XS Southeast 2015 discussion

[RichV]

I'm going to try and be there this year with my XS (not the Harley). It will all depend on whether or not I get my problems fixed.

[kboehringer]

Special Trip Planning.....

The XS1100 Special is not a very good touring bike and was never meant to be................ When the trip is over, the junk comes off and you have a lovely Special to tool around town on.

MadMax-im & Marty,
Thanks for the info. That bracketry to keep the bags off the suspension is something I could relatively easily fabricate in the machine shop at work. As stated, for only Friday & Saturday night we don't need much stuff. I also LOVE the looks of a stock Yamaha Special. I definitely want to pull that stuff off quickly and easily once the trip is done.

We frequently take an overnighter to Destin during the off-season and I am looking forward to Alabama Rt. 431 & Rt. 231 on the XS11. If all goes well to/from XSSE we'll be doing a Florida trip too.....

Kurt

[madmax-im]

a good bit of advice is that whatever gear you select or install on your bike...dont wait until the day of the big trip to find out something failed because you didnt do a trial run or shakedown to see what will or will not work...BTDT on more than one occaision...

[madmax-im]

FYI those are Yamaha OEM Hard bags...I dont have a part # though...the windscreen can be taken off...its a Plexistar 2 or 3...you should be able to find one for around $200 brand new...it does a great job deflecting the winds off you....with the hard bags I have just enough room for all my gear but then I still need an additional seat bag that straps down to the rear luggage rack...I pack as minimally as possible...

[jetmechmarty]

The XS1100 Special is not a very good touring bike and was never meant to be. Having said that, I've put up with the shortcomings and toured all over the place on mine. If you like the way a Special looks as I do, then putting proper touring luggage on it is going to detract from that appearance.

That soft luggage you have on there now is perfect for XS Southeast! I assume you have a room, and that means no camping gear. You need a change of underwear and a toothbrush. How much space does that take? You need to have rain gear. It will rain. It almost always does. It rains most years at this event, but we've had only one day wash out since 2002. It late September, it can be hot or cold and likely it will be hot and cold. Some sort of windscreen would be nice, but not necessary. If no screen then pack better rain gear.

Back to that soft luggage. You need to get it off the suspension and you're done. Build a support for it. You need something like this:


These may work and bolt straight up to the frame under the grab rail.

When the trip is over, the junk comes off and you have a lovely Special to tool around town on.

I have my own cure for the inadequacies of the XS Special. It's called another bike!

[kboehringer]

Hard Bag Model Numbers?

I suggest you and the wife take some day trips or short 1/2 day rides together .........heres a pic from the XSSE rally 2013...3 different styles of wind screens/mini...midi and maxi...mine is the middle bike...wind protection is pretty good on the road...in addition a good backrest for the wife might also be a good idea...

Madmax-im,
We're planning on a couple local rides. The ride to Warm Springs GA (little White House) is a nice low-key ride of about 30-40 miles from home and we're planning on doing that as soon as the bike is drive-able. Warm Springs seems to attract a LOT of bikers as the roads are nice & curvy and the traffic is very light. We've driven around the neighborhood to a couple local parks on the Maxim 550 but that is almost too far for that little bike.

I'll also need to get a little highway practice in with a passenger too as I've never done that before either.

I got the back rest installed yesterday after modifying the mounting brackets to fit the XS. The wife sat on the bike and likes the back rest.

It looks like your bike and the one to the left of it have the same type/style hard bags? What is the brand & model number of those? I'll start searching for some.............

One of the reasons the only long ride I ever took was so uncomfortable was because of the wind. After about 50 miles, the novelty and fun of "wind in your face" is no longer an enjoyment. I'll start looking for one of the mini windscreens too.

Sincerely,
Kurt

[madmax-im]

I suggest you and the wife take some day trips or short 1/2 day rides together so you get some experiences in before you set off 2 up to the Iron Horse...soft luggage isnt bad but there isnt alot of storage capacity...if you can find some hard bags and a top trunk then you might be have enough capacity to pull it off...if you dont have a full fairing then a plexiglass windscreen is still a good idea...riding 200 miles fighting headwinds will get tiring quickly.. heres a pic from the XSSE rally 2013...3 different styles of wind screens/mini...midi and maxi...mine is the middle bike...wind protection is pretty good on the road...in addition a good backrest for the wife might also be a good idea...

[kboehringer]

BAGGER How To?

XS Folks,
I'm trying to get the bike ready for XS-SE. I've owned probably 20+ street bikes but never took one on any sort of an "over-nighter". I once drove my KZ750 from Norfolk, VA to my home in the Poconos, PA (about 400 miles) and swore I would never do such a thing again. That bike was really not made for long rides. I've never driven any sort of long distance with a passenger (maybe 50 miles maximum). The ride to Iron Horse is probably about 200 miles for me.

