| Author | Message | ||
     Bigeasy |
Well I've come up with this crazy idea while riding to baton rouge today (got my service maual)to head home for the holidays on my xb12s. I have not made it home for 3 years for xmas and mom is gettin pissed. I'm not going to tell them I'm coming and will just ride up to my aunts house on xmas eve to surprise them. I couldn't think of what to get them for a present, so what better present then me! LOL My cousin who is like my big brother will be there also for the first time in 4 years. He is a Navy Seal in team two and has just returned from Iraq. I'm sure along with his brothers we shall uphold the xmas eve tradition of slamming beers while sitting in my aunts hot tub outside, the one who comes in last MUST get out and do a snow angel. Stupid I know but it is those funny stupid things that make it fun to be home for the holidays. I run my own business which can make it dam near impossiable to get away at times. So I am really looking forward to this and screw the weather come hell or high water I will be in Detroit on the 24th. Hey Blake do you have any Bad Weather Bikers stickers or a small flag I can purchase? I love to have it flying as I pass by all those poor people in their cages. I will also need your help Daves. I need a tank bag, tail bag and some of those buell tank pucks to keep the wind off my knees. Do you have these items in stock? If so can we overnight them? I don't care about the cost. Oh and do any of you guys know what I could use to carry maybe a extra gallon of gas? thx in advance Wish me luck! Art  | ||
| Reducati  |
dude, its 18 degrees today in chicago..i can only imagine it is colder/ snowier in detroit...brrr | ||
| Darthane  |
The weather is NOT conducive to riding up here. It IS Michigan, though, so it could be 60 degrees on Christmas Eve. Expect to be extremely cold and possibly have to stop due to ice/snow/sludge on the roads. If you make it up here and need help with anything bike-related, look me up. I live just southwest of Detroit. | ||
| Whistle |
Wow man, I pulled some crazy @ss stunts in my life but riding up to D-own come hell or high snowdrifts blows me outta the water! If you are lucky the roads will be clear for your safe passage. But if I were you, I would expect and PLAN for there being snow on the road, or for it to BE snowing on your way up and back. Uhh, do they make chains for XB's DaveS??? If you don't have them you will NEED electric gloves. I've done some distance riding in cold weather, and it's damn near impossible without them. Best o' luck to ya! Nick | ||
| Captainplanet  |
I did the drive from Dallas to Detroit a few years back during Christmas. I would not recommend it on a bike. I ran across some pretty nasty slick road and lots of snow. I would suggest a plane ticket. | ||
| Bigeasy |
Daves has come though with a tank bag and the pucks for me. I do have electric gloves and socks whistle. A plane ticket! Now what would be the fun in that!lol I'm hoping the roads hold clear and am watching the weather channel all the time. Besides I really hate airports now. I think I found some bottles for the extra gas by doing a long search. They are by Mountain Safety Research and should work fine. art | ||
| Captainplanet |
Well then, make sure and give us a report of how it goes. Sounds like it will be an adventure. | ||
| Mikej  |
If the roads or weather turn for the worse have a copy of the RAN Rider's Assistence Network page with you. Worst case is you'd have to rent a U-Haul or Ryder truck and throw your bike in the back for the rest of the trip. Have a good ride. | ||
| Skeenix  |
Well, I live in Detroit and have made the trip down to Monroe, LA the last two years for xmas in a car. Both times we got bad weather. Had to pull off in the hills/mtns of Kentucky due to snow, and had snow flurries in Ohio. I'd reconsider the idea if I were you. Not to mention the cross country truckers if you're on interstates. I once rode my bike in winter weather for about an hour and I thought I just might die from exposure. I guess I'm just not hardcore. Keep us posted. Cheers. | ||
| Grndskpr  |
Art, you might get lucky until chicago, if there is a problem drop me a line, you have a place to stay if need be, and a place to park your bike for the night if there are problems, also, chicago plow crew are the best, once your within the cuty limits, drop me a pm, and i will hook you up with my number so if there is a problem i might be able to help, otherwise i say go for it, but it always good to have a back up plan if need be R | ||
| Tsmith4378  |
There's a bunch of us here in the Detroit Metro Area. If you are bold enough to do it, best of luck. And if you need any assistance Im sure one of Detroiters will help. Be careful, Be Smart! | ||
| Bigeasy |
Thanks guys, I'm thinking of putting on the cityx tires for the ride. art | ||
| Odie  |
When I was rucksacking everything I owned on my back we used MSR stoves and their fuel bottles. They worked very well and didn't leak at all. Looks like you found some....Odie | ||
