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View Full Version : Sort of a ride report...Wing-dom


Mellow
05-09-2005, 08:33 AM
I thought I'd throw something together since it actually does have a little something to do with CampSTOC.

Friday
Left DFW at 2am (couldn't sleep) and headed for Corinth, MS (Lake Hill Motors) to trade the ST on a Wing.

Got lost in Memphis, TN but still made it to Corinth around 11:30. They had the Wing ready and we discussed a few things before doing all the paperwork.

Headed out of Corinth and towards my Parents place in SE Oklahoma, I knew I wasn't gonna make it so I had already planned on meeting Bill Ishmael at Paris, AR near Mt Magazine State Park (location of CampSTOC this week).

I got to Paris around 7:30-8:00 and tried calling Bill but the cell service in that area isn't the best. I decided to grab a sandwich since I hadn't eaten anything since a bowl of ceral for breakfast and then head up to the park and camp.

Brown Springs area of Mt Mag State Park
I found the camping area and it's not bad. I wasn't crazy about the out-houses but we are just down the road from the showers and better facilities so that wasn't a big deal. I set up my tent and, since there are no preinstalled power ports on the Wing, YET, I had to blow up my air mattress, TWIN Air Mattress... whew.... While I was setting up the park ranger came by and we talked about next weekend, might be a few boy scouts running around but I said it shouldn't be a problem as we didn't have a huge group planning on showing up. He said to make sure I didn't have any food with me as a couple weekends before a goldwing with a trailer loaded with food was knocked over by a bear and he scratched up the bike pretty good trying to get into it. No problem, I never leave food anywhere when I'm camping. As I was getting ready to crash for the night I heard some rustling and saw about 5 possums take off in all directions... LOL All in all, a nice area for camping and especially after a 950 mile day...

Saturday
Time to get up and head to my parents place and hang out with Mom for Mother's Day.

I get up about 5:00 and start packing up. I load up the bike and get all my gear on and then pull the bike off the centerstand.... Now, here's where it gets interesting... The centerstand on the ST and Wing are very different in how the bike reacts to coming off the stand. On the ST, the palm of your hand is facing forward, same direction as the bike, when you pull it forward. On the Wing, you use the Left passenger grab rail and YOU SHOULD lift forward with your palm facing away from the bike..... Well, I didn't do this.... and with my palm facing the bike, like I was trying to curl it, I pull the bike off the CS... Another different... With the ST, there isn't that far to go before the rear wheel touches the ground and the bike is pretty much still as tall as it was.... On the Wing it comes off the rear tire pretty fast and then all the weight comes towards you to rest on the side stand.... Not remembering this and being used to the ST still...... I wasn't prepared... TWANG... I believe I tore my right bicep muscle... fun way to start the day...

I layed down on the picnic table for a minute until the pain went away then got on the bike to see if it would affect me operating it. No problem, I must have tore it on the inside lower connecting point. I was hoping it was just a strain but I've heard guys in the gym tear them before and the 'TWANG' feeling they felt was exactly what I felt so I was pretty sure it tore... .

I got on the bike and headed to Paris to get gas (6:30) then off to my parents. They were only a couple hours away so I got there pretty early and helped them fix a cattle guard, spent some time with them then headed back home a little early as there were some big storms planned to hit the area and their clay driveway is no fun in the rain.

Got home Saturday evening with just under 800 miles on the new bike and a nice nick in the saddleback from some debris in the road... oh well, can't stay new for long...

I was nice to be home and get some much needed rest... Boy, what some guys will do to save a few bucks on a bike... :D

Mellow
05-09-2005, 09:44 AM
Charlie, sorry to hear about Brian but glad to hear that Mike is improving... Did they already transplant his kidney for his mother? If so, how is she doing?

I really didn't find any really stupid drivers this weekend and the roads were pretty clear.. But.. it is the country and it's true that sometimes that can be worse that driving in a metropolitan area... as usual, be careful and attentive...

sherob
05-09-2005, 12:43 PM
Sorry to hear about your friends RC... I wish they would pass a law to make it mandatory for all licenses issued to take a MC awareness class... or if invovled in an accident!

Glad to hear about your ride report Mellow... not much in Corinth, but they have a decent Mexican place to eat and great bike prices :) My inlaws live an hour north on Hwy 45. Hows the arm doing? :eek:

Take care guys...

Mellow
05-09-2005, 12:51 PM
Hows the arm doing? :eek:


The arm is nice and blue/purple/red... I'm glad it doesn't hurt as bad as it looks... but that's worth some sypathy points from the SO... or an 'I told ya so' or something like that..

sherob
05-09-2005, 12:57 PM
Sympathy points... LOL!!! NOT! You'll get option B... :) Take it easy with those 12oz curls on that arm... :D

Dave Wicks
05-09-2005, 01:38 PM
:04biker:
Charlie..
Sorry to hear of your friends being seriously hurt. I don't wish to analyze what happened..it can happen to any of us in a blink..I'm thankful for every safe mile...and every safe riding friend. I do pray that God touch your injured friends and their loved ones...These are tough moments for them all. I had friends hit 20 feet behind me in Whitefish Mt..I think it was good that you posted that..We all need a "heads up" from time to time. If it seems comfortable to you keep us posted on their recovery. If you have an chance convey the love and prayers of their riding comrades..

Dave

Carl_T
05-09-2005, 09:01 PM
Charlie,
I'll definitely say some prayers for your friends. :( here's hoping for some good healing. This kind of stuff is extremely unsettling.

I don't know if this is helpful to anyone, but I'll put it out there in case it is. I do a little left right weave whenever there is a car looking like it wants to turn or merge. I do it to give them a sideways movement of me against the background, and I do see some extra car driver reaction every so often. They may wonder what's up, but the idea is to help them see me.

Joe, OUCH! I feel for you. Heavy bikes are... heavy. I have no idea how the wing is but I'll only take the STeed off the center stand one way. I get on the bike and rock it forward, applying the front brake after it comes off. Then I put it on the side stand and get off. I just know it would get away from me one day if I tried to get it off, standing next to it. I also know I'd try and save it and probably pull something, so I don't even give it a chance to bite me that way.