cowpuc Posted June 6, 2018 Share #1 Posted June 6, 2018 Just finishing up that last left over Hamburger here David and thought I better give you shout brother!!! @videoarizona = you still out CTFW or are you snoozin next to your scoot in your garage?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyinfool Posted June 6, 2018 Share #2 Posted June 6, 2018 Last I heard from him he was in Columbia MO and was expecting to be there a couple days to wait out some bad weather. But that was last Sat. We had a good visit with him as he passed thru, He was not prepaired to get this close to the WWW and nearly froze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowpuc Posted June 6, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted June 6, 2018 I actually knew that was gonna happen Fool!! He spent the week with us,,, hot and humid as all get out.. Being from Az, poor Vaz wasnt ready for the humidity,,, still had a LOT of fun IMHO.. About the time that the Ferry would have touched base in Cheese Headville, a cold front moved thru here and the humidity died right off.. Tip and I were down at my daughters the next morning and I remember telling her that, yep,,, Fool DEFINITELY was showing off the WWW for Vaz!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snyper316 Posted June 6, 2018 Share #4 Posted June 6, 2018 Dang he is kind of close to me if he is still around Misery... The weather been nice here tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyR Posted June 6, 2018 Share #5 Posted June 6, 2018 If you need shooting supplies, Midway is just west of Columbia north side of the highway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowpuc Posted June 7, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted June 7, 2018 Well I got tired of waiting and,,, ok,, a little concerned so I texted Vaz this morning.. Thru sleepy eye's (hadnt had his morning coffee yet and if there is one thing I know about Vaz = he HAS to have that morning java) He said to let everyone know all is fine with him and his gorgeous scoot. I wont tell his story for him that I KNOW he is gonna tell us when he gets home but I will tell ya that he mentioned something about having rolled over 4000 miles on this one!!! WAYYYYY TO GO VAZ!!!! Think I am gonna go search our club award reserve and see if there isnt something out there that honors those who travel such longgg distances on 2 wheels just to say HI to his friends - if not,, there oughta be:big-grin-emoticon:,,,, maybe a "ARE YOU NUTS?" award Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted June 10, 2018 Share #7 Posted June 10, 2018 Home today! 4K plus miles, lousy headwinds no matter which way I went, met with some great old friends and made some fantastic new ones! Dodged some rain and endured others. But didn't ride in those Midwest thunderbumpers...nope! Let me unpack and rest for a while then I'll write up the trip... Started unpacking the scoot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted June 10, 2018 Share #8 Posted June 10, 2018 (edited) BTW, while resting in Phoenix, Pat and I managed to get with @VanRiver for dinner last night. Went to our favorite Mexican place that we have enjoyed for over 25 years. Thanks for driving out to meet with us, James! Edited June 10, 2018 by videoarizona sp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowpuc Posted June 13, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted June 13, 2018 Home today! 4K plus miles, lousy headwinds no matter which way I went, met with some great old friends and made some fantastic new ones! Dodged some rain and endured others. But didn't ride in those Midwest thunderbumpers...nope! Let me unpack and rest for a while then I'll write up the trip... Started unpacking the scoot! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=112965 If these lop eared varmints knew what I know about how much stuff you have to unpack from the gorgeous 2nd Gen of yours they would understand why I wouldnt plan on reading about this trip until December ,,,, BTW, while resting in Phoenix, Pat and I managed to get with VanRiver for dinner last night. Went to our favorite Mexican place that we have enjoyed for over 25 years. Thanks for driving out to meet with us, James! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=112969 OUTSTANDING!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted June 14, 2018 Share #10 Posted June 14, 2018 If these lop eared varmints knew what I know about how much stuff you have to unpack from the gorgeous 2nd Gen of yours they would understand why I wouldnt plan on reading about this trip until December ,,,, OUTSTANDING!!!!! HAH! Wrong...Dragon Breath! Here it comes! LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted June 14, 2018 Share #11 Posted June 14, 2018 (edited) Well...since the Pucster mentioned all the "stuff" I packed...thought I would start with that....(you can blame him if this read is to long!) Grins. 2018 MD Trip. Or attempt anyway... I had three objectives: 1. Make this trip for myself. 2. Meet members on the way. 3: Enjoy meeting everyone at MD. Most excellent trip. Although I didn't make it to MD, I had a very good trip. Visited long time friends and made new ones! Cowpuc and I were watching the weather and at the time he and Tippy decided to head south to visit family instead of coming to MD, I decided the thunderstorms forecast for between Ann Harbor and Toledo were not what I wanted to experience! I don't mind the rain but those midwest thunderstorms...nope. So they headed south and I caught the ferry west to Milwaukee, hoping to meet up with FlyingFool. Left in warm sunshine, arrived in freezing windy cold! But I'm getting ahead of myself. I do get a kick out of packing. I haven't gone across country since 1969...when I went from New Hampshire to Arizona on a Yamaha YDS-6C. Being young and "stoopid", I didn't know I should pack for emergencies...I just grabbed the duffle bag and went. But this time I wanted to pack for bear, as I knew if I didn't have it...I would need it! So...I did...and thankfully...didn't need the stuff. Cockpit: 1-Controller. Set in "Aux" mode...listened to XM and GPS. 2: XM 3: Garmin 490. Has aux input (for XM), line output... so it plugged right into the "Y" cable inside the fairing. Tank BIB: Gas cap cover by Nanci. Kept the glare down. Thanks, Nanci!! http://www.acehighleathers.com/ 4: Audio cord with Edsets adapter for ear buds. Pockets held GPS cover, sunglasses, gum and whatever... Left Saddlebag: 5: Tent poles (kept thinking of Yammer - wish I could have met him) 6: Stator (I've got over 60K on original) 7: Gloves 8: Guard braces to be installed at MD. 9: Shock pump, extension mirror 10: Fuel pump 11: spare plastic.Ground cover or David cover 12: Slime kit with pump 13: Jump start battery 14: Charger 15: spare web cord and tent cords 16: Head lamp Tour Pack: 17: 1st Aid kit 18: sheepskin for butt. (didn't help) 19: Stator gaskets 20: Tire plug kit 21: TP (cat shreaded one roll) 22: Snack bag Sneakers - not shown. Very light packed in bag. ResMed Cpap Mini - Not shown Right Saddlebag: 23: Spare headlight bulb 24: bag with points, plugs, fuses, etc. 25: 1989 VR tool kit (cause it works!) 26: Stand pad 27: Fuel hose 28: Towels and rags 29: Gloves 30: Tool bag - sockets and wrenches/butane soldering pencil and electrical stuff. 31: Wet/dry bags for windshield Pillion Seat: 32: Clothes bag. Went above the camping bag. Clothes, meds, vitamins, etc. 33: Camp bag- tent, pad, rain fly, stakes, sleeping bag, pillow, etc. Tour Pack rack: 34: Blanket, Bike cover, rain gear (Froggs Toggs), web straps and tie down. Plus, anything else I picked up like tour brochures, etc... So did I over pack? Yea...no doubt. All it cost me was MPG's! Back to the road...Although I had the camping gear...I decided that I needed to add to my Best Western points....so I was planning one day at a time based on finding a room with BW. It was worth it for me to have a hot shower and decent, free breakfast. BTW, I wore Bohn armor leggings under my jeans. Got the lightweight summer mesh. Worked very well. It was warmer but I didn't even notice them while walking or sitting on the scoot. I felt good having them on. Day 1: Left Arizona at 6am on May 23rd. Stopped at Dragoon Rest area on I-10. Love the rocks. Got on rt 70 at Las Cruces, NM and stopped at White Sands. Interesting place! Continued on 70 to Ruidoso. Hoped to meet up with V7Goose, but he never responded to my PM. Hope he's ok. Was concerned about thunderstorms as they built up in that area and were heading east. But lucked out as they stayed ahead of me while I slept. Day 2: Left Ruidoso at 6am. Hadn't gone 4 miles when I saw 3 rather large dead deer still laying in right lane by guardrail. One right after the other. Obviously, the watch for deer signs were valid! Fresh meat...not yet picked up by humans or scavengers. Rode through the panhandle of Texas on way to Amarillo...lots of cows...miles of cows. Whew! Next overnight at Elk City Oklahoma. At Elk City BW, they let me park under the portico as a large storm was coming right at us. Gave me a room with a view of bike. Thankfully, storm split and went around the area... Day 3: Was aiming for Sherwood Arkansas so left early at 6am. Had to delay outside of Oklahoma City on I-40 as 2 lines of storms were converging on Oklahoma City. I managed to slip between them, but was caught just east of downtown in a downpour. Froggs Toggs work. RainX for plastic windshields worked very well...letting water bead up and blow off. But of course, I was stupid and forgot to close the vent on the Clearview, so I was breathing rain until I woke up!The Shinko 777HD tires never felt loose at all during the freeway speeds through Oklahoma City in the downpour. 