I'm home... 7,323 miles logged over 14 days!

[Pred8tor]

What a ride! I actually put more miles on the Wing over the last 2 weeks than I had on the bike (after six months of riding) when I left.

I'm working on a ride report, but I had a great time. Highlights include meeting up with Rob (Sherob) at the LA/TX border and riding into San Antonio for lunch. I also took BigTom's routing suggestions thru parts of S. California and had a great ride there (even if I did get "lost").

Caught some snow in Arizona :eek: ... also caught some mean thunderstorms in LA on my way west to Texas. (Special thanks to however started that thread a long time back about lightning hitting the motorcycle rider...:eek: - that's all I could think about as the lightning flashed!!)

Anyway - just wanted to check in - I see I'm 8,112 posts behind in my reading!

[Herleman]

...and your wife thought you were just going to the store???

[Tarheel_Rider]

Welcome back! Look forward to the ride report, thanks for the quick note to let us know you got back in one piece.

[AZST]

Good to hear you had a safe trip. :yes:

Can't wait for the trip report.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

[Mark]

nice mileage!

Getting 'lost' in SoCal... poor you... :D

Welcome back and congrats,
Mark

[Illini25]

Welcome back. Glad it was a fun and safe ride. Look forward to reading the report. :)

[STeve Kelly]

Glad to hear that you are home safe. Bet you had a great time.

I thought of you several times when the weather guy was showing snow, wind, tornados and fire “out west”. Hope you missed all of that.

[uncal]

Welcome back!

[sherob]

One of the best 800 miles of riding I had for lunch :)

[Earache]

Dammit Man! We need pcitures!!!!!

[H20SKIER]

Sounds like a fast but great trip!!! Don't you wish we all had more time for long trips!!!!!!

[Mellow]

Welcome back, sounds like a great trip.

[msnyder755]

Glad you had a good safe trip...sorry I couldnt hook up in San Antonio but work gets in the way once in a while.

[BigTom]

YaHoo. Glad you made it back, sounds like a great ride...Look forward to the ride report with pics.

[motomac]

Tell me about your tires!!!

[Richcusd]

I'm glad you had a great trip in spite of getting a little lost in SoCal. (I think visitors are supposed to get lost here, that's why our freeway signs make no sense - but we're working on it.) I look forward to your ride report. Take care, Rich

[Pred8tor]

Tell me about your tires!!!

The tires held up fine, although I've just ordered a replacement set. Funny though - the front tire looks worse than the rear!?! I'm now closing in on 15,000 miles on these tires.

I'm working on the ride report and pictures - it's taking some time with trying to get caught up at work and home, but hope to get the report up by the weekend.

[Bones]

Sounds like an adventure. Looking forward to seeing pix and reading thoughts.

[George]

Jeff, my 7300 miles took 3 weeks, but I also took time off to visit with family. Also had dinner in San Antonio. We must'a been pretty close together a couple times. (I was in San Antonio on April 24, spent the night in Kerrville.

[motomac]

Jeff, you say the front looks worse than the back. Does that mean the front is cupped badly and the back is only squared and getting close to the wear bars?

[Pred8tor]

Jeff, you say the front looks worse than the back. Does that mean the front is cupped badly and the back is only squared and getting close to the wear bars?

I was afraid you'd ask for more info! :o: The front is actually worn more on the left side than the right - and cupped a little on both sides. It started making more tire noise while turning for the last couple of thousand miles, too. (Sort of a low pitched growling sound - not like the higher pitched noise I got from my Pilot Roads on the ST) The last tire pressure check showed 41 psi.

The rear is more squared off of course, but the tread appears to be evenly worn left and right (weird). I have 42 psi in this one.

The only explanation I can come up with for the wear on the left side is my path to work. There is a long, sweeping on-ramp to I-40 I take every day. It's a left curve and I usually get it leaned over pretty good. I don't really have a matching, right hand sweeper on the return trip.

I should have a new set of Dunlop E3's waiting for me tonight - I'm not sure yet when I'll get them on - but it won't be too long from now.

I actually rode the Dragon on my way home the last day of my trip - but between being tired from 6 hours of riding, a little nervous about the front tire, carrying extra weight from luggage, and not bumping up the rear preload - I never felt comfortable in the curves like I did on the ST. I also didn't feel right blasting out of curves full throttle and then nailing brakes (especially front tire) like I did on the ST. I'm afraid I didn't exactly emulate Yellow Wolf on my ride that Friday afternoon.

[Pred8tor]

Jeff, my 7300 miles took 3 weeks, but I also took time off to visit with family. Also had dinner in San Antonio. We must'a been pretty close together a couple times. (I was in San Antonio on April 24, spent the night in Kerrville.

Wow - That's pretty interesting. I'll be posting my dates and places soon and we can compare notes.

[Blrfl]

The front is actually worn more on the left side than the right ...
The only explanation I can come up with for the wear on the left side is my path to work.

If you spend a lot of time on roads that are crowned for drainage, you'll wear the left side a little faster.

--Mark

[MAC_JD]

Jeff,

Sounda like you had a great trip!!

