49 state quest-2014

Just returned from adding IN/MO/KS/Iowa/IL/NB

1700 miles-50mpg, exactly 10 mpg less than my 400 Burgman, same type use.

Mistakes: did not take my feather jacket as liner for my Darien Lite jacket, 30 degrees two mornings. Did not take/wear my Stone Lake leather bibs-they would have worked for whole trip. Wore my 40-50 winter gloves for whole trip, should have taken my 30 degree gloves. Had to wear Joe Rocket rain pants to keep warm. As US SilverWing comes with no electric plug in---my electric bib of no use. Heated grips would have been nice. Just wore all of the clothes I had with me under the jacket.

Events: pulled over in Const. Zone in St Louis---engine off but bike rolled forward off side stand----trailer bikers do not stop to help as well as HD weekend "rider?" Finally car guy stopped and helped me get the heavy pig up. Black Fingernail polish will cover plastic showing. Banged my head,broke face shield at mounting brackets---rode home with open face with helmet not designed to be used this way---just put Givi Adjustable screen up a little,looking over , comfortable on ride home.

As I am on second new SilverWing, the thing has serious high wind problems/following truck air waves---solution don't go so fast---the engine is faster than chassis, period.
Ridden at nice scooter pace=ok.

Do to uncomfortable handling, I had removed Givi box and carrier---taking off about 15 lbs of dead weight above and behind rear axle---$8.97 Plastic box from Home Depot helped a little. Carried only one Ortleib bag-10-15 lbs this time. My Conclusion: at highway speed not good bike to put beginner or unskilled rider on.

No bike trouble---needs bath and fresh oil.

Saw one scooter....on trailer.

Trip for me would have been better on Helix---love the built in trunk!! And they didn't seem to be bothered by load----I have 175,000 Helix miles------Further the SilverWing is not bike I would take on world tour---one of my 4 Helix did Baja California and Central America ok, dog liked it too.

What is an Ortlieb bag? Thanks for your answer.

Ortleib bag is German, waterproof---get from Aerostich.

john grinsel wrote:

pulled over in Const. Zone in St Louis---engine off but bike rolled forward off side stand----

I'm very surprised you let that happen. You say you taught motorcycle safety for a long time. One of the most logical rules is to set any parking brake or leave the bike in gear when the side stand is down so that the bike cannot roll on an incline.

Greysilver wrote:

What is an Ortlieb bag?  Thanks for your answer.

let me Google that for you

Careful Roger, I did that "Let Me Google That For You" once and became Snarky of the decade!  Seriously folks, you have a question while you are on the interweb and the idea to search for the answer doesn't just pop right into the middle of both brain cells?

Now, who was it that called me snarky?

Basic non-rider mistake to let bike roll off of side stand.  Need to reset the odometer of the I got more miles than anyone counter.  Probably don't ride.

BB, JD,
You're snipeing.
I hope you are doing so in good-natured jest....

John... I hope you are taking it as such.....

Don't mistake me for non-rider......my mistake.....head up butt......people who really do not ride much or have not ridden much...talk the talk......I have had my Kawsaki Voyager roll off stand, dropped my Concours in Germany....when my left leg wasn't long enough, my Daelim scooter in Korea had 360 degree 2" TUBE bumper so drops/bumps didn't matter......should be on SilverWings.

Lots of exposure=stuff happens. No exposure only talk.

From a sheer miles standpoint, you are an inspiration to all of us John.

Would love to hear more of the Baja / Central America trip on a Helix.

So what is the point of this 49 state quest anyway, you're just droning off to wherever for a few days then coming back home to Tennessee. You never mention any interesting places you've visited, people you've met, stuff you've bought, quirky places you've stayed in, or great meals you've eaten on your trips, it seems to me it's only about clocking up miles.

John,
Meldrew wouldn't be impressed if you rode to the 50th state and back to Tennessee.   

