I'm back home now, all safe and sound. As some here may remember, I did a Fly and Ride purchase last week on a practically new 2014 DLX w/ 1200 miles on it. The owner, Jay, picked me up at the airport, brought me to his house so I can do a visual inspection, and then we finalized transaction at a local bank where I paid him in cash. Jay is a standup guy. He made sure that, not only was his bike ready to ride anywhere, but he also gave me a windshield for free! I wasn't expecting this generous gift, but nevertheless, that accessory made all the difference in the world as I traveled on the interstate through temps as low as the chilling 20's deg F at nighttime. The windshield blocked all the cold off my entire upper body, including the arms and hands, and part of my thighs. I don't know what brand his windshield is, but Jay mentioned that he bought it initially for his 2013, but wasn't sure whether it would fit on his new 2014. We installed it in his garage, ...super easy.... and sure enough, it fits the 2014 DLX as if it was made for it.



From the pic above, you can see that I started out from Jay's house with a practically empty duffel bag. All I had in there are extra gloves, rain gear, undies & socks, assorted hand tools, tire pump, and plug. For the entire trip, I wear multiple layers, starting with a base layer using Nike's hyperwarm tights, then a layer of fleece from Aerostich, then I cover it w/ a 2nd layer of goose down jacket and pants from Patagonia. The Patagonia layer is also my daily walking around clothing for this time of the season. I wear trials boots by Gaerne. They're so incredibly comfortable and light that it is my ONLY shoe I use for the entire trip, from the airport all the way home. It has a rubber ribbed sole, so it's whisper quiet and won't scratch indoor wooden floors, yet still aggressive enough to walk up dirt hills and oily pavement. All leather sole and uppers, w/ 3 metal buckles.
Here's a pic from Gaerne...


When I'm ready to ride the bike, I'll zip into my one piece suit by Aerostich. What I like about this one piece suit is that it pulls my shoulders slightly back when seated, just enough to give me good posture, and thus provides additional support for my back. I can sit on the seat for a full 10 hrs w/o any back pain, but w/ my 2 piece suit, I'm only good for 5, 6 hrs tops.


On this trip, I took my Arai XD4 dual sport helmet over my Arai street full face b/c it has a sun block visor, which cuts out alot of the UV rays radiating onto my face on sunny days, and does a fantastic job of blocking out the sunlight when the sun sets west or rises east.

My default GPS is the Google map app that came on my Samsung phone. I use it quite alot. I also have a couple backup GPS that I use offline should I lose my cell phone reception. ONe's Maps.me (for street), the other's OSMAND app for off road tracks. Both apps, No data plan req'd.

The pic below was taken at a rest stop. I think the temp was down in the low 20s. I kept riding for another 2 hrs before I called it a night. From the night time riding done on this trip, I see how nice the headlight performs on the low beam. Has a very even rectangular light pattern distributed in front. No hot spots in the center, no dark fringes along the 4 corners. Very pleasant and comfortable to my eyes on the interstate. The high beams, however, are adequate, OK for the most part. THere were some exit signs at night that I wish the high beams could have reached farther forward so I could see sooner than later. I'll fix this problem w/ a pair of Denali LED pods.



This pic taken at one of the motels off the hwy. Nothing fancy, just a bed and a hot shower's all I need. But will you look at that candy red paint job, all that shiny chrome!
The all silver mag wheels just does it for me. I'm happy this model doesn't come w/ wire wheels. I've had a decade worth of bikes w/ wire wheels. The amount of labor involved in cleaning them is unbearable. I hate being a slave to them. OK, rant off.



... to be con't....

How many of us just got slammed with this winter snow storm that dumped over two feet of snow and left us looking at our rides in our garage instead of being able to ride them. Its going to be a long wait for me to be able to get out again. I guess we were really spoiled this year in the north east. The taste of winter has finally arived and all at once it seems.

Ive been thinking about ditching my puig windscreen and getting the dart fry screen, the slightly larger one that wraps around a bit. I think its called the marlin. Anyone have a review or pics?

