Stever's 50 mile round trip ride report
Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 12:37 am
Thank You FourWheelForum members. Your information and support allowed me to accomplish my ride today.
Wednesday evening I mentioned to my wife I was planning to ride to work Friday. First thing she said was "Better go get that Jacket." So the next day I bought a bright yellow and black jacket with hard pads all over it. I bought it at our local Honda Shop rather than online and I am glad I did. I didn't know there are different types of protective jackets depending on a riders seating position. The reason I am writing about the jacket is that it made a huge difference in the ride. Combined with my white helmet, I felt very visible. I noticed other drivers were looking at me, which usually doesn't happen. I think they might of been making sure I wasn't a motorcycle cop, on a very small motorcycle.
That, combined with all those pockets and pads the jacket gave me a much more secure feeling than I've had while riding in the past. On to the ride...
My job is 22 miles away, but that is by taking the main highway, so I mapped out a route on back roads that was a few miles longer, but one that I could ride at a more leasurely pace. I made sure I had my cell phone, some tools, and a battery tender in case my battery was dead by the time I got to work. I didn't need any of these and when it came time to come home the starter cranked the motor over like the battery had plenty of juice left. I was surprised by that because I had all the lights running for 50 minutes or so that morning. The CA95 seemed most comfortable at 40 miles per hour. If I pushed for more the clutch began to slip. Not enough clutch for all that horsepower
more likely I don't have it adjusted properly. Going into corners it really felt like an antique motorcycle, too fast and it wanted to porpoise. I don't know if that is because of the old style front fork or something else. One last thing, I am impressed with how little gas it used. I felt like I pushed the bike pretty hard but I measured only an inch and three quarter drop in fuel level for the entire trip. As I was getting ready to head home, Ashley, our second grade teacher said "Steve, is that your motorcycle? It's really cute!"
Wednesday evening I mentioned to my wife I was planning to ride to work Friday. First thing she said was "Better go get that Jacket." So the next day I bought a bright yellow and black jacket with hard pads all over it. I bought it at our local Honda Shop rather than online and I am glad I did. I didn't know there are different types of protective jackets depending on a riders seating position. The reason I am writing about the jacket is that it made a huge difference in the ride. Combined with my white helmet, I felt very visible. I noticed other drivers were looking at me, which usually doesn't happen. I think they might of been making sure I wasn't a motorcycle cop, on a very small motorcycle.
That, combined with all those pockets and pads the jacket gave me a much more secure feeling than I've had while riding in the past. On to the ride...My job is 22 miles away, but that is by taking the main highway, so I mapped out a route on back roads that was a few miles longer, but one that I could ride at a more leasurely pace. I made sure I had my cell phone, some tools, and a battery tender in case my battery was dead by the time I got to work. I didn't need any of these and when it came time to come home the starter cranked the motor over like the battery had plenty of juice left. I was surprised by that because I had all the lights running for 50 minutes or so that morning. The CA95 seemed most comfortable at 40 miles per hour. If I pushed for more the clutch began to slip. Not enough clutch for all that horsepower
more likely I don't have it adjusted properly. Going into corners it really felt like an antique motorcycle, too fast and it wanted to porpoise. I don't know if that is because of the old style front fork or something else. One last thing, I am impressed with how little gas it used. I felt like I pushed the bike pretty hard but I measured only an inch and three quarter drop in fuel level for the entire trip. As I was getting ready to head home, Ashley, our second grade teacher said "Steve, is that your motorcycle? It's really cute!"