Thunderbirds Are Go

[Stichill]

Thank, guys! This riding life of ours is so interesting, isn't it? Lots of intangible emotions mixed up with rational analysis in the decision-making.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Thank, guys! This riding life of ours is so interesting, isn't it? Lots of intangible emotions mixed up with rational analysis in the decision-making.

I suppose it is one of the few modern, arguably accessible "sanctuaries", that when respected, minimizes harm to others.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

I've long complained about the poor cross-wind stability of my F800GT, and of course the CBR250R that I briefly owned was a featherweight and didn't care for crosswinds either, so I would imagine the heavier and longer Triumph is a revelation by comparison. It sure is a pretty bike.

 

[Stichill]

Insightful comment about crosswinds, LR. I don't think we typically get the sustained linear crosswinds out here that you probably experience out there in Colorado. Our winds tend to be gusty and multi-directional but can still be bothersome. The little CBR250R does tend to get blown around a bit but it's almost more of an effect on the rider's body than the bike itself. Riding out west I was gob-smacked by the power and tenacity of straight-line winds on plains and coming through passes. I could imagine they'd be challenging on the F800GT. On the Thunderbird they barely registered as a concern.

Thanks for the comment on the bike's looks, LR. I think you and I have similar tastes in bikes so it's nice to hear your reaction.

I'm looking forward to trying out some longer-haul riding on this bike. I feel like this is a bike I could happily go across the country on, even enjoying the ride across the level plains of Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, etc.

 

[the Ferret]

enjoy riding across Kansas and Nebraska :rofl:

 

[Stichill]

enjoy riding across Kansas and Nebraska :rofl:

Not the interstates. The rural highways. Traffic-free open highways appeal to me and I like the sense of isolation. I just dropped Google Street View in a few rural locations and found these scenes. I would be happy to ride along any of these roads.

Kansas

Nebraska

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Agreed on rural highways. The presented examples are seriously infinite.

 

[Stichill]

Agreed on rural highways. The presented examples are seriously infinite.

Infinite! Perfect term and concept.

Lets hope your initial impression were right and the bird suits you for a long time.

I feel really good about this bike, ferret. When I threw a leg over this bike for a test ride and thumbed the starter button, my entire being said "Oh, yeah. This is definitely it." That feeling intensified once I got underway and it kept building during the test ride. When I pulled back into the dealer's lot, it was already a foregone conclusion the bike would be coming home with me.

 

[Stichill]

Welcome to Arizona! Not a bad time of year to visit. We're getting some heat but not the serious stuff.

I've talked to folks that own a T-bird and they love it. I could never warm to the curve of the pipes and the way they treated the over head cam caps. Naturally; my long legs had a hard time finding a good home on it. But I was still sorely tempted a couple years ago. Maybe some day you'll bring it to AZ and we can swap bikes for a bit.

It's been amazing in southern Arizona this week! Here's just a tiny sampling of what we've seen in the beautiful Sonoran Desert.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

AZ country is amazing. Glad you are able to get out and enjoy it.

 

[Houtman_imp]

When our son lived in Scottsdale AZ we visited the state many times and loved the dessert in the right time of the year. We were looking to buy a place in Fountain Hills but then our son moved ! Moral of this : Do not follow your kids .

 

[Stichill]

AZ country is amazing. Glad you are able to get out and enjoy it.

When our son lived in Scottsdale AZ we visited the state many times and loved the dessert in the right time of the year. We were looking to buy a place in Fountain Hills but then our son moved ! Moral of this : Do not follow your kids .

It's a great tonic for the winter-weary! Lots of bikes out and about as the conditions are ideal. These roads were very popular with riders:

 

[the Ferret]

Great fauna pics Stichill

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Stichill: While in the Tucson area - and if this is a thing that interests you - be sure to check out the Titan Missile Museum.

Home | Titan Missile Museum

See how a third world war was averted so that we could ride today.

