Ralph Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 Your stories sure help us shut ins through the winter. Our next run is in April. So far away now. Keep the stories and pics comming,soon you will be able to write a book! Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 17, 2003 Author Share Posted January 17, 2003 Left El Paso around 12:30PM and arrived just East of San Antonio late last night, taking warm-up stops about every 1-2 hours because of the serious cold front. Will head on I-10 East this morning/afternoon (as soon as the temps climbs into the 30's ) then either cut North on 59 near New Orleans or probably head East toward Jacksonville and then cut North. For those who may be concerned, I am following the weather very carefully and am prepared to cut milage and/or hold-up when appropriate. I understand windchill and the symptons of hypothermia well, and have written on these topic in my kayak forum. As an avid Vermont skiier and winter kayaker, I am used to doing what I love while freezing my as*s off -- so yeah...I'm having fun in a way that anyone who has ever skiied Killington in Ferbruary understands. Anyone have a spare snowmobile suit? Hot cocoa? Link to comment
Voodoo Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 mjames said: I am used to doing what I love while freezing my as*s off As some point, Michael, you may want to consider putting your pants back on. Keeps the seat cleaner and provides a bit more warmth on a long ride... Don't rush home...more snow and cold up this way. Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 17, 2003 Author Share Posted January 17, 2003 Don't rush home...more snow and cold up this way. I may visit the local sun tanning booth today and pretend. Link to comment
Bprimm Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 MJH Maybe 10 to Florida and leave the Busa with a BMWRT member till it warms up to 35°. Better have them sign something that your not responsible for Busa adrenaline cause you know they'll have to try the "3rd gear count to three" thingy. Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 18, 2003 Author Share Posted January 18, 2003 Got a late afternoon start yesterday (Friday) and settled in at Lake Charles, LA. Massive traffic tie-up around Beaumont, TX and was treated with about an hour of lane-splitting. The ride was very pleasant but lots of road construction. Didn't realize there was so much gambling around here. Tried to get a room at a Casino at Lake Charles but they were booked three weeks in advance. Based on my past casino track record, I'm sure this saved me big bucks. Haven't been in the South for a while and wish I had more time to poke around. In fact, I wish I had a lot more time. There's really no better place to be than on the road. Now 4 AM and am contemplating an early start toward Atlanta or going back to bed. On re-editing this post, bed is starting to win out. Temps supposed to be cold today so I'm just going to ride and play it by ear. Picked up a First Gear one-piece insulated rain suit yesterday in El Paso and it seems to provide some additional warmth although the outer layer is more wind porous than some of the better one-piece suits. The Busa is behaving better with its new battery and I'm only plugging in the Gerbing top and sometimes the radar detector -- will look into an upgraded electrical system when I get back. I'll post some more pics later or when I return to NYC. Link to comment
JungleJim Posted January 18, 2003 Share Posted January 18, 2003 MJ Better get something REALLY warm for your return trip here, as at 10am it was only 8 degrees. Another snow sprinkle is predicted for Sunday night into Monday morning. Temps around 30. Then some more snow stuff later in the week. It may be a tight window of opportunity but knowing you, you will speed right through. Link to comment
Bert Posted January 18, 2003 Share Posted January 18, 2003 When you get to I95, turn right, I repeat, TURN RIGHT. Proceed directly to Key West and stay there until it gets reasonable in NY Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 20, 2003 Author Share Posted January 20, 2003 Left Lake Charles, Louisiana around Noon yesterday (Saturday) on a mission to beat the weather predicted for NY later this week. Hit snow late last night steaming north on I-59 just up from Atlanta, swung south on I-75 to beat the weather, bedded up near Atlanta and arrived in Bellmawr, NJ about 10 PM tonight (Sunday.) I’m about 100 miles south of the city right now and will be home tomorrow unless it snows. A very cold ride with temps often in the 20’s or teens, but the roads were fast and I was well under pace for a Bun Burner Gold but had to abort because of the snow and cold and ended with a Saddlesore 1000 and Bun Burner 1500. Pics and details later. Link to comment
russell_bynum Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 You're a madman. I can't wait for the pics and the rest of the tall tales. Link to comment
