BSA Hansen Dam event

[Tetge]

I see that the BSA Owners Club is gathering this Sunday, 04/23, at Hansen Dam for their annual event from that spot. I am still debating running across the Crest and checking out the scene, although I don't get all those old Brit bikes with no brakes and Lucas Prince of Darkness, electrics, and odd, skinny 19" wheels. But, there will be a big turnout, with most of the bikes ferried to the event, and only some actually ridden on the event ride, and, of those, only a handful ridden at any semblance of an interesting pace. For, it remains true that some Brit bikes can be flogged right along and, I have been dusted by such multiple times, but most are quasi show bikes that even when ridden are babied.

But, the forecast for tomorrow shows nearly perfect So Cal riding weather, and the roads used for the ride remain interesting, and, there really is no reason for me, now that I am 100% reformed, to fuss about the pace. So, if I can get up some energy and air up the tires on the KTM and clean the dust off of it, and if I can arise at some ungodly (prior to 10 am) hour, I might ride out to Hansen tomorrow.

[jhwalker]

How was it? Pics???

[Tetge]

It was a drop dead gorgeous So Cal day and the Forest Hwy had those big yellow smelly flowers along the sides of the road. I also was very pleased with the way that the KTM felt and sounded, and, perhaps because it was so nice out, the vibes never numbed me to extremes, partly because I was cruising all day which led to 56 miles per gallon when I filled back up just before I got home after the ride. I missed Jay Leno, who came up to my brother and chatted him up as apparently Jay Leno, who has spoken with my brother at more than one event, appreciates rare old English bikes that are being ridden and are not restored at all. He thought that my brother's 500 Triumph Daytona (one won Daytona back in the day when Harley was allowed to have 750cc flat heads and overhead valve engines were limited to 500cc's) would not start, but, my brother says that his Triumph is the Honda of Brit bikes in terms of reliability and ease of starting, and it roared to life with one kick.

Anyway, I had my GoPro running, but, as usual, I made mistakes in deploying it, so the results were not what I wished, as a bug smear was on the outer lens covering, and I neglected to check for that, and the camera was also set in regular mode, while it needed to be put in upside mode because it is mounted upside down on my helmet. But, the pace was generally languid, and it is hard to get an exciting GoPro video even when the action is hot, as the moving vantage point of a camera bike that is more or less on the same pace as the subject, hides the sensation of speed, to some extent.

Still, I was really happy with the KTM, yesterday, as it still shakes worse than anything other than a jack hammer that I can remember, but, at 350 pounds all up weight, and with as short geared (yes I did) effectively close ration gear box, and relaxed ergonomics that suit a larger person, and telepathic handling on really good premium Metzeler 7RR tires, the bike was made for the local canyons and mountains. I still would not wish to go anywhere using freeways or highways, as the shakes become noticeable and intolerable with nothing to do other than cruise along at So Cal freeway speeds, which are in the 70-80 mph range.

Anyway, I may not have any pics, due to my carelessness as a camera man, but the ride, even at the relaxed pace that I ran at, glued to my brother, was a lot of fun, which surprised me. Perhaps I have evolved into a cruiser type rider without even realizing it?

[xbacksideslider]

I was there and did not see you or your brother but I did see Greg Goris, maybe he was with you guys?

I saw Leno, stalking his way across the parking lot before he went on to the British car show at Woodley Park.

Further, I was there on a British bike; we rode to that Mexican place on Soledad for lunch then on for the rest of the ride. Rode with Kelly C, Mike H, Ed K, and that crew. On the way back, Little T was posted closed but we heard later that some folks rode through anyway, risking a ticket, or being forced to turn around. We saw the signs and took Placerita to San Fernando to Foothill and back to the Dam. Wish we had tried LT.

Didn't take a single pic. Just didn't occur to me.

As usual, the BSA ride was less well attended than the Norton ride. In my opinion, their coffee and donuts were much better though.

They didn't have pins! What a disappoint that was. Not. They screwed up and didn't order any.

Sounds like that KTM is a bad bike. Maybe you otta sell it?

[Tetge]

My brother brought Greg and his trick up pipe Norton to the event, but, apparently they were parked on the other side from where you were. We followed the ride route per the map, which got us to the worst Mexican restaurant ever, in Leona Valley, so your choice of a place to have some food was vastly superior. I went home after Stumpy, but, my bro and Greg and Paul ( who led them, on a super clean 850 electric start Norton) all rode down to that closed road, and then rode past two warning signs and on to Hansen Dam. The road was torn up and gravel in spots, but, old English bikes work on dirt better than a lot of modern road bikes, and, they did not get nabbed.

Too bad I missed you, as I could have at least revved on you with the big KTM. I have decided that I have no options as far as selling it, unless I wish to stop riding completely, so I shall just have to live with its deficiencies when I ride. It was nice as a cruiser on Sunday, so, as long as I ride with sensible folks, it might be fine.

[jhwalker]

Good for you, Pat. Damn, evolving... that would be a change.

[jhwalker]

I have decided that I have no options as far as selling it, unless I wish to stop riding completely, so I shall just have to live with its deficiencies when I ride.

I think that there are a ton of new interesting bikes out there that don't moonlight as a paint-mixer. Just for fun, try a few. Put the jaws of life on your retirement funds (unless you have me in your will).

