blkmkiii

iTrader: (2)

Horribly slow, I managed to put 3,000 miles on it weekend riding it for half a summer. Rode on avg 250 miles per weekend. Thing was a blast.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

I just put over 3k miles on my Buell, during a little family roadtrip this last week.


Just before we left home:




Stopped in AZ to take a massive **** next to a massive cactus:



Made it to the coast, after riding through San Diego to visit family. Mind you, this is now over 1000 miles from home:



Ran into some indians at the motel:



Ate pizza, drank lotsa beer, went bowling:




Kicked it with this bird, got bit by this bird:





Saw a cool rock:




"the ragged edge", this is on the PCH (hwy 1), which we rode for most of the ride up the coast.




Went to a laguna seca themed bar/restaurant (turn 12 in Monterey, CA):




Stayed with some family in Monterey, brother snapped this pic just before we took off for the day:




Went to Mazda Raceway (Laguna Seca)






AMG was there doing some testing with their latest batch of supercars, we were checking out the corkscrew and a lady working there asked if we wanted to check out the corkscrew on the other side of the fence since the AMG team just went on lunch break, of course we did.

The corkscrew has a lot more elevation change in person than you realize in the pictures:




To be continued...

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

1600 miles into roadtrip and chill, when your Buell gives you this look:



Swapped batteries with my brothers bike, started right up. Jump started his bike, and rode off. Of course 30 miles down the road she sputters, the CEL comes on, then eventually the bike just cuts out. Battery dead again.

Clearly a charging system issue, and we didn't bring a multi-meter in our tool kit (lesson learned!), rented a UHAUL truck, loaded up all 3 bikes, and continued the remaining 150 miles to sacramento in that. Sacramento is our destination before going home, to visit an old family friend who builds hot rods in sac. Anyways, we have a fully stocked garage there and head that way via uhaul.

At the shop I pulled apart the bike expecting the worst. The charging system would be simple to replace, but getting that part would be a nightmare. Especially considering i have the parts at home (parts bike), and a HD dealership would not likely be of much help.

Luckily once we pulled the bike apart to test the stator, it was clearly working correctly. We then suspected the voltage regulator, so we re connected everything after cleaning all connections and putting back together with dielectric grease.

The goddamn thing is working like a charm, so i take it for a test ride, put 30-40 city miles on it, beating on it so that the fan comes and stays on to further tax the electrical system, blah blah blah, basically just getting some confidence that it was actually fixed. Back at the shop a solid 13.9-14.2 to the battery while revving the bike. Bueno.

at said shop:



Putting the covers and whatnot back on the bike after test-riding it around sac for a few hours:






to be continued...

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

wooo! Looks awesome.

That's a lightning right? Looks just like a Uly but doesn't seem to sit as high.

What a blast. How many miles are on your bike now?

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

From here we stayed with a buddy in sac, then took off in the afternoon. Made it to Reno, NV. cool view from our hotel:




Disgusting portions of food at the "black bear diner":



A quick stop while on hwy 50 between reno and eli NV, "the lonlies highway", there's a stretch here nearly 200 miles without fuel, hence the gascans.








This stretch is over 450 miles before we reach Eli NV, where we stayed for the night:











More shots from along the lonliest hwy (50):














Moab, UT in AM for breakfast:






And from here we bombed straight home, so no more pics. Anyways that's my story, most miles I've ever put in, in a row like that. Due to recent unfortunate events with my job, I was able to extract this very fortunate adventure. It made me further appreciate where I live currently, but also appreciate the need to travel more as well. Of course also my health to be able to do something like this, and my awesome bike that takes me wherever I want.

Other things to note:

- Traffic in LA was insane. Lane splitting is amazing, we skipped so much traffic and had a blast doing so.

- The trip was about extremes in the end. The 7k elevation where I live, to sea level. From 90's in phoenix, to 20's back in Utah/Co/NM. The high of the open road, the low of being stuck on the side of the highway. The most busy roads I've ever ridden through LA, to the most deserted roads I've ever seen in my life (hwy 50).

- Buells kick-***!

- A life goal to do this in a miata, for the miatas at laguna seca event, with my GF and dog in the car. It will happen.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

turbofan: The white/black bike is a lightning, both the bikes are kind of bastards in that respect.

White bike is originally a firebolt, currently using the firebolt tail section, lightning front end from my bike, ulysses fender and hand guards. Normal lightning ride height.

My bike, the black bike, is originally a lightning. Currently with a lightning tail section, and firebolt front end from my brothers bike. It uses lightning pegs as well for added leg room.

My bike has ~20k on it, my brothers has ~26k.

