Seven Days - LA to DC - Trip Complete

[BobFV1]

Doing this in stages - riding the new GS 1200 ADV Phoenix to LA tomorrow, up to Ojai for a custom seat by Bill Meyer Saddles on Thursday, weekend in LA, then I will point East and start to meander towards the nation's capital. Haven't got the route finalized yet, but will keep you all posted - heck I might even see some of you along the way!

[Gord]

Godspeed Bob NTGM! Looking forward to hearing about your cross-country odyssey, the new GS, and perhaps even a pic or two!

[Bones]

What a great opportunity. Have a good run. Open invite if you decide to swing through Upstate NY.

Jeff

[TorqueMonsterMT-01]

Bob;
Have fun and take it easy. If you get lost and end up near Tokyo, give me a ring.

[arkline]

Bob,

All I can say is stay south as much as possible...And stay hydrated.

Good luck, but don't press too hard. Believe me, I know now...

[socalrob]

Bums me out you'l be in LA tomorrow. I'm tied up at work as I'm LEAVING FOR TEXAS on Thurs. AM!

[BobFV1]

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[Ed K]

Bob, If you head-up to SF area, let me know!!!

[Capt. Blackadder]

A brand-new Adventure, going on a cross-country trip all bagged and stickered... with a temporary plate. Love it! :icon_mrgreen:

Have a blast!

[Promethean]

Have fun Bob! Is that sheepskin on the seat that you're using as a cushion?

Quite a few stickers on the bags. :)

[DJ Down Under]

Bob..Good luck on your trip and watch out for the cops...:045:..it's a nice way to run in your new bike..:023:

DJ

[BobFV1]

Developed a fault in my electrical system when I tried to install a headlight modulator yesterday - low beam circuit is malfunctioning on the bike so I only have the high beam 0 it's a CanBus system so there is no fuse to change - all I can do is disconnect the power and hope it resets, but that hasn't worked - so today I am loading up the bike here in LA and riding back to Phoenix. Tuesday AM I will take it to the dealer and hopefully be on the road for DC on Weds AM - I have a breakfast meeting in the DC area a week from today (next Sunday morning) so, while I'm cutting it close, I would rather have my home dealer diagnose the electrical issue than take my chances on the open road.

Maybe I'll see someone on the road here in SOCAL on he way back to Phoenix today - wave if you see the loaded down Adventure.

[jamming]

Bob, if you take the I-10 call me and stop by the house west of Phoenix for a water break.
Roger

[Deans BMW]

Bob, headlite moniter........bah...humbug....only on Goldwings.

[BobFV1]

Hey Dean-O - I got the modulator working - now I can really piss off the pick-em-up trucks around here!

Here are a couple of pics of my baby in Quartzite, Arizona today - new Helen Two Wheels bag on the back:

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/65954976-S.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/65955081-S.jpg

[BobFV1]

Okay - after a false start (to and from LA - 800 miles) - I am really leaving tomorrow morning! My intended path of travel -

Day 1 - Tempe, AZ to Roswell, NM (no slab)

Day 2 - Roswell, NM to OKC (some slab)

Day 3 - OKC to Nashville, stopping at BMW of Little Rock

Day 4 - Nashville to West Virginia Coal COuntry near Cairo, WV, to stay with friends on their farm

Day 5 - Cairo, WV to Charlottesville, VA

Day 6 - Charlottesville to Washington DC

I will try to take pix and post updates from the road, depending on Internet connections and whether or not I am abducted by aliens in Roswell.

See ya! :109:

[Tipstall]

Bob,

One of your normal trips is a trip of a lifetime for me.

Ken

[geechie]

...and whether or not I am abducted by aliens in Roswell.

I hear they're bad this time of year.

Have a great trip, Bob. And stay safe.

George

[Promethean]

Bob,
Remember...the aliens use probes. :ymca:

Have a safe trip.

[arkline]

Hey! There aren't any aliens in Roswell. Least ways, when I went to highschool there in the sixties, the stories of alienosity were never heard. Just a ploy to make some cash after Walker AFB closed, taking several thousands of jobs with it. I was planning to route through there on my way back from Kerrville, just to see how it had changed since 1969, which is the last time I passed through. I'm sure it is lovely this time of year...

[BobFV1]

Hey! There aren't any aliens in Roswell. Least ways, when I went to highschool there in the sixties, the stories of alienosity were never heard. Just a ploy to make some cash after Walker AFB closed, taking several thousands of jobs with it. I was planning to route through there on my way back from Kerrville, just to see how it had changed since 1969, which is the last time I passed through. I'm sure it is lovely this time of year...

