Ride throu western Arkansas

[lsippell]

I went on a 350 mile ride yesterday through west central Arkansas. Was going to split it into a two day ride and camp out but after a couple hour supper break I figured what the heck, I’ll try out the new PIAA driving lights I installed a couple of weeks ago and finish up the last 120 miles to home. Wow, what a difference. They increased the comfortable riding speed at night at least 10 or 15 miles per hour. There was a lot of great scenery yesterday, and some curvy roads, some sharp and some high-speed sweepers. But the most interesting part of the ride was on a section of hwy 7 last night about 9pm. No traffic at all. Just me, the XJ, and a lot of sharp twisty’s. About 20 miles of that, and I had to take a break! I only saw 5 cars in that whole 120 miles until I got to Conway.

I’d go do the ride again tomorrow if only the XJ had a better seat. Actually, it’s got to be one of the most uncomfortable seats ever put on a motorcycle according to my backside. And I even have an inch of temperfoam under the seat cover. I remember on my last XJ, on a 3500 mile trip through the Southwest, by the time I got to Amarillo, I had to buy a sheepskin for the seat. And I left the Grand Canyon, heading home, sitting on a pillow. My wife won’t wide over 50 miles without a break. In fact, because of an XJ’s seat, she talked me into trading my first XJ in on a ’83 Venture Royal. I guess I ought to quit complaining, and get a custom seat made, but I like the way the XJ looks, and a custom seat would change it.

Louis

[olebiker]

Re: Ride throu western Arkansas

Originally posted by lsippell
I went on a 350 mile ride yesterday through west central Arkansas. Was going to split it into a two day ride and camp out but after a couple hour supper break I figured what the heck, I’ll try out the new PIAA driving lights I installed a couple of weeks ago and finish up the last 120 miles to home. Wow, what a difference. They increased the comfortable riding speed at night at least 10 or 15 miles per hour. There was a lot of great scenery yesterday, and some curvy roads, some sharp and some high-speed sweepers. But the most interesting part of the ride was on a section of hwy 7 last night about 9pm. No traffic at all. Just me, the XJ, and a lot of sharp twisty’s. About 20 miles of that, and I had to take a break! I only saw 5 cars in that whole 120 miles until I got to Conway.

I’d go do the ride again tomorrow if only the XJ had a better seat. Actually, it’s got to be one of the most uncomfortable seats ever put on a motorcycle according to my backside. And I even have an inch of temperfoam under the seat cover. I remember on my last XJ, on a 3500 mile trip through the Southwest, by the time I got to Amarillo, I had to buy a sheepskin for the seat. And I left the Grand Canyon, heading home, sitting on a pillow. My wife won’t wide over 50 miles without a break. In fact, because of an XJ’s seat, she talked me into trading my first XJ in on a ’83 Venture Royal. I guess I ought to quit complaining, and get a custom seat made, but I like the way the XJ looks, and a custom seat would change it.

Louis

After about six hours my butt gets sore which is not that bad but unlike some machines I've had, a little break don't fix it. So once I am sore I am done. I never found that a sheepskin helped all that much, I know some swear by them but I won't rush out and get one. I met a guy that rebuilt his passenger seat for his wife with a gel pack. He says that it has made all the difference in the world.

[skippy344]

Airhawk

I am thinking about buying a set of airhawks for Packmule.

1500 miles this weekend kinda decided that.

greg

[malber]

pxpls, kthx

[trbig]

I am thinking about buying a set of airhawks for Packmule.

Yeah?? Well hurry up and then report back on that will ya???


The words "guinea pig" comes to mind for some reason...


Tod

[trbig]

And.....

To TRULY test it out... you may as well come up this way to sort of see how it does on a trip!?

Can't wait to ride with you guys again.


Tod

[Brent]

Re: Re: Ride throu western Arkansas

Originally posted by olebiker


After about six hours my butt gets sore which is not that bad but unlike some machines I've had, a little break don't fix it. So once I am sore I am done. I never found that a sheepskin helped all that much, I know some swear by them but I won't rush out and get one. I met a guy that rebuilt his passenger seat for his wife with a gel pack. He says that it has made all the difference in the world.

Last weekend coming home trhrough Weasern Arkansaw on Hwy 8, I passed by the wheels & wings show at the small airport just west of Mena. Preety scenic rural area with many nice sweepers.

