svarog
06-11-2007, 11:45 AM
I figure i'll give a 'ride report' because i'm excited enough to have done one.
Nothing major, just 50 miles between DC and Baltimore to visit friends for the weekend. But a lot of stop and go traffic that nearly killed the bike.
Getting through DC to 295 wasn't nearly as bad as i thought it'd be. Long line at a red light that warmed the bike and drained the battery enough for later troubles but it wasn't until a few miles of stop and go traffic on the highway (295) that the bike cut out and wouldn't turn over.
Luckily my girlfriend wanted to follow in her cage since it was my first 'long' trip (i protested, but was damn happy that she was being stubborn). Thought it was an over heat at first and would just let everything cool down. Ended up being a drained battery. Tried jumping a few times to no avail. Called a tow to see what they could do, waited an hour and after they were a no show (yay!), tried a new jump and she started back up. After some fiddling (she wouldn't idle long or start off of my battery) to get the seat and everything back together, back on the road and it's smooth sailing from there on. (by this time the congestion (no clue what it was for) had died down).
The ride back was no problem. Smooth sailing, cool ride and a minor amount of morons on the road.
For those that don't know it, 295 (Baltimore-Washington Pkwy) is a 4-lane highway that's a decent alternative to 95. Occasionally a bit packed because it's only two lanes each way (as opposed to four), it's shadier, prettier and just a better ride in general if you find yourself on that corridor.
Nothing major, just 50 miles between DC and Baltimore to visit friends for the weekend. But a lot of stop and go traffic that nearly killed the bike.
Getting through DC to 295 wasn't nearly as bad as i thought it'd be. Long line at a red light that warmed the bike and drained the battery enough for later troubles but it wasn't until a few miles of stop and go traffic on the highway (295) that the bike cut out and wouldn't turn over.
Luckily my girlfriend wanted to follow in her cage since it was my first 'long' trip (i protested, but was damn happy that she was being stubborn). Thought it was an over heat at first and would just let everything cool down. Ended up being a drained battery. Tried jumping a few times to no avail. Called a tow to see what they could do, waited an hour and after they were a no show (yay!), tried a new jump and she started back up. After some fiddling (she wouldn't idle long or start off of my battery) to get the seat and everything back together, back on the road and it's smooth sailing from there on. (by this time the congestion (no clue what it was for) had died down).
The ride back was no problem. Smooth sailing, cool ride and a minor amount of morons on the road.
For those that don't know it, 295 (Baltimore-Washington Pkwy) is a 4-lane highway that's a decent alternative to 95. Occasionally a bit packed because it's only two lanes each way (as opposed to four), it's shadier, prettier and just a better ride in general if you find yourself on that corridor.