Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted December 29, 2003 07:38 AM
One of the best gifts I could've wished for.....
Actually, I didn't even wish for this, just kinda happened.
I had a great Christmas spending most of the week with my son, and other family and friends. We enjoyed lots of gifts, excellent food, and spent quality time with loved ones. All in all, one of the best Christmas Holidays I have ever had. 
BUT, that isn't exactly what I'm talking about. This is the unexpected "gift" I'm talking about. I got up this past Saturday morning and stumbled to the fresh coffee the wife had made. During my coffee drinking I noticed how bright the sun was shining, and made a comment about how nice it looked outside. My wife then informed me that the weather forecast said it was going to be in the mid 60s. I was thinking damn that its very mild for this time of year, but I ain't one to complain about that.  I knew that I had to take advantage of the nice weather.
I had to take a little time to charge the battery for the bike, I've been neglecting it and it cost me a little over an hour of riding. But after the battery was hot, tires at the correct pressure, me and Lil' Red were off. I rode some backroads that I haven't ridden in awhile, just getting a feel for the bike. Snatched a few nice wheelies, let LR stretch her legs a few times to blow the cobwebs out. I was reflecting back on all the riding I have done this year. The Gap trips, riding around here at home with Mike & Kevin, and my meetings with various Law Enforcement Agents.  I thought to myself how good it felt to have to whole BRP fiasco behind me. I somehow felt less paranoid while riding now that the proverbial monkey was off my back. I made a mental note of how good it felt and rode on.
As the miles kept clicking by I started getting a better feel for the bike and leaned on her a bit. It felt good, and very familiar. I was really soaking it all in, and smiling the whole time. The bike will really stretch your arms out good in cool air, it loves that good air.
After awhile I had to run into town a fuel up so I went by a friend's shop. Big Mike was there washing his car and I ask him if he wanted to ride some. He couldn't because he had several things to do that afternoon. So I left and continued my ride. Back into the country I went, hitting some nice sweepers and letting the speedo sweep far to the right on some long straight sections of road. I was in heaven, all that was missing was looking in my mirror and seeing Otis and Harry right there with me.
With the afternoon quickly coming to an end I decided to head back home before all the deer started jumping the roads. They are absolutely horrible this year. I make it home with no trouble, hell I even blasted past the house once because I just hated to put the bike up. A guy I talked to at the gas station earlier in the day said that it was gonna rain Sunday, and I was thinking it'll probably be months before I'll get to do this again. But all good things come to an end I guess, so I pulled in the drive and rolled up into the garage. Gina came out and asked me if I had a good time. I just went on and on about how awesome it felt to just blow a day riding, especially when it had been awhile since I'd ridden, and never expected the weather to be kind enough to allow such antics in LATE DECEMBER!!! It was a great feeling.
Now fast forward to Sunday. I slept in late, very late. During my breakfast the phone rings and it is Big Mike. He asked if it'd be alright if he came out and worked on his bike awhile. (He keeps it in my garage) I said sure, then we started talking and he asked me if I wanted to ride. I looked out the window and it was overcast and just dreary looking. I said man it looks shitty outside, and asked about the temp, and commented about "Ain't it supposed to rain"? He told me it was 59* and that the rain was not gonna be a factor until nightfall. So that's enought for me to commit to a ride!!!!! GAME ON!!!!
He comes out fiddles with the FZ1 for about half an hour then we go. We rode a good chunk of our usual routes, and ventured on a few roads that we rarely ride. It was great, another unexpected ride!!! TWO IN A ROW EVEN!!!!! We had a great time. I kept a "spirited" pace and for nostalgic purposes layed a few 3rd gear darkies to get Mike into hooligan mode. It worked. During the ride my mind was buzzing with thoughts like, "Damn this is great,.....I needed this BAD,............This ol' 12R is still a damned fine bike" etc. etc. etc.
Mike and I talked for quite sometime after we got back to my house. You cannot put a pricetag on fun like that. It also made me think a lot about the 12R. I'm approaching my 4th year with Lil' Red, and that bike never ceases to put a huge smile on my face every single time I ride it. She's got a little over 14k on the odometer and is clean, in excellent mechanical shape, and fits me like a glove. I may have been too quick to say I was gonna buy a liter bike this year after all. Lil' Red is still very near and dear to me. An even more capable street mount will probably make my license even harder to keep.
Anyways, I know this may be about as boring to some of you as watching paint dry. But no matter how colorful you write it, text on a computer screen will never be able to convey the sensations that I felt this weekend.
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
  
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted December 29, 2003 01:41 PM
mid-winter rides rock. there's a very comforting, relaxing feel to ridin in teh cold for some reason.
