Last weekend I was visiting my parents to help around their farm in NW WI. With the wife and kid off elsewhere I took the C14 for the 4 hour (one way) ride from SE MN. Sunday evening on my way home I stopped for gas and cleaned my shield in Minong, WI. 209.5 miles later parked in my garage my helmet looked like this..... Also the 209.5 miles was without a stop. No stop sign, stop light, or stop in traffic... which was amazing with holiday weekend traffic on I35 into MSP. Average 52.9 MPG for the trip & had a high of 54.9 for the last tank on the way home! Never expected that with the speeds on the slab.
http://rmn.craigslist.org/mcy/4437458674.html It's my neighbor's (and his listing). First time I have seen it out of the garage in 10+ years.... not to say it has not been out, but not much. He admits it is priced over book, but for an almost new 14 year old motorcycle....
After 5770 miles on my stock tires I finally got new tires. Months of winter storage gave me the time to read up, and decide on a set. Another factor was the TPMS where both showing low battery when it came out of storage.
I called a dealer & set up the TPMS (under warranty) as well as the new tires. PR4 GT's in the 50 series rear. Dealer swapped out the tires for no charge while doing the sensors. Rode it in this past Monday (in the afternoon when the previous nights snow melted), was called Tuesday it was done. Piked it up Thursday (again after the snow melted).
Yesterday I spent most of the day riding. Morning temps where a bit chilly- started out at 33 deg. At noon I met up with another (sport bike) rider for some fun. A good mix of rural roads, hwy, & city riding.
After 390 miles all I can say is to repeat what others have said. It is like a whole different bike! Smoother and quieter on the highway. Rolls in and out of the corners with almost no effort. Holds very well in the twisty stuff. I didn't drag a peg, but close a few times. I'd rather wait for warmer weather before pushing any harder.
I just hope to get good tire life out of these. I don't usually ride that aggressive. Just like to have fun once in a while. Most of my riding is commuting or a leisurely cruise. I'll post up my thoughts as I pile up the miles.
Got the rear leaned over a little bit. Can't see in this picture but over to the 2CT on the tread. Front looks better.
A few years ago my dad had a "best case" deer hit with his Kawi Versys. He saw 2 deer running his way, was hard on the brakes & the first stopped. He was back on the throttle when the 2nd deer came up on the road. The deer ducked his head between the frame & fork on impact. The bike bounced the rear tire over the neck & shoulder of the deer without going down. Damage to the bike was front fender, radiator, and exhaust. Deer had a broken neck and was dead instantly.
Like I said, this about the best you can hope for if you hit a deer with a bike. Just one more reason I try to harvest a few every year with my bow & gun....
Pilots with butthole galucoma are far more common, especially during the spring and summer months. ;-)
This keeps my pilot friend employed. He does not have a set schedule, but rather is on call. There are drawbacks, but I hear the money is better, while working less. He just has to stay within an hour of the airport on his "call" days.
Another pilot friend is up in Alaska. I hear there are some real nightmare pilots & employers up there. He has it made! Flying a Cessna 208 Caravan for Wright Air Service out of Fairbanks. His Caravan was factory new when he started there.
Wow! I didn't know those big Kawis could get such good mileage.
Keep them under 80 and it is easy. Even better on the '10 & up models with the ECO mode. Some say MPG gets better in 5th than 6th gear keeping the revs higher. I have not tried that for any distance.
My Labor Day weekend plans came together nicely. My wife, son, daughter & I where going to join the wife's family up at the "Deer Shack". The car was a bit crowded with 2 adults, 2 dogs, 2 kids, and all our stuff. I also invited my friend Dave who just helped me re-build my deck as a thank you. Dave & I decided to ride the bikes... even though he rides a chopped Sportster....
Friday Rochester, MN to NW WI We had a nice ride up. Weather was warm, and humid. Had a little threat of a rain storm, but it passed with nothing. The wife took the lead in her GMC Terrain... with a lead foot! Dave & I took our time, had a nice ride, and pulled in just behind the wife because she had 2 stops for diaper changes on the little one. The deer shack.
Saturday we took a ride near Superior, WI to see my brother's new house/property. First time home owner, he found a 40 acre property with a small house needing some work, and a few run down outbuildings for a great price. From there to the Mouth of the Brule River. Then back to the "shack"
Sunday we spent some time with the family. While Dave was out on the lake my Niece Taverie decided to be a model on Dave's Harley. I think her parents are going to have trouble with this one!
We had a threat of rain again, and did see a few drops but that was all. It was a late arrival back at home, but a nice ride for the weekend.
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