Another Errand By kz1000st (Read 283 times)

[kz1000st]

I had to ride to Binghamton this morning on a short errand. I had a podiatrist appointment and decided that 50* was more than warm enough to take the scooter. It was a glorious day to ride the CF Moto on the Interstate and enjoy the Fall Color.
It also was the first morning in a long time when the valley fog wasn't present so I didn't have to deal with my face shield clouding over. As I cruised along I thought about all the miles I've put on my Chinese bikes this past season, how well the Bridgestone is wearing and how much fun you can have on inexpensive, well built Chinese equipment. Even the little 50cc has seen almost 1,000 miles of use, a pair of 80 mile rides and is running like the Honda it's cloned from.
I had to stop and get gas on the way home and the Fashion only took less than two gallons in 144 miles. I used my calculator at home and discovered that this last tank figured out to 74 mpg. Even with a stop at the Doctor's office the short 80 mile ride took less than two hours. I'm going to miss riding in a month or so. If the snow isn't too heavy this winter I can ride Rocket on errands to the store.

[novaraptor]

Snow...snow..?? OH YEAH!! That's that stuff I saw on the Weather Channel!!

[kz1000st]

I wish I could say that.

[sumdawgtwigg]

I too wish I could say that about the snow.

It's great to see china bikes being put to use and taken care of.

[novaraptor]

Truth be told, I have spent my time pulling the tarp off of my KZ750 every couple of weeks and firing it up to get the oil up into it throughout the pacific northwest winters. One of the main reasons I moved to the desert back in '84. Hope you get some warm sunny days and an early spring...

[sumdawgtwigg]

would you say that's a better way to do it then draining them and letting it sit, nova? I'm about to put mine up before too long.

[novaraptor]

Sumdawg, just my opinion, but if your winter temps usually climb above maybe 25 degrees F. during the daytime, starting em up once in a while and letting the temps come up and the oil circulate is my preference. That lets the various gaskets and seals stay moist and swollen. But that is just my way. I'm not a mechanic and I'm sure others will have different ideas. If your temps drop and stay low for weeks on end, I would probably drain and store, but mostly because of the plastics that become brittle at low temps. Hate to sit on a seat and crack the vinyl because of the cold.
Of course, I took the other option. I moved to the desert. I ride all year. That's not all good though. You aren't "forced" to take the winter off so that you can do all the little maintenance and service that you should.

[sumdawgtwigg]

Thanks for your point of view on it. I don't think I'll be riding much in the very coldest parts of winter but should be in early and late. Probably just start her up once or twice a week and keep stuff going. Thanks again!