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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> a very long trip /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1149655909 Message started by chriss on 06/06/06 at 21:51:49 |
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Title: a very long trip Post by chriss on 06/06/06 at 21:51:49 I just got home from a 5,000 mile one month long ride from portland oregon to julliet illinois on my 02 Savage. I covered 10 midwest states, some twice, and Id like to say the bike never skipped a beat and came home in better shape than me. My last days ride was from missoula montana thru idaho, washington and then home. 550 miles and 8 hrs of riding at 70 plus. For those of you that have not done something like this before, Id like to offer a little advice. Stick to the major highways crossing the state. most are 65 and 70. the interstates are 75 and cars and trucks travel 85 to 90 Too fast for this small of bike and just about any bike for that matter! These roads just go on and on and it will wear you out. I rode for hrs at 68 to 70 and this is a comfortable speed to travel long distances. I began my trip with 10-40 wt oil and I found that using 20-50 made the bike run cooler and quieter. Tighten everything down each night. If you dont things WILL fall off. Everything wil come loose. Like my license plate did in wyoming. Blah! Most midwest states seem to not have helmet laws and most dont wear them. I dont see how. At high speeds bugs and rocks hurt like hell During thunderstorms with out a face shield your not going anywhere. Do not begin a long trip on tires that are just ok. My front was new and my back was new last year but was worn bald by the time I got home . I had a flat way out in the middle of nowhere, and there is a lot of nowhere in the midwest. A trucker stopped and showed me a old trick that got me to a place I could get it fixed right. Carry some wood screws and a big can of tire inflator stuff. it works and you dont want to leave your bike alone 50 miles from nowhere Do not stop where your alone on your bike. I found this out the hard way. A rest stop in Juliett Illinois. Pulled over to wait out a thunderstorm and was beat up and robbed of $400, my helmet, ripped my jacket, stole 2 nice cameras and cut my trip short. Its hard to ride with one eye swollen shut. The darn battery is a odd one. you cant get one just anywhere. I had to get a jump every morning till I reached iowa and had to wait 3 days for a new one. Make sure yours is in good condition Other than that I had a great time. I saw my rushmore, sturgess, wounded knee, custers battlefield, swam in the missippi and missourii rode thru the badlands of south dakota and was even chased by a buffalo in yellowstone. One other bit of advice. know where you are. I pulled into a small town unknown to me as being on the crow reservation in montana. rented a room and left as soon as happy hr was over and me being the only white guy began to look alot like custer to some of them. I just packed and left. Im going to post some pics as soon as I unwind The bike gots lots of attention and good comments along the way. Ran like a clock. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by sluggo on 06/06/06 at 22:37:19 way kewl jr, |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by PerrydaSavage on 06/07/06 at 02:27:14 8)Wicked cool story man! I could picture it all in my head just like a movie! Congrats on havin' a tale for the grandkids! |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Reelthing on 06/07/06 at 03:45:30 Fine adventure! After a bit of rest it would be interesting to know what you would take along next time and what you wouldn't. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Savage_Rob on 06/07/06 at 07:17:50 Yup. Lessons learned, both good and bad. Very cool, bro. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Dragon King on 06/07/06 at 08:54:32 just wondering where julliet illinois is ??? or do mean jolliet ??? I live in centeral illinois and had not heard of julliet wanted to make sure I avoid it ;D |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Island_Biker on 06/07/06 at 11:00:19 It really sounds like it was a great adventure. Back in the 70s, I drove a car across Canada, and back through the US. I'd love to do it again, car or bike. Don't know about Juliet, but isn't Joliet the home of Jake & Elwood, the Blues Brothers? |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Savage_Rob on 06/07/06 at 13:36:01 Just Elwood, I believe. Joliet was a prison in Illinois. I think it's been closed for a few years now. www.jolietprison.com/ |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Island_Biker on 06/07/06 at 14:26:30 Savage_Rob wrote:
