I took a Fathers day ride over N. Cascades Hwy. this past weekend. It rained most of the way, but I didn't really mind, just worked on being smooth while still maintaining a good clip. When the rain finally stopped at the top of the pass, the road gets rather boring, so I actually had more fun in the rain.
When I arrived at the cabin a heard a friend of a friend might be showing up on a bike tomorrow, if the weather held up. I was sitting on the screened porch when I heard a sound. I could tell it was a Ducati going through the gears. I got up and walked out to the driveway to see a black bike overshoot the driveway and pull a u turn. It wasn't a 1198, but a nice bike nonetheless. A 2005 999. We talked bikes for awhile then went on a Mtn bike ride. When my wife and I got back, I asked her if she looked at the bike? She said I thought you were joking when you said you heard a Ducati. I said no its sitting in the garage.
She looks at it and says, I want to sit on it, go ask him if I could sit on it. So I did. He said sure she can sit on it. Then he said, you could take it for a ride if you want. Hmmm, what to do? I've only ridden three v-twins. 1977 XLCR, 2001 Buell Lightning, and a 2001 Aprillia RSV 1000R. The Aprillia was the newest and most expensive bike I ever through a leg over. About $18000 with Oz wheels, Ohlins, Brembos, pipe and chip.
Almost laughable overkill compared to my dinosaur Kat.
So he backs it up, starts it, and lets it fast idle for a moment and then says, go take for a hotlap, do whatever you want, I trust you. I just met this guy three hours ago. The bike has a Leo Vince slip on to add a little thump to the exhaust note.
Hydraulic dry clutch and tall gearing, I pull out and puts some revs on in 1st shift to second, like butter, very nice transmission. It pulls flawlessly at any rpm, but doesn't feel like its working at all. Once you hit seven grand there is a nice hit of power, but the roads I was on was quite dirty with sandy gravel in the turns and I saw two deer. I took it up to about a 100 mph third. The closed throttle deceleration was the most intoxicating, just letting the engine slow things down. I felt like a real barney in the corners, it felt so totally different than my Kat. The sand convinced me not to try and push it. I only rode it about 15 miles in 65 degree weather and my rear was beginning to roast from the pipe underneath the seat.
It was a fine unexpected Fathers days treat.
When I arrived at the cabin a heard a friend of a friend might be showing up on a bike tomorrow, if the weather held up. I was sitting on the screened porch when I heard a sound. I could tell it was a Ducati going through the gears. I got up and walked out to the driveway to see a black bike overshoot the driveway and pull a u turn. It wasn't a 1198, but a nice bike nonetheless. A 2005 999. We talked bikes for awhile then went on a Mtn bike ride. When my wife and I got back, I asked her if she looked at the bike? She said I thought you were joking when you said you heard a Ducati. I said no its sitting in the garage.
She looks at it and says, I want to sit on it, go ask him if I could sit on it. So I did. He said sure she can sit on it. Then he said, you could take it for a ride if you want. Hmmm, what to do? I've only ridden three v-twins. 1977 XLCR, 2001 Buell Lightning, and a 2001 Aprillia RSV 1000R. The Aprillia was the newest and most expensive bike I ever through a leg over. About $18000 with Oz wheels, Ohlins, Brembos, pipe and chip.
Almost laughable overkill compared to my dinosaur Kat.
So he backs it up, starts it, and lets it fast idle for a moment and then says, go take for a hotlap, do whatever you want, I trust you. I just met this guy three hours ago. The bike has a Leo Vince slip on to add a little thump to the exhaust note.
Hydraulic dry clutch and tall gearing, I pull out and puts some revs on in 1st shift to second, like butter, very nice transmission. It pulls flawlessly at any rpm, but doesn't feel like its working at all. Once you hit seven grand there is a nice hit of power, but the roads I was on was quite dirty with sandy gravel in the turns and I saw two deer. I took it up to about a 100 mph third. The closed throttle deceleration was the most intoxicating, just letting the engine slow things down. I felt like a real barney in the corners, it felt so totally different than my Kat. The sand convinced me not to try and push it. I only rode it about 15 miles in 65 degree weather and my rear was beginning to roast from the pipe underneath the seat.
It was a fine unexpected Fathers days treat.
ray:
