@x01660 have you ever ridden the Blue Ridge Parkway? If you enjoyed the Skyline Drive you would LOVE the BRP. Further south, especially last 1/3 is simply perfect.
We have ridden the BRP 6 years in a row, some years multiple times and loved it. Rockies have their place but they BRP can be just as enjoyable or more so!!
Wayne, Carol & Blue
Looks like a great ride. I grew up nearby in Ellicott City but somehow have never been on Skyline drive.
Must have been tempting to just follow the sign to the BRP.
Peace and Tranquility -x01660
Don't see too many GS1150's anymore. I used to have an ES in that color scheme. Nice.Its beautiful country out here.... reminds me of the hills of Santa Ynez in CA:
View attachment 37092
View attachment 37093
And yes. I was SUPER tempted to go South instead of North today, but alas... I had to get back to ye ol' swamp...
-x01660
A beautiful walk in the vineyards of MĆ¢connais, Beaujolais
Don't see too many GS1150's anymore. I used to have an ES in that color scheme. Nice.
Tell me that's not a refrigerator on the back of the blue 1150.
OK...my impression of you just went up in some categories...down in others.
Certainly inventive and creative categories you're way up...crazy category
My brother had only a motorcycle for a couple of years a long time ago, he lives in Chicago...yes, I told him he was crazy also.
Good on you that you've found a way to get what.yoi need done on 2 wheels.
If you head down the BRP way, let me know. We can meet up at the VA/NC lineI have not!! I moved to DC 2 years ago, and this is the first solo trip over 50 miles I've made since I moved here.
However BRP (and Tail of the Dragon down in TN) are DEFINITELY on the bucket list of things to do. And soon!
-x01660
If you head down the BRP way, let me know. We can meet up at the VA/NC line
You could do the whole route in a day from the VA line to Cherokee NC where it ends but youād miss out on the scenic overlooks and such. Iāve been riding it the last 5 years and still pull over to enjoy the views. Speed limit goes from 35 to 45 in spots. National Park Service patrols it and Iām told a speeding ticket is Federal. During the week is best to avoid a lot of traffic. Wouldnāt go later than the first week of November as it is a lot colder on the ridge than down below and has had cases of snow and ice. Theyāll shut the road down for that.I'll definitely do that! I actually have a question about BRP; obviously, you can't do the entire thing in a day (at least at the speed limit), so I assume that there are campgrounds and hotels all along the way? This would be something that I'd want to start in Front Royal, and ride along the crest until I get to TN. Then I'll take superslab back to DC. Going at a moderate pace (I was doing about 50-55 on my ride yesterday-PERFECT speed for the empty roads), how long does the whole ride take? I'm assuming I'd probably want about 3 days to do the whole thing and get back; that sound about right?
Also, when is the best time of year to go? For me, the best time of year is when there's minimal traffic and road obstacles. I can deal with a little cold or a lot of heat, and I'll probably try to go during the week, or when there's a big sporting event going on.
Thoughts?
-x01660
Suggest you take 5 days starting and ending in the DC area.I'll definitely do that! I actually have a question about BRP; obviously, you can't do the entire thing in a day (at least at the speed limit), so I assume that there are campgrounds and hotels all along the way? This would be something that I'd want to start in Front Royal, and ride along the crest until I get to TN. Then I'll take superslab back to DC. Going at a moderate pace (I was doing about 50-55 on my ride yesterday-PERFECT speed for the empty roads), how long does the whole ride take? I'm assuming I'd probably want about 3 days to do the whole thing and get back; that sound about right?
Also, when is the best time of year to go? For me, the best time of year is when there's minimal traffic and road obstacles. I can deal with a little cold or a lot of heat, and I'll probably try to go during the week, or when there's a big sporting event going on.
Thoughts?
-x01660
You can modify the antler covers to cover the hole with the antlers in place.
Looks even better.
Ride safe, Ted
Ok, some of the experts need to jump in here.@connie_rider , here's that picture you requested of my rear chicken strip:
View attachment 37329
-x01660
Great price!! Good find.Look what I found on Ebay and bought!!!!
View attachment 37524
I should be able to bolt the backrest from that other backrest I bought to that, and I have a buddy who's welding a little extender platform for my GIVI topcase, so I can move it slightly off the back of the bike (and not break it this time; Archimedes was right....) and have my topcase AND a rigid backrest for the missus.
Will report back with results!
