This is just a random post on a lazy day off. It's 41°C (106°F) here today. So I won't be riding, just amusing myself on the internet.
Anyway, I'm getting my bike re-registered this afternoon. So, a few days ago I got a temporary permit so I could ride the bike to get a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC). It was my first ride in over a year. On the way back, when I got to the entrance to the farm, I decided to keep going to the next town instead and enjoy more riding.
As I was leaving that town I realised I hadn't filled the tank up before I set out for the day, and there were no fuel stops between where I was and home - which was 30kms (18 miles) away and the road runs up and down through country hills. As far as I know, based off advice on this forum, the reserve on the Raptor will get about 20-25 miles. So I hit the road and hoped for the best.
Just as I left town, the bike spluttered and popped, and the power died off. So I switched to reserve. I rode conservatively but as I got further along I began to feel more and more stressed lol.
Anyway, the point is, when I got to the top of the hills I killed the engine and free wheeled my way through the winding roads back down again.
It was actually a lot of fun - really surprisingly peaceful to be gliding between farmland on a sunny day - on a silent cruiser. Rather peaceful. It was one of those moments that revivified the fun I had on my pushbike as a kid.
However, as fun as it was, it hasn't convinced me to consider an electric bike.