the NATO garage

[Steve Carlton]

Hey Chris- questions:

- what sort of riding experience do you have?
- what sort of budget? Cash, finance, or combo?
- which BMWs and Monsters are you considering?

I owned an '01 Monster 750, an '00 K1200RS, and currently an '02 R1100S from these two food groups. For starters, a lot of things will help you decide when you ride the bikes, and who knows what they'll be, but they can be decisive. Keep your powder dry, you don't want to live with an rash decision.

Being 6'3" is likely to make the Monster seem too small. Mine was my wife's to use, and they're friendly for shorter people. BMWs will handle taller people easily, especially the GS.

[911boost]

Chris,

I am 6'4" and love my GS. My neighbor has an 02 R1150R that I have taken for a couple of rides. Its a great bike and fits me just fine. If you are looking at just tooling around on the weekends, etc, its a great bike.

I love the Ducatis, and have a soft spot in my heart also for older Mr. Max (V-Max), unfortunately on a long ride, both of them are just too small for me. The GS fits perfectly. If you plan on not riding long distances, a smaller bike might not be too bad. I ride my work as often as I can (50 miles each way), so comfort was a big part of my decision. Plus my GS has a ton of low end power, so right off the line it is quick enough for me...

Bill

[VincentVega]

Thanks guys. I found a local Duc dealer and checked out a few monsters today at lunch. Easy going place, 'just bring your helmet and take it for a spin'. I wonder if my SA helmet will cut it...

I havent ridden since college, ~8 yrs or so. I never rode a lot, more just for fun and to let off steam.

Cash deal, not looking to spend over 5k, really more like 4. I know, I know, but this more a toy than anything else. This idea started with a local r90 that I passed on, still kicking myself for that. So, older k bikes, old r's and monsters are on the radar. I sat on a new 620 dark and it was too low, where the 900 they had felt nice.

[motion]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
Richard, any pictures? How was the weekend at Willow Springs?

Don't mean to hijack... but it IS bike related, I guess

Weekend at Willow Springs was great! Won my race... not a big deal. Only 10 bikes in the race, but a win is always good!

Cheezy plaque:




Lapping a bike in Turn 4:

[nostatic]

Richard, I'll be up at streets a week from today. I need some pointers!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by nostatic
Richard, I'll be up at streets a week from today. I need some pointers!

Keep the shiny side up.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Keep the shiny side up.

yeah, I'm looking for tips to accomplish that

[motion]

GO SLOWWWWWWW!!!!! Seriously, going fast will not impress anyone. Don't even try it. You're not there to hone your skills for a new career in roadracing. Just go slow, don't take chances, don't screw up. You would be amazed at how easy it is to screw up on a bike on a track and pay dearly. Don't be that guy!

[nostatic]

Actually, I have a pretty good idea how easy it is. Just on the street I've had a few interesting moments. I've been reading Lee Parks' book, and will be trying his "10 steps to cornering" at a nice safe pace. Mostly I just want to find some rhythm and a better feel for the bike. Luckily I know the track fairly well so I have an idea of where I *really* shouldn't be going fast, but I'm sure that 2 wheels is different from 4.

[JavaBrewer]

Ok dredging this thread out of the muck, Todd, how are you holding up on the S4? Here is a shot of the 06 Daytona 680RR triple that is supposed to be hitting our shores. I believe you were mentioning a triple somewhere -



I'm gonna wait till the end of summer before I attempt a track day. Then I'd really like to splurge and do something like this Superbike School.

So far very happy with the S3. Nice torque everywhere with a solid rush past 6K. The bike has a flat bar installed which is a nice compromise between the stock bars and clipons however I can't stop thinking how cool it would be to throw on some MX bars.



I've got 2K miles on it so far and have changed out the headlights, added adjustable control levers, and new tires. Next up is a new clutch cable. I'm debating on the Laminar lip but don't really like the looks of the 01 S3 application on their web site.

Anyone up for a weekend ride this summer? Loads of really nice roads in East county.

[motion]

David - I'm in! The Triumph is looking good!

[nostatic]

I'm in. I'm at 3500 miles on the S4 and climbing. That Daytona triple looks sweet....I might have to do a trade, although every time I consider another bike (Aprilia and Ducs at the top of my list), I hop on the Triumph and remember how sweet it is...and how cheap

[nostatic]

David, where'd you get the photo of the 680?

[JavaBrewer]

Raptors and Rockets.

EDIT - watch out for the naked staff picture further down the page. Not a pretty sight.

Note that on Motorcycle.com they indicate that the pictures are computer generated and not of the real thing.

[JavaBrewer]

I'm thinking a Sat/Sun at least a week or more out. What can you guys accomodate? Oh and the route, I've got ideas for East county San Diego but you both are North. Suggestions?

[nostatic]

Saturdays are usually better for me, as I pick up my son late Sat afternoon and have him overnight. I can possibly swap though. Although sunday july 17th might be good as I think the ex and son are going out of town for a week on the 16th.

I don't mind riding south from here. I can be in north county within about 1.5 hours if I leave early and there isn't much traffic. I could probably meet Richard along the way.

[JavaBrewer]

The 16th or 17th works for me as does the following weekend. Here is a rough idea of the route I was thinking. Note- the Palomar loop adds a ton of good riding but on the weekend is loaded with racers and police who are apparently cracking down. We might want to bypass Palomar entirely. Highland Valley Road/Old Julian Hwy and Couser Canyon/Lilac/Circle R offer miles of two lane twisties with little traffic. The 79N to 76W around Palomar base is mostly a fast straight shot. I would need the ride to go no later than 3:00 pm. I have done the whole ride (minus Palomar loop) in 3.5 hours with a single water stop of 15 minutes.

-- Meeting Place --

Starbucks Coffee
Del Lago & Via Rancho Pkwy
3440 Del Lago Blvd.
Suite G
Escondido, California 92029

Fill gas tanks (Shell station)

--Ride Start --

I-15 South to Pomerado Road East
Pomerado Road to Highland Valley Road (Left Turn)
Highland Valley Road to State Hwy 67 East
67 East to 3rd Street (Right Turn)
3rd Street to West Old Julian Hwy
West Old Julian Hwy to East Old Julian Hwy
East Old Julian Hwy to Hwy 78 East
Hwy 78 East to Hwy 79 North

** Rest stop - drinks & food option

Hwy 79 North to State Hwy 76 West

- Palomar Loop Option -
76 West to S7 (East Grade)
** Top of Palomar - drinks & food Option
South Grade road to Hwy 76 West

Hwy 76 west to Couser Canyon Rd. (Left turn)
Couser Canyon Rd. To Lilac Road (Right turn)
Lilac Road to W. Lilac Road
West Lilac to Circle R Drive (Left Turn)
Circle R Drive to Old Highway 395

- End of Ride -
Highway 395 West to Escondido or San Marcos
Lunch?
I-15 and I-78 access

or

Hightway 395 North to Camino Del Rey West
Camino Del Rey to Bonsal Hwy 76 West
Lunch?
Hwy 76 West to I-5

or

Highway 395 South to Ormsby St. I-15 N/S entrance
No Lunch

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Amusingly, about a week after I learned to ride, the guy who taught me said it was time to learn to carry a passenger. He was intentionally the worst passenger possible--leaning all over the place at the wrong time, smacking into me under hard braking, leaning back during acceleration...

Pissed me off at the time but in retrospect was the best training I've ever had.

[5axis]

something special for duc fans

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=49990&item=4561011481&rd=1

[JavaBrewer]

Last Saturday Zack and I went for a local ride - had a blast! Couldn't wipe the grin off his face for a good hour.