| Bigeasy |
Skeenix, I grew up in Michigan and my only source of transportation was a 1982 Yamaha Virago 920 v-twin air cooled. Still have it and I will never sell it. So I'm very used to the crap roads, cold and big pot holes  Back then I didnt have the electric gloves and socks, this will be my first time trying them out. Ordered them from a company I think called Gerber, everything hooks up to the batt on your bike. They sell jackets and pants also for you guys up North. If anyone is interested I'll look up the correct name and post it. Odie, I found some online but I was wondering if you know if any of the big department stores carry them? I rather just go pick them up. art | ||
| Tsmith4378 |
try Cabellas, or Bass and Pro shops, those huge sporting goods stores might have that kinda stuff | ||
| Grndskpr |
MSR fule bottles, as used for there stoves and for fuel storage can be had at any good camping store, the largest ones sell for about 10.99, i would look for them at any REI, Galians or other GOOD camping store, love mine, and will not travel with out them, leak proof and durable Again good luck R | ||
| Bigeasy |
Thanks Grndsker I found them at Backpackers huge camping outdoor outlet. Now guys I need your help on one more thing. Should I replace my dunlops with the tires on the cityx? The tread pattern on them looks like it would give more traction in wet conditions and I have heard they are a better longer lasting tire. Is this a bunch of BS or what? Court if you are out there how about it? From what I gather you are the man to ask. thx art (Message edited by bigeasy on December 15, 2004) | ||
| Black_sunshine  |
Yes, change the tires. I just changed my worn out stockers to Diablos and Man what a difference. Stealthxb is running the Scorpions and he loves them. Email his profile and he can tell you all about them. | ||
| Whodom  |
Art, Another company called Widder also makes electric bike gear. I have a pair of their gloves which are great. The Gerbing and Widder stuff are wired differently, but I think both make adapters so Widder gloves can be used with a Gerbing vest or vice-versa. I'd suggest you try e-mailing or calling to see if either of them have local dealers. I got my Widder gloves directly from them. I know Gerbing has a booth at the International Cycle Show in Atlanta, but that's not until January. Good luck, Hugh | ||
| Bigeasy |
Thx who, will check them out on the web. What is the difference between the diablos and the scorps black s? Is it just the tread patterns. art | ||
| Reepicheep  |
I love the Scorpions on my 9sx. Far better then any tire I have used before (from worst to best: Dunlop D220, Dunlop D205, Metzler MeZ4, Metzler MeZ6, Pirelli Scorpions). They do great on gravel (construction zone on the normal route home) and grass (don't ask  ). | ||
| Bigeasy |
LOL ok I wont ask! I think I'll go with the scorps. art | ||
| Reepicheep |
It was a bad case of testostorone poisoning, target fixation, a WERA Dunlop sponsored rider on a race prepped GSXR-750, and me basically being a fool. Cheapest lesson I ever learned, the story is actually posted in the accidents and mishaps thread. Interestingly, they really did do a good job on the grass though. | ||
| Bigeasy |
Well I'm having trouble with the dealer in getting the tires in time. I dont get it, why cant they overnight them? I said I would pay the extra charges. I will be going out there thursday to see if they will give me the rims and tires off the cityx they have. I'll tell them they can have my old ones only 2000 miles on them and I will pay for the other ones. I always wanted the black wheels anyway. Do you think they will go for it? Hell its a good deal for them and get what I want happy all around! Reep at last the cure for that poisoning didnt take a trip to the emergency room! Art (Message edited by bigeasy on December 15, 2004) | ||
| Stealthxb  |
I think the Scorpions are the perfect winter tire! The deep tread patterns give you more grip as the temps drop. I will definitely switch to Diablos once the seasons change. But until the asphalt heats up enough to get me sticky, I have full confidence in the Scorpions. | ||
| Bigeasy |
All is well! Sam the service manager at HD baton rouge is overnighted my new scorps and will put them on for me friday. Gotta love that guy, everytime I go in I have been in and out same day. thx daves for the tank bag and pucks they just got here. art | ||
| Trolldaddi |
Bigeasy, I just say the seven day forcast for Southern Michigan and it showed snow all next week. I just wanted to let you know. Good Luck!!! Trolldaddi | ||
| Bigeasy |
I saw it too, will be leaving early. thx for the heads up. art | ||
| Roadsurfr |
bigeasy, good luck. m2 in new orleans | ||
| Dale |
The trick to riding north and south in the winter is to pick the days to do it. Plus or minus 3 to 4 days. Pick the right days & it is easy. Electric coat over thin long sleeve T-shirt, heated grips and socks. Plus layers. Good down to 5 degrees F. Pick your days carefully & good luck. |