What were your rough expendatures for the trip? BygDawg and I are heading out in June and I am trying to get a better handle on the financial side our upcoming trip. Thanks!!

JD

[Byron]

Sounds like this is going to be one heck of a ride report, can't wait.

[motomac]

Jeff, the wear on the left of the front tire is probably due to the camber of the slabs and you constanly keeping a little pressure on the left grip to go straight. The wear you described is what I would expect and thanks for taking time to answer.

[Pred8tor]

Jeff,

Sounda like you had a great trip!!

What were your rough expendatures for the trip? BygDawg and I are heading out in June and I am trying to get a better handle on the financial side our upcoming trip. Thanks!!

JD

It wasn't cheap. :( I tried to keep the costs reasonable by staying in Motel 6 (except 1 night). Those costs ranged from around $38 - 69 per night (Wilmington NC & Vegas were the most expensive). But takes and fees raised that cost probably another $10 or so. Then there's gas and food. I did a rough calculation the other day and came up with $1,500.

To tell the truth, I didn't run an estimate before heading out - I just did it. It turned out to be more expensive than I thought, but 14 nights on the road can add up pretty fast.

I thought very briefly about camping - but I just didn't have room for the extra camping gear - and didn't want to be setting up and breaking camp EVERY night.

Take at least two credit cards - I had some problems with the card readers at the gas pumps with a new card (one to be used exclusively for THIS trip). So when I went inside the clerk managed to get my number and a couple of days later I found out what had happened. He ran up a couple of cell phone related purchases before we cancelled the card. Fortunately I had a backup card.

[MAC_JD]

Jeff,

Thanks for the info. Sorry to hear someone tried to rip you off. Hopefully the bank will take care of that.

BygDawg and I are staying a few nights with family and friends, then splitting rooms. That will help on lodging costs. Gas going thru the roof sucks. We have mapped out 9100 miles over 21 days for this trip. I am estimateing about $900 just for gas!! It is going to be interesting!!!

JD

[George]

JD, I ran up a little over $1000 on my credit card over three weeks(all motels and gas and some food.) I had free lodging several nights (family and camping [thanks, Chipster]) and lots of free food (family again, and thanks MotoMac and STeve!)

Also, pretty much used up my tars, gotta figure another couple hun for that.

On the plus side, I was successful in the casinos, netted ~$600 after tax. Don't recommend this technique, tho, to fund yur trip. Too iffie. ;^)

Keep us poSTed on yur progress.

[Mellow]

If you can figure out what you need to sleep comfortably, camping is a great way to go. 1/3 the cheapest motel in most cases. I'm more comfortable in my tent/air mattress then on a bed. And, you can find lots of interesting places to camp like state/nat'l parks.. it takes some practice to get everything the way you want it but on a multi-day trip, setting up and breaking down camp is quicker than the time it takes to walk into a motel and get a room. I am a little biased but what can I say.

Either way, still sounds like a great trip.. full of adventure, scenery and an issue or two.. what more can you ask.. Life is like a roller coaster, get on and ride.

[bygdawg]

Jeff,

Thanks for the info. Sorry to hear someone tried to rip you off. Hopefully the bank will take care of that.

BygDawg and I are staying a few nights with family and friends, then splitting rooms. That will help on lodging costs. Gas going thru the roof sucks. We have mapped out 9100 miles over 21 days for this trip. I am estimateing about $900 just for gas!! It is going to be interesting!!!

JD

Well...Between family and friend and military locations, I don't think it will be too bad. Although, food and gas will take a good chunk of change. Hope you can end up making it.

[Dketchum]

If you can figure out what you need to sleep comfortably, camping is a great way to go. 1/3 the cheapest motel in most cases. I'm more comfortable in my tent/air mattress then on a bed. And, you can find lots of interesting places to camp like state/nat'l parks.. it takes some practice to get everything the way you want it but on a multi-day trip, setting up and breaking down camp is quicker than the time it takes to walk into a motel and get a room. I am a little biased but what can I say.

Either way, still sounds like a great trip.. full of adventure, scenery and an issue or two.. what more can you ask.. Life is like a roller coaster, get on and ride.

My sentiments exactly..I probably couldn't afford the long trips I take if I didn't camp. I am really excited about my upcoming 3 week trip..4 weeks from Tomorrow! Now, the gas prices will put a bit of a dent in my budget, I did plan for $3.00+ gallon, not $4 :eek: Just hope no White vans cross my path :( :D

[Tor]

Pictures, man, c'mon,,,,,we're itching to watch.

[Yogi]

Copngrats on the trip! I am getting ready to head out 1 week from today on the 4 Corners Ride should be about 10,000 miles door to door.

[Pred8tor]

Pictures, man, c'mon,,,,,we're itching to watch.

I'm working on it... the ride report is 14 days long - lots of notes. I'm getting writer's cramp (or carpal tunnel... whatever)

I also have over 700 pictures to sort thru. I want to post the most representative pics.

Next time I'll bring a secretary with me to type as we ride... :D

I'm almost finished (can't believe how long it's taking). A few more days to write up, then edit the whole thing. :o:

[Antwan]

I did a 6800 mile trip in 2004 in 13 days. I had a blast.