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Custom seat; my ass is happier |
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Saturday, 18 December 2010 14:18 |
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The R1200 GSA comes with a notoriously horrible seat. It's hard and curved in such a way that you're constantly sitting on your ass bones. And if that's not enough to make for an uncomfortable ride (hint: it is), it's also angled such that you're always sliding forward. Anyway, it sucks. I finally went to Don Weber at Mr Ed's Moto in Albany, OR for an ass-fitting appointment. He tore down my seat, built up the cushion, custom-fitted it, and then re-covered it with the material (and colors) of my choosing. The passenger seat was just re-covered to match (notice how it still tilts forward). If Michelle decides to take any long trip with me, I'll get the rear one done too. The result:
Notice how the sitting area is flat to the ground, and how there is even a little dished portion for my tush. Riding back was heaven, and the week after, I rode two 700 mile days to San Jose and back. It was wonderful! I wasn't tired due to an uncomfortable seat -- I feel like I can ride all day now, for months straight.
You may be wondering, "Orange? WTF? Is that KTM Orange? WTFx2?" Yes, it is. I love orange - and notice how the line between the gray sitting surface and the orange middle follows the line on the tank, between the gray and black. It turned out just how I wanted it :)
Also, I got a sample of the fabric, and had a paint store mix me a quart of the orange. I plan to paint some (small) accents of orange on the front too, but I'm waiting for warmer weather.
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Saturday, 19 September 2009 18:31 |
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Ready for the trip to AK now! 
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Tuesday, 23 June 2009 09:24 |
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It has been a while since an update to this site! I'm currently changing jobs, and finishing up my MBA... so needless to say I have not taken a trip to AK this June. I guess it will wait until next year :( But I did just acquire a 1989 Yamaha TW200. This isn't the ideal bike for long distance riding, but people have taken them to AK before (and even the north pole). Ideally I'll have a BMW GS or similar next year, but regardless I'm going to completely tear down this bike over the winter. It needs paint, front and rear racks, panniers, and a larger fuel tank. It will be ready for Alaska - just in case I decide not to get a larger bike. The TW200 is great, by they way. You'd think that a 200cc single cylinder 4-stroke bike would be weak, but it really isn't. Cruising at 65MPH produces quite a bit of vibration, but 55 is pretty smooth. With a softer seat, it'd be fine on a long distance trip. Oh, and it's very off-road capable.
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Sunday, 04 January 2009 11:59 |
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This site has undergone quite a change recently. I realized that I had minimal content, and that redesigning would be better done now rather than later. So here it is. I plan to store "blog" (I hate that word) posts about motorcycle trips. This summer I hope to sell my R6 and acquire a KLR650 to start my "ride everywhere" plan. I'll start by taking it on trips around home, much like I currently do with the sportbike - but with more off-road. This will give me a chance to figure out how I want to set everything up, what accessories I really need, and what tires are best. Then, it's off to Alaska for my first long trip. Next, I'll do the Panama Canal round trip from home, then maybe a cross-country US trip as well. That's the end of 2-4 week trips I can take without shipping the bike across an ocean. The idea is to use vacation time while working, as opposed to those people who quit their job and spend years riding around the world. I just can't do that :) Next I'll ship the bike to Brazil, ride south to the southern tip of S. America, then ride north all the way home. After that, who knows. Perhaps South Africa to Europe? Then Europe (London, for example) to India or Thailand? Of course, I also want to take the northern route across Asia and see Russia...
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