Blogs

Mt. Hood Loop

Posted June 26, 2010 - 10:14pm by pnelson

Took the Bandit for a nice ride today. It was a 220 mile loop around Mt. Hood. Heading over to Maupin on Oregon 216, you get out of the trees into the dry east side with nice rolling hills. There was very little traffic and the weather was a nice 75 degrees with sunshine everywhere. (48 mpg - and that's with lots of wind coming back through the Dalles.)

Mt. Hood

 


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Kahneeta run - almost...

Posted May 16, 2010 - 5:36pm by pnelson

Well, we had a GREAT ride but when we went up over Forest Rd. 42 (Skyline Rd.) it was snowed in. We tried a few other ways of getting over to US 26 but they were snowed in too. So we ran back up to Estacada, had some burgers and called it a day. The Clackamas Highway along the river is a nice ride. We were early enough in the morning that there was very little traffice.

The Bandit did great. What a nice bike! Lots of power just waiting when you need it but very easy to ride, it has so much torque that you don't have to shift much at all.

 

Scott, I am trying one more time.

Posted May 2, 2010 - 8:36am by kochenderferj

Scott,

I am going to try one more time to get this posted.  We should got to Silver Lake when it is 70 degrees.

 

Jim

Dangerous Bell shields?

Posted May 1, 2010 - 2:50pm by pnelson

Bell anti-fog shield film comes offThe anti-fog film on two shields I bought for my Bell Apex helmet is coming off, just after a few rides. The film on the inside starts going crazy, and it happens while you're riding. These shields were brand new and only used a few times.

Once the film starts coming off, it wrinkles inside and is hard to see through. The only way to continue using the shield is to rub all the anti-fog film off and then, of course, the shield fogs so easily, it's not safe to use that way either.

I'm off to Cycle Gear to get either another brand of shield that will fit my Bell Apex helment or perhaps try out one of the HyperOptik shield inserts.

I contacted Bell to let them know about this problem as a safety hazard but have had no reply from them.

WARNING - Bell shields may not be safe!

Let's get a ride together

Posted April 30, 2010 - 4:45pm by scottpreston

Anybody out there ready for a southern and or eastern Oregon ride? I'm thinking a Sat afternoon (kids' soccer games in the am) or Sun afternoon ride through southern OR.

Real or fake? Who knows but cool either way!

Posted March 15, 2010 - 11:13pm by pnelson

Oil change - Mobil 1 - Racing 4T 10W-40

Posted March 13, 2010 - 8:24pm by pnelson

Mobil1_Racing_4T_10W-40Changed the oil today after a nice morning ride. I used Mobil 1 Racing 4t 10W-40 which is designed for sport biles like the Bandit. With a new K&N filter I'm ready for spring.

My Bandit now has 9,259 miles on it and it's running great! Everytime I ride it, I'm still impressed at what a good all-around motorcycle this is.

New tires - Dunlop Roadsmart

Posted March 13, 2010 - 8:07pm by pnelson

Dunloop Roadsmart front tire wearCycleGear.com was having a sale on tires (Dunlop Roadsmarts $220 for front and rear...) and my front tire was starting to look strange. It wasn't just worn and getting close to the wear bar, there was a flat ridge right in the middle of the tire. See photo...

The Bandit has 9,200 miles on it with a fairly new rear tire so changing to a different tire would mean riding with an unmatched set. The sale at CycleGear offered up a Roadsmart front and rear combo. I decided to buy the set knowing that the new front tire would last longer than the current rear so I could put on the new rear tire later.

I like the way these tires perform, despite my front tire ridge. The rear tire has a longer wear compound in the center with a sticky compund on the edges. At first I thought this might be why the front tire was wearing strangly but it is a single compound. The bottom line is I have plenty of rubber on the bike for this summer for just $220 with an extra new rear tire in the garage.

Dunlop Roadsmart review at Motorcycle-usa.com.

Dunlop Roadsmart reveiw at Motorcycle.com.

Dunlop Roadsmart reviews at Motorcycle-Superstor.com.

 

Crown Point, Bridge of Gods PDX loop...

Posted March 6, 2010 - 5:43pm by pnelson

Today, Rich, Larry and I went for a ride. I was all set for Bald Peak but Rich said there was not much to see there. So, we, and about 10,000 other bikers, went up to Crown Point. We took exit 18 off of I84 and went up via the old scenic highway. After that we went down towards the east, crossed the Bridge of the Gods and came back to PDX via WA 114. From my house this morning where we met, it was a 125 mile ride and I got home in time to mow the gass.

My Bandit 1250 used 2.5 gallons at an even 50mpg which is pretty good. I figure with its 5 gallon tank, that gives me a good 200 miles range with some reserve.

Saturday ride 3/6 ???

Posted March 4, 2010 - 8:12pm by pnelson

It's going to be too nice to leave the bikes home. How about a ride on Saturday? I'm itching to go somewhere. I'll be on an airplane all day on Friday and I've been inside for the last several days, It's time for some fresh air.

It's going to snow Friday night over the pass to Kahneeta so it's too early for that ride. How about some place south of Portland? I was in my car the other day going over bald peak, with great views of Mt. Hood, does anyone know of a good route up that way? Any good places where we can setup for some photo ride-bys?

;-) Paul