The break away 2011

[ordnance3466]

Inspired by Lone's "Lone v. World" post I wanted to create a thread for my annual motorcycle trip.

The background: I started riding in 2008 after coming home from a deployment to Afghanstan. Several of my friends and I wanted to get into bikes and riding and took the MSF courses together. I started on a Ninja 250 (as most do), and really enjoyed riding to the point where....today I have logged 11 different bikes and about 35,000 miles.

I used to be a mechanic prior to the Army and continue to buy and sell cars and bikes (that is the main reason I have had 11 bikes to date): Below is a quick list of the bikes and a number rank I gave them according to the overall enjoyment I got out of the bike combined with my opinion of the bike (taking into account quality, performance, comfort, etc...)

1. 2005 Kawasaki ninja 250 - 7 (great beginner bike)
2. 2007 Kawasaki vulcan 900 custom - 7.5 ( probably best bike in its class but just a bit underpowered for a cruiser)
3. 2003 Kawasaki ninja 250 - again 7 (bought to fix and sell)
4. 2007 Kawasaki ninja 250 - again 7 ( wife's bike,bought to fix and sell)
5. 2008 kawasaki ninja 650 - 9 (one of the best I have owned, great all around and torque, highly recommend)
6. 2001 Kawasaki ZX6E - 6 (heavy bike, more sport touring set up, fast but not too fast)
7. 2008 kawasaki zx6r - 8.5 (awesome looks, performance, but you have to like the supersport positioning....gets uncomfortable on long rides)
8. 2004 Kawasaki meanstreak 1600 - 8- (great muscle cruiser, comfortable power could be a bit more for a 1600)
9. 2009 Kawasaki KLX205 - 6.5 ( 250cc is a bit underpowered for my size (5-10-200lbs) and too tall for my liking, but a leader in its dual sport class)
10. 1993 Yamaha FZR 600 - 5.5 (first yamaha, bought as a project, complete dissassembly and rebuild, overall ok bike, but is from 93...technology has left it behind)
11. Current bike! 2007 Yamaha FZ6 - 8 ( great bike so far, "jack of all trades bike". )

Ok that was a bit off my original topic. Every year (08, 09, 10, and now 11) I break away either with a buddy or just by myself ( no wife allowed) and plan a trip. Normally I dont set specific daily destinations and just head in a direction. This year the goal was originally quebec, CA through VM, NH, and ME, but weather prevents this, so I will have to head West to Cleveland (rock and roll hall of fame) and then back through the state parks of PA. I will use this thread to update my progress.

Wish me luck and hopefully no bears...opcorn:

 

[FIZZER6]

So do you camp or just find a crappy hotel when you get tired? Traveling pretty light there!

Each summer I do a 2-4 day trip through the Appalachian mountains...this year we are going from Southwest PA through WV and then down the blue ridge parkway in NC, through the smoky mountains and finally near Atlanta for my cousin's wedding. Will be a 4-5 day round trip, camping every night. :rockon:

 

[jtarkany]

:welcome: Good luck and no bears :thumbup:

 

[Wolfman]

Good luck, looking forward to your pictures, and stories.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Havok3c]

Inspired by Lone's "Lone v. World" post I wanted to create a thread for my annual motorcycle trip.

The background: I started riding in 2008 after coming home from a deployment to Afghanstan. Several of my friends and I wanted to get into bikes and riding and took the MSF courses together. I started on a Ninja 250 (as most do), and really enjoyed riding to the point where....today I have logged 11 different bikes and about 35,000 miles.

I used to be a mechanic prior to the Army and continue to buy and sell cars and bikes (that is the main reason I have had 11 bikes to date): Below is a quick list of the bikes and a number rank I gave them according to the overall enjoyment I got out of the bike combined with my opinion of the bike (taking into account quality, performance, comfort, etc...)

