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July 11, 2022 -
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Voorheesville - July 16, 2022
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How I got this bike: On the way back from a ride to Rensselaerville (to look at a BMW R1200C), I see this bike pull in just as I am walking out of the Altamont Stewarts. On a whim, I ask the rider if he is interested in selling his bike. He is, he says and ask for a price which I accept on the spot just giving the bike a quick look-over. Nice color, huge rear tire (240), seems in nice condition, mostly stock except for exhaust pipe and rear rack.
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Three days later it's mine. I don't notice: - that the bike is a 2010 model and not the 2012 seller said it was - that there is a lien on it (but hopefully paid off) - that the front brake lever is curled from a tip-over (this is quickly replaced) I do see that he's had it 4 years and only ridden 2,000 miles
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 Font Grove Road - July 2022 |
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2022 The good: - 14,828 miles - new tires front and rear - new battery (he says) - loud exhaust but not unbearably so - Harley cover - perforated jacket (that I give to Tim who helped me pick up the bike) - The lien issue is resolved with a release from Harley financing that took several weeks for seller to obtain (I ride the bike while waiting for it)
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The ride is quite solid, as expected. I can perceive that the huge rear tire slows maneuverability compared to the previous '04 Vrod I owned. On the interstate the engine smoothes out, the power is smooth and at 75-80 is right in the sweet spot.
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Using earplugs makes the sound recede so it doesn't dominate the ride. This elevates the experience so it's a world of calm even at high speeds.
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 Grant Hill Road - July 2022 |
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Gas mileage is nearly 40 mpg which is significantly better than the older Vrod. |
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Registered on Aug. 10, $344 using the plate freed up from
the sale of the Honda Hawk just the weekend before. |
 Game Farm Road - Aug. 9, 2022 |
| 140 mile ride
on Aug. 18, 2022 through Rensselaer County, to North Adams MA, and then
north on Rt 8 to Vermont. The bike runs great and handles twisty
roads at posted speeds well. But spirited riding is more taxing
physically and mentally. While attempting to charge the battery, I find that the charging cable leads were connected to the same battery terminal, a particularly clueless mistake. 550 miles for the 2022 season. |
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2023 First ride on April 1st. 70 F, 55 miles. Clarksville South Rd, Hillson, Hurst, Westerlo. (15,450 miles). This bike feels strong and muscular. It works really well for straight-line highway riding. More effort is needed to ride on curvy roads because of the long wheelbase, the 240 rear tire and the steering geometry. Tire pressure set to 36 F and 42 R matching the specs on the frame tag. 15,650 miles after a 100 mile day to Fonda and then back to downtown Albany.
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| Thacher Park Aug. 8, 2023 |
Aug. 10, 2023
