2020: What did you do to/with your NC700 today?

[melensdad]

Loaded up the Pit Boss smoker with a bunch of meat and headed out for a long ride along the Kankakee river (and back) with my wife. Today is our 35th wedding anniversary, no restaurants to open to have a nice dinner and I really didn't want to get something from a drive thru.

Crossed over into Illinois and technically we were breaking the Illinois quarantine rules while we were there, Indiana seems to be more lenient with the rules but I don't think any cop is going to pull over a couple of motorcycles on a nice day while clearly not breaking any "social distancing" guidelines. Wound our way down toward the river on a different route than we came home so it ended up that we sort of did a big "figure 8" with our route, Momence, IL at the center point that we crossed through going out and coming back.

All in all a very nice ride.

 

[12xoldy]

Changed rear wheel bearings today. Now in my way to Flagstaff to stay a while. Much cooler up there. Yesterday changed air filter and cleaned chain. Day before re did front forks and oil change.

 

[12xoldy]

Congrats on 35th anniversary.

 

[davidc83]

 

[davidc83]

I rode over to Rabbit Hatch Ky.... numerous Kentuckians disregarding the Governor's orders now....Saw quite a few KY plates over on the Indiana side...disregarding the KY gov. order to quarantine for 14 days if you leave the state for anything other than work or doctor.... the general store and the BBQ pit was closed...but no one cared....

 

[Jt105]

Had a nice 100 mile ride on the NC Sunday morning. Sunny blue sky. Barely any cars on the road.
Took my wife on a 100 mile ride with friends Sunday evening on the ST.
An all-around good day yesterday!

Shocker at the pump. Regular 87 is $1.50 per gallon. But premium 93 (for my ST) was $2.54! I expected a $0.50 adder over regular 87, but more than a dollar surprised me. It was Shell V-Power, so I guess I paid for the name. Had a Shell gas gift card to make it more tolerable.

JT

 

[670cc]

Had a nice 100 mile ride on the NC Sunday morning. Sunny blue sky. Barely any cars on the road.
Took my wife on a 100 mile ride with friends Sunday evening on the ST.
An all-around good day yesterday!

Shocker at the pump. Regular 87 is $1.50 per gallon. But premium 93 (for my ST) was $2.54! I expected a $0.50 adder over regular 87, but more than a dollar surprised me. It was Shell V-Power, so I guess I paid for the name. Had a Shell gas gift card to make it more tolerable.

JT

I think gas stations have learned over recent years that people will pay a high “premium” for premium. Maybe 10 years ago, the differences between 87, 89, an 91 octane gasoline was usually 10 cents. Now I see 30 or more cents diferences between grades as the norm. I never buy premium gas and would never buy any vehicle that requires premium because I see it as a sort of price gouging by fuel stations.

 

[davidc83]

I think gas stations have learned over recent years that people will pay a high “premium” for premium. Maybe 10 years ago, the differences between 87, 89, an 91 octane gasoline was usually 10 cents. Now I see 30 or more cents diferences between grades as the norm. I never buy premium gas and would never buy any vehicle that requires premium because I see it as a sort of price gouging by fuel stations.

More like price gouging by the refineries....doubt they are paying that much for Isooctane to add to the fuel...

 

[670cc]

More like price gouging by the refineries....doubt they are paying that much for Isooctane to add to the fuel...

I agree. But customers seem willing to pay the price premium, so who can blame refineries.

 

[Deleted member 5383]

Forgot this one from the other day... Hungry Horse Reservoir, 35 miles long with 170 miles of shoreline, and some of the mountains of the Great Bear Wilderness on the other side. Glad I enjoy the feel of solo riding in less populated areas, usually bring my own food, and when I do ride with others it's at the most 3 or 4. Best to you who by dint of local situations have decisions to make.


2020-05-02 16;00;58 by greenboy, on Flickr

 

[Jt105]

I think gas stations have learned over recent years that people will pay a high “premium” for premium. Maybe 10 years ago, the differences between 87, 89, an 91 octane gasoline was usually 10 cents. Now I see 30 or more cents diferences between grades as the norm. I never buy premium gas and would never buy any vehicle that requires premium because I see it as a sort of price gouging by fuel stations.

