road trip / Sturgis

[ruruson1]

Well I made it home. We meet in springfield, mo and took off at 4am. First stop oklahoma city to vist the bombing memorial and then to some small town in new mexico for the night. then to Vegas for two days, Reno & lake Tahoe, ( Just a drive through ) then to Sacramento for three days. While in Sacramento we took a day trip to San fran and across the golden gate bridge and out to bodega bay and back home. then My dad joined in and off we wnt north through Ca and across hwy 299 to hwy 1/101 and down to the redwood forest. north to vancover, Wa. back south to Portland on Monday to get the Harley fixed off course. My dad was lucky it was just a bad spark plug. then to Spokan, Wa. then to Livingston, Montana and then to Yellowstone. By the way the Buffalo are very huge when they walk up to you on the bike. We left yellowstone later than we wanted and went over the mountains to Sheridian, Wy at night. had an elk step out in front of me at 80mph Holy sh*t..... made it to Sturgis and spent 3 days, seen Devils tower, Mt Rushmore for the evening Cermony. As an Army Vet this made me misty eyed. If you havn't been there they call all the vets down on stage and have you bring down the colors ( flag ) and then go to each one of you and ask your branch and name. the crowd gave us a standing ovation and it leaves you speechless and with a feeling of joy. anyway I left Rapid city where I stayed on Sunday and rode from 5am to 9pm 1003.5 miles home for a grand total of 6149miles on the trip with No problems at all. the time with my father was great and I hated to leave but, you know.

[cactusjack]

Now that sounds like a real road trip. I'd like to have the time to do that myself.

[dantama]

What a ride. I hope you post a picture report in the trip reports forum. You'll remember that ride of years to come.

[socwkbiker]

Sounds like a great ride. Looking forward to some pics.

[Yellow Jacket]

Thanks for sharing your trip. It sounds like it was a good one.

[rlfaubion]

Good trip.... Savor the memories :)

[ells]

That trip sounds great, fantastic even. Could color in a few states from that one, if you had the map. Good to hear the bike performed flawlessly, like we all like to think they all will. I encountered a buffalo herd on the road this year too. Not much to do but sit there and wait for them to do whatever the hell they want to - not a good time for a loud bike I figure.

[ringadingh]

Certainly sounds like a wonderful trip, Glad you enjoyed it.

[hollywood]

holy cow makes my little 2181 mile trip kinda wimpy. Congrats!!

...at night. had an elk step out in front of me at 80mph Holy sh*t....

http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif Holy sh*t indeed! http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

[coacha]

Dam...I bow toward the west and your accomplishment. Makes me want the next 199 days of work to fly by so I can start my ride to Custer.

[davidjones1]

man that must have been a great time glad all went well and your home safe.
ride safe.

[audiogooroo]

Sounds awesome!

[kawgirl]

That sounds like a great trip indeed. I would love to do that one day. Maybe I'll keep going after the rally next year.

[pirate]

Wow, that sounds like fun. I was at the Mt. Rushmore night lighting ceremony in June, and it was very moving, even for me who hasn't served in the military. I hope I can someday do a road trip like you've done.

Sounds awesome!

Yeah! Particularly the part about not getting killed by elk and buffalo! :)

[Cajunrider]

What a way to spend time with your Dad! You will never forget this trip. If my Dad was about 20 years younger I think I could talk him into something like this. He and my Mom did a trip like this about 10 years ago pulling his 35' camper. They went up to Glacier Park and into Canada. We were all supposed to get together and do it again but Mom & Dad's health wouldn't allow it now. They are both in their lower 80's. Anyway, that was one heck of a trip. You have to feel great and proud that you accomplished it. I hope to do the same in the next few years.

[schoeney]

What a great trip.....kinda wished you had called me when you were in the area but I know getting the miles in become paramount. My biggest question is .....what seat do you have and how did it feel! Can you share a little detail on the comfort issues (how tall are you, risers?, backrest, cruise control, tires, shock setting, helmet buffeting,etc). After that long trip is there any mods/adjustments you want to make to the bike? Looks like a 1600 in the pics? Glad you and Dad made it home safe.

Cool report. Didn't know they did that at Rushmore.

[billmac]

Appreciate the report. Glad it went so well for you and Nomad.

[ruruson1]

Thanks all. as far as comfort. I'm 5'10'' and 220lbs. I have the stock seat with a drivers backrest from Utopia. I also have seat beads ( a beaded mat that sets on the seat ). THis was my first trip with the beads and what a difference it made. it allows the air to move under your butt and keeps you from sweating. It also allows you to change the pressure points on your butt. There cheap at 15-20 dollars a set. I suggest you give them a try. Air pressure I run around 15psi per shock with the dampener set on three. I have three inch areomach risers and ISO grips with a throttle lock. The throtte lock is a must. whe rode betweeen 700-800 miles a day untill my dad joined and then we rode 400-425 a day. Now I wont lie my but was sore at the end of a few long days but I felt great the next morning and was ready to go again. buy the way where do I get the state map and how di I fill it in and add it.

[bigdave]

http://www.epgsoft.com/VisitedStatesMap/

[chainsaw]

Nice report and thanks for your service.