Where did you ride today?

The boss lady and I went for a 135 mile ride to grandfather mountain and blowing rock NC. Top left is the via duct on the parkway and the bottom left is what was knights in main
 

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Real short ride, moving Lady to New parking spot in the Tractor shop. For me it was a momentess achievement, considering that a last fall could barely get it off side stand , and. Today rode to New spot and put her up on center stand with no help. First picture is old spot, second is the new parking spot.IMG_6479.jpgIMG_6758.jpg
 
Took the big Versys and rode around the block and up onto my Harbor Freight Lift. Needed to warm up the engine but not too hot as it was time for it's annual oil change. Rode only 2600 miles on the bike this past year. I change oil every 4000 miles or one year which ever comes first.

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The grass was looking a little narley. Couldn’t get the rider out because the outdoor furniture is blocking it. So get the self propelled mower out. 3.6 miles later according to my iPhone, my feets are killing me from the boots that I haven’t worn since fall. I noticed I’ve dropped two places in the Mileage Tracker. Still nice, mid 50’s. Go for ride. No ice cream, just 81 miles. Productive day all around. Even got the toy hauler ready for FerrySTOC. Truly blessed. Here’s the proof that I did the work.
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Left my ST-1300 untouched today because I had many errands to run but I did drive the cage over to the Harley Davidson dealership where they had a demo day event I got a cookie from the Christian motorcyclist Association tent and then I got a chance to ride anyone of 15 different HD motorcycles that were available I picked a sport touring type bike Harley's Pan America 1250 ST. (or just "S"?)

It was very nice & comfortable, had tons of torque, great power to weight ratio, super smooth shifting clutch and transmission.
 

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Down along the South Platte river to Deckers Corner to get a cup of coffee and check on the progress of the Deckers Cafe' new owners renovation. Due to open in about 4 weeks. 110 miles round trip with the Big Versys. Three and a half hours.

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I was thinking as I rode north to the North Cascades National Highway that I've done this ride before...many times...and even several times in one season. But each time lifts me up mentally, and each time something changes. so each time is unique in its own way.

Many people call this the "American Alps". I think you can see why...

This is on Hwy 9 heading north before turning onto Hwy 20 (North Cascades Highway)

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This is heading into Darrington Hwy 530. Can you imagine living at the foot of those mountains? The residents of Darrington do.

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Gorge Lake is off to the right. Diablo is on the left where you see the turnoff.

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Lunch break

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Across the road from where I ate lunch. I got down on the ground to get that pic...the mountains rise that high and so close to the road.

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Turning around to head home.

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FWIW, I turned over 10K on the bike. Bought it last July. MPG was 61.8.

Chris
 
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The weather was perfect. The sun finally came out and while we do not have majestic snow covered peaks or winding ocean fronted roads I did mange to take my ST1300 on the short loop that includes Ida and Tom Bean Texas. This was the first outing since the fork rebuild and brake fluid change. I can report no fork leaks, a pleasant ride and brakes that are a wee bit more savage than they used to be. (the rear brake peddle works now without slop.) It just gets better and better.

(edit) I did it again. I couldn't resist another ride. We get so few perfect riding days in my part of Texas. It's either rain (actually storms), ice or amazingly hot. Today the sun was shining in a big blue sky, the wing was light out of the north, mid sixties and I was riding on one of the best motorcycle I have had the privilege to own. It was just wonderful.
 
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After painting primer in the stairwell (lots of ladder work) I was exhausted. But I wanted to get a ride in anyway so went out on a short 32 miles out in the country. Still keeping the RPMs below 4000 so kept to country roads. Used my Google Maps GPS to watch how close the speedo is to actual. Figured out it is about 6.7% optimistic. More offset than my AK and my older Rav4. I find almost every vehicle is optimistic by some degree.

Only 12 more miles of keeping the RPM under 4000. I currently have 238 miles on the bike. After that the recommended limit is 6000 RPM. I should be able to go any legal speed in Iowa with that... including I-80 or I-35. 4000 RPM in 6th gear = 50 MPH actual (53 MPH on the meter). That will go until I get 400 miles on the odometer and then it's just moderate riding up to 600 miles where I'll do the break-in oil/filter change. I should be able to get that done by the end of the month.

I will say it is very different seeing and hearing a much higher engine rev for any given speed and also very hard to keep it under 4000 RPM just going through the gears. Even for me who is a very conservative rider. This bike wants to get up to at least 5000 RPM for each upshift. I guess that's the Ninja heritage of the engine and transmission. This engine starts to lug at close to 2500 RPM. Up to now I've been riding a motorcycle dressed as a scooter. Now I'm riding a sports bike dressed as a cruiser!
 
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