| Author | Message | ||
     Dago  |
Hello all... I'm seriously considering riding my XB to my family reunion this coming Summer. It looks like it'll be approximately 4000 miles from Dallas to Bangor, Maine and back again. Does anyone have any suggestions on some nice roads that won't take me too far off my general path? Comments on gear selection would be much appreciated as well. My luggage will be shipped in advance, so I can ride lightly loaded. I'd like to stick with a light backpack and tank bag only, if possible...Is this possible? I was also thinking of having some tires pre-purchased and waiting for me somewhere. Any thoughts on tire selection for a long haul with mucho twisties? Thanks in advance... | ||
| Fullpower  |
sounds like a fun ride. i would start with a fresh set of Metzeler Z6. my last Z6 rear gave me 6700 miles of pretty hard use, still had tread left when i changed it. start with a fresh set, and you will have plenty of rubber. | ||
| Tripper  |
Dago; I took my S1 to Maine and had Meredith HD in Meredith NH (Laconia) hold a tire and they mounted it for me. Talk to Dave King in parts, Bueller extraordinaire. Good roads are everywhere once your into Vt/NH/Maine, as you are probably aware. Some famous roads: VT 100. Maine RT 5. (Wave to my family in Center Lovell.) My favorite find of the year: Lake Mooselookmeguntic, Route 17, Maine.  | ||
| Tripper |
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| Signguyxb12  |
Give us more details on your time frame and dates... Too many roads ( in New England )...time is the only limiting factor | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Metzler Z6 sporttouring tires I just used them on a 10 day 4000 mile trip and was very happy. Take an extra belt if you can. I was glad I had mine when in broke in BFE Montana. | ||
| Dago |
June 22 through July 4. I'd like to think I could put 500 miles per day down. That pic sealed the deal for me, Tripper. WOW! | ||
| Road_thing  |
Comments on gear selection would be much appreciated as well... Well, Dago, I'd recommend fifth for most of the miles, but you might find a use for the lower ones at stop lights and on twisty roads...  rt | ||
| Shazam  |
Let's see Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia.... I'm going to feel real sorry for you. I haven't covered any of the ground north of VA, but I'd be willing to help point you in the right direction for the central states. As for packing lightly 2000 miles = 3-4 days sightseeing.... you won't need much for tools on an XB, tire plug kit and CO2 cartridges, small fuel canister, t27 torx, set of allen wrenches, small crescent and screwdrivers. best tool of all Cell phone. find and print the list of Badwebbers who've volunteered to help fellow bueller's when they're limping/wandered in range (anyone know where this list is?) ship majority of your clothes beforehand, trim essentials (won't need a razor, cologne, shampoo for three days on the road, buy and toss what you don't "have" to carry. outer garments will wear more than a day. pack plenty of briefs and socks for the road (wet feet suck). wrap all your gear in trash bags inside your packs (wet everything sucks). pack light rainsuit. plan on updating someone regularly on your progress, they'll know where to start looking for you in the event you fail to report in. there's more but I'm bailing from the office. | ||
| Paulinoz  |
There is always a smart harse in the group and if you need to look for a big one you can't go past a THING from Texasssss. Very quick and funny mate.  | ||
| Lazyme21  |
Damn, that is a hella ride. | ||
| Fullpower |
just like shaz said, but make sure the adjustable wrench you pack is big enough to turn the axle hex tool, which is 7/8" hex. i carry an 8 inch crescent, fits under my battery, been there since day one. with that, a T27, and a few allen wrenches you can change a belt at roadside. better yet, install the new belt and tires before you leave, and then you wont worry about it. | ||
| Dago |
Excellent feedback! It sounds like it won't be too much trouble with a tank bag and backpack. KC, did you feel comfortable draggin knee with the Z6's? | ||
| Tripper |
the list of Badwebbers who've volunteered to help fellow bueller's when they're limping/wandered in range | ||
| Tripper |
Are you saying you have never been to Maine? Well then here is some more motivation...         | ||
| Scooterroid  |
Ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. Deals Gap not far away. Have fun. That sounds like a fantastic road trip. Steve-O | ||
| Ftd  |
Two words: Throttle lock! Still riding here (80 F). Lake Holden (Orlando,FL). Frank  | ||
| Spyder12s  |
come on up ...!! we'll be here !! (you know the other guys ATC ) Mass NH VT ect... | ||
| Reepicheep  |