SEATTLE_RIDER Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 Michael..... HARDCORE HARDCORE HARDCORE HARDCORE Just re-read your postings.....can't wait for the wrap-up. Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 20, 2003 Author Share Posted January 20, 2003 You home yet?????? Just walked in a little while ago. Busa is in shop for 10K service. I'll post up pics and stuff later. Yesterday I pushed my limits riding in the cold but today I feel better than great. Say what you will about riding in the cold, for me it turned into a cleansing experience. Good to be home. Link to comment
Voodoo Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 mjames said: for me it turned into a cleansing experience. Hopefully this time you were wearing your pants as suggested... Glad you're home safe. Did you find a publisher for the memoirs yet???? Link to comment
ChrisNYC Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 Welcome home. I was a little worried that you would arrive wednesday, when the colder (?!) air comes back again. I thought of you on Saturday as I was riding my unfaired KZ around the city. Musta been brutal on the 'busa ... Glad to have you back! ------------------ Chris (aka Tender Vittles), Little '77 KZ400 in the Big Apple Black '99 RT for Everywhere Else, such as...color=green> Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 20, 2003 Author Share Posted January 20, 2003 Welcome home. I was a little worried that you would arrive wednesday, when the colder (?!) air comes back again. Musta been brutal on the 'busa ... Thanks Chris. Good to be back. The brutal parts were early morning and nighttime when the temps dipped into the 20's and below. Last night I hit my limit in NJ after 15 hours of riding, but if I just rode the warmer daytime hours, I wouldn't have made it back before Wednesday's cold/storm front. I used the Iron Butt Milage goals as a distraction/motivator as well as a lot of imaging about tropical islands and other things hot. Link to comment
JungleJim Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 MJ Glad to have you back safe and sound. Can't wait to hear some stories over a few beers or something warm in your case. Link to comment
ericfoerster Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 BRAVO...............A true Iron Butt experience. Glad you are home safe and sound. Link to comment
Ralph Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 Glad you made it home safe. Your trip sounded like a blast. (of cold air) That is the envy of all motorcyclists. Link to comment
mcoyote Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 So, is the 'Busa the Grail of Sport Tourers (my K-RS is still worth something...)? Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 21, 2003 Author Share Posted January 21, 2003 So, is the 'Busa the Grail of Sport Tourers Like the grail of yore, the grail of Sport Tourers will always be sought but never completely found. You can't really have "sport" and "tour" at the same time, but for me, the Busa comes very close. I had a hard time choosing between the Busa and the KRS. After 10K miles on the Busa I couldn't be happier with my choice -- but depending on your own ride criteria, I could easily see someone making the other choice. I'll have a more detailed ride report soon. Link to comment
HalfPint Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 Welcome home. I can breathe now. Glad to hear you're safe and sound. Now, huddle next to the heater with a hot strong cup o' joe! We'll wait 'til ya thaw. Then we'll wanna hear the rest because I suspect most of us are still riding out there 'with you' in our hearts and minds. Link to comment
SCOTTinNJ Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 Awsome trip and great writing (not to mention the photos). I woke with anticipation every morning to see where you were. But . . . you said, I had a hard time choosing between the Busa and the KRS. After 10K miles on the Busa I couldn't be happier with my choice -- but depending on your own ride criteria, I could easily see someone making the other choice. I'll have a more detailed ride report soon. Sounds like the K12 would have been better for this trip considering it has an alternator that would have easily powered your accessories, no? Lack of alternator capacity and chain drive would have been a deal breaker for me on the Hayabusa. Glad you like it though. That's why they make each of them. Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 21, 2003 Author Share Posted January 21, 2003 Sounds like the K12 would have been better for this trip considering it has an alternator that would have easily powered your accessories, no? Scott, I'm going to withold a complete answer on this for a while, but the short answer is "not necessarily." If practicality is going to be the determining factor in touring , why not then just take a Goldwing or even a car. But your point on electrics is a good one and I'm currently researching battery/alternator options. Link to comment
Mjames Posted January 22, 2003 Author Share Posted January 22, 2003 Lack of alternator capacity and chain drive Scott, I understand the alternator part but what difference does lack of chain drive make? I have an RT and the Busa is a much smoother bird, chain drive or not. You just got to grease it every 500 miles or so, no more time consuming really than filling up with air or topping off with oil --something I haven't had to do in 10K miles. Read about:color=red> Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.