Triumphrat

Strontium · 06-12-2004

I just got back from a 1000+ mile road trip on my 04 S3. The trip took in everything from 10,000 high mountain passes to 200+ feet below sea level in Death Valley. Temperatures ranged from 27deg f to 110 deg f and on one day there were 50MPH winds. It even snowed on Sonora pass on the way home.

Riding Impressions:

The fly screen really works and cruising at 80MPH is entirely comfortable with light winds. Things can get a bit uncomfortable if you get in the turbulence of another vehicle. At high speeds I did notice that there is a lot of pressure on your arms and you really need to hang on. Tucking in your elbows to your chest can instantly result in 5mph acceleration at 80MPH. On the day with 50MPH cross winds buffeting was very hard work. Ear plugs make a big difference to how far and fast you can ride.

The bike ran faultlessly in all conditions other than on the strip in Vegas where it started getting very hot and the fan wasnt really helping much. Outside air temp was in the hundreds and I ended up giving the bike a rest before making a break for my hotel.

Altitude certainly takes the edge off the performance but its still Quick. Handling in the mountain passes (Ebbets, Monitor, Sonora, Death valley and 168 was fantastic).

I love this bike!!!!!!!!!! :-D

tomhorn · 06-12-2004

My impression of the S3 is quite similar to yours. You said the flyscreen really works cruising at 80mph. Just out of curiosity, how tall are you? I've found it to work pretty well at that speed also, but at 5'6" I present a smaller obstacle for the air to clear.

beers2u · 06-12-2004

I also agree on the flyscreen. I continually draw a blank when I hear guys complaining about wind. It is noticeable though on a windy day.

Strontium - Sounds like a great ride!

SP3inAZ · 06-12-2004

Hi Strontium - How hot was too hot cruising in Vegas? How hot did it get before youdecided to give it a rest? Did you notice any adverse symptoms, or were you just being cautious due to a high indicated temp?

Thanks

Mark G

Klugman · 06-13-2004

Is your ass sore?

Strontium · 06-14-2004

I am 6 feet Tall so that is quite a difference from 5ft 6".

The Fan came on at 103 deg C and the temp climbed up to 107deg C at which point I decided to give the poor thing a cool down period. There were no nasty side effects but I was worried that the temp was still going up with the fan on. It was in the 40's C (104f+) in the shade that day in Vegas.

I find the Speed triple seat extremely comfortable for up to about 100 miles at which point it starts to feel a litlle nasty. I dont ride any longer than 140 miles in a single session.

tomhorn · 06-14-2004

I'll second that about the 100-mile stock seat. Much more than that without a break and my ass starts to melt into it. I've ordered the factory gel seat from Great Bay Cycles and I'll see how that works, whenever it gets here. That, or being the proper cafe' racers we aspire to be, we could just plan 100-mile bonzai runs between cafe's (the sooner we get off the bike, the sooner our arses will feel better,lol).