et3dotcom
11-28-2006, 03:42 AM
First weekend trip on the new 650 was weekend before thanksgiving to visit my wife’s sister south of Marianna. Overall, I’m happy with the bike, best bike of the dozens I’ve owned so far; and I look forward to making a few improvements.
I was looking forward to testing my new penny tech trunk. I found a samsonite silhouette 5 hard suitcase at a second hand store for $5. The case measures approximately 22X22X11. The key was missing, for $2 a lock smith made me a new key. It took a couple bucks worth of stainless bolts and an hour or two to modify and bolt the case to the rack. Plenty of room for a weekend, or typical grocery trip. At least until I figure out what my adventure luggage solution will be.
I was concerned if there would be any affect on stability at speed. I only tested the stability up to an indicated 9200 rpm in 6th gear :-0
The bike actually seems to be less affected by crosswind now than before mounting the case, but I noted a peculiar phenomenon. When cruising at an indicated 90-95, there was a tendency to oscillate back and forth only if I let my legs totally relax to the point that they where my knees pulled out from the sides of the tank a couple of inches on either side. At this point the wind coming off the faring would buffet my legs, alternating to either side, and the bike would rock from side to side in opposition to my legs. Any one else have this occur?
It was 52 degrees when we left on Friday about noon from a few miles south of Dunnellon. It was not any warmer by the time we arrived a little over 3 hours later. Got to do the first few miles of dirt (sand/clay) roads around the compass lake area.
For the return trip on Monday morning, the temperature was 34 degrees. It only warmed up to 42 by the time we got back to Citrus County. I think I will invest in some electric grips and perhaps even a helmet!
I was fairly impressed by my wife’s lack of complaining as we got a little chilled by the time we got back home. (I would post this on another thread, but I’m afraid that non-Florida riders would think I have become a Florida pansy by admitting that I need electrics here in Florida.)
I was looking forward to testing my new penny tech trunk. I found a samsonite silhouette 5 hard suitcase at a second hand store for $5. The case measures approximately 22X22X11. The key was missing, for $2 a lock smith made me a new key. It took a couple bucks worth of stainless bolts and an hour or two to modify and bolt the case to the rack. Plenty of room for a weekend, or typical grocery trip. At least until I figure out what my adventure luggage solution will be.
I was concerned if there would be any affect on stability at speed. I only tested the stability up to an indicated 9200 rpm in 6th gear :-0
The bike actually seems to be less affected by crosswind now than before mounting the case, but I noted a peculiar phenomenon. When cruising at an indicated 90-95, there was a tendency to oscillate back and forth only if I let my legs totally relax to the point that they where my knees pulled out from the sides of the tank a couple of inches on either side. At this point the wind coming off the faring would buffet my legs, alternating to either side, and the bike would rock from side to side in opposition to my legs. Any one else have this occur?
It was 52 degrees when we left on Friday about noon from a few miles south of Dunnellon. It was not any warmer by the time we arrived a little over 3 hours later. Got to do the first few miles of dirt (sand/clay) roads around the compass lake area.
For the return trip on Monday morning, the temperature was 34 degrees. It only warmed up to 42 by the time we got back to Citrus County. I think I will invest in some electric grips and perhaps even a helmet!
I was fairly impressed by my wife’s lack of complaining as we got a little chilled by the time we got back home. (I would post this on another thread, but I’m afraid that non-Florida riders would think I have become a Florida pansy by admitting that I need electrics here in Florida.)