The ST1300 manual states ‘91 octane recommended’. 91 octane gas is an odd duck in Michigan. I usually alternate between mid-grade 89 and premium 93 for fill-ups. Many owners just use mid-grade and some also use regular 87. It has knock sensors in the engine and can calibrate itself to run in lower octane, but I like having the performance when I ride it (that’s why I bought it).

I agree now with not buying vehicles that require high-octane gas. Although it hasn’t ever been an availability issue, the costs do add up. Whenever I replace the ST, I’ll be looking for a bike that runs fine on regular!

JT

 

[New Commuter700]

I went up to Superior, AZ retracing the route I used to run when I worked for GM 20 years ago. I then went down through Mammoth and back up 79 to home, a short 180 mile run. It felt so good running without the luggage, the backpack or the traffic.

 

[12xoldy]

On my ride up to Flagstaff yesterday. I stopped at Shell gas station off I-17 in Camp Verde. 87 octane is 3.96 a gallon. Almost 5.00 for 91 octane. Drove farther away from I-17. Gas was 2.25 a gallon. I put 180 miles in fully loaded. Even with my new 3 gallon RotoPax can. Drove into Flagstaff today. San Francisco Peak is still covered with snow.

 

[davidc83]

On my ride up to Flagstaff yesterday. I stopped at Shell gas station off I-17 in Camp Verde. 87 octane is 3.96 a gallon. Almost 5.00 for 91 octane. Drove farther away from I-17. Gas was 2.25 a gallon. I put 180 miles in fully loaded. Even with my new 3 gallon RotoPax can. Drove into Flagstaff today. San Francisco Peak is still covered with snow.

Holy crap batman!!....gas around here is $1.50-$1.57, even by the Interstate...

 

[670cc]

On my ride up to Flagstaff yesterday. I stopped at Shell gas station off I-17 in Camp Verde. 87 octane is 3.96 a gallon. Almost 5.00 for 91 octane. Drove farther away from I-17. Gas was 2.25 a gallon. I put 180 miles in fully loaded. Even with my new 3 gallon RotoPax can. Drove into Flagstaff today. San Francisco Peak is still covered with snow.

I looked at the GasBuddy map and that high priced Shell station seems to be an anomaly. Most in the area are much cheaper.

 

[New Commuter700]

On my ride up to Flagstaff yesterday. I stopped at Shell gas station off I-17 in Camp Verde. 87 octane is 3.96 a gallon. Almost 5.00 for 91 octane. Drove farther away from I-17. Gas was 2.25 a gallon. I put 180 miles in fully loaded. Even with my new 3 gallon RotoPax can. Drove into Flagstaff today. San Francisco Peak is still covered with snow.

The San Fran peaks are often still covered in snow in May. It doesn't usually finish melting until late June or early July. Last year it looked like it would be melted by Memorial day but then we had that freak snow storm and snow was on the peaks until July again.

Yea, I see them 5 days a week for the last 6 years when I drive my truck up I-17. In fact my desktop is a picture of the peaks from last fall.

 

[potter0o]

Was warm day. Almost too warm for the Winter gloves. Lubed the chain and noticed I have accidentally acquired enough mileage for an oil change. I guess that happens if you ride most of the Winter. Will have to check to see if the dealer parts department if open.

 

[Deleted member 5383]

Some of yesterday's 227 miles...


2020-05-05 15;04;28 by greenboy, on Flickr


2020-05-05 15;08;55 by greenboy, on Flickr


2020-05-05 15;42;58 by greenboy, on Flickr


2020-05-05 15;45;31 by greenboy, on Flickr


2020-05-05 15;49;46 by greenboy, on Flickr


2020-05-05 15;52;19 by greenboy, on Flickr


2020-05-05 15;52;51 by greenboy, on Flickr


2020-05-05 15;53;13 by greenboy, on Flickr


2020-05-05 18;30;21 by greenboy, on Flickr

 

[drdubb]

GB, love your posts and pics. I need to get back out west. Maybe you could make a ride map!

 

[Rapturee]

bought a nice used factory muffler for it. Shipped out today and should be here Tuesday! :{)