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Date: Tue, 13 Jul 93 15:41 EDT
From: szuxr!wjp@whizard.att.com
Subject: RCRII or Is PoPs Shafted
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Reply-To: east@laser.east.sun.com
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Item 1:  A GREAT RCR II. Many thanks to Dean for the organization.

Item 2:  I made it home safely Mon.  Left Cass at 6:30 AM by way of
         92, 28, 55, 258, & 50 to I81 at Winchester Va.  Then I81 to
         I78 and home.  Arrival in NJ about 5:15 PM including a stop
         at Touch of Class BMW in Stewartsville for quote and consultation
         regarding severely dented front rim on a certain very slow poor
         handling R100/7.  Which brings us to item 3.

Item 3:  Is PoPs shafted?  All at RCR II heard of my (almost) launch of the
         Bimmer into the WVa atmosphere on Saturdays somewhat spirited ride
         with Alan F, Matt Hur, and Mr. Bill including the jetisoning of
         balast.  On Saturday night I had decided that my little butt puckering
         adventure was solely due to rider error, since I had relaxed my
         concentration just prior to the incident and was unable to get back
         into rhythum just as Alan and Matt really got it going on a real 
         twisty section of 250.  In retrospect, particularly in light of what
         took place on Sunday, I am not too sure.  Sunday after assisting with
         the valve adjustment on Sanji's CB650 I took a little solo ride up to
         Davis (the sight of the Blackwater 100 Race).  On the return, riding
         at my ususal sedate pace I was leaned over into a "45 MPH" corner in
         a falling rock zone when I spot a slab about 8" high covering the 
         outer 1/3 of the lane.  Since I usually "late apex" these things to
         get somewhat better drive out of them this "boulder" was right in my
         line.  I attempted to scrub off some speed (not a panic grab of the
         brakes) and push harder to tighten my line.  It was not enough.  I
         clipped the edge of the rock with about 1/2 of the front wheel,
         putting a huge dent in the left side of the rim, and just brushed it
         with the rear wheel.  After riding out a pretty fair tank slapper I
         simply continued on my way, all be it at a somewhat reduced velocity.

         Now, on Saturday I was totally screwed up, wrong gear (too high), out
         of sync. with the road when I attempted to modify my line to avoid a
         dirt spill.  The only thing available to me were the brakes and I
         wound up standing the bike right up with intended launch point about
         2/3's of the way around a tight right hander.  Yes it was mostly pilot
         brain fade, but did the shaft effect contribute?  On Sunday the pilot
         was in good control and did just about everything well, yet wound up
         with about $250 worth of damage to the machine.  Did shaft effect get
         me there also?

Questions:

 1. Am I too damn old to ride the way I do?
 2. Are there major flaws in my riding that can be corrected by the denisons?
 3. Should I sell the R100/7 (I do love it) and buy a GoldWing?
 4. Should I sell the BMW and buy a Harley? (Full dress 60mph top speed)
 5. Should I sell the BMW and buy a FJ1200 (ZX1000, GSXR1000, Ducati, etc)?
 6. Did I really get "Shafted" twice in one weekend?
 7. Did I just run into some "bad" luck?
 8. Should I quit Motorcycling and take up something "safer" like drinking?

Well this should start something anyway!

PoPs (aka Bill (Big Squid) Penschow)