First Ride Peer 2006

[peer]

Just back from Florida and the weather was great there, but in the Netherlands today too!!!! Only 20 degrees Celsius difference, from 28 till 8, and a cold wind but nevertheless a great day to ride the jet-lag away. I made some pictures today to introduce you to the small village Nuenen where I live.



This picture is taken in the center of the village where I live. Vincent van Gogh lived here a few years and made most of his famous paintings in that periode. A small statue is just left behind me on the picture to honnor him. To prevent any confusion I am taller then Vincent!!!



This small old farm house figures on many paintings of Vincent van Gogh and the interior was used for his famous painting "the patato eaters".



What is a dutch village without a windmill? So this is our local one, still completely functional. No I am not wearing my wooden shoes today and it is too early for the tulips but I had my cheese sandwich.



Just a picture of some typical (restored) farmhouses.



And the last one of today made at a short stop in the forest.




Now the salt is of the roads we can ride again.

[Nacho]

Nice shots, Peer, but that Silver Beauty needs some accesories on!!! She is almost naked!!!! Do you want me to make a collect for you? Maybe some of the guys can send you some bucks to buy something.

Just kidding, of course. Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing and I am glad that you finally had the chance to ride.

Hasta la vista,

Nacho.

[peer]

I know your kidding Nacho but you are right she/he is pretty naked. The only things I have added are the extra front lights, an extra LED brake light and 2 position lights in each arm rest, I like to be visible in traffic! I have never added a lot of extra's to the bikes I have owned. On the PanEuropean's I had before the Venture I only changed the windscreens. The only thing I am considering is a drivers backrest and followed your advise about the products from Utopia, they look good and are reasonbly priced but often I drive with luggage on the passenger seat that serves as an excellent support!

[bunnie]

very nice photo's Peer,

today I drove mine to Termaat at Nijmegen for service. Decided at last not to do it myself.

Saturday the bike is ready and I'm a lot poorer but happy. Your pictures inspired me so I will take some too for all to enjoy.

[Nacho]

Peer, go ahead with the Utopia thing. You won't regret it. And about using the back seat as a luggage place, donpt worry about the Utopia back rest. It won't be a problem. Actually, I also have travelled some times that way with a big bag right behind the back rest. There plenty of space back there and the rest will still work as expected. Only thing you have to consider is not to use the rest or its "chasis" to secure the luggage. If you do it, you will feel the vibrations of the trunk on your back and you won't drive confortable. So just attach the luggage exactly the same way you are doing now and leave a couple of cm between the rest and and luggage (the back rest bar is some kind of flexible and bounces a little bit, that is why it is so comfortable).

When you buy the rest, just give me a mail. I will tell you a final advice in orther to not damage your rear fender (you will have to enlarge two wholes and I have met people who went too far with the drilling and scratched the fender).

Now, one final question. Do those side lights you added have current (electricity) or are they just reflective things. I am trying now to add some side lights somewhere and I wonder where you got the current from and if the work with regular lights switch or with a new one you added (where if that's the case?).

Anyway. Thanks for all the info in advance,

Hasta la vista.

Nacho.

[peer]

Muchas Gracias Nacho, I will get in touch with you when I have purchased an Utopia backrest so you can provide me with the "critical" information.

To answer your question, yes they are real (orange LED) lights. I have connected them to the current of the tail light so they also work when you have the parking lights on. Mounting is pretty simple, remove seat and backseat, remove panel between the back speakers, remove gently the black plastic cover of the armrests, remove the speakers and drill two 4 mm holes in the outside plastic of the armrest. The LED lights snap-on and glue. Connect the wires to the tail light connector just behind the battery and they work! Even with my 2 "left hands" I was able to do this . And of course screw everything back again. I choose this location on the bike because it is always visible and it gives a nice opportunity to hide the electricity cables. by the way most motorcycle shops in Holland sell these kind of lights nowadays for about 15-20 Euro a pair.

[roland]

Did my first ride of the year today. It wasn't such a nice ride like Peer had, only the way to work. But it was a good feeling to get the bike awake after the winter sleep. No problem with starting. It seemed to me that also my bike was waiting for this moment. ;D