-x01660
That's where I found mine years ago too .Look what I found on Ebay and bought!!!!
View attachment 37524
I should be able to bolt the backrest from that other backrest I bought to that, and I have a buddy who's welding a little extender platform for my GIVI topcase, so I can move it slightly off the back of the bike (and not break it this time; Archimedes was right....) and have my topcase AND a rigid backrest for the missus.
Will report back with results!
-x01660
Damn, youāre the king of eBay lately. Great findsEbay is on a ROLL!!!!
View attachment 37528
I bought this specifically for those spacers and bolts, since I lost mine (stupidly).
So i'll have this rack for sale (minus the spacers and bolts) as soon as I get it, if anyone needs one. And I'll sell it cheap. $10+ shipping.
-x01660
Great picture Roger!Used a bicycle bottle cage on a couple C10's. Bolted to the inner black piece that has the pocket. That's a average size cage but larger ones may be available. It's on the right side but might be handier on the left. HTH View attachment 37540
Used a bicycle bottle cage on a couple C10's. Bolted to the inner black piece that has the pocket. That's a average size cage but larger ones may be available. It's on the right side but might be handier on the left. HTH View attachment 37540
Some do have a sound like that. My 05 with 50k didn't. My son's 87 with 100k and my 01 with 50k do. IIRC it's only on throttle and goes away off throttle. If this is what you're talking about it's good. There's also a balancer down on the bottom right side that can make noise. We don't hear much about those though. The fix is to loosen the holder and adjust. I think that's mentioned in the shop manual. HTH
In really COLD weather (~20), my speedo would occasionally begin to squawl, as opposed to a whine. Annoying, but it would usually clear up after a few miles, or the temps started getting up in the high 20s.If anyone gets this; I have a high pitched whine that's coming through the fairing starting at 55mph and getting higher until I can't hear it after about 70. Sounds like air almost. Could it be tire noise? I took my bike to a shop. Also notice that my mirrors are a little vibraty. Bike feels fine. I'm in the road, so ill check soon. Thanks!
For cold weather riding - Electric Heated gear IS a game changer. I resisted and layered up for years then, after half reluctantly making the investment, wondered why I wasted so many years being uncomfortable with a stay puffed marshmallow like figure. Also the layers really bothered my wifeās neck and shoulders.
Yes, I haven't done it, but I have read that section of the manual. It's an unexpectedly simple and crude procedure. You loosen the balancer locking bolt, start the engine, then rotate the balancer adjustment shaft until you hear "a whirring noise", then back off a tiny bit before it made noise and tighten the bolt down.Some do have a sound like that. My 05 with 50k didn't. My son's 87 with 100k and my 01 with 50k do. IIRC it's only on throttle and goes away off throttle. If this is what you're talking about it's good. There's also a balancer down on the bottom right side that can make noise. We don't hear much about those though. The fix is to loosen the holder and adjust. I think that's mentioned in the shop manual. HTH
I appreciate the man vs nature/ element dynamic. We have ridden a handful of challenging 1,000+ mile days and the sense of completion is awesome.I specifically choose to ride in cold/heat specifically to acclimatise myself to the different temps. And to endure. It was cold this morning. VERY cold. But you tough it out. Because that's what you do. Same thing with heatā¦.
I appreciate the man vs nature/ element dynamic. We have ridden a handful of challenging 1,000+ mile days and the sense of completion is awesome.
That said, average day being 500 miles, there comes the time and point I would rather use technology and tools vs mind over matter and being miserable or less comfortable. Not much different than GPS vs Map/Compass.
Glad you got out today looks awesome!
Wayne, Carol & Blue
Power is 12V.Oh, I agree 100%. I'm gonna look at that heated gear that you recommended and probably get it in Feb. A MAJOR part of how exhausted I was/am was the cold fatigue. I had some battery heated mitts and I'm REALLY happy I brought those because they at least kept my hands not numb in the morning time. I lost feeling in my toes until around 11am....
So yes on heated gear. I have a question about that, though, since I've never used heated gear; how do connect it to the bike, and how much voltage does it take? After I mount my tip over bars, I think I'm gonna get some KC Hilites Xenon pods that are gonna use around 130W for the pair. Will there be enough wattage left over for say, gloves, vest, and socks?
-Z
Pretty certain guy young has already done the math a d posted that here somewhere on the forum. Do a search by his name, itll list all the threads he's participating in.Power is 12V.
