My days are usually better when I ride. Maybe it is being forced into the moment instead of the esoteric world of software development where I spend most of my time. I had a Doctor’s appointment this morning so I slept in and took my time then I was late. It didn’t matter because a previous patient had a bunch of stuff to discuss and appointments were running one hour late. I cooled my heals and read a mag I’d picked up at PADNUG last night. I had had a nice mellow ride to the Doktor’s office so I was mellow and ready for whatever chaos I encountered. Read more…
I walked out of the house late this morning, again. Maybe I’d care if the client cared but I work with a fairly laid back group. People come in early, leave and return, work late, whatever we need to do. Basically we do what is needed to meet our release targets.
On the KTM, it’s 42 and damp. My legs are chilled from the wind blast. Vest and grips are keeping my core temperature up in a healthy range. 70 seems to be the contentious as I cruise at 62 with the pack pulling away from me.
The forecast is unbelievable. 4 days of dry weather are on the forecast. They have to be wrong. I know they are wrong. It’s raining on the other side of town right now! LOL I wonder what the weekend will bring. Will I escape to the hills or linger in the city?
I couldn’t sleep last night. I worked in the garage until after 23:30, then spent time installing new parts on the master bathroom shower. It was after 00:30 when I finally crawled into bed. Then I couldn’t sleep. I read for a while, which didn’t help. I learned about the “Query Pattern” and that got me thinking about some development I’ve been working on for the last couple weeks. I laid in bed ‘thinking’ until about 02 when I got up to play Peggle until 03:30. Read more…
Why am I always lacking in the sleep department?
Umm… Because I don’t sleep. Read more…
Hulu has posted the complete Cosmos series online. (Link)
Another trip to the KTM dealership for parts and paperwork. I scored a throttle cam assembly. I threw on the 400/500 cam which is for loose, muddy conditions. That kind of sounds like riding in the rain. I can’t believe how much better my throttle control is. Smooth and easy without any reduction in throttle range. It just works. I tried to fit handguards to the bike, but the first set don’t fit. I also picked up the correct tool for adjusting rear shock preload. Steering damper kit ordered. Ready to Race Street kit paperwork completed and ordered.
Yesterday, I rode to work. It was 39 degrees and none of my electrical systems were working. Last night, I fixed that problem. This morning, it was 46 degrees. With all of my electrical systems working, I was warm and toasty inside my heated vest and my fingers were comfortably warm on the heated grips. In fact the new throttle cam with it’s 6061 Al construction balances out the heat output between the left and right grip. Very nice.
So today, I’m loving this new machine. I’ve fixed the quirks and I have parts coming to extend capabilites both for handling and comfort.
Back to the next episode of Cosmos err… work.
Yeah. Back to work.
So, it’s home. The days of lusting after a Hypermotard are over. I got an incredible deal on this new (yes new) 2007 KTM SuperDuke. The dealership took a loss. I tried to price match a two other places and one flat out told me it was $2400 under his cost. It was a demo bike, as in the service rep road it for 6 months, putting 1200 miles on it. Throw in a few weekends by other staff and test rides that came well after the break-in period and there it is. The Akropovic pipes were throw in. Like I said a screamingly good deal. Thanks to Chris and all the staff at KTM Northwest in Gresham. I’ve got some bits on order and I am sure the machine will change more than a little by the end of the summer. I’m thrilled to have it. Actually, I’m overwhelmed at the moment.
It is done. I can stop lusting after it and start riding it. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to write once I get a couple thousand miles under me. Frame sliders, heated grips, carbon?, tank bag, gel saddle?, more carbon, more sliders…
I guess I’m riding to work in the morning. 
So how did I fall under the Ducati spell? As I said the other day, I finally rode the Hypermotard from Ducati. Uninspiring. Boring. Uncomfortable. Disconcerting. I got off the bike thinking there were a host of things I’d need to change if I was to buy one. In short, it just didn’t suit me.
Last night, the woman woke up at 2 coughing. She joked that she had swallowed a hair ball. The cats are usually in our face most of the night so that isn’t a wholly unreasonable idea. So she woke up coughing. I woke up. She went back to sleep. I stayed awake… until about 6:30 this morning. I was surfing around trying to figure out what I want in a bike. Ideally, I’m looking for an alternative to the FJR for commuting. I need the power to do the 75 mph assaults in the morning and crisp handling to survive the stop-n-go for my ride home. I’d also like something that I can play with on the weekends. I’m not looking for super-slab performance or off-road capabilities. I want something that works for me.
KTM SuperDuke? Read more…
If I could… I would.
Update: And in April of 2009, I did.
