This notice is being posted in advance of the regularly scheduled blog message for Wednesday, February 25th, 2009. It has been more than 90-days since I last rode my motorcycle owing to the weather, plus gravel and salt on the road. Therefore, I have not had any recent adventures to write about and have resorted to reporting events, rides, and observations from memory.
It should be noted that several outstanding ride reports have been filed by other blog writers, whose current adventures can be found at bobscoot: wet coast skootin; Key West Diary, and REDLEG’S RIDES. (Links to be found in the column on the right labelled “Destinations.”)
Bobscoot has sent some great shots from the Canadian waterfront in “wet coast." Look past Domingo Chang’s “Lego” post to find some great pictures of winter fading in the Colorado Rockies, the focal piece of REDLEG’s RIDES. And the author of Key West Diary presents a near daily, behind the scenes look at this great semi-tropical paradise.
It irked me that I had no legitimate ride reports to offer these guys by way of competition. In fact, certain mechanical considerations will immobilize my bike until March 20th, 2009, at the earliest. So, begging the gentle reader’s indulgence, I ask refer you to the following ride report, filed close to this same time next year.
Please click here to read the ride report.
The management regrets this necessity.
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8 comments:
Jack: Bobskoot reporting in Sir. I have to get my "Daily JACK jolt" to kickstart my day. This month I have already ridden to work but it is a challenge to find early mornings without ice or frost. I purchased and installed my pair of Heated Gloves and it works wonders for your fingers in the biting cold. I just don't like all those wires hanging around everywhere. As you may not be aware I do have more than one bike, but only keep one insured during the Winter. As soon as Spring makes an appearance, I will get the other bike on the road and get the NEW ride reports rolling . . .
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Jack, thanks for the plug...your stuff still beats mine hands down....no worries.
Lazy Irish Drunk.
Dear Mr. Skoot:
Electric riding gear is not an option for me. While Gerbings does make a vest or a jacket that will fit me, barely, there is no shot of finding electric pants that will.
This has not been a problem as I am generally warm enough in temperatures as low as 25ยบ with layered gear. Wth regard to gloves, I have several pair for riding in the winter. I prefer a thin pair of leather riding gloves that just keep the wind off my hands. I then switch to a heavier pair, and finally I have a pair of Lee Parks insulated riding gauntlets.
These last are as official-looking as damn-it and warmer than hot biscuits right out of the oven. The problem with these, and most electric gloves that I've seen, are the bulk. They isolated my hands from the clutch, which irks me.
I have a 50-amp alternator on my bike, and a voltmeter to see how the juice is flowing. Still, I have a concern about all the current my farkle draws, especially with the electric seat to be installed. So I looked at electric gloves powered by lithium batteries. These were very cool, and reasonably priced at $125. But again they were bulky.
Does you skooter have a socket for a plug, or did you have to hardwire a pigtail off the battery?
Thanks for writing in.
Fondest regards,
Jack
Dear Charlie(6):
I wouldn't say that, and it's nice that you did. But the stuff I write allows me to take a lot of license, and I do. You would be shocked to learn how much of this crap is true, and the stupid things I did on a motorcycle as a kid. But the fact is I am ready to write about a truly epic trip, using a new literary ploy: understatement.
I just have to take the trip.
Your stuff is very straightforward, following the philosophy that the stark truth is the most interesting element -- especially when backed up by dynamic photographs.
Thanks for writing in.
Fondest regards,
Jack
Dear ADK (Chris -- Cockney Twit):
Thank you for your thoughtful note. Your opinion is important to us, and will get our undivided attention when sitting on the hardest seat in the smallest room of the house. And in that environment, I would be very surprised if your remarks didn't serve as some kind of inspiration.
We really have to do a little riding togeher this season. I would love to introduce you and Cantwell at a Mac-Pac breakfast. Why not call the folks who inflicted you with that wedding invitation and tell them the truth, that you have clap and can't cross a national border without registering as a walking plague.
Fondest regards,
Your best and only true friend, etc.
Jack
Jack Riepe said: "Does your skooter have a socket for a plug, or did you have to hardwire a pigtail off the battery?"
I am using generic SAE 2 pole trailer connectors for my battery tender so I can just plug in either my vest, or my gloves. I also don't wish to load up my electrical system so would only use one appliance at a time. I was actually thinking of wiring in a double pole switch with the off in the middle position and perhaps UP for gloves, and DOWN for vest. You could do the same thing with your Seat.
I actually have heated grips on my motorcyle but the windshield does not shelter the wind so you don't really end up with a lot of heat. I find that the gloves hold in the heater better and they are NOT bulky. The gloves do not feel any different than other fabric gloves that are non-heated.
I had a quick glance at my map of the USA and using "the span of my fingers" approach it would seem that the distance to Tennessee is approximately the same distance as Vancouver to the Mexican border RETURN, then nearly another 40% additional to take in KW. This means that travelling at Jack Riepe Speed (JRS for short) at a mere 200 miles per day, it will take forever.
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Dear Bob:
I had a Centech fuse box installed on the K75. The electric seat has a switch on the pan and will be wired direcly to the fusebox, via a pigtail. When the weather gets warm, I'll pull the plug and disconnect the seat.
Don't let the rumors fool you. On the slab, the K75 pulls the ton without blinking. And I let it too! It will run all day between 6 and 7 grand -- without getting hot.
I am so sorry you do not live closer. But I can tell you this: I will ride to the Pacific next year. Maybe you can meet me in northern California.
Fondest regards,
Jack
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