I love the Pacific Northwest. It’s green! And summers aren’t too hot, as they can be in So. Cal. But it’s not so great for motorcycling. I used to ride all the time down in Los Hideous. When I got my new YZF-R1 I put over 3,000 miles on it in three months, and I put some miles on my old XJ600 during that time as well. In the two months I’ve been up here in Northern Washington, I’ve only been out on three short rides.
It’s raining today, and when it’s not raining I’ve been going out on the kayak. It’s a little brisk, too. Temperatures have been around 42°F (5°C), and we’re expecting below-freezing temperatures soon. Maybe some more snow as well. I might have to get a fleece jacket from REI to wear under my Gore-Tex shell.
But in a few months I foresee riding the 35 miles to Vancouver BC, or taking the ferry over to Vancouver Island, or heading up to Mount Baker, or just exploring the backroads. I’d really like to head down to Westport (about 450 or 500 miles round trip) to pick up some excellent smoked salmon from Brady’s Oysters. Maybe there will be a DopeFest in Vancouver when the weather is warmer and dryer?
Ooh, I feel the Need for Speed!
You kinda picked a bad year to move up there, didn’t you? Seems like its been shitty for months!
It was real nice here yesterday, and I decided to go start up all the bikes and knock some spiderwebs off em. Got all the ones I wanted to mess with going, with a little extra juice as needed, except the damn Honda GB. First time for everything!
You see, I was a bad boy and didn’t winterize anything this year. Probably has a tank full of varnish. I usually am able to keep them all going over the winter, but since the boy came along and we are teaching him to ski, I have neglected the bikes. I know, I hang my head in shame.
Get yerself a battery tender. It’ll pay for itself the first winter. Ask me how I know this. Better yet, don’t.
See ya.
Ahhh… to ride again!
The Divvy’s outside in front of my house, under the cover - and it has been for a few months, actually. Temperatures around freezing, rain, wet snow… not riding weather.
But every once in a while, the sun pops through. Soon it shall be spring! Ish! 
I’ll have to do some maintenance first: tire pressure, oil check, chain spray, check all the fluids and cables. But boy, I’m ready to ride.
Bought a new helmet last fall, the immaculate Shuberth Concept One. And I’ve only used it once so far. Fantastic helmet, well worth the €300 it cost by ordering it from Germany (€400 here!).
I’ve even got a shitload of camping gear. This summer will see some serious riding, as far as I’m concerned. And soon, I’ll have a cutie on the buddy seat as well.
Edited to subscribe to thread.
I commuted to work across the blustery I-90 on my KZ1000P today. Drizzle ? Not at all ! A little Gore-Tex, and a lot of careful watching for sand on the road and you’re good to go.
The snow and ice that snarled the city at the beginning of the month put my bike under cover for a couple of weeks. Ice was forming up on the I-405 yesterday morning so maybe I’ll stick to daylight hours for a while.
The worst part about motorcycling in rain is that it gets the bike filthy!