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zx1012r
Expert Class
Posts: 125
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posted December 29, 2003 02:36 PM
Up here in the northeast it was almost 50 so I took mine for a 4 hour ride on Sunday. The roads are a little crappy so you can't really lean it in the corners and the tire doesn't hook up real well so it just burns rubber instaed of wheelie, but just getting to ride at Christmas is AWESOME!
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Outlaw1
Zone Head
Posts: 803
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posted December 29, 2003 03:08 PM
I'm with ya bro, I myself went out yesterday intending on just running ole gas out but, The temps were low 60's and I had full leathers on and game on. I ran out the ole gas and had removed insurance and regurstration papers/tool kit from storage area due to a bottle of stabil under seat when filled again. So I knew we were not stopping for blue flashing lights today as I let her stretch her legs.
I rode and felt the sensation and with cool temps the front wheel reaching skyward with no effort, just a twist, I looked at the miles on my 02 12 PMB and it is in the 11900, range. She is so sweet with manners to take anywhere.
The rear was spinning many a times exiting my favorite turns with front wheel looking skyward once traction was gained and she asked for more.
Now she is resting in her bed awaiting the next roustabout when weather and road conditions permit here in Southeastern Ohio. Which could be a very long time away my friend.
If I do aquire a smaller liter bike it will be in addition to the 12.
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted December 29, 2003 05:33 PM
Hmmm...
You're right freek!!!
Glad you other fellas got some ridin' in.
Norm,
I know you wouldn't have ran from the boys in blue now would ya???
If weather.com is right I may get to sneak in another ride Wednesday. The forecast is sunny and 54*, not too bad with full leathers on. We'll see how it shakes out. All I know is it did my heart good to go out and ride this past weekend, especially when I'd never considered it a possibility.
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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harryzx-12
Needs a job
Posts: 3643
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posted December 30, 2003 06:22 AM
I had a really good christmas too,best one in a long time.I go back to fla in 1 week from today.
I haven't ridden in a little over a week now and although I am having a good time here in wales I would really like to have been riding yesterday instead of riding in a car but I'm glad I got to see what the area is like around here.It's like deals gap for ever with some straights and sweepers thrown in.The roads here in wales are in very good condition for the most part. I'll be shipping one of my 12's over here to ride next summer.I only saw one cop in about 150 or so miles and he was at an accident scene.I have a lot of pics i've taken but kates internet connection sux (28.8kbps vs mine in fla 1.4mbps) so i'll wait till I get back to my dsl connection.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted December 30, 2003 06:50 AM
MY NIGGA !!!!!!!!!!!
What's up Harry??? I've been wondering how you were doing. I wish you coulda been with me this weekend. Had some good rides, and on Sunday you could have watched me and Lil' Red go by that FZ1 "Deal-A-Meal" Yamaha so fast it blew the decals off that raggedy MF.
Glad you're having a good time. I'll try and not smoke-check your answering machine too many times while you're gone. I've already tipped the feds off that there was some terrorist activities going on at your place. They are waiting on you to get back so they can beat the fuck outta of you.
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted January 01, 2004 09:58 AM
Man I can feel ya Rick....my little brother came down a few days ago to visit, my dad had dropped his GSXR 1K a few days before that on his way to the keys. We took of for a ride and ended up in Daytona with my parents and other brother. It was a great little ride, tooks ome back roads then when we got into Florida we took aoff on the highway and clipped off a quick 100 miles from Jax dwon to the Beach. We picked up my other brother and went and cruised Daytona all night , and headed back to the hotel. I got up the next day and loaded up the saddle bags on ZIXER and headed north. I rode up A1A out of the Beach and just cruised alng the ocean. once I got up near Jax, I jumped the highway and cruised on past Jax up into GA and jumped back on the backroads and hauled ass. Was roolling up one of my favorite roads and realized there were NO cars on the road....GAME ON.....run ZIXER up to about 170 to clean her out a bit and then just set the cruise about 90 and rolled. By the time I got home I couldnt stop grinning. I am looking outside right now, the computer says its 61 degrees outside, adn its sunny, looks like ZIXER is gonna get soe more miles today.....ya'll have a good one, I am going riding....later.....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted January 01, 2004 10:17 AM
I hear ya Jim.....
Sounds like a lot of fun Jim.
I just checked weather.com and it is 61* here as well!!! It's overcast with a chance of some scattered showers, but the radar is saying GAME ON!!!! Mike and I rode again yesterday. As usual we had an awesome time. I don't think he is going to be able to ride today, which sucks. But I am going to take advantage once again. I am very thankful that in less than a weeks time I've had the chance to take 4 rides, especially when you factor in what time of year it is!!!! LOVIN' IT!!!!!
