leroy

Shmily, In the course of 4 or 5 years a buddy of mine started out on the VTX 1300R, went to a GW, then a Victory Xcountry, then the first year BMW K1600GTL. He likes it better than any of the others. I like riding it but I like the cruiser looks better. He has said since the day he bought it he wishes he would have kept the X for in town but he does not regret buying the K1600. He is a short guy so finding a MC to fit him wasn't easy. He just purchased the BMW lowered R 1200 GS Adventure for some off roading. But he is keeping the GTL. So the bottom line is, I think you will be happy with it. He had an early issue with water pumps, replaced two, but I think that problem has been taken care of by BMW. If your Venture is paid for there is nothing wrong with keeping it except for the cost of insurance. I still have my VTX and 6 months ago aquired a 2012 RSVS.

I like what you have done. I really like the three gauges replacing the tape deck.

I thought WWs were for Harleys so the rider could easily check for oil leaks. I know old joke. Sorry I am too lazy to clean them. If a person likes them, they need to go for it. Old school vehicles or old school looking would look fine in my opinion. They look OK in BWs also. Haven't thought about raised white letters. I like them on cars back in the day.

Yep, you did. Seriously, I have a good second wife who has never tried to change me (at least that i can tell). So many women want to marry a guy but then want to change him. Hell, why did they marry a guy that did not fit their template? I just don't get it. I know a guy who has animal mounts (he took them all himself) all through his house with a stuffed bear standing by his table. He had this house and mounts before he met his now ex wife. She was constantly *****ing about the mounts and the bear. I agree they might be in excess but that is the way it was when she met him. I asked my wife what she thought. She agreed with me, she knew what she was getting into, no sympathy.

Yep, that is it. Thanks

I still power nap on picnic tables or on the ground. I usually leave my helmet on if in any doubt about safety. I also use the Iron Butt Motel, lean back on my seat bag, prop my feet up, and nap. I have been told cemeteries are good and quiet. However, one time after doing the Iron Butt Motel along the Cassiar Highway with an overcast sky when I awoke I rode the wrong direction for 20 minutes. After seeing for the second time the same people camping but on the opposite side of the road I figured it out. I am glad I got squared away as I would not have had enough fuel to make it back to my previous fuel stop. I didn't bother to check my compass. Lesson learned.

WildBill, that may be good advice. This is a true short story. It is not all motorcycle but still the same idea. I bought a new '73 Corvette when I got out of college. I had to work two jobs to pay for it while I kept my PU for a driver. I later acquired two motorcycles and a boat. Then at age 30 or so I got stupid and married. One motorcycle went to buy her the ring. That was OK. Later the second went because I needed the money to put down on a family car. This did not bother me a lot since I wasn't riding much by then. You know kids and family stuff. One day the wife, aka future ex wife, came to me and declared that I needed to sell the Corvette so she could buy some stuff. I told her, "The Corvette was here before you and it will be here after you". Well, here it is 2016. I still have the Corvette but that wife is getting old, ugly, and more worthless with out me having to look at her or waste money on her. That problem was solved July 1, 1990. One of the best days of my life even if I did have to raise three girls by myself. I did remarry. This wife knows the story so she will not tell me to sell any of my toys unless we really are in a tight financial position. If that was the case I would not have to be asked. Of course I will not ask her to either.

Almost to El Paso and in Texican, 85 means 90+. And don't forget the Jap bikes (unless GW is different) show 8-10% faster than they are going.

Ragtop, Good stuff

I found the article on fatigue on the Motorcycle Tourer's Forum. It is titled Fatigue and Motorcycle Touring by Vice Adm (Dr.) Don Arthur. He is a well known long distance rider and the 35th Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy. I tried to link to it but had trouble. So hope you can find it. It is a little long but not as boring as some. I found another done on sleep and the lack of done in connection with pilots who fly long distances. It made my eyes water and my body turn to stone. That article was very long and extremely detailed. I did learn some things between naps. The grocery store ran out of coffee.

There is a very good write up on a study about Fatigue. I have been trying to find it so I can share it but ran out of time. Try a search for "fatigue and motorcycle riding".

Thanks Cowpuc. No engine heat problem. No two up IBA rides but my special needs daughter has put in some 600+ mile days with me in the heat and she has done some 2000 and 3000 mile week and two week trips. She is not a small girl. We dress for the weather and manage our sweat. The pic doesn't show my highway bar chaps I use on most touring rides or if I expect cold or rain. If it is consistently hot I'll take them off. Did one Saddle Sore 1000 on my Venture so far. I have to say it is very comfortable but sucks the fuel at 80mph as compared to the VTX1300. 4 carbs get thirsty. By the way the pic of my VTX in Monument Valley in my signature is used in the Race Tech Suspension on line brochure for cruisers.

