So the rims for the bike finally came! I’ve been moaning for weeks now. [1]Actually, they arrived 2 weeks ago, but “I has been buseee!” And let me tell you they were worth every damn penny!
Today was the first day I’ve had a chance to go out on a ride. (My new romantic interest has been keeping me nicely preoccupied!) I’d originally planned to go on a solo ride to give myself a chance to adjust to the new feel and demands of the bike. That is until I woke up to a text from two of my riding buddies inquiring if I wanted to ride today. I never turn down a good opportunity to ride so I jumped on it.
The new guy (hereafter referred to as The Apple Guy) had to go do some of his own stuff anyway so I had some free time on my hands. I’ve been doing my best to monopolize his free time so I figured he needed a break. What? Don’t look at me like that. I can be intense at times and I don’t wanna scare him away. :p
Anyway, I digress. I met up with the guys and we took off on our ride. We didn’t go very far but picked a nice windy road. [2]Lucas Valley Rd – it was just repaved last week! The new rims are so light the entire feel of the bike has changed. If you’ve ever ridden any sort of two-wheeled contraption, you know body-weight and balance play a large role in controlling said device. The same is true of motorcycles. I guess I never really thought about how much weight rims can add to a bike. I know better now! My bike feels completely different even on straight-aways. Leans and swerves take a fraction of the body shift and I don’t mind telling you I love it!
I took it easy on the curves at first as I was somewhat afraid of over-leaning and low-siding the bike (again). On the way home after lunch, I gradually eased back into my normal style of taking curves. The boys let me lead as I also have a new front tire. New tires can be a bit slippery for the first 100 miles or so until they wear in. Anyway, I deliberately went wide in some of the curves to test how well the bike responded. Needless to say, I’m loving how the bike handles now. You might say, I’m happier than a pig in slop! lol
Sadly, summer is coming to a close here and there aren’t many good riding days left. We tend to get most of our rain in the colder months. I’m sure there will be some good days as winters here are never severe but I hate riding in cold and/or rainy weather. I’m hoping to get a few more good rides in beforehand though.
The new rims look hot and the way you're gushing about how your bike now feels when you ride it, I have the distinct feeling you probably were "really excited" while you were riding. Don't lie….you know you were….(giggle)
@RG ~ Maybe a little. lolol
The new rims make the 'Blue Beast' an eye catcher when parked, that's cool that they are even better to ride
BE CAREFUL.
must be amazing to ride over the golden gate bridge on a motorcyclical
That is one fine piece of transportation. I bet you look damn good on it as well. Where did you learn to control something so powerful between your legs? 😉
Hot rims! I'd never given much consideration to the difference lighter rims would make to the unsprung weight of a bike – I've got light rims on my car, but at circa 1500kg the difference is negligable, for something that weighs about a tenth of that there'd be a huge difference, although I can't imagine the factory rims were too heavy to start with were they?