My wife is kinda excited about getting out on the bike and going to XS-SE. She mentioned it to a co worker and he DONATED a set of soft-bags to the project. I've never owned a bike with bags or a sissy-bar for that matter. I'm guessing these bags were made for a crotch-rocket and not for a old cruiser.





Unfortunately, I don't think they're going to work for me?

I've searched around the site and found a couple pics of XS11's with bags. Seems there is a Vetter set that looks and fits the bikes nicely. I was not able to find any threads for "Newbie Travelers" that could help a guy like me find and install the right stuff. Whatever I put on I would like to be easy to get off so the bike can be in stock form for local use.

Any suggestions about preparing for the XS-SE ride would be appreciated.

Respectfully,
KURT

[JeffH]

I just got my room confirmed! Hopefully, I won't be the spectator & wife without a bike! But, considering where the Ugly Duckling Started, I should be able to get 'er done!
KURT

Atlanta Area XS Guys,

Is anyone dragging a trailer to the rally with an open slot available? I would make a donation to the vehicle's fuel costs if so.

I would like to take/drive my XS11 but I'm not really sure it will be ready I don't want to be a spectator without a bike -

SS exhaust is done, and I've had enough time to make sure it runs properly, and the tires are good, and the brakes are good.... if all that happens.... I'll drive the XS to NC with the bride on the back

Otherwise, the only bike I have is the XJ550 Maxim. It looks good and runs GREAT! But it's not a long-ride 200 mile highway bike.

If you're somewhere in the ATL region, with an open slot on a trailer, that you're already taking, please let me know.

KURT

FLORIDA & ATLANTA AREA SE Rally Goers

Normal routine the past 3-4 years has been: On Thursday afternoon I ride from Atlanta to Days Inn - Cornelia. The Florida riders meet me there Thursday afternoon. Friday AM Brent joins us about 9AM then we pickup jetmech enroute. Whole group rides up to Iron Horse together. Stop for BBQ lunch. Since we are Planning & Hosting the Rally we get to I-H by 2:30pm to 3pm to set up.

So that is an option. Beat the ATL traffic and ride up Thurs afternoon Sept 24th to Cornelia then ride up to Iron Horse with us on Friday.

Good Luck with your XS project. Sure hope you can get all set by Sept 24 so you can join us in Cornelia.

Jeff

[kboehringer]

Private Room Confirmed.

I just got my room confirmed! Hopefully, I won't be the spectator & wife without a bike! But, considering where the Ugly Duckling Started, I should be able to get 'er done!
KURT

[madmax-im]

Dont forget the Tuskeegee Motel...it is 5 miles away but if you want a roof over your head it is an inexpensive option.

[mastan]

I just called in my reservation and was not able to get a semi-private cabin. If you are planning on going and don't camp or bunkhouse, better get on it!
I'm looking forward to this ride!
Mark

[madmax-im]

I don't think it is carb related since I am not leaking gas out of the air box..maybe a bad plug wire.Coils came off a vr 1000 honda. Will pull plugs tomorrow to narrow it down to the right cyl.
My skills are pretty rusty but you don't wanna be a noobie on these bikes especially fully dressed.
Once I get a few miles under my belt.....I will say I still got it.
Scott..I am much better from when you saw me last on the Ohio River with Don
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtkP5gTX6Hc

Noiiicee...

[kboehringer]

Trailer from ATL Area to Rally?

Atlanta Area XS Guys,

Is anyone dragging a trailer to the rally with an open slot available? I would make a donation to the vehicle's fuel costs if so.

I would like to take/drive my XS11 but I'm not really sure it will be ready I don't want to be a spectator without a bike -

Now that I pretty much have all the "missing pieces" for my XS, it's time to start on the more demanding and delicate work. I will be pulling the head off the XS11 later today to address the bad head gasket. If all goes well; and I am also able to get the valves properly adjusted, and get some sort of an exhaust rigged up until the SS exhaust is done, and I've had enough time to make sure it runs properly, and the tires are good, and the brakes are good.... if all that happens.... I'll drive the XS to NC with the bride on the back

Otherwise, the only bike I have is the XJ550 Maxim. It looks good and runs GREAT! But it's not a long-ride 200 mile highway bike.

I do have a lawn trailer that I hauled the XS home from Alabama with my 2.3 liter I-4 Honda Accord. However, that trip thoroughly taught me that it was much too demanding on my little Accord's motor. My stable is full of I-4 Accords (4) and a Trans Am & Z-28 which could each pull a tractor trailer full of XS11's but there's no hitch on either (YET).

If you're somewhere in the ATL region, with an open slot on a trailer, that you're already taking, please let me know.

KURT

[3Phase]

I needed, thaat!



Clap for the Wolfman!




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