Joshua Tree National Park

[BusyWeb]

Hi, everyone..
I didn't know that Mr. Alan already reported Joshua Tree.
Ha ha ha, I visited today...
I haven't visit Forum couple of days..um..
I have to ask to Members and Admin, if I can keep post ride report but with different bike.
I like this Forum very much, feel like at home.....
I got a gift, bike, and have to use it for long distance touring :blush: .
Today, no report, sorry.
Camera battery was gone, GPS batter was gone; couldn't use bike battery extension. :cry:
As this new bike does not have one, I may need to add later on.
Hewww, cold, windy....
However, this new bike gave me some greater confidence against those weather situations than GZ.
Just few pictures of it.

[picasa=busyweb:673yhpi1]5303254074851694481[/picasa:673yhpi1]

Thanks

[Moedad]

No way! That's too funny that you guys went to the same place. Gonna snow out there tomorrow. When did you get this new bike?

[BusyWeb]

No way! That's too funny that you guys went to the same place. Gonna snow out there tomorrow. When did you get this new bike?
Hi, Mr. Moedad.
Isn't it funny!
I can believe it, Mr. Alan did yesterday.
Anyway, I got this bike (Used, 2006, 1995 miles) yesterday.
Today's riding is just TESTing the bike performance.
You may not believe it if I tell what this bike can do...
I got stalled couple of times at the stop, may need some more parctice.
Just little bit delicate with 1st and 2nd gears, after then, its ................
BTW, How's your new bike is doing?

[alanmcorcoran]

Hey man, you highjacked my post. Did you go up to the lookout point?

[Moedad]

Us local SoCal riders need to meet up for a canyon ride/photo shoot, get some action shots of us on our bikes.

[alanmcorcoran]

Hey Busy,

Was that the Chevron in Morongo Valley? I think I stopped at the same place for gas! Got me some chocolate covered Donettes and a coffee before hitting the park.

[Easy Rider]

get some action shots of us on our bikes.

"Action" shots on a GZ; somehow that strikes me as funny! :whistle:

:oops: Forgot that none of you traitors ride a GZ anymore !! :cry: :biggrin:

Hey Busy,

Is that a Kawasaki Versys, or something else? The kind of rides you do now are a sort of long term goal for me, so I'd love to hear your take on the differences between your new bike and the gz250. I think like a lot of us on here, for me, your ride reports are a favorite - thanks for taking the time to share.

Keith

[patrick_777]

Keith, that's an '06 Yamaha FZ6. Nice bike, and a great transition bike from the GZ.

Busy, please keep posting your ride reports. We all love to read them. A comparison review would be nice between the FZ and the GZ, too.

[BusyWeb]

:oops: Forgot that none of you traitors ride a GZ anymore !! :cry: :biggrin:
Hi, Mr. Easy.
Yes, frankly, I felt it;traitor.... :blush: :sad:
I was thinking about 1-2 years before get upgraded.
But it gets little bit shoter than I thought with this precious gift.
Keith, that's an '06 Yamaha FZ6. Nice bike, and a great transition bike from the GZ.

Busy, please keep posting your ride reports. We all love to read them. A comparison review would be nice between the FZ and the GZ, too.
Hey Busy,

Is that a Kawasaki Versys, or something else? The kind of rides you do now are a sort of long term goal for me, so I'd love to hear your take on the differences between your new bike and the gz250. I think like a lot of us on here, for me, your ride reports are a favorite - thanks for taking the time to share.

Keith

Thanks everybody... :roll:
Let me try with it, comparsion report, wow that's new homework for me.
Yes, it's Yamaha FZ6.
Actually, I had in mind of Suzuki V-Storm DL 650 which is almost same kind as FZ6.
But I couldn't find it on my gift budget.
I didn't want to finance for it.
V-Storm or FZ6 used ones are very rare in the market as long as I searched.
Both are Sports Crusers, it is said that "All occation ride with one bike" that I liked.
It is standard; up-right body position;, street bike, and has charteristic of storts bike when needed.
Whew....
This machine is totally differ from GZ in gear shifting and throttttling.
I may need some practices of it, today I made no stall fortunately.
Whenever I have chances, let me describe the differences between GZ and FZ6.
Thanks again, so I could come here without big sorry feeling.

