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Billg
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 12:51 pm: |
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Just returned from an 18 day odyssey on my 06 Uly. I started and ended in New Jersey. Ran through: PA, OH, IN, IL, MO, KS, CO, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA, ID, MT, ND, MN, WI, MI, Ont, NY and PA. By the Numbers: Number of participants: One Days: 18 Miles: 7169 Total Fuel: 147 Gallons (mostly premium or mid-grade) Average Gas Mileage: 48.7 Average Miles per Day: 398 Oil Added: 1.5 QT Oil Changes: Two Rear Tires: One (wore out) Longest Day: ~720 miles (twice) Shortest Day: 120 miles I kept mostly to secondary roads (i.e. US Rte 6, Rte 36 and Rte 50 out, US Rte 2 return). Interstate mileage ~1000. Stayed in cheap motels (many around $35/nite) and ate at local cafes. Problems: Lost my wallet, and an honest person called my cell phone, I had to ride 50 miles in the rain, but got it back (thank you!) Bike was trouble-free. Front brake is very grabby right now.(typical problem, I understand) Odometer 'reset' button went down, but didn't come up. Nothing major. Accessories: full Buell luggage (sides, top, tank, and underseat), traction grips. I would do this again in a heartbeat. Next year: Alaska! Bill Hackettstown, NJ |
Dr_greg
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 02:28 pm: |
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Wow, sounds like a great trip! Wish I could do one long that...maybe next year! And secondary roads are definitely the way to go. Thanks for the interesting stats; that parallels what I've found on many somewhat shorter trips. |
Florida_lime
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 02:34 pm: |
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A to the person that returned your wallet. That could have been a mess out on the road. I took a 23 state, 23 day, cross-country trip years ago. I'd love to do it again, but the memories will last forever. Before anyone else asks, "any pictures ?" |
Etennuly
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 02:36 pm: |
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That is awesome! Congrats on making the trip I want to do! Are you glad you did it alone? Don't ya have any friends? Would you rather had a riding companion? I think I would be at peace doing it alone. PS. You suck!man I gotta make that trip |
Mike_dinger
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 03:24 pm: |
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All I can say is "JUEVOS GRANDE"!!! That's one helluva trip dude! I'm gonna have to pull the lazy stick from my ass to get out on a journey like that! You're the hero of the day, Bill! |
Wesman
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 03:43 pm: |
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Hey Bill- Sounds like quite a trip! Nice to know there's another Uly in the area...I ride through Hackettstown often. Wes (Bernardsville) |
Florida_lime
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 05:29 pm: |
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Wesman, There is another Uly, but apparently he is not in the area very much. |
Irelage
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 06:30 pm: |
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Can you post more details about your adventure? I would love to do it. What was the total cost, how did you manage comfort wise in the seat etc... Picture? |
Maximum
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 06:33 pm: |
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Man...I thought that I was doing good with 7000 miles in 5 months! I guess there was no time to stop and take a few pictures, huh? I'll be making my way out to NJ this September, maybe I'll hit the same roads you did. |
Adrian_8
| Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 06:33 pm: |
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It sounds like you and I should have crossed paths somewhere out there.. I just got back from a similar trip last night....we started riding the motorcycles in Lucas, Kansas..we went thru..KS< CO< NM< UT< NV<CA<OR<WA<ID<MT< SD< NE<then back to KS and loaded them in the truck and brought them home to Indiana. We did 6,350 on the bikes and 1,500 in the truck as the trip from Indiana thru St Louis and Kansas City just is not worth the rubber. The ULY used 9 oz. of oil...had Mobil 1 V-Twin...the fuel pump went out on the ULY in Bryce Canyon, Utah...this needs to be taken VERY serious...the wires WILL short out inside the gas tank...it is only a matter of when...I was "lucky" my pump went out in a place with services...the next two days it could have been on the Extra Terrestrial Highway in Nevada. or the next day in Death Valley, CA...a very ugly and dangerous situation....my ULY had 25K on it when the wires shorted out...do not venture far from home unless your pump has been modified....this is a fair warning for everyone... (Message edited by Adrian_8 on June 14, 2007) |
Blake
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 02:12 am: |
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Thanks for sharing Bill. Am hoping to hear more and see some photos. Please? Adrian, Buell knows about your fuel pump issue and they take such things very seriously. |
Hclem3
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 11:07 am: |
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YOU ROCK!! Route 6 runs right through my hometown, Ottawa, IL. Too bad you didn't post your route before the trip. I would have shown you the route 71 curves through Starved Rock state park, then bought you a beer. Miles of Smiles!!!! |
Strokizator
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 01:01 pm: |
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Now you can sing "I've been everywhere man. I've been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota, Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota, Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma, Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, LaPaloma, Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo, Tocapillo, Barranquilla and Padilla." Cool ride! |
Dr_greg
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 02:43 pm: |
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Hey, I've got that song on my iPod. Done by that late great "Canuckian Cowboy" Hank Snow. |
Naustin
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 03:02 pm: |
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Awesome! |
Billg
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 03:47 pm: |
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More Details: I was able to sit in the "saddle" for about two hours at a time, unless it was real hot. My daily "budget was about $100 to $110. I had a GPS (MIO Walker) but didn't use it much. Since I had no itinerary or schedule, I was never early or late for anything. The Uly cruises well in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear, depending on how fast you 're going and what note you want to hear. I used the lack of proper windshield as a speed limiter, it is very uncomfortable to go faster than about 80mph, so I knew when to slow down! My kit consisted of: Belstaff all-weather jacket, Cycloak All-weather pants (both very waterproof). Triumph textile flow through jacket, and a BMW heated vest. I used every piece at one time or another. I would add heated grips for next time. The extreme "lift-over" (leg swing) height of the Uly with the bags was an issue as I got fatigued and sore, but I managed. Here are some pictures. Bill
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Horridus
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 03:51 pm: |
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Sounds and looks like you had a great time. Thanks for the pics. Horr |
Maximum
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 03:56 pm: |
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Now that's what I'm talking about, wahoo! Hey Bill, can you stop by and let me join up with you next time? Huh? Huh? |
Imonabuss
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 04:59 pm: |
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Oh man that looks fun. I've just got to do that one of these days! |
Paochow
| Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 05:58 pm: |
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Yup, that was you that I saw on 50 in NV. Looks you you had a fun trip. Nice pictures. |
Chopped58
| Posted on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 12:54 am: |
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Sounds like it was an awesome trip, some great pics too thanks |
M2nc
| Posted on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 01:24 am: |
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Oh man that looks fun. I've just got to do that one of these days! Ditto! Great pics too. Thanks |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 10:37 pm: |
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Ramping up my jealousy. Damn I need a long ride to color in the state map like the RV'ers do. Nothin but back roads and non franchise diners or cafes. Camping with a full tilt gear, more dirty roads... Flarg I need a vacation. |
Dynasport
| Posted on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 10:54 pm: |
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Looks like a great trip. Congrats on the experience. Dan |
Cavi
| Posted on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 11:24 pm: |
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shit, Hwy 36 is right in my neiborhood, it would be neat to do a ride like this and hook up with other Uly riders on the way!! |
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