Good luck. Don't know if you saw my note but I'm in Johnstown, NY. pfj53 on this site. Let me know how your trip goes. I'm heading out to Chicago in July, maybe around Lake Superior but will probably take my Yamaha Virago 1100.
Buelling across America!
- Thread starter jl551c
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T-1 week and counting. Johnstown, that's pretty close. I grew up in Galway. Our school teams use to play each other. I'll post my progress daily. Stay in touch this summer. Maybe we'll go tear up the Adirondacks. BTW, a Virigo was my first brand new bike way back in the early 80s. I put lots of miles on that bike.
And no, I didn't get your note.
Went to Saratoga today. 55 and very windy. Hasn't hit 70 yet this month. Anyway, my name is Paul Fiore. I got my '09 Ulysses with 8 miles on it from a guy in North Greenfield on rt. 9N a couple of years ago. Just hit 8,600 today. Have a D&D muffler system with EBR ECM. What a great, fun bike. Feel free to contact me at 518 705-0610 if you want to connect for a ride.
The weather's got to warm up soon. Hopefully by the time I get there. Weird weather this year. 8 miles only, geez, that's crazy. I cruise thru N. Greenfield on 9N all the time, small world. If you're planning on going to Americade let me know, I"m 10 miles south of Lake George and would like to meet you. I"ll hang on to your name and number, thanks.
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I'm pretty sure I'm going to Americade. I'll let you know. I also go to Laconia. My brother has a house on Lake Winnepasaukee which is only 3 miles from Weir's Beach. About a 6 hour ride (200 miles mostly on rt. 4 all the way). 45 mph. I must pass 1,000 cars along the way. It's good to have a Buell XB.
The 8 miles.....the guy bought two, one for him, one for his wife and then they split. I paid $7,500 and it didn't come with the cases or hardware so it was kind of top dollar I think but it was brand new. I didn't see anything else I could get this nice for the same price. That's what I get for hanging out on Craigslist. She never even rode it once. Never had the first service. Had to get new battery, change oil, etc. Damn fork seals were gone within 500 miles. Must have dried up. I forgot to change the rear wheel bearings when I put on the first rear tire change at about 5,000 miles. Only been in rain once for about 3 minutes so they're probably OK. Just makes me cringe a little after all I've heard about them.
The 8 miles.....the guy bought two, one for him, one for his wife and then they split. I paid $7,500 and it didn't come with the cases or hardware so it was kind of top dollar I think but it was brand new. I didn't see anything else I could get this nice for the same price. That's what I get for hanging out on Craigslist. She never even rode it once. Never had the first service. Had to get new battery, change oil, etc. Damn fork seals were gone within 500 miles. Must have dried up. I forgot to change the rear wheel bearings when I put on the first rear tire change at about 5,000 miles. Only been in rain once for about 3 minutes so they're probably OK. Just makes me cringe a little after all I've heard about them.
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I'm pretty sure I'm going to Americade. I'll let you know. I also go to Laconia. My brother has a house on Lake Winnepasaukee which is only 3 miles from Weir's Beach. About a 6 hour ride (200 miles mostly on rt. 4 all the way). 45 mph. I must pass 1,000 cars along the way. It's good to have a Buell XB.
For your trip.....bug repellent and sunscreen. Also bring something to put under the kickstand. Found mine laying in the mud one morning after a rainstorm. Once that long kick stand goes deep in mud you ain't gettin it up by yourself. Might be fine before going to tent but if it rains, down she goes. I also found a very tiny packed bike half cover called "Not just a Bike". Forget manufacturer. Also medical kit. Don't hesitate to use 5 hour energy if you get a little tired. I actually dozed off once on an extremely hot day on a long trip. Yea, dozed off! On a bike! Shezus. I like the UP Michigan, Canada idea. I've been in UP and on southern side the beaches are magnificent. Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio are completely, and I mean completely FLAT with very little else. Beautiful in their own way but your route is far superior. Also, you WILL freeze going over the passes in Colorado or anywhere in the Rockies. I was there in July and it was 45-50 in passes over 10,000 feet. In May it's possible for anything, even snow. Check out weather before attempting a mountain pass.
For your trip.....bug repellent and sunscreen. Also bring something to put under the kickstand. Found mine laying in the mud one morning after a rainstorm. Once that long kick stand goes deep in mud you ain't gettin it up by yourself. Might be fine before going to tent but if it rains, down she goes. I also found a very tiny packed bike half cover called "Not just a Bike". Forget manufacturer. Also medical kit. Don't hesitate to use 5 hour energy if you get a little tired. I actually dozed off once on an extremely hot day on a long trip. Yea, dozed off! On a bike! Shezus. I like the UP Michigan, Canada idea. I've been in UP and on southern side the beaches are magnificent. Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio are completely, and I mean completely FLAT with very little else. Beautiful in their own way but your route is far superior. Also, you WILL freeze going over the passes in Colorado or anywhere in the Rockies. I was there in July and it was 45-50 in passes over 10,000 feet. In May it's possible for anything, even snow. Check out weather before attempting a mountain pass.
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njloco
Well-known member
Americade, never heard of it, but I've been out of the motorcycle world for awhile, looks interesting, I might have to check it out. I'm sorry to say, that I haven't been to Laconia since around 1971 or 72. I know it was one of the coldest days they had on record, but it was great and worth it.
I've got most of what you said. I do need something for the kickstand and 5 hour sounds right. Concerning the UP, Canada idea, I think I'm going to cross into Ontario on 17 and head due south in Espanola down to Manitoulin Island, take the ferry across Lake Huron/Georgian Bay and proceed to Toronto. I was planning on avoiding anything resembling a big city, but a NY buddy of mine wants to meet me on the final leg or two, so I think we'll meet in Toronto and catch a game. Yanks are in town in that time period so we might catch a game, stay the night and head to Lake Luzerne the next morning. I've taken Ferries before while out riding, i.e. Lake Champlain, and there's something fun about it. From Toronto I'll travel the north side of Lake Ontario to Upstate NY.
