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There is no picture from today but there have already been many long trips on the BMW this spring, the first motorcycle trip of the year was March 22nd 
Where did you ride today?
- Thread starter W0QNX
- Start date
Took a ride around Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties today 190 miles.
On one of the real twisty roads Tepusquet Canyon I came upon about 15 BMW GS,s pulled over, I just went around the group and in one of the next corners was a camera person with a big lens on it taking pictures. So if you see an old ST in with the BMW group it was me!!
On one of the real twisty roads Tepusquet Canyon I came upon about 15 BMW GS,s pulled over, I just went around the group and in one of the next corners was a camera person with a big lens on it taking pictures. So if you see an old ST in with the BMW group it was me!!
wjbertrand
Ventura Highway
Made another successful pistachio run today. Lotta bikes out for a Friday.
Took a ride yesterday to Red River, NM for breakfast at Shotgun Willies, then on to Questa and left to Taos Ski Valley and the highest dispensary in New Mexico (does smoking pot and snow skiing mix?), back down into Taos where the main road was under construction causing a detour. What a mess although anytime through Taos is a train wreck. Then back home by 7:30. 658 miles on a really nice day. They are pushing to Revive The Ride to Red River on Memorial weekend. City really took a financial hit after the shooting a couple of years ago. Red River really wants your money.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2015
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- 543
- Age
- 64
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- Brookfield,WI
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- 2025 BMW S1000 XR
- 2026 Miles
- 009762
125 miles today at FerrySTOC. Had to take the pic at the Eiffel Tower. 
ChucksKLRST
Team Colorado
Finally got the NT1100 out into the wild and on the road. 65 mile loop today before the rains came. A bit different than what I was used to with the big Versys but presently surprised non the less. Handles good, learning how to use the paddle shifters along with the different drive modes. Someday I will stop hunting for a clutch lever and foot shift lever. Rides good, relatively smooth for a twin, but not intrusive. Surprisingly get up and go for a twin. Still learning the buttons and menus of what they control.
scootac
Will Ride for Food
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 1,105
- Age
- 71
- Location
- West Des Moines, IA
- Bike
- 2024 Kaw Vulcan S
- 2026 Miles
- 007631
Expecting rain tonight and for the next 2-3 days. My wife has been really nice about suggesting I go for a ride every few days. She did today so I rode 45 miles out in the country.
Put the odometer up to 504 miles now. Only 96 miles and an oil/filter change and I'll be ready to travel to events.
Put the odometer up to 504 miles now. Only 96 miles and an oil/filter change and I'll be ready to travel to events.
I spent the weekend with the Kawasaki Concours Owners Group (COG) at the Bun Cooler in Kamiah, Idaho. It's a great rally. Wonderful people. Wonderful roads. Incredible scenery.
The last stretch follows along the Clearwater River from Lewiston, ID to Kamiah. In Lewiston, the river is broad, deep and to me looks unremarkable...like a lot of other rivers. But as you head upriver to Kamiah, and then on the ride on Saturday to Elk City along the South Fork of the Clearwater, the river becomes a raging whitewater torrent. If you went off the road, ...you'd last a couple seconds. I'd say the rapids are Class III and Class IV in places.
I think this trip to me, was defined by the river. Not only does the road twist and turn to follow the river, but the sights were defined by it. I saw bald eagles swooping like seagulls as they fished the river. Later, I saw probably 30 or more kayakers enjoying the challenge of the rapids. And then this morning coming back home, I was struck by how many fishermen were either along the bank or out on their boats fishing. And they were catching fish.
I suspect it might seem like every picture is similar...they are. The areas are mountainous and the rivers cut through them wild and untamed. And the roads follow the rivers. It makes for some great riding because in places the roads are very technical. One slip up could put you in the water...or splattering against an unyielding rock wall. But I just enjoy it for the experience.
Charlie led going over Stevens Pass on Friday. Here we're riding along the Wenatchee River coming up to Leavenworth, WA.
This was taken on Saturday on our way up to Elk City.
I can't understand why when the river tips like this, that the water doesn't fall out onto the road.
There were places where the waves were 6-10 feet high. Pictures just don't do it justice.
This was kind of fun. I made a wrong turn and when I got going the right way again, I spotted two riders from our group ahead of me. That's Bob on a Yamaha Tracer and someone else in front.
Chris
The last stretch follows along the Clearwater River from Lewiston, ID to Kamiah. In Lewiston, the river is broad, deep and to me looks unremarkable...like a lot of other rivers. But as you head upriver to Kamiah, and then on the ride on Saturday to Elk City along the South Fork of the Clearwater, the river becomes a raging whitewater torrent. If you went off the road, ...you'd last a couple seconds. I'd say the rapids are Class III and Class IV in places.
