2012 C14 touring capabilities.

[gPink]

My computer says I average over 50 mpg on long trips. Don't know how accurate that is, but I have no complaints about the range.
I have a Shad 50 trunk, I use that for everything. I am getting ready for a 2000 mile road trip that will start this saturday and culminate in Denver at the Great American Beer Festival. I plan on those saddlebags to be able to hold all of my clothes and junk, the trunk will be filled with Colorado-sourced bottles of microbrew.Handling, the bike is tall and feels sort of clumsy in the city. I won't lane split in CA like did with my soft bag equipped Katana 1100 as the C14 is pretty wide. But, on the open road, I have no complaints.

Talk about top heavy with a couple of cases of longnecks.

[wroman]

Never heard of pointing with your foot?  How unusual, don't ride with groups often?

Now....the HD guy did it wrong.  You point with your left hand to the left and your RIGHT foot to the right, so you don't have to take your hand off the throttle.


  I know what he was doing, he was stretching out his leg and hip.  I should have guessed cus' I did the same riding cruiser-tourers.

[maxtog]

Never heard of pointing with your foot?  How unusual, don't ride with groups often?

I have NEVER ridden with a "group".  Now it is always alone.  Used to ride mostly with my best friend, and we used radios.  But he went crazy by getting married and let his RF900 just rot away in storage for years and years.

[ZG]

I have NEVER ridden with a "group".  Now it is always alone.  Used to ride mostly with my best friend, and we used radios.  But he went crazy by getting married and let his RF900 just rot away in storage for years and years.

I'm not sure which is more sad in this post Max... 

[VirginiaJim]

My first riding experiences was with a group in MD.  They were an eclectic bunch with all sorts of different bikes, Jap and German for the most part with the occasional HD every once in awhile.  They weren't lolly gaggers.  They rode fast but safe (for the most part) and formed my views and techniques that I have and use today in riding.  I also rode with one other guy I met over the Internet.  He had a somewhat similar bike to mine at the time.  I rode a Silver Wing (not that abomination scooter with the same name, the real bike) and he rode a CX500T.  I either rode by myself, with him, or the group.  My circle of MC friends was very small.  Occasionally the group could have as much as 12 but for the most part it was less than 6 I think.  Hard to remember as I haven't rode with them in quite awhile.  I can truly say I miss all of them greatly.  We used the foot method to point out obstructions in the road when the group got larger.  Riding in groups can be dangerous if you don't understand the dynamic and the rules (unspoken and spoken).  They would be the only group I would ride with larger than 4.  I've been to two funerals related to that group (not mc related accidents).  In fact I tear up now thinking about it.  I also tear up about the riding partner I haven't ridden with in a few years.  He's got another hobby, photography and he's moved back to MD so we don't ride as much anymore.  It's really ironic with him as he made fun of me when I had my Voyager (old man's bike) and he had 4 cylinder whatsit BMW ST and now I have a performance sport tourer and he has a K1200LT.  I miss him.  Damn German.  We made an odd pair, German and English.  My mother couldn't figure it out and never was totally good with it.  She still remembered WWII and being bombed by them.

So I totally understand how you feel, Max, totally. 

[twowheeladdict]

Jim, the Voyager XII was my first Kawasaki.  Loved that bike.  I put race tech suspension up front and progressives out back. Raised the bike two inches.  It was a very sporty touring bike. 

Thanks for backing me up on the foot signal thing. 

I have one close riding bud that have shared a lot of riding adventures with.  I got him into dual sport riding and he got me into sport bike riding. 

Also a nice couple that still own a Voyager XII and a Connie.  My wife and I have had some great travels with them. 

Different riding for different times, but any ride is a great ride IMO.

[VirginiaJim]

Never heard of pointing with your foot?  How unusual, don't ride with groups often?

Now....the HD guy did it wrong.  You point with your left hand to the left and your RIGHT foot to the right, so you don't have to take your hand off the throttle.


  I know what he was doing, he was stretching out his leg and hip.  I should have guessed cus' I did the same riding cruiser-tourers.

As do I, but not in twisty situations...

[freebird6]

Never heard of pointing with your foot?  How unusual, don't ride with groups often?

When I first started riding my GF always did that (and still does) when she is leading. It is nice to have that input as you are rounding a curve in South East Ohio and not always able to see through her bbike at something in the road.  I should get better at it but don't always thik of the others following me as well as I should as I so infrequently ride in a group.

[pistole]

- taking your foot off a peg in corner is dangerous.

- better to just maintain better distances between bikes if you're keen on riding in groups.

.

[ZG]

I do it when I need to break some serious wind and don't want to shart... 

[gPink]

So is this guy pointing to debris on the track? 

[Pokey]

When I first started riding my GF always did that (and still does) when she is leading. It is nice to have that input as you are rounding a curve in South East Ohio and not always able to see through her bbike at something in the road.  I should get better at it but don't always thik of the others following me as well as I should as I so infrequently ride in a group.