1. 2005 Kawasaki ninja 250 - 7 (great beginner bike)
2. 2007 Kawasaki vulcan 900 custom - 7.5 ( probably best bike in its class but just a bit underpowered for a cruiser)
3. 2003 Kawasaki ninja 250 - again 7 (bought to fix and sell)
4. 2007 Kawasaki ninja 250 - again 7 ( wife's bike,bought to fix and sell)
5. 2008 kawasaki ninja 650 - 9 (one of the best I have owned, great all around and torque, highly recommend)
6. 2001 Kawasaki ZX6E - 6 (heavy bike, more sport touring set up, fast but not too fast)
7. 2008 kawasaki zx6r - 8.5 (awesome looks, performance, but you have to like the supersport positioning....gets uncomfortable on long rides)
8. 2004 Kawasaki meanstreak 1600 - 8- (great muscle cruiser, comfortable power could be a bit more for a 1600)
9. 2009 Kawasaki KLX205 - 6.5 ( 250cc is a bit underpowered for my size (5-10-200lbs) and too tall for my liking, but a leader in its dual sport class)
10. 1993 Yamaha FZR 600 - 5.5 (first yamaha, bought as a project, complete dissassembly and rebuild, overall ok bike, but is from 93...technology has left it behind)
11. Current bike! 2007 Yamaha FZ6 - 8 ( great bike so far, "jack of all trades bike". )

Ok that was a bit off my original topic. Every year (08, 09, 10, and now 11) I break away either with a buddy or just by myself ( no wife allowed) and plan a trip. Normally I dont set specific daily destinations and just head in a direction. This year the goal was originally quebec, CA through VM, NH, and ME, but weather prevents this, so I will have to head West to Cleveland (rock and roll hall of fame) and then back through the state parks of PA. I will use this thread to update my progress.

Wish me luck and hopefully no bears...opcorn:

A feiend of mine just got one of the 93's as a project bike for 300 bucks, he has it up and running and it is a beast, it was set up as a race bike and is fun as hell to ride even though it looks like a beater lol.

Agree on the fz6, I Just hope you have the red one as yamaha put 5 extra HP into the red ones, Everyone says the blue ones have more hp but after all the colors files a class action lawsuit claiming discrimination Yamaha had to spread it around:rockon:

 

[ordnance3466]

Motorcycle Trip day 1 (FRI)...not that great! I left at 430 thinking that I would miss the rain, but that was not the case. 70mph + soaked jeans and boots = freezing my ass off. But got into a super 8 and talked the front desk lady down to letting me stay for 50 bucks....So cheap start to the trip. Pics to come maybe tonight.

The good: Short ride the bike peformed great.

The bad: damn 12v power outlet I installed got soaked and blew the fuse...its an easy fix, but now I need to get an allen wrench to get the damn tank up a bit....

Note: The tail bag looks a bit small but I was supprised by whats all in there:

6 tshirts
1 extra jeans
2 shorts
6 boxers
6 socks
tennis shoes
hygiene stuff
some bungees.

My tank bag has all my electronics (10inch laptop and cords)

 

[ordnance3466]

Here are some random pics of day 2. All in all a great day of riding. Will update later.

 

[bryanwny]

Not familiar with Black River, NY; but it looks like it's up near Watertown? My Aunt just moved from Adams to Cape Vincent area. Looks like you found the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca and Allegany State Park/Reservoir? Nice ride down through PA and around the Kinzua Dam if you went that way. I see you were over in Ellicottville at the Gin Mill too. Hope you didn't have TOO many cold ones

Enjoy your trip man! Best of luck, hope it goes smooth.

 

[dxh24]

Western NYers FTW!!! Sounds like a good trip, looking forward to more pics! Last time i was at the R&R hall of fame i was a bit disappointed... lemme know how you like it if you decide to go, maybe i'll have to make another visit there sometime! Have a great trip!

 

[ordnance3466]

Not familiar with Black River, NY; but it looks like it's up near Watertown? My Aunt just moved from Adams to Cape Vincent area. Looks like you found the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca and Allegany State Park/Reservoir? Nice ride down through PA and around the Kinzua Dam if you went that way. I see you were over in Ellicottville at the Gin Mill too. Hope you didn't have TOO many cold ones

Enjoy your trip man! Best of luck, hope it goes smooth.

Wow, you are dead on. Are you following me?!?

Ok about to start day three. Some research shows that route 44 down to the center of PA is supposed to be a great ride (twisties). that is todays ride. About 140 miles...not bad.

 

[bryanwny]

Why yes, I AM following you! Haha. No, but you did inspire me to head that way for a ride today! I put on 185 miles. Very nice day (so far). Hope it holds up for ya!

