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#1 |
Resident Droog
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern burbs, Atlanta
Moto: 625 SMC, '08 Tuono R
Posts: 471
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Well, I just got back from my Memorial Weekend ride. I put over 600 miles on the SM this weekend. I rode from North Atlanta to NM Tennessee and back, with lots of riding in between.
The good: the SM was surprisingly agreeable for the 200+ mile trek to my destination. The seat leaves a little to be desired, but that is easily fixed. The bike did great on the freeway at freeway speeds, and of course tore up the twisties when I got to hit them. The bad: I did some riding with a less experienced buddy who owns a 600 Shadow. I led on the first stint, which contained a mountain climb, with several 1st gear switchbacks. I was much faster than my buddy, and wound up having to wait on him a couple of times. The second stint, which travelled down the same mountain on another side, my buddy led. Well, less than 5 miles into it, he took a blind right hander, panicked, locked up the back brake, and then proceeded to travel down a 30 foot ravine. I was scared shitless, but held on, and parked my bike in a ditch and went to assist. Luckily, my friend only received some sore joints and lots of scratches. His bike fared ok also. The tank flew off and the windshield broke to pieces, but we got the tank back on and the bike fired. Since my buddy had a bum shoulder, it was now my task to get the 500 pound bike back up a 30 foot slope. After about an hour and a near heart attack, the bike was back on the road. Pics below. I think my buddy was riding over his head after our first stint, so I feel guilty for riding so fast. At the end of the day, however, all was well and it was definitely an adventure. The curve ![]() The result ![]()
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I'm sick and tired of being bored. |
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#2 |
WSB Champion
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 7,146
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Damn. That would be scary as shit. Glad he and his bike are alright for the most part though.
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#3 |
Keyboard Racer
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mile High City
Moto: Old Superbikes
Posts: 1,016
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Bummer. Going down a steep, twisty road takes much more skill than going up. I've seen sportbike riders who would rather take the highway down the back part of Lookout Mountain, rather than face the front switchbacks. But obviously, neither you nor the Shadow should take the blame, as the inexperience caused the crash.
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#4 | |
Moto GP Star
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,556
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#5 | |
Resident Droog
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern burbs, Atlanta
Moto: 625 SMC, '08 Tuono R
Posts: 471
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And yeah, he owes me big time for pushing the Titanic back up that hill. I wish I had a video of that one. It would have done the hill climbers proud.
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I'm sick and tired of being bored. |
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#6 | |
Chopstix / \
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Akron OH
Moto: 03 CBR RR
Posts: 5,350
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Drewpy contributes part of his get off at the gap last year to slowing down a bit to ride with less experience riders. |
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#7 | |
Ride Like an Asshole
Join Date: Feb 2008
Moto: nothing...
Posts: 11,254
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