So I started out the day by taking a quick ride around the block. I felt like a teenager learning to drive stick shift for the first time. I just could not find the friction zone. Enough of a practice ride this was not making me feel confident. A little while later the 5 of us left.
Here is a picture of 4 of us during the ride
It took about 30 miles for me to get used to the throttle, next was the downshifting and that took another 50 miles. I found that I wanted to lean forward while riding like I do with Dash ( not a fan of Bella’s handlebars). When I went to make a U-Turn Bella failed there as well. Rick had warned me that the turn radius was horrid and I did not believe him ( Dash will turn circles all day) but Rick was not joking. Pulling out of a gas station I went to make a simple turn and that darned Bella only went so far and then stopped abruptly. Luckily Rick had warned me and I was able to keep her upright.
I missed Dash’s distinctive rattle. Bella sounds like a camel spitting.
At one of our stops I put down the kick stand, and because I am so accustomed to Dash’s lean I habitually get off and stand beside the bike for a moment. Luckily I did because that kick stand folded right up on me and Bella started to go down. But I held her up and Laura came to the rescue.
Now the good. Bella and her 900cc’s is fast as a panther. Geesh, that bike can move. I started to get a bit lazy about riding because with Dash just to pass a car is a major think tank. On Bella you twist the throttle and off she goes. Riding on the freeway was a blast (usually I have to play catch up. But not on Bella).
As we hit the curves it was a very different experience than on Dash and I grew to appreciate the power of this bike and the lean angle that felt solid. I am used to forcing Dash into a lean. Not on Bella one subtle movement and she was at the ready. Rick insists I mention that we rode the Banner Grade. So we rode the Banner Grade.
Once we hit 243 I felt fairly confident so of course the wind had to make its appearance. Now Rick insists my rear tire did not skip about as I claim but I know it felt scary going into a curve and the tire skips about. I was not a fan of that road when the wind kicked up. But prior it was wonderful. The last part of 243 was a precipice. Very big and deep precipice. Looming. Foreboding. I did not like it. I was thankful when it ended and we were on level ground.
Here is a random photo during the ride
Here is the score card:
style. Dash wins by a mile. On every ride someone has always asked me about Dash or regaled me with their stories of a Honda CB. I was invisible on Bella Qua
comfort Dash wins again. I have ridden 4000 miles on Dash and never been sore due to him. I rode under 300 on Bella and my butt hurts. The seat is too wide!
handling. Bella Qua is the clear winner. Sorry Dash.
gas mileage a tie. They both average 50mpg.
BackdoorMotoAdventures 