Ron - Hi from Roswell - this is in fact a lovely little town at a lovely time of year! It was a little chilly crossing the Continental Divide this morning at about 7800 feet of elevation, but I made it in here from Tempe without any Interstate after a nine hour ride. The New Mexico Military Institute is in a time warp, as is the little City Hall building - except for the fact that it has a tablet of the ten commandments in front of it. A couple of downtown theaters have been converted to "alien museums".

Quick ride report - The GS is astounding in terms of power and handling. The fuel capacity makes it a fantastic road bike. One thing I noticed is that the crosswind stability is not that good - had some pretty darn strong crosswinds today and it was pretty darn twitchy in the front. I am interested in seeing if I get used to the light front end over the rest of my trip.

BMW tank bag is a bit of a pain in the ass, but it has good capacity and I just spent 300.00 on it, so I will stick with it for a while. The Bill Mayer saddle is absolutely superb - nine hours and I hardly even knew I was on a motorcycle seat! Rocky (Bill Mayer) is THE MAN!

Here are some pics from the ride today:

All packed up and ready to leave the house - I'll miss my little cactus garden:

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At the "Very Large Array" radiotelescope high on a plateau in Northwest New Mexico:

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Lincoln, New Mexico, site of the Lincoln County War and hangout of Billy The Kid:

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Main Street, Roswell, NM, April 25, 2006 - Estimated Prophet:

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/66335721-M.jpg

Heading East to Oklahoma tomorrow! Hope to have another road report. Going out in search of an Alien probe now.....

[jamais]

That one day delay you took to start your trip is probably paying off by putting you behind the latest squall lines pushing through the midwest. I bet you'll have mostly sunny skies to the east coast.

[jamming]

Bob, in search of an alien probe???? I thought they found you. :)
BTW, I was born in Roswell, and still have family there.
When I got out of line as a teenager my folks threatened to send me to New Mexico Military Ins. straightened me right out.
Be cool brother, and have fun.
Roger

[BobFV1]

BTW, I was born in Roswell, and still have family there.
Roger

Roger -

Take me to your leader :037: :037:.

Bob

http://www.edwardfrench.com/Scannedpix/Creatures/Greenman.jpg

[Dallara]

Cool Trip, Bob!

Man, you sure got that GS LOADED DOWN! No wonder the front end is light steering! Lots of extra side-area, too, for the crosswinds to snag with all that luggage.

My Dad went to school at New Mexico Military Institute for four years. He had a true fondness for the place and was a generous alumni. Been there to Roswell a few times and I always thought it was a pretty neat little town.

Have fun on your adventure trek, and stay safe!

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara - NACD)

[arkline]

BobNTGM,

You must have been hauling. Nine hours in the saddle, um, that'd be about 900 miles for the old Hoon....

Did you get to see the jail from which Billy the Kid escaped? Back when I was a kid, you could still see a bullet hole where he fired and missed a guard. Or that was the story anyway. You probably missed the Fox Cave for some delicious and laxatative cherry cider too. They're probably closed by now, since they must have been hit with a million lawsuits over the fact that kids would get their parents to buy 'em a cherry cider and then have cramping and explosive...well, nevermind.

The shot from Roswell still looks familiar. I can't tell you how many times I rode up and down Main street, crammed into a car with umpteen other horny teenage guys, looking for loose women or someone who'd buy the beer.

Allan,

Not to disparage your father's alma mater, but when I was in highschool we referred to NMMI as "Nine million marching idiots." Just a historical note, no offense intended.

[socalrob]

Bob,

Your GSA looks great for touring. What kind of gas mileage are you getting with her on this trip?

If you take the tail pack & bags off is she still light on the front end? Is the lightness a problem or an observation? Seems like filling up that giant gas tank would put some weight up front.

[Deans BMW]

Bob, sounds like you are having a great trip. What speeds are you traveling at, and what sort of gas mileage's are you getting, etc.

[BobFV1]

Hi All -

Wasn't able to get on line last night, so this is a combined day 2 and day 3 report.

Day 2 - Roswell, NM to Nenryetta, Oklahoma - a little over 500 miles, half back roads and half slab.