Also, dads bike is noteworthy here, it's gota 118ci (1.9l) crate ultima motor rated at ~140 hp and ~130 ft lbs. It's a heavy beast, but pretty much dead-nuts with the Buells in a drag race.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

I'm sure you didn't do any sort of drag racing on hwy 50. And you probably went 55 the whole time right

Trip looks awesome. Jealous

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

One wouldn't tempt running out of fuel by running at ridiculous speeds for long periods of time I would wager.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Buells really don't like running at truly absurd speeds like the japanese and european bikes (except, of course, for the 1125 models). I got mine up to right around 130 once but it took FOREVER and really didn't seem to be happy there.

They're very happy at about 85, not much above that for any long period of time. Incidentally, that's about as fast as you should run on any major US highway for any length of time

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Haha. I live at over 7200ft elevation, at sea level my mind was literally blow by the power of my bike. 2nd gear roll on wheelies all day, 1st>2nd shift always picks up the front if you are on it hard. Most of the fun was had NOT on the lonliest highway, to be honest i just was hoping the bike wouldn't fail me.. because that would have SUCKED. And i had a job interview the next monday, which i made it home for

You know what's funny, is the bike still gets 50+ mpg going damn near 100mph.

As usual, he's right. I'd say the higher end cruising speed was 85-90mph for long periods of time. Closer to 90 on the big open highway. That put me just over 4,000 rpms and was about where I felt comfortable holding the bike for hours on end without impending doom.

Also, the speed limit is now 80mph on a lot of hwy 50 through NV and UT, not 55 anymore!

Edit: Also, the touring bug has hit.. I want a ulysses ASAP. That way I can put a big bore on the bolt, the stickiest tires i can find, and have it for the track/canyon toy. The ulysses I'd put some kind of sport touring tires on it. My rear tire had less than 1k miles on it before this trip, and it's already time for a new one..

B6Tfastiva

iTrader: (1)

So ever since I did my 2 day ride through arizona I've been dreaming of going back with friends and doing a longer trip. Right now I'm planning on aiming for end of april/early may. As for the route I was thinking something like this. https://goo.gl/maps/cPgD9cRL2Hm I know it ends at prescott but google wont let me map out any further. I'd continue down 89 till it hits 60 then follow that back to phoenix. Any of you guys in the area have any input? (weather, food, better roads, places to see, etc)

MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

Got myself a 954. Steering damper on the way after a tank slapper incident. Common issue I guess.

its lit.

Roda

That route hits most of the good roads for riding in Northern AZ. The loop North of Flagstaff is not exciting riding, but I'm guessing the purpose is to hit the Grand Canyon, so it is what it is. 89A through Oak Creek Cyn from Flagstaff to Sedona is often clogged with traffic unless you go through on a weekday or early morning. Same with 89A over Mingus Mtn from Jerome to Prescott Valley.

DPS often sits on 89 just south of Prescott on weekday mornings, and and south of Yarnell on Yarnell Hill (n/b) on weekends. Otherwise, those are great roads. Another good road is SR96 from Hillside to Bagdad... light traffic and lightly patrolled.

Haunted Hamburger is a great eatery in Jerome, as is Grapes for slightly higher end fare.

Weather can be a crap shoot in April in the AZ mountains... could still see some snow and cold weather, especially in the mornings.

B6Tfastiva

iTrader: (1)

I came down 89/89a on a tuesday in june. Only time traffic slowed me down was south of prescott. Was planning on flying in/out on a wednesday(slightly cheaper flights) might change that to a saturday so we'll be riding during the week. Added 96 to the list. Would early/mid may be better? Trying to time it so that we wont die of heat stroke when we come down out of the mountains. Don't really mind if its cold as long as there's not snow/ice on the road.

stratosteve

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, tank slappers are no joke......especially when you run out of road to correct.

I had a scotts on my R1 and loved it.

z31maniac

Had an Ohlins on my R6, well worth the money spent, especially on track where the bike is constantly moving around.

Erat

iTrader: (5)

I'll be getting a GPR. It seems to get good reviews. Wobble on the FZ09 is pretty bad since it gets so damn light on the front wheel.

BenR

iTrader: (2)

Great trip Fire! Hit me up if you're around SF or Bernalillo.

B6Tfastiva

iTrader: (1)

Its still ridiculously warm here and there was a break in the rain yeaterday so I took the bike out. It was still cloudy/foggy and roads were still soaked from all the rain but it was nice to get out and relax. Covered around 200 miles, managed to get lost and found a good (for the area) road that leads to nowhere.




Merry Christmas from the wetlands of maryland