u/SwiffleTitz

Starting to get a taste for multi-day rides, I want to do a 3 day/2 night loop around Lake Tahoe, up by Lake Almanor then back through the California central valley, it maps out as about 600 miles with most of it being very twisty, technical riding. Is that a good distance for a 3 day trip? Or too short? I can ride 200 miles a day comfortably enough, but getting to my hotel and it’s only 2pm seems a bit lame

Context:

- 5mph, front right fork slider banged into trailer hitch of a truck.
- Critical! This is on a BMW R1250RT, the forks handle NONE of the suspension, they aren’t even sprung, they’re for steering and wheel alignment only, the telelever shock at the front deals with all of the actual suspension
- Damage is about an inch below lower triple tree
- Gouge is less than 1mm deep (about half a mm or 1/32”)
- Forks have been turned on a gauge and are perfectly straight

Can get a new right fork but looking at $800 or more used, over $2k new. Thoughts? Am I nuts to ride on this?

Gonna sound weird, but in my many many years of riding I’ve always been strictly an “out and back” rider; leave in the morning, ride all day, home by evening. Tomorrow I’m taking my first ever overnight trip. I can’t imagine why I’m nervous, both days will be on roads I’ve traveled dozens upon dozens of times, the only difference is that instead of riding for 5+ hours and being home, I’ll ride 5+ hours and be at a hotel then 5+ hours back home the next day. Why would I be nervous?

I’m looking to add a sport bike for day rides in the local canyons, currently own a BMW R1250RT and a Versys 1000, the Versys is boring the crap out of me and I want something lighter and way more engaging. Was looking at an RS660 or GSX-8R, I dread the Aprilia maintenance issues and am not excited about the 8R looks… the R7 seems like a great combination of the sportier nature of the 660 with the reliability of the 8R. Reviews seem to be pretty glowing for the 2026 R7, would love to hear from anyone that actually owns one, thanks.

Because I feel like that’s what it actually means

I’ve never understood the desire to wear no or even a half helmet. I enjoy the feeling of comfort of having my head completely encased in a full face helmet. It’s my own little world, where no one can bother me and I make all the decisions. It’s a nice place to be

5 hours, 150+ mile loop. Nice to get out and just ride. I just wish this bike was more engaging. If I push it hard it starts to wake up, otherwise it’s just a puppy dog napping in the sun that seems a little surprised and confused when you disturb its rest

I visited the Pacific Ocean, rode through San Rafael, Stinson Beach and up to Tomales and back home. I’m really lucky to be able to ride in this gorgeous area basically whenever the mood strikes me

I’ve been using Alpine earplugs for the last few months and they just don’t work well for me, they’re hard to get in my ears, they kept “popping” whenever I turn my head, and always felt uncomfortable. I bought some Pinlocks on a whim while picking up some parts at a dealership, and wow! The medium size fits perfectly in my ears, very easy to install, and the filters in them are some kind of wizardry, they cut down wind and engine noise wayyyy more than the Alpines but somehow also make the music from my Cardo really clear and bright, I even find myself turning the volume down now instead of struggling to even hear the tunes… all while there’s *less* wind noise? Crazy good 👍🏻

Starting to think about owning one of these, and am interested in which years are considered to be desirable? I love the asymmetrical headlights of the earlier models, but of course that’s not a reason to buy a specific model year

Lately I find myself thinking “Is today the day?” Which, paradoxically, makes me more excited to go ride. I have agency here, on this bike, I make choices every second that I’m riding, and I try to always be conscious of them. Maybe something happens, maybe it doesn’t. Sure, that’s true of every second of every day anyways, but the heightened awareness of immediacy on my bike is… delicious. How about you? What do you think about just before you set out?

55yo male, currently ride a BMW R1250RT and a Versys 1000, have always been a sport bike focused rider and have been trying to get into sport touring machines but it’s not scratching the sport bike itch. Thinking of trading the Versys out for an RS, am I nuts?