I am unsure for C-10 what the available wattage is, without doubt itās available here on the site.
You can easily attach a direct power lead to the battery with the correct plug to connect your gear. I would advise looking at installing a keyed powered outlet or fuse box.
Wayne, Carol & Blue
140 HP vs 90...
With a flash and slip on, mebbe150 VS 90..
The biggest difference is how Fuel Injections makes the power instant.
Canāt tell you FJR handling from experience.What about handling? I know she's a big girl, but could I do a track day with a C14? Or get into some tight mountain twisties? How good is the handling of a C14 in the hands of someone who's a decent rider? And how does it compare with an FJR?
-Z
Canāt tell you FJR handling from experience.
C-14, with proper suspension setup and inputs is a rather flickable machine. The platform is nimble, light (feeling) and has more than enough power to overcome the weight. I gather you enjoy the interaction with the machine when riding and not afraid to add input - thatās all the C-14 needs - a little extra input on the handlebars and sheāll dig deep, hard and do it fast.
I have pondered a ZX-14 but keep coming back to: The C-14 has more than enough power for our current needs and a ZX-14 would only bring a couple items to the table then scuttled the thought.
Having owned both the C-10 and C-14 the performance difference is maybe similar to Fordās 4 cylinder and a 5.0 Mustang lineage. Some may say itās not quite that large of a gap but the differences are significant.
Now if youāre never going to ride 2-up and want some serious out of the box power then yes I would say a ZX-14 or even ZX-14R are affordable used options. Then thereās the newer technology H2 SX-SEā¦
Wayne, Carol & Blue
For 2-Up I think a stock C-10 is more comfortable than a stock C-14.Thanks for this. 2 up is very important. And comfort while doing 2 up (to the point that I'm seriously considering a GL1800r1 for touring with the missus). How much more comfortable is the C14 vs C10 for the pillion?
You can get 200 miles per tank, without trying very hard either.My one concern is range; isn't the C14's tank a lot smaller? Will I be able to hit at least 200 on a tank?
C-14 will best the ZX-6R to 60MPH then the ZX-6R will come around you just before the 1/4 mile mark. Guessing if kept going though the C-14 would eventually return the favor at higher speeds.I don't wanna go with too new technology. I think the C14 is perfect in terms of modernity/simplicity. I'm also a sucker for analog gauges.
Off the line, in a straight line, how would the C14 pull compared to, say, a same year ZX-6R?
Nope no issue.My C10 is fantastic, but there are times where I was wishing I had a bit more power; I'm assuming that won't be the issue with a C14?
Supposedly low to mid 160ās HP with AreaP full exhaust and tune, love mine. Now thereās the question of practical street-able power as well. See Ivan and Steveās pages for ECU Tuning and what exhaust combos etc. lots of reading on the site in this topic.And between an ECU flash, slip ons, etc, what's the most amount of power I can reliably add without getting into the motor/FI? With the limiter removed, what kinds of top speeds will a C14 see? And for that part, how fast can you go on a C14 comfortably? Like, I feel I can sit at about 90 MPH on my C10. More than that, and things start to get a bit buzzy and floaty a bit. What about the C14?
Search the forum YES someone possible a few have turbocharged. Read about the considerations before even thinking about it. I wonāt ever bother for this machine.Thanks!
EDIT: Has anyone on here turbo'd their C14? I'd love to see that thread.
-Z
The way I look at it - the limitation of the C-14ās 200 - 230 miles helps get you off the bike, (forcing) interaction with the culture in the areas you are passing by, is a fatigue buster (safely, more easily / thoroughly stretch) and refocuses your mind. I have one official completed Iron Butt - Saddle Sore - and a couple others that I didn't bother to document. The one I documented was on a C-10 but I assure you we never ran farther than 230 miles without a stop and the others on the C-14 we stopped somewhere in the 200 - 230 mile range. All the 1,000+ miles per 24 HR period are 2-up. Note: Although the C-14 tank is only 5.7-5.8 gallons it is nothing to get 40 - 44 mpg on the open road and far better can be had too if riding more consciously.Yeah. It seems from what everyone has said on here, a C14 is gonna be the way to go for me.
The only thing I want is extra fuel capacityā¦.
Unless ur planning on doing alot of iron butt events, not worth the effort and expense. I get 200+220 mile to the tank, loaded with a Givi trunk on the back. The best I could go on my c10 was 230.Yeah. It seems from what everyone has said on here, a C14 is gonna be the way to go for me.