Meldrew wrote:

So what is the point of this 49 state quest anyway, you're just droning off to wherever for a few days then coming back home to Tennessee. You never mention any interesting places you've visited, people you've met, stuff you've bought, quirky places you've stayed in, or great meals you've eaten on your trips, it seems to me it's only about clocking up miles.

Bingo!

A good bit of interstate miles at that.

dspevack wrote:

BB, JD,
You're snipeing.
I hope you are doing so in good-natured jest....

John... I hope you are taking it as such.....

I don't think I'm criticizing John in any unfair way.

Sniping? Not really. Just expressing my surprise that he would let something like that happen with his experience, and his constant reminding us of that experience.

Good natured jest? I respect John for his 200 000 + miles of rubber band riding. I don't have the will to ride through 49 US states in one year at my lesser age, let alone his age. I also don't have the will to eat every meal at McD's while on the road.

Nothing wrong with clocking up miles in my book.   

TN boring period----have ridden in 49 states in past---doing all in a year interesting goal.

I try to take routes I have not been on before-----Interstates in such bad shape, I try to stay off as much as possible. McDonalds keeps the runs away----many of the fast food in the US gets you in the bushes within 20 minutes.

Greysilver wrote:

Nothing wrong with clocking up miles in my book.   

Where is the fun in just driving? I am so envious of all of you that can travel to far destinations. I can only go around this island. Yet, I still plan my stops. I enoy the ride more if I knew of an interesting place to stop, eat, and visit. What thoughts goes in one's mind while driving endless miles? I wish I could plan 300 mile trips. Here you can only go clockwise or counter clockwise. Boring. Have fun whatever your purpose of riding and ride safe. Aloha.

WingMan02 wrote:

Where is the fun in just driving?  What thoughts goes in one's mind while driving endless miles?  .

Where I live, in the Great Plains (Prairies) of N. America, heading west is dead flat for about 900 miles. I can't even stand 1 hour on the highway with nothing to see but endless prairie with a few trees here and there. It's all farm land. Heading south isn't much different. I avoid those directions like the plague. I go north to the large inland lakes, or east, where the prairies gives way to the Canadian Shield. It's rock, bog, and swamp with twisting, diving roads carved into rock outcrops. It's a blast to ride, but it's still an hour's drive to get into the heart of the shield. I do that trip several times a summer. On other boring rides I just think about how often I need to clean the bug splatter off my windscreen and watch the bars drop on my fuel gauge. I usually get 20 km to every litre of gas. Each fuel bar between the first and last is exactly 1 litre. The first and last fuel bars are 4 litres each. Watching the fuel gauge in concert with the tripmeters is my only entertainment. The grass isn't necessarily greener here compared to Hawaii. You can ride every day. My Swing sits in hibernation for 5 months a year. I'd gladly swap with you.

Interstate miles, don't you colonials do corners?

Sure we do.
Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota.....


They are our top four corn producing states...

dspevack wrote:

Sure we do.
Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota.....


They are our top four corn producing states...

What would we do without Wikipedia!   

Not many corners here in the Great Southwest. Mostly riding here is good except when its hot.

Riders ride scooters, not drive. I use back roads, which are often in good condition

bigbird wrote:

WingMan02 wrote:

Where is the fun in just driving?  What thoughts goes in one's mind while driving endless miles?  .

Where I live, in the Great Plains (Prairies) of N. America, heading west is dead flat for about 900 miles. I can't even stand 1 hour on the highway with nothing to see but endless prairie with a few trees here and there. It's all farm land. Heading south isn't much different. I avoid those directions like the plague. I go north to the large inland lakes, or east, where the prairies gives way to the Canadian Shield. It's rock, bog, and swamp with twisting, diving roads carved into rock outcrops. It's a blast to ride, but it's still an hour's drive to get into the heart of the shield. I do that trip several times a summer. On other boring rides I just think about how often I need to clean the bug splatter off my windscreen and watch the bars drop on my fuel gauge. I usually get 20 km to every litre of gas. Each fuel bar between the first and last is exactly 1 litre. The first and last fuel bars are 4 litres each. Watching the fuel gauge in concert with the tripmeters is my only entertainment. The grass isn't necessarily greener here compared to Hawaii. You can ride every day. My Swing sits in hibernation for 5 months a year. I'd gladly swap with you.

