Post Card Scene
A postcard scene; replete with a bright blue sky painted with billowing white clouds and a sweeping view across a rural landscape whispers to me that I should be riding my BMW K75 motorcycle. For many riders, this is an ideal day for riding. For me, the environment which finds my interest and time for riding a scooter or motorcycle plummeting. My interest in riding is inversely proportional to the temperature. Once the thermometer hits 80F my mind seems to erase the knowledge that there are two-wheeled machines in the garage. Add to that my belief (mistaken) that there is nothing more boring than the light of a sunny day and is it any wonder that from June to September I don’t ride much?
I remember a miserable ride home from the 2011 BMW International Rally in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania when the temperature was well over 100F. The link will give you an idea of the heat encountered that day.
You know, it’s much easier to stay warm while riding than it is to cool off.
Even so, the mental and emotional buildup of life eventually whispers in some deep recess in my mind, “You need to go for a ride.”
So I thought I would share a few thoughts on riding my BMW K75 motorcycle.
BMW K75 Off Road
In central Pennsylvania, the odds are that many turns off the main road will lead to dirt, gravel, or worse. I remain entranced to see where I’ll end up if I go this way or that. And riding the K75 hasn’t changed that.
The BMW K75 is not an off-road machine. At least for me. The Pirelli Sport Demon tires are fine on pavement, but float on loose grave and dirt. It’s not that I can’t ride off the pavement, I just have to pay a lot more attention than I would like when exploring. If I am going to drop the motorcycle, I would prefer it happen somewhere that may see another vehicle more than once every few days.
Just in case I need help.
At my first stop to look around I am again reminded of how heavy the motorcycle to push around without power, and how far over the bike sits on the side stand. Choosing a spot to park with enough ground firmness to support the motorcycle is just one added responsibility when leaving the pavement.
Through the Woods
On the plus side, the K75 is quiet and the power band of the engine makes it simple to ride along at slow speeds allowing me to monitor the ground and look at the scenery.
If I were going to be doing this all the time though, the Vespa is a far better mount. Or some small dirt bike with a seat that won’t turn me into a whining, crying baby.
The Heat of the Day
Moving along at 45 to 50 miles per hour is a comfortable speed for a leisure ride. The motorcycle is smooth and performs flawlessly which I think says a lot for a 28 year-old machine. But still there’s the heat of the day. And the bright light.
Even with mesh riding gear and all the vents open on my helmet I felt a hot breeze during the ride and entertained ideas of pouring ice water over my head and down my back. I passed a few riders on big cruisers with no helmet or gloves, short-sleeved shirt and basically as unencumbered with gear as you could get without being naked, and I just thought how awful it must feel to have the sun beating down on all that exposed flesh.
My new HJC helmet has a built in sun visor which I’ve come to love on such days. It’s joined my ear plugs as essential riding gear.
Lest you think the ride was miserable, I assure you it was not. I enjoyed being on the road. I needed to be on the road. And riding the K75 was just the medicine I needed. What the light and heat do is curtail how long I can ride. Much like cold does in the winter. But heat is worse for me and I can’t, or won’t ride as long.
The Most Beautiful View in Pennsylvania
I remember the first time I came up to look at this view. I was working and a colleague asked me if I’ve ever seen the most beautiful view in Pennsylvania? I said no and he guided me up to this point. As pretty as it is I’ve seen more spectacular views. But does it really matter? Is there a competition for vistas? Isn’t that the kind of thinking that makes a person dissatisfied with what’s right in front of you in hopes of finding nirvana somewhere else?
I digress…
I decided to visit it again on the motorcycle. I had forgotten how steep the road was and how much gravel was involved.
Riding up wasn’t bad but going down was troubling. First gear was too low and threatened to have the tires break free on the loose gravel. Second gear led meant traveling faster than was comfortable for me. So I ended up in 1st, feathering the clutch, and gingerly using the rear brake. I suppose if I rode more on these types of surfaces I would get more comfortable. I was pleased to find myself back on smooth pavement.
Long Road Home
Simply put — riding the K75 motorcycle is pure fun. The engine is smooth and quiet, yet still delivers that feeling of deep power that lead many to addiction with the throttle. Astride the bike, there’s a feeling of command and control that exists nowhere else in my life. I realize it’s a fantasy but I enjoy it while it lasts.
I stopped on this long stretch of road to burn an image of the motorcycle and the road into my brain. Who knows when I’ll need to recall such a memory for therapy, serenity or just to make it through another moment.
Just a few of the thoughts that rattle in my head while riding my BMW K75 motorcycle.
HEAT. We got it. Come on down to experiment some more on sweating your balls off.
Once, riding across Kansas, the temperatures were what you encountered 110+. I had ridden for a couple hours and had not even seen a shade tree. I came to an intersection. Straight was another 2 hours of hot riding, left was Dodge City. I realized that if anything happened I would be in trouble with no traffic no people and no shade. The heat drove me left to Dodge City, an air conditioned hotel room, and a frozen margarita.
