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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 12, 2014 10:59:33 GMT -5
Last night, I had something unusual, and pretty funny happen and thought it was worth posting...
It's actually been TOO hot this week to enjoy riding... 101 to 106 in the shade... and 115 in the sun. So yesterday it cooled down to 98. Still warm, but "manageable" at least while in-motion.
Minnie Mouse was empty, so I filled her up with premium, and headed SOUTH to Lowe's to get some supplies. There was virtually no wind, nice sun, and a GOOD day to ride. I ambled down the access-road along side HWY 121 at 55mph, then up the entrance-ramp. Roll on the throttle and get to 65 (70 indicated) as I meet hostile traffic.
Now, the freeway was about 50 feet higher than the access road, and when I crested the hill, entering traffic, the old Kymco suddenly felt like a turbo-charger kicked in. Woo HOO!!! My speed suddenly jumped smartly to 75, with plenty of throttle left. No explanation, but I'm LOVIN' it! Traffic was pretty frisky, so finding a hole, I went WOT and headed for the far-left fast lane.
I'm astonished! Check the speedo... 80...  ...  ... 92, 96, 98... Wide open, showing 98 which is a true 93mph... I'm actually running with the boyz in the fast-lane!!! ON an OLD, 70mph SCOOTER!
Now we all know that NO Kymco 250 should run THAT fast... But it did. And after 5 miles at better than , I waved a goodbye salute to the Mach-1 squadron of commuters, eased back over to the slow-right and exited to go to the store... VERY happy... And as a side note, for those who don't think small-wheels can run fast, trust me, they can! My little 12-inchers handled like "the Mouse" was on rails at better than 90mph... Downright comfortable cruising! OH yeah, you VESPA guys and gals know what I'm talkin' about...
Now, errands done, heading back NORTH to go home. Down the access-road, the opposite direction, 50 feet below the freeway... Still calm, no real wind... UP the entrance ramp to 65mph and crest the hill... WHEW! Suddenly I'm being beaten by Godzilla wielding a 2-ton feather-pillow! I go WOT and STRUGGLE to get to an indicated 69mph... Actual 65... And, I'm white-knuckling just to stay in one lane...
Suddenly I'm no longer running WITH traffic, I'm a rolling road-block TO traffic! Not able to get over an actual 65mph, I am starting to see the traffic backing up behind me in my big mouse-ear mirrors, I hear the inevitable honking horns, and see the waving fists, one-finger salutes and shower of rusty hubcaps and truck mufflers sent into the air by 656hp twin-turbo Caddy SUV's driven by homicidally-enraged soccer-moms, fangs showing, frothing at the mouth, shrieking obscenities as they rocket past me on the right, shoulder... and trying their best to clip my front wheel as they cut back onto the tarmac...
Now I'm SERIOUSLY depressed... WHAT HAPPENED?
Well, I was breaking wind... NO, not from fear of imminent death... LOL! I was breaking an unwelcome 40mph HEADWIND (existing only up at freeway level) which minutes before, heading SOUTH was a welcome 40mph TAILWIND...
Encountering normal winds from behind may add a few mph, and winds from ahead, may drop a few mph, but THIS EXTREME phenomenon was something entirely new to me! With little wind "down low" at street-level, and 40-50mph SOUTHBOUND winds up at freeway level, the minute I crested the hill from the access ramp, I was either "supercharged" and running + or "riding the brakes" stuck at 65... depending on whether I was going north, or south.
The fact that the extreme steady wind existed ONLY at the elevated freeway level was the fooler. Even after 50 years of riding, one can STILL get fooled, and learn something new...
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by rockynv on Aug 12, 2014 11:56:09 GMT -5
That's why I have a Sport Fairing and not a windshield. Big difference in the aerodynamics of the bike with the Sport Fairing. The first day I road with it the feeling was like I had increased the cc of the bike by 50%. Wind bursts and prevailing winds that would be like a big hand pushing against your chest and grabbed the whole bike were practically non-existent once it was installed and the angle adjusted.
Fun to shock the 600cc sport bike crowd on their naked bikes when the scooter they are riding with just pulls away on the entrance ramp and cuts out into the left lane passing the slower cars in the middle. Of course when the finally get their legs under them they catch up but it is fun to sometimes see the reactions and hear the down shifting as they close the gap.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 12, 2014 23:02:56 GMT -5
That's why I have a Sport Fairing and not a windshield. Big difference in the aerodynamics of the bike with the Sport Fairing. The first day I road with it the feeling was like I had increased the cc of the bike by 50%. Wind bursts and prevailing winds that would be like a big hand pushing against your chest and grabbed the whole bike were practically non-existent once it was installed and the angle adjusted. Fun to shock the 600cc sport bike crowd on their naked bikes when the scooter they are riding with just pulls away on the entrance ramp and cuts out into the left lane passing the slower cars in the middle. Of course when the finally get their legs under them they catch up but it is fun to sometimes see the reactions and hear the down shifting as they close the gap.