I think this trip to me, was defined by the river. Not only does the road twist and turn to follow the river, but the sights were defined by it. I saw bald eagles swooping like seagulls as they fished the river. Later, I saw probably 30 or more kayakers enjoying the challenge of the rapids. And then this morning coming back home, I was struck by how many fishermen were either along the bank or out on their boats fishing. And they were catching fish.
I suspect it might seem like every picture is similar...they are. The areas are mountainous and the rivers cut through them wild and untamed. And the roads follow the rivers. It makes for some great riding because in places the roads are very technical. One slip up could put you in the water...or splattering against an unyielding rock wall. But I just enjoy it for the experience.
Charlie led going over Stevens Pass on Friday. Here we're riding along the Wenatchee River coming up to Leavenworth, WA.
This was taken on Saturday on our way up to Elk City.
I can't understand why when the river tips like this, that the water doesn't fall out onto the road.
There were places where the waves were 6-10 feet high. Pictures just don't do it justice.
This was kind of fun. I made a wrong turn and when I got going the right way again, I spotted two riders from our group ahead of me. That's Bob on a Yamaha Tracer and someone else in front.
Chris
Took a wide loop to my daughter yesterday over bendy-wendy back roads past villages with monosyllabic names where closely related inhabitants live. Dodged playful thunderstorms and rain showers and had a few hours of Zen-biking.
well they did the CT scan but the MRI was not on the books, i'll have to get the doctor to order that asap. once home i had some collard greens, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, and a pork chop. sorry no apple sauce
i stayed in until i couldn't take it then put 12km on the IceBear just to kill some time
i stayed in until i couldn't take it then put 12km on the IceBear just to kill some time
Attachments
ChucksKLRST
Team Colorado
Today I needed to make one of my famous German Bakery Runs to Wimberger's Old World Bakery, down in Colorado Springs. So it was a good time to show the new bike (Honda NT1100D) how to get there and ride some of my favorite roads down by Deckers on the way home. Total trip 168 miles. It also gave me a chance to get familiar with the Dual Clutch Transmission on the bike and figure out how to work through the Auto mode and the manual mode and the combination of the two. Here are some pictures I took along the way.
Leaving the garage for our maiden voyage to the German Bakery in the Colorado Springs.
Along the way with Pikes Peak in the background
Pikes Peak snow covered in snow
At the German Bakery on Botts Street Colorado Springs.
The Goods
A rustic burger and beer place at Sprucewood Colorado.
Leaving the garage for our maiden voyage to the German Bakery in the Colorado Springs.
Along the way with Pikes Peak in the background
Pikes Peak snow covered in snow
At the German Bakery on Botts Street Colorado Springs.
The Goods
A rustic burger and beer place at Sprucewood Colorado.
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I took a short ride through Schitt's Creek aka Hockley Village and saw the sign has been replaced on the hotel. I just had to stop for a photo.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 1,105
- Age
- 71
- Location
- West Des Moines, IA
- Bike
- 2024 Kaw Vulcan S
- 2026 Miles
- 007631
Just HAD to get out for a ride. But lots to do today including going out to eat at a semi-fancy restaurant since it was my birthday. Also took the Cavalier, Charley, to the groomer, reinstalled the stair railing, removed the baby rabbits from one of my wife's BIG outdoor planter pots (still don't know how the mama bunny was able to get up to that one). Rode about 30 miles today.
Parts just came in at the dealer that I ordered but won't be picking those up until Saturday... so that will be another 40+ miles. So I'll then be doing the first oil/filter change on my Vulcan S early next week.
Parts just came in at the dealer that I ordered but won't be picking those up until Saturday... so that will be another 40+ miles. So I'll then be doing the first oil/filter change on my Vulcan S early next week.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 1,105
- Age
- 71
- Location
- West Des Moines, IA
- Bike
- 2024 Kaw Vulcan S
- 2026 Miles
- 007631
Rode to the Kawasaki dealer to pick up a few parts. I had ordered some axle nut cotter pins that were in. There was also a warranty part, a rear brake light switch, that I was told had arrived for me. I found that the rear brake light would stick ON sometimes and discovered it was due to a "catch" or detent that shouldn't be there in the rear brake light switch. I had adjusted it out of spec so I would have to push the rear brake harder to make the light turn on. But since I almost always use both front and rear brakes together I wasn't worried too much about it. Still, because it is a "new" bike I had the dealer order the switch. Turns out they ordered the front switch and not the rear switch. So that will be another ride when they correct their mistake. I don't mind too much since it is no charge to me (warranty) AND it's another ride.
