dynodon
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Everything posted by dynodon
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Here is a place that has the best service/selection I have found. They are great people to deal with. If you get one that clips to a rack/rail, make SURE you get one that is ALL METAL, and NOT the one with the plastic part at the bottom. They can break, and you can lose your pole and flag. http://www.m-j-enterprises.com/
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Hey Don, glad things went well. Hope you get back up in your routine and riding soon.
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The wife and I have done Vegas a few times, usually around the SEMA convention that I go to. here is how we have fun. Pick the shows you want to see and get tickets in advance on-line. Then go to the big hitters for shopping and fun, I love Caesars Palace, they have a great mall. Unless you are a particular fan of Wayne Newton, stay away from h is show. I am a fan, but the last time I saw him he could barely sing and the show was poor. we enjoyed the cirque du soleil, they have several types, the nudie show we stayed away from, but others might like it. Here is a tip: Get married again! the wife and I decided to do that the last time we went. Everywhere we went for two days we told people we were going to get married again and we got all sorts of free stuff. Free desert at one restaurant, a discount at another shop, and so on. But we DID get married again. Took a cab to the Little White Wedding Chapel (the only one to go to) and were just going to go drive through, but they said they had nothing going on inside, so they made us a deal. We paid the taxi, went in and they married us inside. We did it cheap (they hoped we would buy flowers/ring/elvis preacher etc), but we took the basic package which is a basic preacher, music from a boom box, and no witnesses. No flowers, no ring, but they honored their promise to return us to our hotel (or location of our choosing) in the super stretch chapel limo. What a hoot! Also, don't rent a car unless you are going sight seeing out of town, if staying in the town, taxi it. You will probably save money, and not have to worry about parking. I agree with others, not much to see around vegas on a bike, save the motorcycle rental for a beautiful area. One other thing we did that we enjoyed, was rent a pontoon boat and go out on the lake for a few hours. Get one with a grill, buy some food, and cook out on the lake. that was fun.
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my 2004 got 35 average on a 1200 mile trip pulling a Bushtec trailer. Most of the time with must me I get 36-38, with the occasional 40-42. I would love to see 45+ but most people I run with in the local Gold Wing club do 40 or less. Don't expect to see above 40 much. Still, they are great bikes, but they have some old features. Such as no air suspension. Just a power spring pre-load, pretty old tech. The ride isn't as good as my '86 Venture Royale. But POWER. Wow. Makes the VR seem like it's always two gears too high! LOL
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Yea, I need to see if I can remember how to do that! How DO I update the sig pic? I managed to get a new map, but can't remember how to post it. (edit) never mind, I found out how to do it. So I have added a few new states since I last did the visited states thing.
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still alive, took most of July to do my car club convention in Dearborn, and then relaxed by the wife and I riding our bikes to STAR Days in Chattanooga. After that it has been trying to get work done on the house/yard between heat strokes! Been doing some riding but hardly ever see any fruit or veggie stands or think about it when I do. We are doing a STAR ride to the Rantoul Air Force base museum Sunday, maybe we will run across something on the way. Have to ask if everyone wants to stop so I can get a picture though! Where is everyone else? It is the season, so people, get out there and get the target!
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Back when younger, my 750 super sport rode better and more stable in the rain when I had my trailer attached. It was a small car trailer with a car topper on it. Made to go together. I loved that little trailer, but it was WIDE compared to the Bushtek I have now. If your bike feels more wiggly with the trailer in rain than without, is it loaded right (at least 10% of total trailer/load weight on hitch) or loaded equal side to side? Are the wheel bearings adjusted the same both sides and tire air pressure the same on both sides? Is the axle on the trailer straight? Is the hitch or the ball tight? In my experience, unless you are hauling too heavy a load, or something is wrong, you should not feel less stable with a trailer, maybe the opposite.
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Going and coming from STAR Days it was near 100 degrees for the 600 mile (one way) ride for the wife and I. We both have drink holders and insulated cups. I have heard the back and forth about room temp water and cold water, but when you need to cool off, cold water is wonderful, and after a few seconds in the body, it is warm anyway. We had a cooler with ice and bottled water on the trailer, wet cloths around our necks, and we wet down our shirts a lot. But MOST important was to stop every 45 minutes to an hour at most. Find shade, cool down, drink more water (I would drink 32 ounces an hour and the wife had a 20 ounce drink). We also carried apples and oranges, these make an excellent source of energy and more liquid. And of course ICE CREAM, the bikers friend whenever possible just for fun.
