The way that the BMW F650ST motorcycle was originally configured is hard for anyone small in stature to fully touch their feet on the ground. So the gal who had sold the motorcycle to me had tailored the seat to fit her wider hips and had even lowered the seat for a more comfortable ride. Unfortunately, being of small stature myself and "inseam challenged" the wider seat doesn't help me a bit. The seat gets in the way of my thighs and I'm forced to tippy-toe anyway. Although I admit, it is a comfortable saddle being tailored to women.
Other than that, my BMW F650ST motorcycle is a very good ride. Built in 1997 it is a carbureted bike with a 650cc engine (652cc to be exact) that is liquid cooled. The "ST" is the street version of the F650 series motorcycle. And this series is probably the first in BMW's "Funduro" line.
My F650ST motorcycle has a 5-speed transmission and a 4-gallon fuel tank (3 gallons before having to switch to the 1 gallon reserve). This motorcycle series doesn't have a fuel gauge so the only way to keep track of fuel level is to reset the odometer after you re-fuel... that is, if you know what your gas mileage is. Mine is about 50 miles per gallon, approximately 150 miles before having to switch to reserve, but this is entirely dependent on how you drive.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Motorcycle gear
Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun but for me I know that I'm not invulnerable. So the right protection is must. I don't want to just look fashionable when I ride, but also able to survive the possible motorcycle mishap/accident to ride again. I figure I enjoy it far too much to be incapacitated after one crash, never to ride again.
I make sure I have a good helmet, a good motorcycle touring jacket with at least denier 750 (anti-tear) with CE level 1 armor or better for my back, shoulders, elbows and forearms. Pants made of at least the same material for abrasion resistance (even if it gets a little hot) and also padded with at least CE level 1 armor for the knees and hips. Boots with ankle support for protection against twisting or the weight of the motorcycle landing on my leg if I crash. And leather motorcycle riding gloves to protect my hands if I put them out to break my fall.
Only then do I feel that I'm ready for the road or trail.
I make sure I have a good helmet, a good motorcycle touring jacket with at least denier 750 (anti-tear) with CE level 1 armor or better for my back, shoulders, elbows and forearms. Pants made of at least the same material for abrasion resistance (even if it gets a little hot) and also padded with at least CE level 1 armor for the knees and hips. Boots with ankle support for protection against twisting or the weight of the motorcycle landing on my leg if I crash. And leather motorcycle riding gloves to protect my hands if I put them out to break my fall.
Only then do I feel that I'm ready for the road or trail.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
First time on a BMW motorcycle
I'm relatively new to motorcycles. I was only exposed to the motorcycle "bug" only 2 years ago when my one of my brothers decided to get me involved in motorcycling when he bought a 1997 BMW motorcycle, a F650ST, from a person that he knows from work. It was gracious of him... getting a free motorcycle and all, but you can imagine my trepidation. I have never been on any 2-wheeled powered vehicles let alone a 300 pound, 650 cc, BMW motorcycle!
"It'll be fun", he assured me.
"It's like a cross between riding a bicycle and driving a manual, 'stick shift' car in terms of clutch." "You already know how to do both so I'm sure you learn quickly," he re-assured me.
"You could sign up for a motorcycle riding course later but in the meantime you can try learning how to ride it at your own pace at your place."
Needless to say, the BMW F650ST motorcycle sat in my storage unit for a long time. I would get in the seat from time to time and practiced "dry" gear shifting. After a couple of months of procrastination, I finally squared away all the legal paperwork while also realized that it wasn't good to let my motorcycle sit in storage: the battery needed to be charged, etc., still I let it sat...
I guess my brother sensed my reluctance, then one day called up and said that he and some of his riding buddies were planning a motorcycle riding BBQ baptism at my place. They will help "easing" me into the saddle, he said.
At the BBQ they went over some very basic stuff like getting used to the weight, clutching, friction zone, balance, etc., before I even started the BMW's engine. And once the motorcycle's engine had fired up they patiently walked along side and gave tips. I must say the weight of the motorcycle was something to get used to. It was scary at first but not as bad as I thought thanks to my brother and his buddies easing me into my first motorcycle riding lesson.
Learn to ride a motorcycle
"It'll be fun", he assured me.
"It's like a cross between riding a bicycle and driving a manual, 'stick shift' car in terms of clutch." "You already know how to do both so I'm sure you learn quickly," he re-assured me.
"You could sign up for a motorcycle riding course later but in the meantime you can try learning how to ride it at your own pace at your place."
Needless to say, the BMW F650ST motorcycle sat in my storage unit for a long time. I would get in the seat from time to time and practiced "dry" gear shifting. After a couple of months of procrastination, I finally squared away all the legal paperwork while also realized that it wasn't good to let my motorcycle sit in storage: the battery needed to be charged, etc., still I let it sat...
I guess my brother sensed my reluctance, then one day called up and said that he and some of his riding buddies were planning a motorcycle riding BBQ baptism at my place. They will help "easing" me into the saddle, he said.
At the BBQ they went over some very basic stuff like getting used to the weight, clutching, friction zone, balance, etc., before I even started the BMW's engine. And once the motorcycle's engine had fired up they patiently walked along side and gave tips. I must say the weight of the motorcycle was something to get used to. It was scary at first but not as bad as I thought thanks to my brother and his buddies easing me into my first motorcycle riding lesson.
Learn to ride a motorcycle
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