tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post5804929819543486930..comments2024-01-30T22:53:34.269-08:00Comments on Musings of an Intrepid Commuter: irondadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-88117849775131107842008-08-03T16:43:00.000-07:002008-08-03T16:43:00.000-07:00Great post of some great riding you're doing this ...Great post of some great riding you're doing this summer. I just experienced again 101 and all it's touristy trials and tribulations of getting anywhere myself. Fortune had it that it was a weekday. Weekends are brutal this time of year. September though is another story and in my opinion weather wise and traffic wise, the best time of year to experience the Oregon coast. Looking forward to the Crater Lake pics. It's been years since I've been up there and have the biggest "hankerin" to get up there again!Kanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07061130052392660661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-42889697409373335932008-07-24T09:43:00.000-07:002008-07-24T09:43:00.000-07:00Dan:there are bad drivers everywhere. It is more ...Dan:<BR/><BR/>there are bad drivers everywhere. It is more noticeable when you ride a scooter. there is the mentality that they can "let a mere scooter" beat them, and when they pass they always sort of "cut you off" as they pull in front of you to display their anger that you are on a scooter and worthy of sharing the same road. I always look into their mirrors and when I see that they never check their surroundings, I stay behind, much safer than having them behind me, and of course I let the aggressive ones pass<BR/><BR/>bobAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05258612401956399482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-46034647915794116112008-07-23T21:23:00.000-07:002008-07-23T21:23:00.000-07:00Dan-Gas stop in Santa RosaDan-<BR/><A HREF="http://www.locktrack.com/dean/photos/SantaRosa.jpg" REL="nofollow">Gas stop in Santa Rosa</A>Dean Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00312658128426614145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-64702999724014344662008-07-23T21:22:00.000-07:002008-07-23T21:22:00.000-07:00Dan, did you go to junior high/high school in Bell...Dan, did you go to junior high/high school in Bellevue, Wash.? We may have known each other. Not well, but by name, at least...<BR/><BR/>Orin O'NeillOrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16135309284838958912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-62742792475125680562008-07-23T20:27:00.000-07:002008-07-23T20:27:00.000-07:00I'm fortunate that most of my riding is rural, onl...I'm fortunate that most of my riding is rural, only a portion of my commute deals with the insanity of other drivers. I feel somewhat lucky that I have the choice that once I am off of the 4-5 miles of the I-90 superslab, I can duck away and have a quiet road to myself for the rest of my commute.<BR/><BR/>People are amazing though, the way they behave when they are behind the wheel, I can hear my father's voice when I catch myself muttering to others that driving is a "privilage" and not a right!Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07081927514870722367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-10875499673998845322008-07-23T17:13:00.000-07:002008-07-23T17:13:00.000-07:00It is not the slow operator of a motor vehicle tha...It is not the slow operator of a motor vehicle that is the problem, rather<BR/> the slow driver which exhibits slowness by dint of mobile phone in ear, coffee cup in another hand and a smoking piece of tobacco from the mouth. them is expected.<BR/>Slowness for no visible reason, now that's dangerous. <BR/>For ome darn reason poor driving habits are not limited to any one<BR/>geographical area. Suspect in many cases it is unfamiliarity with the situation. If one drives a vehicle <BR/>in a high density area every day, one has a modicum of understanding about the others occupants of similar vehicles.<BR/><BR/>However if grandpa is out there on his one day of the week to go into<BR/>town to shop, then watch out.<BR/><BR/>Ditto the new drivers so careful to not attract attention from the gendarmes on traffic patrol. Slow drivers are those seen circling areas learning to aim their vehicles. <BR/><BR/>Have often thought wheeled progression of homosapiens should be first a tricycle, then a two wheeled bicycle (push bike in <BR/>some terminology) then a small 50cc<BR/>or less motorbike. Only when the individual has learned driving anything can be suicidal and moreso<BR/>if you're on two wheels powered by a gasping wheezing fuel starved prime mover, only then should be given permission to operate a four wheeled motor vehicle of less<BR/>than 1.5 litre engine capacity for a period of five years or more. Oh and at 1.5 litres, said engine will not be a gas hog. Once all that has happened and the person in question has been killed, maimed or otherwise disposed AND has not done so to others, only then should they graduate to something more fulfilling and enjoyable. Two wheels or four or more, their choice. And by that age of maturity, if they don't follow the rules (and in my world that is zero <BR/>alcohol in the system when driving) <BR/>they get kicked back to the pushbike for the rest of the <BR/>years of mobility. <BR/><BR/>Am I being cruel? NO. But such thoughts<BR/>cross my feeble mind now and then when I see six or seven vehicles turn left on a red light facing them trying to save time. If time<BR/>and their "I am most important"<BR/>attitude prevails, we'll all end <BR/>up nuttier than we ever thought possible.