Be careful out on your ride Jim, and that goes for any of you other fellas that may suit up today. Just ENJOY, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted January 01, 2004 02:03 PM
Back @ the crib.....
Had another nice ride, except for a minor slide in the "kitty litter".  But stuff happens, and in a split second it was over.
I still really enjoyed myself. As always the bike seemed to run super strong in the cooler air. Another benefit of riding this time of year,.....NO BUGS!!!! I didn't even have to wipe my bike down after the ride, and only had a few specs on my face shield.
I pretty much took it easy today with the exception of a few wheelies, and a couple blast into the 170-180ish range. Nothing like topping a hill to see 2+ mile straights with no traffic, rolling around 80mph in 6th, then rolling the throttle to the stop. Just tuck and watch the scenery become a blur. Love it.........
All in all I'd say it was a damned fine way to start out '04.
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted January 01, 2004 05:54 PM
amne brother, a freakin men.......
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
Posts: 7688
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posted January 01, 2004 09:45 PM
It's snowing - I'm going to Mexico...
Later dudes!
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted January 02, 2004 04:57 AM
lol@ PK...why not just move south where you can ride all the time PK....lol
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted January 02, 2004 05:48 AM
Work sux............
Hey Jim, did you get to ride yesterday???
It's freakin' 61* here already, before 8am !!!! Supposed to reach the 70s today and be partly cloudy!!! But unfortunately I am stuck at work. My afternoon will be too busy for me to take a ride. I knew I shoulda scheduled today off..............FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! I may have to leave a little early. 
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Outlaw1
Zone Head
Posts: 803
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posted January 02, 2004 12:59 PM
Foggy Wet but warm as hell today here Mid 60's, Maybe tomorrow the beast comes outta the garage with dry pavement.
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Outlaw1
Zone Head
Posts: 803
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posted January 02, 2004 01:04 PM
Me run from the blue lights
I dunno, I have 20,000 miles logged on an 01 and an 02, ZX12 But for some reason have never seen blue lights behind me. I guess the trick is for them to get behind me and close enough to turn em on, LOL
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted January 02, 2004 01:29 PM
Hey Outlaw, did ya ever stop to think it might be because you dont have mirrors on your bike....lmfao
yeah Rick I got a small ride in yesterday. i went shopping for a helmet today, I think I am gonna pick up one of the new Arai RX7 Corsairs..I really like that helmet, but man are they pricey. Was also looking at stands, i think that a set of Power stands are in my future. I like the pitbulls, but they are pricey as well.
My dad and brothers are coming down tonight, I may get a ride in with t them tomorrow before they go. I have to ride the ZX6RR down to the shop so I can get my D208 GPA's put on it for the track on sunday. I got the supersoft compounds front and rear because its suppose to be cold here Sunday...we shall see...
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted January 03, 2004 08:21 AM
Good deal Jim.
All this riding has sure made me think about our September Gap Event. We sure had a freakin' BLAST!!!!
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted January 03, 2004 03:19 PM
oh hell yeah, andits makeing me think about the next one......well I just got the weather report for tomorrow, its supose to be overcast but dry, and 75 degrees here....the new 208's aught to stick like freakin glue in that kind of wether.
Dad and the others got here late so we didnt get to ride , adn tomorrow I will be at the track all day. Monday they are shutting off the Net and phone, along with cable. Kelly adn I will be packing monday and tuesday, the cleaners will be here wednesday, have the house checked and final out processing on post Thursday, and Friday we will be KY bound.....cant wait...hope the weather up there is as nice as here....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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Outlaw1
Zone Head
Posts: 803
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posted January 03, 2004 05:27 PM
Jim This means we gonna ride this summer, You all moving to KY.
I went out today for a two hour ride, I will be glad when the Pilot Race tire is toast. I'm trying help it out by doing Burnouts, Tire won't come up to temp. You get it leaned over and the ass end kicks out giving it any throotle,
Mirrors Hell I never figured there was anything behind me I wanted to look at, LOL
Looking forward to next Deals Gap trip
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted January 03, 2004 06:35 PM
Mirrors are so overrated.....is it May yet?
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted January 05, 2004 04:33 AM
Sounds like you had a blast Rick. Wish I wold have had the chance to ride. While it was pretty warm here for a few days I was busy as hell finishing up the bathroom project. Now we got snow snow snow and 15 degrees temp.
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It's a free country brother
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted January 05, 2004 10:30 AM
Roger that....
I hear you Chris, our weather has took the proverbial shit within the last 24hrs. It was in the upper 60s Saturday and Sunday, but the temps took a dive late last night, and the ol' North wind kicked up. I HATE WINTER!!!!
I saw your post about the bathroom project. It looks nice, and I know it took a lot of work.
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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