Day 3 (today) - Henryetta, OK to Cave City, Kentucky - about 650 miles

Average overall speed today was 66 mph, including breaks. On the road I was running about 79-84 mph all day. Mileage seems to be right around 40-42 mph.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mechanical/Electrical

Starting out in New Mexico yesterday I plugged in the Gerbings and it didn't work. Headlight modulator was functioning properly but giving me intermittent fault indications on my on-board computer. Froze my ass off riding across Northwest New Mexico in the early morning hours.

Got to BMW of Oklahoma City - nice dealership with a great service department. Technician Sonny plugged my bike in to the computer and read multiple faults in the CanBus system - all related to the Kisan headlight modulator. Out came the modulator - apparently Kisan needs to iron out some issues to make it compatible with the CanBus system. The dealer also reset the juice to the accessory socket - it had tripped off apparently when I plugged my Sparrow air pump in to test it prior to my trip. I remember in my garage at home plugging it in, it worked momentarily and then stopped working. It had tripped the Can Bus system for the socket and the system did not reset itself. Sonny told me that I will not be able to use the air pump in the factory socket because it draws too many amps for the CanBus system. What a pain in the ass - I am going to have to add a fuse block and relay in to the accessory socket circuit. Sonny measured the output of the socket after he reset it and was only getting 9.4 volts out - told me this was not enough to power my vest, and suggested that I need to have my "ZFE" or central brain unit replaced - offered to do it but I could not spend the night (or two) in OKC while a ZFE was flown in.

Got through the rest of the day. The bike ran absolutely great. This morning - froze my ass off riding across Oklahoma and Arkansas with no electric - temp in the high 30's with fog and I was one cold NTGM! Got the bike in to BMW of Little Rock and they put it on the computer, picked up and reset a bunch of faults, and repaired the socket to put out the same voltage as the battery. Gerbing still did not work, so then we plugged it in to their demo bike and it didn't work there either - the Gerbing jacket is bad! It worked fine a couple months ago on my old RT!

Riding

The bike performs brilliantly - excellent response. Yesterday morning in the middle of BFE - actually, BFNM - wrang it out to 120 and it was still pulling hard on a slight uphill. Got the front wheel up a couple of times - even in third gear! This thing has a lot of grunt! Handling in the wind is a real struggle, but manageable. Hit the limiter this morning - came out of a rest stop early AM onto a foggy interstate and had an 18 wheeler bearing down on me - hit the limiter in 3rd on the way out of there but was able to smoothly upshift and get up to highway speed real quick - with a couple of little power wheelies.

ETC

Jesse bags - excellent. Solidly attached and cavernous.

Bill Mayer Custom Saddle - I can't say enough about the seat that Rocky and I built - this seat takes "sore butt" completely out of the cross-country riding equation. Just an outstanding asset and improvement to an already fantastic bike.

Wind protection - just right! The wind screen directs the wind over the top of my helmet - I can see over it - it works great.

Bars - I have the 25mm Touratech bar risers. I probably need more in the riser department, getting some pressure on my hands and my elbows are fairly straight - need to work on this

Brakes - ABS is for pussies. These brakes rock and I feel like I am actually riding the bike again.

That's about it for now - off to West Virginia in the morning - I plan to take back roads and intercept the Blue Grass Parkway, then up to Lexington, Kentucky, and on in to West Virginia.

Classing up the Super 8 in Henryetta, OK - Beautiful Ultra Classic in the background

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/66632617-M.jpg

At BMW of Little Rock - Back on the road

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My poor right hand!

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[GPM]

Sounds like you're having a great trip Bob, although maybe a bit chilly.

I've run a connection from the battery and tie wrapped to the frame. It takes the Battery Tender when sitting in the garage, heated vest on the road, and tire pump if needed. A Centech runs the Corbin heated seat and the Stebel horn. The wimpy accessory plug is left to power the radar detector. I figure it should be capable of handling the miniscule draw of the V1.

A Throttlemeister and a throttle rocker would do wonders for that blister.

[jamming]

Bob, you need to switch hands once in a while to get some callous built up on that right hand:037: !
What a trip, I'm living it with ya brother.
Ride on and take care.
Roger

[jamais]

Dude, don't you wear gloves? Are you sure that blister isn't from some other activity?

[Deans BMW]

Bob, I recommend you do what GPM has done, I have done the same to my ST, results, narry a problem with electrical system.....................


AND GET RID OF THAT #&%*@$## HEAD LITE MONITOR

Sounds like a great trip.

[arkline]

Bob,

ThrottleRocker's ain't what they used to be but the CrampBuster is...looks like you need one - badly. What kind of gloves are you wearing? Or maybe that's just a friction blister?

