Not quite freezing, but sure feels like it with the wind chill at freeway speeds. Unlike the rest of the poor saps, I zoomed in from the north end via the Express Lanes and was able to enjoy a zippy commute.
The Lake Union and Fremont areas are rather pretty in the mornings with a little bit of fog.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Weather and Fuel Injection
My bike has a funny little quirk. When the temperature dives below 50, so does the gas mileage. Thankfully the gas mileage stays above 40 when the temperature continues to drop further, but it's still rather strange.
It's probably not worth the $400 it would likely cost to have it looked into. At the current cost of fuel, that's roughly 35-40 tankfuls of gas.
The marginal difference in fuel consumption is 7,000 miles worth, so it's as if the mileage is cut in half, but it does drop 8-12mpg.
Just an small oddity in the rather wonderful fuel injection system on my bike. And well worth not having to fiddle with a 'choke' lever.
It's probably not worth the $400 it would likely cost to have it looked into. At the current cost of fuel, that's roughly 35-40 tankfuls of gas.
The marginal difference in fuel consumption is 7,000 miles worth, so it's as if the mileage is cut in half, but it does drop 8-12mpg.
Just an small oddity in the rather wonderful fuel injection system on my bike. And well worth not having to fiddle with a 'choke' lever.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Morning Commutes
It's awfully early for this, but I'm a bit done with winter. That happens here kinda frequently among non-natives. It's that northern solar angle short-day suckage that happens every January.
Yes, it will go away in a month or three. It will happen next year, I know. I just don't have to like it. (The natives, on the other hand, don't like direct sunlight anyway.)
I'm just not all that fond of commuting in the Dark and Drizzly and it's a pain in the tuckus to plug in all that electrically-heated gear for a 20 minute trip to work.
It rather makes one live for the brief window of blissfully warm weather in the 50s right at the beginning of a Pineapple Express before it starts dumping rain.
Yes, it will go away in a month or three. It will happen next year, I know. I just don't have to like it. (The natives, on the other hand, don't like direct sunlight anyway.)
I'm just not all that fond of commuting in the Dark and Drizzly and it's a pain in the tuckus to plug in all that electrically-heated gear for a 20 minute trip to work.
It rather makes one live for the brief window of blissfully warm weather in the 50s right at the beginning of a Pineapple Express before it starts dumping rain.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Winter Commuting on Michelin Pilot Roads
I know every rider who blathers on about riding eventually covers tires at one point or another. And in one respect there's only so many observations to be made regarding sport tires. But in another respect, how often does the average rider tootle about on the hi-zoot sport tires in rain that really really wants to change over to snow?
As many old timers have heard for years, sport tires have the reputation for being snatchy and less predictable when they're cold. I've been pleasantly surprised by this set of Michelin Pilot Roads as I've periodically riding around on a V-Strom 650 in 40F degree weather for a month or so.
They've done quite well and I've had very little slippage even when whacking the throttle pretty hard in 2nd while leaned partway over. They've got a couple thousand miles on them since, and my partner in crime found them to be quite reasonable in their handling when she borrowed my Strom while I was on vacation.
While you're certainly not going to go creek-jumping on these tires in wet or dry conditions, I've not had them get all snotty on Seattle's grit-covered but paved streets. Don't expect them to be the bee's knees when it comes to leafy or pine-needle-covered gravel driveways though.
As many old timers have heard for years, sport tires have the reputation for being snatchy and less predictable when they're cold. I've been pleasantly surprised by this set of Michelin Pilot Roads as I've periodically riding around on a V-Strom 650 in 40F degree weather for a month or so.
They've done quite well and I've had very little slippage even when whacking the throttle pretty hard in 2nd while leaned partway over. They've got a couple thousand miles on them since, and my partner in crime found them to be quite reasonable in their handling when she borrowed my Strom while I was on vacation.
While you're certainly not going to go creek-jumping on these tires in wet or dry conditions, I've not had them get all snotty on Seattle's grit-covered but paved streets. Don't expect them to be the bee's knees when it comes to leafy or pine-needle-covered gravel driveways though.
Cloudy with Occasional Falling White Stuff
All things considered, I do have to say that I'm glad it isn't snowing this week.
Lots of rain with day and night being delineated by variations in the grey here in downtown Seattle. It's not exactly great riding weather. I'm out there anyway though because it's better than driving the truck through that stupid white stuff that freaks everybody out.
Hint about the riding thing. I'm from Upstate New York (more or less) and there's a lot of snow there and I'm not terribly frightened by it.
But not even somebody as certifiably stupid as I appear to be should be trying to ride a motorcycle westbound down Columbian Way to Spokane Street when it's been snowing.
This guy(Courtesy: Trujillo/Seattle Times) seems to have the right idea. Knobby tires, low horsepower, light weight, and low center of gravity. All equaling way big hoopty fun, I'd say.
Lots of rain with day and night being delineated by variations in the grey here in downtown Seattle. It's not exactly great riding weather. I'm out there anyway though because it's better than driving the truck through that stupid white stuff that freaks everybody out.
Hint about the riding thing. I'm from Upstate New York (more or less) and there's a lot of snow there and I'm not terribly frightened by it.
But not even somebody as certifiably stupid as I appear to be should be trying to ride a motorcycle westbound down Columbian Way to Spokane Street when it's been snowing.
This guy(Courtesy: Trujillo/Seattle Times) seems to have the right idea. Knobby tires, low horsepower, light weight, and low center of gravity. All equaling way big hoopty fun, I'd say.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Justice for Craig Lozier
It appears that this young man has owned up to his crimes and admitted to his faults.
Here's hoping that one young life can indeed be turned around and rehabilitated, and that Mr. Lozier's family has some closure.
Folks need to understand that the cars and trucks they drive around really are dangerous, and that familiarity can breed far more than contempt. It can bring tragedy into anyone's life and family.
COURT HOUSE - Nicholas Golden, 20, of Philadelphia pleaded guilty Thur., Jan 13., to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the July 21, 2008 DUI death of Middle Township resident Craig Lozier.
Golden was traveling south on Route 47 in Middle Township when he attempted to pass two other cars. He then lost control of his car and swerved into Lozier's motorcycle in the northbound lane.
Here's hoping that one young life can indeed be turned around and rehabilitated, and that Mr. Lozier's family has some closure.
Folks need to understand that the cars and trucks they drive around really are dangerous, and that familiarity can breed far more than contempt. It can bring tragedy into anyone's life and family.
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