Things I learned on Pizza Run

[bobonaboat]

After an over zealous 476 mile ride, I now know stuff.

Firstly, I'm not gonna ride that far in one day again. Period.

If I'm gonna ride long, there are several things that need to be different. Firstly the seat(s). My Raven Ultimate is too low and moves me too much forward, and the passenger pillion is horrid. Shirley suffered greatly, and I give her mucho credit for toughing it out.

Back rests. In a perfect world, there would be back rests for both riders. Corbin makes a dual tourer seat that has intregal back rests that don't require additional hardware. I'm searching for input on other riders experience with the Corbin products. It's expensive at retail $699.

Windsheild. Damn I hate the look, but reality is a bitch. I didn't suffer much as I have a facesheild helmet, but poor Shirley ate 476 miles of bugs. Lonearcher has a very sleek detachable which has hardware that's not obtrusive once detached, and looked like the hardware could be removed relatively simply for my overly anal tastes.

Throttle lock or throttle paddle or cruise control. 476 miles of throttle hand had my forearm cramped enough that I had to drink tequila left handed, and that's just unnatural. Didn't slow me down much, but at my age I'm not into waiting. I don't even buy green bananas anymore.

Saddle bags. I can live with that, as there's plenty of zip offs that have capacity enough for what I need, and I can toss 'em in the corner of the garage until I need to pack stuff. A bit more work, but them's the breaks, I figure.

Of course the ultimate answer would be multiple bikes, but I'm trying to figure out how to retire in under 10 to the beach house in SoCal. I'm not sure being a geriatric gigolo for my drinks and ****** is something I can do. I'll save that for when I have to settle for the GL1500 trike, I suppose.

So dear VTX'ers, input, input, help! I wanna do the best I can to continue to develop my X into a street fighter and still have all the options.

Bob

[VTX-Ryder]

Learning is a harsh road grasshopper, but you have come far.
Understanding the question is 3/4 of the journey to finding the solution.

We are proud of you.

[DB Paint]

Bob, mustang makes a good seat with a back rest,Jon and I both run them way more comfortable than stock took about 1000 miles to really break in and paladin makes a removable sissy bar/luggage rack check out www.xtremerevolution.com (http://www.xtremerevolution.com) I"ve spent lots with them and been very happy, top notch customer sevice if you have to call a real person will help you !

[shuterbg]

I don't think I could do that long of a ride right now. I was thinking maybe about doing that sometime and spending the night at my parents house in Selah then come home.
For me I need some risers and a back rest to make that trip more comfy.

[XRiderChuck]

Bob, I hear your pain. Throttle rocker is a priceless $10 addon. I never leave home with out mine. As far as the rest... I'm far too vain to have a windscreen on my baby, ever... saddle bags are allowed, but only until I cowboy up enough to ride to Sturgis with what I can tie on the cargo rack. Backrest... see tieing my crap on the cargo rack. You're correct in the answer being more then one bike... my problem is my next bike wants to be the new Ducati Hypermotard 1100!! :shock:

[DB Paint]

Monica I still have the risers I even polished them up

[Jon's1800VTXC]

Everything comes in quick detach, from removeable backrests (Mustang) to Paladin luggage racks and almost any saddlebags you can use easy brackets on. As far as good looking windshields I settled on Memphis Shades but never take it off except to clean the bike, which is only 2X a year for a complete detail :shock: :lol:

[tubbythetuba]

Bob, you could have Rolls/Royce everything, but that first all day ride will kill ya until ya build up the different muscles for it......Just got back from a four day, 10+ hours a day marathon........Whew, I'm glad I worked up to it........in addition to the throttle rocker, get a Vista Cruize Control: Priceless, Sir, Priceless.

[BlueFalcon]

Bob, you nailed it. My first trip to SoCal on the bike (Spirit 1100 at the time) taught me to get every item you listed on the bike before the next trip. I found I didn't really use the throttle lock much at all, but the paddle is something I would never ride without. I'm in total appreciation of the "bagger" setup after a couple thousand mile lesson. That's why I am doing my best to create a VTX long haul vacation monster. I'll be ready for any ride of any length.

Brian

[LoneArcher]

Rob,
Incase you forgot, The windshield is a switchblade. Once you get the mounts, you can switch between several different shields without changing hardware. I got my 2up shield and mounts on ebay for 230.00. And the smaller shield i ran on saturday for 109.00. Check out vikingmotorcycle.com
Steve

[Izzys]

Bob, you must be getting old, once you hit the magic age then comfort moves above style on the bike list. I'm with you 500+ miles in a day is a bit much for me, 300-350 is about the limit.
Come on down to the BBQ on Aug 4-5 weekend for some fun back-roads country rides.
A word of advice, get a good, big, comfortable seat for the wife, :lol: Bob

[bobonaboat]

Did someone say wife? :shock:

Izzy, I'm very interested in joining you all for that! Thanks for the invite!

