ultimate on road tool/spare parts kit

[revmaaatin]

Hello list, Here in central South Dakota, we are encountering another spike in the temp. During my last shift of flying a medical helo, it was 46R at 4500ft at 2am. It makes you nutz, because in had been in single digits the few days before. Not to worry, it will change. Two nights later, it was -17Fwindchill and it took 28minutes of standing in the wind to refill the helo. Three days later, it hit 54F at 2pm on the drive home and I was just to tired to ride, Saturday was mild but had Sunday services to prepare for, so again, no riding and we picked up another cold front with highs in the 30ish for 5 days. whaa, whaa, whaa, Fast forward to today. High expected to be 50 and I am supposed to be back flying tomorrow. I call and make two days trade with another pilot so that I can take advantage of this warming trend. It is time to put on the armored motorcycle costume! Wow the sun is out, it is 45F, >10mph wind, electric vest and heated grips. WOO-WOO. I go about 6 miles and do a lane adjustment--not-so-woo-woo, its low tire pressure, not dangerous low, just not optimum. At the end of 20 miles, (gas stations are sometimes 30-100 miles apart) I hit a gas station with air, and sure enough, 4psi below what I like, easy fix and off we go again into the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. Usually, large prairie dog towns and buffalo can be seen from the highway, but today, the buffalo are no where to be seen. However, the vest is working 4.0 and what a joy to be riding with a nice toasty vest. I crossed the frozen Missouri River at Ft. Thompson, SD, via the dam and crossed into the Lower Brule Indian Reservation. The ground rises rapidly up the West River side into shale buttes/river bluffs and there waiting for me are 8 wild turkeys in the middle of the road. It is going to be a great day. My home county of Hyde County, SD, has only 4-paved-curves in the entire county. There are many curved gravel roads, but only four curves that are paved. It is that straight. My DS ride takes me 30 miles south (with two of those curves) across the river to a westerly winding river road that follows the previous goat/buffalo paths. Needless to say, this part of the ride, the whole reason for going this way, is enjoyable, except for the 55mph posted speed limit on the reservation. As noted by previous posters, getting a ticket on the rez is less that desirable. So, we stick closer to 55 than normal (where most 2-lane roads are posted 65; heck, the gravel roads are posted 55!) I saw a coyote, a eagle perched on a pinnacle butte, as though he were a Marine sniper, more prairie dogs than I ever have seen before, rabbits, paint horses and of course lots of cattle. I stopped at a Native cemetery, and there were two new graves, both marked with the cans and bottles of an extensive wake that must have continued all the way to grave side. Odd to see a grave 'decorated' with vodka, beer and whiskey bottles. Not trash, but decorated. Additional decorations included a lariat, cowboy boots, and 'cowboy-art' flower pots. At the end of the first 105 miles I stopped at 4pm at the Kawi shop (Peterson Motors, Pierre, SD) to warm up a moment and get a drink of water, or was it to see if they have the new KLR yet. Nope. They also sell H-D and Honda. Their premier line is the HD and the floor was full of the chrome trinket beast. Walking in the door, I had everybody's attention, and I think a little respect. Well worn, fully armored, ballistic riding gear, full face helmet, medium wt gauntlet riding gloves. Almost the anti- Harley! I was loving it. The staff there is cordial, and always helpful, especially when they know you run 4 lil' Honda's and 2 Kawi's they can't afford to ignore you. They will sell me parts over the phone, mail them with an invoice. It is that kind of place. As I was walking out the door, I notice a Harley, no chrome. WHAT! Got to go back and look at this. It is a V-Rod, dubbed Night-Train, and I had to admit, it was pretty sharp. It was almost chrome-less, and I liked it. I rode a V-Rod at the Vintage Bike days in Ohio (2003) and said if I ever owned a HD, it would have to be V-rod. It was pretty nice. And now, they go, and build one like I said, "If it only did not have so much chrome!" and there it was, in the window, all black, and chromeless. It is 4:16pm when I walk out to the bike. Sunset is 5pm and I am still 50 miles and two 10 minute parish calls from home. The roads today have had a slight dusting of the road salts and sand, much of which is still remaining on them, which is even more difficult to see in the diminishing light. I pull in about 20 bike lengths behind a pickup truck and we motor along at 5200rpms, 14/43 sprockets = 70ish indicated. From previously riding beside a GPS equipped bike, I know that we are doing around 66mph. At nihgt, dusk, I like to get behind a vehicle as it gets darker so that they run defense on the deer. I will even poke along, or wait in one small town along the way for a car to pass before continuing. We see more deer than rabbits. Seems to be an epidemic all over the States. As the sun sets fully, and it is genuinely dark (I really should have left earlier in the day), it is overcast now and no moon for at least 5 more hours, I am grateful for a pickup truck in front of me with bright headlights, for the HD balaclava bought a year ago--its spendy but works well--the heated vest, the heated grips and the 160 smiles I logged today. Even as I type this, my toes are still cold 6 hours later from the cold-soaked MX boots, but the grin still remains. If all goes well, tomorrow, as soon as the sun melts the frost off the highway, I will make a couple more KLR-parish calls, some 100 miles of gravel would seem just about right. I hope you enjoy your KLR as much as I enjoy mine. revmaaatin. PS. the HD balaclava bought a year ago: It is $8 for the balaclava and $12 for the HD logo. ;~D Not only is it warm, but it cuts the wind noise as well

