motociclista

Holmes County traffic jam.

Can you spot the unexpected road hazard in this photo that led to the brake lights lighting up and the gawking by riders and passengers? Elsie slipped out of the stables before milking time and was jogging down the highway, leading to a scrambling of teenage boys trying to restore bovine order.

Route 206 was particularly nice.

The 2012 Fall Leaf Tour drew a small but hardy group. Could have had something to do with temperatures in the 40s. Nothing like last year's mass turnout of fair weather riders. This is the only group ride I've ever participated in where 40% of the motorcycles were Aprilias. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic at Circuit Magny Cours in France, Aprilia and Max Biaggi were wrapping up a world title in World Superbike. Mere coincidence? International conspiracy? Cosmic synchronicity? You decide.

Caught a quick glimpse of this on the TV news. Didn't get a real good look at the bike but it was definitely a silver BMW oilhead boxer, and I think it was a R1150GS, but not sure on the model since I just saw it quickly. So the question arises: Are there any armed BMW owners on this forum who haven't been heard from lately?

I won't repeat what's already been said, which is all good, but one more potential activity for the non-riding wives, if they're into that sort of thing, would be to drive east to the Holmes County Amish country. Lots of stores to browse in if you like handmade furniture, quilts and such, as well as tacky places selling cheap souvenirs. Lots of places to eat. At very least you can buy some really good locally made cheese. It is now the largest concentration of Amish in the U.S., I recently read. The good part is that getting there, shopping, lunching, shopping, sightseeing and getting back would take about the same amount of time you'll be having more fun on the track. It's true there's little to do in the vicinity of Mid-Ohio. I know because I lived 29 miles from the track for three years, and that's one of the reasons I moved back to the city.

Hold up the floor? Can't say I've been there yet.

That's a definite possibility. Hope the weather is as nice as last year's leaf ride.

None that I know of. If the original question was what good-handling lightweight bike should I buy for under $4k used, I would also have suggested an SV650 or an EX500. I'd personally buy either one over a GS500, no question. But the orignial question was whether a Ninja 250 or a GS500 would make a better platform for the project he has in mind. He said he wasn't interested in an SV, for purely personal reasons, so I didn't suggest one. He also said he liked the idea of the simple air-cooled engine on the GS and that power wasn't that important to him, so I didn't mention the EX. When someone asks, "Which is better, X or Y," I don't see the point in the inevitable six pages of posts by people saying "Z is much better," especially since 90% of those posters own a Z. But freedom of speech is alive and well here at OR, so you guys can go on another ten pages trying to change his mind if you like.

I'm way late to the discussion, but I'll make up for that by not trying to talk you into buying an SV, a Blast, a supermoto or a Ducati that's twice your budget. I owned a GS500 back in the dark ages (even briefly owned both a Sportster and the GS500, so I know where you're coming from) and I have ridden the new-generation Ninja 250. Given your criteria, I think you are on the right track with the GS. It handles well and has good brakes, so you can focus your upgrades on increasing power and maybe improving the suspension a little to make it handle even better. It's easy to work on and improve, especially in carburetion. And although it's a simple and mostly reliable engine, don't ignore a loud cam chain. Don't ask me how I learned that lesson.

Hey, I remember those roads. Sounds like a good ride.

+1. Always start with the simplest stuff first. This exact same thing happened to me a few years ago when I put some old gas from a dirty can in my street bike to get home without running out. Bike ran fine up to 6,000 rpm, wouldn't go above it because the dirt in the fuel filter wouldn't let enough gas flow. You changed the gas, but there could still be some gunk in the line, the pump or fuel filter (if there is one, I don't know on that bike). When you make your list, start simple and work up. Nothing makes you feel stupider than tearing into an engine to look for a problem when you could have just tightened the battery cable. Not that I would ever do anything stupid like that.

Damn, I'm such a lousy salesman I can't GIVE AWAY this jacket. Just in case there was any confusion caused by the whimsical post above, the jacket is still available.

