I dropped 16 wheels

[Pat Kelly]

I drive my 18-wheeler all over the western US. Finally I'm doing a thousand miles on the XS.
Heading out in the morning to Nampa, ID for a family reunion. Returning on Mon.
Will be interesting with no speedometer. Original broke, replacement broke. Next replacement never arrived. Cateye speedo now broke too. I now have another replacement but haven't installed it yet (still need a cable too).
Have a good weekend y'all and if you spot a blue XS on Hwy 99 in CA, I-80 in CA and NV, or Hwy 95 in NV, OR, and ID... that be me.

[trbig]

Pat,

You can get a cheap GPS for @ $120 that can keep you on course AND show your actual true speed... not the 30 year old's version..

Yeah, it's a bit of money, but I just use the suction cup holder on the front left of my tank and go.


Tod

[tbishop11]

GPS, thats Brilliant!

That GPS might be just what I need! I don't want to put a speedo on my bobber, but sure would like the perk of knowing how fast I was going as well as where I'm going. How big is it?

[trbig]

??? Maybe 3X4 inches? Go to your local Walmart and check them out.


Tod

[Russ79]

Man Tod is right on, that GPS is a really great gadget. I have one, and I will not leave home without it. The suction cup will hold up stuck to the inside of the windshield at 100 mph plus, and is easy to use, even with gloves on. For the money, one of the best pieces of gear I have ever bought.

Russ

[Wildkat]

but sure would like the perk of knowing how fast I was going

For a fee... your local LEO will be glad to let you know this info...


John bought me a GPS but I'm wondering how well the suction cup base will do without a windshield to keep the resistance lower?

[DGXSER]

For a fee... your local LEO will be glad to let you know this info...


John bought me a GPS but I'm wondering how well the suction cup base will do without a windshield to keep the resistance lower?

Heck he could buy a few and still be cheaper than your current fee rate!!

[Pat Kelly]

I used a BMW as a spedometer.
I got to McDermitt, NV and stopped for fuel (next gas 100 miles). As I filled-up a BMW GS pulled-up and refuelled too. We talked a bit and turned out that he was heading to Boise, ID.... 20 miles past where I was going, so we rode together.
I was cruising this trip at 4,500 RPM. When we stopped he said I was doing 82MPH, going up tp 120MPH when I passed 'slower' traffic. He also said that when I accellerated he couldn't keep-up .
He's from San Pedro, CA and a nice guy. We swapped phone#s as I drive to L.A. all the time for work (I pick-up Chx of the Sea in San Pedro all the time).
Might head back home Sunday if my Bro-in-Law shows up on his Goldwing and ride back with him. Otherwise I'll caravan with the family (them in the Suburban) and give the kids turns on the bike.
My only mechanical problem is the charging system. My voltmeter is reading that it's charging at 1.5 volts. I hope it's the gauge going out. I already have a Geezer reg/rec on the bike.

ps. I do have my GPS with me (Navigon 5100MAX). It sat in my pocket the whole time. Maybe I'll get some velcro to stick it on my dash for the ride home.

[Pat Kelly]

Gasp!!!

I made it back home........ barely
Bike isn't charging (again). Replaced the charging coil and magnetic rotor, Geezers reg/rec., cleaned and (dilecrtic)greased all the connections. Bike was charging at 14 v until 1 hour into the trip. Dropped to 11 then 10 v.
Got to ID and bike would start with a jump but never charged. Bought a new battery to get home on. Tried charging it with the Suburban at one gas stop. Car voltmeter read 14v but bike only showed 11.5v. Rolled into home with lights barely glowing and voltmeter showed 8v (shouldn't be running I thought).

Anyway, had to go to a Honda dealer for the battery. Looked at the bikes and one caught my eye.....
ST1300.
Almost considering an upgrade, but that would entail getting rid of at least one of the XS's.

<sigh>

[motoman]

Hmmm...............a Midnite and a STeed................nice combo..............don't get much better. You can cruise, and then you can REALLY cruise!

[Wildkat]

Glad you made it home safely, Pat!

although a bit in the dark...

No speeding tickets?

As for the ST1300....
ohhhhhhhhhhh yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaah

I like those too!

Tempting for certain

[Pat Kelly]

I did read on Wicipedia that 43% of ST owners complained of a wobble at around 110 MPH. Some Police Dept.s have stopprd using them for just this reason.
I seldom go over 100 anymore so that might be OK.

Back to work today. Heading to San Diego for a 6am delivery tomorrow then Los A and Ontario.

I personally refer to it as Slo Cal instead of So Cal

[DeanR]

Pat, since I got my ST, the XS kinda sits in the garage all the time! Not good, but geez the Honda is a great bike.