[Pat]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote:

> > Hello list, > Here in central South Dakota, we are encountering another spike in > the temp. During my last shift of flying a medical helo, it was 46R > at 4500ft at 2am. It makes you nutz, because in had been in single > digits the few days before. Not to worry, it will change. Two nights > later, it was -17Fwindchill and it took 28minutes of standing in the > wind to refill the helo. Three days later, it hit 54F at 2pm on the > drive home and I was just to tired to ride, Saturday was mild but had > Sunday services to prepare for, so again, no riding and we picked up > another cold front with highs in the 30ish for 5 days. whaa, whaa, > whaa, > > Fast forward to today. High expected to be 50 and I am supposed to be > back flying tomorrow. I call and make two days trade with another > pilot so that I can take advantage of this warming trend. It is time > to put on the armored motorcycle costume! Wow the sun is out, it is > 45F, >10mph wind, electric vest and heated grips. WOO-WOO. > > I go about 6 miles and do a lane adjustment--not-so-woo-woo, its low > tire pressure, not dangerous low, just not optimum. At the end of 20 > miles, (gas stations are sometimes 30-100 miles apart) I hit a gas > station with air, and sure enough, 4psi below what I like, easy fix > and off we go again into the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. Usually, > large prairie dog towns and buffalo can be seen from the highway, but > today, the buffalo are no where to be seen. However, the vest is > working 4.0 and what a joy to be riding with a nice toasty vest. > > I crossed the frozen Missouri River at Ft. Thompson, SD, via the dam > and crossed into the Lower Brule Indian Reservation. The ground rises > rapidly up the West River side into shale buttes/river bluffs and > there waiting for me are 8 wild turkeys in the middle of the road. > It is going to be a great day. > > My home county of Hyde County, SD, has only 4-paved-curves in the > entire county. There are many curved gravel roads, but only four > curves that are paved. It is that straight. My DS ride takes me 30 > miles south (with two of those curves) across the river to a westerly > winding river road that follows the previous goat/buffalo paths. > Needless to say, this part of the ride, the whole reason for going > this way, is enjoyable, except for the 55mph posted speed limit on > the reservation. As noted by previous posters, getting a ticket on > the rez is less that desirable. So, we stick closer to 55 than normal > (where most 2-lane roads are posted 65; heck, the gravel roads are > posted 55!) > > I saw a coyote, a eagle perched on a pinnacle butte, as though he > were a Marine sniper, more prairie dogs than I ever have seen before, > rabbits, paint horses and of course lots of cattle. I stopped at a > Native cemetery, and there were two new graves, both marked with the > cans and bottles of an extensive wake that must have continued all > the way to grave side. Odd to see a grave 'decorated' with vodka, > beer and whiskey bottles. Not trash, but decorated. Additional > decorations included a lariat, cowboy boots, and 'cowboy-art' flower > pots. > > At the end of the first 105 miles I stopped at 4pm at the Kawi shop > (Peterson Motors, Pierre, SD) to warm up a moment and get a drink of > water, or was it to see if they have the new KLR yet. Nope. They > also sell H-D and Honda. Their premier line is the HD and the floor > was full of the chrome trinket beast. > > Walking in the door, I had everybody's attention, and I think a > little respect. Well worn, fully armored, ballistic riding gear, > full face helmet, medium wt gauntlet riding gloves. Almost the anti- > Harley! I was loving it. > > The staff there is cordial, and always helpful, especially when they > know you run 4 lil' Honda's and 2 Kawi's they can't afford to ignore > you. They will sell me parts over the phone, mail them with an > invoice. It is that kind of place. As I was walking out the door, I > notice a Harley, no chrome. WHAT! Got to go back and look at this. > > It is a V-Rod, dubbed Night-Train, and I had to admit, it was pretty > sharp. It was almost chrome-less, and I liked it. I rode a V-Rod at > the Vintage Bike days in Ohio (2003) and said if I ever owned a HD, > it would have to be V-rod. It was pretty nice. And now, they go, > and build one like I said, "If it only did not have so much chrome!" > and there it was, in the window, all black, and chromeless. > > It is 4:16pm when I walk out to the bike. Sunset is 5pm and I am > still 50 miles and two 10 minute parish calls from home. > > The roads today have had a slight dusting of the road salts and sand, > much of which is still remaining on them, which is even more > difficult to see in the diminishing light. I pull in about 20 bike > lengths behind a pickup truck and we motor along at 5200rpms, 14/43 > sprockets = 70ish indicated. From previously riding beside a GPS > equipped bike, I know that we are doing around 66mph. At nihgt, > dusk, I like to get behind a vehicle as it gets darker so that they > run defense on the deer. I will even poke along, or wait in one > small town along the way for a car to pass before continuing. We see > more deer than rabbits. Seems to be an epidemic all over the > States. > > As the sun sets fully, and it is genuinely dark (I really should have > left earlier in the day), it is overcast now and no moon for at least > 5 more hours, I am grateful for a pickup truck in front of me with > bright headlights, for the HD balaclava bought a year ago--its spendy > but works well--the heated vest, the heated grips and the 160 smiles > I logged today. Even as I type this, my toes are still cold 6 hours > later from the cold-soaked MX boots, but the grin still remains. If > all goes well, tomorrow, as soon as the sun melts the frost off the > highway, I will make a couple more KLR-parish calls, some 100 miles > of gravel would seem just about right. > > I hope you enjoy your KLR as much as I enjoy mine. > > revmaaatin. > > PS. the HD balaclava bought a year ago: It is $8 for the balaclava > and $12 for the HD logo. ;~D Not only is it warm, but it cuts the > wind noise as well >