I went the other way last Halloween. From a VTX 1300R to the RSVS. I still have the VTX. At 120,000 miles, several IBA certs, and all over USA & Canada it has been too good to me to get rid of. I have made it very comfortable for me to tour on. The VTX 1300 is a great bike with very little problems. That one is good looking too. Also there is good support on the forums, especially the VTXOA.

I wanted one for a few years but the seat is just too tall for me. I test drove one. They are said to be awesome sport touring machines. The engine is very reliable. It is very much like an upgraded ST1100 that was made for several years. Many Long Distance riders swear by them. Many LE departments use them here and in other countries. Of course some still use Harleys so that may not mean much. HA There are a couple of ST 1300 forums.

I missed last year, family stuff. I was there in '13 & '14. I enjoy the mix of different types of riders and motorcycles. Plus I don't mind helping out the local charities. Maybe I'll see you in '17. My special needs daughter wants to make it an annual event for her. She loves it when I take her places on the motorcycle.

Moonshine Lunch Run, April 9-10, www.moonshine-run.com

Test ride first, rent if you can. They are great touring machines with a lot of stuff on them. If you want a lighter motorcycle with a lower center of gravity try the BMW R1200 RT. They are awesome touring machines. I really like them but for a short guy I just don't feel comfortable at stops. They don't make a lowered one anymore. I also like the lowered R1200GS Adventure. It did fit me but I already bought the RSVS that I like better.

RedRider, No I haven't done any IB rallying. I admire those who have. Honestly, I do not care much for scavenger hunts and that is more or less what those remind me of. I don't do poker runs or group rides either. That is just me. Some IBA rides I have done as a personal challenge. I still feel the need to do the 50CC and at least one Gold ride. I like to do LD rides on the clock mainly to get to a place then enjoy the area. My last long trip I did a SS2000 to Seattle. From there I road to AK and then up (paved roads) to Yellowknife usually running 350 mile days with a couple of 650s thrown in. On the way home I did 1910 miles in 35:45 (almost a SS2000 Gold) with several hours sleep south of Denver. In June I'll be on the road somewhere between Dallas and Newfoundland and Labrador for my last long trip on my aging VTX (118,000 miles) so when I finish that trip I can say my made in the USA Honda VTX 1300R will have taken me to 49 states, DC, all of the provinces except Nunavut, and the highest and lowest paved roads in North America. Thanks for the invite. I understand the MN1000 is a great rally. The Ride Around Texas is intriguing. I can almost talk myself into that one.

Thanks for the encouragement to go a little slower. You have a very good point. Yep, I know. I twist the right hand a little to far around the handlebar. But I live in Texas, the land of wide open spaces and some speed limits as high as 85mph. 220 @ 65 may just be a good compromise for me to live with. But the Venture at 75 and 80 is so smooth. A man has to pay for the comfort and the wind protection. 4 carbs don't come cheap. Slower can be faster. At 220 vs 175 over 1000 miles eliminates at least one fuel stop. That equates to 10 to 20 minutes saved, not to mention $. 1000 miles @ 75 verses 1000 @ 65, 75 mph saves about two hours. So if not "on the clock" 65 would be the better when in touring mode which I do often. But if I am "on the clock" 220 @ 75 would be better, thus my interest in an auxiliary tank. For me when doing an IBA "on the clock" ride 200 miles in about 3 hours on a good day between stops is about perfect. But when touring, any miles in any day works out well. I know some of you real hard core LD riders can go much farther than I between stops. I am 67 years old and have been riding for less than 8 years so cut me some slack. Of course a catheter could extend the distance between stops if the fuel could last.

Thanks. I made a run on my RSVS @ 75-85 mph (per speedo) from just north of Dallas to Oklahoma City via I-35 yesterday. First time highway speeds for a full tank. I have haven't owned it long. Bought with 650 miles on it and only 6 months since bought new. The reserve light came on at 170 miles, then had to switch the manual reserve at 175. I went another 20 miles. When I filled it up it only took 5 gallons. That was while on a level drive, standing vertical, and after really working at "squeezing" in all I could. On the return the light came on at 136 running about the same but never had to switch manual reserve the remaining 20+ miles. I'll fill it up today as I got home late and the bed sounded better than a fuel stop. I didn't notice much wind. I thought it a bit odd. Oh well, I'll get it figured out. If the Venture is like my VTX the mileage will improve with age. If I could have made it 200 miles without using the manual reserve I probably would not go with an auxiliary tank. I probably will install one after this experiment. If nothing else for peace of mind on a long ride.

Why cool. You raised him so you have driving rights to it.

There was a Venture w sidecar for sale on the USCA sidecar forum. I saw a guy with a large dog in a sidecar attached to a Rocket III. That is why I wanted one so my best friend, my dog, could ride with me. Unfortunately he died before I could ever buy one. I even took a course on sidecar riding. Of course they are way different. I haven't totally forgotten the idea as it would be easier for my special needs daughter to travel with me plus I like it as an alternative to a trike but more work to ride. I like the Hannigan out of Murray, KY. Good luck.