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JC's meanderings

JC's meanderings

Monthly Archives: August 2011

Adding the Daypack II tank bag

29 Monday Aug 2011

Posted by JC in Motorcycles

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I hate backpacks. I have a fancy rigid one and all, and I still hate it. As soon as there’s more than a bag of chips in there, it’s uncomfortable. Besides, it’s bulky and definitely not prone to impressing ladies at Starbuck’s.

Since the 1098 (and many Ducatis with it) uses a plastic tank, I can’t have my magnetic bag, and I’m not fond of having to use straps, or shelling out 300$ for the official Ducati Performance one.

Hence the SW Motech quick-lock thingie. Bolts up to gas tank, and the bag itself is clipped on smoothly. And it doesn’t ruin the paint. I debated endlessly on size and ended up with the Daypack II.

So this is what you get. The bottom tank ring to be fitted on the bike, the top bag ring (not visible here, under the bag), and the tankbag itself. Plus, a myriad of bolts to choose from, not pictured. You’re probably familiar with the looks of bolts. Directions are perfectly accurate in pointing out which ones you need to use.

Ducati 1098 Daypack II InstallThe gas cap ring. Remove 4 of the original bolts, put this on top, use new provided bolts. Piece of cake.

Ducati 1098 Daypack II InstallThe tank ring is on, it’s slightly more cumbersome than anticipated. Mind you it doesn’t get in the way, just not as discrete as expected. Also, it’s rock solid.

Ducati 1098 Daypack II InstallThe tankbag and its top ring now need to be mated, and you’ll need to position it to your liking. You have quite a range of adjustment (recessed area of the bag).

Ducati 1098 Daypack II InstallIn my case, it’s full-on forward. Nothing’s bolted down yet, just sizing things up. The whole measure twice, cut once thing. Because yes, you’re about to drill holes in your fancy schmancy brand new tankbag. Don’t fuck it up.

Ducati 1098 Daypack II InstallDrilling. The pressure’s on. It’s where it should be, lined up straight … close eyes and drill. Also, avoid being an idiot like myself and put on the release trigger before you bolt down the topring to the bag.

Ducati 1098 Daypack II InstallTopring bolted solidly to the bag, set on the bike. Success.
Ducati 1098 Daypack II Install

Ducati 1098 Daypack II InstallTaking it off or putting on is an absolute breeze. So much so I find myself double-checking often “really? it’s holding on properly already? *gives a solid tug or 2* … ok I guess it is”. Carrying it off the bike, it does looks like a man purse. That will impress the ladies at Dairy Queen “OMG he’s so like … sensitive”. Yes, that really happened.

Ducati 1098 Daypack II InstallThat’s it that’s all. It took more time to take these pictures than it did to install the frigging thing.

First quick trip out, it’s more capacious than anticipated, I can fit my big Canon SLR with an extra lens, wallet, phone, GoPro camera, chocolate bars and I still had room to spare … and that’s without using the extension.

It only gets in the way when I try to tuck my head in at speed … which also means it works as a headrest. Low clipons are low, so of course there’s no interference there. I can’t tell the bag is there 99% of the time.

I’m predicting lots of use. And I kick myself for having waited a couple months before picking up a tankbag.

Quick freebie, here’s the bike in touring mode. Saddlebags and tankbag, room for more stuff on the passenger seat.

Ducati 1098 tankbag and luggageDucati 1098 tankbag and luggage

Montreal in April, spring riding at its best

22 Monday Aug 2011

Posted by JC in Motorcycles

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First outing with the new-to-me 1098, after 6 months of winter storage.

Ducati 1098 ready to go

Within an hour, I come across a police car.

Cherries light up. Ah crap.

I stop, my heart races, what did I do wrong? Dammit.

Take my helmet off, get paperwork ready as he sits in his car. He’s loading up his guns, for sure. Or making sure his dogs are hungry, willing to chew my head off.

Door opens … he’s smiling. “What?”. He’d misread my plate. Comes up ot me, doesn’t ask for anything, says it’s a beautiful weather for a ride, and wishes me a good day.

Crisis averted.

 

The day carries on. It’s a balmy 10 degrees, but the winter ice and snow are still omnipresent.

A pause at the local marina.

Ducati 1098 marinaDucati 1098 marina

Ducati 1098 marina

Catching a break at the marina

The ski resort was far more popular, for skiers anyways.

Ducati 1098 Mont Tremblant

Ducati 1098 Hypermotard at Mont Tremblant

Ducs at Tremblant

We found some clear, straight and scenic roads.

Ducati 1098 Hypermotard straight roadDucati Hypermotard straight roadDucati 1098 Hypermotard straight road

Ducati 1098 Hypermotard straight road

Stopping for pics on the side of the road

 

 

Visiting NYC

21 Sunday Aug 2011

Posted by JC in Travel

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Visited NYC back in ’09, using the auto show as an excuse. Now I’m typically not one for cities, but spending 2 days in Manhattan certainly made a strong case for the Big Apple, if not for metropolitan living.

So many landmarks … Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Times Square, Metropolitan Museum … and yet  it feels like we barely skimmed the surface. I guess I’ll have to go back. Eventually.