darn, now I'll have to watch it again. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Brewbrother on 06/07/06 at 16:06:26 looking forward to the pics and further details. Did you wonder why they didn't steal the bike?? |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by DianeS. on 06/07/06 at 18:10:59 Sounds like quite an adventurous trip!!! Ticks me off that you got beaten up and robbed - that is nasty!!! Why do people do such things??? Grr! Glad that the bike held up!!!! DianeS |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by babbalou on 06/07/06 at 20:20:19 Glad you made it back. Too bad about that thief, there's some rotten people in the world. Will they let you carry a pistol legally in that part of the 'States? |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by WD on 06/07/06 at 20:33:39 Notch your battery box and you can run the most common bike battery in the world, the YB14L-A2. Lets the hose vent on the left side. $24.95 at Wallyworld, every real town has at least one of those stores (and more is the pity, I LOATHE that chain). I buy the CB14L-A2 version for mine, lasted 8 months without starting and fired off on the first try. Sounds like a decent trip other then getting your stuff jacked. Wish my back was up for it. 20 miles at a stretch on mine is it. -WD |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by mornhm on 06/08/06 at 07:59:59 babbalou wrote:
No, Illinois does not allow concealed carry, and the closer you get to Chicago the more law enforcement/politicians try to enforce a ban on firearms (which doesn't legally exist, but the hassle just isn't worth it). >:( |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Red_Wine on 06/08/06 at 09:59:48 mornhm wrote:
Would you be able to carry a gun in the open, then? Like in the Old West, with a belt and a pouch on your thigh? 8) At least, it would not be concealed, right? ;) And just think on what kind of looks you will get from others if you go into a store or gas station... ;D RW |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by mornhm on 06/08/06 at 10:34:02 Not unless you are a LEO. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by YonuhAdisi on 06/08/06 at 11:26:03 I know in New Mexico where I live. You can openly carry a firearm legally without a permit. Hardly anyone ever does it, but it is legal as long as it is not concealed. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Savage_Rob on 06/08/06 at 11:28:49 YonuhAdisi wrote:
I believe Texas is the same but I'm not positive. We also have concealed carry permits. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by sluggo on 06/08/06 at 12:17:21 YonuhAdisi wrote:
most states have the open carry law, just dont get in your car/truck with it, it then becomes concealed. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Savage_Rob on 06/08/06 at 14:17:32 Guess that's why gun racks go in the window, huh? |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Bobster on 06/08/06 at 17:47:16 you must have one good back and butt. sorry to hear you were jacked tho. im waiting on my gun permit now. |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by starmom on 06/09/06 at 08:14:01 it stinks that people are that mean that they would go after a lone biker. I must admit that sometimes it is a concern especially if you are at a light in a questionable neighboorhood. Im very aware of what is around me but you cant lock the doors and keep the bad people away on a bike.. how about carrying a can of mace? (maybe I will go and do that...being a chick) So sorry for your troubles but glad you are able to be ok to talk about it and we can learn from your experiences. sue |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by Dragon King on 06/09/06 at 08:42:24 how about a 500,000 volt stun gun ;D http://budk.com/category.asp_Q_c_E_3100 |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by starmom on 06/09/06 at 08:46:43 i figure ive got more distance between me and someone comming after me with a spray can of mace............ |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by AL_DOWN_UNDER on 06/10/06 at 14:01:05 Sound like a nice trip did you use much oil and how did the belt handle it . Ive lost a few No plates i finally put a pollished alloy backing plat on the rear of the No plate and lock nuts . haven,t lost one for some years and it looks pretty good . pity about the firearm laws its good to have a pot shot from time to time even better to have a moving target. :o |
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Title: Re: a very long trip Post by divecop on 06/11/06 at 21:46:49 Thanx for sharing your story...glad you made it home in one piece...sorry that you got hurt...there are a lot of good people in the world; unfortunately we do sometimes have to encounter the crappy ones...thanx for all the advice... 8) |
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