 

[pdedse]

Welcome to Arizona! Not a bad time of year to visit. We're getting some heat but not the serious stuff.

I've talked to folks that own a T-bird and they love it. I could never warm to the curve of the pipes and the way they treated the over head cam caps. Naturally; my long legs had a hard time finding a good home on it. But I was still sorely tempted a couple years ago. Maybe some day you'll bring it to AZ and we can swap bikes for a bit.

It's been amazing in southern Arizona this week! Here's just a tiny sampling of what we've seen in the beautiful Sonoran Desert.

Before moving to OR in 1999, we lived in Scottsdale and Chandler, AZ for 9 years. Had it in mind to return, thought it would have happened by now. Maybe retirement? I miss the Sonoran desert.

 

[Stichill]

Stichill: While in the Tucson area - and if this is a thing that interests you - be sure to check out the Titan Missile Museum.

Home | Titan Missile Museum

See how a third world war was averted so that we could ride today.

Great suggestion and definitely of interest! We had that on the list of alternate stops if we wore ourselves out hiking in the desert. Unfortunately ran out of time...we're leaving today!

Welcome to Arizona! Not a bad time of year to visit. We're getting some heat but not the serious stuff.

I've talked to folks that own a T-bird and they love it. I could never warm to the curve of the pipes and the way they treated the over head cam caps. Naturally; my long legs had a hard time finding a good home on it. But I was still sorely tempted a couple years ago. Maybe some day you'll bring it to AZ and we can swap bikes for a bit.

It's been amazing in southern Arizona this week! Here's just a tiny sampling of what we've seen in the beautiful Sonoran Desert.

Before moving to OR in 1999, we lived in Scottsdale and Chandler, AZ for 9 years. Had it in mind to return, thought it would have happened by now. Maybe retirement? I miss the Sonoran desert.

The desert has a way of pulling you back to it.

Great fauna pics Stichill

Thanks, ferret! So many cool scenes to capture. Often I had to just put the camera down and enjoy the moment without technology.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Stichill: While in the Tucson area - and if this is a thing that interests you - be sure to check out the Titan Missile Museum.

Home | Titan Missile Museum

See how a third world war was averted so that we could ride today.

Great suggestion and definitely of interest! We had that on the list of alternate stops if we wore ourselves out hiking in the desert. Unfortunately ran out of time...we're leaving today!

Welcome to Arizona! Not a bad time of year to visit. We're getting some heat but not the serious stuff.

I've talked to folks that own a T-bird and they love it. I could never warm to the curve of the pipes and the way they treated the over head cam caps. Naturally; my long legs had a hard time finding a good home on it. But I was still sorely tempted a couple years ago. Maybe some day you'll bring it to AZ and we can swap bikes for a bit.

It's been amazing in southern Arizona this week! Here's just a tiny sampling of what we've seen in the beautiful Sonoran Desert.

Before moving to OR in 1999, we lived in Scottsdale and Chandler, AZ for 9 years. Had it in mind to return, thought it would have happened by now. Maybe retirement? I miss the Sonoran desert.

The desert has a way of pulling you back to it.

Great fauna pics Stichill

Thanks, ferret! So many cool scenes to capture. Often I had to just put the camera down and enjoy the moment without technology.

The desert has a way of pulling you back to it.
There are energy vortexes in Sedona.

Please don't ask me how I know that.

 

[Cormanus]

Drum roll for dramatic effect.

How do you know that, GO?

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Drum roll for dramatic effect.

How do you know that, GO?

Man, I was really hoping no one would ask - but I forgot about you.

- - -

I have seen first hand the effects of the energy vortexes in Sedona on those sensitive to them. It is interesting and disturbing.

One can read more here.

 

[Stichill]

Speaking of Kansas, on the plane home from Arizona I read Frederick Tressler's article in the March 2019 edition of Rider magazine about exploring the Flint Hills region.