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263 Posts
My son, son-in law, one of my running buddies and myself returned last night from a 1700 mile ride. We rode from Florida to Birmingham, Al, then over to Knoxville, down through the Dragon and then home.
When we left I had 200 miles on the bike. Had the first service done in Birmingham.
I had ordered the tall windshield, luggage rack (with back rest) and the centerstand. The day we left the stuff hadn't arrived so.... had to go without them. Managed to lash down the sleeping bag and air mattress to the pillion. Stuffed one saddlebag with camping gear, the other with clothes.
The bike ran like a locomotive. So much grunt down low. Really nice in the mountains. Give the throttle a twist and power out of the turns from down low. The steering is a bit light but...it might be me having to acclimate.
I averaged 45.3 mpg. After 1000 miles on the odometer I began to wick it up a bit. We were cooking off tanks of fuel north of 85mph.
By the time we got to Birmingham, my right hand was about to fall off. Found a Cycle Gear in Birmingham and bought a throttle lock and cramp buster. Much better.
Great bike. So much lighter than what I just got off of. Not many bells and whistles...but what I gained is durability and reliability. No regrets. I think we're gonna be good friends.
When we left I had 200 miles on the bike. Had the first service done in Birmingham.
I had ordered the tall windshield, luggage rack (with back rest) and the centerstand. The day we left the stuff hadn't arrived so.... had to go without them. Managed to lash down the sleeping bag and air mattress to the pillion. Stuffed one saddlebag with camping gear, the other with clothes.
The bike ran like a locomotive. So much grunt down low. Really nice in the mountains. Give the throttle a twist and power out of the turns from down low. The steering is a bit light but...it might be me having to acclimate.
I averaged 45.3 mpg. After 1000 miles on the odometer I began to wick it up a bit. We were cooking off tanks of fuel north of 85mph.
By the time we got to Birmingham, my right hand was about to fall off. Found a Cycle Gear in Birmingham and bought a throttle lock and cramp buster. Much better.
Great bike. So much lighter than what I just got off of. Not many bells and whistles...but what I gained is durability and reliability. No regrets. I think we're gonna be good friends.