The only thing I want is extra fuel capacity. I saw a post on here about an ST1100 that had a 3.6 aux fuel tank on it, for a total of 11(!!!) gallons. That sounds like a dream. Though I suppose having over 9 gallons (5.8+3.6) would be fantastic. Anyone recommend a good aux fuel tank with some capacity for a C14?
-Z
Unless ur planning on doing alot of iron butt events, not worth the effort and expense. I get 200+220 mile to the tank, loaded with a Givi trunk on the back. The best I could go on my c10 was 230.
Wow, that's awesome and looks like a lot of fun! Impressive especially considering the cold weather!Got another 210 miles in today, and this time with the missus!!
We ended up going to Point Lookout State Park. Was a Union prison camp for Confederate soldiers:
View attachment 37655
And let me tell you.... it was cold (41F), but goddamn was it a BLUEBIRD day, and GORGEOUS. Like, WOW!! These photos are completely unedited:
View attachment 37656
View attachment 37657
View attachment 37658
And I'm SO proud of Maryann (my fiance); she did 210 miles today and didn't complain once! For someone who had ZERO motorcycle experience before meeting me, she's really taken to it. BOSS lady.
Hope y'all got some miles (or maintanence) in today!!
-Z
Wow, that's
Wow, that's awesome and looks like a lot of fun! Impressive especially considering the cold weather!
I'm hoping my wife will enjoy some longer rides on the Connie this spring. Her comfort limit on my sportbikes prior to this has been about 30 minutes, so I'm hoping this will expand our radius a lot more, especially with a backrest.
My wife and I have been riding together for 45 years now. Back in 1980 I almost rolled her off the back of our KZ550 (first weekend ride). The next week we had a backrest. Every bike we have owned has had one, until the 1999 C-10. It was the first bike she felt comfortable on without a backrest. Of course by then she knew when I am going to crank it up or brake hard almost before I do. Several years later I added the factory backrest and rack to the 99 and our 05 has a Givi trunk. I added passenger floorboards also.
View attachment 37663View attachment 37664
We got to test a new Gold Wing a couple of years ago. She didn't like the position of the passenger floorboards. The drivers seat forced her knees out and the boards were tucked in too far her feet to reach comfortably. We have done 12 hour days in the rain on the C-10.
I wouldn't bother with it since you ride all the time.
It was a 2019 or 2020 Gold Wing Tour DCT. I wanted to see what the DCT was all about and any bike I look at she is part of it. At this show we rode a Versys 1000 and one of the Indian cruisers. I didn't ride but wish I had was a Zero and the HD Pan Am. All of our bikes are paid for so it makes it hard to look at a $28000 plus bike. There have been several bikes we have tested. Some didn't fit me, some didn't fit her. She liked the 99 C-10 so much she recommended we get a 2nd one.Was this the GL1800r2? After the facelift and the addition of the 6th gear? I'm talking about the first revision GL1800 with the bug eyes.
Is that the one you tested? This is really good info. I guess we'll have to go sit on a few bikes.
I REALLY hope she doesn't end up liking a Harley the best....
-Z
I treat the gasoline all summer long - every tank when I'm home. It's inexpensive, a shot glass or two at a time. Can't hurt the engine and the plugs don't mind. I want to see some color in the clear as water gasoline we now use.Quick question about TC-W3;
Is there a benefit to running it in the bike if the bike is being run year round? The most either of my bikes (mostly the Vulcan) sits is about a week. And Voyager is run daily. Maybe I'll go at the most 3 days between running her.
In that case, is there a benefit to putting it in my fuel? I read that it helps against corrosion and tank rust, but does that apply if fuel is being run through it constantly?
And if not, what should I be doing to help with fuel woes? I have no access to ethanol-free gas anywhere near me, so I'm stuck with whatever is at the regular pump.
-Z
It was a 2019 or 2020 Gold Wing Tour DCT. I wanted to see what the DCT was all about and any bike I look at she is part of it. At this show we rode a Versys 1000 and one of the Indian cruisers. I didn't ride but wish I had was a Zero and the HD Pan Am. All of our bikes are paid for so it makes it hard to look at a $28000 plus bike. There have been several bikes we have tested. Some didn't fit me, some didn't fit her. She liked the 99 C-10 so much she recommended we get a 2nd one.