Long distance Harley ride advice?

[rmarion]

I need to dust her off and put some more miles on her..

Enjoy your Trip!!

 

[JDKRXW]

My #1 bike option for road riding is heated grips.
You can be literally sweating with all your riding gear on, but you'll still feel cold if your hands are cold.

 

[Aces & Eights]

You need reservations to get into Yosemite. Book that asap.

Entrance Reservations - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[rivermobster]

RM

Enjoy the TRIP!!!

I've shared the actual story from the designer of the V-Rod on RDP.

Non believers like to critique the info... no-sweat... I follow the Mark Twain quote....

let's do a small local ride on your return...

BTW.. the actual designer is in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame..

I watched a Discovery Channel special on it when it first came out. I told my wife...

Fuck, I Need one of those!

She's like ...

Uh no, you don't Need one of those.

Me; You don't understand. I NEED one!!!

Took me awhile to find an 07 Night Rod. But it was worth the wait.

 

[rivermobster]

You need reservations to get into Yosemite. Book that asap.

Entrance Reservations - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Already done.

 

[USMC2010]

Close to 25k mi. Has Never leaked one drop.

For those that don't know...

The engine and trans on the V-Rod was designed and built by Porsche. It's the Only water cooled Harley, because of that fact.

The engine is smooth as silk and shifts like a dream. Zero vibration at any speed.

The 07 was the best year...

240 rear tire and 5gal gas tank from the factory. Harley went to drive by wire in 08 and killed all the power.

Mine has been Dyno tuned, with a power commander.

Penske shocks on the rear so it rides Real nice. Need to get the front forks done someday.

Sounds like @rmarion probably knows more than me?

They are finally bringing back new versions of this motor. I think it was a huge mistake to not capitalize on it over the last however many years since the vrod ended production.

 

[calkid]

Close to 25k mi. Has Never leaked one drop.

For those that don't know...

The engine and trans on the V-Rod was designed and built by Porsche. It's the Only water cooled Harley, because of that fact.

The engine is smooth as silk and shifts like a dream. Zero vibration at any speed.

The 07 was the best year...

240 rear tire and 5gal gas tank from the factory. Harley went to drive by wire in 08 and killed all the power.

Mine has been Dyno tuned, with a power commander.

Penske shocks on the rear so it rides Real nice. Need to get the front forks done someday.

Sounds like @rmarion probably knows more than me?

The oil on the pant leg comment wasn't meant for your V-Rod, I never had the pleasure of owning one. Most guys that have put long hard miles on an EVO understand the oil on the right pant leg comment. Mine was no different, even after changing to new super whammy umbrella seals. My right leg oil issue went away with the introduction of the Twin Cams.

 

[rivermobster]

Got lucky today...

Went to Laidlaw's this morning, because last time I was there, they had a nice selection of sisssy bar bags. My old one died a couple years ago.

I walk in today, and the whole showroom is rearranged. I ask the parts guys where they are now, and the only have 3 POS bags. Fuck! I should have bought one last time I was there.

So I ask the guy...

Any idea who would have a good selection? How about Berts?

He says .........

Bert's doesn't have and motorcycle stuff anymore. All they have is SxS stuff now.

I'm thinking he's full of shit, so I head to Bert's anyway. Turns out he is full of shit! Same ol Bert's. Looked just like it did last time I was there.

I find a whole display of sissy bar bags, and the one I want is 100.00 bucks off!!!

So fuck Laidlaw's. That is all!

 

[scottchbrite]

I don’t have any advice to add, but if anyone is looking for some hardcore dudes to ride with, hit me up. My step dad and his buddies ride hard and often. They went across country again a couple months ago. They ended up in Maine this year, and then down the Atlantic coast. It’s an eclectic mix of good old dudes that have years of experience. He can’t find any younger guys that can hang. He’s 73 and rides almost every day. This is a couple of his guys that Stopped by to check on my house construction, on their way to old town Temecula, San Diego, and back up the coast.
Pops is on the right, wearing the full face helmet.

 

[rivermobster]

I don’t have any advice to add, but if anyone is looking for some hardcore dudes to ride with, hit me up. My step dad and his buddies ride hard and often. They went across country again a couple months ago. They ended up in Maine this year, and then down the Atlantic coast. It’s an eclectic mix of good old dudes that have years of experience. He can’t find any younger guys that can hang. He’s 73 and rides almost every day. This is a couple of his guys that Stopped by to check on my house construction, on their way to old town Temecula, San Diego, and back up the coast.
Pops is on the right, wearing the full face helmet.
View attachment 1424307

Has he ever ridden all the way down to Key West? That's a ride I would really like to do some day.

 

[rivrrts429]

I don’t have any advice to add, but if anyone is looking for some hardcore dudes to ride with, hit me up. My step dad and his buddies ride hard and often. They went across country again a couple months ago. They ended up in Maine this year, and then down the Atlantic coast. It’s an eclectic mix of good old dudes that have years of experience. He can’t find any younger guys that can hang. He’s 73 and rides almost every day. This is a couple of his guys that Stopped by to check on my house construction, on their way to old town Temecula, San Diego, and back up the coast.
Pops is on the right, wearing the full face helmet.
View attachment 1424307

That’s awesome!