Great trip though. I empathize with the part about being cold. Even if you layer up, without the heated vest your body heat just blows away. I hope the heated grips work better if you have those handguards than they do if your hands are exposed to the breeze.

Oh, and the pictures are great. Crisp and well saturated with color. Wish I was on the road with you...

[DarthRider]

A old(er) guy on a really nice old Triumph Hurricane last weekend in the Texas Hill Country had a Throttle Rocker on *both* grips!
I asked him why and said he tried it for his arthritic wrists...and it works.
He said it was cheaper than pain pills...

Dave

[BobFV1]

Spent Thursday night in Cave City, Kentucky, next to Mammoth Cave National Park. Got up Friday morning and decided to take back roads - went up a beautiful Kentucky back road called 31E. After miles of cold, early morning riding through rolling, grassy hills, I saw a sign pointing to the Abraham Lincoln birthplace, 2.5 miles away! I have always respected Lincoln and I had no idea that I would pass right next to his birthplace, so I pointed the GS ADV in that direction and headed over there:

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I continued on over back roads and the Blue Grass Parkway to Lexington, Kentucky, then jumped on the slab up to the Northeast corner of Kentucky, at Ashland, and over the border to Charleston, West Virginia. From Charleston, I headed North on I-77 up to Parkersburg, stopping at the West Virginia welcome center:

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I continued North on I-77, fighting heavy crosswinds, to the area around Parkersburg, WV. In this area I met up with a close friend from DC who has a 400 acre farm in the area, and I spent the night. This part of the country is beautiful - here's a snapshot from the town closest to the farm:

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Here's a picture at the farm - in front of a 100 year old cabin on the property:

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Today at about noon I left the Parkersburg, WV area - my goal for the day was to get to Charlottesville, Virginia, where I am tonight. I checked my Mapsource software and found a route that looked very interesting - all back roads. Down County road 16 to West Virginia Highway 47, then East to intersect Highway 33, then East on 33 through the mountains, including Seneca Rocks, Judy Gap, and over the Shenandoah mountains, then down in to Harrisonburg, VA, then South through Waynesboro and in here to Charlottesville.

Let me tell you, it was one of the most breathtaking and beautiful rides I have ever taken. Highway 47 in West Virginia is spectacular and twisty, then route 33 in absolutely a treat - over a couple of 3000 foot passes, great, technical twisites, hardly any traffic - just an incredible ride - I can't imagine a more beautiful day or a more beautiful ride than the one I took today. I didn't stop for too many pix but I did get a couple:

Here is Seneca Rocks in West Virginia:

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Roadside rest near Franklin, West Virginia:

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Rest stop - West Virginia style:

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The bike is performing FANTASTIC! 4000 miles on the odometer (it's not a clock!) and it has not burned a drop of oil, and the oil still looks clean and clear. The exhaust is awesome (full Remus system) and it sure relieves the back pressure (pop, pop, pop). The Bridgestone Trail Wing 125's are pretty good, although they feel less planted after 4K miles than they did a week ago (of course - a week ago I was in Los Angeles, now I am in Virginia...). I will replace them with Metzelers very soon. The Bill Mayer seat is just absolutely the greatest piece of motorcycle gear I have ever purchased. XM Roady 2 and Garmin 2610 are performing well.

Dean-O, you will be pleased to know the modulator is gone - the CanBus would not tolerate it. I will put some fancy lights on this week to enhance conspicuity since the modulator is obviously too buggy to work on this bike.

Well, that's all for now. I believe that I may finish up early enough tomorrow to catch Skyline Drive at the South end and take it for its entire length North to I-66, then head East in to DC.

This bike is incredible - it eats cruisers for lunch - it's hilarious to pass cruisers on the twisties - they have no idea what the hooligan-looking GS is, and when I pass them with my obnoxious and loud Remus system I know they are scratching their heads.....

Oh - scary story of the day. I'm heading East in WV (or V - I don't remember which) on highway 33, just past the little town of Elkins, and I am going along in a straight line at 80, and I see a sign "end freeway, 1 mile". So there are no other cars around, I figure that it goes from a four lane to a two lane road, so I keep barreling down this grade at 80, and all of a sudden there is nothing in front of me but barricades and piles of gravel. I am trying to process this and see that there is a sharp 90 degree right turn which is my only out other than the gravel pile. I brake for all I'm worth and start the turn - lock up the rear and slide it around, release the rear and narrowly avoid a smash-up by making that right turn. If it would have been night, I'd be dead, but it wasn't so I just had a nice day. I honestly don't know what would have happened with ABS - I think I would definitely have gotten an ABS engagement but I don't know if it would have stopped, slid, skidded, or what. I'm liking the brakes but really having to concentrate on my braking much more than other aspect of my riding - it's important without ABS on this maneuverable and heavy bike. Keeps it fun....