[BusyWeb]

Hey Busy,

Was that the Chevron in Morongo Valley? I think I stopped at the same place for gas! Got me some chocolate covered Donettes and a coffee before hitting the park.
Us local SoCal riders need to meet up for a canyon ride/photo shoot, get some action shots of us on our bikes.
Hi, Mr. Alan.
I don't remember the name, but I guess so that is.
It is just 20 miles before the north visit center entrance.
Bike >>> $5
(yesterday, some special NO FEE at entrance but collect when leaving(???), ha ha ha... did you pay it?)
Cage >>> $15
Anyway, I will go again under some better weather condition.
Hope, we So-Cal GZiers can geather together in near future.

[patrick_777]

Take your time with a comparison. Get some miles on the FZ first to really get the feel for it. Did you get rid of the GZ as well or keep it?

It's a very good looking bike, and one I've considered getting myself to take the place of both the Ninja and the GZ.

[alanmcorcoran]

Yeah, biz, we gassed up at the same place. I paid the five bucks at the entrance. This introduced Yet Another Tricky Motorcyle Maneuver:

The entrance is on a slight uphill. You pull up to a little window. Normally, when I pull up to something, I have both hands on the bars and both feet on the ground. Well, you can't fish five bucks out of your pocket with both hands on the bars. Since I have not got in the habit of shifting into neutral, I had to keep my clutch hand on, which meant I had to let go of the brake, which means I had to one foot it, cause I had to use the rear brake. I almost pulled it off, but, I had to bring my brake hand over to the clutch to get my glove off - and that's when I treated everyone in the booth to my horn. I didn't realize it was me right away - my thumb I used to pull off my glove also was pushing on the horn. Not sure if you guys have ever heard the horn on a Strat, but it's reminiscent of of 1950 Buick. The lady in the booth thought it was an impatient driver until I told her it was me.

I think my weather was nicer than yours. Not sure if you made it up to Key View point, but it was kind of chilly up there on Sat. Snow patches all around. But sunny all day and overall a pretty good ride. Did you ride through the whole park or just the north loop? I came out on the 10 about 22 miles east of Indio. A book I have recommended a continuation to the 111 but I was already running late and wanted to get home before it got fully dark out.

[Easy Rider]

I had to keep my clutch hand on, which meant I had to let go of the brake, which means I had to one foot it, cause I had to use the rear brake.

So, what did we learn from this little bit of drama ??
Maybe that the side stand would have been a BIG help ??
:poke2: :whistle:

[alanmcorcoran]

Uh, what? Side stand will kill the engine unless you are in neutral. See "not in the habit of shifting to neutral."

[alantf]

Uh, what? Side stand will kill the engine unless you are in neutral. See "not in the habit of shifting to neutral."

So what? I think you'll find a little button somewhere that says "start engine". When you're ready to move off, do the following 3 things together!

(assuming you're in 1st gear)
1) with left leg, kick up sidestand.
2) with left hand, pull in clutch.
3) with right hand, press start button.

With any luck releasing the clutch whilst opening the throttle should see you on your merry way.

Not exactly rocket science!

(I hope I put that politely & inoffensively)

[alanmcorcoran]

Well, yeah, that pretty much describes how I leave the house every morning. There's no argument that it would be less tricky to shut the bike off and park it and then fish around for the money, etc. The thing is, there is a giant line of cars waiting to get in and, ideally, you want the entrance fee transaction to be more like a NASCAR pit stop, not a roadside picnic. Given that I couldn't pull this off without beeping the horn, I may have to lower my sights next time to something I can manage.

[Easy Rider]

Uh, what? Side stand will kill the engine unless you are in neutral. See "not in the habit of shifting to neutral."

