first time back on the motorcycle since November...wow..

[Iahawk]

finally got around to replacing my water pump on my little Ninja 300. It's a fairly easy job but the coolant needs to be drained again and the oil topped off that's lost during the process.  Didn't put all the fairings back on, yet, wanted to ride it a few miles to make sure we are leak free.

Rode it to my haircut today so put about 13 miles on it. All is good..no leaks! I was quite surprised to see the big hole where the water pump attaches to the motor. Maybe a 2 inch diameter hole that is filled with the water pump and sealed by an o ring. The back side of the water pump (bearing around shaft) is completely bathed in engine oil.

Probably the biggest thing I noticed was the riding position! I guess I've gotten a little soft just riding my Helix these past few months. I felt like I was down on my hands and knees and sitting on a 2x6 board for a seat! Plus I'll admit, riding a scooter requires less 'work'? Throttle and brakes is all you worry about...but the bike involves both hands and feet...which requires a little more..thinking...

Still a blast to be back on the Ninja shifting through the gears...but it makes me appreciate the soft Honda Helix even more!

[Neil955i]

You’re right Hawk, a bike is more work, but so rewarding when you’re “in the groove”!  You know, that feeling of being at one with the bike as you lace a series of bends together?  You’ll get similar on the scooter, just not quite to the same intensity!

[Stig / Major Tom]

If I could go back several decades and be cruising the roads near Tangelwood & Stockbridge Mass. on my Honda motorcycle....The Band playing in my helmet. Shifting up and down, clutching without a thought to the process....

 


A fun video put out to mark 50 yrs of this song...which is often identified with motorcycle riding after Easy Rider.



Yeah hawk, there isn't much can compare to riding a motorcycle on backroads out away from traffic!
Good for you still having a bike. (when I wanted to ride again, after 43 yrs - my wife and 6 kids would have freaked if I'd chosen another Honda motorcycle   - so it was the LIKE200i. )

Stig

[Neil955i]

Which is why I'm glad I never stopped Stig!

[Iahawk]

Stig - great song! The Weight will always remind me of my one and only Dead concert in Tinley Park, IL, in summer of '90. It was the last concert for the keyboard player, Brent Mydland. They closed with The Weight, with most (all?) of the Dead taking turns on the song. Great memories.

[Kansas kymco]

I loved riding my BMW Scarver (street carver) that one lunger  had the torque of a tractor.  Just wasn't as comfortable as my big scooters which rode like a Buick.