<BR/><BR/>Then there's this new sexy FJR<BR/>which Dan has purchased.<BR/><BR/>Fast Juicy Rocket eh?Brycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15760433604853253299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-29944130139600610762008-07-23T08:45:00.000-07:002008-07-23T08:45:00.000-07:00Dan, I'm not commuting to Oregon City from Eugene,...Dan, I'm not commuting to Oregon City from Eugene, but I have a client there that I pay an onsite visit to once or twice a month.<BR/><BR/>I try and tick to the motoman break in routine with new vehicles too. I really do think it helps with maximum performance, but haven't had a vehicle long enough to know if it helps with longevity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-86588516068846422842008-07-23T07:14:00.000-07:002008-07-23T07:14:00.000-07:00"Why is it that someone doing 15 mph under the spe..."Why is it that someone doing 15 mph under the speed limit will jam the pedal to the metal in passing lanes?"<BR/><BR/>It's a power trip, small penis, inferiority complex... whatever! I'm always amazed how seemingly normal people lose all sense of curtesy when they get behind the wheel.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>LucLuckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07858400386113262050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-66870898505796961332008-07-23T05:16:00.000-07:002008-07-23T05:16:00.000-07:00Have been to the column several times. Too bad it ...Have been to the column several times. Too bad it was closed the view is incredible. I am a realist as well therefore my insurance policy carries ten rounds and fits snugly in my inside pocket hopefully never to see the light of day. <BR/>By the way the FJR is on my list to Santa.R.G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13391687835663071755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-65253552748723489292008-07-22T20:52:00.000-07:002008-07-22T20:52:00.000-07:00My wife and I are just happier in Portland than he...My wife and I are just happier in Portland than here. So we have decided to move back.-Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08481370069244244570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-81815003975199123282008-07-22T19:17:00.000-07:002008-07-22T19:17:00.000-07:00P.S. to Dean,Wish I'd read the MotoMan thing 700 m...P.S. to Dean,<BR/>Wish I'd read the MotoMan thing 700 miles ago. I did rev it up and down through the gears in the beginning. I'm going to end up doing the first service myself. Lamphere's is booked for appointments until August 6. They told me if I dropped the bike off and left it they could have it back in a couple of days. Can't wait for Winter when it's easier to get into the shops.irondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-49673340985105307782008-07-22T19:10:00.000-07:002008-07-22T19:10:00.000-07:00Stacy,I'd hate to tell someone I had a Thunderbird...Stacy,<BR/>I'd hate to tell someone I had a Thunderbird and have them ask me if it was a Ford! At least the FJR name sounds fast. As in, Fast Japanese Rocket!irondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-30950745091134415892008-07-22T19:03:00.000-07:002008-07-22T19:03:00.000-07:00Tim,Be careful. My head may no longer fit into my...Tim,<BR/>Be careful. My head may no longer fit into my helmet. What brings you from Salt Lake to Portland?<BR/><BR/>Conchscooter,<BR/>In a serious vein, it scares me how many tweakers there are. Then think of how many are out driving at any given time. I'm not a paranoid person. Yet, I carry a Glock on the bike. "I think, therefore I am armed". I really hate to be in that position but it seems to be a reality these days.<BR/><BR/>David,<BR/>It's hard to keep doing the right thing when you look around you, isn't it? Never let them drag you down to their level!<BR/><BR/>Now that I see someone actually cares, I'll finish the Harley track story soon!<BR/><BR/>Stacy,<BR/>I'll come back to you after I check out the link. If I go now I'll lose what I've already typed.<BR/><BR/>Steve L,<BR/>You're commuting from Eugene to Oregon City? I thought it was a ways to go from Albany to Springfield.<BR/><BR/>I'm not always that mellow about other drivers. Patience isn't one of my greatest virtues. Nowadays it's more a return for the investment of my time and energy. There's no gain in it for me to go off on bad drivers. <BR/><BR/>Dean,<BR/>Glad to see you got home okay. Did you actually ride the Aprilia? <BR/><BR/>Anti-destination league? Love that one. I may have to include it in my own vocabulary. Yes, I saw that subtle wording in the owner's manual. Still, though, using the FJR for the last ART seemed a bit much, even for that. So I took the ST. Wait until August, though!<BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/><BR/>Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-65149509486746929642008-07-22T17:15:00.000-07:002008-07-22T17:15:00.000-07:00Yeah, that DN-01 is an ugly beast, isn't it!Yeah, that DN-01 is an ugly beast, isn't it!Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04582046943770681695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-75643354817399565062008-07-22T15:47:00.000-07:002008-07-22T15:47:00.000-07:00@david I would have to disagree on that one. Drive...