Zumo User Forums

Ooh, I forgot! Another site someone turned me on to is https://www.hdcarolina.com/map. Very well done with reviews, overview, suggestions, etc. I've been to a few and it's very accurate.

It reminded me to add another star to the map- Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And Maybe a highlight- I completed all the Blue Ridge Parkway in July '19. Both of these were also in North Carolina.

ST1300. Many 2-3 week tours in UK and Europe. Some camping, two-up.
This is my 4th Pan European - and have covered a total of more than 200,000 miles between them. 82K on 2 ST1100s and 120K on ST1300s, including nearly 50K on the present one. Mostly 2-up.

jfheath wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 2:28 pm ST1300. Many 2-3 week tours in UK and Europe. Some camping, two-up.
This is my 4th Pan European - and have covered a total of more than 200,000 miles between them. 82K on 2 ST1100s and 120K on ST1300s, including nearly 50K on the present one. Mostly 2-up.

RM184765 - Small.JPG

All my miles since 2004 except about 45 have been solo. My wife hates bikes.

I have a 2003 Valkyrie Standard, 89,000 miles. We ride it two up for short trips but I did take it on a 600 miles solo trip in October.

I have a 2007 ST1300 which has 108,000 miles on it. Lots of long distance trips out west, Canada, its been in 47 states (I missed Rhode Island).

I have a 2015 Honda Goldwing which is my current two up long distance bike. Just did (in September) a trip around the northern part of Lake Superior. It has about 55,000 miles on the odometer.

I had one of these for a few years. My wife called it the "Gazelle". She called the Valkyrie the "Clydesdale"

I put about 20,000 miles on it, purchased used with about 40,000 miles on the odometer. Two issues, the sensor that senses the position of the flywheel (or what ever part is used for timing) failed due to water intrusion (common problem) and the final drive failed one day. Luckily I was a near a Waffle House.

Sold it six or so years ago.

carolinarider09 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 11, 2019 3:39 am I had one of these for a few years.......

And that would be a ........ ?

My wife hates bikes. Mostly she just ignores them. About a week of not saying anything after I bought the FJR she finally asked, "is that what they call a crotch rocket?" I said, "no honey. This is a crotchety rocket- a sleek looking slow bike for old people." That worked pretty well for about 10 yrs until I got ticketed for 84 in a 55 . She finally asked if I lied to her .

And I never let her see the invoices or receipts of everything I've bought. Pretty smart, eh?

Its a BMW R1100RT (2000) I think Police Bike. It was cool when rode it with my silver helmet and black leather jacket. People actually move out of the way on the interstate However, I did convert it back and "standard". Then my wife could ride with me when she wanted.

It was quick, agile and handled well. It was, as I noted, a little short on quality.

I started riding again about 6 yrs ago. I've had a few bikes since then, as you can see :


Yamaha XJR 1300. God I wish I'd kept that bike as a summer only bike.


Next, I had a Vstrom DL1000. Not a bad bike, but had the Vstrom judder at around 4k revs


Next up, a Bandit 1200. What can I say, it's a Bandit!


Then we went for a Triumph Sprint GT. Lovely, but killed my wrists even with bar risers. Shame, great bike.


After the Triumph came a Suzuki GSX1250FA. Again, nice bike but it didn't float my boat. The more I rode it, the more I wanted something else.


Wanted something else, so I got it. FJR1300 and absolutely loved it.


Took the FJR in to price up having the fork seals done, and saw that they were doing a good deal on this brand new one:


Went to France for a biking holiday last June, probably not the best time to change a bike, but 3 days before we went, I got my "current" bike. A shiny new Yamaha Tracer 900GT. So far, I'm finding it comfy, handles well, quick enough for me and with the Black Widow exhaust sounds lovely. My wife asked if I'd actually be keeping this one for more than 6 months! ..........Of course I'm keeping it dear, until I change it

Hopefully I'll be collecting this Beauty on Sunday:- Only problem is--it's 1 flight, 1 ferry and 800 miles to get it home!!

Very nice [mention]kernowing[/mention] enjoy the trip