When to slow down

[Trip]

I been thinking a lot about this lately. Specifically with risk and enjoyment factor. When I got into riding, all I wanted to do was "go fast" just like Ricky Bobby. Constantly working on body position and better lines. I've done the whole knee down thing and never really enjoyed the track. It was ok, but it wasn't a true addiction like it is to some people. I prefered street always. Just the travel and scenery as opposed the same thing over and over again. And I am a cheap son of a bitch, so the cost vs enjoyment was never really there. Although even at the gap, I would just end up watching the idiots more than riding the road.

This was in the back of my mind the entire rally. I ended up leading a lot of rides and ran a decent pace for others to follow, but the enjoyment of running at the speeds was no longer there. It's not that it wasn't comfortable speeds for me, I was taking it easy 95% of the time and well in my comfort zone, but just talking with others who were riding slower and enjoying the area I missed a lot of what was off the road. I ended up riding mid pack up to the gap and had a blast taking it very easy and just enjoying the ride and the surroundings.

As most of you know, I am fixing up the 600rr to sell it. I think it is time to move on from sportbikes. They aren't really comfortable on slow rides and suck for packing for trips. I am looking more into the adventure tourer realm. Something I can just take up the gravel/dirt roads a new found hobby after buying the DRZ.

I been talking with a few other members about it and they seem to be moving in the same direction. As well as a few locals. I don't think it's the risk that worries me as much, because I ran the gap as fast I have ever run it this weekend, but it just wasn't fun. It was more like ego pushing me to run it at those speeds. Again I wasn't riding at a speed I hadn't been accustom to or pushing it beyond my means. I use to ride at those speeds cause it was fun, not for "hey look how fast I am" type of thing. I made about 3 passes all day yesterday on a clean road empty of cops. My normal on a full day like that would be high teens if not more. I don't know, I don't know if it is time to just hang up the race helmet and pick up a DS one or just take a break from it.

Gas, what do you think? I know you came to this same choice when you made the move to big dog. What was your whole decision process?