MZ33: Taking Aim at Colorado

Message

slimcolo · #11 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:20 pm

A.D. Farrow, which is apparently the oldest Harley dealership in the nation.

Nope that would be Dudley Perkins in San Fransisco since 1914.

http://www.dpchd.com/

Or would it.

http://www.adfarrow.com/new/

Wright in his book The Harley Davidson Motor Co. An Official 80 Year History credits Perkins as being the oldest, and mentions A.D. Farrow not at all. So was the first Farrow or Perkins?

#12 Unread post by **MZ33** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:27 am

The sky was unexpectedly sunny, the temp soared to over 70 degrees F, and moreover, this was the last nice day of the week. As an added bonus, the predicted winds really were as predicted: 10-20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. I got a stern look from my spouse the night before when I mentioned that this would be good practice for crossing the winds of Kansas

If it hadn't been so warm and sunny, I might have deferred, but heck, I need riding time and experience, don't I?

Well, having the full-face helmet on felt like having a melon for a head.

I was only out for 2 hours, but my shoulders were feeling it before I got home. The bike, however, was pretty good in the wind. It was fairly easy to make quick adjustments to the gusts (which I doubt were more than 25-30 mph, and fairly sparse), so I stayed in my lane quite nicely.

I'm thinking the moral of this story is ride in the wind whenever possible and have an ample supply of Tylenol and Advil for Kansas.

On a sadder note, I did drop the Versys. Scuffed the left bag and curled the clutch lever, but that was all. It was a few days ago, when I was practicing slow-speed manuevers in a parking lot. I have to get better at maintaining throttle speed. The Kawi, though lighter, is harder to pick up than the V Star, because of the higher CoG I imagine. I had just purchased Jerry Pallodino's "Ride Like A Pro" DVD--which is what I was practicing--so it was fresh in my mind how the 115 lb woman walked the 800 lb Harley upright. Mind you, I am waayy more than 115 lbs.

Now, tomorrow is a special day. My glasses cannot continue to take the beating that my full-face helmet gives them. Plus, it is damn inconvenient to take off my glasses, put on the helmet, and wiggle the glasses over my ears everytime I get on and off the bike. The solution? Lasik surgery!! Wheeeee! I have hemmed and hawed about getting it done for a few years, but riding is what finally made me decide to go for it. Wish me luck!! If I go blind and can't type or ride anymore, I'll have my husband finish off my blog for me.

HarleyGal56 · Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:10 am

slimcolo wrote:
A.D. Farrow, which is apparently the oldest Harley dealership in the nation.

Nope that would be Dudley Perkins in San Fransisco since 1914.

http://www.dpchd.com/

Or would it.

http://www.adfarrow.com/new/

Wright in his book The Harley Davidson Motor Co. An Official 80 Year History credits Perkins as being the oldest, and mentions A.D. Farrow not at all. So was the first Farrow or Perkins?

I had the same question, here's what I found...

The Fall 2008 edition of H-D's Enthusiast Magazine wrote, "A.D. Farrow Co. in Columbus, Ohio, is recognized as the oldest continuously operated operated H-D dealer in the world, having begun selling the brand in February 1912. Kegel Motorcycle Co., of Rockford, Ill., which opened in March 1912, is the oldest dealer under continuous ownership."

It's my home dealer and the new NorthStar store is awesome. Hope it helps!

jstark47 · #14 Unread post by **jstark47** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:44 am

MZ33 wrote:On a sadder note, I did drop the Versys. Scuffed the left bag and curled the clutch lever, but that was all.

Sorry you dropped the bike, but ya gotta know hard sidecases are scuff magnets. If you're like me, they'll get scuffed anyway. I've never dropped my V-strom, but the sidecases, which are less than 2 years old, look like they've been through the wars. I keep forgetting how wide the bike is with them on!

I can't remember if you have engine guards on your bike. If you don't, I recommend these from SW Motech: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /3855/204/ Best thing since canned beer, worth every cent they cost. We've got them on my V-strom and my wife's G650X. (They're probably available from other sellers besides Twisted Throttle, I just happened to buy ours from there.)

#15 Unread post by **MZ33** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:48 am

Engine guards don't stick out from the bike, do they? That would be highway guards. Will the engine guards ever "work" if the saddlebags are on? Or do they protect the engine from some other stuff?

jstark47 · #16 Unread post by **jstark47** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:56 am

I guess it depends on the specific geometry of the Versys and how far your sidebags stick out. The two sets of guards we have don't come out very far from the engine - it's not like you would put your feet on them.

If I dropped my V-strom with the side case on, it would probably end up resting on two points - the side case in the back and the engine guard in the middle - although a foot peg or lever might be bearing some weight too. (I'll have to walk out in the parking lot and check... maybe at lunch time.) I'm pretty sure it would keep the tank and the half-fairing from hitting the ground.

#17 Unread post by **MZ33** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:45 am

For the trip, I need a few lists. There’s the Bike Needs List, the Packing List, the Rider Needs List, and perhaps a list of all my lists.

I think I will also look up Horizons Unlimited for a start on the Pack List.

Rider Needs List:
Lasik surgery--done
BRC 2--scheduled
ERC 2--scheduled
Ride Like A Pro CD--obtained, practice begun (which is when I dropped my bike

)
ASMI Course--done
Fitness Training--ongoing . . .
Ride Time Regimen, including practice with Camelback

Bike Needs List:
Bike (got that!!)
Stebel horn
Ride-On Tire Stuff
Maintenance Once-Over by mechanic just before leaving
Luggage Needs

Wish List:
Handlebar Guards (before cold weather, certainly)
Throttle Lock
Bar Snake (smoother is always better!)
SW Moto engine guards

The Packing List
Shop for good riding pants.
Waterproof gloves
Waterproof boots

Okay, that's a start. All you experienced tourers please pitch in with additions, subtractions, or priorities!

jstark, I saw some engine guards outfitted on another Versys on the V forum. He is actually going to put highway pegs on there somewhere--has quite the tricked-out bike. I have added the guards to my growing wishlist.

slimcolo · #18 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:39 am

Try this for some tips.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=33345

#19 Unread post by **MZ33** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:16 am

^Wow, that's "Hints from Heloise" for touring! And it has bonus brain teasers. Yup, I bookmarked it--thanks, slim!

I am being very well-behaved today. Doc said I can't ride for a week after the LASIK surgery, which will bring me to 3 PM on Friday. Naturally, today is sunny & going to reach 70 degrees F.

But I shall focus (oh, look, a pun!) on the big picture: I only get one pair of eyes, and there will be other days. In the meantime, for fun, I get to take my helmet on and off without futzing with glasses.

On the farkle scene, though, I've found another advantage to engine guards: I can clamp highway pegs onto them. That moves it farther up the wish list. Also, Kaoko makes a throttle lock. Anybody use them? How safe are they when you go to slow down? I mean, how does that friction nut thingy work? Y'know, owning bikes are kind of like owning horses. You think the initial outlay is the big expense, but oh, how naive you are . . .

#20 Unread post by **Wrider** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:07 am

The throttle locks usually are ok for slowing down. The ones I've seen/used basically hold the throttle hard enough to overpower the return springs but you can still turn it if you need to with your hand. I wouldn't be worried about the safety issue with them tbh.