Riding in the wind

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Samray
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#16 Post by Samray » Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:17 pm

Well held Howard.

You bought a lotto ticket?
In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.

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Tonyunn
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#17 Post by Tonyunn » Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:22 pm

Pleased your not another statistic

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Dalemac
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#18 Post by Dalemac » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:22 pm

Glad yu are OK Howard.

On another not, if you decide t go to willingham let me know and i can meet you there.

Dale

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randomsquid
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#19 Post by randomsquid » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:42 pm

HowardQ wrote: Checked again today and the bike seems fine
Keep an eye on the front tyre for a bit. I had a high speed debris moment and thought it was ok once I'd popped the headlight back in and had a sit down. The tyre developed a big egg shaped blister on the side wall a few days later.
Where ever I lay my hat.....

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HowardQ
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#20 Post by HowardQ » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:45 pm

Will do Dale, it's a bit of a lottery at this time of year though, often ends up as a last minute decision, with fingers crossed that weather stays half decent.
Last Saturday afternoon when I got there, there were only about thirty or so bikers, but cafe was still open so got a chance of a tea and a burger to warm me up before the (cold) trip back after the sun had gone down.
HowardQ

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2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
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mangocrazy
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#21 Post by mangocrazy » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:55 pm

I'm full of admiration that you chose to go out on a day like today, Howard. I was just pottering about the shed measuring stuff up for winter fettling. And very glad to hear that you (if not your undercrackers) escaped unscathed...

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MartDude
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#22 Post by MartDude » Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:52 pm

Bit old to be taking up stunt riding, Howard? :smt002

Well done for hanging on :smt023

Re riding in wind. The Futura can be quite a handful, because of the large fairing, and I suppose the panniers don't help.

I try to lean into the wind, and, as Andy recommended, try to pre-judge where and when the the wind will stop/increase - buildings, fences, hedges, buses etc. Drop a gear, and keep the momentum up - backing off seems to leave the bike far more at the mercy of the wind, like a rudderless ship.
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HowardQ
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#23 Post by HowardQ » Sun Nov 27, 2011 10:45 pm

Yeh and I'm a bit older now!

To be honest it all happened so quickly after I pulled out, you just naturally think don't brake or swerve, (especially alongside an artic), just keep a firm hold and see what happens. Didn't really have time for soiled undercrackers to be honest, you need a bit more time for that.
I had kept off the brakes for the landing and in case the front tyre had gone, so as soon as I realised the front wheel and tyre were OK I went straight for the convenient exit up the slip road to check it out.
P.S. didn't have the same luck on the lottery.
HowardQ

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BikerGran
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#24 Post by BikerGran » Sun Nov 27, 2011 10:50 pm

I had a ride like this one year coming back from the classic show at Shepton Mallet (it's in February). I decided to go via Dorchester forgetting that meant riding right up over the top on a road with very little cover - no trees or villages! I was so scared I'd have stopped but there was nowhere to stop and I had to get home.

I know the technical theory about bikes being more stable faster than slower - but they veer off course faster if you're going faster!


Was going to take the trike out this afternoon, I even got as far as the garage - then decided the wind was VERY cold and I really didn't have to do it! Went out in the car instead and took photos around Purbeck.
The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.

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HowardQ
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#25 Post by HowardQ » Sun Nov 27, 2011 10:54 pm

BikerGran wrote:I had a ride like this one year coming back from the classic show at Shepton Mallet (it's in February). I decided to go via Dorchester forgetting that meant riding right up over the top on a road with very little cover - no trees or villages! I was so scared I'd have stopped but there was nowhere to stop and I had to get home.

I know the technical theory about bikes being more stable faster than slower - but they veer off course faster if you're going faster!


Was going to take the trike out this afternoon, I even got as far as the garage - then decided the wind was VERY cold and I really didn't have to do it! Went out in the car instead and took photos around Purbeck.
Spoken like a true photographer!
You made the right choice Bobbie.
HowardQ

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Aladinsaneuk
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#26 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Sun Nov 27, 2011 11:18 pm

Glad you stayed up Howard


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


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