7 Years on the GS

Facebook reminded me that today marks 7 years that I've had my G650GS. Wow! Time does fly when you're having fun. Today I also began to wonder, what should my next moto be?

I do like the GS but it seems to need a bit more power. I don't know if that's related to some of the stalling issues I was having or if it has more to do with my commute in stop and go traffic. I don't feel like it is quite the machine for the stop and go traffic on the interstate but, maybe there really isn't such a machine.

I've been toying with this idea, CB300F.

It's pretty inexpensive as new bikes go. My hubby did point out it wouldn't be a good touring machine. And I pointed out that would mean I'd need multiple bikes. :-) So then I thought maybe this one would be nice.

But I'm not really ready to give up the dual sport just yet. So, there is also the twin, the F700GS. And I've been thinking I need another Honda. So, maybe their new adventure bike?

The Honda, on paper, is pretty tall for me, although I haven't actually tried sitting on one yet. The  Beemers have low suspension options which is the setup I currently have on the GS.  I think I probably need to test ride a few options and really weight what I want, what I need, and what I can afford.

Hubby also needs a new ride, something that doesn't require so much wrenching. He's quite partial to the Honda ST1300. He also wouldn't turn away a CB1100. We do have a milestone anniversary coming up. Maybe we need a matching set of motos. Now there's a thought! :-)

24,760 miles on the moto as of this evening.

Commuting again!

I've been commuting again! Even though I've taken the interstate both days this week, it's been nice to be back in the saddle again. If I leave early enough the stop and go traffic is more go than stop. The mornings are nice and cool. In fact, this morning I put on a vest beneath my mesh jacket to keep the chill at bay. Fall is definitely in the air, in the mornings anyway. Still quite hot during the day and early evenings.

Yesterday, my gas light came on much sooner than I thought it should. The traffic on the commute probably contributes to that. And, I also try to keep the rpms up in an attempt to keep the bike from stalling. It's been much better now that I don't touch the throttle when I start it. That seems to be the fix that the hubby found online. Apparently it's a thing with the 2009 G650GS. Computer glitch. I also noticed that one of my dash lights is out. I should get that fixed.

24,678 miles are on the bike. Doesn't seem like that many to me. I need more road trips. :-)

9th Anniversary Road Trip

We didn't take the motos. It's just too hot. Here is our lovely home away from home for the next three nights. 

It's so excellent! Swamp cooler which keeps it nice and cool even after cooking dinner inside. 

On the way down, we also stopped at the May Museum of Tropical Insects.

More later. Blogging from the phone isn't very efficient. 

9th Anniversary Road Trip Plans

Our plans are made and lodging is booked! We will venture out but stay closer to home this year. Home base will be the Starlite Classic Campground in Canon City, CO. We have booked this vintage trailer for our three night stay! The plan of course is to ride there but hubby recently hurt his back and I have been having hip issues this year as well so, we will see how we feel. My hip has been doing better and it hasn't bothered me at all these last couple of commutes, so that's a great thing. Hubby hasn't started his back PT yet though. No worries, if we can't ride we will drive. Won't be the first time.

With our lodging in Canon City there are quite a few things we can do in the area that we have never done before. That's still our rule for our anniversary. It's becoming less strict as we get older. Now it really only has to be one thing and not the whole trip. And the vintage RV counts for the one thing. But, we will likely visit one or more of these places as well, weather permitting:

The May Natural History Museum

Seven Falls

Cave of the Winds

Maybe we will eat here!

Maybe take the train up Pikes Peak. We've driven but have never done the train.

And there is the Gold Belt Scenic Byway tour. I don't think we've done that before.

Lots of museums to see as well. We won't be lacking for things to do that's for sure. :-)

Those are all places we've never been. We've done the bigger attractions like, Royal Gorge, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, USAF, etc. I'm looking forward to being off work and spending time with my hubby. :-)

9 years! Where did the time go?

Dusted off the Moto!

Well guess who dusted off the moto and commuted to work? Yep, this gal!

I had lots of service done since the bike had been sitting for so long, neglected even (BMW = bring my wallet). I had the bike completely gone over. It was given a clean bill of health. On the drive home from the dealership, it died once. What the heck?! I parked it and the weather turned and I didn't get around to riding it for about a month.

This weekend, I dusted it off and took it for a long ride. My thought was perhaps there was bad gas from letting the bike sit so long. Hubby drained the tank and filled it with new gas and I hit the road. It wasn't a terribly long ride, about 50 miles, probably less. The bike did fine. I met hubby for lunch and decided to stay out for a few more miles. On that ride, the bike died again! Four times on my way home! Grrrr!

Super frustrating!

Later that afternoon, hubby did some research and came across lots of other 2009 G650GS owners with similar troubles. Here is what he found:
"From what I've read, it seems that the throttle position sensor gets calibrated every time the bike is powered on -not started. So if the throttle is actuated while this is happening, it corrupts the data that the computer uses to adjust fuel delivery. So sometimes rolling off the throttle coming to a stop, the computer reduces the actuation of the injector to a level lower than is required to maintain the engine running. Don't know if that is actually true, but it sounds good."

So, today I decided to ride to work and try a few tips he found online, namely not touching the throttle when I hit the start button. And... so far so good. 

More riding tomorrow is the plan.

Woot! Back in the saddle again!