2015 Fall Gathering in Death Valley

[rboe]

This a Moto Guzzi Gathering, but my Griso is on injured reserve so the CB1100 got the nod for the trip. Frankly the Griso has spoiled me in touring, easy motor to live with, Russell Day Long seat, heated grips; she is just a very good road machine.

The CB1100 turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. The motor was not busy, got better mileage (at least when the wind wasn't pushing us all over the place on day one) and the Lamm seat performed fairly well (yes, faint praise, the RDL has big shoes, tempted to get one for the CB now). Power wise it did not have the point and shoot power of the Griso, but she will get up and scoot when needed. Meets my real world needs for power 100%.

Hardly; I'm thinking that in the real world the CB meets the Griso head on and beats it in the tight twisties. Turns out the CB handles fast sweepers just fine thank you. A sprint to 100mph showed she had very nice poise. And the brakes are better - by a touch.

She also handled the nasty head wind better than expected.

I have not run all the numbers but the worst mileage I've checked was 39 bucking the wind. 51mph the best I've seen so far on the trip. I think I got close to 55 in some sections (we had a coasting contest - I was beat by a KLR!! as well as other bikes. sigh.).

The windscreen needs some work. Too much turbulence making for too much helmet noise. Here are some pics - otherwise it didn't happen.
I'm experimenting with some Chinese Hella horns. Work in progress.
Top photo, parking lot this morning at Zabriskie Point, Death Valley, CA. Two and four, parking lot at Dante's View, Death Valley, CA on Saturday morning just before sunrise. I don't recall where number three was taken.