[Bones]

Bob,
Fantastic write up!
Quick questions:
As I am dealing with some "issues" related to my GS's electronics (speedo) and may have to take it away from the dealer for a trip, I may "need" a GPS so I can at least know what my speed is.

Which GPS do you have?
Are you happy with that choice?
Is it running off the bike's electrical source or batteries?

I don't really want something telling me which turns to take and all of that. I just would want it to tell me current speed and where I actually am. I will still use old fashioned maps for the most part.

Thanks.

Ride Safe and keep posting.

Jeff

[BobFV1]

Sawbones -

Garmin 2610 - with the GB card I have maps for the entire US installed. Mounts to my handlebars with a 12 dollar RAM ballmount. I use it almost exclusively for the page which prominently features a large, digital speed readout. I have it hot-wired directly to the battery and working with my Autocom - but if you are not using it for directions you don't need the Autocom. Great unit, and you get the "Mapsource" software with it, which is great for trip planning.

[Deans BMW]

Bob, sounds like you are having a fantastic trip. Also sounds like the GS ADV is just the bike for the trip...or for any other for that matter.

[BobFV1]

Rolled in to DC today. Woke up this morning in Charlottesville, VA, then rode up to the Blue Ridge Parkway:

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/67135357-M.jpg

Headed North up Skyline Drive, then down Virginia 211 and over to Front Royal, then on to the slab (I-66) and East in to town. Met up with my son Nick in Maryland and he fired up his Kawasaki and we rode over to Hooters together for lunch. Then I headed back around the beltway to McLean, VA, and went to my business partners house - washed the bike and had dinner.

A shame for the trip to end. Last Sunday I pulled out of LA, and a week later I am here in DC with the new ADV. Other than the electrical system quirks I have nothing bad to say about it - great bike and I am looking forward to at least one more trip across the US this year. hope to see you all out on the road. For the next three weeks I will be here in the DC area and I will probably be riding locally on the weekends. Look for the cool new bike.

[DJ Down Under]

Wow!...thanks for the write up and pics...:023: :023:...the bike looks great.

DJ

[Arby]

Bob

Thanks for letting us share your adventure. Enjoyed the photos of Kentucky and WVA too.

Regards running out of road, that happened to me on my Buell up in Maine, scared the daylights outta me .

Glad you made it safe and sound.

RB

[BobFV1]

Last Thursday morning I awoke in my little hotel next to I-40 in East Oklahoma at 0500. I had to get on a conference call with a client in Washington, DC, at 0800 local to support some urgent business in the Middle East. I wanted to get about 100 miles under my belt before the call, so I loaded up the bike and at 0600, before sunrise, I pulled the bike out on to I-40 and headed east.

Out on to the 2 lane interstate in the incredible cold - 39F that morning. Nobody on the highway in the early morning darkness, except for one 18-wheeler, which I passed. A few miles later, with the first trace of sunlight ahead, the road dipped down into a depression and suddenly, I was in fog so heavy I couldn't see a bike length ahead. If the 18-wheeler came up behind me, it would never see me and would run me over. As I slowed, I thought of this. No shoulder safe enough to stop on. In front of me, there may be a pulled over or stopped truck - so with every passing second I was concerned that I would slam into the back of a truck.

Rode it out, and as the rode rose I came out of the fog. It was a little brighter. There was one more depression with fog, and for another few minutes I was horrified.

Then with the sun coming up I rode the Interstate over Eufaula lake - the sun was shining on the cold water and fog was rising and hanging in the air, low next to the water. It was beautiful.

Made it over to Fort Smith, found a Cracker barrel, and got on my conference call. It warmed up, the weather was great, and I made it all the way to the hill country in Southwest Kentucky that day.

[arkline]

BobNTGM,

Losing your vision like that, instantaneously, is a tightening experience for sure. In fog your face shield dews up almost immediately and the temp difference between inside and outside begins to moisturize the inside too. Glad you made it. Glad everytime I hear that anyone makes it.

