A picture a day...biker banter (Vol 5)
Discussion
Some pictures from a recent 2500 mile ride from California to Minnesota. 8 states, several mountain ranges and some seriously flat sections. South Dakota can go as much as I am concerned. SD does have the Black Hills (where the presidents heads are) and The Badlands, but the rest of the state is flat, straight and just farmland - not at all interesting!
Day before we left, I had the opportunity to ride this:
It was part of the HD roadshow across local dealers and I was actually very impressed. Nice and easy to ride and clearly the engine has a lot of potential. Very impressed and very keenly priced compared to competitors here in the US. The Special is a $20k bike while the R1200GS starts at $23k - both before luggage etc. And with so many dealers everywhere, it could be a big hit!
Up and over the mountains! We were at 13000 ft, but there were even taller mountains! Ok, so there arent any roads there, but cant help thinking that some real off-road tires might be in order and some investigation needed. Really noticed the reduction in power at that altitude. Picture below is the 'extra terrestrial highway in Nevada. Basically the road to Rachel (where the lill'al'inn' is) but its the high desert and its surprising how much life is there!
We found Butch Cassidy's childhood home! Strange thing to find at the side of the road and in the middle of nowhere in Utah. Fun for a 10 minute stop though! Its this type of thing that I love finding here in the US. So many random things just at the side of the road.
Typical roads we found. Open view, nice sweepers and can see for miles so you can get a really nice rhythm going. The only issue for this section of road was that it was an open ranch though, so have to be cautious for the wandering cows. We didnt get a photo, but we did end up getting stopped for a cattle drive where they were rounding up a complete herd - interesting and yes, they were on horses.
I forget that California doesnt really have that many bugs! 8 states and 2500 miles and this is what you end up like!
The only bad thing was that the Ducati picked up a misfire halfway through the trip. I suspect its some bad fuel or a bad injector, which did somewhat limit our ability to keep up a good pace. Higher revs and it went away, but meant that slower speeds was a pain. But the last couple of days was mainly freeways, so it wasnt too bad. Dropped off at the local dealer and will pick it up in a month and ride it back! Need to figure out if I can go via Canada though - but the border is still closed unless you quarantine at the moment, so might delay that until there is an option.
Cant wait for the next ride!
Day before we left, I had the opportunity to ride this:
It was part of the HD roadshow across local dealers and I was actually very impressed. Nice and easy to ride and clearly the engine has a lot of potential. Very impressed and very keenly priced compared to competitors here in the US. The Special is a $20k bike while the R1200GS starts at $23k - both before luggage etc. And with so many dealers everywhere, it could be a big hit!
Up and over the mountains! We were at 13000 ft, but there were even taller mountains! Ok, so there arent any roads there, but cant help thinking that some real off-road tires might be in order and some investigation needed. Really noticed the reduction in power at that altitude. Picture below is the 'extra terrestrial highway in Nevada. Basically the road to Rachel (where the lill'al'inn' is) but its the high desert and its surprising how much life is there!
We found Butch Cassidy's childhood home! Strange thing to find at the side of the road and in the middle of nowhere in Utah. Fun for a 10 minute stop though! Its this type of thing that I love finding here in the US. So many random things just at the side of the road.
Typical roads we found. Open view, nice sweepers and can see for miles so you can get a really nice rhythm going. The only issue for this section of road was that it was an open ranch though, so have to be cautious for the wandering cows. We didnt get a photo, but we did end up getting stopped for a cattle drive where they were rounding up a complete herd - interesting and yes, they were on horses.
I forget that California doesnt really have that many bugs! 8 states and 2500 miles and this is what you end up like!
The only bad thing was that the Ducati picked up a misfire halfway through the trip. I suspect its some bad fuel or a bad injector, which did somewhat limit our ability to keep up a good pace. Higher revs and it went away, but meant that slower speeds was a pain. But the last couple of days was mainly freeways, so it wasnt too bad. Dropped off at the local dealer and will pick it up in a month and ride it back! Need to figure out if I can go via Canada though - but the border is still closed unless you quarantine at the moment, so might delay that until there is an option.
Cant wait for the next ride!
