A Netbook for the Bike

Just a quick post to test the new netbook recently purchased for the bike. Note that I won't be mounting this Acer Aspire One in the dashboard area. I'll just keep it in the top case. It's pretty small though (10.2 inch model), so it might fit near the tach....

I'm already getting used to the keyboard. I can type with all ten fingers. I do have to stop being lazy with the right caps key on this smallish form-factor.

Based on the CPU Meter Gadget that came with Windows 7 Starter, I'm going to have to install that 2 gig stick I bought for it.

Compare and Contrast

Yesterday was a revelation.

After a quick banana and grapefruit juice breakfast, Ushuaia and I set out for Lookout Mountain with a picnic lunch in the top case. This wasn't my first day-long ride on her, but it seemed like it.

Two weeks ago, the day after I made the big purchase, I toured southwest Georgia. It was freezing. I had a planned route but no GPS to prompt me, so I spent a ton of brain power making sure I stayed on track. I spent the whole day learning the new-for-BMW controls locations. In short, I was distracted.

Yesterday was a revelation.

For the first time, I really rode the bike. I knew the general direction I was headed. The potential routes were endless, I knew them all by heart, and I didn't care which one I took.

Two weeks ago, I thought the RT was a more relaxed bike. That was the word. But it's not the word. I think the 2011 R1200RT is graceful.

My old K1200GT, I now know, was a beast. It was heavy but powerful. It took muscle to lean over in a curve, but it stayed on track at startling lean-angles. It was not near as refined as some, even I, thought it was.

My first good curves on Ushuaia came mid-morning yesterday on a road a bit south of the Pocket. A road I had ridden on nearly every motorcycle I have ever owned. I was suprized by the ease of tip-in on the RT. It just leaned over. No fuss. Stopped leaning at the angle I wanted. If I used countersteer, I didn't notice it.

Then I jogged left to Subligna, my favorite name for a community in Georgia. Just south of town is a nice sweeper. The old re-release R100RS would twist like it had a hinge near the footpegs when I bombed through that sweeper. I barely noticed the curve on the RT, but the scenery was nice.

Up to 136 and across Ida Ridge. God what a great two-mile stretch of road. I passed a talented local on the outside going up the hill, scraping the edge of my new boot. Ushuaia loves to lean, and the effort to bring the lean-angle further and further down was nonexistant. I don't even recall, again, using countersteer.

Two weeks ago, when the ride was over, I thought I would need to rethink average speeds - miles per day - on the new bike. I thought I would generally ride slower with the RT. I guess I should have thought about the fact that I got home a half-hour earlier than I predicted, even with two wrong turns.

My new journey's lunch was at noon sitting next to the RT, trespassing on the precipice of Lookout Mountain overlooking River Cove Farm. Fifteen acres for sale; way too much per acre. A thermos of tomato soup, PBJ, some smoked almonds.

On the way home, I felt so ahead of the game that I stopped at a farm store for locally-grown x-mas presents for my friends and family.

Yesterday was a revelation.

Yes, the RT feels a bit more relaxed. But what it is ... is graceful.

Ushuaia

I walked into BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta at about 12:30 today, and got home at 4:00 with Ushuaia. Elizabeth came up with the name while we were still in the driveway, taking pictures - first thing that came to her. (The color is called Polar Metallic by BMW Motorrad.)

I LOVE this bike.

Accessories will be mounted soon. And yes, I'll be riding tomorrow.

Test Rides

The weather here in the southeast USA is spectacular in October and November. Riding is heavenly. Of course, I like riding pretty much any time, but that's a different story. On my way up to the mountain cabin, I stopped at BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta to buy another pair of those great tights I blogged about earlier. Alas, my size was sold out, but Lynda is ordering more.

So I had to test-ride a few bikes. I just had to.

Bob pushed an Adventure into the parking lot for me. When he fired it up ... wow, the gurgle from the pipe was throaty. The best sounding BMW I have ever heard. We made sure it was road-ready together, and that's when I noticed it had only eleven miles on it. Fitting, considering the name of this blog, and what I have gotten myself into next June. I decided to not put too many miles on the bike. And for that matter, I really needed to feel what the Adventure was like on the freeway. I slid my leg over the beast. It's tall, but I have long legs. Not a problem at all, maybe even a feature. My current K1200GT is a bit cramped for my 35 inch inseam.

Getting out of the dealership can be tricky with high traffic, especially if one is heading north. I gassed it. 'Twas a nice feeling. The Adventure has plenty of torque. It seemed to develop power at a fairly low RPM, but I wasn't keeping close tabs on the tachometer. I do know the powerband starts earlier than on the GT.

