Desert ride 01-18-09

cactusjack · 01-18-2009, 11:56 PM

Went for a ride today with a couple of KawaNOW members. Glassgod and Stretch. Stretch was in town from Illinois for a work-related training seminar, and rented a Harley Road King for the day. We met at his hotel at 09:00 AM and rode out through some of the more "picturesque" towns of the Sonoran Desert, for a total of about 280 miles. The weather got better as the day went on, with afternoon temps up in the 70's, but it was kind of windy.

Here's a picture of the 3 of us during a fuel/rest stop in Gila Bend, AZ (l-r: Glassgod, Stretch, Cactusjack)

oldbikers · 01-19-2009, 07:26 AM

Glad you could get out and meet with some other members looks like a great time.

rlfaubion · 01-19-2009, 09:34 AM

Looks like fun down there in the beautiful desert. Up north here we just watched the Cards kick a$$ :)

cactusjack · 01-19-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valdez (lone Juan)

Looks like fun down there in the beautiful desert. Up north here we just watched the Cards kick a$$ :)

Yeah, Stretch and I had planned this ride over a month ago, never dreaming the Cardinals would still be "in the hunt" this late in the season. So I DVR'd the game and placed a gag order on my family to not disclose the outcome of the game until I could watch it. It's hard to believe they are the same team that played such a disgraceful game against New England.

I ended up riding 393.8 miles, including me riding to meet Stretch and after dropping him off. It will be my last ride on the ME880's. I don't trust that rear tire anymore.

blowndodge · 01-19-2009, 10:27 AM

Good job Boyz!!!! Wish I could have been there!!

cactusjack · 01-19-2009, 10:44 AM

Hey, you're only a "leisurely" 6 hour ride away...

dantama · 01-19-2009, 03:13 PM

I hope we get a Road King comparison out of this at some point.

Glad you enjoyed the meet up.

**glwilson** · 01-19-2009, 09:41 PM

Stretch is getting around. He met up with me along with a couple other members last fall in northern Illinois. (See pic below).

Like Dan said; maybe we'll get a RK comparison report.

**trip** · 01-19-2009, 09:46 PM

I love it when KawaNOW members can get together. Brings a tear to me eye everytime.

pirate · 01-19-2009, 11:36 PM

I always like reading about members meeting as well. Really cool!

**schoeney** · 01-22-2009, 01:31 AM

+1

stretch · 01-24-2009, 03:09 PM

We had a good ride. My first time to Arizona. I could handle the their winters!! As far as the Road King it's a nice bike. The seat was comfortable though I missed my backrest. I liked the the six speed although it made a loud clunk when you shifted into first. I wish my nomad had a sixth gear because at highway speeds the HD's engine was at ease. To sit on the bike it felt smaller than my bike. The cruise worked great. The bike was all stock so the pipes had a nice rumble but weren't to loud. The bags open from the top and do not appear to hold that much. Also the the way the open I found to be a little clumsy. Floorboard placement was good and the handlebars seemed OK too. It had a smaller windshield that the nomad but wind protection was good. These are just my humble opinions. :)

I think I will stick with my Nomad. I just need the cruise and sixth gear.

dabull · 01-24-2009, 03:19 PM

nice gang:)

roadman · 01-28-2009, 01:54 PM

Good to see you got a ride in Stretch :)

stretch · 01-29-2009, 10:45 PM

Thanks Dave. It was good to ride in January. This winter has been rough with all the snow and ice. Not much dry weather to get the bike out.

01-18-2009, 11:56 PM	#1
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Desert ride 01-18-09 Went for a ride today with a couple of KawaNOW members. Glassgod and Stretch. Stretch was in town from Illinois for a work-related training seminar, and rented a Harley Road King for the day. We met at his hotel at 09:00 AM and rode out through some of the more "picturesque" towns of the Sonoran Desert, for a total of about 280 miles. The weather got better as the day went on, with afternoon temps up in the 70's, but it was kind of windy. Here's a picture of the 3 of us during a fuel/rest stop in Gila Bend, AZ (l-r: Glassgod, Stretch, Cactusjack) __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-19-2009, 07:26 AM	#2
oldbikers Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sardis Mississippi Posts: 3,513	Desert ride 01-18-09 Glad you could get out and meet with some other members looks like a great time. __________________ Jim Hardin Sardis MS Kawanow # 453 Proud PGR member
	0

