Had to leave Wisconsin and go to Iowa to buy a used car...how to go, truck or bike? Well, since there are few things I hate more than putting gas in the Dakota, the wife and I took the bike-76 900.
The whole trip ended up being 533 miles and reaffirmed and revealed some things to me.
1. I don't care how much you like riding, putting on a helmet for an extended period of time when the temperature is above 90 is no fun at all. Not only that, one isn't even presentable for anything but gas stops and fast food. The heavy protective jacket wasn't much better. I know, I'd be much less presentable had I fallen without them. Anybody ever try the Arai CT-Z touring helmet?
2. My, how I've come a long ways in dealing with traffic, heavy, truck laden interstate traffic. When I first got this bike, driving 55 on a local 2 lane, albeit, a busy one, left me wondering if I was going to be able to drive this bike any distance at all. Now I'm zipping along 70-75 without being unduly concerned at all. Experience and a different brand of tires have made a world of difference.
3. Took the time to really determine what I got for mileage, with the wife on back, it was 40mpg driving mostly interstate. Not bad, but when or if I end up buying a modern bike, better mileage will be a big reason why. Those new Hondas are a big step in the right direction on that front. My Geo will do considerably better than this, but I realize that mpg wasn't a major concern back when this bike was conceived.
4. I violated my cardinal rule of driving at night, the only good thing I could say about that is that it was considerably more comfortable. The stock lights are woefully inadequate in my estimation and to diminish this disadvantage, I ended up having my wife following fairly closely behind with her brights on which was a big help.
5. I do love how in synch one feels with the bike after being in the saddle so long.
6. They may be expensive and time consuming to obtain, but Day Long seats are worth every penny.
7. Wish I had the big gas tank!
Chuck
The whole trip ended up being 533 miles and reaffirmed and revealed some things to me.
1. I don't care how much you like riding, putting on a helmet for an extended period of time when the temperature is above 90 is no fun at all. Not only that, one isn't even presentable for anything but gas stops and fast food. The heavy protective jacket wasn't much better. I know, I'd be much less presentable had I fallen without them. Anybody ever try the Arai CT-Z touring helmet?
2. My, how I've come a long ways in dealing with traffic, heavy, truck laden interstate traffic. When I first got this bike, driving 55 on a local 2 lane, albeit, a busy one, left me wondering if I was going to be able to drive this bike any distance at all. Now I'm zipping along 70-75 without being unduly concerned at all. Experience and a different brand of tires have made a world of difference.
3. Took the time to really determine what I got for mileage, with the wife on back, it was 40mpg driving mostly interstate. Not bad, but when or if I end up buying a modern bike, better mileage will be a big reason why. Those new Hondas are a big step in the right direction on that front. My Geo will do considerably better than this, but I realize that mpg wasn't a major concern back when this bike was conceived.
4. I violated my cardinal rule of driving at night, the only good thing I could say about that is that it was considerably more comfortable. The stock lights are woefully inadequate in my estimation and to diminish this disadvantage, I ended up having my wife following fairly closely behind with her brights on which was a big help.
5. I do love how in synch one feels with the bike after being in the saddle so long.
6. They may be expensive and time consuming to obtain, but Day Long seats are worth every penny.
7. Wish I had the big gas tank!
Chuck