Biker's Nemesis said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Last time that happened was July last year. 
. I'm convinced its an age thing, i remember time standing still when i was young, now a month seems like a week. Hey Ho soon be dead
Came back to my 650 Transalp this evening to find its big cousin parked up next door; a 750 Africa Twin. Really I was after an AT rather than a TA, and looking at the two next to each other, I kind of wish I had; it just looks a bigger (the “bum-to-foot peg” height is a bit short on the TA) and better constructed.
Edited by Rubins4 on Wednesday 23 June 21:54
off_again said:
Some pictures from a recent 2500 mile ride from California to Minnesota. 8 states, several mountain ranges and some seriously flat sections. South Dakota can go as much as I am concerned. SD does have the Black Hills (where the presidents heads are) and The Badlands, but the rest of the state is flat, straight and just farmland - not at all interesting!
Day before we left, I had the opportunity to ride this:
It was part of the HD roadshow across local dealers and I was actually very impressed. Nice and easy to ride and clearly the engine has a lot of potential. Very impressed and very keenly priced compared to competitors here in the US. The Special is a $20k bike while the R1200GS starts at $23k - both before luggage etc. And with so many dealers everywhere, it could be a big hit!
Up and over the mountains! We were at 13000 ft, but there were even taller mountains! Ok, so there arent any roads there, but cant help thinking that some real off-road tires might be in order and some investigation needed. Really noticed the reduction in power at that altitude. Picture below is the 'extra terrestrial highway in Nevada. Basically the road to Rachel (where the lill'al'inn' is) but its the high desert and its surprising how much life is there!
We found Butch Cassidy's childhood home! Strange thing to find at the side of the road and in the middle of nowhere in Utah. Fun for a 10 minute stop though! Its this type of thing that I love finding here in the US. So many random things just at the side of the road.
Typical roads we found. Open view, nice sweepers and can see for miles so you can get a really nice rhythm going. The only issue for this section of road was that it was an open ranch though, so have to be cautious for the wandering cows. We didnt get a photo, but we did end up getting stopped for a cattle drive where they were rounding up a complete herd - interesting and yes, they were on horses.
I forget that California doesnt really have that many bugs! 8 states and 2500 miles and this is what you end up like!
The only bad thing was that the Ducati picked up a misfire halfway through the trip. I suspect its some bad fuel or a bad injector, which did somewhat limit our ability to keep up a good pace. Higher revs and it went away, but meant that slower speeds was a pain. But the last couple of days was mainly freeways, so it wasnt too bad. Dropped off at the local dealer and will pick it up in a month and ride it back! Need to figure out if I can go via Canada though - but the border is still closed unless you quarantine at the moment, so might delay that until there is an option.
Cant wait for the next ride!
Great pictures.Day before we left, I had the opportunity to ride this:
It was part of the HD roadshow across local dealers and I was actually very impressed. Nice and easy to ride and clearly the engine has a lot of potential. Very impressed and very keenly priced compared to competitors here in the US. The Special is a $20k bike while the R1200GS starts at $23k - both before luggage etc. And with so many dealers everywhere, it could be a big hit!
Up and over the mountains! We were at 13000 ft, but there were even taller mountains! Ok, so there arent any roads there, but cant help thinking that some real off-road tires might be in order and some investigation needed. Really noticed the reduction in power at that altitude. Picture below is the 'extra terrestrial highway in Nevada. Basically the road to Rachel (where the lill'al'inn' is) but its the high desert and its surprising how much life is there!
We found Butch Cassidy's childhood home! Strange thing to find at the side of the road and in the middle of nowhere in Utah. Fun for a 10 minute stop though! Its this type of thing that I love finding here in the US. So many random things just at the side of the road.
Typical roads we found. Open view, nice sweepers and can see for miles so you can get a really nice rhythm going. The only issue for this section of road was that it was an open ranch though, so have to be cautious for the wandering cows. We didnt get a photo, but we did end up getting stopped for a cattle drive where they were rounding up a complete herd - interesting and yes, they were on horses.
I forget that California doesnt really have that many bugs! 8 states and 2500 miles and this is what you end up like!