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I have been on both sides of the situation. Didn't get service when I needed it and DID. But I run a business, and know that you can't solve every problem, every time. Some shops are busier than others, some are backed up and need to get regular customers out. Sounded like the original shop wasn't nasty, just couldn't do the work, and it wasn't anything that stranded the biker. The bike ran, and would continue to run, and extending the oil change wouldn't hurt anything. Oil changes can easily be extended when on a long trip. Long days are EASY on oil. It is short trips that wear out oil faster and contaminate the oil more with gas. If on a long trip, you can extend the change interval probably by at least a couple thousand miles over typical start and stop riding. But again, an oil change isn't an emergency! Yes, it would have been nice if the shop had done the job, but NONE of us, even the OP don't know exactly what was going on in that shop, and how much pressure the service writer/manager was under to get REGULAR customers out the door and preserve his bottom line. I won't put down a shop for trying to take care of regular customers over someone on a trip that has a non-emergency request. Oh, and change oil at a rest area and DUMP the oil there? How about I change oil in your front yard and dump it there? Better make plans on how to legally and safely get rid of the oil if you change it on the road. I would suggest find a parts/auto supply store, buy the pan/kit and then they can dispose of the oil and supplies and probably won't mind a bike doing it at the side of the building. But dump it at a rest area? They don't have facilities for that, and you do NOT want to put it in the camper toilet dump. FYI
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that out of round wheel has to be the problem. Wow, that was bad. Piggybacker should send you new ones that have been tested, be sure to replace the spare if it also is out of round. Go to a bigger wheel/tire if you can. the biggest that will fit. Tires will run cooler, ride will be better. Less bounce on bumps. Also, don't over-inflate. The MAX pressure on the sidewall is just that the Maximum you should use if the trailer/load is at that maximum weight. Most tires have way more capacity than the trailer/bike/car they are on, but it is good to check it. Use the pressure recommended by the trailer manufacturer, NOT by the MAX on the sidewall.
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I have tried those things and find them too bulky and they don't cover enough area. I use a large polishing rag I have had in my bikes trunk. It is soft and large enough, I fold it in a triangle, then just twirl it like you were going to use it to snap someone's behind! then soak in cold water and wrap it around my neck and just let the long ends go straight down the front of my chest under my shirt. I find this stays wet for a long time (more than an hour easily coming back from STAR days in near 100 degree heat) when my wife's neck cooler was totally dry and it didn't do anything for the front, only the back of the neck. Secret is to use a cloth MUCH larger than a typical bandana. they are too thin and too small to hold enough water. Use a thicker cotton cloth at least 2-3 times the size of a bandana.
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I passed on a nearly new low mile late Gen 1 to buy a 2004 wing this year. Wish I had gone with the Gen 1. Then I would have a "new" gen 1 and a really good parts bike if needed, but would be able to ride both. Now I have a 2004 Wing that is sapping the confidence from me as I ride it. It wobbles and weaves and the local dealer has tried 4 times to fix it, and they say they can't feel the problem. I just got on my '86 Vr after about a month of trying to learn the wing and felt what a stable great riding bike feels like again. WOW what a difference. Plus the forward foot position on the Vr is comfy while any pegs you can get for a wing will still be set wide, and the fairing will be into my legs. Yes, the power is amazing, but there are times when I hit a bump and the bike trys to rip itself out from under me as I make the smallest twist on the throttle. the VR does the same thing on big bumps but isn't as powerful or touchy. I want to love this Wing, but it isn't making it easy. If you think about buying one, rent one. I rented a Harley Ultra and loved it and should have bought one of those, but went with this Wing without really trying it out. My 86 Vr is a lot more bike, wish I could buy a brand new one!
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The wife and I on separate bikes did 1200+ miles round trip for Star Days this year. Our first Star Days and we had a great time. Lots of nice people, the event was well organized, although the banquet ran WAY long and we left early to get a good spot by the pool for late night talk. We did some exploring on Wednesday and went up Signal Mountain. All the fun roads of Lookout mountain without all the tourist traffic. Went up Route 8/127, and that was fun, but the GPS found what the locals call the "W's". Actually called W road. Look it up on Google. All the thrills of the Dragon without the crazy crotch rockets, but a lot shorter. Sticky Fingers BBQ got our vote for best food of the trip, the dry rub ribs were the best I have ever had. The Tennessee Railroad Museum was a fun time, the short train ride includes a lot of history and you can run around the train, hang out on the very back of the cars outside or stick your head out the window without getting yelled at! Just don't hang out too far through the tunnel, only 15" of clearance! Best $15 we spent on the vacation. Highly recommended. Others in our group enjoyed the aquarium, and several went to the actual Dragon. Only downside was it was HOT HOT HOT. but then it is the South in July, what do you expect? We found the locals to be helpful and friendly, and plan to visit Chattanooga again soon, maybe outside of the main tourist season and when it is cooler! Hope everyone made it there and back OK.
