Well I enjoyed my 300 mile round trip yesterday. The old girl performed almost faultlessly. On the way home I discovered that although the main beam works fine, the switch created a momentary delay and that involved total darkness. 
Working the switch seems to have cleaned the contacts enough for it to work properly but as it's not something that gets much use I'll strip and clean the switch gear properly. Another 'to do' for the list.
What can I say about the ride? Well that particular route passed more quickly than it has for years.
Although we don't get the low temperatures down here that hardy northerners say they live with, yesterday was on the chilly side, especially when crossing Blackdown and the higher elevations of Salisbury Plain, where even in summer it seems to be a few degrees below average. It provided the opportunity to try out the repaired heated grips.
I set off wearing BMW city trousers (not designed for thermal efficiency), a T-shirt, micro-fleece, Boulder Jacket, thin buff and shorty boots. The only mistake was the Buff, I should have worn the thicker one because the only noticeable cool spot was around my neck. Even coming home later I didn't need the two piece over-suit that I'd stuffed under the seat hump. The combination of that fairing and the warmth from the engine meant that I was as toasty as a very toasty thing.
Even at high(er) speeds and a flip-front helmet, it's quiet. It's been so long since I rode a bike that didn't cause at least a small amount of helmet buffeting, usually behind certain types of vehicles - a testament to the aerodynamics of the 'odd' fairing design.
The only downside is to do with my advanced years; after an hour of not moving (and unlike other bikes, there's not much opportunity to shift position), I was aware that were I to go a full tank without stopping, I might be locked solid into that feet behind your ears position with disastrous consequences when trying to put a foot down.
I've given up trying to capture the full majesty of Marrakech Red. Here it is still looking far too pale (even after the suggestions about adjusting the camera settings etc have been tried) during a stop to stretch my poor old legs:
The ride did teach me to avoid stopping where other people do the same if I want to avoid the "what is it?" and "I used to have a (fill in bike here)" type of distraction. When held by lights at junction 29 M5/A30, I pulled-up alongside an Audi full of blokes. When the lights changed, the driver flogged the guts out of it to catch me and get alongside for another look. At least one of the occupants seemed to appreciate the K1 as he gave me a thumbs-up before the car fell away behind.
I wish that I could say that I've aged as gracefully as the K1.
Working the switch seems to have cleaned the contacts enough for it to work properly but as it's not something that gets much use I'll strip and clean the switch gear properly. Another 'to do' for the list.
What can I say about the ride? Well that particular route passed more quickly than it has for years.
Although we don't get the low temperatures down here that hardy northerners say they live with, yesterday was on the chilly side, especially when crossing Blackdown and the higher elevations of Salisbury Plain, where even in summer it seems to be a few degrees below average. It provided the opportunity to try out the repaired heated grips.
I set off wearing BMW city trousers (not designed for thermal efficiency), a T-shirt, micro-fleece, Boulder Jacket, thin buff and shorty boots. The only mistake was the Buff, I should have worn the thicker one because the only noticeable cool spot was around my neck. Even coming home later I didn't need the two piece over-suit that I'd stuffed under the seat hump. The combination of that fairing and the warmth from the engine meant that I was as toasty as a very toasty thing.
Even at high(er) speeds and a flip-front helmet, it's quiet. It's been so long since I rode a bike that didn't cause at least a small amount of helmet buffeting, usually behind certain types of vehicles - a testament to the aerodynamics of the 'odd' fairing design.
The only downside is to do with my advanced years; after an hour of not moving (and unlike other bikes, there's not much opportunity to shift position), I was aware that were I to go a full tank without stopping, I might be locked solid into that feet behind your ears position with disastrous consequences when trying to put a foot down.
I've given up trying to capture the full majesty of Marrakech Red. Here it is still looking far too pale (even after the suggestions about adjusting the camera settings etc have been tried) during a stop to stretch my poor old legs:
The ride did teach me to avoid stopping where other people do the same if I want to avoid the "what is it?" and "I used to have a (fill in bike here)" type of distraction. When held by lights at junction 29 M5/A30, I pulled-up alongside an Audi full of blokes. When the lights changed, the driver flogged the guts out of it to catch me and get alongside for another look. At least one of the occupants seemed to appreciate the K1 as he gave me a thumbs-up before the car fell away behind.
I wish that I could say that I've aged as gracefully as the K1.
It probably only needed a fan, common problem on Ks when left without use.
