OP
OP
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2009
- Messages
- 10,987
- Reaction score
- 254
- Location
- Kingsport, Tennessee
- My Bike Models
- Former '82 GL1100 "The Slug"
We made it home!! It was a great trip! About 2800 miles on the bike (and no sore saddle mind you) and we just had a great time. Got to spend time with our grandchildren, my daughter and son inlaw, time with their family, got to ride to Indiana and meet Joedrum (definately a great highlight, thanks again Joe!) and of course ride the daylights out of the bike.
A few things I learned;
Honda did a great job engineering this engine. I know I have heard it many times here on the forum, but I have to repeat it, these bikes need to get out on the rode at highway speed and keep going! The more I rode, the btter the engine sounded. At 76 MPH and about 4400 RPM, the engine sounded like it was synchonizing at the exhaust (almost as if it was two engines running as one on a boat). The average MPG was 42 MPG for the entire trip at mostly 75 MPH or better.
The sheepskin makes a big difference! However, I do not really like the Saddleman Road Sofa seat, too many pressusre points. Without the sheepskin, it starts to hurt within 100 miles.
The Frogg Togg outerwear works great! Rain can't get in and air relly does pass through. Plus, my wife tells me that the reflective outlines could esily be seen from the car as we traveled down the turnpike last night.
I fixed the brake lights and installed LED 1157 replacements, but when I jumped on the 1200 and rode behind my bike, I could not really distinguish the barke lights coming on in daylight. I pulled them out and when back to regular 1157 incadescant lamps.
The Bridgestone Spitfire 11R tires performed real well! I have 12,073 miles on them and still have at least 1/2 if not more tread left.
I also learned that the chrome fancies are not what they are made out to be! That chrome radiator grill was actually reducing the flow of air to the radiator. The chrome engine covers only make it harder to add oil and check things on the engine.
My wife and I got a chance to drive around the Ohio farmlands. (First real long ride together since we got the bike as a donor!) She jumped on after getting out of the pool. Made for a wild hair day! (Don't make fun of her, she reads these posts too!)
All around, it was a great vacation! :yahoo:
arty: :yahoo:
A few things I learned;
Honda did a great job engineering this engine. I know I have heard it many times here on the forum, but I have to repeat it, these bikes need to get out on the rode at highway speed and keep going! The more I rode, the btter the engine sounded. At 76 MPH and about 4400 RPM, the engine sounded like it was synchonizing at the exhaust (almost as if it was two engines running as one on a boat). The average MPG was 42 MPG for the entire trip at mostly 75 MPH or better.
The sheepskin makes a big difference! However, I do not really like the Saddleman Road Sofa seat, too many pressusre points. Without the sheepskin, it starts to hurt within 100 miles.
The Frogg Togg outerwear works great! Rain can't get in and air relly does pass through. Plus, my wife tells me that the reflective outlines could esily be seen from the car as we traveled down the turnpike last night.
I fixed the brake lights and installed LED 1157 replacements, but when I jumped on the 1200 and rode behind my bike, I could not really distinguish the barke lights coming on in daylight. I pulled them out and when back to regular 1157 incadescant lamps.
The Bridgestone Spitfire 11R tires performed real well! I have 12,073 miles on them and still have at least 1/2 if not more tread left.
I also learned that the chrome fancies are not what they are made out to be! That chrome radiator grill was actually reducing the flow of air to the radiator. The chrome engine covers only make it harder to add oil and check things on the engine.
My wife and I got a chance to drive around the Ohio farmlands. (First real long ride together since we got the bike as a donor!) She jumped on after getting out of the pool. Made for a wild hair day! (Don't make fun of her, she reads these posts too!)
All around, it was a great vacation! :yahoo:
arty: :yahoo:
