Last time I rode was for DBroom's memorial ride which was two weeks prior. Got new tires (well, new to me takeoffs), got MarMo to swap them out Saturday afternoon and got them back on shortly after. Checked the bike over Saturday night. Turn key and... nothing. No instrument lights even. NEVER happened before. A bulb lights dimly over my head as I start thinking what could be going on and I get into the trunk where I see my bullet cam power supply is still on. For two weeks.
I'm thinking things are looking pretty bad but I put the trickle charger on anyways and hope for the best. If it doesn't take then at least I've got enough chores to keep me busy instead of riding. I get back in the garage at the buttcrack of dawn. Pull the charger, turn key, and.... it takes about 4 seconds for the idiot lights to power on. Nothing else. It doesn't even have enough power to "click" the relay. Crap! Fortunately I've got a second battery freshly charged. Never used it before but it's nearly the same thing. Put it on, bolt the leads on, and then the seat doesn't fit back on. Friggin thing is 1/2" taller than my other one, and sticks out of the tray keeping the seat from coming even close to latching on. Crap again!
I really do not like riding other people's bikes, so even tho Tiff's was next to me the whole time I never really considered it. Aside from a few very very short sprints I haven't even really rode it before... or any other bike other than my SV650 for that matter. Personally I would call it a day already, at 5am in the garage, but I had thought back to when Tiff requested I ride it.
Tiff's been having some minor carb issues and the few short sub-mile rides I've done on it have never shown them to me. But she swears it stumbles and just plain wanted me to ride it semi-hard up in the hills.
Now unfortunately this screws up my previous plans. There has been a big crackdown up at the Gap, which I wanted to visit. I'd have the camera setup on the SV and was hoping I could talk to some of the Troopers up there with it rolling to get evidence of what is actually going on up there, so some of these post on these forums could stop being based on hearsay. Well the rig isn't going to work on the FZR so... I'll bring the still camera... close enough I guess. At this point it was either that or chores.... and... I hate chores.
Gear back up and jump on the FZR. Kind of looking forward to the trip, the spur-of-the-moment changeup made it more interesting. I've only riddent he SV up in the mountains so it would be my first real time on an inline-4, and in the hills even! Unfortunately there is a stumble going on... and the suspension is stock... and 15 years old... and not really set up. Oh, did I mention the right fork seal is recently leaking. Definitely not my Racetech-setup SV!
Trip up to the top of 400 was nothing unusual, although I felt like a total newb trying to get used to the engine and clutch engagement position on the lever. Neutral between a 1-2 shift was easy to catch, but eventually got used to it, probably not before embarrassing myself a couple times.
Get to the top and after filling up at the Shell I realize I forgot my still camera. LOL. Fortunately my cell has a camera so, it'll have to do. About now is when I hear my name randomly called out from nowhere. I'm seriously starting to think I've lost my mind and am hearing things, then Luke (aka SkyWalker) rolls up. Apparently the 400 crew was doing a ride, so I got to say hi to a few friends before heading out.. cool!
FZR ready for the trip:
Head out and go up 129, I decide to "get on it" just a bit and I'm noticing the float height is definately outta whack a bit, and the main jet must be wrong or messed up as past 8k the power is inconsistent and bogs every so often. Fortunately there's enough power around 7-8 so no big deal. This isn't gonna be a trackday or anything. Head over to Dales via 180 for a little break and I get Tiff a "Loop" shirt, starting to feel like a tourist now! 180 was a blast on the FZR and the 110/150 tire combo ROCKS!! Even compared to a 120/160 SV, it's noticeable. The suspension definately was showing some "slushy-ness" of sorts but certainly not enough to keep me from grinning the whole way! The rear felt surprisingly fine, just some floating of sorts on the front.
Roll out from Dales headed towards Morganton. Just a mile or so up I see a red Mini and I try to catch up, but he really starts tearin' it up. Very smooth driving. I had promised myself I would refrain from the double yellow passing, being on Tiff's bike and all, but couldn't resist following him. Hey, he started it!!! I honestly haven't had that much fun up 60 in a while. I really had to keep my speeds down but I had fun riding behind the Mini for sure. I kept telling myself how I'd of loved to be on my SV so I could play a little better with him.
He pulled off halfway up and the rest of the trip was pretty casual. Gassed up in Morganton, took a break to grab some snacks and water. Went in to the bathroom... and dude in the red oldskool Prelude if I ever see you again I am totally taking a dump in your car cause that little present you left me in that toilet I will need bleach to get out of my memories.
Anwyays, snapped a pic before rolling out towards Tellico:
Rolled out and pretty much immediately got lost. I forgot if 68 branched off of 60 a ways up the road or if it branched off of spur 60. Cruised around and on 60 Spur I decided to ask for directions. 10 people I asked and no one knew what 68 was!!! WTF! Even the gas station clerk. I am too stubborn to look at a map, even at this point. Fortunately a guy knew how to get back to 68 so off I went on my detour through NC via 294 (I think?), back into TN, and joined up w/ 68 finally. Made it into Tellico Plains and gassed up. The gas station had a power outtage and was a total cluster. I hurried quick outta there and headed towards Cherohala.
I immediately got behind a sport touring bike which was fun as his pace was pretty good, spiritied but not enough to get us arrested. Followed behind him for a couple miles but then he pulled off and let me by. Not sure why as I gave him space but, regardless I passed and continued on my way. Made it through most of the way through and pulled off to take a break. Snapped a few pics while resting in the blistering sun:
After that I stop by a particular area while on the Cherohala a few miles short of the end. Last year on our way to the Women's Sportbike Rally, Tiff's bike breaks down. While waiting on the trailer to show up... I had to keep her busy and in good spirits, so we took some goofy pictures. One happened to be me hanging off the side of a guardrail. Yep, the infamous avatar. You can see the exact spot in the background here:
She's also had some other "bad luck" on the Cherohala recently so I kinda wanted to rub it in a bit, yep I'm mean. I think it's the first time the FZR has gone through without issue!
A few turns back there was a wadded up RR with a couple guys that gave me the customary thumbs up. Regardless I turn around after stopping to double check that they do not need anything. They are okay and I think he just kind of pucked up a bit and panicked on some rough spots in the pavement. Rider was okay, tho the bike had seen better days, so I continue on.
Get to the Gap and it's totally different than what I'm used to. 1pm on a summer's Sunday afternoon and there are probably 10 bikes at the crossroads. The guys that are there don't even look like they are enjoying themselves. TN state patrol really did their job on everyone. I decide to cruise up and for the first time ever, due to the over the top crackdowns, ride the Gap at the 30-35 speed limit. This sounds way easier than it is. I'm so paranoid that a car in front of me pulls off to let me by and I almost consider not passing! I decide to make the clean ILLEGAL pass with his car mostly off the road except the left tires. I have 4 ft clearance between him and I and am still on my side of the road. Still, if TN caught me I would have gotten a ticket for that for sure. I keep on and everyone I'm passing is waving me to slow down and tapping their helmets. I pass by a few photographers and make my way to the overlook, where I turn around and head back.
Here are the standard issue "yes I was at the Gap" pics from Killboy:
From here my brain is pretty fried from the sun so I decide to head straight down 129 all the way to Dahlonega. Pretty uneventful but by now I'm really hurtin, just plain tired and ready to lay down. Can't resist a spirited ride down Blood Mtn but aside from that I keep it casual all the way back home.
Definately a fun ride, I got more respect for those that can go through the workout of keeping a bike like that in its powerband. Not to mention those that can do trips longer than that on a sportbike! Yikes I was wore out!