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I just returned from my first long journey on the 79 special. My boss's wedding took place in Bonner's Ferry, Idaho, which is about 425 miles from Stanwood,WA. Some friends and I left about 7 am to to start our trip. We decided to take the more scenic route of Hwy 2 to Spokane and then into Idaho. Another group of 12 bikes ( all Harleys) took I-90. Boring!!
The day before I installed a touring seat that came with the bike. I'm amazed at how comfortable it was on that long trip. After 8 hrs + in the saddle I wasn't tired at all. Aside from less than desired mpg (about 35-38), the Special is just that. What a great bike. The more I ride it the more I love the way it handles and the awesome power these bikes have when they're running right.
It pulled Steven's pass like it was a mole hill! I was a little concerned about how the elevation gain would affect the mixture of the carbs but it never missed a beat. It seemed as if the longer I rode the better the bike ran. Maybe it needed to stretch it's legs as much as I did. Speaking of stretching, I had a leather duffle strapped on the sissy bar and with my boots up on the crash bars, the throttle lock on, leaned back into it and easy ridered it all the way. Once into Idaho, off came the brain buckets. Wow, I'd almost forgotten how free one can feel unencumbered from the helmet.
We arrived in Bonner's Ferry about 4:30 pm. The weather was perfect @ 80*
We saw moose and the beautiful scenery was all around. After settling down in our Motel we rode up to the boss's place to say hello and to check out the surroundings. What a gorgeous place it is. The next day the wedding took place as scheduled then the bride and groom wanted our entourage of 25 bikes ( all Harleys except for 1 Indian, 1 GoldWing, 1 CrotchRocket, and my 79 XS1100sf) to ride into Troy, Montana. More great scenery flew by as everyone tried to outrun each other. Let me tell you that none of the Harleys could even come close to out pacing the eleven. The only possible contender was the afore mentioned CrotchRocket. Triple digits were eclipsed several times by yours truely. (Don't tell the wife!
)
On Sunday it was time to call in the dogs, piss on the fire and head it on back to bowlegs. We exited promptly @ 7 am once again, leaving the Harley riders to sleep off their hangovers. On the way back we took a different route via Hwy 2 to Hwy 28 to Ephrata. The ride down along the Columbia and Rock Island Dam is breathtaking. We stopped in Cashmere for a break and needed refreshments. It was 87* I already looked like a raccoon from the sun on my face.
The only bummer of the trip was the stop and go traffic from Startup to Monroe. It took a half hour to go 10 miles.
Nevertheless, the odometer had 950 or so miles more then when we left. Not quite an IronButt but a BronzeButt to be sure! I have a newfound respect for the Yamaha and a great memory of riding with friends. Peace, Ruffrider
The day before I installed a touring seat that came with the bike. I'm amazed at how comfortable it was on that long trip. After 8 hrs + in the saddle I wasn't tired at all. Aside from less than desired mpg (about 35-38), the Special is just that. What a great bike. The more I ride it the more I love the way it handles and the awesome power these bikes have when they're running right.
It pulled Steven's pass like it was a mole hill! I was a little concerned about how the elevation gain would affect the mixture of the carbs but it never missed a beat. It seemed as if the longer I rode the better the bike ran. Maybe it needed to stretch it's legs as much as I did. Speaking of stretching, I had a leather duffle strapped on the sissy bar and with my boots up on the crash bars, the throttle lock on, leaned back into it and easy ridered it all the way. Once into Idaho, off came the brain buckets. Wow, I'd almost forgotten how free one can feel unencumbered from the helmet.
We arrived in Bonner's Ferry about 4:30 pm. The weather was perfect @ 80*
We saw moose and the beautiful scenery was all around. After settling down in our Motel we rode up to the boss's place to say hello and to check out the surroundings. What a gorgeous place it is. The next day the wedding took place as scheduled then the bride and groom wanted our entourage of 25 bikes ( all Harleys except for 1 Indian, 1 GoldWing, 1 CrotchRocket, and my 79 XS1100sf) to ride into Troy, Montana. More great scenery flew by as everyone tried to outrun each other. Let me tell you that none of the Harleys could even come close to out pacing the eleven. The only possible contender was the afore mentioned CrotchRocket. Triple digits were eclipsed several times by yours truely. (Don't tell the wife!
)On Sunday it was time to call in the dogs, piss on the fire and head it on back to bowlegs. We exited promptly @ 7 am once again, leaving the Harley riders to sleep off their hangovers. On the way back we took a different route via Hwy 2 to Hwy 28 to Ephrata. The ride down along the Columbia and Rock Island Dam is breathtaking. We stopped in Cashmere for a break and needed refreshments. It was 87* I already looked like a raccoon from the sun on my face.
The only bummer of the trip was the stop and go traffic from Startup to Monroe. It took a half hour to go 10 miles.
Nevertheless, the odometer had 950 or so miles more then when we left. Not quite an IronButt but a BronzeButt to be sure! I have a newfound respect for the Yamaha and a great memory of riding with friends. Peace, Ruffrider
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