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Member
Super Sidecars
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 76
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I was out in the garage spending some time getting to know my new '01 Sprint ST more intimately. Giving her a good twice over, I also changed the oil/filter, topped up the coolant and brake reservoirs, adjusting/fine tuning the clutch lever and throttle tolerances, getting the suspension set to the standard setting, and check the condition of the air filter, and hoses. I also had to troubleshoot a faulty brake light receptacle, and fired up the compressor and aired the tires up to spec. All of this, so I know that she is up to snuff, safe, and road ready. She is pretty clean, so I dusted her off, and cleaned the windshield and helmet visor.
I pulled her out into the driveway from the garage, and my wife walks out and asks me to run into town to purchase some vaccum cleaner bags. She gives me the location and some money, and I get suited up to ride the ST into town (about 18 miles round trip).
It is windy. Steady 10mph and gusting up to 25-30mph from the South West. The sun was shining and the temperature was 54F.
I zip my thinsulate liner into my jacket, slip on a pull over hoody, strapped the helmet to my noggin, and head North.
Wow. The wind was really kicking. Most of my ride was spent pushing the bike to the left into the wind and dealing with the wind breaks created by oncoming traffic and tree lines that were close enough to the shoulder to protect the highway, and give some temporary relief of keeping the bike between the lines. It was reminded me of balancing on a tightrope, and the handlebars were there to assist in my balancing act. It is funny how the wheels react underneath and pivot around your every action/reaction.
Shortly after entering the city limits, the wind seemed to not be as noticable. Slower speed, and more natural and man made objects that deter wind I suppose. I turn at an intersection and head East to put any wind on my back. After a mile I pull into the Vaccum shop parking lot. I leave all of my gear on the parked bike and go inside.
I am assisted rather quickly in finding the bags that my wife needed. The elderly gentleman removed them from their place and retreated to behind the counter and presumed to ring up the sale. He resisted in taking my plastic. He starts telling me how VISA charges him 3%, and because of that he only accepts credit cards if the purchase is above $20. I give him the once over, and could not resist getting into this conversation a little bit and dropping my two cents. Because my purchase was 14.56 plus tax, he would have to charge me an extra 5% to make up the difference on his minimum purchase policy. I told him that I was not going to pay his 5% when VISA charges him 3% per purchase regardless of how much the total of the sale is. I suggested that he raise all of his prices 3% and give cash paying customers a discount. He didn't want to do that. It amazes me how some merchants beech about this little stuff, and are willing to inconvenience the customer at the point of sale. It is ridiculous.
I pay the merchant, the regular price, and walk back to the bike, who is whispering "ride me" as I step over the threshold of the exiting door of the shop. I tuck fumble with the keys a bit, stuff the bags into the front of my jacket, and zip, strap and velcro everything down tight. The ST fires right up, and I admire the view in the reflecting glass as I back out of the parking spot.
I pull out of the lot onto the five lane and throttle up quicklyto third gear and plane her off in that gear. The Triumph offroad pipe sings that sweet accellerating note that only a three cylinder can make. The smooth acceleration and shifting are equally balanced by the braking as I approach the major intersection and signal to turn from West to South. I get behind a Celica with the coffee can on the back, and the attitude in the front. The driver tries to invite me to pass him, I just taunt his invitation by racing up to his position as he bunny hops his second gear from a signalled intersection. Not a good day for racing or passing a vehicle with this kind of wind gusts.
Once outside the city limits, I am pushing/pulling from the wind pounding me on the right side of the bike. The countersteer it requires just to keep the bike in the lane is almost the same counter I would use to straighten a sweeping curve. It looks strange, but it feels natural as I continue South bound leaning into the wind.
I notice that my fuel gauge is below 1/4 and figure that I will make a quick stop to top up the tank. I pull into the fuel station and there are cages at all but one pump, so I circle the station like a hawk searching for prey. I counter hard left, and tweak the throttle as I line up on my approach. I put the left foot down right where I need to be at the pump. Several patrons are looking as I just go about my business of paying at the pump and refueling the now quiet and calm red machine that sits before them. I notice that this one guy is fueling up his SUV. I really don't know what kind it is. They all look alike these days. I believe it was a Nissan or a Toyota. He is returning the nozzle to the pump and heading back to the driver door. I am finished pumping, and have already fired the bike back up and replacing my wallet into my jacket pocket. He slips on his jacket, to walk across a couple of islands to enter the storefront. I notice that it has the familar orange shield logo and lettering to spell out the words "Harley Davidson Motorcycles", so I give him a good blip on the throttle I ride passed him, and begin taxiing out to the runway.
Turn it on to the tarmack, wind at my back, and rip it through three again to return to the main highway and head the last mile to my home. I approach the gravel drive of my home, is like greeting from an old friend. I'm not very intimidated by loose surfaces, coming from a dirt bike background. I always think of that little dirt bike and that eleven year old boy as he was as I throttle up the drive to the stable.
Despite the wind, it was a good ride, and a excellent opportunity to learn how the ST handles under given situations. Now, all I need is some rain...
Ride safe.
=ike=
[ This message was edited by: ike9 on 2007-03-05 13:40 ]
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