On Thursday Duck delivered the 2023 Triumph Rocket 3 GT with mid-pegs, and a fourth motorcycle was added to our growing bike family. Bill got to ride it some while he waited for me to arrive so we could park it in the garage. Temporarily, we had three bikes in my parents’ garage; the plan was to get up early Saturday to move the Ducati Scrambler Fasthouse to my garage.
The perks to our early Saturday was I got to see seven snowy egrets heading out from their nighttime roost to start their days. And I spotted an early falcon beginning his day as well as a great blue heron stretching out on a spillway as I followed Bill back to the house.
When we returned for our joint ride, I was going to ride the R Nine T. I was a little nervous about this. While I’ve been doing much better understanding the friction zone in my field practice, I wasn’t sure I would be able to work in the friction zone while also turning the motorcycle from stops. Oddly enough, though, I found it easy to work the friction zone out on the road.
Since this was only Bill’s second ride on the Rocket, we were going easy and focusing more on just riding straight roads and turning around in cul de sacs rather than slow speed maneuvers. Thus I was able to get a better feel for the R Nine T too. I missed the burbles and pops of the LeoVince exhaust on the Ducati; the R Nine T was much quieter. And I felt I was stretching a bit to reach the handlebars, so I scooted up on the seat. I loved the smoothness of the acceleration and the gear shifts. My turns went well, and I found it easier to turn the wheel at stops and keep it turned as I headed into the turn.
The weather was a little nippy, and soon I will have to switch to my leather riding jacket. But despite the cool air, I did see a cabbage white fluttering by early in our ride. Lots of fun Halloween decorations were out including a 20-foot-tall skeleton with a skeleton dog. We stopped by the building with the mirrored wall to take a look at us on our new bikes. I’m still taller on my motorcycle than Bill on his Rocket, but we both are riding two gorgeous bikes.
I worked a little on pre-loading which is where I ride with one or two fingers on the front brake and the clutch. The clutch is too far out for me to comfortably pre-load, but I was able to pre-load the front brake. However, I struggle with rolling on the throttle when I pull in the brake. I might have better control if I adjust the brake closer, something I’ll try next week.
Next week we’ll have temperatures in the low 70s, perfect riding weather for our first November weekend ride.
Flutterby Biker 