[BobFV1]

Oh yeah - forgot this story. I'm in Eastern Oklahoma eating dinner in this roadside hash house, and two old gents, Harley riders, come over and talk to me. They ask me what I'm riding and where I'm riding. Then they ask me who I'm with. "By myself", I reply.

So these guys are just incredulous - "you are riding across the country by yourself?"

I mean - what's the big deal, it's not like I am riding across Kazakstan by myself - I'm on Interstates and primary roads - never more than 10 miles from a Cracker Barrel and a gas station!

Just a different perspective, I guess.

I love the open road.

[Bones]

It is a BMW rider "thing." I can't tell you the number of times I have gone out for an 8 hour ride by myself, find myself in the middle of nowhere enjoying a snack and a couple of guys will have the same inquiry about the bike (one thought my GS looked like a praying mantis) and why I would ride that far alone (that far????? it is only a day ride. OK, a 400 mile day ride, but a day ride nonetheless).

Great thread, BTW.

Jeff

[Acacia]

I cant tell how many times I have been asked that same question - "You ride how far? You ride that far alone?"

Ever tried riding long distances with a buddy? One that does not have to stop every 100 miles, or every 30 minutes for some reason or another? You never get anywhere. I am not talking about a Saturday cruise here.

Same reason when I used to sail competitively -to find crew that could team and work in unison was a pain.

Dont get me wrong. It is great riding with others. But long distance is another ball of wax - unless you are in some special committed relationship. Pack riding - as in the case of most cruisers - a special 'bonding' need or herd instinct?

Some riding is best done in packs. Other riding best done alone.

[TonyT607]

Bob, awesome reports and pics. If you find yourself in the Northern NJ/NYC area feel free to stop at Casa de Tony for a break/meal/hot shower/accommodations/garage/tools. We're about 1/2 hour west of NYC, and Cross Country BMW is about 15 minutes away if you need anything.

Good luck and ride safe !

[Promethean]

I get that too....I got another one from the neighbour this morning who rides a Sportster....nice guy. He was awestruck by the fact that I'd ride in the rain. Go figure!

Btw, I'm one of those guys who needs to stop after 100 miles to stretch my legs and before my concentration starts to flag. My butt gets sore...very little padding there on the stock saddle.

Now if I could get Elf Pegs or something similar....to stretch out those legs....I'd be comfy.


I cant tell how many times I have been asked that same question - "You ride how far? You ride that far alone?"

Ever tried riding long distances with a buddy? One that does not have to stop every 100 miles, or every 30 minutes for some reason or another? You never get anywhere. I am not talking about a Saturday cruise here.

Same reason when I used to sail competitively -to find crew that could team and work in unison was a pain.

Dont get me wrong. It is great riding with others. But long distance is another ball of wax - unless you are in some special committed relationship. Pack riding - as in the case of most cruisers - a special 'bonding' need or herd instinct?

Some riding is best done in packs. Other riding best done alone.

[Bones]

It is a joy to discover a friend who rides with the same style, pace and intuition as you, isn't it? My primary "riding partner" is a friend who lives a few hours away. We meet up a few times each year and head out on what is usually three to five day riding jaunts. We usually ride 8, sometimes 10 hour days. Sometimes it is spirited riding, other times more relaxed. Most of it is "the long way" on back roads. We seem to have the same mind set with issues of passing. It is an intuitive dance of sorts. We tend to like the same kind of food and drink and have a lot of laughs and some nice discussions solving the world's problems over a few beers after a long day or riding. We seem to get tired and need a break at about the same time. We take turns leading, usually for either a whole day or 3-4 hour stints. I think the biggest disagreement we have had over thousands and thousands of miles riding together is what is the proper way to clean your helmet visor. That and what type of beer to drink on an occasion or two.

We met over a brief discussion about windscreens one day when both of us were waiting for service to be done on our bikes at a dealer a few years back. "Hey, we should take a ride together sometime!" one of us said. Oh, sure. That gets said all the time. We did and within a few miles it was clear we had the same riding style and riding interests.

The result is that it kind of ruins riding in any type of group for me. Usually too much waiting or too much hurrying. Simple math would explain that dynamic.

Sport bike riders and Harley riders seem to like larger groups, though that is a generalization. Just my observation.

Jeff

[BobFV1]

The result is that it kind of ruins riding in any type of group for me. Usually too much waiting or too much hurrying. Simple math would explain that dynamic.

Sport bike riders and Harley riders seem to like larger groups, though that is a generalization. Just my observation.
Jeff

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/68691813-M.jpg