Quality time

[petec_imp]

Only about 110 total miles, but a nice afternoon with the better half and a super-nice ride on the CB. Weather today was just perfect, too.

First we headed over to the Beemer/KTM dealer in Asheville to kick tires as Lois has been thinking about trading hers for a GS for awhile. While she looked, I poked around sitting on this and that and decided if I win the lottery maybe a K1600 or R1200RT...pricey buggers though, but I really didn't see anything else that I thought I could live with long-term. The GS didn't really ring any bells for Lois either.

We then stopped in at the 'big 4' dealer down the street as I wanted to see the new Honda 500's. I liked all 3, but the fully faired CBR500R is the one I'd go home with...what a nice package and price point; wish I had something like that when I was just starting out.

After that we hit the 5 Brothers hamburger outlet for our weekly cholesterol binge then headed home via the Parkway with a quick detour down to the bottom and back to the top of NC151 (off the parkway, 10 miles of smooth, tight twisties with almost nil traffic) so the CB could get a proper workout all the while making me look like a better rider than I actually am...

Anyhow, like I said, 'quality time', and I was on the perfect bike to enjoy it!!

My cheapskate wife hates that hers takes premium and the thrifty CB runs regular:

Obligatory BRP photo:



Cool and cloudy, looking west:




Sad. Small memorial to road accident victim:



Lois picking wild blueberries; plentiful along the parkway and you're allowed 1 gallon a day. She's picked about 5 gallons this summer:



Another view of the bikes parked up:



Pete C

[the Ferret]

Nice nice nice. What a great place to ride. Beautiful pictures. I love blueberry pie!

[wildezt_imp]

Nice!!! Thanks for sharing Petec !

[enzo_imp]

Petec, what is the range of petrol.

Here is 91 contains ethanol, 95 is premium, then we have 98 ultra/vortex depending weather it's BP or Caltex / Shell.

[petec_imp]

Petec, what is the range of petrol.

Here is 91 contains ethanol, 95 is premium, then we have 98 ultra/vortex depending weather it's BP or Caltex / Shell.

enzo,
I think - but I'm not entirely sure - that it does vary a little from state to state here in the US, but where I live in North Carolina the octane ratings are 87 for regular, 89 is midgrade, and then premium is 91-93. I think also - depending on the brand you buy - that they all can contain up to 10% (?) ethanol. Not sure about that, though.

I should know this stuff as I hauled gas and other fuels for a few years back about 15 yrs ago but just don't pay much attention to it anymore. I usually just stick to the recommended grade for whatever vehicle I'm driving but do tend to favor certain brands over others ie, I like Shell or BP, but I know from experience that what actually is in their underground tanks might have come from any variety of wholesalers and is probably a mix of different 'brands'.

Fwiw, another great thing about our CB is that it doesn't seem fussy at all about whatever brand of regular gas that goes in it...

Pete C

[Jim21680_imp]

There are times when I miss the 800ST, but I sadly got the wrong damn year. Too many problems, which are apparently all worked out now. The under-seat fuel tank, belt drive, and open swingarm were all great aspects of that bike. I think I remember getting 65mpg as well, so premium fuel wasn't much if a big deal.

[petec_imp]

There are times when I miss the 800ST, but I sadly got the wrong damn year. Too many problems, which are apparently all worked out now. The under-seat fuel tank, belt drive, and open swingarm were all great aspects of that bike. I think I remember getting 65mpg as well, so premium fuel wasn't much if a big deal.

She loves hers. Its fits her so well with the factory lowered suspension and also the optional extra-low seat, that she can almost flat-foot it at stops and just finds the overall ergos just about perfect for someone of her height and limb length. Bought it new 2 yrs ago and now has a bit over 20K on it with zero problems and, yeah, it does get over 60 mpg, all the time.

Last summer she took it on a solo, 3000 mile tour from here to the top of Maine (Madawaska I think?) and back down, which is something she has wanted to do since she started riding on her own 4 yrs ago. No problems on her trip and actually was surprised at the number of people who approached her at rest stops, restaurants, etc., to inquire about traveling by herself on a motorcycle...

Leaving out:



Have to say, too, that she finds the CB easy enough to ride as it's so well balanced, but is cautious about the extra weight and making sure of her footing when she stops.

Pete C