Thanks for posting your "average winter ride" report Rev! It's just such mini-adventures that make this sport so special. We lose something if we ever forget those in-touch moments even during local rides when you feel a sudden temp changes dropping down into a little gulch or the hawk above eyeing a rabbit from 1000' or the setting sun hits the hills in that "wish-I-took-my-camera" way. My vote is also for cold WX comfort - sure makes for a nice loooong ride season! One observation about deer, I've seen 'em lurk until the 1st car passes then jump across. In fact there was a vid somewhere on the net of a sportbike as second in-line that filmed his own collision with Bambi's brother - wasn't pretty! NAVAIR forever & "keep the faith," Pat M P.S.: I declined the H-D logo on my ski balaclava - just as warm.

[Jim Priest]

On 12/14/06, Pat wrote:

> Thanks for posting your "average winter ride" report Rev! It's just > such mini-adventures that make this sport so special. We lose

Ditto! I woke up today - it was 41 and heavy fog - but it's supposed to get up near 60 this afternoon - so I rode in - I have several lake crossings and it was beautiful with the sun just coming up, the fog burning off... Too bad I had to turn into work But I think I'll be leaving early today!!! Jim (central NC)

[dooden]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote:

> > Hello list,

Hello We see

> more deer than rabbits. Seems to be an epidemic all over the > States.

