| Author | Message | ||
     7873jake |
I've wanted to take a few trips on the big X but couldn't find the time with my work schedule (my work requires me to travel 200+ days a year). Between household obligations and time constraints, it just didn't seem possible. Until I found a bag big enough to carry 10-11 days worth of clothes...and the inclination to do something I've been doing for over 10 years now differently. I loaded my BAB (big a$$ bag) across the seat, filled the side cases, the top case, the operator tubes, the tank bag and my pockets and took off from central Florida, bombing north to Hilton Head arriving this past Monday. Thankfully, my hotel allows motorcycles on the property but, much to my chagrin, I discovered that many areas out here don't. I'm told its a sound containment concern but who the hell knows. I've never been a big fan of Hilton Head (sand gnats/no-see-ums suck!) and this little wrinkle didn't endear me any more to the place, to say the least. I'm sure its a nice place to someone (lots of people seem to flock to and live here so there must be something about the place). I still have 14-15 more days to go of 'living' on the bike, including a couple of 8+ hour days of saddle time to get from work location "A" to my next destination, but I have to say that the Buell beats the airport/rental car shuffle hands down by an exponential margin every time. Whats the point of this rambling preachin' to the choir? I mean, who wouldn't want to ride for 22 days straight? I finally received my spare belt and bearings + spacer (insurance policies for the journey that arrived late) and while I can find places for the fresh bearings to ride, I don't want to just fold, spindle and mutilate my spare belt in order to stow it on the bike. Where have/do others stow their spare belt for the J-I-C moments in life without damaging it or violating the handling parameters outlined for the proper care and feeding of the belt? | ||
| Dr_greg |
Where have/do others stow their spare belt for the J-I-C moments in life without damaging it or violating the handling parameters outlined for the proper care and feeding of the belt? Tri-roll "bandsaw blade" style fold. It will fit many places in that shape; depends on how you pack. --Doc | ||
| Etennuly |
I do the Tri-roll also, with the used belt that I took off. The new ones are quite tight and could be difficult to install road side, especially if it were raining or in the dark. I keep most of the spare parts I need at home, so if I am more than a few hundred miles out and cannot find what I need where I am, the wife or kids can overnight what ever I might need. Hope you have a great trip and keep the BRAN handy. | ||
| Sharkguy |
7873jake, I hope you have a great adventure. It sounds like fun.I'm planning on taking my 09 x on my first long distance adventure (with it). Heading to the GA mtn rally in Hiawasee at the end of the month. I'm wondering if I should bring a spare belt. The bike has 9000 miles on it and the belt seems fine. I can barely move the pulley tensioner. It does have the upgraded bearings though, so I'll just check them. Does anyone have a pic of their preferred method of storing the extra belt they can post? | ||
| 7873jake |
Thank you gentlemen. I had contemplated the tri-roll bandsaw method but wanted to make sure there wasn't something obvious I shouldn't do in handling it that way. I had hoped to replace the belt and pack my used spare but my forgetful nature had me ordering it too late to be to me before I left so I figured "better to at least have the new one than none at all". I did leave FedEx labels ready for shipment for all of my destinations and a few empty boxes for anything else I might have forgotten. That makes it easier for me to convince my wife to ship me something I might need. All she has to do is tape it and ship it. Leaving Hilton Head tomorrow to head to Valdosta, GA for a week and then, the most anticipated leg of the trip, a shot up the middle of the state to Athens. Back roads, dogwoods, azaleas, rolling hills through farm land and a cool, dry forecast. | ||
| 7873jake |
Sharkguy, my 07 has just under 9,000 miles and a clean belt with a tight tensioner so I wasn't real worried about it. Still, I wanted to be able to be prepared for anything within reason knowing that my worst case scenario would be a rented u-haul in order to "sag wagon" the Uly to a repair shop WITH the parts if necessary. | ||
| Sharkguy |
7873jake, yep, I'm with you on the belt situation. I waited too long to order also. I'm going to go for it without the backup. You are right sir...there is always the u haul backup plan | ||
| Conchop |
Come on up to WV - Ride Rt. 219. Scenic Rt 150. No chicken strips on your tires! |
