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.

[the Ferret]

Cool pics Rboe, the second one down almost looks like a painting. Glad the CB performed well for you.

[Cormanus]

Nice one Rboe. It's an OK touring bike.

[redbirds_imp]

Nice write up Rboe, especially the Griso comparison.

[emptysea]

Nice pics and report. I've had it in my mind to do an Iron Butt to Death Valley from Colorado, but being from Chicago, the logistics of this endeavor are problematic. In the meantime, I visit these supercool (and super hot) places through pictures like these.

[the Ferret]

Rboe the 14 dlx side covers look great. I'm surprised what a difference that makes. What kind of treatment have you done to the horns?

[rboe]

A buddy bought some Hella's for his Centauro (extra loud momma's) so I got the bright idea to get some like it. Found a set on AliExpress from China. The only thing cheap about them, that I can tell now, is the metal tab you use to mount the would be better used as a feeler gauge to adjust your tappets. Kinda thin. Need to address that it I'm going to keep them.

I've been on long rides with big inline Japanese fours only twice before. A buddies Suzuki 750 with a Vetter fairing and a Kawasaki 750 the shop had on trade in. The Honda handled better and toured better than either (and I would hope so, it's 35 years newer!).

Temps were in the low 60's in the morning (on top of mountain anyway, much warmer down in the valley) and mid 90's during the day. Very pleasant. Did not feel over heated at all, must say that this time of year is excellent for visiting the area.

A landscape shot from the top of Dante's View.

[the Ferret]

THAT is a really cool photo

[drodg33]

Beautiful picture

[rboe]

Funny story with that shot. Apparently the guys like to coast back down to Furnace Creek Ranch from Dante's View. I made it about half way down the access road, but two or three guys coasted 26 miles, all the way back to the resort! First couple miles you need to apply the brakes (for me it was to avoid running into the leader - but once we hit the long straight in the valley I lost him). First quarter mile is very steep. Next mile or so is also fairly twisty as the road follows drainage gullies.

I left the resort at 6:20 on Saturday to get up there in time to get pre-dawn shots. As you can see, this a few minutes after the sun rose. Then the time changed (daylight savings) and Sunday I had to leave at 5:35 or so to get to Zabriskie's (it was only five miles away, less transit time).

Note: The trip meter will not roller over one thousand miles. I checked at 996 miles, when I got home a bit after that it said 31 miles. So I did 1031 miles in three days. Not an Iron Butt, more like a Firm Butt.


I keep forgetting to comment on my "problems".

Left hand counter weight screw backed off twice, caught it time before I lost it. Need to put in some Loctite.

Chain is loose (while I packed tools, I did not have anything to loosen up the axel nut), I did pack some chain lube.

Tires are starting to square off. Dang! I think I have 4300 miles on the bike now.

MRA windscreen with laminar lip, not as nice, especially in the wind, as I'd like. I'll post my solution if it works out.

The power tap for the electrics abraded the tank a bit. Need to prevent that in the future.

River Road magnetic tank bag, works OK in town and on day trips. Found wanting a bit on the trip. Wants to lean to one side one you unzipped the extension, yet feels like it's full when you want to cram stuff in. The solution I'm considering is a top case.

I really don't "need" a GPS, except in towns like Las Vegas where the signage is confusing (especially if you are hot and tired), not numerous enough, or simply does not match what the GPS is labeling it, so a means to put my iPhone up front or a dedicated GPS would be great. I always got lost going through Fargo too. Very annoying. At least it's not a fault of the bike.