The only bad thing was that the Ducati picked up a misfire halfway through the trip. I suspect its some bad fuel or a bad injector, which did somewhat limit our ability to keep up a good pace. Higher revs and it went away, but meant that slower speeds was a pain. But the last couple of days was mainly freeways, so it wasnt too bad. Dropped off at the local dealer and will pick it up in a month and ride it back! Need to figure out if I can go via Canada though - but the border is still closed unless you quarantine at the moment, so might delay that until there is an option.
Cant wait for the next ride!
Everyone here likes a ride like that.
mak said:
I can feel it slipping away all ready, i need to book a 1st service and a recall in on my bike. At this rate i might get it done before Christmas , I've had 3 rides this year .
I'm convinced its an age thing, i remember time standing still when i was young, now a month seems like a week. Hey Ho soon be dead
Ok. Get it serviced and get it used. . I'm convinced its an age thing, i remember time standing still when i was young, now a month seems like a week. Hey Ho soon be dead
You still have 40 years to go man but only 15 _ 20 before the kids come visiting you in a care home while you're dribbling in your soup.
Xxxx
Rubins4 said:
That looks a lovely bike. Is there a dedicated thread anywhere?
Thanks! Not really, just keep posting the odd pic now and then. This was my first post of this bike, picked it up mid-Summer last year. Really really love the bike though, it's so capable.Bob_Defly said:
Out riding around Ontario's dirt roads today.
I'm lucky in that most of the roads around me turn into dirt roads as you head North. Lots of exploring to be done.
Bob_Defly said:
Sorry mak, got coffee deliveries to do! 
I accept your apology Bob but coffee delivery on a week day that's actually classed as earning a living in the middle of no where with time to take another stunning pic ? I'm having non of it . On a positive note you can stick your ideal life because I've just arrived in Scotland for my holiday surrounded by mountains and a luxury cottage to boot
I will add its only a weeks holiday unlike living the dream 
Biker's Nemesis said:
mak said:
I can feel it slipping away all ready, i need to book a 1st service and a recall in on my bike. At this rate i might get it done before Christmas , I've had 3 rides this year .
I'm convinced its an age thing, i remember time standing still when i was young, now a month seems like a week. Hey Ho soon be dead
Ok. Get it serviced and get it used. . I'm convinced its an age thing, i remember time standing still when i was young, now a month seems like a week. Hey Ho soon be dead
You still have 40 years to go man but only 15 _ 20 before the kids come visiting you in a care home while you're dribbling in your soup.
Xxxx
and start living life, as you say I've got at least 15 suntans ( summers) left before dribbling begins if I'm lucky so lets get this party started . Day of the sore arse.
Early (and cold- 6 degrees!) start
I love riding across bridges - you feel very exposed
Stop for a warm up at Bridlington ( compulsory bin shot)
|https://thumbsnap.com/r9aAJFSr[/url]
Then Scarborough , Robin Hoods Bay and across the North Yorkshire countryside, found some more bridges, a pile of them here.
Traffic was terrible
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/LtSLvZXQ[/url]
This junction ( to get on to hardknott) is where the bike decided to have a little lie down. Poor planning by me turning left out of the tee junction. Ah well. Did a backwards roly poly down the hill when I fell off too! 0mph fall though on to grass so no injury to me or bike, just a bit of scratched paint.
All this so I could make it to the club lounge for a free beer and pack of cheese and onion.
[url]
Early (and cold- 6 degrees!) start
I love riding across bridges - you feel very exposed
Stop for a warm up at Bridlington ( compulsory bin shot)
|https://thumbsnap.com/r9aAJFSr[/url]Then Scarborough , Robin Hoods Bay and across the North Yorkshire countryside, found some more bridges, a pile of them here.
Traffic was terrible
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/LtSLvZXQ[/url]This junction ( to get on to hardknott) is where the bike decided to have a little lie down. Poor planning by me turning left out of the tee junction. Ah well. Did a backwards roly poly down the hill when I fell off too! 0mph fall though on to grass so no injury to me or bike, just a bit of scratched paint.
All this so I could make it to the club lounge for a free beer and pack of cheese and onion.
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