BB:
I am still envious of the areas available for you to travel. Most of my riding is to and from work. On occasion, I do some traveling for my job. Never more than 20 miles each way. My wife does not care to ride anymore, but still wants to do things together, hence the car. I never ride far enough to to see the fuel bar move more than a single bar. Thanks and Aloha for the return.

Just got back from adding 2 states to my 2014 list PA and OH. About 1100-1200 miles 3 days, rode what is probably the worst paved road in US--WV 7, ruff, torn up, work on-going but shut off for weekend---go slow, dodge bumps, crown of road funny.

Someone asked about writing of food---I try to stick to McDonalds as it tends to stay in---but yesterday as soon as I crossed the Mason-Dickson line into the south---they got me----required rush into the woods!! No fan of the south,later had sandwich----bad,bad. Fact eating is no pleasure in the southern US---just plain lower standards. I like Japanese food, but few Japanese places are run by real Japanese---same on German places-----it just doesn't pay for either to come to US anymore.

This trip saw lots of "Weekend Warriors" on their Harleys----in costume!! Also lots of bikes on trailers or on pickup. New fad Macho Man buys "Adventure Bike" and hauls it around in pick up---what happened to riding??

Saw one scooter....guess big scooter market is really dead in US.....My left over 2013 SilverWing passed 10,000 miles yesterday=no troubles/no warranty claims/never been back to Dealer. Givi Adjustable Windshield makes it rideable for distances. Two more trips and I will meet my goal of 49 and will probably throw in DC,too

john grinsel wrote:

This trip saw lots of "Weekend Warriors" on their Harleys----in costume!!

They're everywhere. The newest addition to the costume is the face mask. It's 85 degrees out and they're wearing a face mask.
I just laugh.

7 or 8 July leavin for Maine and states in between that I have not been in this year---no plan, just do it. Real light camping, if decent places found---otherwise Motel 6.

5-7 days from Chattanooga---anybody want to go along?? ideal days 300-400 miles---don't do many over 500 mile days. Ride rain or shine. Gas at 125-150 miles----stop every 50 miles of one hour, walk around/check bike---old=often pee.

john grinsel wrote:

----stop every 50 miles of one hour, walk around/check bike---

   I hope you meant "every 50 miles  OR  one hour". Stopping for one hour after every 50 miles would take a long time to get anywhere.      Maybe this is why you are encouraged to clarify your posts, even if you are rider, not writer. Good luck with your quest, but I don't think I will be riding with you.   

I stop every 50 miles or one hour which ever comes first...... for walk around bike,etc. keeps the day from becoming boring or uncomfortable.

john grinsel wrote:

I stop every 50 miles or one hour which ever comes first...... for walk around bike,etc.  keeps the day from becoming boring or uncomfortable.

That's about all I can do on my Swing before monkey butt sets in.
I still want to get a Goldwing F6B.
However, that's not in the cards, unless I get either an unexpected inheritance or a lottery win.

bigbird wrote:

john grinsel wrote:

I stop every 50 miles or one hour which ever comes first...... for walk around bike,etc.  keeps the day from becoming boring or uncomfortable.

That's about all I can do on my Swing before monkey butt sets in.

Then you might try some of this stuff:

http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/

Monkey butt ain't the problem----worn out hips and lower back----stop walk around, pain pill if really bad

Just got back from another 8 state adventure---about 2500 miles in 6 long days, got to Maine and rolled thru DC.

SilverWing no

trouble--now 13,500 miles approx.

Back roads in ME/NH/VE/some NY----really ruff!!