Tell me about it, damn doe ran out in front of me last fri night and took out the front of my truck... Missed the lead deer by a few feet, then this damn one ran out at the last second, barely missed the oncoming traffic, but let me clip it. Dooden A15 Green Ape

[Don S]

I've said it a few times on this list. It's usually the 2nd deer that will nail you. I know it's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback but, deer are usually found in small herds. I know that when I see the first deer and it has cleared my path, I immediately look to the side of the road. Eighty per cent of the time, there's more deer there. Sometimes, it happens way too fast to react to the 2nd or third deer. Restrict your riding to daylight in high deer populated areas and even then, watch the sides of the road. Sometimes I wish I was allowed to carry a 44 mag. just to scare the deer away of course...... yeah that's right, just scaring them....to freaking death! Don - Who rides enough rhubarb to know. Dooden wrote:

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > Hello list, Hello We see > more deer than rabbits. Seems to be an epidemic all over the > States. Tell me about it, damn doe ran out in front of me last fri night and took out the front of my truck... Missed the lead deer by a few feet, then this damn one ran out at the last second, barely missed the oncoming traffic, but let me clip it. Dooden A15 Green Ape --------------------------------- Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Yahoo! Answers. Try it now. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Pat" wrote:

> > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > > > Hello list, > > Here in central South Dakota, we are encountering another spike

in

> > the temp.

Massive Snip

> > NAVAIR forever & "keep the faith," > > Pat M > > P.S.: I declined the H-D logo on my ski balaclava - just as

warm.

>

But Pat, Without the HD logo on the balaclava, how will the other KLR riders ever know that you are the 'rugged-individualistic-type', to quote a another sage, KLR rider? revmaaatin. Pat, perhaps you could tell us where the thin-balaclava is available-- the HD is the only one that I have seen that easily fits under my normal helmet. Admittedly, I don't get out much....

[Jim Priest]

On 12/14/06, revmaaatin wrote:

> Pat, perhaps you could tell us where the thin-balaclava is available-- > the HD is the only one that I have seen that easily fits under my > normal helmet. Admittedly, I don't get out much....

I got mine at REI. I've seen them in the Aerostich catalog as well. Jim

[rosslindberg]

I got one at a Scheels sporting goods store. Kinda like Cabela's. They had several different thicknesses. I brought my helmet in and tried them on until I found one that was really comfortable. It's thin, but it made a huge difference in cold weather. I think I paid about $14. Ross

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Priest" wrote: > > On 12/14/06, revmaaatin wrote: > > Pat, perhaps you could tell us where the thin-balaclava is available-- > > the HD is the only one that I have seen that easily fits under my > > normal helmet. Admittedly, I don't get out much.... > > I got mine at REI. I've seen them in the Aerostich catalog as well. > > Jim >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Don S wrote:

> > I've said it a few times on this list. It's usually the 2nd deer

that will nail you. I know it's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback but, deer are usually found in small herds. >.>.>snip>

> Don - Who rides enough rhubarb to know. >

Don this is nonsense. ;~/ The deer have given up on living in herds, it is now--swarms! and I think they are reading the emails of those who have no fear.... revmaaatin.

[John Biccum]

I'm not Pat but I sometimes pretend I am him when I try to slide the rear wheel around gravel corners ... I have this balaclava and recomend it very highly: http://www.schampa.com/item.asp?iid=1057 Its very thin, windproof and warm when its cold out. Suprisingly its also confortable when its warm too. I got mine at the motorcycle show ($15) but you could probably find one online. My favorite summer under-helmet gear is a Sugoi Subzero Skull Cap, designed for bicylists under a bicycle helmet. Sugoi does not show it on their website anymore (discontinued maybe?) but REI has it on REI.com , search for item number 72336. Best $20 I ever spent. _____ From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of revmaaatin Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2006 17:41 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: 45F is warm enough, put on the motorcycle costume and go --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, "Pat" wrote:

> > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com,

"revmaaatin" wrote:

> > > > Hello list, > > Here in central South Dakota, we are encountering another spike

in

> > the temp.

Massive Snip

> > NAVAIR forever & "keep the faith," > > Pat M > > P.S.: I declined the H-D logo on my ski balaclava - just as

warm.

>

But Pat, Without the HD logo on the balaclava, how will the other KLR riders ever know that you are the 'rugged-individualistic-type', to quote a another sage, KLR rider? revmaaatin. Pat, perhaps you could tell us where the thin-balaclava is available-- the HD is the only one that I have seen that easily fits under my normal helmet. Admittedly, I don't get out much.... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]