Yes, if I have any trepidation, (as Lunatic called it), it's the 10,000 ft passes in Colorado. Timing for weather and warmth has to be just right. I do feel I have good enough gear to stay warm, I just hope it's dry. Just in case, I'm taking a couple of tiedown straps if I have to throw the bike in the back of some pickup truck to get over a snowy pass.
Americade. It's focused mainly on touring bikes, but when I've been there it's all kinds of bikes. Google "Americade". Picture 100,000 people over a few days. Bikes lined up and down the streets. It happens on beautiful Lake George, NY. I have a place 10 miles south of Lake George. I started a thread a week or go seeing if I could get any response from BuellXBers that may be attending. It'd be fun to get together at my place. I've got a house on the Hudson River that's ideal for a get together. Here's a pic of my 07 SS on my deck:
I'm on that deck with a beer in my hand. It would be great to meet some fellow Buell riders or bikers of any make/model. I've never seen a bike I don't like. The Toronto/ Yankee stop sounds fantastic. I've been a diehard Yankee fan since a kid. Got a foul ball thrown by Mel Stottlemeyer vs. Brooks Robinson bashed into the right field upper deck back in late '60's.
There's nothing like the anticipation of an adventure like yours. It brings out a little "rush" like you don't get much in today's sterilized life and leaves you with memories and adventures you'll never be able to buy. I also took the ferry across Lake Champlain coming back from a trip up to VT. Very much enjoyed it. I'll be on the trip vicariously as I follow your blog. Can't wait to start my trip this summer.
Don't know if you did the dual headlight mod. but I tried the trick of leaving the light switch in the "in between" position and it works fine. Why mess with the wiring system. It gives you three options; high, low, both.
There's nothing like the anticipation of an adventure like yours. It brings out a little "rush" like you don't get much in today's sterilized life and leaves you with memories and adventures you'll never be able to buy. I also took the ferry across Lake Champlain coming back from a trip up to VT. Very much enjoyed it. I'll be on the trip vicariously as I follow your blog. Can't wait to start my trip this summer.
Don't know if you did the dual headlight mod. but I tried the trick of leaving the light switch in the "in between" position and it works fine. Why mess with the wiring system. It gives you three options; high, low, both.
OK, a beer on the deck it is. We'll stay in touch and get together.
T-3 days and counting. I think I packed and unpacked 6 times before getting into this configuration. I'm glad I started the packing a week out. I needed the time to change some items and reduce some things. The cold weather gear really took up a lot of room. Just need to wash the bike and do an oil and filter change. First stop will be Bishop, California.
I wish I could do something about the pics coming out sideways.
Late entry: I took my bike for a good ride all loaded up. I couldn't tell that there was any luggage loaded. It felt as nimble as ever. I might be hearing the wind a little different, but it could be my imagination. This is gonna be fun.
Just lay down on your side when you take the pics and they will appear upright! ha ha ha :black_eyed:
I'll be keeping an eye out for updates:up:
Looks nice and tidy. It's gonna be a blast.
Day 1 Arroyo Grande Ca to Bishop Ca in the books
I took off at 9 AM this morning and headed out. I stopped at an old friends house and chatted for a bit and gave him the 5 pounds of gunpowder I owed him and hit the road. Completed 362 miles. Got 43.5 mpg. Not bad for a full load and a 200+ pounder driving it. It was a great day for riding. Aside from crossing thru Bakersfield and Highway 99 for 18 miles it was a blast. Highway 178 was twisty and inclined and I felt like Marc Marquez thru the turns, (only I can't drag my elbows). Lots of twisties. I then went to Highway 14/395 and droned up that highway at 80. There were electronic signs saying to be wary of the deer migration over the highway and the occasional Elk crossing sign to keep me looking up ahead. There weren't as many turns on 395 but the scenery was spectacular. Snow on the easter Sierras. Bishop is a different kind of town than my town on the coast. Really has a western theme, with lots of hikers and outdoorsy type of people. Outdoor sporting goods stores everywhere. Earthmuffins too, think of cute young blondes with tattoos and dreadlocks and smelling of mosquito repellent wearing hiking boots. Cool place.
The Brave Ulysses ran like a champ. Not a single hiccup.
I took off at 9 AM this morning and headed out. I stopped at an old friends house and chatted for a bit and gave him the 5 pounds of gunpowder I owed him and hit the road. Completed 362 miles. Got 43.5 mpg. Not bad for a full load and a 200+ pounder driving it. It was a great day for riding. Aside from crossing thru Bakersfield and Highway 99 for 18 miles it was a blast. Highway 178 was twisty and inclined and I felt like Marc Marquez thru the turns, (only I can't drag my elbows). Lots of twisties. I then went to Highway 14/395 and droned up that highway at 80. There were electronic signs saying to be wary of the deer migration over the highway and the occasional Elk crossing sign to keep me looking up ahead. There weren't as many turns on 395 but the scenery was spectacular. Snow on the easter Sierras. Bishop is a different kind of town than my town on the coast. Really has a western theme, with lots of hikers and outdoorsy type of people. Outdoor sporting goods stores everywhere. Earthmuffins too, think of cute young blondes with tattoos and dreadlocks and smelling of mosquito repellent wearing hiking boots. Cool place.
The Brave Ulysses ran like a champ. Not a single hiccup.
well, there goes the sideways pictures again.....
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