| Author | Message | ||
     F_skinner |
Well this story starts with Lynn and I deciding to get away for an early weekend. My job is stressing me a little and Lynn has her high stress job and school as well. Lynn has never been to Gateway Colorado and I came out there last year for a Buell rally. I liked it so much I wanted her to see it. I picked up some small saddle bags for Lynn's Nightster a couple of days before. That will be significant later. The trip started out great, first stop Penrose for gas.  Highway 50 had very little traffic and it was a great ride along the Arkansas river into Salida where we needed to layer some cloths for the trip over the pass.  Again hardly no traffic and I found a penny heads up at the gas station so good luck follows right! On to Monarch Pass.  On top.     When we left, and I had not noticed it, there was a nice sheet of ice on our exit path. I went down first and Lynn followed. Lynn picked up her bike with no problem and came over to help me since I was laying on the ground. We assessed the damage and Lynn's bike was unscathed mostly due to her highway pegs and brand new saddle bags. My bike did not fair as well but it would have been worse if I did not have the deep dish saddlebags on her (the same ones that popped open on the Interstate in WI on the way to Homecoming). I took the turn signal off since it was hanging from the wires and got back on her and rode down to the next town which was Gunnison. As I surveyed the damage the saddle bag and turn signal took most of the impact but it cracked the fairing and really knocked the saddle bag out of alignment. My tank cover is also cracked. Pics of the damage.      Nothing to do but press on. We where not half way yet but I did not want to go home and get another bike only to arrive in Gateway after dark. We pressed on and I got lost in Grand Junction because I wanted to go to the HD dealership on the off chance they had a turn signal. I also needed to pick something up for Ratbuell but since I could not find it we turned around and headed for Gateway. We arrive and got something to eat and enjoyed the view.  There is a car museum here but it was closed but they have a few outside.   Tomorrow it is into Moab and one more night at the resort then we head home. The adventure is not over yet but hopefully Lynn and I make it home in one piece. Frank | ||
| Maximum |
Ouch! Sorry to hear about the fall...but otherwise it looks like a nice trip. | ||
| Rotzaruck |
Oh Man!! That bike's too nice to get banged up. Still able to motivate and with no blood or fractures is always pretty good though. Getting to take a nice trip like that with your wife is worth a little trouble. Lynn picked up her bike with no problem and came over to help me since I was laying on the ground It's good to see Lynn's got her priorities straight. That's sure some pretty country that I will probably never get to see. Thanks for sharing and try to remember that slick spot on the way back! Rotzaruck! | ||
| Zac4mac |
Ouch. Bummer on the bouncing, glad y'all are OK. Enjoy the rest of the trip. Good thing you've got several bikes so you can still ride while you fix up the S2. B Safe Z | ||
| F_skinner |
Yes Zac, Lynn and I decided to have fun no matter what. It is shaping up great. Watching the sun come over the rock formations was great this morning. Funny thing, I baby my S2T, I ride all other bikes very aggressively save the S2T. After the bounce I blasted down the mountain without care. Mostly because I was pissed at myself but also because it was still running great! I have always thought the stock Evo Sporty motor of the 90s was the best motor made. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Bummer about the fall down Frank. All the hard parts can be fixed good as new! If you like the stock S2, try one with the Thunderstorm top end! I'm afraid to let Carl ride mine, he will want his done too! Brad | ||
| J2blue |
Frank! Glad you and Lynn are ok and didn't find that ice further down the west side while going faster. You need to quit your job so you can repair that S2T when you get back. Enjoy the weekend, the resort, the ride. Be safe and I look forward to seeing y'all when you get back. | ||
| F_skinner |
We went into Grand Junction today and I was actually able to get a turn signal for the S2. I do not have a high impression of that dealership otherwise. We we got back to the resort we found several bikes. It seems this is a popular stop. I also ran into a fellow on a 03 Uly??? His knowledge of Buell seemed limited. I am not surprised to run into Harley riders that do not know the history of their bikes but it always surprises me with Buell riders for some reason.                 | ||
| F_skinner |
All the hard parts can be fixed good as new! Yes they can Brad. I was very upset with myself but the fact that we had 250 miles left helped a lot. Any other bike it would not had bothered me as much. We are now getting ready to head home. A stop at Monarch pass is not in the plans.  The fact that the big bags stayed on, did not pop open and the bike ran well and the overall ergos of the S2T makes me think this is the perfect sport touring machine. More touring than sport. I have though about the Thunderstorm upgrade but will try to keep this bike stock until it needs a top end job. The other S2 however.......... See you in June Brad. Frank} | ||
| F_skinner |
We have arrived home. The S2T performed flawlessly. I am so glad I rode her vice the Uly. There is nothing like riding a bike no one knows what it is. I saw 3 Buells on this trip, a Uly a 1125 and a S2! Yes a S2. He was blasting up Monarch pass when I was coming down. I wish I had the time to chase him down. Needless to say we did not stop at Monarch Pass. They got some fresh snow Friday night but the roads were fine except the flatlands trying to haul a RV with a 6 cylinder car, mostly WI and IL plates with a few from FL. We stopped at Blue Mesa Lake and took a few pics.     I like the people you met along the way. We talked to a few HD owners and a girl riding a Ducati. She was waiting for a friend that she thought had missed the gas station. She was on her way to Abq NM. We had a good time talking to her. As we got closer to Colorado Springs we ran into the usual weekend bikers but over all the trip was great. Here are some other pics.   Looks like I have some repairs to do but nothing too bad. Frank | ||
| Lynn |
It was a great trip!!!, so good just to relax .............tomorrow I have off of work so will just catch up on the homework...I giggled hard at the above post about me having my priorities straight when I picked up my bike first.  I was surprised I did that. I panicked when Frank fell and grabbed my front brake very hard....and then she just tipped over to the left....That was the first time that I went down with my nightster.....  Everybody have a great week and safe riding, Lynn | ||
| Denisea |
Frank and Lynn, Thanks for the ride.  Sorry about the spills but sounds like everything is working and neither of you were injured. Been at Monarch Pass at least twice - but when there was no ice - beautiful area. Actually had sights set (kinda) on Colorado Springs when we left California and your trip pictures bring back happy memories of riding in Colorado. Enjoy! | ||
| Ulywife |
Frank & Lynn - sounds like you had a great weekend in spite of the ice incident. Glad neither of you were hurt. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us! | ||
| F_skinner |
Yes, the fact that we both got up and rode away makes it only a side note to an otherwise great adventure. A lot of people really enjoy highway 50 running along the Arkansas River between Canon City and Salida. It is a great road but a lot of traffic. Highway 50 from Gunnison to the Blue Mesa and Delta area over a couple of smaller passes is really great. I did that trip before on the S2T and also the Electra Glide. There are no technical roads so it is just a fun ride on any bike. This is how much we enjoyed it. We are making plans to do this once a year. It is a nice ride, the resort is great the roads are great and a lot of car and bike guys and gals seem to gravitate towards that area. Frank |