Rockerfeller Centre NYC

Rockerfeller Center NYCRockerfeller Center NYCRockerfeller Center NYCRockerfeller Center NYCRockerfeller Center NYCRockerfeller Center NYCRockerfeller Center NYC

Rockefeller Center NYC

Rockefeller Center NYC


Times Square, of course. I hate acting and feeling like a tourist, but I’ll be damned if I hang out in Times Square and don’t take pictures like the other 2 million people there. Shiny and stuff.

Times Square NYC

Times Square NYCTimes Square NYC

Times Square NYCThe ubiquitous yellow cabs were running all over. Yes, we did take one these.Times Square NYCFood stand! Yes, I shouted that and pointed like a 5 year old discovering ice cream stands for the first time. We don’t have them in Montreal. They’re genius. Mobile deliciousness.
Times Square NYCTimes Square NYCWe did see some cars, too. We came down for the auto show after all.

Transformers / Bumblebee / Chevy @ NYC Auto Show

Koenigsegg @ NYC Auto showPorsche GT1 and Carrera GT @ NYC Auto ShowConfederate @ NYC Auto ShowBMW @ NYC Auto ShowBMW @ NYC Auto Show

Bentley @ NYC Auto ShowBentley @ NYC Auto ShowBentley @ NYC Auto ShowLincoln @ NYC Auto ShowLincoln @ NYC Auto ShowSpyker @ NYC Auto ShowSpyker @ NYC Auto ShowBefore leaving, we had to hit the Met Museum, many laughs were had at modern art. Calling a dead shark or a pile of rope art doesn’t really strike me. No pics, too busy giggling wondering what would happen if I grabbed one end of said pile of rope and ran away with it.

Metropolitan Museum NYC

I like old stuff better. With incredible detail.

Metropolitan Museum NYCMetropolitan Museum NYCMetropolitan Museum NYCMetropolitan Museum NYCOf course, I can’t post this and overlook these typical NYC oddities.

NYC Oddity

NYC Oddity

NYC Oddities

Mt Washington and a flat tire

20 Saturday Aug 2011

Posted by JC in Motorcycles

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Montreal to Mt Washington and back. That was the plan. Lots of km for a day trip, but nothing unreasonable.

It didn’t start all that well with my alarm not going off … great. So we leave at 9, an hour later than planned. No biggie. Healthy breakfast just before noon. Omelette, home made potatoes and toasts. This is why we often cross the border into the US. Food is made of 82% win, and 18% awesome.

Breakfast on the wayA sight we’ll witness many times, the Hyper in its natural habitat. [note, I still had the Z1000 back then. I can’t make fun of the Hypermotard’s range anymore, as I’m only doing marginally better with the 1098, ~180km]

Ducati Hypermotard @ gas stationWe take a lakeside break after some most pleasant beautiful uphill sweepers.

Lakeside breakAnd soon we’re back on the road … smooth mostly deserted roads.

Kawasaki Z1000 on the roadDucati Hypermotard rollingKawasaki ZX14 rolling

Yours truly in front of the camera. That’s a rare sight. Cherish it.
Kawasaki Z1000 twisties
As the day unfolds, we realize everything is perfect. The roads, the lack of traffic, the weather. One of those “well, everything’s perfect” days. We’re later than planned, but enjoying every minute of it.
Kawasaki Z1000 and ZX14 rollingKawasaki ZX14 rollingAround 4pm, we (finally) reach Mt Washington and head for the Auto Road. The weather up top looks cloudy and brisk. We don’t care. We came here for the damn mountain, we’ll ride up.
Mt Washington Auto Road
Cloudy and foggy it was. Cold too.
Kawasaki Z1000 riding upMt Washington Auto Road in the fog“oh it’ll probably clear up once we get to the top” … that’s the kind of outrageous lies I kept telling myself in my helmet.
The skies did not clear up. Not one bit. I’m telling this was at the top. But really, we could’ve been in front of any shady bar on a foggy day.
On top of Mt WashingtonThankfully, Captain Obvious was there to inform us.
Mt Washington weatherYes, those are anchored chains holding down the house. Chains.
Mt Washington weather stationMt Washington weather stationThe way back was as pleasant as it gets, engines idling quietly, temperature warming up. And that view.
Going down Mt WashingtonGoing down Mt WashingtonMt Washington view
On our way back, we tried a few alternate roads. Some were a great success, others were not. This is one of the latter.
Kawasaki Z1000 dirt roadZX14 dirt road… aaaaand the inevitable happens when you take fancy Supercorsa tires on gravel roads. A flat in the middle of nowhere Vermont, ~200km from Montreal.
Kawasaki ZX14 flatIt’s getting dark, we’re in the middle of nowhere. So we did the only thing anyone can ever do in such a situation. Burnouts and fix-a-flat cans. One of these works better than the other. Guess which one.
Don’t question the burnouts. It was 2am and we’d used 3-4 cans of fix-a-flat. “what’s the worst that can happen? Oh yeah … the tire could blow for real and leave us stranded here.” It didn’t. We still have good laugh about that decision.
fix-a-flat saves the dayWe made it back home in Montreal way past 2am. Quite the full day of riding.

Let’s get this rolling …

18 Thursday Aug 2011

Posted by JC in Uncategorized

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To come, some archive material of varying quality about possibly boring subjects such as motosickkles, cars, photography or travel. Often all combined.

Stay tuned, or go and do something else in the meantime. Or just go. I hate you all the same anyways.

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