3rdbike

Hi 3rdbike, Thank you for your donation of 15.00 USD. We look forward to improving the forums with your donation. Thanks VFRDiscussion

I just got the Viking saddlebags and fitted them to the VFR. These are the Mini Expandable Black Street/Sportbike bags. Two wide velcro straps to lay across the pillion pad and straps to anchor them. Photo is from a test ride with them. The bags didn't flop around, carried the weight well, and to my notion, look just fine on the bike. Viking Mini Expandable Black Street/Sportbike Saddlebags - Viking Bags

RRluv2RIDE, there are lots of things about NM that will remind you that you're in a desert. Having grown up on a farm in Kansas, the first time I visited NM, I thought, Huh, all these people can grow is rocks! Civilization always centers on the river. The mighty Rio Grande, which doesn't even amount to a crick in Kansas. Albuquerque (where I live) is a little more than 500,000 population, and has most of the conveniences. Santa Fe is 84K. Las Cruces is 104K. The attraction to NM is the dry, mild climate, mountains, an average of 300+ days of sunshine, and great twisty roads everywhere!

Perfect Fall weather here in NM, went for a "get out in the middle of nowhere" ride this afternoon. This is what 'nowhere" looks like down here. Hwy 117 south of Grants, NM. Next to nothing for traffic, fun sweeping curves, and a VFR!

Well then, Sunday morning I made a short run up to Madrid, NM to practice on a short set of twisties just north of town. It's not so much learning how the bike handles, as remembering how it feels just like the '99 VFR800 I had back then. As I rolled into the driveway upon return, the odometer clicked over to 800 miles. Yes, she is another "left behind" VFR 800. Bought new in 2019 by a young chap who put a whopping 353 miles on the bike, then parked it. 😒 I picked it up in July of this summer, went over the bike carefully and corrected a few small things, and replaced the broken right mirror stalk. I've been gradually increasing the lean angles on those 2015 tires, now out to the edges and gained my trust in them.

Took the VFR out this afternoon just to listen to the music!