- Joined
- Dec 12, 2004
- Messages
- 1,282
- Age
- 76
- Location
- Weatherford, TX
- Bike
- '16 Versys 650LT
- STOC #
- 1134
Thought I would supply an update to THIS thread.
My experience with the rental BMW last summer lead to me finally get a bike. I had originally meant to rent another BMW in the winter to see how things went. Instead, I found another bike that had a relatively flat seat, a 2009 Kawasaki Versys 650 which I bought for a good price August of last year. I was almost ecstatic that I was able to find a Japanese bike that would work for me. I put the bike away and waited for winter. During that waiting period, I added an Air Hawk seat cushion that had a channel right down the middle.
When winter temperatures finally arrived, I did several long rides that proved my theory about temperature and it's affect on my neurological problem. I had absolutely zero problems riding it, no matter how long I stayed in the saddle. Persistence finally paid off! Because of the hot weather down here my riding season is only about 5 to 6 months of the year but at least I can be on two wheels again. Wahoo!
After riding the '09 Versys (non-ABS) for a couple of months and really enjoying it, I had something happen that made me decide to get an ABS model of the the bike. This something was having a buzzard hidden from my view in tall grass decide to take off right into my path just as I neared where he was.
Despite my knowing (through theory and especially practice) how to quickly stop in an emergency using the front brake in combination with the rear, I wound up locking up the front brake for just a split second. I let go of the front but Mr. Buzzard was still in my path and rapidly approaching, so I hit it again with the same result. What happened then almost resulted in me going down at 50 mph. As best I can tell, the second time I let off the front brakes, the front wheel was pointed ever so slightly off center when it locked up, and it suddenly caught traction when I released. Rather than resulting in a front wheel high side, the front end went into a doozie of a tank slapper. That's the closest I've ever come to going down at speed. The steering finally settled down and I was able to continue on my way. This proved in my mind what I've always stated... you can practice all you want but when it comes to those "oh crap!" moments, you're liable to hit the brakes way too hard. ABS prevents you from getting into trouble when this happens.
During the continuation of my ride that day, I remembered all the times that I had touted the safety benefits of ABS brakes on a motorcycle. In the past, I went out of my way to buy ST1100's and 1300's with ABS brakes. I even had them on a Bandit I owned, so I determined to get an ABS bike since it looked like I'd be back in the saddle for the foreseeable future.
About a week and a half after my ride, here's what showed up in my garage, a brand new 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650LT. Nice and light, quite flickable, with ABS brakes and an engine that has a surprising amount of torque for a 650. Since I doubt I'll ever be doing transcontinental travel again, it's the perfect bike for my situation:
My experience with the rental BMW last summer lead to me finally get a bike. I had originally meant to rent another BMW in the winter to see how things went. Instead, I found another bike that had a relatively flat seat, a 2009 Kawasaki Versys 650 which I bought for a good price August of last year. I was almost ecstatic that I was able to find a Japanese bike that would work for me. I put the bike away and waited for winter. During that waiting period, I added an Air Hawk seat cushion that had a channel right down the middle.
When winter temperatures finally arrived, I did several long rides that proved my theory about temperature and it's affect on my neurological problem. I had absolutely zero problems riding it, no matter how long I stayed in the saddle. Persistence finally paid off! Because of the hot weather down here my riding season is only about 5 to 6 months of the year but at least I can be on two wheels again. Wahoo!
After riding the '09 Versys (non-ABS) for a couple of months and really enjoying it, I had something happen that made me decide to get an ABS model of the the bike. This something was having a buzzard hidden from my view in tall grass decide to take off right into my path just as I neared where he was.
Despite my knowing (through theory and especially practice) how to quickly stop in an emergency using the front brake in combination with the rear, I wound up locking up the front brake for just a split second. I let go of the front but Mr. Buzzard was still in my path and rapidly approaching, so I hit it again with the same result. What happened then almost resulted in me going down at 50 mph. As best I can tell, the second time I let off the front brakes, the front wheel was pointed ever so slightly off center when it locked up, and it suddenly caught traction when I released. Rather than resulting in a front wheel high side, the front end went into a doozie of a tank slapper. That's the closest I've ever come to going down at speed. The steering finally settled down and I was able to continue on my way. This proved in my mind what I've always stated... you can practice all you want but when it comes to those "oh crap!" moments, you're liable to hit the brakes way too hard. ABS prevents you from getting into trouble when this happens.
During the continuation of my ride that day, I remembered all the times that I had touted the safety benefits of ABS brakes on a motorcycle. In the past, I went out of my way to buy ST1100's and 1300's with ABS brakes. I even had them on a Bandit I owned, so I determined to get an ABS bike since it looked like I'd be back in the saddle for the foreseeable future.
About a week and a half after my ride, here's what showed up in my garage, a brand new 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650LT. Nice and light, quite flickable, with ABS brakes and an engine that has a surprising amount of torque for a 650. Since I doubt I'll ever be doing transcontinental travel again, it's the perfect bike for my situation:
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