| Author | Message | ||
     Titusand |
I had my first long ride on a motorcycle today, about 245 miles around mid-Michigan. It started out at 38 degrees! I have read on the internet people who say this bike is not good above 70, but boy are they wrong. You can speed on the expressway all day and pass everyone, if you are so inclined. My friend with a Honda Shadow 750, tells that the Blast has a noticeably higher top speed. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yep, they are wrong and we've proved them wrong, over and over and over again! Thats cold, but you enjoyed it anyway! I guess when you live in the Arctic Circle you take what you can get as far as good weather.  (I've been there) | ||
| Titusand |
There was a long open stretch, and it hit 92, but then I tucked under the fairing, and it crept up to 95. I learned a lot. I would think with some chaps and some other minor wardrobe adjustments, and maybe Hot Grips, I could start commuting on it for most of the year. | ||
| Titusand |
I also read here that the Uly handguards work wonders, any comments? And since that part is now not available, I wonder where I might get some? | ||
| Paulsc |
That's awesome dude! I took my first long ride 2 weeks ago to bear mountain in NY so I can relate  It was a BLAAAST (too easy?) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Bear Mountain, NY........ drooool. I 'cut my teeth' on those roads. Almost always at night, after work, and we'd ride most of our sleeping hours away. Young, fearless (and with much better eyesight). Brings back a lot of memories......... | ||
| Paulsc |
Yeah as soon as I got there and had my first stretch of no traffic and nice curves, everything was alright I wonder if there are other good spots like that around the city.. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
There are lots of good roads in that NJ/NY area. Stuff a map in your pocket (just in case) and start riding. They all seem to loop back around anyway. I couldnt remember all the streets where to tell you to go. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
In theory an electric vest will do more than heated grips (and the heated vest goes with you). When your body gets cold it cuts the blood flow to the extremities first. Keep your core warm and the hands and feet should do better. You probably wont suffer hypothermia from cold hands either, but let your torso get cold and it will take forever to warm up. The longer you ride in the cold you'll find what works best for you. EZ posted that Aecerbis (sp?) carries hand guards. | ||
| Ezblast |
Acerbis carries guards of a lot of different styles that will bolt on. EZ | ||
| Cgent |
My other bike is a 2002 Goldwing ... I rode a 1985 'Wing 50,000 miles and have ridden this bike 50,000. I've ridden Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota. I also ride a Honda CM400A locally and have put 30,000 on it over the past 12 years. Recently I bought my 2002 BLAST! and it seems to me that 10 miles for a burger is a long ride on it ...  | ||
| Rainman |
I use handwarmers that go in the gloves for longer rides in the winter and lots of layers as well as riding overpants. Works good down to about 25 degrees. | ||
| Themagster |
Titusand - congrats on the first long ride, it gets in your blood, addicting. We use Power-Trip Dakota textile over-pants and the lined Dakota jacket. Great gear, warm and dry. Granted, our cold weather does not last as long and doesn't come with snow or ice, but for those of use who are used to 90 degree/high humidity, a cold, dry winter can put a chill in our bones. Also LD Comfort underpants are a good piece of motorcycle gear. Happy Trails! | ||
| Lisainjax |
yay! Titusand - I did my first long ride on my Blast last Thursday....down to Daytona and back was about the same amount of miles as yours. Hope you had as much fun as I did! | ||
| Cgent |
Themagster ... in Minnesota they put on lightweight jackets when it gets down to around 32 F. ... and consider closing face shields ...  ... in east central Indiana 72 F. is perfect ... 62 F. nice and cool ... 52 F. slightly chilly ... 42 F. getting really cool ... 32 F. downright cold.  HUGE difference between riding my fully faired Goldwing and the wide open BLAST! ... at least a 20 F. wind-chill difference. Easy to dress for riding the BLAST! below 32 F. .......... you simply put on everything you own .........  | ||
| Themagster |
Cgent..."Blast" of cool air, maybe the name has a double meaning  Still fondly recall my years/miles on the pillion of our 2001 Wing. I've always loved the windy part of riding, even in the cold. I might whine a little when it gets cold, but never enough to keep me away from the bike. | ||
| Ezblast |
A feeling I know well! EZ | ||
| Cgent |
EZ ... "A feeling I know well ..." riding pillion on a 'Wing or riding a BLAST! in cool weather ???  | ||
| Crackhead |
"Easy to dress for riding the BLAST! below 32 F. .......... you simply put on everything you own ......... " yep, and try to not sweat before you get out of your house. | ||
| Ezblast |
Never did a wing, must be cold weather - lol EZ | ||
| Cgent |
Buell BLAST! = Piper Cub Goldwing = 747 ... with a few extra amenities ... Both are great ... just depends on the need and the occasion ... | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Uly hand guards: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/A17111.html American Sport Bike does carry them. I dont know why they didnt come up when I last looked. |