[Tetge]

I have decided that I have no options as far as selling it, unless I wish to stop riding completely, so I shall just have to live with its deficiencies when I ride.

I think that there are a ton of new interesting bikes out there that don't moonlight as a paint-mixer. Just for fun, try a few. Put the jaws of life on your retirement funds (unless you have me in your will).

I disagree about there being a ton of new interesting bike choices. But, I am applying my filters that have evolved over 50 years of riding, to the choices. The major filter would be curb weight, as six years riding only the DR-Z SM at around 350 pounds fully refueled my appreciation for light weight machines. The KTM now is right at 350 pounds, but, it has a much lower center of gravity that a DR-Z and this is very noticeable. I also want standard type ergonomics as getting all scrunched down onto, or into, a bike, is uncomfortable, including the inevitable weight that sporty riding positions and low bars creates. I want a decent sized fuel tank, as range is also important due to the fact that it becomes an irritant to have to worry about running out of fuel. I put a 4 gallon Clark tank on the DR-Z right away, and the KTM has a 3.7 gallon tank that works fine with the fuel injected big single as it got 56 mpg on Sunday's ride, which would have yield a theoretical range of over 200 miles. I also want tubeless tires and good high performance cutting edge 17" performance rubber. Fixing a tube type tire out on the road is really not easy, or even possible realistically, but, tubeless patch kits have a decent chance of working. I do not currently carry such a kit but BMW makes a good one designed to be carried on a bike, and it sure would beat walking or waiting hours for a sag wagon.

So, the list of potential motorcycles for me was actually quite short, and in fact, the 690 Duke was about the only attractive candidate that I could find to replace the DR-Z. Obviously all cruiser style bikes were automatically ruled out along with all hard core sports bikes. This left standards such as the little Yamaha twin (slammed for poor suspension and tiny and cramped feeling for me, in person. The Yamaha also is portly at just over 400 pounds. The Ducati Scrambler sort of fits my criteria as well, but, it too is portly, and it is not as hard core a performance machine as the KTM, although it is expensive and European. There also is a local KTM dealer right in town while the closest Ducati dealerships are far away and few in number. Pro Italia is the closest, and, having dealt with them in the past when I owned a Guzzi, I am not all that impressed with their attitude and service. Not bad, but, not down to earth and catering to poor folks with very limited funds.

In some ways, the finding the proper motorcycle is similar to finding the correct electronic piano for your needs. A complete beginner can get by with a lot of different choices but, as experience and skills evolve, expectations and the expected performance of a given choice, become more critical. And, of course, there are many opinions about what constitutes the correct vehicle for any given set of circumstances.

Still, I would be very interested in seeing your list of what you think would be a decent, immediate (meaning in stock and at reasonable prices) replacement for a 690 Duke, and, please note the MSRP and fully fueled curb weight when you construct the list. I think that you will find that there are not many choices at all. And, I should also note, the DR-Z SM would still make the list, and it is a fine motorcycle with a few mods, but, I decided that i wanted more snap, and tubeless tires (get a flat, as I did, with tube tires, and you will understand better). Still, I finally learned not to read car and motorcycle magazines, so I may have missed some jewel.

[jhwalker]

I have decided that I have no options as far as selling it, unless I wish to stop riding completely, so I shall just have to live with its deficiencies when I ride.

I think that there are a ton of new interesting bikes out there that don't moonlight as a paint-mixer. Just for fun, try a few. Put the jaws of life on your retirement funds (unless you have me in your will).

I disagree about there being a ton of new interesting bike choices. But, I am applying my filters that have evolved over 50 years of riding, to the choices.

I thought you were evolving. I withdraw the observation. Since only the KTM 690 meets your criteria, didn't the latest engine redesign greatly reduce the shaking? Is the problem that they will not paint-shaker in on trade?

[Tetge]

I thought you were evolving. I withdraw the observation. Since only the KTM 690 meets your criteria, didn't the latest engine redesign greatly reduce the shaking? Is the problem that they will not paint-shaker in on trade?

I did not say that the KTM was the only bike that fitted my criteria, since there may be other, undiscovered by me, candidates. I merely stated that I could not find many choices in a light weight, high performance, motorcycle, other than the 690 Duke. Also, reviews are mixed and limited on the new 2016, and up, 690's, as they have had a series of teething problems because KTM says that the engine is 90% new and the electronic instrument panel is different along with a lot of other stuff. So, the supply has been limited and the "R" model with the fully adjustable suspension remains unavailable in the US. Seems that the market is not there for a the more expensive model of the big single, as it still is felt to lack performance compared to sports bikes, such as 600's, and it is relegated to a niche status machine as a consequence, because the tastes of US buyers tends to be cruisers, choppers, and sports bikes. Naked bikes are not as popular and the brief supermoto craze was apparently just a passing fad.

So, I was interested in the choices out there, although, just as obviously, you felt that the Ducati Scrambler fitted your filters especially since it could be modified with a bunch of parts that improved its handling and performance. So, one of the differing filters between us would be that, when it comes to fun toys, you always want to get one that you can modify, perhaps radically, while I want the basic package to work sans mods. That's correct, as I have evolved past modifications, particularly with noise and emission enforcement constantly being increased. Once reformed, it all makes more sense.