Long Tall Posted August 11, 2011 #1 Posted August 11, 2011 Bought Ken W. (forum member) MCT Trailer in anticipation of our first two week trip...Wife and I are heading out Sept. 3rd heading to Badlands area of South Dakato....Been doing a lot of reading here.....Changed Oil, Filter, Rear End Gear Oil, Sync'ed Carbs, Checked Air in all tires (including trailer), checked Trailer bearing for grease....purchased tire plug repair kit....have small air compressor....Did test run on Blueridge Pkwy and Four-Lane at speed (no problems)..Cleaned and re-oiled K&N Filters.....Got a lot of help from a Goldwing riding couple on how to pack, size of cooler, etc.... How/Where do I download/print the VR Assist List? NOW I HAVE TO WAIT 3 WEEKS... BIDING MY TIME:fingers crossed:>>>>>OF COURSE I KNOW IT WILL GET DIRTY DURING THE TWO WEEKS... Long Tall Lynchburg, VA
okiestar Posted August 11, 2011 #3 Posted August 11, 2011 And remember to repeat that tire pressure check just before you leave and often during your trip too. Sounds like a great time. Hope u really enjoy it.
Sailor Posted August 11, 2011 #4 Posted August 11, 2011 Sounds like you have done everything right. Best part is you are on a venture. No problems.
Bummer Posted August 11, 2011 #5 Posted August 11, 2011 VR Assistance is here. Just pick a version, load it up, and click on print. Got to be a fun trip. Irene and I rode through the Badlands on the way back from Cody. We went the long way to get there and learned that North Dakota has a Badlands too. Teddy Roosevelt Park. Prettier than the SD one, but way out of your way. Of course while you're in the area you'll be checking out Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the Black Hills. Then there's the tourist stop at Wall Drug, and Devil's Tower isn't really all that far off when you're on a Venture... Just got back and I'm droolin' to head that way again. By the way, pretty bike. I'm still trying to chisel the bugs off of mine from the Cody trip. Enjoy!
Long Tall Posted September 15, 2011 Author #6 Posted September 15, 2011 I thought I would post an update to our first Long Distance Trip.... A little over 4000 miles round trip...The 06 RSV got us there and back...Just hummed along...I have posted a link to my blog I posted to every evening if anyone is interested...Updates for the day and pics...I will have to say the Black Hills, area of SD are something to see. Mt Rushmore was very impressive....and Iron Mtn Hwy and Needles Hwy are so much fun we did them twice...Made the trip over to see Devils Tower also...Unbelievable... We did have an incident. On Saturday AM we left Rapid City heading home with a quick stop in the Badlands National Park (65 miles East of Rapid City). Donna fell on some steps at the first overlook and was taken by ambulance back to Rapid City Hospital with a fracture to her right humerus near her shoulder. I ended up putting her on a plane back to Lynchburg, VA Sunday AM...She has seen the Dr. and is now on the mends. I did the 1700 miles home in three days...arrived Tuesday evening. She did say she would do it all again. We had a great trip and we just consider the whole experience another Harbour Adventure.. A couple of items for all you RSV Distance Riders. Pulling the Aluma Trailer cut my gas mileage down. Riding around here in the Ole VA Mtns and I get 40-42...Pulling the trailer and that dropped to 32...I was doing Inter-State speed coming and going...Also at Altitude in Rapid City we would begin our day at about 8:00 AM Mountain Time. For the first 45 minutes or so the Carbs pinged like crazy...I actually thought something was loose for a while...I will say that the local Yamaha Dealer was pretty good to me. On the day before I left, I took the Bike in and had them just "CHECK" for things that MIGHT cause a problem coming home...Charge me $40..I thought that was reasonable for a check of all the systems...Tires, Fluid levels, etc.... Here is the Link to the Blog. http://trailblazingharbours.blogspot.com Thanks again to all that help with questions and advice that made the trip easier... Long Tall Lynchburg, VA
SC89Venture Posted September 15, 2011 #7 Posted September 15, 2011 Amazing ride, amazing story, amazing pics. Thanks for sharing.
Iowa Guy Posted September 15, 2011 #8 Posted September 15, 2011 Raising our kids, my wife and I took several car and tent vacations to the Black Hills and it remains my favorite place to go. You have inspired me and I will send your blog to my wife so we can do this trip again on the Venture. Iowa Guy
Eck Posted September 16, 2011 #9 Posted September 16, 2011 Hope you have a 12 volt plug in to recharge your cell phone.... I tend to always forget the charger CORD....duh... Get dressed as if your going for a ride.. then "pretend" it is getting ready to rain, and put on your every piece of your rain gear so that you know HOW to put it on, in what order, and to ensure you have everything you need in case it rains, including eye and hand protection. Pretend it is SUPPER hot.....what will you wear, do you have sun screen. Hide/take another key in case you loose the main one.. Always let a family member know you are safe after checking into a motel, and make them aware of where you plan to go the next day in case of an accident.. This way they know you would be "somewhere" between the motel and the destination you had in mind that day... ANd list ME as your benificiary....... you know..just in case.. Enjoy, and I hope you have a very safe and enjoyable trip..!
Phoneman1981 Posted September 16, 2011 #10 Posted September 16, 2011 Hello: Glad your trip was good. Sorry to hear about Donna's mishap. Things happen...
Long Tall Posted October 2, 2011 Author #11 Posted October 2, 2011 All: Thanks for the concerns and thoughts for Donna...She is doing well after the fall in the Badlands Nat'l Park on our last day.... Donna goes to the Dr. for an update on the shoulder....If the bone has started healing, then we move into rehab for about a year. We have been busy since we got back from the trip....Had the VA STAR Chapters together for a picnic and then my Mother came up for a week from FL....Did I mention I own an Investment Firm... Anyway...had some time to do some video editing and wanted to post here. Thanks to all that viewed/followed the Blog....We (Me and Donna) would go back in a heart beat...May do Colorado next.... Here's a Little South Dakota riding... [ame=http://vimeo.com/29899311]Riding in the Black Hills on Vimeo[/ame] Everyone's input on pre-trip do's and don'ts was invaluable. Long Tall Lynchburg, VA
Riderduke Posted October 3, 2011 #12 Posted October 3, 2011 Sounds like you two had an awsome ride and vacation. Thanks for sharing
reddevilmedic Posted October 3, 2011 #13 Posted October 3, 2011 love that tune on the video! supertramp right? looks like a fantastic trip, cant wait till i get my blonde finished.
Condor Posted October 3, 2011 #14 Posted October 3, 2011 That was one of the best videos I've seen. Very nice job...
Long Tall Posted October 4, 2011 Author #15 Posted October 4, 2011 That was one of the best videos I've seen. Very nice job... Just me and my IMac....Of course the wife and the camera made it all possible TKS Long Tall
Guest tx2sturgis Posted October 4, 2011 #16 Posted October 4, 2011 I enjoyed the video and the blog....one little correction....on the blog for Sept 9, the ninth picture down: Those tunnels are on Iron Mountain Road, not Needles Highway. They all frame the Mt Rushmore Monument, when viewed from the opposite end. I've never seen those roads when they arent covered with motorcycles during the rally, and it looks like you mostly had those roads to yourself....amazing!
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