@david I would have to disagree on that one. Drivers here in Utah, make drivers in the PNW look like gods.-Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08481370069244244570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-21241308556635718032008-07-22T14:04:00.000-07:002008-07-22T14:04:00.000-07:00Slow drivers-I rode home from my annual pilgrimage...Slow drivers-<BR/>I rode home from my annual pilgrimage to Laguna Seca yesterday. 800 miles from Castroville, CA to Newberg, OR, via Ft. Bragg and Grants Pass makes for a long day when the $*%^&)! driver ahead of you won't pull over. I'd have been home at least an hour earlier if slow drivers would have used the turn-outs on CA-128, CA-1, and US-199, as the law requires. (I wasn't the only one being held up. OTOH, I was the only one with enough acceleration to deal with the problem... Grin goes here.) Seems like the California chapter of the Anti-Destination League has gained strength since last year...<BR/><BR/>Break in-<BR/>Dan, read your FJR owner's manual carefully; unless it's changed, it says "do not exceed 4000 RPM for EXTENDED PERIODS". It doesn't say you can't, just says don't hold it there. I've become a fan of the <A HREF="http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm" REL="nofollow">MotoMan break-in</A>. It's amazing how much metal is floating in your oil at 20 miles...<BR/><BR/>Stacy-<BR/>Down at the races Honda was surveying HRCA members* about a concept bike that I can best describe as a cross between a Yamaha Majesty scooter and a Ducati MultiStrada. Words fail how ugly it was... (* I'm not an HRCA member, but my friends are, and they drug me in as a guest to share the pain...)Dean Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00312658128426614145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-4490916105122447692008-07-22T11:36:00.000-07:002008-07-22T11:36:00.000-07:00I grew up in England and drove over there for 7 ye...I grew up in England and drove over there for 7 years before moving over here. Things are pretty different. Drivers are more aware over there. There's no crusing in the fast lane or passing on the inside.<BR/><BR/>NW drivers are pretty bad - especially the ones from WA passing through Oregon, it seems!<BR/><BR/>I put the majority of my miles in my truck, and I have to admit, I am overly aggressive in that thing. I blame Toyota for building a truck that will do 0-60 in 6.2 seconds.<BR/><BR/>As a new rider, and possibly because of the style of bike I ride, I find that time to destination is no longer a factor when I ride to get from A to B.<BR/><BR/>I know that it takes me almost 30 minutes longer to get from Eugene to Oregon City when I ride, compared to when I drive!<BR/><BR/>Dan - kudos for keeping a level head with the Acura driver. I'm sure that if I had posted a blog about it, my choice of words would have been a little different!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-45546221037588865702008-07-22T10:29:00.000-07:002008-07-22T10:29:00.000-07:00Elvira as a lady magnet? Perhaps there's hope for ...Elvira as a lady magnet? Perhaps there's hope for the industry yet!<BR/><BR/>... or <A HREF="http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/07/22/2010-triumph-thunderbird-introduced/" REL="nofollow">maybe not</A>.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04582046943770681695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-73860207934560189942008-07-22T08:50:00.000-07:002008-07-22T08:50:00.000-07:00I've driven in a lot of places now, and I can say ...I've driven in a lot of places now, and I can say without reservation that the northwest has the worst drivers I've seen. Mostly not driving the speed limit while in the passing lane, refusing to move to the right, and generally driving with head up butt and cell phone in ear. I think the speeding up in passing zones is that passing zones are usually long and straight and the idiots can finally "make some time" by speeding up. That kind of people aren't bothered by how many are stacked up behind them. Hey, I pull over if I can when there are more than 3 cars behind me, just like the law says to. :) Not gonna be "that guy!"<BR/><BR/>BTW, when you going to finish up the story about the class at the Harley dealer? ;)<BR/><BR/>Dave T.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03003653784810150167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-90041944067538321022008-07-22T04:51:00.000-07:002008-07-22T04:51:00.000-07:00The passing thing makes me crazy "slower traffic k...The passing thing makes me crazy "slower traffic keep right." Nasty story: two young female British tourists saw a guy driving no lights as they walked. They yelled "Lights!", he stopped got out and beat them senseless, both of them, with a baseball bat. Across town ten minutes later he ran down and killed a cyclist riding in her lane with lights. Blame crack. Even sane people get weird when they drive.Conchscooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016331487463993200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-38431903449345471702008-07-21T20:02:00.000-07:002008-07-21T20:02:00.000-07:00I just have to say, I love your blog. The pics you...I just have to say, I love your blog. The pics you post have me even more excited than usual to move back to PDX next May...<BR/>Keep it up.<BR/>-Tim-Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08481370069244244570noreply@blogger.com