Steve, thanks for the reminder on the Switchblade. I was struggling to remember that...

My issue, and truely, it's all mine, is that I want both worlds. I want my hotrod stripped down slammer, and I want to have the Rolls (as my buddy Blaine said) for long haul two-up.

Resignation is the key word know. I'm gonna have to spend time figuring out what works for me, and switching stuff back and forth. I can live with that.

I really appreciate all of your input and advice!

[Shooter Jones]

Rob,
Incase you forgot, The windshield is a switchblade. Once you get the mounts, you can switch between several different shields without changing hardware. I got my 2up shield and mounts on ebay for 230.00. And the smaller shield i ran on saturday for 109.00. Check out vikingmotorcycle.com
Steve

+1 on what LoneArcher had to say . . . A windshield will dramatically reduce your fatigue level, your chest, arms, and head will no longer be bucking the wind.
Kudos’ to both you and Shirley for tuffin’ it out!

[farmguy/ Dale]

Bob, I have the Corbin dual touring with 2 backrests, small oval in front for me and a large for the wife as she has had back surgery, more support. Very easy to move around, one allen screw is all it takes but seat has to come off first. My little trick, I just slide it in with no screw, never had a problem with the backrest without a screw holding it on. Did the same thing with my other bike. I like to swap backrests and use the large oval when riding solo, the top hits me right below the shoulder blades, tremendous support, did a 500+ mile day last year across MT with no shield, no problems. Just lean back into the rest and enjoy the wind.

[bobonaboat]

Dale,

Thanks for the input! I like the idea of the intregal back rest so there's less crap screwed to the bike, ya know?

I've been shopping them online...wow....very, very spendy!

[Ed1947]

:) Hey Bob, who saz you can't teach an "OLD DOG" new tricks??? The trick I would like to learn is how to grow a money tree out back??? Cuz I don't want anything to do with that dirty four letter word!!! (WORK) :lol: Ed&Leslie!!! 8) ride ON!!!

[bobonaboat]

OK, now I'm scaring myself!

Saw a couple of Gold Wings on Craigslist that I can pick up for what a seat, windsheild and bags would cost....

I'm thinking ....hate when that happens!

Yikes!

[machinit]

Bob,

I vote for you stickin' with the low stripped down look, and heck you can alway's get a massage when you get home to help ease the "road pain"


http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/5512Mod_VTX_Yard.JPG

[eagle1953]

Bob,

I vote for you stickin' with the low stripped down look, and heck you can alway's get a massage when you get home to help ease the "road pain"


http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/5512Mod_VTX_Yard.JPG

+1

[bobonaboat]

Eagle, Machinit, I'm staying with the dropped, lean, mean, racy panther like look.

Tomorrow I'm going to look at an '85 Goldwing Aspencade with only 34k on her....

That'll work for longer rides, for sure!

[DB Paint]

I'd like to get forward controls already did the seat and risers and windsheild but over all the X is way better than the 5 other bikes I've had by far!

[bobonaboat]

I'm quite happy with the L&R brackets. I am not all that tall at 5'10", but I needed to stretch my legs out. I got the std's, which move the everything forward 3 1/2 inches, and up 1 1/2. They are available in 5" also. I may try a set of the 5", as with the slammed seat I'm closer again.

There goes another wad o' cash. Sigh.

[DB Paint]

Bob it's only money boat parts cost way more ! Gotta link to L n R controls thanks !

[machinit]

Eagle, Machinit, I'm staying with the dropped, lean, mean, racy panther like look.

Tomorrow I'm going to look at an '85 Goldwing Aspencade with only 34k on her....

That'll work for longer rides, for sure!

Bob,

Did you put 6* trees on your scoot? I'm assuming you did because of your sig line..........post up some pictures if you did.

[bobonaboat]

Machinit, no, not yet. If you reread my tagline it's prefaced by "next package". They are on order...

I will post up pics when I get 'em on, for sure!

Bob

[machinit]

Machinit, no, not yet. If you reread my tagline it's prefaced by "next package". They are on order...

I will post up pics when I get 'em on, for sure!

Bob

Right on!

You'll love the look and feel.

[Shooter Jones]

Machinit, no, not yet. If you reread my tagline it's prefaced by "next package". They are on order...

I will post up pics when I get 'em on, for sure!

Bob

Bob -

I think you've been bittin' and can't keep from buyin' goodies :mcrider: Don't feel bad . . . . I went to get oil for my next change and ended up buying a $65.00 front fender ornament . . . GEEEEEZZZ, is there a cure, I can't leave my bike alone . . . this is going to require at least 3 sessions with the physcoligest :oops:

[bobonaboat]

Oh, yeah, I got it bad! I've been guilty of lust for those 6 degree trees for about a year. I just couldn't wait any longer after I saw Redhook and Machinits bikes with 'em on.