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The industry standard is 10% of the total trailer and load weight. then you make sure the hitch will support whatever figure that comes out to be. In reality, you can fudge a little both ways as long as you don't go way over the hitch limits. But under NO circumstance do you want very little weight on the hitch ball. the trailer can start wagging the bike, and could take you right off the highway or into traffic! Another part of this is to make sure the load inside doesn't shift as you drive. It is better to have the trailer slightly "tongue down" rather than up so that if some shift occurs, it is putting MORE weight on the tongue than less. Pack so stuff doesn't move around. Also, check the tires and bearings at EVERY stop immediately after you stop. Even on a very hot day, it should not be so hot that you can't leave your hand or fingers on them for at least a few seconds. If they burn quickly, they are too hot. Check that you have enough tire pressure and that the bearings have proper adjustment and lube. Can't emphasize enough that this check could save your life, same as checking the tires and stuff on the bike every day, or more than once a day on long trips.
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I have several friends I ride with that have the LT and they love it. Haven't heard of any particular problems. There are no dealers near me, and that is what kept it off my short list recently. A lot of bike and really good for long distance. Might also want to check out the new Voyager. A lot of bike for the money.
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I am a firm believer that quality oil does NOT need additives other than what it comes with. Did you try Amsoil withOUT the Motorkote? I run the Amsoil in my '86 VR and it helped quiet the chirp/whine. putting a bunch of additives in quality oil usually just messes up a good thing. Also, you may think everyone is noticing the noise as you go by, but your mufflers or other engine noise is probably what makes them look up if anything. Most motorcycles are a lot quieter to bystanders than to those riding them, with the exception of harleys and other bikes with super loud exhaust. I thought my '86 had a loud whine/chirp and that the exhaust was just cool sounding till my son rode it around the block, and I could barely hear it. Try quality musicians earplugs and you will enjoy the ride a lot more. Put in a good oil and just leave it alone for a while.
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Both my bikes have been tied up recently, I just got the Venture back together from repairing my trunk so it doesn't become a three piece (0r more) unit! Haven't really been any bike nights in the area either. I live in podunkville and most "bike nights" involve those without motors!
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only motorcycle only camp I have been to was almost 30 years ago, went to the TWO campground (Two Wheels Only) in Suches GA. Great time. These days we camp at hotels/motels, preferring a good concierge over bugs and campfires.!
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Lots to look out for. I went on a ride on some favorite roads with lots of turns Sunday morning and found a bunch of corners with gravel on them. Didn't look like it was road repair, looked like someone put it out on purpose. Sometimes it would be across the entire road, other times, just at the apex just where you can't see it as you turn in. Right where a fast crotch rocket would hit it. Finally, one intersection, again at the apex had about a 2 foot wide and 4' long line of what looked like fresh engine oil. No way that spilled from a vehicle, someone put it there on purpose. Luckily, I was on a big touring bike, and I am a chicken when it comes to corners, even ones I know well, I live by the motto, "never go faster than your eyes can see". And after a couple corners like that, I started going around middle of the lane, VERY slow and not having much fun. I would like to catch whoever was doing that, but doubt I will. I guess someone there doesn't like bikes. I have heard about things like this, but never seen it till now. One stretch was where I led our local Gold Wing group just a week before. Was clean then, luckily.
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Plenty of engines come from the factory having seen nothing but synthetic. No "break in" oil needed. In older days, course cyl walls and cast iron rings needed more break in than todays finely honed cylinders and exotic metal rings. Engines will break in just fine with synthetic oil. Just make sure to use a synthetic intended for motorcycles with wet clutches. ANY oil that isn't to that specification, synthetic or regular could cause problems with the clutch. That mechanic has had some bad info from "old mechanics tales" and I bet he thinks it causes leaks (NOT) and more. As stated Yamaha sells synthetic oil, and most manufacturers these days are in favor of using it from the get go.
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What is a level 3 goldwing?
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Ok, but can the sun still be up??????
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Join the Wingers on this site! I bought a '04 Titanium Wing, and after a few teething problems, I am falling in love. Still have my '86 VR, and for now, it actually rides better and handles better, but I have had 5 years to get it tweaked! Love the torque of the 1800 though. Cool looking bike, love the turn down exhaust.
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Don't think there is any rule. so if you find an interesting scene, then do it, but then you have to set a new target
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RSV vs BMW, Goldwing, and Harley Direct Comparison
dynodon replied to SledgeHammer's topic in Watering Hole
GoldWing so low on Touring? I have to suspect the testing or methodology. The RSV is really very good for the age of the design, which shows how good it was many years ago.