 

[rivrrts429]

Hey @rivermobster

I’m thinking you need to shrink wrap yourself like those people who suggested it to Dave when he was towing to LOTO

 

[rivermobster]

Hey @rivermobster

I’m thinking you need to shrink wrap yourself like those people who suggested it to Dave when he was towing to LOTO

I was thinking bubble wrap. If I get bored on the ride, I can pop those little bubbles on the way!

 

[scottchbrite]

Has he ever ridden all the way down to Key West? That's a ride I would really like to do some day.

Yes. Several times. As far as I know, the only ride he hasn’t done that he wants to do is to Alaska.

 

[OCMerrill]

The sissy bar bag looks the part. Nice find and the mark down fits in your pocket I'm sure.
Your going to have a great time. I haven't told Evan because he'd drop out of college to go with you.

Laidlaw is where you go to pay MSRP which we should have done during the Covid bullshit instead of my son paying 15% over at Riverside HD.
We don't discuss this much and he has the thing nearly paid off.

 

[rivermobster]

The sissy bar bag looks the part. Nice find and the mark down fits in your pocket I'm sure.
Your going to have a great time. I haven't told Evan because he'd drop out of college to go with you.

Laidlaw is where you go to pay MSRP which we should have done during the Covid bullshit instead of my son paying 15% over at Riverside HD.
We don't discuss this much and he has the thing nearly paid off.

I decided to spend all my savings today at Chapperal.

 

[dave29]

I decided to spend all my savings today at Chapperal.

View attachment 1424612

Good buy. I was riding cross country many years ago with friends. Had rain for 5 days. I was wearing Gortex boots. My feet stayed dry. My friends had leather boots. Every night the stuffed newspaper in their boots to dry them out.
Gortex jacket, gloves and pants are your friends too. You don't sweat but they keep you dry.

 

[rivermobster]

Tool pack/zip ties/safety wire or bailing wire/duct tape
Tire plug kit (seen this save the day in the middle of nowhere)
Lexin batt air comp ( on Amazon for $60)
Portable batt jumper
Clothing for temp changes and rain

Those IMO are the bare essentials. Otherwise hit the road and enjoy the ride and as long as your bike is well maintained you will be fine.

I always carry that Lexin batt air comp and batt jumper on my Harley. I have saved the day for other riders on numerous occasions. They are worth every penny to carry on your bike.

https://www.amazon.com/LEXIN-Tire-I...id=1724881681&sprefix=lexen+ai,aps,281&sr=8-1

Amazon.com

So that pump looks kinna cool. But I have questions...

Do you need t remove the valve stem core for it to work?

Or...

Do u have buy the optional lock-on air hose to leave the core in place?

Thanks in advance.

 

[rivermobster]

Well....

I bailed. Left home, and was riding up to Acton last night, and even at 8pm, it was still 86 degrees.

After awhile, I just said Fuck this! Definitely not my idea of fun. Supposed to be 97 today in Bishop.

Yosemite Valley looks to be in the upper 80's for the next few days.

I'm out.

 

[WTMFA]

So that pump looks kinna cool. But I have questions...

Do you need t remove the valve stem core for it to work?

Or...

Do u have buy the optional lock-on air hose to leave the core in place?

Thanks in advance.

Nope, the short hose that comes with it screws right on to your valve stem, screw it on, power it up, set the pressure set point, and hit the button, done deal. The hose also unscrews from the pump to make it more compact and/or easier to attach to the valve stem.
I have one and use it all the time at home as well as taking it with me as part of my "bike trip survival kit"

 

[DILLIGAF]

Well....

I bailed. Left home, and was riding up to Acton last night, and even at 8pm, it was still 86 degrees.

After awhile, I just said Fuck this! Definitely not my idea of fun. Supposed to be 97 today in Bishop.

Yosemite Valley looks to be in the upper 80's for the next few days.

I'm out.

WHAT! FFS

lol

 

[USMC2010]

wow

 

[rivermobster]

WHAT! FFS

lol

And they are not even there yet. They have been on the road for 9 hours now.

I'm not regretting my decision at all.

 

[Javajoe]

Well....

I bailed. Left home, and was riding up to Acton last night, and even at 8pm, it was still 86 degrees.

After awhile, I just said Fuck this! Definitely not my idea of fun. Supposed to be 97 today in Bishop.

Yosemite Valley looks to be in the upper 80's for the next few days.

I'm out.

They say the first 2 hours is the hardest. Could you imagine after Acton going thru Palmdale
I think you made the right decision

 

[relaxalot]

You need reservations to get into Yosemite. Book that asap.

Entrance Reservations - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

You can get a senior parks pass if you are old.. lifetime entrance.. It is a good deal