Rode 47.6 miles today. That was planned to bring me right up to as close to 600 miles as I could get. That put me at 599 on the odometer... but likely JUST under 600 based on where I was when it turned over to that last mile. My odometer does not show tenths but it's still close enough to show Kawasaki I was right on time for the break-in oil/filter change. So I did that also this afternoon. Dumped out the factory break-in oil and mutilated the factory filter getting it off. They always seem to use an impact drill to install those at the factory. Stabbed a long screw driver through the old filter and still had a hard time to get it to move at all. The new filters I am using are HiFloFiltro HF303RC. One of the items Kawasaki officially named as a cross to the factory branded one. Being a Ninja engine it does use a racing filter. It has an O-ring seal and a nut on the end and the manual for the filter says the nut is only for removal as expected... but the instructions also state that if needed the nut CAN be used to install as long as torque is not higher than 32 ft lbs. Not to worry since torque per the bike owner manual is 12.9 ft lbs so I did use the nut. The nut on these filters are welded with a very wide flange to spread the torque when tightening so I felt OK doing that. Normally I wouldn't, but there was no way I was going to use my hands to get the filter anywhere close to that tight. Though it likely wouldn't drip even if I didn't get it to official torque. An no flutes on these filters so the only other way is to use a strap wrench.
Now I am ready to go on longer trips to go camping. I simply didn't want to take off on a trip and have to change the oil and filter while on the road. So now I have 7000 miles to the next regular service on the schedule.
edit: Took me 29 days to put the first 599 miles on the new bike. Actually only 570 miles of those are mine since there were 29 miles on the bike when I first looked at it.
Rode 47.6 miles today. That was planned to bring me right up to as close to 600 miles as I could get. That put me at 599 on the odometer... but likely JUST under 600 based on where I was when it turned over to that last mile. My odometer does not show tenths but it's still close enough to show Kawasaki I was right on time for the break-in oil/filter change. So I did that also this afternoon. Dumped out the factory break-in oil and mutilated the factory filter getting it off. They always seem to use an impact drill to install those at the factory. Stabbed a long screw driver through the old filter and still had a hard time to get it to move at all. The new filters I am using are HiFloFiltro HF303RC. One of the items Kawasaki officially named as a cross to the factory branded one. Being a Ninja engine it does use a racing filter. It has an O-ring seal and a nut on the end and the manual for the filter says the nut is only for removal as expected... but the instructions also state that if needed the nut CAN be used to install as long as torque is not higher than 32 ft lbs. Not to worry since torque per the bike owner manual is 12.9 ft lbs so I did use the nut. The nut on these filters are welded with a very wide flange to spread the torque when tightening so I felt OK doing that. Normally I wouldn't, but there was no way I was going to use my hands to get the filter anywhere close to that tight. Though it likely wouldn't drip even if I didn't get it to official torque. An no flutes on these filters so the only other way is to use a strap wrench.
Now I am ready to go on longer trips to go camping. I simply didn't want to take off on a trip and have to change the oil and filter while on the road. So now I have 7000 miles to the next regular service on the schedule.
edit: Took me 29 days to put the first 599 miles on the new bike. Actually only 570 miles of those are mine since there were 29 miles on the bike when I first looked at it.
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- Joined
- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 1,105
- Age
- 71
- Location
- West Des Moines, IA
- Bike
- 2024 Kaw Vulcan S
- 2026 Miles
- 007631
Since tomorrow is Memorial Day and there is family coming for a cook out on the grill... AND since it is expected to have a chance of rain... I went for a ride today. Rode to the Veteran's Cemetery. There were flags set up all along the highway all the way there for several miles. But only from the south, not from the north. Rode just over 37 miles. This pic is facing north.
The last bar on the gas gauge was flashing for several miles the last time I rode so I first stopped to fill up. I really didn't need to. MPG has been hovering around 52 MPG every time I fill up. Based on how much I put in I still had a gallon left in the tank. I could have gone another 52 miles before I was on fumes. I figure 192 miles per tank isn't bad. I usually like to stop for a break after 160-170 miles anyway... and top off the tank and get a drink of water.
The Ave MPG display on the dash consistently shows just over 55 MPG so it's actually closer than any other bike I've had that shows mileage.
Oh, and as suspected the odometer flipped over to 600 miles in less than .25 miles from my home.
The last bar on the gas gauge was flashing for several miles the last time I rode so I first stopped to fill up. I really didn't need to. MPG has been hovering around 52 MPG every time I fill up. Based on how much I put in I still had a gallon left in the tank. I could have gone another 52 miles before I was on fumes. I figure 192 miles per tank isn't bad. I usually like to stop for a break after 160-170 miles anyway... and top off the tank and get a drink of water.
The Ave MPG display on the dash consistently shows just over 55 MPG so it's actually closer than any other bike I've had that shows mileage.
Oh, and as suspected the odometer flipped over to 600 miles in less than .25 miles from my home.
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