 

[ordnance3466]

Why yes, I AM following you! Haha. No, but you did inspire me to head that way for a ride today! I put on 185 miles. Very nice day (so far). Hope it holds up for ya!

Should have linked up I only made it to new columbia today...near sunbury and williamsport.

 

[bryanwny]

Did you head down 44 like you were talking? How was it if so?

 

[bryanwny]

Hey how was the rest of your ride? Make it back home safely? Haven't seen any updates, but I did see on your profile you were on here yesterday so I'm guessing you didn't get eaten by bears.

 

[ordnance3466]

Ok, sorry for the delay.

In review, I left out friday around 430pm and arrived back to my house wednesday around 2pm. It was 5 nights and 6 days of riding.

Below are my facts, thoughts, and observations:

-960 miles (about 200 miles a day except for the first and last day, those where much less)

- Rediculously uncomfortable seat. Started out ok, but after day 3 it became a looming reality that I would have to get back on. The first 60 miles is not too bad (tolerable), but after that I was suckin.

- Met a random woman on a honda shadow just west of Wilkes Barre, PA. She looked a bit rough to say the least but was really cool. We started talking and I told her about my trip and just getting away for a week and she was really into it. She told me when she gets on her bike she becomes a feather in the wind and just goes where the wind blows her. So this was towards the end of a days riding on that damn seat, and I was tired, but she said she knew a great twisty road nearby so we rode it. It was about 30 miles of greatness btw. It was funny though because she told me not to worry about her she could keep up. At first I was nervous because, I was on a sport bike and she was on a cruiser, and I hate to say it but she was a chick (yea yea here comes hell). But, I have to admit I have never seen a cruiser get that low. It was fun.

- Spent $1500 bucks (majority of that was in casinos )

- Great gas mileage (47.3, 47.9, 50.5, 50.1, 48.3) I always get better gas mileage when riding really aggressively through mountains/ twisties. No matter the bike I have come to realize this. Somewhat counterintuative, but my only explanation is there are lots of down hills that I coast.

- All hotels/motels are negotiable. Do not think otherwise. It is as easy as "is that the best you can do", followed by "well, I'll give you (offer ten less than they ask)". Sometimes you have to explain your story and make them laugh. Truthfully, I have also noticed the more you make people laugh, the more things go your way. I think 77 is the most I paid for a hotel room and that was a holiday inn express.

- FZ6 handles well. I "bonded" with my bike this trip and gradually became more and more comfortable with her. She has some things that I do not like as much or am not used too (spongy front suspension, low front end weight, seat, lack of low end torque). But overall she performed better than expected. Does not inspire the confidence in sharp turns that other bikes I have had do, but never let me down at the same time. My chicken strips are about 1/2 inch, maybe a bit less.

- Nelson Rigg gear worked out great (very easy to mount/unmount daily)

- Canadian women love their soccer.

- When teenage stoners run a batting cage, tokens are free and you can bat as much as you like.

- Random roadside bar in PA had a sign inside that said "we F#$K chickens on sunday". I still cannot figure this one out.

- 12V Power outlet install on my bike worked as planned. I recommend

- Droid Eris with google maps worked great for a gps

- Dont try and work out at hotel while on bike trip. You are more tired/sore than you think you are, and your clothes will smell up the rest of your clean close (until you steal hotel garbage bags) Note: pack plastic bags for next trip.

- Route 44 in PA going from Coudersport to Lock Haven (where I went to college ) is a good road for practicing twisties. Some gravel in road at spots.

- Indian guy who owned a motel (shocker) was easily hustled in games of pool. This guy could not stop betting me (free beer for me, 5 bucks for him were the stakes). After several free beers he was not willing to give up he even got his brother to to try and beat me. Not that I a great at pool at all, but these guys were awful. More money then brains maybe.

- Getting a massage is a must on riding excursions. Be aware of two things. One, most "massage" places you find on craigslist or searching the local area tend to be hookers/brothels. Two, let me reiterate point one again just to drive this point home....they are not massuses, they are hookers....

Overall, I would rate this trip a 8 out of a 10. I look forward to my next excursion.

 

[ordnance3466]

some more pics to come later this week hopefully