Hi all,
Was wondering what your thoughts are on the VFR 1200. Seems like it would be a good option for touring, a comfortable riding position but with really good handling. Yet it seems to have had similar fate to the CB1100...not overly popular with mixed reviews from riders and journalists. Could Honda have missed the mark on two motorcycles in the five year span 2010-2015? I think both bikes are great in terms of style and function!

Here you go QuietGuy, mint condition

http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/5392655224.html

Good weather encouraged me to test my new suspension with a day out with the Manchester (UK) Honda Owners Club. Temperature was 60F with damp roads. We are very relaxed about membership and some members have transgressed and bought other brands. You will no doubt spot the early Triumph Sprint ( I had one back in 1995 ) the GSXR 600 and a rat bike which is actually a Honda!!

My sixth ride was brief and windblown. From the south at 18, gusting to 25. Saddled up at 10:30 am, temps were 43, windchill 31. Home at 12:30 pm, temp was 51.

Only 51 miles, but it helped calm my trepidation with the front brakes. Was able to modulate them adequately. Honestly, I was getting a bit stressed over my minor mishap a week ago Friday.

I consider my weather here blessed compared to what the east and northeast are diggng out from under. I hope all you easterners are safe and warm.

On a side note, I have an appointment next Saturday to have my 600 mile service performed, although I'll have less than 475 on the clock by then.

... quietguy

Had some good weather in the UK this weekend and got out both days for an evaluation of the Maxton suspension newly fitted to my 2015 CB1100. On Saturday the roads were dry but the temperature was only 50F so I did 100 miles on one of my favourite local roads, the A49. This is a good road with constant fast flowing curves allowing speeds of 60-70mph on most sections with only a few restricted zones. On Sunday the roads were damp but the temperature was 60F and I went out with the Honda Owners Club and we rode a notorious local pass over the Pennines hills called 'The Cat and Fiddle'. This is a narrower road with lots of tight bends and a favourite for local bikers. Before having the new suspension fitted I was convinced that the O/E tyres, Dunlop 205's were less than satisfactory but after doing 250 miles on fast curves and tight bends I've had second thought. The tyres are fine, I just don't think the original suspension was letting them work properly. I am amazed at how the bike has been transformed. Very soon the bike gave me the confidence to take bends at higher speeds and even a couple that I thought I had entered too quickly were handled with ease. This new suspension is absolutely superb.

One thing that the Maxton engineer did mention when I collected the bike was the front mudguard. He suggested I might exchange it for a plastic unit. His reasoning was that the metal bracket on the guard was acting as a fork brace, something which they never recommend on a bike, not even race bikes. He explained that a bike handles better when a certain amount of independant flex is allowed in each fork leg.

When I first took a test ride, the bike just felt so right, so natural. I was positive it was the perfect fit. As I started to get more acquainted, I started to have various comfort issues. Ended up changing bars, saddle, and footpegs to get this thing to feel better, and it did for a while.

Unfortunately, I spent all this money to no avail. The bike is beautiful to look at, but if it isn't comfortable, whats the point of all that beauty. Time to cut my losses. You'll probably see my K&H solo seat for sale in the near future. I'll need to put that money towards my new K&H tall saddle. Plus, I need to get that chrome chain guard I've been wanting and a nice grab rail to go with my new saddle. If I'm giving up my awesome solo seat, I have to make the new one look at cool as possible, right?

Seriously, will it ever end? I've been kicking around the idea of ordering a Road Comet, too. Geez, this is gonna be an expensive year for farkling. I thought I was done!

Went to our local motorcycle show today. One of the cooler things out there was this cutaway of the engine/DCT transmission of the new Africa Twin. Just thought I'd throw it up, as there has been a lot of discussion about the bike on here.

I wish I could have taken better pictures w/o the glass case, but alas. Very impressive and compact package, and the smallest timing chain I've ever seen.