Spare parts?!?! Elaborate Tools!?!? I *double* *dog* *dare* ya to find a single place in the entire country (or most of Europe for that matter) where you could be stranded for more then 24 hours without some Bueller (likely a group) showing up bearing parts, tools, and goodwill. I don't believe it could be done. Neener Neener Neener... Come through Ohio! Some great roads up by BigBird, and I would be happy to escort you for a while. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Never forget a good quality LED flashlight. It can be indispensible. | ||
| T9r  |
Back in Aug. of 2003 a group went up to PA/NY. Upstate NY was beautiful and fun. I enjoyed the 4 day trip on my 1999 Buell S3T and it did very well.   (Message edited by T9r on November 30, 2004) | ||
| Light_keeper |
If you follow Rt17 to the coast there are lots of great roads there. Every day I am forced to travel those roads in to work. From April to first couple of weeks in November It is great as I can take the bike. The rest of the year it is only ok as I have to wait until the ice and snow are off the roads. also dito on Dave King. There are some great roads over there in NH. I have family over there so get to ride it regularly. Especially Rt 113 Holderness to Center Sandwhich and beyond. Great twisty roads. Also NH has no Sales tax. Sandy | ||
| Dasbuell  |
If you should pick a route that takes you through Kansas City... and you should need the use of tools or such... you are welcome to visit my home bike shop. Lots of tools, lifts, etc... but no welder... but there are other KC Mob members that can fill that gap. | ||
| Dago |
I can't thank you all enough for your input, guidance, and generous offers. Once I get my itinerary solidified, I'll post it to see if anyone would like to join me on certain legs of the journey. This trip is gonna rock! -- | ||
| Buffalobolt |
When I was planning my trip this year, one of my concerns was that my tires wouldn't make it all the way. The trip was from Buffalo, to "Running the Ridge", to "the Dragon", to Barber Motorsports Park, to Key West, and back to Buffalo. 5,531 miles from start to finish. I had always ran the stock Dunlops up until this spring. I usually got about 7,500 on a front tire and 5K on the back. They wouldn't have made it the whole way, as I wanted to run any new tire a while before the trip. I ended up trying the new Continental "Road Attack's". In my opinion, they grip at least as good, or better than the original Dunlops. After running the Dragon and the Striped Snake on the "Running the Ridge", they ate what little bit of a chicken strip there was on my tires.So they gripped pretty good. I currently have 10K on the front, and 8K on the back tire. They are about to the wear indicators, so they have a little life left on hem. Trying to do a run around the hurr}}icanes and still get to all the places I had planned, I ran more interstates than I had originally planned. About 2K miles were interstate. This put a pretty good flat spot on the tire. With normal running(if there is such a thing on these bikes!)_, more miles could have been had. I would recommend anyone that wants better mileage out of their tire to check this one out! The only down side is that I destroyed the rear at 2K on a deck screw, and no local shops carried that tire, and I had to reorder it online. Not to bad, but it cost me an extra day or two. As for backpacks; I used one the entire "Northeast Touring Adventure" last year. While it worked, it did cause for some extra fatigue on long days on the road. This year I used a tankbag and saddlebags(cheap on E-Bay). It was much more comfortable! It also gave me enough room for camping gear. Just my .02 cents worth!}} | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I bought these for my wife's Blast and they worked great on our weeklong trip last summer. Kept stuff dry in the rain, and you can really fit a lot of stuff in 'em. Can't beat the price. http://www.newenough.com/nelson_rigg_standard_saddle_bag_page.htm I am not affiliated with this company in any way, just a happy customer. | ||
| Evaddave  |
Dago, This site can give you some pointers to good roads: http://www.motorcycleroads.us. And if your route takes you through PA (it *almost* has to), drop me a line before you head out. -Dave | ||
| Dago |
Thanks, Dave. I certainly will. Great site, BTW. | ||
| Hogs |
Would anyone from MAine area ... Know where I could get a bike del. to around Calais at the New Brunswick and Maine Border. I`m from Canada and need a point where I can get it del to Maine and pick up from there to take into Canada...Sorry about getting in this thread Just being Maine Thought I wd. ask Thanks All Chris or Hogs...:-) | ||
| Signguyxb12 |
> most major delivery carrier will del it to one of thier hubs, also call brag they have a list of a pproved | ||
| Light_keeper |
There is a Harley/Buell dealer in Bangor. Is this an old or new. I'm in Camden area Doable in a long day. Possibly other arrangements could be made. Sandy |