Where you at in Ohio, I am in Westerville....and yes the roads here "although fun" can sure make you pucker.

[freebird6]

I am in Muncie Indiana but my son has been in  Athens OH for 5 years and my SO is in Lancaster so I am back and forth to Delaware OH, Lancater and Athens every or every other weekend. Usually across US36, OH571,US 40 and OH56 but occasionally 36 to Delaware then OH 37 down to Lancaster.

Most weekends we ride out through Nelsonville and 78 out to McConellsville and south from there. Great roads clear down to Ashland KY on OH 93. and back.

[katata1100]

Talk about top heavy with a couple of cases of longnecks.

I honestly have no idea how top heavy it'll be. I return home after that beer fest. Now, my bike is pretty meticulously packed for this 14 day trip that I'll start in 30 minutes. Socks are neatly rolled, different items are in ziplock bags, one saddle bag is dedicated to clothes, the other for toiletries, camera, etc.
However, the GABF is on day 13 of my trip and when I pack up the bike the next day, the day after drinking unlimited 2oz samples of beer for five hours, I have a feeling the packing will look like a big cluster F&&k! The only thing I'll remember is to not pack any beer in the right side bag (above the exhaust!).

[Rasmith]

Cruiser schools teach "the wave" and how to properly park under an overpass when it is raining. They also teach how to avoid scraping the pegs or floorboards, and not to exceed 50 mph in most instances. And lets not forget the LETS DRESS LIKE THE VILLAGE PEOPLE classes "that is the most popular".

How do you know all this?

I think the school you are referring to has students riding a short bus..Not a cruiser

[Son of Pappy]

 

[twowheeladdict]

Quote from: Pokey on September 27, 2012, 03:37:29 pm


Cruiser schools teach "the wave" and how to properly park under an overpass when it is raining. They also teach how to avoid scraping the pegs or floorboards, and not to exceed 50 mph in most instances. And lets not forget the LETS DRESS LIKE THE VILLAGE PEOPLE classes "that is the most popular".

Quote from: Rasmith

How do you know all this?

I think the school you are referring to has students riding a short bus..Not a cruiser

Some people are just narrow minded and don't realize there are many different ways to have fun on two wheels.  Some people get it and some people don't.

[Son of Pappy]

And some have fun poking fun at brands.  Take me as an example.  I have never and will never ride a Harley, is it truly a brand thing?  Yes, and no.  Many years ago I jokingly told my friend I would never be caught riding a Harley.  He rides a Harley, absolutely loves that Harley.  If it starts raining?  He wants to find a place to park it, be it an overpass or anywhere out of the rain.  If it gets into the mid 40's?  Stays parked.  Is he afraid of the cold or rain?  Come join us elk hunting and you be the judge.  FWIW, I'd give up body parts if it would keep him alive.  The joke became more of a promise, it has become a thing of honor to never break that "Promise".
To take brand jabbing seriously is like getting upset it started raining.  Aint nothing you can do about it, short of moving to some dry, arid, void of normal life place.  Ride your ride, I'll ride mine, if your ride happens to be a cruiser I assure you I will poke some good natured fun.  If that's too much, I reckon we'd need to find new riding partners.

[twowheeladdict]

And some have fun poking fun at brands.  Take me as an example.  I have never and will never ride a Harley, is it truly a brand thing?  Yes, and no.  Many years ago I jokingly told my friend I would never be caught riding a Harley.  He rides a Harley, absolutely loves that Harley.  If it starts raining?  He wants to find a place to park it, be it an overpass or anywhere out of the rain.  If it gets into the mid 40's?  Stays parked.  Is he afraid of the cold or rain?  Come join us elk hunting and you be the judge.  FWIW, I'd give up body parts if it would keep him alive.  The joke became more of a promise, it has become a thing of honor to never break that "Promise".
To take brand jabbing seriously is like getting upset it started raining.  Aint nothing you can do about it, short of moving to some dry, arid, void of normal life place.  Ride your ride, I'll ride mine, if your ride happens to be a cruiser I assure you I will poke some good natured fun.  If that's too much, I reckon we'd need to find new riding partners.

This summer on my west trip 98 percent of the bikes out there touring were Harley Davidsons.  Everyone we talked with had ridden their bikes from home, not trailered.  I have seen many Harleys riding in the rain.  They might stop under an overpass to put on their rain gear.  I find that to be too dangerous so I put on my gear before the rain starts.

[VirginiaJim]

I put on rain gear before it rains as well.  In fact, others in the group would make fun of me for doing that but then it was me laughing at them getting soaked.  All in good fun, though.  And SOP is right in that we do make fun, at times, of other's rides to some degree.  It's part of this forum and I don't see that changing anytime soon.  In fact, I'm making a point of it not changing as long as I'm around.  I like humor and see it in most anything.  I don't play well with serious people.