3 lanes of traffic...I took middle lane and zoomed along with them. Arrived in Sherwood, Arkansas in time for dinner. Hot and muggy. Had the best ribs I've ever eaten in this very small place....I ordered a half rack. The ribs were so big and meaty, I could only eat 3 ribs! Called Smokin Buns...north of Sherwood, AK. Visited with high school friends for 3 days...leaving on Memorial Day to get up to Indianapolis area. Day 4: May 28th My friend had me head NE on rt 167/ rt 67/ rt 412/ eventually connecting with I-55 to head to I-57 to I-70 and Effingham, Missouri. Uneventful ride except almost ran out of gas. There was no gas listed on the GPS for some 40 miles and I had passed up the last as they were about every 8 miles or so. Not this time. Came into this tiny town and ran into Ms. Addies Quick Shop. Restaurant sign and 2 old abandoned pumps. But....to the right was a lady brooming off a new gas pump pad! They had gas. Close call as I was on reserve. Nice people. Locals ate there so next time I'll stop in for some grub. Day 5: Left Effingham and headed north on I-57. Wanted to go east on 70 to Indianapolis then north on rt 31...but rain squalls got in the way...so headed up to East Chicago where I was routed through the not so good part of town to avoid the tolls. Think that's where I picked up a nail in rear tire. I-94 to I-196 to Rt 31 to Muskegon and cowpuc! Got to a Honda dealer where Scott and I met and we took a long look at the new Goldwing. Discovered my rear tire flat...Scott helped me plug the tire (he plugged, I watched and learned) in the Firestone repair shop parking lot right next to the air pump. We took off on a long test ride (ya gots to do this, ya know!), eventually ending up at the Pucster household...Hi Tippy! I spent 4 days as a guest of the Pucster and Tippy. Wonderful hosts. I've never met 2 people so much in love with each other...and of life! A joy to watch them as they enjoy every minute God has given them! We took a tour along the shores of Lake Michigan and areas north of where they live. Wonderful time in the saddle! Very nice country....just watch out for the bugs! Speaking of biting critters...Puc had planned on taking me to the "U P" to camp for a few days and enjoy the beauty up there, but after my bout with bug bites in Arkansas, I was not up to dealing with midgies, noseeums and mosquitos. It seems my sensitivity to insect bites is as bad as ever! I was swollen around every bite. So instead of camping...we relaxed, toured the area around town, ate very well and napped. Well, I napped, while Tip and Puc took off on a long test run on the RSV. I'm glad he did....as now he has some seat time on one. In addition, we needed to find a new tire and put it on the rear of the RSV. That was done...with a few issues. Puc was not pleased with the condition of the rim. It was quite obvious the rim was not cleaned at all on last install (Feb 2018). He asked me to make sure I have a chat with the store manager that installed the tire and give them a "training moment". I did that to the store manager in Phoenix who is senior to the store manager in Tucson, where the tire was mounted. He was not happy but did say he would pass on the "training moment" to the people in Tucson. After putting on the new tire...off we went for another test ride. Gotta love those test rides... The storms growing on the Michigan/Ohio border on early Friday morning the 1st of June were not to be ignored. I decided early not to make the trip to MD and the Pucster and Tip needed to go to their daughters house for an ailing grandson. So Puc took me to the ferry where I bought a ticket for the scoot and myself to Milwaukee. I left Michigan one hour 30 minutes late (high winds and seas on the lake) in heat and humidity and arrived in Milwaukee in very cold high winds. All of us on the boat deck were scrambling to get out our warm clothes and take down the tie downs and put them away before we docked. 20 minutes later I pulled in front of Flyinfool 's house. Jeff and Erika made me welcome with warmth and a place to change clothes! I had an hours ride yet ahead to the hotel so instead of going out to eat we sat and chatted. Jeff told me he had plans for next season's snow machine (he keeps locked away from prying eyes, including mine!) and I believe him! I have a feeling he will be testing some new nozzles...one of which may send some of that white fluffy stuff to my neck of the woods! Thanks, Jeff for taking the time to meet with me and let me warm up in your home! The rest of the trip back to Tucson was uneventful. Just more rain, storms to avoid and headwinds. Worthy of mention, Rt 60 through New Mexico is a bit barren. A lonely road with gas stops farther apart than normal. Did I mention the head winds? My trip average was 33 mpg...some of the fill ups I recorded 29 mpg! That's pretty bad considering most of the trip was on 2 lanes with 65 mph speed limits. Lots of head winds! I must have angered the Wind Gods at some point...So yea, I was conscious of the next fuel stop. Some Kansas scenery. The VLA The VLA, Very Large Array (radio telescopes) west of Socorro is worth stopping at. $6 tour allows you to unlimber and walk around. The view would have been better but a large fire was smoking up the valleys. Interesting what they are doing there. I stopped in Pie Town, New Mexico. Yes, there is a town. No gas but 3 places to buy pie, of course! I took place #3 as it served food. The apple pie was tasty but not the apple pie I grew up with. Way to much clove in the mix. At least for me. In Arizona....at last! After a night in Springerville, on Rt 260, I stopped at the Mogollon (Mug-ee-yon) Rim on my way to Payson for a breath of fresh mountain air. Without the smoke from the wildfires, you can easily see 75 miles or more. I love this part of Arizona. Patricia met me in Payson at the cabin (yay..she wanted me home safe!)....a few days rest then down to Phoenix for another few days off, where I unloaded the scoot, packed some of the stuff in her car and then left at 5am on Sunday to make the 150 mile trip to Green Valley, south of Tucson. Saw 40 mpg's without most of the weight and no headwind! So I know the scoot made the trip in good shape! What I learned: 1: This country is still beautiful and made up of very nice, polite people! Love the 2 lanes like Rt 50, Rt 54, Rt 60, Rt 70 and the small towns that are on them. Good place to get gas, eat and meet the locals! 2: The RSV is one heck of a touring machine. 3 years ago I did 14 hours coming across Arizona from Payson to Green Valley VIA the Coronado Trail...better known as the Devil's Highway...Rt 666 (now Rt 191). But that was only one day. Going an average of 400 plus miles a day for 5 days at a stretch is a good benchmark for touring. And the RSV handled it quite well. Despite the high headwinds all day, every darn day, in either 4th or 5th gear for miles at a time... the scoot took it all in stride. The V4 motor is extremely well designed and made! 3: Froggs Toggs work. Period. Inexpensive too. I had the cheapest top with a zipper and the cheapest pants with openings to get to my jeans...and they didn't let me down in pouring rain at 65 mph. They pack into small rolls as well. 4: Shinko tires are worth their weight in dry and wet traction. I never felt like the tires might be losing it in the pouring rain at highway speeds, especially around the curves of the inner city highway of Oklahoma City as I headed east. They are very comfortable riding and I saw no wear at all in the almost 5K miles I had on them at the time I replaced the rear with the Shinko 230 Tourmaster. The 230 still looks like new after 2K miles. Remember, I was weighted down too... 5: This "olde bod" of mine isn't cut out for long distance riding much anymore. I might have another trip in me....might. 6: By overpacking, I didn't need the stator, the spare bulbs, the spare fuses, spare fuel lines and fuel pump or fuel pump points, the butane soldering pencil, the Slime air pump (well I did use that on the road) the battery jumper, BUT...I didn't need all this stuff because I had them with me. Murphy got me with a nail, but couldn't find anything else to snag me with! 7: The Garmin 490 was a lifesaver. Being a motorcycle GPS, it's features were very useful to me on this trip. I've never travelled with a GPS on a scoot before, this was a hoot. It tracked my fuel range, always made me aware of fuel and food stops ahead, routed me on nice 2 lanes when it could and let me load my entire oldies library on it's Micro SD card. In addition, it's line input let me connect the XM radio to it and it's line out made connecting to the RSV's Aux input, a simple thing! 8: I learned you don't need a nice metal brace to be able to raise the RSV on a motorcycle jack. You just need the Pucster and a 2x4. I measured and he cut. We ended up with 3 pieces of 2x4 that fit nicely on the RSV frame. Worked like a champ. 9: Most important. I learned first hand that if Jeff & Erika and Scott & Cheryl are representative of this forum's members...then I'm one very lucky flop eared varmint. And I have this sneaky suspicion.... that they are.... fini. Edited June 14, 2018 by videoarizona spelling...of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowpuc Posted June 14, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted June 14, 2018 Well...since the Pucster mentioned all the "stuff" I packed...thought I would start with that....(you can blame him if this read is to long!) Grins. 2018 MD Trip. Or attempt anyway... I had three objectives: 1. Make this trip for myself. 2. Meet members on the way. 3: Enjoy meeting everyone at MD. Most excellent trip. Although I didn't make it to MD, I had a very good trip. Visited long time friends and made new ones! Cowpuc and I were watching the weather and at the time he and Tippy decided to head south to visit family instead of coming to MD, I decided the thunderstorms forecast for between Ann Harbor and Toledo were not what I wanted to experience! I don't mind the rain but those midwest thunderstorms...nope. So they headed south and I caught the ferry west to Milwaukee, hoping to meet up with FlyingFool. Left in warm sunshine, arrived in freezing windy cold! But I'm getting ahead of myself. I do get a kick out of packing. I haven't gone across country since 1969...when I went from New Hampshire to Arizona on a Yamaha YDS-6C. Being young and "stoopid", I didn't know I should pack for emergencies...I just grabbed the duffle bag and went. But this time I wanted to pack for bear, as I knew if I didn't have it...I would need it! So...I did...and thankfully...didn't need the stuff. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113007 Cockpit: 1-Controller. Set in "Aux" mode...listened to XM and GPS. 2: XM 3: Garmin 490. Has aux input (for XM), line output... so it plugged right into the "Y" cable inside the fairing. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113008 Tank BIB: Gas cap cover by Nanci. Kept the glare down. Thanks, Nanci!! http://www.acehighleathers.com/ 4: Audio cord with Edsets adapter for ear buds. Pockets held GPS cover, sunglasses, gum and whatever... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113009 Left Saddlebag: 5: Tent poles (kept thinking of Yammer - wish I could have met him) 6: Stator (I've got over 60K on original) 7: Gloves 8: Guard braces to be installed at MD. 9: Shock pump, extension mirror 10: Fuel pump 11: spare plastic.Ground cover or David cover 12: Slime kit with pump 13: Jump start battery 14: Charger 15: spare web cord and tent cords 16: Head lamp http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113010 Tour Pack: 17: 1st Aid kit 18: sheepskin for butt. (didn't help) 19: Stator gaskets 20: Tire plug kit 21: TP (cat shreaded one roll) 22: Snack bag Sneakers - not shown. Very light packed in bag. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113011 Right Saddlebag: 23: Spare headlight bulb 24: bag with points, plugs, fuses, etc. 25: 1989 VR tool kit (cause it works!) 26: Stand pad 27: Fuel hose 28: Towels and rags 29: Gloves 30: Tool bag - sockets and wrenches/butane soldering pencil and electrical stuff. 31: Wet/dry bags for windshield http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113012 Pillion Seat: 32: Clothes bag. Went above the camping bag. Clothes, meds, vitamins, etc. 33: Camp bag- tent, pad, rain fly, stakes, sleeping bag, pillow, etc. Tour Pack rack: 34: Blanket, Bike cover, rain gear (Froggs Toggs), web straps and tie down. Plus, anything else I picked up like tour brochures, etc... So did I over pack? Yea...no doubt. All it cost me was MPG's! Back to the road...Although I had the camping gear...I decided that I needed to add to my Best Western points....so I was planning one day at a time based on finding a room with BW. It was worth it for me to have a hot shower and decent, free breakfast. BTW, I wore Bohn armor leggings under my jeans. Got the lightweight summer mesh. Worked very well. It was warmer but I didn't even notice them while walking or sitting on the scoot. I felt good having them on. Day 1: Left Arizona at 6am on May 23rd. Stopped at Dragoon Rest area on I-10. Love the rocks. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113013 Got on rt 70 at Las Cruces, NM and stopped at White Sands. Interesting place! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113014 Continued on 70 to Ruidoso. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113015 Hoped to meet up with V7Goose, but he never responded to my PM. Hope he's ok. Was concerned about thunderstorms as they built up in that area and were heading east. But lucked out as they stayed ahead of me while I slept. Day 2: Left Ruidoso at 6am. Hadn't gone 4 miles when I saw 3 rather large dead deer still laying in right lane by guardrail. One right after the other. Obviously, the watch for deer signs were valid! Fresh meat...not yet picked up by humans or scavengers. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113016 Rode through the panhandle of Texas on way to Amarillo...lots of cows...miles of cows. Whew! Next overnight at Elk City Oklahoma. At Elk City BW, they let me park under the portico as a large storm was coming right at us. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113017 Gave me a room with a view of bike. Thankfully, storm split and went around the area... Day 3: Was aiming for Sherwood Arkansas so left early at 6am. Had to delay outside of Oklahoma City on I-40 as 2 lines of storms were converging on Oklahoma City. I managed to slip between them, but was caught just east of downtown in a downpour. Froggs Toggs work. RainX for plastic windshields worked very well...letting water bead up and blow off. But of course, I was stupid and forgot to close the vent on the Clearview, so I was breathing rain until I woke up!The Shinko 777HD tires never felt loose at all during the freeway speeds through Oklahoma City in the downpour. 3 lanes of traffic...I took middle lane and zoomed along with them. Arrived in Sherwood, Arkansas in time for dinner. Hot and muggy. Had the best ribs I've ever eaten in this very small place....I ordered a half rack. The ribs were so big and meaty, I could only eat 3 ribs! Called Smokin Buns...north of Sherwood, AK. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113018 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113019 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113020 Visited with high school friends for 3 days...leaving on Memorial Day to get up to Indianapolis area. Day 4: May 28th My friend had me head NE on rt 167/ rt 67/ rt 412/ eventually connecting with I-55 to head to I-57 to I-70 and Effingham, Missouri. Uneventful ride except almost ran out of gas. There was no gas listed on the GPS for some 40 miles and I had passed up the last as they were about every 8 miles or so. Not this time. Came into this tiny town and ran into Ms. Addies Quick Shop. Restaurant sign and 2 old abandoned pumps. But....to the right was a lady brooming off a new gas pump pad! They had gas. Close call as I was on reserve. Nice people. Locals ate there so next time I'll stop in for some grub. Day 5: Left Effingham and headed north on I-57. Wanted to go east on 70 to Indianapolis then north on rt 31...but rain squalls got in the way...so headed up to East Chicago where I was routed through the not so good part of town to avoid the tolls. Think that's where I picked up a nail in rear tire. I-94 to I-196 to Rt 31 to Muskegon and cowpuc! Got to a Honda dealer where Scott and I met and we took a long look at the new Goldwing. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113021 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113022 Discovered my rear tire flat...Scott helped me plug the tire (he plugged, I watched and learned) in the Firestone repair shop parking lot right next to the air pump. We took off on a long test ride (ya gots to do this, ya know!), eventually ending up at the Pucster household...Hi Tippy! I spent 4 days as a guest of the Pucster and Tippy. Wonderful hosts. I've never met 2 people so much in love with each other...and of life! A joy to watch them as they enjoy every minute God has given them! We took a tour along the shores of Lake Michigan and areas north of where they live. Wonderful time in the saddle! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113023 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113024 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113025 Very nice country....just watch out for the bugs! Speaking of biting critters...Puc had planned on taking me to the "U P" to camp for a few days and enjoy the beauty up there, but after my bout with bug bites in Arkansas, I was not up to dealing with midgies, noseeums and mosquitos. It seems my sensitivity to insect bites is as bad as ever! I was swollen around every bite. So instead of camping...we relaxed, toured the area around town, ate very well and napped. Well, I napped, while Tip and Puc took off on a long test run on the RSV. I'm glad he did....as now he has some seat time on one. In addition, we needed to find a new tire and put it on the rear of the RSV. That was done...with a few issues. Puc was not pleased with the condition of the rim. It was quite obvious the rim was not cleaned at all on last install (Feb 2018). http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113026 He asked me to make sure I have a chat with the store manager that installed the tire and give them a "training moment". I did that to the store manager in Phoenix who is senior to the store manager in Tucson, where the tire was mounted. He was not happy but did say he would pass on the "training moment" to the people in Tucson. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113037 After putting on the new tire...off we went for another test ride. Gotta love those test rides... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113027 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113028 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113029 The storms growing on the Michigan/Ohio border on early Friday morning the 1st of June were not to be ignored. I decided early not to make the trip to MD and the Pucster and Tip needed to go to their daughters house for an ailing grandson. So Puc took me to the ferry where I bought a ticket for the scoot and myself to Milwaukee. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113039 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113040 I left Michigan one hour 30 minutes late (high winds and seas on the lake) in heat and humidity and arrived in Milwaukee in very cold high winds. All of us on the boat deck were scrambling to get out our warm clothes and take down the tie downs and put them away before we docked. 20 minutes later I pulled in front of Flyinfool 's house. Jeff and Erika made me welcome with warmth and a place to change clothes! I had an hours ride yet ahead to the hotel so instead of going out to eat we sat and chatted. Jeff told me he had plans for next season's snow machine (he keeps locked away from prying eyes, including mine!) and I believe him! I have a feeling he will be testing some new nozzles...one of which may send some of that white fluffy stuff to my neck of the woods! Thanks, Jeff for taking the time to meet with me and let me warm up in your home! The rest of the trip back to Tucson was uneventful. Just more rain, storms to avoid and headwinds. Worthy of mention, Rt 60 through New Mexico is a bit barren. A lonely road with gas stops farther apart than normal. Did I mention the head winds? My trip average was 33 mpg...some of the fill ups I recorded 29 mpg! That's pretty bad considering most of the trip was on 2 lanes with 65 mph speed limits. Lots of head winds! I must have angered the Wind Gods at some point...So yea, I was conscious of the next fuel stop. Some Kansas scenery. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113031 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113032 The VLA http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113030 The VLA, Very Large Array (radio telescopes) west of Socorro is worth stopping at. $6 tour allows you to unlimber and walk around. The view would have been better but a large fire was smoking up the valleys. Interesting what they are doing there. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113033 I stopped in Pie Town, New Mexico. Yes, there is a town. No gas but 3 places to buy pie, of course! I took place #3 as it served food. The apple pie was tasty but not the apple pie I grew up with. Way to much clove in the mix. At least for me. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113034 In Arizona....at last! After a night in Springerville, on Rt 260, I stopped at the Mogollon (Mug-ee-yon) Rim on my way to Payson for a breath of fresh mountain air. Without the smoke from the wildfires, you can easily see 75 miles or more. I love this part of Arizona. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113035 Patricia met me in Payson at the cabin (yay..she wanted me home safe!)....a few days rest then down to Phoenix for another few days off, where I unloaded the scoot, packed some of the stuff in her car and then left at 5am on Sunday to make the 150 mile trip to Green Valley, south of Tucson. Saw 40 mpg's without most of the weight and no headwind! So I know the scoot made the trip in good shape! What I learned: 1: This country is still beautiful and made up of very nice, polite people! Love the 2 lanes like Rt 50, Rt 54, Rt 60, Rt 70 and the small towns that are on them. Good place to get gas, eat and meet the locals! 2: The RSV is one heck of a touring machine. 3 years ago I did 14 hours coming across Arizona from Payson to Green Valley VIA the Coronado Trail...better known as the Devil's Highway...Rt 666 (now Rt 191). But that was only one day. Going an average of 400 plus miles a day for 5 days at a stretch is a good benchmark for touring. And the RSV handled it quite well. Despite the high headwinds all day, every darn day, in either 4th or 5th gear for miles at a time... the scoot took it all in stride. The V4 motor is extremely well designed and made! 3: Froggs Toggs work. Period. Inexpensive too. I had the cheapest top with a zipper and the cheapest pants with openings to get to my jeans...and they didn't let me down in pouring rain at 65 mph. They pack into small rolls as well. 4: Shinko tires are worth their weight in dry and wet traction. I never felt like the tires might be losing it in the pouring rain at highway speeds, especially around the curves of the inner city highway of Oklahoma City as I headed east. They are very comfortable riding and I saw no wear at all in the almost 5K miles I had on them at the time I replaced the rear with the Shinko 230 Tourmaster. The 230 still looks like new after 2K miles. Remember, I was weighted down too... 5: This "olde bod" of mine isn't cut out for long distance riding much anymore. I might have another trip in me....might. 6: By overpacking, I didn't need the stator, the spare bulbs, the spare fuses, spare fuel lines and fuel pump or fuel pump points, the butane soldering pencil, the Slime air pump (well I did use that on the road) the battery jumper, BUT...I didn't need all this stuff because I had them with me. Murphy got me with a nail, but couldn't find anything else to snag me with! 7: The Garmin 490 was a lifesaver. Being a motorcycle GPS, it's features were very useful to me on this trip. I've never travelled with a GPS on a scoot before, this was a hoot. It tracked my fuel range, always made me aware of fuel and food stops ahead, routed me on nice 2 lanes when it could and let me load my entire oldies library on it's Micro SD card. In addition, it's line input let me connect the XM radio to it and it's line out made connecting to the RSV's Aux input, a simple thing! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113036 8: I learned you don't need a nice metal brace to be able to raise the RSV on a motorcycle jack. You just need the Pucster and a 2x4. I measured and he cut. We ended up with 3 pieces of 2x4 that fit nicely on the RSV frame. Worked like a champ. 9: Most important. I learned first hand that if Jeff & Erika and Scott & Cheryl are representative of this forum's members...then I'm one very lucky flop eared varmint. And I have this sneaky suspicion.... that they are.... fini. That was soooooooo much fun!!!!!:guitarist 2::happy65: IMHO,, ya done good there ya lop eared Coffee drinkin, story tellin varmint = next time around I will do my very best to have some pie for you here at the house so you don't have to run all the way back to New Mexico just to feed the need brother!! Tip says "Hi Vaz" back at cha and of course Tweeksis and I send our love your way too David!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpencerPJ Posted June 14, 2018 Share #13 Posted June 14, 2018 Awesome ride, enjoyed the read, thanks. I'm from Indianapolis, and was at the Dunes State Park with the TT on the southern tip of Lake Michigan 5/30-6/4. I know about the winds and chill you spoke about. Great camping though. I just gotta upgrade from my 83 (or ad to) and get out and explore the country as you did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyinfool Posted June 14, 2018 Share #14 Posted June 14, 2018 Looks like you had a lot of fun. It was good to meet up with you. Erika and I enjoyed it. It is OK, you can tell @cowpuc about the prototype 50° snow I was messing with. Sorry it made your ride to the hotel room a bit chilly, I forget that people that live in a blast furnace are not used to what Wisconsin people call nice weather. Puc has tasked me to come up with 60° snow. Still working on that formula. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowpuc Posted June 14, 2018 Author Share #15 Posted June 14, 2018 Looks like you had a lot of fun. It was good to meet up with you. Erika and I enjoyed it. It is OK, you can tell cowpuc about the prototype 50° snow I was messing with. Sorry it made your ride to the hotel room a bit chilly, I forget that people that live in a blast furnace are not used to what Wisconsin people call nice weather. Puc has tasked me to come up with 60° snow. Still working on that formula. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowpuc Posted June 14, 2018 Author Share #16 Posted June 14, 2018 I was just thinking here,,, as long as we're all back on the subject of which Generation is fastest,, Gen 1 or Gen 2,,, IMHO - it may be interesting if someone were to ask @videoarizona if he has any input into this discussion.... I would ask him but I am afraid he might think I was trying to start something or something:mugshot: ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted June 15, 2018 Share #17 Posted June 15, 2018 I was just thinking here,,, as long as we're all back on the subject of which Generation is fastest,, Gen 1 or Gen 2,,, IMHO - it may be interesting if someone were to ask videoarizona if he has any input into this discussion.... I would ask him but I am afraid he might think I was trying to start something or something:mugshot: ... Oh you are a sly devil, you! Sure, be happy to answer that question....but with a caveat. 1: Twice Puc and I did a full on rolling start and both times he wizzed right on ahead of me. So 1st gen is faster.... Caveat: Once I get the Vmax mod on the rear end, I would like a rematch. Be curious if the rear end will help keep the 2nd Gen in it's optimum RPM range. Since I know the 1st gen's trannie is almost perfectly matched to it's weight. Certainly not the case with the 2nd gen. P.S. of course, I was probably over a 100 pounds heavier as my saddlebags were still packed, and I'm a bit fatter! But I don't think that would make up to much difference. I think the gearing is the problem with the 2nd gen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaharly Posted June 15, 2018 Share #18 Posted June 15, 2018 Well...since the Pucster mentioned all the "stuff" I packed...thought I would start with that....(you can blame him if this read is to long!) Grins. 2018 MD Trip. Or attempt anyway... I had three objectives: 1. Make this trip for myself. 2. Meet members on the way. 3: Enjoy meeting everyone at MD. Most excellent trip. Although I didn't make it to MD, I had a very good trip. Visited long time friends and made new ones! Cowpuc and I were watching the weather and at the time he and Tippy decided to head south to visit family instead of coming to MD, I decided the thunderstorms forecast for between Ann Harbor and Toledo were not what I wanted to experience! I don't mind the rain but those midwest thunderstorms...nope. So they headed south and I caught the ferry west to Milwaukee, hoping to meet up with FlyingFool. Left in warm sunshine, arrived in freezing windy cold! But I'm getting ahead of myself. I do get a kick out of packing. I haven't gone across country since 1969...when I went from New Hampshire to Arizona on a Yamaha YDS-6C. Being young and "stoopid", I didn't know I should pack for emergencies...I just grabbed the duffle bag and went. But this time I wanted to pack for bear, as I knew if I didn't have it...I would need it! So...I did...and thankfully...didn't need the stuff. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113007 Cockpit: 1-Controller. Set in "Aux" mode...listened to XM and GPS. 2: XM 3: Garmin 490. Has aux input (for XM), line output... so it plugged right into the "Y" cable inside the fairing. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113008 Tank BIB: Gas cap cover by Nanci. Kept the glare down. Thanks, Nanci!! http://www.acehighleathers.com/ 4: Audio cord with Edsets adapter for ear buds. Pockets held GPS cover, sunglasses, gum and whatever... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113009 Left Saddlebag: 5: Tent poles (kept thinking of Yammer - wish I could have met him) 6: Stator (I've got over 60K on original) 7: Gloves 8: Guard braces to be installed at MD. 9: Shock pump, extension mirror 10: Fuel pump 11: spare plastic.Ground cover or David cover 12: Slime kit with pump 13: Jump start battery 14: Charger 15: spare web cord and tent cords 16: Head lamp http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113010 Tour Pack: 17: 1st Aid kit 18: sheepskin for butt. (didn't help) 19: Stator gaskets 20: Tire plug kit 21: TP (cat shreaded one roll) 22: Snack bag Sneakers - not shown. Very light packed in bag. ResMed Cpap Mini - Not shown http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113011 Right Saddlebag: 23: Spare headlight bulb 24: bag with points, plugs, fuses, etc. 25: 1989 VR tool kit (cause it works!) 26: Stand pad 27: Fuel hose 28: Towels and rags 29: Gloves 30: Tool bag - sockets and wrenches/butane soldering pencil and electrical stuff. 31: Wet/dry bags for windshield http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113012 Pillion Seat: 32: Clothes bag. Went above the camping bag. Clothes, meds, vitamins, etc. 33: Camp bag- tent, pad, rain fly, stakes, sleeping bag, pillow, etc. Tour Pack rack: 34: Blanket, Bike cover, rain gear (Froggs Toggs), web straps and tie down. Plus, anything else I picked up like tour brochures, etc... So did I over pack? Yea...no doubt. All it cost me was MPG's! Back to the road...Although I had the camping gear...I decided that I needed to add to my Best Western points....so I was planning one day at a time based on finding a room with BW. It was worth it for me to have a hot shower and decent, free breakfast. BTW, I wore Bohn armor leggings under my jeans. Got the lightweight summer mesh. Worked very well. It was warmer but I didn't even notice them while walking or sitting on the scoot. I felt good having them on. Day 1: Left Arizona at 6am on May 23rd. Stopped at Dragoon Rest area on I-10. Love the rocks. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113013 Got on rt 70 at Las Cruces, NM and stopped at White Sands. Interesting place! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113014 Continued on 70 to Ruidoso. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113015 Hoped to meet up with V7Goose, but he never responded to my PM. Hope he's ok. Was concerned about thunderstorms as they built up in that area and were heading east. But lucked out as they stayed ahead of me while I slept. Day 2: Left Ruidoso at 6am. Hadn't gone 4 miles when I saw 3 rather large dead deer still laying in right lane by guardrail. One right after the other. Obviously, the watch for deer signs were valid! Fresh meat...not yet picked up by humans or scavengers. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113016 Rode through the panhandle of Texas on way to Amarillo...lots of cows...miles of cows. Whew! Next overnight at Elk City Oklahoma. At Elk City BW, they let me park under the portico as a large storm was coming right at us. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113017 Gave me a room with a view of bike. Thankfully, storm split and went around the area... Day 3: Was aiming for Sherwood Arkansas so left early at 6am. Had to delay outside of Oklahoma City on I-40 as 2 lines of storms were converging on Oklahoma City. I managed to slip between them, but was caught just east of downtown in a downpour. Froggs Toggs work. RainX for plastic windshields worked very well...letting water bead up and blow off. But of course, I was stupid and forgot to close the vent on the Clearview, so I was breathing rain until I woke up!The Shinko 777HD tires never felt loose at all during the freeway speeds through Oklahoma City in the downpour. 3 lanes of traffic...I took middle lane and zoomed along with them. Arrived in Sherwood, Arkansas in time for dinner. Hot and muggy. Had the best ribs I've ever eaten in this very small place....I ordered a half rack. The ribs were so big and meaty, I could only eat 3 ribs! Called Smokin Buns...north of Sherwood, AK. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113018 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113019 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113020 Visited with high school friends for 3 days...leaving on Memorial Day to get up to Indianapolis area. Day 4: May 28th My friend had me head NE on rt 167/ rt 67/ rt 412/ eventually connecting with I-55 to head to I-57 to I-70 and Effingham, Missouri. Uneventful ride except almost ran out of gas. There was no gas listed on the GPS for some 40 miles and I had passed up the last as they were about every 8 miles or so. Not this time. Came into this tiny town and ran into Ms. Addies Quick Shop. Restaurant sign and 2 old abandoned pumps. But....to the right was a lady brooming off a new gas pump pad! They had gas. Close call as I was on reserve. Nice people. Locals ate there so next time I'll stop in for some grub. Day 5: Left Effingham and headed north on I-57. Wanted to go east on 70 to Indianapolis then north on rt 31...but rain squalls got in the way...so headed up to East Chicago where I was routed through the not so good part of town to avoid the tolls. Think that's where I picked up a nail in rear tire. I-94 to I-196 to Rt 31 to Muskegon and cowpuc! Got to a Honda dealer where Scott and I met and we took a long look at the new Goldwing. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113021 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113022 Discovered my rear tire flat...Scott helped me plug the tire (he plugged, I watched and learned) in the Firestone repair shop parking lot right next to the air pump. We took off on a long test ride (ya gots to do this, ya know!), eventually ending up at the Pucster household...Hi Tippy! I spent 4 days as a guest of the Pucster and Tippy. Wonderful hosts. I've never met 2 people so much in love with each other...and of life! A joy to watch them as they enjoy every minute God has given them! We took a tour along the shores of Lake Michigan and areas north of where they live. Wonderful time in the saddle! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113023 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113024 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113025 Very nice country....just watch out for the bugs! Speaking of biting critters...Puc had planned on taking me to the "U P" to camp for a few days and enjoy the beauty up there, but after my bout with bug bites in Arkansas, I was not up to dealing with midgies, noseeums and mosquitos. It seems my sensitivity to insect bites is as bad as ever! I was swollen around every bite. So instead of camping...we relaxed, toured the area around town, ate very well and napped. Well, I napped, while Tip and Puc took off on a long test run on the RSV. I'm glad he did....as now he has some seat time on one. In addition, we needed to find a new tire and put it on the rear of the RSV. That was done...with a few issues. Puc was not pleased with the condition of the rim. It was quite obvious the rim was not cleaned at all on last install (Feb 2018). http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113026 He asked me to make sure I have a chat with the store manager that installed the tire and give them a "training moment". I did that to the store manager in Phoenix who is senior to the store manager in Tucson, where the tire was mounted. He was not happy but did say he would pass on the "training moment" to the people in Tucson. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113037 After putting on the new tire...off we went for another test ride. Gotta love those test rides... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113027 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113028 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113029 The storms growing on the Michigan/Ohio border on early Friday morning the 1st of June were not to be ignored. I decided early not to make the trip to MD and the Pucster and Tip needed to go to their daughters house for an ailing grandson. So Puc took me to the ferry where I bought a ticket for the scoot and myself to Milwaukee. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113039 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113040 I left Michigan one hour 30 minutes late (high winds and seas on the lake) in heat and humidity and arrived in Milwaukee in very cold high winds. All of us on the boat deck were scrambling to get out our warm clothes and take down the tie downs and put them away before we docked. 20 minutes later I pulled in front of Flyinfool 's house. Jeff and Erika made me welcome with warmth and a place to change clothes! I had an hours ride yet ahead to the hotel so instead of going out to eat we sat and chatted. Jeff told me he had plans for next season's snow machine (he keeps locked away from prying eyes, including mine!) and I believe him! I have a feeling he will be testing some new nozzles...one of which may send some of that white fluffy stuff to my neck of the woods! Thanks, Jeff for taking the time to meet with me and let me warm up in your home! The rest of the trip back to Tucson was uneventful. Just more rain, storms to avoid and headwinds. Worthy of mention, Rt 60 through New Mexico is a bit barren. A lonely road with gas stops farther apart than normal. Did I mention the head winds? My trip average was 33 mpg...some of the fill ups I recorded 29 mpg! That's pretty bad considering most of the trip was on 2 lanes with 65 mph speed limits. Lots of head winds! I must have angered the Wind Gods at some point...So yea, I was conscious of the next fuel stop. Some Kansas scenery. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113031 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113032 The VLA http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113030 The VLA, Very Large Array (radio telescopes) west of Socorro is worth stopping at. $6 tour allows you to unlimber and walk around. The view would have been better but a large fire was smoking up the valleys. Interesting what they are doing there. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113033 I stopped in Pie Town, New Mexico. Yes, there is a town. No gas but 3 places to buy pie, of course! I took place #3 as it served food. The apple pie was tasty but not the apple pie I grew up with. Way to much clove in the mix. At least for me. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113034 In Arizona....at last! After a night in Springerville, on Rt 260, I stopped at the Mogollon (Mug-ee-yon) Rim on my way to Payson for a breath of fresh mountain air. Without the smoke from the wildfires, you can easily see 75 miles or more. I love this part of Arizona. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113035 Patricia met me in Payson at the cabin (yay..she wanted me home safe!)....a few days rest then down to Phoenix for another few days off, where I unloaded the scoot, packed some of the stuff in her car and then left at 5am on Sunday to make the 150 mile trip to Green Valley, south of Tucson. Saw 40 mpg's without most of the weight and no headwind! So I know the scoot made the trip in good shape! What I learned: 1: This country is still beautiful and made up of very nice, polite people! Love the 2 lanes like Rt 50, Rt 54, Rt 60, Rt 70 and the small towns that are on them. Good place to get gas, eat and meet the locals! 2: The RSV is one heck of a touring machine. 3 years ago I did 14 hours coming across Arizona from Payson to Green Valley VIA the Coronado Trail...better known as the Devil's Highway...Rt 666 (now Rt 191). But that was only one day. Going an average of 400 plus miles a day for 5 days at a stretch is a good benchmark for touring. And the RSV handled it quite well. Despite the high headwinds all day, every darn day, in either 4th or 5th gear for miles at a time... the scoot took it all in stride. The V4 motor is extremely well designed and made! 3: Froggs Toggs work. Period. Inexpensive too. I had the cheapest top with a zipper and the cheapest pants with openings to get to my jeans...and they didn't let me down in pouring rain at 65 mph. They pack into small rolls as well. 4: Shinko tires are worth their weight in dry and wet traction. I never felt like the tires might be losing it in the pouring rain at highway speeds, especially around the curves of the inner city highway of Oklahoma City as I headed east. They are very comfortable riding and I saw no wear at all in the almost 5K miles I had on them at the time I replaced the rear with the Shinko 230 Tourmaster. The 230 still looks like new after 2K miles. Remember, I was weighted down too... 5: This "olde bod" of mine isn't cut out for long distance riding much anymore. I might have another trip in me....might. 6: By overpacking, I didn't need the stator, the spare bulbs, the spare fuses, spare fuel lines and fuel pump or fuel pump points, the butane soldering pencil, the Slime air pump (well I did use that on the road) the battery jumper, BUT...I didn't need all this stuff because I had them with me. Murphy got me with a nail, but couldn't find anything else to snag me with! 7: The Garmin 490 was a lifesaver. Being a motorcycle GPS, it's features were very useful to me on this trip. I've never travelled with a GPS on a scoot before, this was a hoot. It tracked my fuel range, always made me aware of fuel and food stops ahead, routed me on nice 2 lanes when it could and let me load my entire oldies library on it's Micro SD card. In addition, it's line input let me connect the XM radio to it and it's line out made connecting to the RSV's Aux input, a simple thing! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113036 8: I learned you don't need a nice metal brace to be able to raise the RSV on a motorcycle jack. You just need the Pucster and a 2x4. I measured and he cut. We ended up with 3 pieces of 2x4 that fit nicely on the RSV frame. Worked like a champ. 9: Most important. I learned first hand that if Jeff & Erika and Scott & Cheryl are representative of this forum's members...then I'm one very lucky flop eared varmint. And I have this sneaky suspicion.... that they are.... fini. Absolutely awesome!!! Wish I could've been along for the ride! As far as your mileage goes on those 65mph roads, I bet if you wouldn't had used 5th gear at all totally loaded you probably would've snuck back up to at least the 35mph range. I use my 5th like a 6th gear. If that makes any sense lol. You got some beautiful pictures and I'm glad puc could help you out! I imagine the ferry would have been a heck of an experience as well! Glad you had a safe AND FUN time! I hope to someday ride with the legend Cowpuc myself!!! I think I may try to make the MD next year! Keep up the good work, and try a few different seat and backrest combinations. If you got the bug I reckon you got more than ONE more motorcycle trip in ya!!! (IMHO, gotta be careful with those! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaharly Posted June 15, 2018 Share #19 Posted June 15, 2018 Oh you are a sly devil, you! Sure, be happy to answer that question....but with a caveat. 1: Twice Puc and I did a full on rolling start and both times he wizzed right on ahead of me. So 1st gen is faster.... Caveat: Once I get the Vmax mod on the rear end, I would like a rematch. Be curious if the rear end will help keep the 2nd Gen in it's optimum RPM range. Since I know the 1st gen's trannie is almost perfectly matched to it's weight. Certainly not the case with the 2nd gen. P.S. of course, I was probably over a 100 pounds heavier as my saddlebags were still packed, and I'm a bit fatter! But I don't think that would make up to much difference. I think the gearing is the problem with the 2nd gen. No really, what a dirty way to get you to admit that! Cowpuc oughta be ashamed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted June 15, 2018 Share #20 Posted June 15, 2018 Absolutely awesome!!! Wish I could've been along for the ride! As far as your mileage goes on those 65mph roads, I bet if you wouldn't had used 5th gear at all totally loaded you probably would've snuck back up to at least the 35mph range. I use my 5th like a 6th gear. If that makes any sense lol. You got some beautiful pictures and I'm glad puc could help you out! I imagine the ferry would have been a heck of an experience as well! Glad you had a safe AND FUN time! I hope to someday ride with the legend Cowpuc myself!!! I think I may try to make the MD next year! Keep up the good work, and try a few different seat and backrest combinations. If you got the bug I reckon you got more than ONE more motorcycle trip in ya!!! (IMHO, gotta be careful with those! ) Cj, you are probably right. Most of the time I should have stayed in 4th gear. There were a couple of fuel stops that I did every mile in 4th. But they were on some of the windiest times. Mpg's didn't change much. I was lucky to get 33 mpg on most fuel stops. BTW, I did do an unofficial test of wind design and drag coefficients with respect to turbulence hitting the scoot... It seems the "dogface" 18 wheeler tractor pushes more wind than a newer unit or even a Greyhound Bus or Class A motorhome! With both the scoot and the truck coming at each other, doing 65mph, the scoot gets the worse of the wind wave coming off the truck. With the Dogface truck....that's the unit with the long square nose... the wave of wind coming off that monster is like hitting a brick wall. Multiple times, regardless of gear, the wave of wind would knock me down at least 5 mph...knocking the cruise control off! 1st time it happened it was an eye opener as I couldn't figure out why I was rapidly slowing down! Just about the time I thought my shorts were going to change color with this unexpected loss of power, I noticed the cruise lights on standby. Whew. From that point on, I tried to duck down when one of those came at me, but even then, the wind wave would knock the cruise off. It was interesting, for sure. I don't have the room and didn't want to bore you all with some of the people I met...like the front desk lady at a Best Western who helped me research Pie Town. Nice! Or the guys on scoots who came out of Oklahoma City while I was waiting for my chance to slip on in between storms. They were adamant I should go southeast....having come that way themselves. Their eyes were about the size of their front wheels when I started talking about detouring that way! We have a good laugh after I explained the look on their faces! I guess it was quite the experience.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted June 15, 2018 Share #21 Posted June 15, 2018 No really, what a dirty way to get you to admit that! Cowpuc oughta be ashamed!! I know...Right?!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaharly Posted June 15, 2018 Share #22 Posted June 15, 2018 Oh you are a sly devil, you! Sure, be happy to answer that question....but with a caveat. 1: Twice Puc and I did a full on rolling start and both times he wizzed right on ahead of me. So 1st gen is faster.... Caveat: Once I get the Vmax mod on the rear end, I would like a rematch. Be curious if the rear end will help keep the 2nd Gen in it's optimum RPM range. Since I know the 1st gen's trannie is almost perfectly matched to it's weight. Certainly not the case with the 2nd gen. P.S. of course, I was probably over a 100 pounds heavier as my saddlebags were still packed, and I'm a bit fatter! But I don't think that would make up to much difference. I think the gearing is the problem with the 2nd gen. Cj, you are probably right. Most of the time I should have stayed in 4th gear. There were a couple of fuel stops that I did every mile in 4th. But they were on some of the windiest times. Mpg's didn't change much. I was lucky to get 33 mpg on most fuel stops. BTW, I did do an unofficial test of wind design and drag coefficients with respect to turbulence hitting the scoot... It seems the "dogface" 18 wheeler tractor pushes more wind than a newer unit or even a Greyhound Bus or Class A motorhome! With both the scoot and the truck coming at each other, doing 65mph, the scoot gets the worse of the wind wave coming off the truck. With the Dogface truck....that's the unit with the long square nose... the wave of wind coming off that monster is like hitting a brick wall. Multiple times, regardless of gear, the wave of wind would knock me down at least 5 mph...knocking the cruise control off! 1st time it happened it was an eye opener as I couldn't figure out why I was rapidly slowing down! Just about the time I thought my shorts were going to change color with this unexpected loss of power, I noticed the cruise lights on standby. Whew. From that point on, I tried to duck down when one of those came at me, but even then, the wind wave would knock the cruise off. It was interesting, for sure. I don't have the room and didn't want to bore you all with some of the people I met...like the front desk lady at a Best Western who helped me research Pie Town. Nice! Or the guys on scoots who came out of Oklahoma City while I was waiting for my chance to slip on in between storms. They were adamant I should go southeast....having come that way themselves. Their eyes were about the size of their front wheels when I started talking about detouring that way! We have a good laugh after I explained the look on their faces! I guess it was quite the experience.... Those Dogface trucks sort of remind me of my 94 F-150. The wind pushing on that truck was almost like someone was literally dragging on the brakes. I try to let them fellas have their room when they go by. That's crazy that it would slow you down enough to knock your cruise off. I never had that issue on my 99. I wonder if all 5 of your throttle cables are adjusted within spec. If you have a delay when you first switch your cruise on you've got too much slack in them lines! It should almost pull the throttle away from you when you set it! The big thing is to not get blown off the road or get a face full of gravel! Ouch! Its funny how those little details sort of make the trip eh? I know...Right?!! I'll have to run my MKII Venny against his MKI so we can finally settle these speed wars, though I cant help but thing that if @cowpuc was wrenching on it, there's probably something done to it to make it a little faster!!! He is a old school wrench head after all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted June 15, 2018 Share #23 Posted June 15, 2018 That's crazy that it would slow you down enough to knock your cruise off. I never had that issue on my 99. I wonder if all 5 of your throttle cables are adjusted within spec. If you have a delay when you first switch your cruise on you've got too much slack in them lines! It should almost pull the throttle away from you when you set it! The big thing is to not get blown off the road or get a face full of gravel! Ouch! I'll have to run my MKII Venny against his MKI so we can finally settle these speed wars, though I cant help but thing that if cowpuc was wrenching on it, there's probably something done to it to make it a little faster!!! He is a old school wrench head after all! Hmmm...I'll have to check that because I do have a delay when setting cruise! Good Catch! Nah...I think @cowpuc and Tweaksis come about their speed honestly. He is a good wrench for sure! But, I'm pretty convinced that the 2nd Gen gearing is just wrong for the bike in many cases. Yes, if you are touring at 75 to 80 mph with a decent load, the gearing works....but if you are climbing or going slower...the gearing works against you. Like my headwinds....they were so strong the flags never even had a chance to bend...straight out! And even in 4th gear there were times I needed every inch of throttle to get up to 70mph! One good thing, I'm now well versed in how both the 2nd gen and I can handle winds...especially those that come from the left or right front! I'm heading to Phoenix this weekend...but when I come back, I'll look into the throttle cables. Thanks for bringing that up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captaineasy520 Posted June 15, 2018 Share #24 Posted June 15, 2018 Well...since the Pucster mentioned all the "stuff" I packed...thought I would start with that....(you can blame him if this read is to long!) Grins. 2018 MD Trip. Or attempt anyway... I had three objectives: 1. Make this trip for myself. 2. Meet members on the way. 3: Enjoy meeting everyone at MD. Most excellent trip. Although I didn't make it to MD, I had a very good trip. Visited long time friends and made new ones! Cowpuc and I were watching the weather and at the time he and Tippy decided to head south to visit family instead of coming to MD, I decided the thunderstorms forecast for between Ann Harbor and Toledo were not what I wanted to experience! I don't mind the rain but those midwest thunderstorms...nope. So they headed south and I caught the ferry west to Milwaukee, hoping to meet up with FlyingFool. Left in warm sunshine, arrived in freezing windy cold! But I'm getting ahead of myself. I do get a kick out of packing. I haven't gone across country since 1969...when I went from New Hampshire to Arizona on a Yamaha YDS-6C. Being young and "stoopid", I didn't know I should pack for emergencies...I just grabbed the duffle bag and went. But this time I wanted to pack for bear, as I knew if I didn't have it...I would need it! So...I did...and thankfully...didn't need the stuff. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113007 Cockpit: 1-Controller. Set in "Aux" mode...listened to XM and GPS. 2: XM 3: Garmin 490. Has aux input (for XM), line output... so it plugged right into the "Y" cable inside the fairing. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113008 Tank BIB: Gas cap cover by Nanci. Kept the glare down. Thanks, Nanci!! http://www.acehighleathers.com/ 4: Audio cord with Edsets adapter for ear buds. Pockets held GPS cover, sunglasses, gum and whatever... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113009 Left Saddlebag: 5: Tent poles (kept thinking of Yammer - wish I could have met him) 6: Stator (I've got over 60K on original) 7: Gloves 8: Guard braces to be installed at MD. 9: Shock pump, extension mirror 10: Fuel pump 11: spare plastic.Ground cover or David cover 12: Slime kit with pump 13: Jump start battery 14: Charger 15: spare web cord and tent cords 16: Head lamp http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113010 Tour Pack: 17: 1st Aid kit 18: sheepskin for butt. (didn't help) 19: Stator gaskets 20: Tire plug kit 21: TP (cat shreaded one roll) 22: Snack bag Sneakers - not shown. Very light packed in bag. ResMed Cpap Mini - Not shown http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113011 Right Saddlebag: 23: Spare headlight bulb 24: bag with points, plugs, fuses, etc. 25: 1989 VR tool kit (cause it works!) 26: Stand pad 27: Fuel hose 28: Towels and rags 29: Gloves 30: Tool bag - sockets and wrenches/butane soldering pencil and electrical stuff. 31: Wet/dry bags for windshield http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113012 Pillion Seat: 32: Clothes bag. Went above the camping bag. Clothes, meds, vitamins, etc. 33: Camp bag- tent, pad, rain fly, stakes, sleeping bag, pillow, etc. Tour Pack rack: 34: Blanket, Bike cover, rain gear (Froggs Toggs), web straps and tie down. Plus, anything else I picked up like tour brochures, etc... So did I over pack? Yea...no doubt. All it cost me was MPG's! Back to the road...Although I had the camping gear...I decided that I needed to add to my Best Western points....so I was planning one day at a time based on finding a room with BW. It was worth it for me to have a hot shower and decent, free breakfast. BTW, I wore Bohn armor leggings under my jeans. Got the lightweight summer mesh. Worked very well. It was warmer but I didn't even notice them while walking or sitting on the scoot. I felt good having them on. Day 1: Left Arizona at 6am on May 23rd. Stopped at Dragoon Rest area on I-10. Love the rocks. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113013 Got on rt 70 at Las Cruces, NM and stopped at White Sands. Interesting place! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113014 Continued on 70 to Ruidoso. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113015 Hoped to meet up with V7Goose, but he never responded to my PM. Hope he's ok. Was concerned about thunderstorms as they built up in that area and were heading east. But lucked out as they stayed ahead of me while I slept. Day 2: Left Ruidoso at 6am. Hadn't gone 4 miles when I saw 3 rather large dead deer still laying in right lane by guardrail. One right after the other. Obviously, the watch for deer signs were valid! Fresh meat...not yet picked up by humans or scavengers. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113016 Rode through the panhandle of Texas on way to Amarillo...lots of cows...miles of cows. Whew! Next overnight at Elk City Oklahoma. At Elk City BW, they let me park under the portico as a large storm was coming right at us. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113017 Gave me a room with a view of bike. Thankfully, storm split and went around the area... Day 3: Was aiming for Sherwood Arkansas so left early at 6am. Had to delay outside of Oklahoma City on I-40 as 2 lines of storms were converging on Oklahoma City. I managed to slip between them, but was caught just east of downtown in a downpour. Froggs Toggs work. RainX for plastic windshields worked very well...letting water bead up and blow off. But of course, I was stupid and forgot to close the vent on the Clearview, so I was breathing rain until I woke up!The Shinko 777HD tires never felt loose at all during the freeway speeds through Oklahoma City in the downpour. 3 lanes of traffic...I took middle lane and zoomed along with them. Arrived in Sherwood, Arkansas in time for dinner. Hot and muggy. Had the best ribs I've ever eaten in this very small place....I ordered a half rack. The ribs were so big and meaty, I could only eat 3 ribs! Called Smokin Buns...north of Sherwood, AK. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113018 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113019 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113020 Visited with high school friends for 3 days...leaving on Memorial Day to get up to Indianapolis area. Day 4: May 28th My friend had me head NE on rt 167/ rt 67/ rt 412/ eventually connecting with I-55 to head to I-57 to I-70 and Effingham, Missouri. Uneventful ride except almost ran out of gas. There was no gas listed on the GPS for some 40 miles and I had passed up the last as they were about every 8 miles or so. Not this time. Came into this tiny town and ran into Ms. Addies Quick Shop. Restaurant sign and 2 old abandoned pumps. But....to the right was a lady brooming off a new gas pump pad! They had gas. Close call as I was on reserve. Nice people. Locals ate there so next time I'll stop in for some grub. Day 5: Left Effingham and headed north on I-57. Wanted to go east on 70 to Indianapolis then north on rt 31...but rain squalls got in the way...so headed up to East Chicago where I was routed through the not so good part of town to avoid the tolls. Think that's where I picked up a nail in rear tire. I-94 to I-196 to Rt 31 to Muskegon and cowpuc! Got to a Honda dealer where Scott and I met and we took a long look at the new Goldwing. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113021 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113022 Discovered my rear tire flat...Scott helped me plug the tire (he plugged, I watched and learned) in the Firestone repair shop parking lot right next to the air pump. We took off on a long test ride (ya gots to do this, ya know!), eventually ending up at the Pucster household...Hi Tippy! I spent 4 days as a guest of the Pucster and Tippy. Wonderful hosts. I've never met 2 people so much in love with each other...and of life! A joy to watch them as they enjoy every minute God has given them! We took a tour along the shores of Lake Michigan and areas north of where they live. Wonderful time in the saddle! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113023 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113024 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113025 Very nice country....just watch out for the bugs! Speaking of biting critters...Puc had planned on taking me to the "U P" to camp for a few days and enjoy the beauty up there, but after my bout with bug bites in Arkansas, I was not up to dealing with midgies, noseeums and mosquitos. It seems my sensitivity to insect bites is as bad as ever! I was swollen around every bite. So instead of camping...we relaxed, toured the area around town, ate very well and napped. Well, I napped, while Tip and Puc took off on a long test run on the RSV. I'm glad he did....as now he has some seat time on one. In addition, we needed to find a new tire and put it on the rear of the RSV. That was done...with a few issues. Puc was not pleased with the condition of the rim. It was quite obvious the rim was not cleaned at all on last install (Feb 2018). http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113026 He asked me to make sure I have a chat with the store manager that installed the tire and give them a "training moment". I did that to the store manager in Phoenix who is senior to the store manager in Tucson, where the tire was mounted. He was not happy but did say he would pass on the "training moment" to the people in Tucson. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113037 After putting on the new tire...off we went for another test ride. Gotta love those test rides... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113027 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113028 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113029 The storms growing on the Michigan/Ohio border on early Friday morning the 1st of June were not to be ignored. I decided early not to make the trip to MD and the Pucster and Tip needed to go to their daughters house for an ailing grandson. So Puc took me to the ferry where I bought a ticket for the scoot and myself to Milwaukee. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113039 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113040 I left Michigan one hour 30 minutes late (high winds and seas on the lake) in heat and humidity and arrived in Milwaukee in very cold high winds. All of us on the boat deck were scrambling to get out our warm clothes and take down the tie downs and put them away before we docked. 20 minutes later I pulled in front of Flyinfool 's house. Jeff and Erika made me welcome with warmth and a place to change clothes! I had an hours ride yet ahead to the hotel so instead of going out to eat we sat and chatted. Jeff told me he had plans for next season's snow machine (he keeps locked away from prying eyes, including mine!) and I believe him! I have a feeling he will be testing some new nozzles...one of which may send some of that white fluffy stuff to my neck of the woods! Thanks, Jeff for taking the time to meet with me and let me warm up in your home! The rest of the trip back to Tucson was uneventful. Just more rain, storms to avoid and headwinds. Worthy of mention, Rt 60 through New Mexico is a bit barren. A lonely road with gas stops farther apart than normal. Did I mention the head winds? My trip average was 33 mpg...some of the fill ups I recorded 29 mpg! That's pretty bad considering most of the trip was on 2 lanes with 65 mph speed limits. Lots of head winds! I must have angered the Wind Gods at some point...So yea, I was conscious of the next fuel stop. Some Kansas scenery. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113031 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113032 The VLA http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113030 The VLA, Very Large Array (radio telescopes) west of Socorro is worth stopping at. $6 tour allows you to unlimber and walk around. The view would have been better but a large fire was smoking up the valleys. Interesting what they are doing there. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113033 I stopped in Pie Town, New Mexico. Yes, there is a town. No gas but 3 places to buy pie, of course! I took place #3 as it served food. The apple pie was tasty but not the apple pie I grew up with. Way to much clove in the mix. At least for me. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113034 In Arizona....at last! After a night in Springerville, on Rt 260, I stopped at the Mogollon (Mug-ee-yon) Rim on my way to Payson for a breath of fresh mountain air. Without the smoke from the wildfires, you can easily see 75 miles or more. I love this part of Arizona. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113035 Patricia met me in Payson at the cabin (yay..she wanted me home safe!)....a few days rest then down to Phoenix for another few days off, where I unloaded the scoot, packed some of the stuff in her car and then left at 5am on Sunday to make the 150 mile trip to Green Valley, south of Tucson. Saw 40 mpg's without most of the weight and no headwind! So I know the scoot made the trip in good shape! What I learned: 1: This country is still beautiful and made up of very nice, polite people! Love the 2 lanes like Rt 50, Rt 54, Rt 60, Rt 70 and the small towns that are on them. Good place to get gas, eat and meet the locals! 2: The RSV is one heck of a touring machine. 3 years ago I did 14 hours coming across Arizona from Payson to Green Valley VIA the Coronado Trail...better known as the Devil's Highway...Rt 666 (now Rt 191). But that was only one day. Going an average of 400 plus miles a day for 5 days at a stretch is a good benchmark for touring. And the RSV handled it quite well. Despite the high headwinds all day, every darn day, in either 4th or 5th gear for miles at a time... the scoot took it all in stride. The V4 motor is extremely well designed and made! 3: Froggs Toggs work. Period. Inexpensive too. I had the cheapest top with a zipper and the cheapest pants with openings to get to my jeans...and they didn't let me down in pouring rain at 65 mph. They pack into small rolls as well. 4: Shinko tires are worth their weight in dry and wet traction. I never felt like the tires might be losing it in the pouring rain at highway speeds, especially around the curves of the inner city highway of Oklahoma City as I headed east. They are very comfortable riding and I saw no wear at all in the almost 5K miles I had on them at the time I replaced the rear with the Shinko 230 Tourmaster. The 230 still looks like new after 2K miles. Remember, I was weighted down too... 5: This "olde bod" of mine isn't cut out for long distance riding much anymore. I might have another trip in me....might. 6: By overpacking, I didn't need the stator, the spare bulbs, the spare fuses, spare fuel lines and fuel pump or fuel pump points, the butane soldering pencil, the Slime air pump (well I did use that on the road) the battery jumper, BUT...I didn't need all this stuff because I had them with me. Murphy got me with a nail, but couldn't find anything else to snag me with! 7: The Garmin 490 was a lifesaver. Being a motorcycle GPS, it's features were very useful to me on this trip. I've never travelled with a GPS on a scoot before, this was a hoot. It tracked my fuel range, always made me aware of fuel and food stops ahead, routed me on nice 2 lanes when it could and let me load my entire oldies library on it's Micro SD card. In addition, it's line input let me connect the XM radio to it and it's line out made connecting to the RSV's Aux input, a simple thing! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113036 8: I learned you don't need a nice metal brace to be able to raise the RSV on a motorcycle jack. You just need the Pucster and a 2x4. I measured and he cut. We ended up with 3 pieces of 2x4 that fit nicely on the RSV frame. Worked like a champ. 9: Most important. I learned first hand that if Jeff & Erika and Scott & Cheryl are representative of this forum's members...then I'm one very lucky flop eared varmint. And I have this sneaky suspicion.... that they are.... fini. That was soooooooo much fun!!!!!:guitarist 2::happy65: IMHO,, ya done good there ya lop eared Coffee drinkin, story tellin varmint = next time around I will do my very best to have some pie for you here at the house so you don't have to run all the way back to New Mexico just to feed the need brother!! Tip says "Hi Vaz" back at cha and of course Tweeksis and I send our love your way too David!!! Great recap of your trip, and I'm a bit jealous and envious. I live a short distance from you in Tucson. My old 84 1200 is still up on my motorcycle jack while I try to track down some electrical parts that were lost when our house burnt down in December. I've got a couple of shorter road trips in mine of later this year and would love to hear from other members in my area. Again, thanks for letting me hear about your trip, wish I could have been riding beside you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSky Posted June 15, 2018 Share #25 Posted June 15, 2018 (edited) Oh you are a sly devil, you! Sure, be happy to answer that question....but with a caveat. 1: Twice Puc and I did a full on rolling start and both times he wizzed right on ahead of me. So 1st gen is faster.... Caveat: Once I get the Vmax mod on the rear end, I would like a rematch. Be curious if the rear end will help keep the 2nd Gen in it's optimum RPM range. Since I know the 1st gen's trannie is almost perfectly matched to it's weight. Certainly not the case with the 2nd gen. P.S. of course, I was probably over a 100 pounds heavier as my saddlebags were still packed, and I'm a bit fatter! But I don't think that would make up to much difference. I think the gearing is the problem with the 2nd gen. The Yamaha specs say that the (84 & 85) Gen I MKI is 736 or 756 lbs depending on whether it is an L or DL model. The Gen II is 869lbs. So, that is 113lbs or 133lbs right there. Add the differences in your bodies weight and what you were carrying and you didn't have a chance without considering the gearing. My 89 is supposed to weigh 783lbs. But during my misspent youth I lost a lot of drag races and all of them were fun! Edited June 15, 2018 by BlueSky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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