Once, I was meeting some riders in Newberry when I got a call for one of them that said he was in trouble from the heat. He could not even push or ride his scooter across the road to a motel where he had checked in. It took me an hour to get there but he was still just short of a full blown heat stroke. We got him lots of Gatorade and water. I stayed with him for several hours before I felt comfortable to leave him. The front desk man on this tiny hotel was an EMT and promised to keep checking on him.
The moral of these stories, recognize when your are overheating and then STOP, get out of the heat. Check into a hotel even if it is just for a few hours. What is more expensive, hotel room or an emergency room?
I have no need to experiment with more heat. I’ll leave such research to you thin-blooded Southerners.
Riding into Dodge City. Sounds like something right out of Gunsmoke. Hopefully, Miss Kitty served the frozen margarita!
Heatstroke is no joke. Deadly serious. Glad you were there to help the failing scooterist. Karma will reward you. And yes, the moral of the story is exactly right. Stop and get out of the heat.
Steve,
As a Georgia resident I can relate to the heat you write about, throw high humidity into the equation and things really get interesting for a rider.
Last year I found a great solution- CompCooler solo motorcycle cooling vest. I’m not affiliated with them an any way other than a user of their product. The system consists of a well made insulated cooler inside a nice bag that also contains the pump and dry break couplers and hoses. The vest has tubing running through it and fits snugly to the torso. It’s controlled by an on/off switch and sources power from a battery or cigarette lighter connection, wiring is included. Ice is placed in the cooler with about 20 oz. of water. The unit is strapped on the rear seat or luggage rack.
It works very well. If the body’s core is kept cooler the extremities are cooler as well. I find this to be true as my head doesn’t sweat in my helmet when operating the cooler. I wear a one piece Aerostich suit and with this combo I stay cooler. CompCooler makes cooling systems for military and race drivers, great quality stuff.
I think it was $270 well spent!
Richard in Blue Ridge
I took a look at the CompCooler website. Interesting devices. I tend to be gear adverse beyond the bare minimum safety stuff. Resisted electric gloves for years. Not sure if I’m ready for something like this. I’m more likely to just not ride when it’s hot. In Georgia that might be a longer-term problem than it is here in Pennsylvania.
Still, it’s something to consider if I find myself riding more in the summer heat. I appreciate you sharing the information.
Be safe on the road! Stay cool!!
“ Add to that my belief (mistaken) that there is nothing more boring than the light of a sunny day…”
Hey Steve… I’m thinking you might get a lot of push back on the above, but not from me.
In fact , that might be the only gripe I have about summer… oh wait… on a clear and cloudless day, there is just way too much green and blue going on.
Sigh !
Such are the trials and tribulations of those who look at life through a lens.
Thanks again for a wonderful piece.
Photographers seem to complain a lot about sunny days.
Thanks for your kind words about the post. I worry sometimes about complaining too much.
Love hot weather!!!! Anything below 80 is cool to me …Everyone around me is about to fall out yet I’m comfortable…Chalk it up to another one of my weird traits I guess.Steve loved the beautiful shots on the BMW ride…Glad u ventured out in the heat for the ride and such…Predicting 107 /110 Here in Central Texas this weekend had 4 ” + rain yesterday…Summer is here and I’m riding everyday ●Be safe all!!!
I’ve heard about people like you Don. It’s a good trait to have I suppose for someone living in central Texas.
Its been a while since we’ve had temperatures over 100. I won’t be venturing out on those days. The forecast shows some cooling down toward the low 80s. That’s tolerable but I confess a desire for low 70s down to 60. Probably won’t find those until autumn.
Thanks for stopping to comment. Always appreciate a different perspective.
Hi Steve, I don’t know if you’ve ever entertained the thought of putting together something like a coffee table book of your photos showing your ride photos through the seasons. You could accompany it with excerpts from your blog. Might be an entertaining project for your retirement. Just a passing thought because I love your photos.
I’ve definitely considered a photo book. It’s on my list but there are two other books in front of it. I’ll get to it someday!
I agree with you about riding in colder temperatures versus hot. I don’t care for hot weather. I’ve heard that the K75 really warms up the rider from air from the radiator. Is this the case. Having never ridden one before, I don’t know.
I’ve heard the K75 is a “hot” ride but so far I’ve seen none of that. Usually, the story is that the gas tank gets hot but I’ve not experienced that.
Jack Riepe keeps telling me the K75 is mechanical perfection and the best motorcycle to ever grace the road. So there’s no way it would be hot!
The CompCool suggested system is a good one. A less costly/complicated one is the SilverEagle cooling vest. Would work real well under your mesh. I have a new one for sale (check Harrisburg or Lancaster Craig’s List) but mine may be too large for you. Also consider a portable hydration bladder system as people “of a certain age” lose their sense of thirst and can easily get dehydrated. Happened to my FIL and sent him to the ER.
Now I’m thinking I need pay more attention to hydration and heat. I’ve always been careful but probably should do more. I’ll check Craigslist to see what you have.
Thanks for commenting and giving some additional information. I appreciate it!