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Bugs bugs bugs

...and I don't mean any rascally rabbit. Riding without a windscreen, wearing a ½ helmet, bugs are a real issue. I picked three off of my face just from the ride home from the dealership last Thursday. I start looking online for some face covering. I find one with fleece on the inside thinking I would appreciate the cushioning. Of course when I get it in the mail... it is for cold weather use... more surprising, I had pre-loaded my motorcycle jacket with a big bandana. I'm not always on the ball.

I have since invested in an honest to goodness Buff. Having only seen them on the TV show "Survivor" I knew they can be worn many ways. I got the UV protection one so I might use it as headgear once I'm off the bike. I don't have a lot of cargo space so everything I can get to serve more than one function is a blessing.

I went on my first night ride last night. The speedo emits a nice soft amber light and the LCD readout is legible (just - my eyes, not the bike's fault). The headlamp is a surprise. Low beam is more than adequate but the high beam will take some getting used to. I find it hard to put into words - it illuminates everything on both sides really well for a long way down the road. The middle bit is... odd. It seems to somehow flatten objects in the distance directly in front of me to the point where, if something was NOT moving (deer carcass for instance), I might not notice it right away. I will need to take a few more night rides just to get used to the quality of the light. The high beam does however act as a beacon for every flying insect in a two mile radius to attempt suicide on my face. The Buff in "Ninja" mode keeps them out of my ear.

Here I am with my Buff in "Pirate" mode.


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