Agreed! But OH, how I LOVE that factory GIVI windshield!
It keeps the bugs off my puss, I can ride with my jacket open, and the collar doesn't beat me to death, and my hands stay warm even riding in the cold... It's not as aerodynamic as a fairing, but it's LIGHT-YEARS ahead of ANY windshield from my past, including a nice Vetter "Windjammer" fairing on a Honda 500cc 4-banger.
THAT wind I ran into was almost more than I care to ride into... But it sure made "Minnie Mouse" go like a rabid rat in the OTHER direction!... LOL! Considering everything, I can't complain...
Leo
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Post by rockynv on Aug 13, 2014 4:11:19 GMT -5
You really lose much of the protection from the body armor with the jacket open and the full face helmet takes care of the bugs and stuff. The Florida Love Bugs can get so thick at times that you'll want to just shuck everything you're wearing in the garbage when you get to your destination. Cleaning up the bike will be a real chore if you have not waxed the front along with the windshield/fairing. Use the DuPont Teflon wax myself which makes it easier to get them off before the juice eats through the paint.
While not as bad as the Chinese the hornets here make it unwise to ride open face or jacket. You want as few openings as possible for them to get to you. You should carry an epinephrine pen if you ride around here without good coverage.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 13, 2014 11:09:08 GMT -5
You really lose much of the protection from the body armor with the jacket open and the full face helmet takes care of the bugs and stuff. The Florida Love Bugs can get so thick at times that you'll want to just shuck everything you're wearing in the garbage when you get to your destination. Cleaning up the bike will be a real chore if you have not waxed the front along with the windshield/fairing. Use the DuPont Teflon wax myself which makes it easier to get them off before the juice eats through the paint. While not as bad as the Chinese the hornets here make it unwise to ride open face or jacket. You want as few openings as possible for them to get to you. You should carry an epinephrine pen if you ride around here without good coverage.
Rockynv,
I have experienced the Florida "love-bugs"... LOL! EEEWWWW!
As for the jacket and helmet... I know full-protection gear is a very good idea. But at my age, I've run my race, I'm at the end of the road, and not too concerned about meeting my demise. I'm careful, but I'm going to ride at least "semi-comfortable" in these declining years... Again, just me. Most riders I meet in the summer, are wearing nothing but shorts and flip-flops... THAT'S carrying comfort a little TOO far... LOL! Obviously, these guys have NOT kissed the pavement yet.
Now, many younger guys on crotch-rockets look like "Robo-Cop" in their gear, but... Their riding habits put them into a much higher death-rate per mile than the old guys... No protective gear is going to save you when you are doing completely stupid stuff at 200 mph and you leap over the center divider and head-on into a semi... Nope... You're done.
I'll stick with "reasonable" care, but that's about all. If it's "my time to go" in 10 years, that's OK. If it's tomorrow, that's OK too. Maybe I've been in Texas too long... LOL!
Ride safe, but enjoy the ride!
Leo |
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Post by rockynv on Aug 13, 2014 23:11:20 GMT -5
Rockynv,
I have experienced the Florida "love-bugs"... LOL! EEEWWWW!
As for the jacket and helmet... I know full-protection gear is a very good idea. But at my age, I've run my race, I'm at the end of the road, and not too concerned about meeting my demise. I'm careful, but I'm going to ride at least "semi-comfortable" in these declining years... Again, just me. Most riders I meet in the summer, are wearing nothing but shorts and flip-flops... THAT'S carrying comfort a little TOO far... LOL! Obviously, these guys have NOT kissed the pavement yet /p] Now, many younger guys on crotch-rockets look like "Robo-Cop" in their gear, but... Their riding habits put them into a much higher death-rate per mile than the old guys... No protective gear is going to save you when you are doing completely stupid stuff at 200 mph and you leap over the center divider and head-on into a semi... Nope... You're done.
I'll stick with "reasonable" care, but that's about all. If it's "my time to go" in 10 years, that's OK. If it's tomorrow, that's OK too. Maybe I've been in Texas too long... LOL!
