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Showing posts from January, 2021

Refeshing

I've been riding every day this week. Even though the weather report forecasted rain since Wednesday morning earlier in the week, it never actually rained until Thursday night. This morning was my first SoCal commute in the rain. I bought some rain pants and had my Colombia jacket on and I stayed dry and warm. In fact, I feel freer than I have in a long time. It reminds me of biking around my town in Alaska in March (January is just too cold to bike around). The fresh sensation of cold, rain washed air on my face and in my eyes feels great!  Tips for riding in the rain: During a lean, the bike will exchange traction for angle as it leans. Expect the rain to cause inconsistent traction so be careful turning. Also, the tire rubber is less able to stick when it is cold. Expect the rain to bring cooler road temperatures on top of wetness. Stop slower and sooner than dry conditions.  Visibility is diminished for ALL road users. Be on the lookout for drivers who may not see you. Wea...

FZ09

By gosh, what have I done? I bought an FZ09. It feels like a motorcycle... not just any motorcycle, THE motorcycle. It's not at all smooth like my R3, nor is it nimble. I am having a hard time getting used to it but am trying my best to practice. It's large, it's fast, it's jumpy. Funny thing, all of the reviews and vlogs I have seen for this bike name it a beast of a bike - "a wheelie monster", "total hooligan machine", "850cc of MEAN", "the most fun bike I have ever owned" - lots to say about this machine on the internet. A dozen wheelie videos and blog posts praising the bike's low-end TORQUE, later and somehow I was hooked(?). I wasn't sure if I was hooked. I started riding in B Mode so it's easier to get used to. I'm definitely not confident enough to #canyoncarve on it but I got used to the basics. Definitely don't feel like a hooligan...yet. Every time I mount, I patt the gas tank and remind myself to ...