Machinit beat me to the deal on those Kewl Metal one offs....

It may get worse. I'm going to look at that '85 Goldwing Aspencade tonight....

Yikes!

[Shooter Jones]

Oh, yeah, I got it bad! I've been guilty of lust for those 6 degree trees for about a year. I just couldn't wait any longer after I saw Redhook and Machinits bikes with 'em on.

Machinit beat me to the deal on those Kewl Metal one offs....

It may get worse. I'm going to look at that '85 Goldwing Aspencade tonight....

Yikes!

Is there such a thing as a “good addiction” . . . ? :lol:

[bobonaboat]

I'm not sure....fortunately, I can resist anything but temptation!

[Shooter Jones]

I'm not sure....fortunately, I can resist anything but temptation!

Lucky for me I'm on 2nd shift today. Hence, I just finished putting on the front fender ornament . . . . ADDICTION CURED FOR ONE DAY!

[LoneArcher]

I cant stop, Its an addiction. Karl, Bob, I went online looking for Skull. Well i got two coming along with Paladin hwy bars and Kuryakyn pegs. I would have kept shopping. But i checked my bank account first.
That stoped my shopping till payday.
Man if i could just get my pipes i ordered soon, I think i could be happy for a bit.
Steve

[bobonaboat]

I'm getting a fix at lunch time....heading to Seattle Cycle Center to have the 200 Metz put on the wheel.

Yippee! I've been jonesin' for that for awhile!

[tubbythetuba]

I LOVE hangin' with you guys: You got so much stuff on those scoots, my mostly stock scoot looks way different :P

[Shooter Jones]

I LOVE hangin' with you guys: You got so much stuff on those scoots, my mostly stock scoot looks way different :P

Dear Mr. Tuba:

We love you too man, :shock: :oops: :lol: When I was 10 years old I had a Schwinn Sting Ray . . . It had a few playing cards in the rear wheel, plus, I'd wear the (ZZ Top) cheap sunglasses, and black Converse All-stars on my feet, at that moment in life I could not imagine anything better, then I got a 3hp Briggs & Straton mini-bike . . . . Anyway, I think you get the idea !

[bobonaboat]

Wow! I too had a Sting Ray. Green! I'll never forget the time I was trying out something cute and managed to lose my grip and slid off the back of that banana seat and belly flopped on the asphalt. Ouch! Serious road rash!

I never got the mini bike though.....that's probably why I'm such a sucker for goodies for my X. Still want that mini bike.....hey, first I'll get the GL, then I'm shopping for one of those! I could ride that around on the deck of my boat! Cool!

I did get the Red Ryder Daisy BB gun though....

[Shooter Jones]

Wow! I too had a Sting Ray. Green! I'll never forget the time I was trying out something cute and managed to lose my grip and slid off the back of that banana seat and belly flopped on the asphalt. Ouch! Serious road rash!

I never got the mini bike though.....that's probably why I'm such a sucker for goodies for my X. Still want that mini bike.....hey, first I'll get the GL, then I'm shopping for one of those! I could ride that around on the deck of my boat! Cool!

I did get the Red Ryder Daisy BB gun though....

STOP, your killing me! :lol: :lol: :lol: No wonder you had trouble last Saturday with Left-handed turns ... The Red Ryder took an eye!

[bobonaboat]

There were left turns? Oh.

That's why it seemed to take so much longer to get back?

Damn!

Mom was right. It's all fun until someone loses an eye.

[Shooter Jones]

Wow! I too had a Sting Ray. Green! I'll never forget the time I was trying out something cute and managed to lose my grip and slid off the back of that banana seat and belly flopped on the asphalt. Ouch! Serious road rash!

I never got the mini bike though.....that's probably why I'm such a sucker for goodies for my X. Still want that mini bike.....hey, first I'll get the GL, then I'm shopping for one of those! I could ride that around on the deck of my boat! Cool!

I did get the Red Ryder Daisy BB gun though....

STOP, your killing me! :lol: :lol: :lol: No wonder you had trouble last Saturday with Left-handed turns ... The Red Ryder took an eye!

Here ya go . . . . for the boat!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z145/vtx1300s/yhst-19755307400984_1949_3881821.jpg

[Ed1947]

:lol: "You will shoot your eye out!" I have been buying accessories for two years now! I need to stop this silliness!!! Maybe next year, yea right!!! Wednesday, when the brown truck came, I was still excided to dig in!!! I don't know if there is a cure? :wink: :lol: Have fun men!!! Ed1947 8)