Berny
May 17th, 2008, 6:19 am
Rode an 05 LT for a year and then upgraded to the new 2006 model. Rode that for a year before being blown away by a test ride on the new GT.
Last 12 months have been delightful with unlimited power and easy conversion to a sports bike from tourer - but expensive on tires and fuel consumption. A month ago I completed two 400 mile days riding and felt exhausted, even when adjusting the handlebars, seating and ESA suspension. I'm sure it was my aching butt that kept me awake! Looked at the GT forums and noticed a number of people converting to RTs so took one for a test ride.
Relaxed ride, gentle acceleration and great handling - perhaps I was getting older than I thought. Then an alarm goes off and flashing on the screen. I did not know the demo machine was fitted with the tyre pressure monitor and pressure was dropping fast in the rear tyre I pulled over and discovered a nail in the back tyre and a growing split. I doubt I would have picked up the puncture until the tyre deflated completely or burst. Very relieved I took the bike back to the dealer only to see a shiny RT SE being wheeled in by a new owner who has just discovered his wife can no longer ride pillion. Only 1200 miles on the clock and all the farkles you could imagine. Two days later it was in my garage and the GT has been sold on to someone who will be amazed what unlimited power feels like.
Yesterday I rode 200 miles and got off feeling I could get back on and do that again. It was quiet, purred beneath me and while I wasn't lifting the front wheel I could still accelerate past lines of traffic. What a delight!
Would be interested in hearing from others who have reduced the pace of their biking, also my wrists are a little sore after a long run - any ideas? In past bikes I have used Ultraseal in the tyres to reduce the implications of a tyre burst or puncture - would this affect the tyre pressure monitoring system?
Last 12 months have been delightful with unlimited power and easy conversion to a sports bike from tourer - but expensive on tires and fuel consumption. A month ago I completed two 400 mile days riding and felt exhausted, even when adjusting the handlebars, seating and ESA suspension. I'm sure it was my aching butt that kept me awake! Looked at the GT forums and noticed a number of people converting to RTs so took one for a test ride.
Relaxed ride, gentle acceleration and great handling - perhaps I was getting older than I thought. Then an alarm goes off and flashing on the screen. I did not know the demo machine was fitted with the tyre pressure monitor and pressure was dropping fast in the rear tyre I pulled over and discovered a nail in the back tyre and a growing split. I doubt I would have picked up the puncture until the tyre deflated completely or burst. Very relieved I took the bike back to the dealer only to see a shiny RT SE being wheeled in by a new owner who has just discovered his wife can no longer ride pillion. Only 1200 miles on the clock and all the farkles you could imagine. Two days later it was in my garage and the GT has been sold on to someone who will be amazed what unlimited power feels like.
Yesterday I rode 200 miles and got off feeling I could get back on and do that again. It was quiet, purred beneath me and while I wasn't lifting the front wheel I could still accelerate past lines of traffic. What a delight!
Would be interested in hearing from others who have reduced the pace of their biking, also my wrists are a little sore after a long run - any ideas? In past bikes I have used Ultraseal in the tyres to reduce the implications of a tyre burst or puncture - would this affect the tyre pressure monitoring system?