01-19-2009, 09:34 AM	#3
rlfaubion Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,582	Desert ride 01-18-09 Looks like fun down there in the beautiful desert. Up north here we just watched the Cards kick a$$ :)
	0

01-19-2009, 10:27 AM	#5
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Desert ride 01-18-09 Good job Boyz!!!! Wish I could have been there!! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-19-2009, 10:44 AM	#6
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Desert ride 01-18-09 Hey, you're only a "leisurely" 6 hour ride away... __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

01-19-2009, 03:13 PM	#7
dantama Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 0	Desert ride 01-18-09 I hope we get a Road King comparison out of this at some point. Glad you enjoyed the meet up.
	0

01-19-2009, 09:41 PM	#8
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Desert ride 01-18-09 Stretch is getting around. He met up with me along with a couple other members last fall in northern Illinois. (See pic below). Like Dan said; maybe we'll get a RK comparison report. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
	0

01-19-2009, 09:46 PM	#9
trip VBA Founder Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lindale, Texas Posts: 6,846	Desert ride 01-18-09 I love it when KawaNOW members can get together. Brings a tear to me eye everytime. __________________ Robert "Trip" Hilliard VBA/KawaNOW - Founder/Past President VBA # 00001 Trip's Website Custer 09, 18 / Maggie Valley 11 / Eureka Springs 09, 17 / Antlers 09, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 Texas Hill Country / Deals Gap / Colorado / Wyoming / Montana / Utah / More trips for Trip
	0

01-19-2009, 11:36 PM	#10
pirate Sr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,865	Desert ride 01-18-09 I always like reading about members meeting as well. Really cool!
	0

01-22-2009, 01:31 AM	#11
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Desert ride 01-18-09 +1 __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
	0

01-24-2009, 03:09 PM	#12
stretch Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fairbury, IL Posts: 309	Desert ride 01-18-09 We had a good ride. My first time to Arizona. I could handle the their winters!! As far as the Road King it's a nice bike. The seat was comfortable though I missed my backrest. I liked the the six speed although it made a loud clunk when you shifted into first. I wish my nomad had a sixth gear because at highway speeds the HD's engine was at ease. To sit on the bike it felt smaller than my bike. The cruise worked great. The bike was all stock so the pipes had a nice rumble but weren't to loud. The bags open from the top and do not appear to hold that much. Also the the way the open I found to be a little clumsy. Floorboard placement was good and the handlebars seemed OK too. It had a smaller windshield that the nomad but wind protection was good. These are just my humble opinions. :) I think I will stick with my Nomad. I just need the cruise and sixth gear. __________________ 2015 Honda CB500X 2012 Victory Cross Country Red/Silver 2005 Blue/Silver Nomad Kawanow #731 VROC #28163
	0

01-24-2009, 03:19 PM	#13
dabull Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,409	Desert ride 01-18-09 nice gang:)
	0

01-28-2009, 01:54 PM	#14
roadman Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington Illinois Posts: 307	Desert ride 01-18-09 Good to see you got a ride in Stretch :)
	0

01-29-2009, 10:45 PM	#15
stretch Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fairbury, IL Posts: 309	Desert ride 01-18-09 Thanks Dave. It was good to ride in January. This winter has been rough with all the snow and ice. Not much dry weather to get the bike out. __________________ 2015 Honda CB500X 2012 Victory Cross Country Red/Silver 2005 Blue/Silver Nomad Kawanow #731 VROC #28163
	0

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Desert Dawgs	randypowell62	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	11	03-19-2011 11:04 PM
Storm in the desert	cactusjack	Off-Topic	20	10-04-2010 07:11 PM
Sandhill Trip - The Great American Desert	usranger74	Rides/Trip Reports/Travel Information	9	08-19-2010 11:53 PM
Airlite vs Desert Dawgs	dandantmm	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	9	11-29-2008 06:03 PM
Talimena ride (updated ride date 9/27/08)	nightmare	SouthCentral Group	30	09-19-2008 02:27 PM