Spring is gettin' closer. The time to bring the Miata out of storage is almost here.
Now I realize that most have lost interest in me talking about the 'little underpowered' sports car. Ok. Some even call it a 'girl's car" OK, again.
Let me say this, however. I do miss riding but it has been a good call for me. The change to four wheels and much LESS horsepower has its minuses but also its plusses. In the Wind is still there. The sound of the 16 valve four has been much improved since I stuck a K &N filter assembly on the intake. The sound of that engine (motor) at 7k is pleasing, it's almost sounds like I have more than 142 horses working under the hood. The good news is that low horsepower equals fun without the speeding rewards. 0-60 in about 7.6 seconds from what I hear. Top speed, I don't know.
Not much get-along but not much weight either. About three times the weight of a Valk standard. I am looking forward to once again oozing into the leather bucket seat, cranking her over, and snicking through the six speed gearbox. I will be making one change. Instead of the UHP summer tires, I will be switching to an All season UHP tire, a General G Max 05. That will give me a less harsh ride and extend my driving in colder weather a bit. Since I don't drive at 9/10ths the small decrease in road stickiness won't be missed.
Finally, I know that I probably could've lived with a trike but the Miata is cheaper, safer, easier to drive and I can put the top up and turn on the air if need be. That is worth a lot to me, more than I ever thought it would.
The pic that I took last season was taken when it was cool but even then the route that I took was still almost as enjoyable as when I did the same on the Vstrom and the Valkyrie (and even the 750 Magna and the 750 Nighthawk, and maybe even the ST1100) Oh, "Those were the Days, my Friend" but the riding is over and the driving is still going on.
When I take another pic of me and my Miata, I'll remember to bring my feet facing the same direction. A 10 second delay on the camera was too fast for my thinking
. I was born with feet that face outward but, Hell, I'm still here at 90 and that's the most important thing. Ride Safe, as Dennis would say.
Back to normal riding programming.
I
