brigitta gets to go out, below 60 and iffy weather, it's Natasha's turn. So far, so good.

Unknown said...

Charlie6:

You have to start thinking Canadian. I had to get my calculater out . . . let's see , hmmm 60 F = 16 C . That's means we have to start looking for Natasha's brother. We won't have temps that high till Spring.

Go for it --> I think you have permission to buy a F650GS, then you would have a real dilema on those under 60F (16C) days .

bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin

RichardM said...

Hacks are available for a GS... Or is the GS for the Enabler?

redlegsrides said...

bobskoot and richard, a 1150 GS is in my long range plans to act as a tug.....it's basically the cost of one of those and about 4K more for a M72D sidecar kit from dauntless motors who specialize in creating such things.....just read some guy's ride report of such a rig......

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Charlie6 (Dom):

I don't know much... But I know this: when the Missus suggests you go out and buy a motorcycle, just do it.

I am trying to catch up on your posts, and I was fascinated by your decision to switch to LED turn signals and running lights. I've seen that product advertised in numerous magazines and catalogues, and wondered how it would work as a replacement for my talight light.

The tailight compartment on the K75 is unusual in that it is divided into four separate compartments. The lower one is the running light (5 watts). The upper one is the brake light. The comparments on either site were empty. I packed them with 16 red LEDs each. When I hit the brakes, these now flash continuously. This isn't exactly legal, but it is extremely visible.

I would go crazy if my bike had different wiring parameters for running lights and turn signals.
Can the standard Ural engine be pulled off the rig and replaced by a later-model BMW motor and transmission?

Fondst regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

redlegsrides said...

Jack, yeah these russkie bikes are built a bit weird. Simple but sometimes weird. Yes, you can have an airhead engine put in and keep the russian tranny so you still have reverse.....but I am leaning towards an 1150GS tug and a M72D sidecar...ala dauntless motors....way in the future hopefully. I'd heard about the weird tailight compartment on the K bikes....

redlegsrides said...

oh, and for all concerned re my loving wife's comment about me going to get a GS....I first have to produce a Volvo XC90 to replace the minivan....