Today's commute...

"themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
09/17/2019 at 09:05 • Filed to: None

Rode the KLR into work today and some small bird flew into me. Bounced off the chin bar on the helmet in a cloud of feathers. Thankfully it came from my right side, so it wasn’t a head-on strike. But I was wearing my hi-viz jacket and helmet so I’m not sure how it misjudged where it was in relation to me.

So....How’s everyone else’s day going?

DISCUSSION (20)

Maxima Speed > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 09:09

Good so far. My next bike is definitely gonna be a KLR, prob the previous gen though with the square lights, just because they’re cheaper.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 09:14

Drove the Mini today after driving the Vette for the last 3- 4 days. Mini’s so slow!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Maxima Speed
09/17/2019 at 09:16

I know people don’t like the looks of the refresh, but if you can, try and get a 2014 “new edition” or newer. Th e upgraded seat and suspension make the refresh a lot better. Otherwise, yeah get a early 2000s model. THey’re amazing commuter bikes, especially if you’re a bit taller.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/17/2019 at 09:18

I’m the exact same now that I switch between the Fiero and the FoST. Th e Fiero takes like 50% throttle to leave the line with any urgency. Then I hop back in the FoST and light the tires if I use more than 20% so I end up looking like a jackass if I immediately drive the FoST after the Fi ero.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 09:21

I enjoy the slowness tho, give me much more time to appreciate the sounds and feels .

Whereas the Vette is just braaawwwwwww, lose your licence :P

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/17/2019 at 09:24

Yep. Everyone loves to wave at the FIero and tell you all about their high school teacher or coworker or parent who had one. And whenever you put the hood up to check on something, people come out of the woodwork to see if you need a hand.

The FoST is just turbo boost and techno and cops are the only people really giving you undivided attention.

benn454 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 09:40

What a birdbrain.

Maxima Speed > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 09:42

My dad has an earlier KLR. I enjoy riding it. It’s a bit loose and clunky feeling compared to my CB350 but his KLR also has lots of miles on it.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > benn454
09/17/2019 at 09:50

.....Take your damn star.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Maxima Speed
09/17/2019 at 09:50

Yeah but they’re easy to tighten back down with some maintenance and they’re easy to fix and service. My yam aha TDM isn’t too bad, but the triumph is a royal pain.

Sammyno55 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/17/2019 at 10:06

I usually commute in a Prius C and it's plenty fast enough for my lazy daily drive. When the weather is nice and traffic is light, I take the RSX. Max acceleration and redline shifts are a must on those days!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 10:36

Good thing you had a full face helmet.

shop-teacher > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 10:53

How are you liking the KLR? I kinda want one, but their seat is probably too high for me. I have short legs.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Sammyno55
09/17/2019 at 11:01

Redline shifts are a must on the Mini too coz maximum whine!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > shop-teacher
09/17/2019 at 11:14

The more bikes I ride, the more I appreciate the KLR’s simplicity and almost light “feel” to the steering and ride. It weighs over 400lbs but rides a lot lighter than that. It is a bit sloppy, and you can feel that it has soft suspension connected to a chassis that isn’t that rigid, but it can haul a lot of luggage and people with ease while getting great fuel economy. I know I’m one of the bigger defenders of the KLR on here so I may be gushing a bit since it is a pretty basic bike - also a bit slow, and while it does everything, it does so with mediocrity. But sometimes that’s all you want.

For the height - You can get shortening links for the suspension. I also mount up in a very particular way - Left foot on the left side peg, left hand grabs the clutch lever and bar, then stand up on the peg and step over the bike and get into position that way. It helps avoid the awkward “leap-stretch” of trying to get on a tall bike while dismounted .

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/17/2019 at 11:15

Yeah. Ever since getting a bumblebee to my face on one of my first ever rides, I have decided I would never ride with anything less than a full face or modular helmet.

Sammyno55 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/17/2019 at 11:17

I haz a Honda, so max rev shifts R 4 teh VTEC, yo!

shop-teacher > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 12:49

I suspect I would find the speed of a KLR to be more than adequate, as I’ve only ridd en scooters and the fastest one I’ve ridden is a Honda Helix. That’s good to know about the shortening links, I’ll put it back on my maybe list :)

sn4cktimes > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 14:11

I’ve got a 350 Husky. Very high seat and I’m not tall. I usually dismount while moving. Put in neutral while rolling, s wing right leg over and stand on just the left peg, stop, kickstand. Lots of times to “go”, I’ll boot it into first, kick the stand, swing right foot over o nto its peg and then just go.

sn4cktimes > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
09/17/2019 at 14:14

I’ve taken quite a few large rocks to the visor riding into industrial areas for work; big trucks and whatnot. I’m an always visor guy. Except when off-road, then goggles, but still with chin-barred helmet.