Really got screwed on tolls---$13 for scooter!! George Washington Bridge Where is the useless AMA?? Having been a member on and off since 1955---they do nothing for riders....and then the new idiot came along, wanting automatic membership re-newal....for doing nothing for me or others. I paid the same tolls for scooter as a 6000 lb bubba pickup. Point: pricing unfair for scooters/bikes.

Saw 3 sidecar outfits, one maxi scooter, lots of trailer bikers-----Harleys common to see actually being ridden. Not so many GoldWings.

Some ask why I do this-- ridden in 49 states before. TN very boring place to retire, riding/preparing for trips keeps me busy....until I can escape And each ride is interesting and different.

Observations on scooter this time: SilverWing is scooter, not motorcycle. Scooter handling needs to be respected and speed so adjusted. Suspension very bad on ruff east coast roads: my solution, slow down and save my money by not returning to areas with rough/bad roads. takes the pleasure out of riding.

My count and marks on master map----2014 39 states so far.= fun.

Last had a couple of days of extreme tail winds and slow speeds--one tank at 63 mpg, another at 61 mpg-----pushing on Highway pretty much back to 50mpg the normal.

Stuck in miles of construction/congestion in DC/MD area------lane splitting should be permitted.....works safely in other countries and CA. Could it be the low skilled riders turned out by MSF holding things back? I have MSF instructor card since 1973/74----once walked out of instructor re-fresh course....as Chief instructor could not do all of the exercises.

All in all had nice ride, in spite of the high temps and humidity. Extreme heat does not seem to bother SilverWing.

john grinsel wrote:

All in all had nice ride, in spite of the high temps and humidity. Extreme heat does not seem to bother SilverWing.

With or without underwear?

Tried one day with underwear=miserable

john grinsel wrote:

Just got back from another 8 state adventure---about 2500 miles in 6 long days.

All in all had nice ride.

A Nice ride?

What did you see on the way? There MUST have been something worth writing about in 2500 miles.

Come on John; entice and excite us.   

Horrible road conditions, idiots in huge SUV's, bad food as you approach south, cool air in New England, $13 toll on George Washington bridge, -----I have been to these states before on bike, so enjoyed the ride.   I am traveler not tourist.  And Americans like to stay in left lane and do not know how to pass or have any idea of how to drive well.

Old style motels where you can park right in front of door---getting harder to find-----Motels usually dirty and they want to screw you on price.

Motel6 first dropped rates printed in guide book....and now the book.  Guess they want to lose business.

Thanks for the "description".    It begs a question. If riding in the US is such a lousy experience, why the **** do you bother to do it?   

I live here now and have dollar income. I had 20 years of riding in Europe another 20 in Asia.

Walking sucks and I do not care to drive cars. Ride and look, then you are entitled to opinion. Bikes and scooters keep me busy in otherwise boring place....and hot/humid.

john grinsel wrote:

 Bikes and scooters keep me busy in otherwise boring place....and hot/humid.

Could you not entice Mrs. G to move somewhere that is not boring/hot/humid?
You could start by perhaps putting on some clean underwear and a sprinkle or two of cologne?

Working on leaving TN. Ironwood MI reasonable houses--Skiing---- have enough money left over to leave when really cold. Scooter would need sidecar for winter---no trikes for me.

john grinsel wrote:

Working on leaving TN.  Ironwood MI reasonable houses--Skiing---- have enough money left over to leave when really cold.  Scooter would need sidecar for winter---no trikes for me.

I wouldn't bother, apart from yourself does anyone really care if you're out freezing your bollocks off in the middle of winter. I know if I come off riding in ice and snow and go down in a shower of broken plastic, damaged clothing, and grazed skin, I don't get an ounce of sympathy from anyone. I'd be told that it was my own stupid fault for being out on two wheels.   

john grinsel wrote:

Working on leaving TN.  Ironwood MI reasonable houses--Skiing---- have enough money left over to leave when really cold.  Scooter would need sidecar for winter---no trikes for me.

Reasonable housing...sure. No body lives there in the winter. With Lake Superior, quite literally, at your back door Ironwood gets massive amounts of snowfall. The houses there have a another front door on the 2nd story because the snow accumulation covers the first story. I don't think you'll be getting much scooter time in, sidecar or not.