A few rights and a left to test ground clearance (it was excellent), and I was on I-75 heading north. The tank and windscreen offer good protection. About the same as the GT, but with buffeting in different places. I think the wind off the top of the screen is somewhat less pronounced than the GT, but also less linear. It's hard to describe. Less volume, more turbulent. The screen is adjustable along an arc, and this one was set to the top position, which was not changed during my 22 mile ride up I-575.

I reset the average miles-per-gallon calculator in the on-board computer. It showed 42 mpg for most of the ride. I'm not sure if I should believe that calculation. I've read wildly varying mileage testimonials for this and other oilheads on the internet, and all of them claim more than 42.

The seat, set in an unknown position since I think it is adjustible, pushed me towards the tank. It seemed to be sloped downward. As Bob noted to me afterwards, the seat is great for a day in the mountains, but I will strongly consider an aftermarket saddle for the IBR - for whichever bike I choose.

I stood up on the pegs at speed. I could fully extend my shoulders if I pulled my palms (only) off the grips. I still had full control of the bars. That means lots of room. The pegs themselves are very wide, with two or three cross-bars, so they distributed my weight along a larger portion of the bottom of my foot. I'm not used to that. I could get used to it. Quite comfortable.

The instruments are small, but I tend to ignore the tach once I get used to a bike. And I'm also used to getting my speed with my maps - on my GPS. It's a more efficient viewing experience.

Oilheads vibrate at idle much more than new-gen K-bikes. At 80, the Adventure was approximately as smooth as my GT. The GT pushes more vibration to the pegs and grips than you might expect. The Adventure's vibrations seemed to be a lower frequency, which was more pleasant.

I returned to the dealership without incident, despite the trooper on the side of I-75. Sometimes having a few cars around you is a good thing. Bob and Lynda and I chatted about the Adventure. Considering the 2011 IBR starts in the vicinity of a certain state with a certain Haul Road, it is still my top-ranked bike for the November purchase.

But then Bob pushed a 2011 RT into the parking lot. He is an evil man. I loved my short ride on the RT. Again, it idled more roughly than the GT, but it was far more smooth than the Adventure at all speeds. Wind protection was wonderful. I didn't even need the screen in its top position. It handled buffeting from 18 wheelers much better than the Adventure, and about the same as the GT. It is by far the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever ridden. It fit me even better than my old K1200LT fit. If it weren't for the Alaska factor, I would have bought it yesterday. Okay, I was running late to get to the cabin, too, and I was in charge of making dinner.

So I got on my trusty old beat-up GT and rode off into Friday afternoon traffic. I opened up the 'Stich and lowered the windscreen. And here's the next problem - I really like my bike. So I have to choose between three options for next Summer's madness. I think I might be a lucky man.

Adaptiv Technologies TPX Radar Detector

I'd like to welcome Adaptiv Technologies as a sponsor to my 2011 Iron Butt Rally participation. The TPX Radar Detector was designed by motorcyclists for motorcyclists. It's a "fully customizable, complete system designed specifically for motorcycles." Features include its "angled LCD, large buttons, and water, vibration and shock resistant design." Certified by Speed Measurement Laboratories, Inc., the TPX is the perfect accessory for the long distance motorcyclist. I intend to use the TPX Radar Detector throughout the Rally, in all states where it is legal, to help keep me alert and aware.

The Motorcycle Accessory Mount is a fantastic accompanyment to the TPX.

Mine are on their way from the factory, and I'm tracking the Fed Ex shipment hourly.

Comfort is Key

We joke around a lot in the motorcycling world, but these BMW underpants are VERY comfortable. I picked them up at BMW of Atlanta yesterday. I've only tested them around the house (and on my FB page, where we had lots of laughs). A 500 mile ride tomorrow should give me some good indications of true comfort.

I also intend to test tights from LD Comfort in the near future.

So, what exactly do you wear under your armored riding shell? I used to wear a lot. Nike Fit Dry knee-lengths, then a pair of Draggin' Jeans over those. Tomorrow, I'll just have the tights at the right under my Darien pants.

BMW Ducati Husqvarna of Atlanta

I spent an hour with Bob and Lynda Wooldridge at BMW Ducati Husqvarna of Atlanta this afternoon. I've known them, and Jon Davis too, for many years. I've never purchased a motorcycle anywhere else, and more than 90% of the rest of my motorcycle money (other than fuel) has been spent with these good folks.

While there, I picked Bob's brain about the Rally. He is a wealth of knowledge about long-distance riding, and I learned much in just a few minutes. Lynda told me all about the GSA.

I went home mostly empty-handed, but there is a good bit of my drool on a charcoal grey R1200GSA. Elizabeth prefers the yellow one. I'll be lucky if I can hold out 'til Thanksgiving.