Sonnysboy

Had a 2009 RSV and my fuel mileage was always around 35-40 mpg. Most of that two up. Never pulled a trailer so I can't speak of that condition. But I have a 2006 RSTD now and when I rode it to Va. from Pittsburgh, 2 hours on the turnpike, 4 hours of back roads, I averaged 45 mpg all the way down. Since then I've put close to 2000m in the last two months, riding double, on it and I am getting between 38 and 42 mpg. Pretty happy with that, considering most of my riding is back roads and the RPM's you need to run at to keep these V-4's happy. Regardless of the tank mileage, I always stop at around 130 to 150 miles just to take a break and a drink. Very rarely have I ridden a motorcycle to get from point A to point B as fast as possible. I enjoy the ride and my wife enjoys the view, makes for a great day on a bike. I've also found that most of the guys I know compute their fuel mileage, like my dad did, rounding up to the nearest number that was better then mine. I found that, on the occasions when I ride with others, I'd look at how much gas they put in at the stops. Amazing how the MPG would drop when you do that.

A few years ago a resident, in the Tail of the Dragon area, thought it would be a good idea to slow the traffic down by pouring oil on the roadway in a couple of the corners. Causing cars and bikes to take a ride into the woods. But in this case they did catch the guy who did it. I can't even imagine how someone would think that doing these kind of things would be funny. Kinda glad I can't figure it out. Stupid is just stupid.

My last three bikes have all been Yamaha's. Never been left on the road by any of them. My Roadstar split the driving lite bar until I brike down and got one with a tube frame instead of a flat bar. My Venture never lost anything off it, but I only had it for a year and a half before it was totaled. My current RSTD has about 21000 on it and it just keeps running better everytime I take it out. One of my family has a CVO Ultra which I love. Runs great, handles very well and sounds like only a big V twin can. The front wheel also shakes across the paint strip if it is sitting on one at a lite and I can buy a whole lot of Yamaha's for 40000 dollars. But when it comes to vibration, NOTHING beats the old BSA Lighening and Triumph Bonneville's I had. Anything and everything could vibrate off them. I remember riding so long at speed that when I finally came to a stop my legs didn't want to work. I don't have a problem with Harleys, its there riders that I have a problem with. Most don't seem to realize there are other great bikes out on the road too. The ones that do know that are the bikers to me. The others are just holding handle bars

I was heading back to Virginia from Pittsburgh and had the same thought as mentioned above. I had gotten misdirected and was heading home by compass direction mostly. I didn't have much of an idea where I was, just knew I was heading home. Got on an old country road with a primeval look and feel to it without any shoulders and a pretty steep drop off. Realized that I hadn't seen a car in a bit and knew that if I went off it could be days before anyone found me. Stopped at the next station and called home to let my wife know where I was and the direction I was heading. I now always make sure someone knows, at least the gereral direction I am heading and I always call my son at the end of the day to let him know where I am.

My wife and I both used them on my Roadstar, it had stock seats. It was the only way we could run 300 plus in a day without limping. Had to get use to sitting higher and the movement when doing the twisties. But once we got use to it we wouldn't go anywhere without them. When we got the Venture, the pillow top seats were so comfortable we never used them again. After our accident I gave them to a friend of mine. When we healed up enough to ride again, our Tour Deluxe got a set of Mustang Tour seats. My wife is good but I am getting another air hawk very soon. This winter I am going to adapt a set of pillow tops to the Deluxe. Good luck with them

I have made some very rewarding rides as a member of the PGR. I have met some really great people who ride multple times a week at Arlington all year. I know what you mean about a families appreciation. If I can help lift the smallest of pain from a family member it is well worth the time spent. I have ridden when cars will not pass the line of motorcycles. Seen people stand in respect as we've passed. Had a lady stop at a toll booth and pay all our tolls for us as we passed through. Riding with the PGR has helped me greatly in being able to give back to those who helped me. I am a father of a Marine who gave his all., The older brother of another. Thank you for what you do for those left behind.