| Author | Message | ||
     Rick_A |
I just got back from quite an adventure. I wanted to move to FL to live with my woman, and after shipping a minimum of my required goods, riding my Lightning was the only option I could afford. The very beginning of my trip started off with two tickets just outside of my town. One for out of class and one for my tail light which had a wire come loose. I fixed that on the spot and the bastards still had the audacity to tell me that they needed it in writing from a shop that it was fixed. This area of my bike was to be trouble throughout the trip. One officer seemed to think it ludicrous that I'd attempt such a journey alone. What does he know? In Pennsylvania near Philly I felt a slight thud under my seat. I thought I may have picked up a rock or debris. When I stopped for gas there was nothing but wires hanging off the back of my machine. My Storz plate relocator w/plate and the entire tail light assembly had ejected themselves. The only plausible cause I can think of is the plastic fracturing off the tail light housing. The oil tank got a nick on an edge, and my rim got a divot on the side. I think I was extremely lucky to not have the tank holed or the tire shredded. I got a hold of a phone book an started calling dealerships to no avail. I even thought about calling the highway patrol to see if anyone had found anything. After getting nowhere with my phone calls I eventually went to a NAPA I remembered passing. I rigged a red marker light to work and used a taped piece of cardboard as a plate. Good thing I brought all them tools. Amazingly, I got no hassles over my expedient license plate for the entire remainder of the trip. I ran into one of those speed displays and found that my bicycle speedo is calibrated exactly. I was quite pleased. In West Virginia I had a hog rider hang with me for a while. That got old and I eventually sped away. An SUV driver nearly sideswiped me as he jumped into my lane. Later that day I got caught in stormy weather and after hours in the rain found a room for the night. The morning found my leathers still damp. I stopped in South Carolina for the night due to having a monstrous storm ahead of me. After talking to some locals I thought it'd be best to call it a day. Ya can't beat $25 for a room with free cable and premium channels. After watching the Weather Channel I knew I made the right choice. Clear sailing ahead! In Georgia I got pulled over for doing 85 in a 70. The officer gave me only a warning. After the hassle he gave me, I think I was deserving of no less. It's strange that the majority of people tend to do 65 in a 70 yet speed at around 70 in 55-65 mph zones. I learned not to hang in the fast lane when it was empty. By this time my ass was having a hard time coping with the seat. Once I entered Florida I found there were many people willing to race. Me and the bike roasted at noon when traffic slowed to a crawl through a construction area. After getting on the interstate I did 85-130 for the duration. It was fun loosing these people and then letting 'em catch up again just to blow them away. My only sustinance was an egg salad sandwich in the morning and I only stopped for gas afterwards. I was so fatigued that my only folley for the whole trip occurred when I was only a few blocks from my GF's house! I was midway into a turn where I decided to instead pull a U-turn...I ran out of room and scraped the curb. The bike was starting to fall over and hittin' the ground was inevitable if I didn't react, so I hit the gas, jumped the curb, righted it in mid air, and landed perfectly on the sidewalk! I'm sure none of the spectators were impressed, especially the Harley rider that passed me as I stalled it in the next intersection due to being all flustered over that near disaster. Once I slowed down to parking lot speeds in the girls development something sounded wrong. With earplugs on it sounded very ominous. With them off, phew, an exhaust leak! Taking a look over things showed the rear header pipe broken at the collector. I guess if it's welded in it's new position maybe it won't break again? All in all it took three days, 1/2 quart of oil, a little frustration, and the bike got a bit over 50 mpg. One breather hose was leaking slightly and left my leg just a little misted. Other than that the only oil on the ground was what I spilled. In retrospect, I doubt I'd embark on another trip that long again on this thing! Sorry for being so long winded, and thanks for reading if ya have. I is now a happy man  | ||
| Blake |
Thanks for sharing that Rick. I bet you'd do it again, given the chance, and a gel pad insert for your seat.  | ||
| Anonymous |
Rick: Can you tell us about the condtion of your butt? | ||
| Rick_A |
I don't think the pad would help Blake. It's the edges of the seat that get uncomfortable, to put it mildly. The stock seat is fine for riding one entire day IMO, but torture for three. I'd do it again if I had to...or if I figure a way to stop my tail pieces from self destructing. That was $70 I lost off it  My butt is recovering nicely  | ||
| Jesse |
Rick, what part of Florida did you move to, Im in the Tampa/Orlando Area. Jesse | ||
| Rick_A |
I'm just south of Tampa...near Sarasota. | ||
| Kdraw1 |
Rick A, and Jessie- I'm in Winter Haven, right between Orlando and Tampa. If you guys ever come this way let me know. BTW- Jessie- Semper Fi Devil Dog- 5 years ('90-95) | ||
| Rick_A |
To ye other South Floridians...I wish I could ride with fellow Buellers but life's been hectic. We have to move again in a month near my school in Orlando...and I am flat broke and have a hard enough time just paying insurance. So, once I get re-situated...I may come calling! | ||
| Stormfool |
Enjoyed your tale Rick--that stock seat is mighty thin--I upgraded right away. Good to know somebody else out there likes to ride distance on their Buell. Don't think curb-jumping is going to catch on... | ||
| Rick_A |
I read yours a while ago. When I was back in W. NY it seemed to rain everytime I went out for a ride, too. I was riding in the first hailstorm and first snow of the last winter I spent there. | ||
| Lake_Bueller |
Rick...Just read your tale. A helpful hint to take the "edge" off the edge. Wear a pair of bicycle shorts under your pants/leathers/whatever. | ||
| Rick_A |
That's a great idea! I can't believe I never thought of it. |