My butt did get a little sore, and I was thinking about my beaded or furry seat cover. Both are good for long distance. After arriving home in GA, I found my room key still in my back pocket.

Removing Key and mailing it back to Kiamichi Inn has helped

Happy motoring
Brent in GA

[STEPPENWOLF]

I have Warner Cable and they have a channel called Journey TV and Arkansas has about a two minute video wanting motorcyclist to come on down and enjoy the roads...thought that was progressive of them to encourge bike riders to come to the state.Looked like some nice roads and biker friendly.Might be a nice state to ride in.Just passing along a thought.

[Brent]

bikes welcome in Arkansas

Yes!
Stop at welcome center and if hostess recognizes that you are motorcyclisdt, She may offer you a brochure "Motorcycle rides In Arkansas" Showing routes, maps, etc - scenic & twisty. Free.

In contrast Deals Gap, Hwy 129 Tennessee - 7 LEO in 6 miles. Maybe 35 mph limit. Plenty of bikes giving warning signals & no one stopped.
Local merchants have complained that Bad news PR (90% hype) coverage by news media ("motorcyclists terrorize tourists") has hurt business. Law enforcement is making public show.
I did not feel too welcome there, and was glad to get out of TN without a ticket.

Happy motoring,
Brent in GA

Originally posted by STEPPENWOLF
I have Warner Cable and they have a channel called Journey TV and Arkansas has about a two minute video wanting motorcyclist to come on down and enjoy the roads...thought that was progressive of them to encourge bike riders to come to the state.Looked like some nice roads and biker friendly.Might be a nice state to ride in.Just passing along a thought.

[STEPPENWOLF]

Thanks Brent,have been thru AR about seven times but never on a sight seeing thing just a means to get to my destination.Looking at their video and a map looks like they have some nice roads to ride and aparently want my tourist dollar. I ride easy,I wanna see everything,got to stop at that historical marker type of mentality:-) Ohio put out an Ohio Mc map a few years back,mmstill might,nothing special but they were trying to lure in some bikers to my great state.
One more place I need to see!!! Will it ever end..............

[Brent]

where to ride

[QUOTE]Originally posted by STEPPENWOLF
[B]Thanks Brent,have been thru AR about seven times but never on a sight seeing thing just a means to get to my destination.Looking at their video and a map looks like they have some nice roads to ride and aparently want my tourist dollar. I ride easy,I wanna see everything,got to stop at that historical marker type of mentality:-) Ohio put out an Ohio Mc map a few years back,mmstill might,nothing special but they were trying to lure in some bikers to my great state.
One more place I need to see!!! Will it ever end..............

I hope not. And for some great fun, make some XS1100 rallys.

Those local XSives know some of the best roads and eating spots around. Many places you might otherwise miss, even with guide books.

Happy motoring,
brent in Ga

[STEPPENWOLF]

Brent,
I emailed arkansashighways.com and got a state map,well they sent me two so far but it looks like a sleeper state...a lot like Ohio,it's all flat flat and boring till ya get off the BIG roads then the fun begins.The big mountains of CO and UT etc are fun but foothills are even more fun,lots of sweepers and laid back riding.
As always you meet great people along the way.

[Brent]

Planning

Now you have maps for planning a ride to Talihina, Oklahoma, Just west of Mena, Arkansas at the end of the Talimena trail.

I have been twice and am not tired of it yet.

Brent in Ga

Originally posted by STEPPENWOLF
Brent,
I emailed arkansashighways.com and got a state map,well they sent me two so far but it looks like a sleeper state...a lot like Ohio,it's all flat flat and boring till ya get off the BIG roads then the fun begins.The big mountains of CO and UT etc are fun but foothills are even more fun,lots of sweepers and laid back riding.
As always you meet great people along the way.

[sbrogden]

I agree that Arkansas has a lot to offer motorcycle riders. They invite bikers and have thousands of miles of roads that beckon us to come ride.

Spent Memorial Day week there, earlier this year - http://brogdensmuse.menofhonorminist...ptains_Log.htm

[STEPPENWOLF]

Thanks for your ride report there SBROGDEN,enjoyed it and especially the pics. Looks like a good time by all.