First trip on KTM – returning

The vacation is done and it’s time to head for home.   So we begin to prep for departure.   Repacking the panniers and reattaching them to the bike is fairly simple.   Reattaching the tankbag requires threading a strap around the steering stem, but once that’s done the rear mounting straps click into place.   This trip, I didn’t even bring the waterproof duffel, so that’s the bike packed and ready.

Now to get the rider geared up and ready.   Boots, jacket, gloves, earbuds, helmet, camelback – oops, i forgot to put ice and water into the camelback bladder.   Having the water available was great so it’s worth the few minutes to load it up.   OK, loaded and strapped on.   Ready to go, or so I thought.

It was a little chilly outside this morning, and I obviously didn’t give the big motor enough choke.   It didn’t start, and the battery was definitely on the low side of fully charged.   Even if I’m not smart enough to give it enough choke, I am smart enough to avoid completely flattening the battery.   Recognizing that there is a downhill road a few feet away, I decided that I could bump-start it on the downhill slope.   Important fact number two – despite plenty of speed, being in the proper gear, jumping down on the seat while letting out the clutch, I don’t weigh enough to overcome the 12:1 compression ratio of the 950cc motor.   The rear tire just slid on the pavement.   So now, I’m at the bottom of the hill, without a running engine, and without enough battery to start it, and realizing that pushing it up the hill for another go at the bump-start process is futile.   Crap.

Amy’s brother David has jumper cables so all is not lost.   However, what was lost (or misplaced for the moment) was the adapter for the 5/16 wrench that allows the use of 1/4 drive sockets.   I have to remove 2 bolts and 2 screws to access the battery (which I may have to remedy soon) and that task just became a much larger nuisance.   I wound up using the proper socket and a set of knipex pliers to turn the socket to remove the bolts.   The screws were easier, just the socket and they could be backed out by hand.   Car engine off, cables properly connected at the car, connected to the braided straps in front of the battery, and push the button.   Fires up almost instantly.   Good.   Now I just have to button everything up and I’m ACTUALLY ready to go.   More drama than I needed prior to departure, but handled reasonably well and no damage to anything but pride.

You’ve heard that “pride goeth before the fall” and I’m telling you that it also goeth before flattening the battery in front of the in-laws.   I’ll hear about this for a long time.

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