The GS made it's maiden voyage to The Dragon this past Tuesday on a daytrip with some friends and riding buddies including a fella on a Big Dog "Mastif", a Wing, an FJR and other less notable bikes. Been there done that (hung parts on the tree), but it's always nice to have the memory refreshed that it really IS that tightly curved and there really ARE 318 curves in that little 11 mile stretch. Riding heaven y'all.
The GS did great, of course, though it took a bit to get into the groove with it. It really does handle like a dirtbike and I was able to go as deep into the corners before initiating lean as on the KLR and the great ready gobs of low RPM torque saved me from worrying over gear selection in the Gravity Cavity. I did, however, fail to drag a valve cover. Maybe next time.....
The Dragon is not for everyone and I really don't see the allure of it for the cruiser "riders" (herders?) among us. Whilst sitting shaded on a bench, cigar in hand at The Crossroads of Time (this refers to the propensity of locals to engage in quantifying the units of time required to personally traverse the dragon and back for comparison to other riders and has nothing whatsoever to do with relativistic physics or
The Twilight Zone) motorcycle resort with a good view of the incoming porcine aficionados I was drawn to make a few observations about the poor sisters of the motorcycle world. Near as I can tell there is a "rite of passage" or "initiation" element to it for them. They don't enjoy it; this is obvious from the shaking and obvious relief upon dismounting. Many a sweaty brow is self-consciously wiped at the Crossroads of Time and often it takes two or three tries to get the kickstand down in a rush to plant feet to terra firma.
Another interesting phenomenon exhibited by the porcine herdsman is his/her perplexing tendency to critique much faster riders. I first observed this at The Overlook which occurs after about 30 turns into The Dragon; as riders of the smooth, fast, and often unicycular variety zip by the wide eyed herder he can be seen to shake his jowly head and prognosticate the eminent demise of riders of "them crotchrockets" just around the next bend. I will optimistically attribute this not to a wish for the death of a faster rider on better equipment, but to a complete and total lack of comprehension of the gap in technology, refinement, design, and power that can only be expressed in orders of magnitude. Effectively a
War of the Worlds level of technology deficit. There is also the juxtaposition of those out playing "dress up" to those out pushing their personal performance envelope which comes into play. Perhaps the pig herder thinks "them crotchrocket" riders are just playing "dress up" too, and sees no sense in them riding faster since the perception is everyone is out playing "dress up" and all should ride slowly so as to display his costume better. Beats me.
Presumably to compensate for their inability to wisely choose a two wheeled conveyance or perhaps from frustration at having folk on sportbikes, hell - even dirtbikes and scooters!, pass them as water passes 'round rock in a stream whilst they struggle to even continue without leaving the road surface many will gamely twist the ear of their porcine mount causing it to emit a cacophony all out of proportion to the motive force being applied to pavement. Perhaps they seek to make up in annoyance what they lack in prowess. Whatever the intention, the result is comical; akin to a septuagenarian trying to pick up chicks by "tempting" them with his new Viagra prescription.
Words of wisdom:
A Harley Davidson is the most efficient means yet devised for converting petroleum into noise without the side effect of power.
