Fall is coming fast...

[glwilson]

I hear you Joel...

...that is also the time we start hearing all the crap from CJ, BD, Trip (and the Texas Gang), Mitch, Coacha, and all the "southern-members", since they live where riding just starts getting good again this time of the year!!!

....yeah... I'm jealous. ;)

[dmac]

I think this year Labor Day weekend really did mark the end of summer around here in Minnesota. All of a sudden it's highs of only 60's.

Luckily we were able to get a "midweek break" package from Hinckley Casino the week before Labor Day weekend. There were only about 3 rooms left so I guess a lot of other people had the same idea. Only stayed for one night but the pool and hot tub felt great along with getting $20 playing money and $ off on dinner!

Here's wishing for a long fall season.

P.S. We rode the Goldwing with the heated seats and GPS!

[dmac]

Greg, Can't believe that your shocks collapsed causing the dent in your fender!
Hopefully HD will warranty the fender and you can kill two birds with one stone, getting rid of that stone chip on the front and the dented fender.
Dmac

[dmac]

Originally Posted by 1600bluekaw

Must have been a bad week end for dents & dings. We were riding Sunday afternoon I pulled into a parking area, which I knew better to do, but did it anyways. The road was nice pavement but the parking area was gravel, oops. I did approach the lot in a straight line but the pavement did drop at least 3 to 4 inches. As the front wheel dropped of I squeezed the front brakes causing the wheel to stop but on loose gravel that does not work. The Nomad slid out falling to the right. Wife & I was able to fall clear of the bike. Nobody was hurt or injured. The biggest injury was our pride. After picking the bike up & dusting our selves off we walked around & found no bent or damaged pieces. Thanks to the hi-way bars & the bars protecting the saddle bags. I did find one nick on the left side of the fuel tank. Apparently as I was trying to clear my self of the bike my left boot with metal caught the tank. It nicked the paint hard enough to see bare metal. I do have paint ordered to repair. I know this was a small mishap & could have been so much worse. As we were riding this weekend a total of 6 deer crossed in front of us, that would have been very bad.
Every body ride alert & stay safe

[dmac]

Still trying to learn how to post...
Don, unfortunate for your bike and pride but we're both glad to hear that you two are fine.

[ponch]

I test rode the Ultra today. Was different than I thought it would be. For one, it handles way better than my Nomad. sh*t, I could ride much faster in the twisties with the Ultra than my nomad. Very nimble at all speeds and considering it weighs more, that's quite surprise. The brakes aren't anything special, and the transmission is 3rd generation Massey Ferguson. It's more cramped in a sense, but the seat is better than my Mustang was, but I not something I would rave about at all. Power is similar to the Nomad, may be slightly better, but nothing to write home about. It's definitely given me something to think about. Next up, BMW.

[glwilson]

dmac... yeah... I am not happy.

Talked to the dealer. I have to take it in to have them document it. They think it is possible the fluid level is too low in the forks. I told them I have only had the bike serviced there and that the last time it was serviced they were supposed to have checked ALL fluid levels and the safety of the bike; but apparently they did not... he didn't say much -- and I didn't expect him to. I just wanted to b!tch about... so he listened.

So, one way or another, the fender will be fixed and the rock-chip too! :)

Don and Melody... sorry to hear you dropped the bike. It can scare the cr@p out of you when it happens. Glad no one was hurt. I have done that before on the Nomad and it wasn't any fun. As you remember, I almost dropped my bike at that gas station in Harper's Ferry, Iowa when we stopped and my foot slipped on sand. Thankfully 01Nomad (Ivan) was quick on his feet and ran over to help me keep it up. ;) I owe the man a beer!!

[Dave]

Originally Posted by glwilson

...that is also the time we start hearing all the crap from CJ, BD, Trip (and the Texas Gang), Mitch, Coacha, and all the "southern-members", since they live where riding just starts getting good again this time of the year!!!

But you can go ice fishing.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Dave

But you can go ice fishing.

Ha!! Yeah... real funny there Dave!!

[1600bluekaw]

Hey DMAC it is good to hear from you. Hope all is going well for you & your wife. The spill was a little scary & we are both fine. I did everything correctly, it is just one of the things that happen when on gravel, stone surfaces. I did not know you had a Goldwing. We are still in good riding season. Then temps are perfect & the scenery is too. Hoping to get some riding in this weekend. Also perfect weather for high school football. Which is uasually our destination on Friday nights.
Every body ride safe.

[biscuitsngravy]

Sorry to hear about your mishap, Greg. Glad to hear it will be fixed by the dealer. Also glad that bluekaw found out that the front brake and gravel do not mix, and thankfully was not hurt.

Count me in for next Spring. I've got one more trip planned this year. Next month I hope to head down to Kentucky to see an old AF buddy that lives there. Over 700 miles one way. I better put my "hippo hands" on my grips as I expect it could get cold.

Don't know if you read my thread about going darkside. Got my new Dunlop SR5000 today. Ordered Dyna beads tonight. I believe my Metzeler ME880 went less miles than the original Bridgestone. I'm tired of buying m/c tires that cost twice as much and travel less than half of a c/t. BnG

[glwilson]

We will definitely have to hook-up next spring again.

Have fun on your ride south next month. Who knows, the weather might be good on the way down. As I said, last year I rode until the second week of November, and I remember October had several decent days of warmer weather. However, as you know, it is unpredictable that time of year.... but I know you'll ride when it is a lot colder out than me!!!

Good luck with the new tire. I have always been a bit skeptical about car-tires on motorcycles when I read more in-depth about how they are designed versus a cycle-tire... but it seems no one can report any bad incidences. You cannot even find anything "bad" when you google for it. So, evidently it must work-out to use car-tires. Should save you a few more coins... so you can do a few more rides next season! ;)

[cbutteris]

Took another ride (solo) down into SW Wisconsin again last weekend - last of the year I expect. It was ding dang chilly on the way down with temps in the 40's much of the time.

Nice ride though and found a few new roads. Might have also found a trick to having wide open roads with very little traffic - ride while the PACKERS are on TV! No kidding, roads were almost empty on Sunday afternoon.

Some of the places I rode through are flooded out now.

Later - CB

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Cal

Took another ride (solo) down into SW Wisconsin again last weekend - last of the year I expect. It was ding dang chilly on the way down with temps in the 40's much of the time.

Nice ride though and found a few new roads. Might have also found a trick to having wide open roads with very little traffic - ride while the PACKERS are on TV! No kidding, roads were almost empty on Sunday afternoon.

Some of the places I rode through are flooded out now. Later - CB

I'll bet it is getting pretty cool-out up there. I have ridden that area on a rare, warm October-day before -- but at this time of year, you can just about bet it will be chilly.

I was wondering if you would give me a road-report on which roads you took, their condition, any particular interesting sights, and etc.

I have been, slowly but surely, putting together records on all the various roads I have been on through the years (or that others I know have been on) that are the best choices to ride.

I plan on putting this information together in a format that can be shared if others want some ideas. I am eventually going to put a website together with the info that others can get.

Anyway, if you don't mind, and have the time, I would greatly appreciate it. ;)

[cbutteris]

Greg - Sure thing. I'll have to pull out the maps and will post it up in the next day or two.