Wow, lots of VFR lovers here. I guess it meets your criteria, though VFRs generally aren't cheap. Sounds like you've ruled out most BMWs. Again, not cheap. I would disagree with those suggesting FJR1300s, ST1300s, Concours 14, etc. Too heavy. As noted, yes it's true, the Connie carries its weight well. It's a bike I love. But still, facts are facts, and it's nearly 300 pounds heavier than the Ducati it is to replace. No hiding that big a difference. XX certainly doesn't provide the upright riding position you mentioned. Plus, I'll rule out naked bikes, since to me sport-touring requires at least a little wind protection. So now that I've shot down all those, what do I have to say that's positive? Triumph Sprint ST. Yamaha FZ1. Ninja 1000. Suzuki Bandit is a possibility, though also not real light. Aprilia Futura if you happen to find one and want something a little different and aren't soured on all Italian bikes. All of those offer some wind protection, either have or can be fitted with hard luggage, and are available used at good prices. Or just give in to peer pressure and buy a VFR.

Fine, just send $100 to my Paypal account to cover shipping and I'll send you the air guitar I have leaning here in the corner.

Following your example.

In the spirit of the Pay It Forward thread, I have a couple of items to give away. The jacket: This is a Shift mesh jacket, size large. It's been used a lot and is a little frayed around the edges, but still perfectly functional. It has all the armor in good condition but it has no liner or any other frills. Just a basic mesh jacket. If you are sweating your ass off riding around on these 90-degree days in leather and feel you can't afford another jacket, or worse yet if you're riding around in a T-shirt because you can't afford a mesh jacket, then you're the person I have in mind. Basically, this jacket is too good to throw out but not good enough to ask money for. Just like with the other Pay It Forward threads, this is not meant for gear hounds or hoarders. If you already have a mesh jacket, yours is probably at least as good as this one so please leave this one for someone else. I am located in Bexley in the Columbus area and hope someone local can pick it up so I don't have to ship it. The book has been taken.

I am definitely a "mere mortal" and among the 99%, and I love my Daytona 675. I sometimes feel sorry for the bike because I am not worthy.

Your photos are excellent, but I wouldn't say the "on track action was good." I enjoy just about any day at the races, but relatively speaking the weekend (on the track) was a real let down. Nicky Hayden trying hard as usual and out with a concussion. Stoner hurt and unable to compete for a win. Rossi clearly not wanting to be the other guy who hurts himself trying to ride the Ducati at a pace it can't sustain, cruising around as last factory bike. Spies looked very promising until his engine exploded and his Yamaha looked more like a mosquito-fogger truck than a MotoGP bike. That left only Lorenzo with a chance to challenge Pedrosa, and his tire choice ended that. Hard to say it's a great race when as of lap three only two people have a shot at winning and by the end the margin between first and second is ten seconds. If you're rooting for the home team, that's a finish of 13th, 15th, 16th, DNF and DNF for the American riders. Probably the single most feel-good moment of the weekend was Steve Rapp getting 1 GP point. He'll always be in the record books. Moto2 was just as big a run-away by Marquez. Even the XR1200 race was a runaway by XR1200 standards. Now the Moto3 race was a good one, I'll give you that. I always enjoy a day at the races, but with that many people hurt and very few battles for position, it's hard to say the action was great.

I can tell you from personal experience that Knox County Hospice is a great organization. I won't be able to be there this year, but thanks to any of you who can support it. You are helping some people who do great things.

Another vote for the Speed Triple or Street Triple. Don't overlook the smaller Street Triple. That 675 engine is sweet. You could definitely do track days on either. They won't be as good on the track as your R6, of course, but they will work better in the rest of the world. I did a track day on my Speed Triple years ago when it was newish. I love taking my Daytona 675 to the track, but I could not live with it as my only streetbike, given the traveling I like to do.

Dang, wish I'd gone Tuesday instead of Monday. I almost always go on a Tuesday when there are back-to-back days. This time I didn't. I'm going back to my old policy.

Yeah, the image is from a PSA (public service announcement) produced by the AMA several years ago and it was filmed in Columbus.

drc's suggestions are all good. I am not a big fan of 93 south of 56. Too much traffic, not a lot of interesting curves or scenery even. If you don't want to go as far south as the roads above, an alternative is 278 south from 56 (as of two weeks ago, 356 was closed), then 50 east to get to 143, to 7, north on 7 briefly to 248 over to the river, then back towards Athens on 144 or 681. 50 and 7 are boring but it's only a few miles on those roads.

Sorry you need to sell. Just my $0.02: If anyone's thinking about the Triple, 40k is no big deal. I'm living proof that even in the hands of a neglectful owner and a lousy mechanic like me, these bikes will go lots further than that. That's a solid, understressed engine. GLWS.