The New England riding season has begun! Anyone else in the Boston area? - Ducati.ms

MotoDuc · Mar 23rd, 2009, 10:01 am

Well, it officially started for me on 28 Feb, but I've only been able to get out 4 times since then. Got out twice this weekend, but the ride was ended a litle earlier than expected by a freak heavy snow squall!

A little advice to all that are getting out on the streets in this 40 degree weather... Give your tires some good warm up time before getting on the gas! Even after a good 20 minutes of riding to a favorite twisty road yesterday I was still getting some wheelspin exiting a few of the fast turns. Nothing crazy but I could feel it was loose.

After a long winter of waiting it feels good to be able to ride again. Especially after reading posts by those of you in warmer climates that were riding all winter long! THe new exhaust and DP ECU also helped turn up the fun factor this season. Love hearing the deep bark and roar of the 2 into 1 exhaust. I had to laugh under my helmet the other day as I approached a family out doing yardwork as I came flyin up the street and past thier house into one of my favorite turns. Both kids had their hands over thier ears as I approached on decel. Can't imagine what they did when I got back on the throttle during the exit...

ICustomxXXI · Mar 23rd, 2009, 10:42 am

Just picked up my Hyper on Wednesday. Took her out for the third time on Friday it was about 45 degrees out here on Long Island. Ten minutes into the ride I am in a left hand corner at about 20-30 mph and the back tire went out on me. I feel like such an a-hole. I was warned to go easy because the tires need to break in. Also with the cold temps, somewhat dirty roads and my lack of experience on a bike with tons of torque I never should have tried that turn on Friday.

Luckily I the only injuries I sustained were a tiny strawberry on the knee which is almost gone and a still body, nothing worse than a long day or two of snowboarding. I have full coverage on the bike but it should take me about a month to get her back. Glad a learned my lesson at 20 mph though. I am not sure if I will ever trust that rear wheel again.

Just figured I'd post my story. Any advise for the future would be greatly appreciated.

JayBay13 · Mar 23rd, 2009, 11:57 am

I'm not fully in the swing of things yet, but I did get out once for the commute last week. Maybe later this week when it gets back up to seasonal temps...

MotoDuc · Mar 23rd, 2009, 12:36 pm

Wow that sucks! But think of it this way, you've got that inevitable crash out of the way already and should be ready to without any worries when the bike gets back. Plus, by then the roads will have less sand/salt and warmer temps. Once you ride the bike in warmer weather and less sand you'll find that it's hard to break the rear loose unless you're purposely trying to. Then it a matter of how much you want to slide it around!

ICustomxXXI · Mar 23rd, 2009, 12:42 pm

Haha thanks, if I never slide it again I'll be happy with that. It went out in a left turn, I corrected and got it back up, but it snapped back and went down on its right side while I superman'ed over the front. I'll be driving like a grandma all summer long. Kinda making me wish I got a Multi. I'm sure once I get back on her I'll change my mind.

Good luck and be safe to everyone out there!

ADHD · Mar 23rd, 2009, 2:06 pm

I felt my tire spinning a bit going a turn or two. Nothing dramatic but the temps (56) are still a bit low here in Jersey.

Steve600 · Mar 23rd, 2009, 2:12 pm

Cold as hell in Western MA, the wind chill makes it about 20 degrees. This has been a long and cold winter, spring must be getting close. 65 degrees will seem like a heat wave.

BigMac038 · Mar 23rd, 2009, 3:48 pm

Been out three times in last two weeks. Temps will be up later this week. This could be it today for the cold?????

ozmanyyy · Mar 23rd, 2009, 7:59 pm

Not in Boston, but we're pretty much in full swing in Connecticut. A little chilly these past few days, but the sand is off to the side of the roads and its been pretty sunny in the afternoons... finally!

BigJoe · Mar 24th, 2009, 4:36 am

Picked up the hyper in October, I have been out about 4 times, trying to put some miles on for the 600 mile service before the season kicks off....

This Friday may be a nice day.

I hear you on the cold tire issue as I have found that even light throttle still brings a bit of wheel spin and moderate breaking (Front or rear) starts the slide show....

I would hope that we could set up a group ride this season.....Schedule wise this weekend is out for me as the dirt bike club has scheduled work parties for the weekend (pee wee event prep)

Best regards,

Joe