This adventure started in Texas when Bart said hey, I m coming up to Colorado in July. I responded, cool let me know.
Since Bart and Debbie really like Lake City (we do too) we meet there on the the 4th, had some drink, food, conversation and watched the fire works in Lake City before we went to bed.
The trip took a strange turn when Bart started feeling bad. He thinks it was the steak he had the night before but I think he is just getting a bug. After Monarch Pass it got worse and Bart pulled us over about every 20 miles.
When Lynn and I got into Canon City I decided to call Jody (J2Blue) to see what we can work out with his truck and I guess Jody had some devine intervention because we were at the same gas station and the same time.
So, Bart in the truck with Debbie driving, Lynn and her XB12, Jody on my S2T and me on the ST1300 all headed home...
Jody really saved the day dropping everything he had planned to help us out. He stayed at the house for the evening and we all talked in the garage just hanging out. I would call it a near perfect day.
He said he is feeling better today. He was pretty sick and Lynn tried to get him to hospital but you know how Old Marines are...
I imagine once they get the ST1300 (a fine bike btw) he will be heading South....
I only spent about 60 miles on the ST1300 and once I got over the heaviness (it disappears under speed) and all the information that is being displayed I really enjoyed the ride. Of course I hated seeing my S2T being ridden by someone else but we got him home, put water in him and listened to him complain about how cold it was LOL..
Looks like a great trip, glad to hear Bart is recovering, I always worry about bad food striking me down while on the road. The photos of Monarch Pass bring back fun memories of the first Roundup.
After calling in sick I escorted Bart and Deb down to Pueblo where we had breakfast, filled with gas and went on our separate ways. Lynn and I really enjoyed having then here at the house and having fun with them in Lake City. Looks like we will be making a trip to AZ some day this winter.
BTW: (I had 176 miles on the odo reading and the S2T only took 2.6 gallons of gas, somewhere around 70mpg and not running lean)
A couple of vids that Debbie took from the back of Barts ST1300...
We debated the cause of Bart's illness and at first we thought it was the food but since I have had food poising before I was sure that was not it since he would not had been able to ride. We ate the same thing in Lake City and all of us had breakfast together. I ruled out Altitude Sickness as well since he did not have a headache.
He was on the road for a while so maybe it is just age....
"I had 176 miles on the odo reading and the S2T only took 2.6 gallons of gas, somewhere around 70mpg and not running lean"
WOW! I was lucky to be in the upper 30's on the trip to Texas and back. Hit about 44mpg on one tank, but we had a strong tall wind. I was always looking for fuel at 120 miles on the odometer. Not very long legs for a bike to be touring on.
Surprised me as well but I was below 6K feet most of the weekend. I have always wanted to try and see how far I actually can go but will need to have a bottle of gas or two just to make sure I can make it to a gas station.
That was with the big hard bags loaded and the tank bag also loaded with tools. Of course on the highway at 75 mph I am only around 3,500 rpm...
I am not riding it to get good gas mileage but I wonder what would happen if I did..
I have had 240 miles out of a tank before reserve before... I think 250 or 275 would be attainable if I went slower and did not wack the throttle as much...
I have been lazily looking at other bikes. I want a Sport Touring bike and have been looking at the FJR, Concourse and the ST1300.... They are all expensive, even used, so I am taking my time.
My requirements are easy. Something that I can ride on the interstate all day long and still hit the twisties and have fun on them. I did not like the ergos of the FJR so it was out early. The Concourse was more Sport than Touring. The ST1300 is more touring than sport which is really what I am after. Triumph has a Sport Touring as well but I have not seen one. I have been on all the web sites for those bikes reading up on problems and common mods.
I rode Bart's ST only 60 miles or so and my impressions are it is a heavy bike. I mean it is near the weight of my old EGlide.. However once you get moving that disappears. I can understand how you can get tickets (like Bart demonstrated) on this bike because you just do not feel it. I was really impressed with the windshield and it was like being in a cone-of-silence with it fully extended. In fact I only have three complaints. 1. Heavy 2. Price 3. The seat sucks (It needs Loren's treatment)
The pros are: 1. Handles well for a big heavy bike 2. An easy all day long bike with a better seat 3. Over 300 mile range with the over 7 gallon tank 4. Blocks the wind when you want to and it is not manual adjustment 5. Can carry a lot of stuff 6. The bags are really nice and functional
I sure am not going to go out and get one today. I have much more research to do.... I still love my S2T and it suits me well.
The new Concours sure has my eye. Although Erik Buell has me stuck on the idea the muffler should be out of the way and under the bike. The BIG ASS can(s) on the side just don't look right anymore.
1)I don't like the idea of a heavy biker either. 2)Yep...if they were only free. NLTF for me right now. That would go against my plans to get out of the corporate salt mine. 3) Cheers to that!
Pros..Smooth speed!!!
I replaced front isolators yesterday. Sure helped a bunch on the S3T. I could fall in love again! S2 has the new isolator, but has a few issues caused by the vibrations on the Texas trip that are needing fixed before I get it out for a spin.
Well, we made it to Grants, NM. It was a very long day. We couldn't have spent the holiday weekend with a better couple. Frank and Lynn are just great people, and Thank You both for putting up with me for two days, and helping me out when I needed it. Still not sure what I had/have? perhaps dehydration? who knows? We has a great time despite my illness. When we left Frank this morning, I was feeling pretty good, and the big honda ate up the miles quickly, which it does with finesse. I didn't start feeling too bad until we hit the rain and hail around Pecos, NM. Plain and simple, HAIL HURTS! The windshield blocked most of it, but my hands still got beat, and out legs caught some of the beating as well. We rode out of that, into the sun, and met up with Debbies Dad, and the three of us went to Lunch where we mit Kim, (buellnm). I was starting to feel kind of burnt out again, (nothing like yesterday) and just shared a sandwich with Debbie. After lunch we said our goodbyes and motored down the road. The wind started kicking up, thank god for that HEAVY bike! I had wanted to take NM14 down to Albuquerque, but the black clouds were on that side of the Sandias, so we just burned down I-25 fighting the wind. By the time we hit 'querque, it was rush hour and we had to fight the masses to get out of town. 95 degrees, and it really started taking it's toll. I was burning out, feeling real thirsty, tired, and getting grumpy. We stopped at route 66 casino, and broke out the cool vests, and soaked them down with water, and continued on our way. The last leg of the trip down I-40 was a fast burn about 95 - 100. (I was hoping Debbie didn't look over my shoulder at the speed, she never said anything, bless her heart) I just wanted to f#$^king get here!
So here we sit in the hotel room, the wind is blowing, black clouds are threatening rain. I've got the chills again, and just feel totally worn out.
Thanks again Jody, for helping us out, it must have been devine intervention that brought us all together at that gas station.
And Frank, The ST isn't heavy, your just a sissy little Air Force boy, that needs to exercise now and then. J/K! It's only heavy when it's sitting still, once your moving it feels just fine...
I would post pics but i'm too burnt out, I'm going to jump in the shower, and try to get warm...
And Frank, The ST isn't heavy, your just a sissy little Air Force boy, that needs to exercise now and then
Yes, I guess that is why the Air Force guy had to ride it home for the big tough Marine LOL...
Seriously, Lynn and I feel the same way having spent the holiday weekend with the two best Buellers around.
Take it easy on your last leg of the journey and try to stay out of the sights of Johnny Law...
The house was empty after you two left. I started working on number 35 and swapped out the forks (have not finished yet) and did house work to pass the time.
Lynn got home late and I told her about the morning and she misses you two as well. I guess we will be headed your way some time during the Colorado winter.
so we made it home, safe and sound. 1641 miles. We left around 7AM this morning to try and beat the heat, it didn't work. It sucks to be back in the 105 degree heat, wish I was back up there! I'm still feeling pretty beat, but hopefully will feel good enough to go to work tomorrow.
Frank, Kim (buellnm) down in Santa Fe has a Triumph speed triple or something like that. It has hard bags, and looks real good. It might be lightweight enough for you to handle, after all, if a girl can ride it... Perhaps you can shoot her a PM or look her up at the southwest/red river rally