That is pretty lame, even for you!
You CAN shift into neutral when necessary, can you not ???
When you need to fish in your wallet for money is but ONE of those times. :biggrin:

Of course, on the GZ only neutral would be needed as you can easily balance IT without the side stand. The Strato-behemoth is probably a different story. :poke2:

[Easy Rider]

Not exactly rocket science!
(I hope I put that politely & inoffensively)

Oooooooo.......I detect a bit of sarchasm.
Careful, wouldn't want to offend anybody.

SOME people have been quick to tell ME that, so I feel obligated to pass it along! :popcorn:

[Moedad]

You CAN shift into neutral when necessary, can you not ???

In this instance he might've been better off to kill the engine and let the transmission keep the Strat from rolling away since there's a slight hill at that entrance station to the park.

[alanmcorcoran]

I think we've sufficiently beaten this one to death.

1) Yes, I CAN find Neutral if it is mandatory. Not something I normally do, but, when I want to park it while I'm opening the garage door, for example, without shutting it off and restarting, I've done it.
2) Yes, I know how to use the side stand.
3) Yes, I know how to start my bike up.
4) Yes, I know how to use the clutch.

Methinks sometimes there is a little too much of an urge on the part of some to provide guidance. I guess that goes with the territory.

My original post was merely noting that, if one does not turn off the bike or put it in neutral, it can be a little tricky fishing out five bucks, on a hill, at a ranger station, with gloves on. I now regret ever mentioning it.

[music man]

I think we've sufficiently beaten this one to death.

1) Yes, I CAN find Neutral if it is mandatory. Not something I normally do, but, when I want to park it while I'm opening the garage door, for example, without shutting it off and restarting, I've done it.
2) Yes, I know how to use the side stand.
3) Yes, I know how to start my bike up.
4) Yes, I know how to use the clutch.

Methinks sometimes there is a little too much of an urge on the part of some to provide guidance. I guess that goes with the territory.

My original post was merely noting that, if one does not turn off the bike or put it in neutral, it can be a little tricky fishing out five bucks, on a hill, at a ranger station, with gloves on. I now regret ever mentioning it.


Look at it this way we could be still bickering about a non-existent and non Practical Big-Bore kit for the GZ. :poke2: :poke2: :poke2: :poke2: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :lol:

[alanmcorcoran]

Good point. Well, soon we will all be riding I hope.

[Easy Rider]

My original post was merely noting that, if one does not turn off the bike or put it in neutral, it can be a little tricky fishing out five bucks, on a hill, at a ranger station, with gloves on. I now regret ever mentioning it.

When you air your dirty laundry, someone is bound to point out the stains !!! :biggrin:
All in good fun, of course. :)

Your description might actually be useful for other new riders so they don't have to learn the lesson the hard way. I learned it about 35 years ago.....the hard way.....and since have had no problem with toll booths, bank drive ups, fast food drive thru's, etc.

Anyone can make a mistake once; it takes real skill to do it over and over !! :whistle:

[adrianinflorida]

Look at it this way we could be still bickering about a non-existent and non Practical Big-Bore kit for the GZ. :poke2: :poke2: :poke2: :poke2: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :lol:
Cool, got a link for that kit?!?!?!?! I want one!

















;)

[dan_]

Well, yeah, that pretty much describes how I leave the house every morning. There's no argument that it would be less tricky to shut the bike off and park it and then fish around for the money, etc. The thing is, there is a giant line of cars waiting to get in and, ideally, you want the entrance fee transaction to be more like a NASCAR pit stop, not a roadside picnic. Given that I couldn't pull this off without beeping the horn, I may have to lower my sights next time to something I can manage.

Dude your on a big bike! For all the cars behind you know your a freakin' hells angel. They aren't gonna honk in fear for their lives. You don't screw with bikers. ...Unless they're on a GZ.

[alanmcorcoran]

Have you seen me? I couldn't scare the chess club at the middle school.

(The Strat does have an awesome horn, though.)

(On three separate occasions, [which is a lot, seeing as I only stopped twice], tourists came right up to me and commented on how "pretty" my bike was, and asked what "kind" it was. Oh, yeah, they were crapping their pants! [Sorry Sarris.])

[dan_]

Get a big patch of a middle finger on the back of yer jacket.