Ride safe, but enjoy the ride! Just reasonable gear to protect from a minor off like getting bumped by a texter at low speed and hitting the pavement. At my age I can't afford a 5 or 10 year recovery from injuries that a modular helmet, mesh armored jacket, boots and gloves would have mostly if not completely prevented. Immediate death is one thing but being laid up for years wearing diapers or having tubes stuck up my nether regions because I skipped wearing some gear is something I will take reasonable precautions to prevent. Plus the mesh keeps the sun off you and can be cooler than riding without. Friends on the Fire Rescue Team showed me what they use in those 200 mph crotch rocket crashes and its basically a Rubbermaid Bin, heavy trash bag and coal shovel to collect whats left. Many times only the scraps of clothing will indicate the remains are human. It was really bad when they found out what they scraped up one afternoon was a newly wed friend who had just gotten a turbo busa and pulling on the interstate rushing to pick up his new riding gear was looking at his merge space behind without noticing how fast he was closing on traffic in front and ended up at over 150 pancaking on the back of a semi that pulled out in front of him. It was really tough to take as they realized who it was they had just binned up when they saw what was left of the distinctive wedding ring he wore and cleaned it off to read the inscription. Police then verified the registration as his. Closed casket with nothing except partial dental work to identify him from aside from possible a DNA match to his parents and newborn son 6 months later. Like I said you have to keep it reasonable and this is one example that I will bring up from time to time of what does happen when you don't. Gear won't protect you from the results of totally unreasonable stupid. |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 14, 2014 12:10:14 GMT -5
Rockynv,
I absolutely agree with you. Today, there are amazing safety-related items that are marvelous. I've "kissed the pavement" more times than I care to remember... in the old-days... no helmet, etc. We didn't know any better back then. Today, I exercise reasonable care, but I don't go overboard. I wear a heavy denim jacket in summer, leather in the cold. I always wear a DOT approved helmet, but it's a comfortable, well-ventilated half-shell. And I always wear safety glasses... and BOOTS. But then, I always wear boots anyway... LOL! I honestly can't stand wearing gloves... And the GIVI windshield keeps the hands warm. In a catastrophic "event" I curl up like a pill-bug, and it usually keeps my hands in one piece.
I realize that surving several 80mph "incidents" in my youth, with no protective gear aside from a Harley Davidson real horsehide jacket and boots was God's grace... I'm much, MUCH more careful nowadays... But there is a limit.
I do believe one should wear all the protective gear one can afford, and be comfortable in. For me, it's pretty much old-time stuff...
As a side note, the WORST injury I EVER received in my entire life, happened while helping a rider push-start a big bike. I got to running downhill, pushing the bike faster than my feet could keep up... Oh, yeah... Knowing it was about to get ugly, I desperately headed for grass, but came up a yard short... doing a full-running face-plant into the cement curb.
I broke my nose, shattered my glasses and cracked my skull, doing some nasty things to my brain. I still have some major long-term problems with that. After viewing X-rays, the doc at the VA told me he was amazed I survived. Head injuries can be really strange. I drove the car home from the fall, and thought I mainly had just a lot of pain... Until next morning, when I couldn't stand up, and couldn't remember who I was... Cheesh! Indeed, MOTORCYCLES can be DANGEROUS!
...In MY case, MORE dangerous to PUSH than to RIDE!
And PLEASE, do NOT play Evel Knievel on your crotch-rockets, on the freeway, no matter HOW much protective gear you wear, or HOW many hotties are watching you show off... Nope... Don't do it.
Stay safe (at least as safe as is reasonably possible...)
Leo |
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Post by Jarlaxle on Aug 14, 2014 12:47:05 GMT -5
Have you ever tried a mesh jacket? I find I'm cooler in mine than just in a T-shirt. Bonus: most have rain liners, and many are hi-vis green or orange.
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Post by rockynv on Aug 15, 2014 4:10:00 GMT -5
Have you ever tried a mesh jacket? I find I'm cooler in mine than just in a T-shirt. Bonus: most have rain liners, and many are hi-vis green or orange. Wear one of the new base layer garments underneath your mesh jacket and it can actually get a bit chilly. I picked up some of the Heat Out from Cycle Gear when it was half price and was a bit surprised to find that although I was a tad too warm shirtless that I felt chilled the moment I put it on and then too warm again the moment I took it off. Some of these new fabrics they are coming out with can pleasantly surprise you. The base layers being mild compression garments also help combat fatigue on long rides and the new stuff does not require soaking to keep you cool. I wear the base layers when I go on long rides in the dead of summer here in Semi Tropical Florida. I keep a chambray shirt in a ziplock bag to wear over the Heat Out once I get to my destination and take the mesh jacket off. |
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Post by Jarlaxle on Aug 15, 2014 8:55:30 GMT -5
Haven't noticed that...but I'm the dude in mesh jacket & no liner at 60 degrees!
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Post by rockynv on Aug 17, 2014 11:05:19 GMT -5
Haven't noticed that...but I'm the dude in mesh jacket & no liner at 60 degrees! Basically the same here on the liner. The base layers don't block airflow like a denim shirt and are dryer than a cotton tee under the mesh while still offering protection from the abrasiveness of the mesh liners. I find cotton tee shirts too hot like being wrapped in a hot sticky wet blanket that's just suffocating. I not that long ago replaced the pants on my rain suit with the Bilt Frog Togs and was pleasantly surprised by them too. No snaps like the Guardian Rain Suit to keep the back of the jacket from riding up however a $5 snap kit from Walmart fixed that. Air passes though when its dry while rain does not. Go over sized and stay away from exhaust pipes. Wax the zippers at the ankles as they have no flap and may weep. Ball end bungees keep the pant cuffs in place over your boot cuffs. Riding daily regardless of the weather here in Sunny Semi-Tropical Florida. |
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... 
... 92, 96, 98... Wide open, showing 98 which is a true 93mph... I'm actually running with the boyz in the fast-lane!!! ON an OLD, 70mph SCOOTER!
