Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
Many of you know all about PMS- Parked Motorcycle Syndrome but the term really doesn't correctly apply to the Spyder seeing it's not a motorcycle but the symptoms are much the same and the root cause is the same (bad weather). I guess the correct label for us would be PSS- Parked Spyder Syndrome
Here are a few things to watch for if you think yo may be suffering from PMS/PSS.
Yesterday was my chance to make a break for it. My driveway was clear and the sun was out. It was only 31 degrees but at least it wasn't snowing or raining. That's all going to start back up on Monday so it was now or never.
I got a new jacket from BRP about a month ago that I wanted to try out but like I said I couldn't leave the house on the Spyder, this was my chance to try it out.
This is their Kavalier Series jacket and like they say "The only place where you'll find more technology is on the Roadster itself".
Here's what they say about it.
Unfortunately my trailer for the RT has been sitting out and was covered in bird droppings and needed to be washed off. My hose has been frozen so I couldn't even squirt it off so I hooked it up to the RT and headed for the car wash to give it a good blast.
When I pulled out of the driveway I felt like I had low front tires. I checked them both and they were right at 20 lbs and that's where I like to run them. By time I got out of my driveway they felt fine. The only thing I can think of was my steering box was real cold seeing we haven't had too many days above freezing. As soon as I got out of the driveway and on to the road I hit a patch of black ice as I was shifting and the rpm's reved out. That was my warning of things to come.
The ride to the car wash wasn't that bad. It was 37 degrees and felt great with the sun out. I couldn't believe how packed out the car wash was when I got there. I had to wait my turn and the spray off of the hoses was getting me wet and on a warm day that would have been fine but I really didn't want to get wet when it was in the 30's.
So I blasted the RT and trailer and wiped down my seat and headed out toward Hot Springs NC. The roads were clear but full of salt and I could see it sticking to all the parts that still had water on it. I knew I was going to have to go back to the car wash when this ride was over. The ride over the mountain got down to 28 degrees in a few spots but I still felt pretty warm. I had light gloves on and it was the first time I ran with the heated grips on high for the first 20 miles or so. They did get too hot at one point but it was nice to have the option of being too hot when it's that cold.
I wound up going through Hot Springs and taking the 209 to Maggie Valley where the owners meet will be this year. It's a great ride and I'm looking forward to riding it again when there's no salt or ice. There was plenty of gravel on the roads too but even if I did slide a little I was never really out of control. My main issue was other folks driving in my lane going the other way. I can't tell you how many times I was over to the right as far as I could go to keep from hitting these guys. That's why it's good practice to stay in your lane because if the other guy crosses over your chances of getting over in time are greatly reduced.
I made it to the exit for Maggie Valley but I started to get a pretty bad headache so I decided to just motor on back on the highway and get to the car wash so I could blast all the salt off. By time I got there I was getting a chill and even though I got a good ride in I was ready for a warm shower. I didn't stop to get any pictures but I did get one when I was at the car wash. You know it's cold when the spray if freezing in the stall.
For now my PSS is at bay but I still can't wait for the riding season to get here. Spyderfest, the Owners event in Maggie Valley and maybe the Guts and Glory ride are all on my bucket list for this year. It sure feels good to get out and ride even if it was only 130 miles or so. :thumbup:
Here are a few things to watch for if you think yo may be suffering from PMS/PSS.
- You find yourself watching the Weather Channel hourly looking for a break in the rain or snow so you can get a ride in. Just like last year and the year before that, this is the longest winter ever.
- You have convinced yourself that 20 degrees is really not that cold if you gear up.
- You search the internet for cold riding gear even though you can't get out of your driveway because of the snow and ice.
- You find yourself walking around in a t-shirt when it's 30 degrees out just to condition yourself for a ride if you do get out of your driveway.
- You feel you are stuck in a prison and if you don't get a ride in soon you can not be held responsible for your actions.
- You live vicariously through members who post about their rides on the West Coast and in Florida. You tend to love and hate them at the same time.
Yesterday was my chance to make a break for it. My driveway was clear and the sun was out. It was only 31 degrees but at least it wasn't snowing or raining. That's all going to start back up on Monday so it was now or never.
I got a new jacket from BRP about a month ago that I wanted to try out but like I said I couldn't leave the house on the Spyder, this was my chance to try it out.
This is their Kavalier Series jacket and like they say "The only place where you'll find more technology is on the Roadster itself".
Here's what they say about it.
- 100% waterproof
- 100% windproof
- 100% breathable
- Resilient membrane
- 300% stretchable
- Most durable of all membranes
Unfortunately my trailer for the RT has been sitting out and was covered in bird droppings and needed to be washed off. My hose has been frozen so I couldn't even squirt it off so I hooked it up to the RT and headed for the car wash to give it a good blast.
When I pulled out of the driveway I felt like I had low front tires. I checked them both and they were right at 20 lbs and that's where I like to run them. By time I got out of my driveway they felt fine. The only thing I can think of was my steering box was real cold seeing we haven't had too many days above freezing. As soon as I got out of the driveway and on to the road I hit a patch of black ice as I was shifting and the rpm's reved out. That was my warning of things to come.
The ride to the car wash wasn't that bad. It was 37 degrees and felt great with the sun out. I couldn't believe how packed out the car wash was when I got there. I had to wait my turn and the spray off of the hoses was getting me wet and on a warm day that would have been fine but I really didn't want to get wet when it was in the 30's.
So I blasted the RT and trailer and wiped down my seat and headed out toward Hot Springs NC. The roads were clear but full of salt and I could see it sticking to all the parts that still had water on it. I knew I was going to have to go back to the car wash when this ride was over. The ride over the mountain got down to 28 degrees in a few spots but I still felt pretty warm. I had light gloves on and it was the first time I ran with the heated grips on high for the first 20 miles or so. They did get too hot at one point but it was nice to have the option of being too hot when it's that cold.
I wound up going through Hot Springs and taking the 209 to Maggie Valley where the owners meet will be this year. It's a great ride and I'm looking forward to riding it again when there's no salt or ice. There was plenty of gravel on the roads too but even if I did slide a little I was never really out of control. My main issue was other folks driving in my lane going the other way. I can't tell you how many times I was over to the right as far as I could go to keep from hitting these guys. That's why it's good practice to stay in your lane because if the other guy crosses over your chances of getting over in time are greatly reduced.
I made it to the exit for Maggie Valley but I started to get a pretty bad headache so I decided to just motor on back on the highway and get to the car wash so I could blast all the salt off. By time I got there I was getting a chill and even though I got a good ride in I was ready for a warm shower. I didn't stop to get any pictures but I did get one when I was at the car wash. You know it's cold when the spray if freezing in the stall.
For now my PSS is at bay but I still can't wait for the riding season to get here. Spyderfest, the Owners event in Maggie Valley and maybe the Guts and Glory ride are all on my bucket list for this year. It sure feels good to get out and ride even if it was only 130 miles or so. :thumbup:
I'd trade for your icicles in the car wash, gladly! Minus eight here this morning, and more snow from yesterday to shovel. PSS may be curable, but it sure feels like it takes an eternity. :joke:
