VentureFar

Rode that road last year. Honestly on my Spirit I was doing 30plus mph comfortably, my buddy on a FatBoy did about 15-20. It felt like a paved road to me. I don't consider that road "gravel" but rather hard pack dirt. But on the RSV - I have only had it for 3.5 months and 5000 miles - I am not sure I would consider riding that road at all so I commend your 15-20mph 2 UP ! VentureFar...

Don't mean to take over the thread but how do you get the WARNING sticker off the top of the tank? VentureFar...

I am planning to ride Guanella Pass in Colorado from Georgetown to Grant- Pass is beautiful up to 11,000 + feet. about 34 miles long. All but about 3 miles are paved - of course the gravel part is in the middle. It is not in a flat/ straight area either - it is in an area of down switchbacks ( going north to south or UP hill switchbacks from south to north). I am a dirt bike rider and was very comfortable doing "crazy" dirt/sand/gravel roads on my 565 pound Honda Spirit but the RSV fully loaded is about twice that and I know just putting a foot down 'off camber' can mean buying a new mirror at the minimum. Please speak up about your experience level and comfort level riding a mountain pass gravel road for 3 miles on an RSV. Thanks for your support. VentureFar...

I saw a mini documentary on this area and it is amazing but it is hiking -not driving. you have to get down to the floor of the canyon and hike etc. I "stopped" by the South Rim last year and spent the requisite 7 minutes looking and photo taking - and moving on. Be VERY CAREFUL driving at night the roads are full of all kinds of animals. VentureFar...

Thoughts and prayers are with you. It is difficult at first but as you are reading here, many have similar sight issues and are able to do what ever they want, just a little more carefully. Good luck. VentureFar...

I get to travel a lot for business and like to meet fellow forum members. 1st trip after joining was to Seattle where Mikewa and I met for breakfast. Spent a good amount of time admiring Mikewa's RSV and all the great mods he has done, and enjoyed the conversation about riding and the forum. I highly recommend when you travel to look up a fellow forum member on your route or destination. You always have a friend on this forum. VentureFar....

I don't think my shield was ever taken off before I got it. Only had 5000 miles on it and my chrome strip on the front base of the windshield has always been loose. Fyi I get 2 to 4 mpg better mileage with the low baggershield compared to the stock shield. So it will pay for itself in 15,000 California gas price miles. Finally I can tell the wife "but honey we are making money every time I go for a ride "

Thanks that photo helps. Cyclegear is near me. I think the bilt will work. VentureFar...

Condor how small does it pack? I will have all my camping gear crammed inside. VentureFar...

In that case then this 19.95 cover should do it Cyclegear http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Accessories/Security/Covers/brand/BILT/Motorcycle-Cover/p/32938_2 Thanks all. VentureFar...

I might just put a trash bag over the seats and clean it when I get back to the bike. It is otherwise garaged.

Ha ha. For "just the right amount of protection "

Will have to park my 07 RSV outside for 1 week in Colorado ( rains every day). Any suggestions on lightweight - cheap- waterproof- won't blow off - packs very small, cover? VentureFar...

Don't ride with a Harley buddy, almost guaranteed to have an issue and need repair ( cost us an extra hour) - but if you are riding with a HD buddy then go on a day that the HD service centers are open. Have to tell you all, we walk into the service center at Ukiah HD and the guy behind the counter asked my buddy if he can help him -- and that conversation happens. Then a second guy behind the counter not knowing we are together asks me if he can help me. I replied so everyone ( the other 3 HD riders on trips with broken HD's) could hear me. No, I really don't need any at a repair shop, I ride a Yamaha. They all laughed, even the guys behind the counter. VentureFar...

Good buy- you saved a bundle. I have been researching and if I was to buy a back rest it would be a utopia. BUT, after sitting on Rick Butler's seat mod for 1000 miles on saturday I really didn't need one and I thought I would never ride without one after using one on my last bike for 75,000 miles. But good on you! VentureFar...

Which horn is 138db? VentureFar...

hmmm - good idea. Mine goes right to the edge. I am not sure if I am just catching that tip or hitting it in the middle but my suspicion is YOU have the answer! Thanks VentureFar....

Actually I do use the kill switch 100 percent for on and off. Guess it will just take time to stop doing it on accident. I have put 5000 miles on the bike since March when I got it but most of those miles area tank full to tank full, literally. No local commuting for me. This is my go somewhere on Saturday transportation.

Just did my Iron Butt so got plenty of chance to try out the change in steering geometry. Bike was just as stable going straight at all speeds hands on or hands off ( shhh don't tell my wife). High speed twisties - ie 40-65 mph - easier to enter and easier to exit. Slow speed twisties 20-40 mph tight road turns- easier to enter and easier to exit. Parking lot - gas station turns very comfortable now. The only difference I feel is the requirement for less input pressures which makes riding much more comfortable. I originally felt trying to do an S turn on this bike was like guiding a hippo. Now it is responsive and I have MORE ground clearance. VentureFar....

I use a "throttle rocker" / cramp buster and that does crowd my hand against the inside surface. But I hit the switch when my hand is RETURNING to the throttle from being away from it. ie - scratch my nose, fix my glasses, grab onto the right pillion hold bar and twist my back to the right then return and hit the switch when putting my hand BACK on the throttle. Guess I am just a clutz. I have put several long distance miles on since I got it in March - So I am on it fidgeting around a lot. Did my Iron Butt 1000 Saturday was on the bike 19 of 21 hours - a lot of time to 'fidget'. VentureFar....

Started out at 0300 saturday morning heading north through Sacramento from Los Angeles, Made a Left north of Sacramento at Williams, then to Ukiah where the cliche' "parts fall off of HD motorcycles" happened. The rear cylinder exhaust pipe flange came undone as the bolts dropped out on the highway somewhere. The good ol HD dealer in Ukiah to the rescue and we were back on the road through San Francisco and Santa Barbara - total miles 1043. in 21 hours. Anyone planning an IB ride this season? PS Special thanks to Rick Butler for making my seat so comfortable I didn't need an Iron Butt to do my Iron Butt ride. VentureFar...

I can't believe how many times I hit the kill switch unintentionally on my Iron Butt yesterday. I was thinking about wiring around it since the only time I hit it was at the wrong time. It seems to be too close ( meaning way too close) to the throttle. Just taking my hand off, especially in the dark and putting it back on the throttle - even during the day like after fixing my glasses- must have done it 5x in 21 hours. What about you? VentureFar....

I bought some a few years ago and the. Read up on the after. Can you say "ready shoot aim!" Minnesota hwy patrol ran a year long test since they have a consistent history of deer collisions. Every vehicle was equipped with a pair and one year later they had the same amount of deer collisions. Minnesota hwy patrol conclusion was they do not work at all Next- deer hearing is in human range. A bit above and a bit bow as well but the deer whistles are above their hearing range anyway. So they can't hear them period. Best advise I have heard so far is drive slower at dusk and dawn. And while you are at it, sat right and exercise regularly :-)

Ok I am really impressed. I would say the handlebar in put pressure is 1/2. It just makes it nicer to make a tight turn. Haven't done any twisties, just did rights and lefts in my neighborhood and then full circles in front of my house. My street is about 36 feet across and although I easily turned both ways before, this just felt so much more comfortable. I still have the narrower tire in my garage waiting to put on after my Iron Butt this Saturday. Dont want to waste a brand new Metz 888 front tire on all freeway day ride ( of 1040 miles ) I highly recommend the leveling links and although I am not inseam challenged, I did not notice a difference putting my feet down. I have a 31 inseam. VentureFar...

I just put Diamond R leveling links on. Didn't remove the tire, just took out the set bolt for the hose clamp in the way of the upper to get my torque wrench on. I pointed the nose in the corner of the garage, strapped the kickstand forward attached to the front wheel. Broke the nuts loose and jacked the rear tire up off the ground with a single point ( car hydraulic jack) on the opposite side of the kickstand. Slid out the bolts - use BelRey grease inside and reassembled. With 5 phone calls that I answered and cleaning the grease off my hands 4 times and getting licked by my dogs because I was laying down at licking level, it took me 1/2 hour total- would have been a 10 minute continuous job. As soon as the LA traffic dies down a little later I will take it out and report back. I could have lived with the heavy feel of the handlebars in a turn but hoped not to. We will see shortly. VentureFar...