800 mile round-trip next week. Input?

[DiverRay]

For a spare clutch/throttle cable, run it next to the one on the bike, and it will be easy to switch if you need it. I LIKE running a fairing, even in the heat. I wear mesh gear summer time, and keep cool that way. If you do go your "slow" route, the fuel should last longer, as you will be doing even less RPM's. Don't bother with gas can, and DO bring 1 spare quart of oil, as you never know...

[Diskman01]

For a spare clutch/throttle cable, run it next to the one on the bike, and it will be easy to switch if you need it. I LIKE running a fairing, even in the heat. I wear mesh gear summer time, and keep cool that way. If you do go your "slow" route, the fuel should last longer, as you will be doing even less RPM's. Don't bother with gas can, and DO bring 1 spare quart of oil, as you never know...

Hmm.. Awesome idea on the clutch cable! I will ziptie it along with the current one. Thanks for that one!

I dug my fairing out of my storage at lunchtime. Can't find my mounting frame. HOPEFULLY it's in the garage somewhere. Although I am seriously leaning to NOT using anything other than my safety gear. I will do a few test runs this evening and see. My faring is seriously ugly... It's the same 90's purple/green chameleon paint as my bike. I can live with my tank and sides being the 90's look.. But the fairing is just too much. Plus it's a Vetter knock-off and it has round lights, missing the "doors" and is generally ugly.

I plan on dragging about 3 quarts of 20w50 with me. I *HATE* buying gas-station oil at 9.99 a quart for "Frits' Brand 'erl!"... I really don't think I will need that much, but it's the first long trip with my 35 year old bike.

The "list" of updates/repairs on my "E" is growing. Thank jeebus I have my new lift table!

[BA80]

800 miles without something to keep the wind from pounding you will make every part of your upper torso numb. BTDT

[Diskman01]

800 miles without something to keep the wind from pounding you will make every part of your upper torso numb. BTDT

It's about 330 miles to my destination from here. I figure 800 total as I will be runnin' around for the weekend.. Then the 330 back.

This is what concerns me. Wind will be strong from my right side as I am East bound for 169 miles. Then I will be pushed North the rest of the way. Coming home will be INTO the S. wind.

I'll try the fairing this weekend and see if it angers me like before. I will add some "vent" holes in the plexi to keep the exhaust bubble away and hopefully reduce the low-pressure zone.

[BA80]

What brand fairing do you have?

[trbig]

I rode up to the Wisconsin rally last year on a naked bike. It really wasn't that bad at all, but I do prefer a fairing/windshield. I rode it home 1,000 miles in one day when I came back from the rally and still didn't think it was that bad. If you don't like the fairing, don't put it on. Some prefer riding naked.. ahem. Riding without a windshield and/or fairing in the rain sucks though.

Like I said.. I think you're worrying WAY too much about this. It's not exactly a 6,000 mile 4-corners tour. A 300 mile day is just going to piss your bike off that you stopped so soon.

[Diskman01]

What brand fairing do you have?

"Greater Hemispheres Company" in Miami Florida..


Pic of the ugly abused purple/green monster..




If THIS windshield was 4 inches taller I would run it all day every day.. It ALMOST works on the interstate. In town it's great. Just don't feel like laying out 250 for a Plexifairing at the moment..

[BA80]

That looks just like the Howe Kutter I have. Howe was out of Cedar Rapids Iowa. It's a good fairing, Vetter windshields fit but I had to drill mounting holes in them to match the holes in the fairing.

I used that one right up till this spring.

[trbig]

Discman: "Oh... but it looks cool on your bike though.." *Rolls eyes.. lol..

[BA80]

Discman: "Oh... but it looks cool on your bike though.." *Rolls eyes.. lol..

Smart a$$. I like that picture.

[Diskman01]

LOL. Ok, blasted 30 miles w/ no windshield other than the full face and gloves. (pants and shirt also...). I think no fairing or shield will be ok. I DO have that small street shield that I might try. Just to ease some wind off the front. I gotta put the highway pegs back on tho. 10 miles of 80mph into a stiff wind and THAT isnt gonna work for 100 or so miles later. I need lower deflectors. Or strap my knees to the tank.

Found out that I can pull 119 miles before I hit reserve. Guy I bought the bike from replaced the petcocks with some manual ones and I had to double check the valves. Yep, they are backwards. RES is normal and normal is RES. That's why I ran out of gas last year. lol. I really don't feel like messing with them. Just gotta remember that they are backwards.

[DiverRay]

I use a small shield on the MNS, and a 300 mile day IS doable. I think it's a "street shield", about 12" by 16". Goes from the top of the headlight bucket to just a little above the bars. It's great in that I do NOT feel as if I need to hold to keep from being blown off the bike.
I use the fairing/BMW for the LONG 1,000 mile days, cause I'm NOT trbig.

[BA80]

The fairing is the bomb if you hit weather though.

[trbig]

I use the fairing/BMW for the LONG 1,000 mile days, cause I'm NOT trbig.

I think most would agree that just one is plenty... even too much at times. lol.

Smart a$$. I like that picture.

I was just laughing because he was saying how ugly he thought his fairing was.. then you pipe up about having one just like it, pics and all. So what else could he have said? "Umm.. yup. Still think they're ugly as sin!" lol. As long as you like it, who cares what anyone else thinks, right? I mean.. there's guys out there that think even Harleys are cool.. .

[Diskman01]

I think most would agree that just one is plenty... even too much at times. lol.





I was just laughing because he was saying how ugly he thought his fairing was.. then you pipe up about having one just like it, pics and all. So what else could he have said? "Umm.. yup. Still think they're ugly as sin!" lol. As long as you like it, who cares what anyone else thinks, right? I mean.. there's guys out there that think even Harleys are cool.. .

I like the cut of your jib Sir.