Triumphrat

rick05rocket

Temp at 46 degrees (F) this AM, with temps expected to hit 62 this afternoon; may be even warmer tomorrow.

So, a bit of a chilly ride in the AM, though I was dressed for the weather, and thus comfortable. . .but. . .the warmth of the afternoon will prompt me to take off 1 hour early and enjoy the heat and sunshine of the day, and. . .likely be the only other motorcycle I see.

I truly enjoy being the only motorcycle on the beltway on days like this, when other folks have either put up their bikes for the winter, or are just wishing they had their own.

Enjoy.

ride on

rick

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live to ride

DrewDesign007

I was just about to post a similar topic. It was in the 40's here is this morning with a expected high in the low 70's this afternoon.

Open face, new Alpine Stars Leather Jacket, Triumph Gloves and Jeans with my boots - not too bad - my fingers suffer worse than any other part of my body.

The only thing I hate is helmet hair - I end up looking like Little Nicky...



Put about 200 miles on the bike yesterday around the metro area, great weather, the bike is back and feels better than ever.

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Scored as a rocker!
75% rocker - 50% mod

H2Orat

I couldn't squander the nice weather either, so I also rode my bike into work this morning: Queenstown to White Marsh (Baltimore), and will be doing the same tomorrow. I saw a couple of other bikes on my way in; both Harleys. Where are all the other bikes? Yesterday was also exceptionally nice (given the time of year) here in the mid-Atlantic region, so I was out on the bike then too. Like this morning, surprisingly few riders out and about (the few that I saw were all cruisers); what gives?

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The Central Scrutinizer

markbvt

It amazes me that people in the DC/Baltimore area put up their bikes for the winter at all. As far as I'm concerned any dry day above freezing is riding weather. I did 40 miles on my Honda dual-sport bike yesterday because temps rose into the low 40s here in Vermont. There was still plenty of sand and salt on the roads, and the occasional snowy patch, but it was warm out so I didn't care -- and by the time I got back home I was in a far better mood than in weeks.

And I rode to work today; was in the high 30s this morning, supposed to get into the low 50s today. I'll continue to ride until the next snowstorm. I don't care if it's 20 degrees out in the morning, as long as the roads are dry.

If I still lived in the DC area I'd ride year-round.

--mark

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'11 Triumph Tiger 800 XC / '03 Honda XR650L / '01 Triumph Bonneville cafe

My ride reports: Missile silos, Labrador, twisties, and more

Bennington Triumph Bash, June 1-3, 2012

Baltobonneville

Although I don't ride in the winter because I did it for years when I had no choice and I've had enough of it, here's what else "gives": The roads in Central Maryland are full of salt from the recent raining/freezing episode.

More power to you if you like riding when it's 50F outside! When on the motorcycle, it still feels cold to me, but that's just me. I'll be in the garage removing my wheels today to get new tires, glad it's warm enough for that.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 118/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s in back, Ricor Intiminators in front, Pirelli Sport Demons, D9 gauge panel.

bmetz99

42 degrees this morning, rained all weekend and it's going to continue through the rest of the week. I'll ride if morning temperatures are in the low 30s, but sliding around in the rain just isn't my cup-o-tea.

I work at a government R&D lab, there's a pretty large contingent of tradespeople here- pipe fitters, heavy equipment mechanics, electricians, etc. Seems like there's some sort of contractual clause that only allows them to ride Harleys- the parking lot is crammed full of them all summer long. Funny thing is that they literally all disappeared after the first rain of the season, when morning temperatures dropped below 50 degrees. Now the only bikes in the motorcycle lot are BMWs, an FJ1200, and an '04 Bonneville....

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\"A motorcycle is a tool, not a fashion accessory"

My Bobber

rick05rocket

I too am amazed at the number of folks in the DC/Balto metro area who put up their bikes for the winter.

I now make my cut-off for riding 40 degrees or better. Much below that is simply not too much fun. Also, in these winter months, temps below 40 still leave room for black ice which you can't spot in the dark - the headlight just isn't sufficient.

But, there are certainly enough days interspersed in the winter to keep Bonnie going, and allow me to savor those moments.

ride on

rick

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live to ride

Skidplate865

I've been glued to the saddle the last few days. Last night I was riding back to Queens from Hoboken (1am) and the roads were empty. I blasted through the Lincoln tunnel almost completely alone (eventually came up on a big truck). I was on the bike all day yesterday and most of the weekend.

The weather has been mercifully mild the last few days - soak it up! I've been wearing a pair of Orina 118's, a good Balacava and a good pair of Ski pants and my rides have been very comfortable.

I even got stuck riding in the icey rain Sat. night (my date was a good sport) and it wasn't a big deal. Enjoy it while you can.

Derby Boy

It's hard to ever complain about the winter here in Tucson, AZ. This week will be high 30's in a.m. and about 60's on the ride home. I wear a late 70's Chicago police M/C jacket, leather chaps, face scarf, first gear gloves and full face in the a.m. and I'm pretty comfortable except for limited mobility. For the ride home the chaps, scarf, and gloves go in the saddlebags.
The problem hear is summer riding. It hits 110° in the shade, 130° over the sticky asphalt. You only put your heals down at stop lights so you don't cook your souls, and wear a light long-sleeve shirt so you don't fry your arms. Yeah then there are the unpredictable summer monsoon storms that can dump over 2-1/2" of rain per hour, 50mph gusty winds and turn the roads into raging rivers. Other than that we have about 325 good ride days a year.

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"Another Trumpet Rat enslaved to a Bonnie"
07 B/B, AI gone, Emgo 60's Cocktail Shakers, K&N Pods, ARKed 40/142, 1 shim, +1 risers, Custom gauge bracket, never ending tinkering

koifarm

I live in north florida......the weather here is absolutely perfect....yesterday-high 72, warm and sunny...today-high i the upper 70's, clear blue sky....the bike begs to be ridden and it is.....quite a few other bikes on the road as well...coming out of my place and down the road a bit is a harley shop....always three or four guys standing around in the parking lot discussing Triumphs.....now and then I cruise through the parking lot just to irritate em....lol.....
Days like this are why I live here.....
My favorite cruise is over to the St.Johns river and down that for 25 miles or so then some back roads through the tater fields....have found several nice twisties here and there, most need to be taken at 60 or so to be interesting but it's a great ride and one I never get tired of taking....
On the flip side, summers here are hotter than a popcorn fart and wearing gear is a sweaty situation, ditto on that hot asphalt Derby....I feel your pain....
Bill

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Sitting on a cornflake waiting for the van to come!