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859 Posts
Y’all know how I worry about the city carrying too much CTO on the books for me? And how CTO is viewed as an unfunded liability by the finance director? He got fired…uh, I mean, asked to “retire” early the other day, BTW. But, be that as it may, because I’m such a conscientious employee, I took some time off work again today. I needed (yeah, needed) to get some miles on the GT, and today looked to be the only day without rain for the next few.
I rode up 128 to Colverdale, and grabbed a burger at the Hamburger Ranch. Okay food, but a cool RTE destination. I continued up 101 intending to go as far as 20, and take that east to Lake Co. But I ran into the south edge of a weather system that looked like it would only get heavier as I continued north. It also felt cold enough to possibly snow, so I turned east a bit sooner, and took 175 to Lakeport instead. Then down to Middletown. There was already some snow on the peaks around Clearlake, and along the road going towards Middletown. From there I returned to Napa Co. (and clear skies) via Butts Canyon, and played in my own backyard of Napa County roads: Berryessa-Knoxville, Chiles-Pope Valley, Sage Canyon, and Silverado Trail.
Last week Kay and I test rode the 1200 RT, as well as the GT. If I was in the market for one all purpose sport-touring ride, it would be the new RT, no question. But, I had no intention of trading my 1150 RT; and the jump from the 1150 to the 1200 RT wasn’t great enough, for me, to justify the cost. Again, I stress for me. A different rider may come to a different conclusion.
Now, the GT -– that’s an animal of a different color; a different horse. (It’s my story, I’ll mix my metaphors if I wish). When I test rode the GT I knew I was hooked on that smooth in-line 4 power. It was a done deal in my mind.
Pending modifications: I knew from speaking to others, and reading posts about the GT, that the pegs were higher, and farther back than, say, the RT. And the others were correct, the pegs are up and back. I think this placement will be fine when I’m sport-touring. But for sport-touring, I’ll be investing in the peg lowering kit.
I had also read that others complained greatly about the stock seat. Although I only did a couple hundred miles today, the stock seat wasn’t too bad. I do have a call into Rick Mayer for an appointment, and the seat will be replaced, but it’ll be okay for now.
Anyway, here’s a couple pics from today.
Alexander Valley
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Lake Co. Hard to see, but there's snow on the hill tops. I came across more farther on.
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I rode up 128 to Colverdale, and grabbed a burger at the Hamburger Ranch. Okay food, but a cool RTE destination. I continued up 101 intending to go as far as 20, and take that east to Lake Co. But I ran into the south edge of a weather system that looked like it would only get heavier as I continued north. It also felt cold enough to possibly snow, so I turned east a bit sooner, and took 175 to Lakeport instead. Then down to Middletown. There was already some snow on the peaks around Clearlake, and along the road going towards Middletown. From there I returned to Napa Co. (and clear skies) via Butts Canyon, and played in my own backyard of Napa County roads: Berryessa-Knoxville, Chiles-Pope Valley, Sage Canyon, and Silverado Trail.
Last week Kay and I test rode the 1200 RT, as well as the GT. If I was in the market for one all purpose sport-touring ride, it would be the new RT, no question. But, I had no intention of trading my 1150 RT; and the jump from the 1150 to the 1200 RT wasn’t great enough, for me, to justify the cost. Again, I stress for me. A different rider may come to a different conclusion.
Now, the GT -– that’s an animal of a different color; a different horse. (It’s my story, I’ll mix my metaphors if I wish). When I test rode the GT I knew I was hooked on that smooth in-line 4 power. It was a done deal in my mind.
Pending modifications: I knew from speaking to others, and reading posts about the GT, that the pegs were higher, and farther back than, say, the RT. And the others were correct, the pegs are up and back. I think this placement will be fine when I’m sport-touring. But for sport-touring, I’ll be investing in the peg lowering kit.
I had also read that others complained greatly about the stock seat. Although I only did a couple hundred miles today, the stock seat wasn’t too bad. I do have a call into Rick Mayer for an appointment, and the seat will be replaced, but it’ll be okay for now.
John, to answer your question from the other thread: GPS, Xenon headlight, Heli-Bar bar backs, and 49-liter top case (for when Kay rides). It does not have the ESA. I though about it for a bit, and decided I wouldn’t miss what I never had before, and I could save a few bucks. (Okay, a few hundred bucks).amarider said:
Anyway, here’s a couple pics from today.
Alexander Valley
Lake Co. Hard to see, but there's snow on the hill tops. I came across more farther on.
I'm still a few days away from my new ride.
