Scrambler R1150. Found a new road last month that devolved into 20 miles of dirt/gravel, connecting river valleys over by the coast. An hour of intense concentration and serious bonding with the bike, street tire and 17" front wheel notwithstanding.
Having been a trail rider on a much more appropriate and lighter bike all I can say is wow! I'm scared on little tarmac hairpins in the UK never mind that off-roading.
My wife and I emigrated to Australia 39 years ago from Staffordshire. Occasionally we will say to one another that "you're just nesh" and no-one here has a clue what we are talking about. It made my heart sing to see your comment :-) It's strange the things that can move you.
bransan wrote:Because life isn't all about the freeway.
Any questions?
So its either the freeway or trails? For me its long sweeping curves I can accelerate out of in 4th, or tight switchbacks I can push it through at high rpm's, all on asphalt.
Not trying to be argumentative, but I am not taking my number one girl on dirt more than a very short distance. Otherwise I would have gone the GS route.
Maybe my perspective is different having ridden dirt roads and trails thousands of miles in my youth, on two stroke screamers. I might have gotten it all out of my system back then.
I can't afford two bikes and if I go inland I can't avoid dirt. I don't crave the dirt but it doesn't scare me on a road bike as much as it used to. I was out with mates a while ago and we we had RTs and a host of Japanese sports tourers spinning along the dirt. Ass if you didn't leave a big enough gap to let the dust settle, and when I got home I looked like an ochre ghost.
ron prior wrote:Well...given the way you enjoy your motorcycle?...I applaud your decision...If I had more off road opportunity for riding? I'd have a GS 800 maybe.
BTW what kind of saddlebags are those on there?
The bags are actually dry boxes, they are plastic, and I fabricated mounts for them.
I am looking at a larger box that is also plastic.
Keep Your Stick On the Ice.
Listen to Me at kaxe.org
bransan wrote:Because life isn't all about the freeway.
Any questions?
So its either the freeway or trails? For me its long sweeping curves I can accelerate out of in 4th, or tight switchbacks I can push it through at high rpm's, all on asphalt.
Not trying to be argumentative, but I am not taking my number one girl on dirt more than a very short distance. Otherwise I would have gone the GS route.
Maybe my perspective is different having ridden dirt roads and trails thousands of miles in my youth, on two stroke screamers. I might have gotten it all out of my system back then.
I too have spent many hours on 2 stroke screamers, in fact I still do! Maybe it's because My bike is utilitarian. I don't polish it daily or not ride in the rain, I go where I have to go,when I have to go. I really only draw the line at ice and snow. I love My "R" so much. I only have 62,000mi on the clock, and I'm not planning on getting less than 100k before buying a new bike. Which will probably be a "K" bike, so I'll be riding the "R" even then. My guess is the "R" will be gracing My garage for the rest of My days.
Keep Your Stick On the Ice.
Listen to Me at kaxe.org
I think that is one of the most amazing things about this model. They are the everybike. If you look at the picture on the site you will see so many different images and yet they are all the same bike. Like you I ride everyday, rain hail or shine but if we parked our bikes side by side i reckon most folk wouldn't know they were the same. Whatever you want the R seems to be able to do it. The common thread is a machine that is conscientious, reliable, even tempered and kind natured. I have ridden wobblies exclusively since i was twenty (my first real bike was an R80st and the 1150 is without exception my favourite. (I had an R90s once too, what a damned show pony.)
Soliton, While my Rockster does everything better than my older airheads, I still miss my R80ST. For some reason it was my favorite, and I kick myself occasionally for selling it.
Good for you! I've been looking for a skidplate for my R, and the only place I"ve seen is on ADV but the gentleman (Rick) wants me to send my whole center stand to him so he can build one, albeit for around 50-75 bucks I'm guessing. I haven't decided to do that, yet, lol, but I did find a long wide piece of expanded metal and may try to cut out a couple of pieces and bolt on underneath, because I want to go to some places similar to those at the top of this thread.
