Looks like I'll take the dragon in April.

kilika2 · Post by **kilika2** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 1:35 pm

So I was told I have to use my vacation before May 1st. So I think the week of April 8-14 I will leave MO and head towards the dragon with my uncle. If anyone wants to go or is on my way through it would be cool to get a group shot.

Chris.

Post by **ragedigital** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:54 pm

Have a good time, Chris!

kilika2 · Post by **kilika2** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:56 pm

I'm sure I will. I will be conservative on the dragon. Don't wanna ruin my hard work.

By the way did you get any of that hail today Darrin?

Chris.

Post by **ragedigital** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:08 pm

kilika2 wrote:By the way did you get any of that hail today Darrin?

Not that I'm aware of. We usually don't get hit with it (knock on wood).

_Will_ · Post by **_Will_** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 1:30 am

if it's during the week I might be able to join, as long as I haven't procrastinated and am inundated with homework. PM me when you know for sure and I'll see if I can make it, been wanting to make a trip up there and seeing another member would be cool.

kilika2 · Post by **kilika2** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 2:01 am

_Will_ wrote:if it's during the week I might be able to join, as long as I haven't procrastinated and am inundated with homework. PM me when you know for sure and I'll see if I can make it, been wanting to make a trip up there and seeing another member would be cool.

Yeah I will definitely let you know. It should be during the week and I would guess probably Tuesday. Figuring Sunday we won't leave because it's Easter Sunday. And then factor in a days worth of riding to get there and that burns up Monday. But I will pm you for sure.

Chris.

_Will_ · Post by **_Will_** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:44 am

how many days will you all be there? I can be up there by around 3:30ish on Tuesday or earlier on Wednesday. Still gives plenty of time to do laps either way, you'll be surprised how tiring they are mentally more than physically. I'll come up either day, I could use the ride to unwind

kilika2 · Post by **kilika2** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:29 am

Still working out the details as to who all is going. So that will tell me if we are going to ride the bikes out or trailer them. But right now it looks like we will leave Monday and get to the area in the afternoon same day. And I assume ride the dragon and surrounding areas until Thursday. Head back and stop to ride wherever we like. Be back home Saturday. There is a wide variety of bikes coming so I'm not sure of the skill level of everyone but I'm sure I'm the most novice and conservative. Haha.

Chris.

_Will_ · Post by **_Will_** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:42 am

multiple skill levels is expected and really not a big deal as long as nobody tires to ride over their head, there's room at either end to stop and wait for everyone. If you all are going to be there till Thursday I'll plan to be there on Wednesday so I can make a leisurely ride up. I just ordered a new front since I've been down to the bars , will have to take it to the mountains to break it in before the trip. Oh darn lol

and don't worry about being the most conservative, I was on and off the brakes making it rocking horse the first time. I just wasn't used to the rapid fire corners. By the second day you'll be amazed at how quickly your skill improves.

kilika2 · Post by **kilika2** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 6:28 pm

So looks like we are still on schedule. Me and other guy will be out there on Tuesday night and the other two probably won't come out until late wednesday or Thursday.

Chris.

Post by **DonTZ125** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 9:16 pm

Will - if your bike is 'rocking horse-ing', then two things are going on. First, you're hammering the fronts too hard then popping off. When you reach your brake point, lightly apply front and rear to settle the chassis - you can now come on the fronts HARD without diving. Come off the brakes smoothly, without just dumping the lever.

The second problem seems to be your suspension is too soft. Improved braking technique will help, but you'll probably benefit from a bit more damping.

_Will_ · Post by **_Will_** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 12:25 am

While I agree that my suspension is too soft the rocking horse technique in this case was more attributable to riding style. Mainly I may as well have been a squid the first time. I keep going back and forth between investing in the fzr or saving it for a bigger bike but right now neither is happening. The front is WAY to soft and I've bottomed it out some, I'm also a bigger guy so that doesn't help.

Chris, I've got my new front tire on and am still 90% I'll be up there Wednesday. I'll keep you updated if it changes

_Will_ · Post by **_Will_** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:42 am

Weather report says high of 60 and low of 34 on Wednesday. Didn't expect to be pulling out any cooler riding gear but it's better than sweating all day

kilika2 · Post by **kilika2** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:43 am

_Will_ wrote:Weather report says high of 60 and low of 34 on Wednesday. Didn't expect to be pulling out any cooler riding gear but it's better than sweating all day

Excellent. How's the rest of the week looking? This is ending up perfect. We are leaving tomorrow and the other guy is meeting us there Tuesday night. The only thing not perfect is that cylinder 1 is giving me a problem. But I'm going to push through it and try to look at it after church today. We are taking extra bikes though so no big deal.

Chris.

_Will_ · Post by **_Will_** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:21 am

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbin ... ast/334849

looks like Tuesday may be a little wet but other than that you'll be good. I need to do a plug swap myself, do the oil while I'm at it.

A smooth running bike goes a long way towards confidence on that road. The hardest part isn't the corners physically it's the mental exhaustion, everyone has the same experience of expecting to get there and ride for hours but after a few laps you just want to let your brain take a break from corner after corner. I had my throttle loosen on my first trip and rode it anyway but having to watch that too took some of the fun out of it.

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