I even saw a two story outhouse up there. Though I can't imagine having to make a dash out back some February midnight in my red long johns. Whee-O, there'd be some major shrinkage after that visit to the throne.

Tim

Nice essay on your trips John and yea they sure know how to pick ur pockets in my state as well as PA,DE,NY and MD. I live just 4 miles form the end of the NJTP and I-295 and any which way I go ur going to pay. And as for the SUV's 18 wheelers buses and all the people going to the beaches and all doing well over 75 if you try and do the limit God help ya. But it is what it is and this is what I have to deal with. So now I know about the rear and side wind form the the trucks and even if you try and use the 3rd left lane ur a** better be doing well above 75.... Yea not much fun just keep it strait and upright till you get to smother pastures. Have about 2K on my new 13 SW-ABS and love the ride just me and my Yorkie (5lbs with his goggles on) Looking forward to a 500 miles trip in a week or two out on I-81 to 40 and maybe a little longer trip in Sept before my solo tip to El Paso Tx. Well keep post about ur ride I know we all enjoy it.

Joe

ur ???

MajikalJoe wrote:

...Well keep post about ur ride I know we all enjoy it.

Joe

Joe does not speak for me, as evidenced by the reality that I know how to properly spell 'your'.  And the most obvious reason Joe does not speak for me - The trip summaries are more like diatribes and rarely address much about the areas that you are riding to or in.

As for living in a boring area, you are just a hop skip and a jump from the Greasy Creek Trail, the Cherohala Skyway, and the Moonshiner 28.  Wow, you're right, you do live in a boring area for riding.  Everyone knows how the East TN / Western NC / North GA area sucks for riding.  Removing tongue from cheek now.  Here's hoping that you are able to find a home in MI soon, TN's loss, oh wait my tongue got back in there   .

Who cares about spelling. Riding is the thing. I have 2 degrees/speak 3 languages and most important am rider. I worked in a Technical field---worst employees English majors!! They would waste hours on playing with writing....but knew little technical... and didn't like to go in field as it was dirty.

I am from the North/lived in Cold climates/ridden bikes for 61 winters if WI/MN/Ger/Japan/Korea have winters TN remains boring---Past 2 years have ridden NATCHEZ Trace end to end=boring, Blue Ridge Park Way end to end=nothing special. Dragon, again nothing special...lots of cops. I am not impressed with TN or US south----they hardly speak English, too.

Have to go out in hot, humid weather to wash bike.

john grinsel wrote:

{SNIP} I am not impressed with TN or US south----they hardly speak English, too. {SNIP}

Clearly, living here has had it's effect.

john grinsel wrote:

Who cares about spelling.  Riding is the thing. .

You continually tell us that you are a rider. You are not alone. We are ALL riders and this forum is about sharing our riding experiences - good or bad - by writing about them. All you ever do is tell us that you done it; that you've ticked off another huge distance.

Have you no emotion? Is it all just about distance? What about the sights, sounds, smells and people you encounter on the way. Something must move you, or why do it? And if you're not prepared to tell us, why bother posting?

 

two points: Recent trip Late Monday morning to 8 PM Sat. Nite-----perfect weather except hot and humid until I got to Maine/Vermont/New Hamshire....just watched TV Weather News.....some of the places I passed thru just got severe storms, glad they missed me.

2. At 75, riding for 61 years----Most of the places I have gone to, I have been before on bike. Last year did trip like to this one but went on to Quebec--on my Suzuki TU 250. I do not just do the distances, but enjoy the ride and hope for new mechanical troubles. Sure I should slow down and enjoy the roses.....maybe after Alaska later this summer. This year used different route---rode thru DC and New York City=not fun, bad road and lots of construction tie ups/delays, so won't do this route again.

Last post should read "no mechanical troubles". I try to ride bikes only under warranty. Hondas usually don't break!!