BigLenny

Sam, Thanks for the info. But, I gotta ask. Just what do you mean by not getting in "too much" trouble? Lol. BL

I just got finished watching the review of the N44 on Revzilla. That is a substantial improvement over the N43 that we have as it pertains to airflow. Also, they have made the shape of it better so it will fit more of the head sizes here in the states. One thing that I forgot to mention in my previous post is; you're gonna really enjoy the pin lock shield. It was so nice not having to worry about my face shield fogging up during cold weather.

Thanks Don, I knew the torque was 110, but I was just wondering. I guess if the nut and the pinch bolt are torqued right, I should forget about it and ride the hair off of it. LOL. BL

Thanks for asking that question because I have tossed around the idea of using that tire. I wanna see what the responses will be. BTW, 36lbs on the front is okay, but 36lbs on the rear sounds way too low for any of the tires I've ran. Is that what Michelin recommends for that tire?

Hey Folks, I finally for the first time myself took my rear wheel off. I usually have the shop change my rear tires. I took it off to perform the greasing of the drive pins and gears job that I've been needing to do for some time now because I have the creaking rear syndrome. The question I have is; I was kind of shocked that the rear axle nut doesn't have some kind of keeper on it besides it being a locking type nut. Is it common practice to put some kind of mild thread locker on it? Just wondering.

Crap! Now that you listed all of the upgrades, I'm gonna hafta take a gander at upgrading to the 44. LOL!

Captain, My wife and I have the N43 which is the predecessor to the N44. We've had them about a year now and love them. Airflow is good and the removable chin guard is very cool. I leave mine attached all of the time, but my wife removes here occasionally during slow riding. Oh, another thing we really like is the field of vision on these helmets are WAY more than a full face or modular. I say buy it. You'll like it.

Thanks for the input. You folks are getting me rarin to go! Are the vintage race days over the Labor Day weekend? Thats when we are think about going.

Coast. I've always wanted to try it. I have numerous friends that play and they try every year to get me to do it. I think my main problem is my main interest is in college ball, and everyone that I know plays pro teams.

To all that haven't met VentureFar yet. Fear Not! He is a good guy. He came into Little Rock last month and we met for dinner and motorcycle talk. Super friendly with a satchel full of riding stories. He has just the right amount of California wierd to make him fit in with us hicks here in God's Country (Arkansas). Say yes to the invite. You won't regret it. LOL.

So, myself and a couple of my relatives are tossing around the idea of riding to Birmingham on Labor Day weekend and seeing the Barber Motorsports Museum. It's about a 6 to 6 1/2hr ride from where we live in Little Rock. For those of yiu that have been there, is it worth it? I hear it is. Tell me what to expect. Thanks BL

I don't mean to poop in the swimming pool here, but that bike gives me the squigly stomach. It's not the color, the color is fine, especially if you want your nick name to be Bumble Bee. It's the whole, not have a trunk because it's been damaged too much thing that worries me. Also, the aftermarket passing lamps don't turn me on. You really aren't buying a Venture. You are buying a half of a Venture. As some have already stated, if youre patient, you can find 1999-2000-2001 Ventures that are complete, non altered bikes in great shape for not very much money. Just my two cents.

Don, I'm happy for ya! I'm sure you've all heard the rumor that Eric Buell had the patent on the previous RG fairing, and the reason they changed it was because they had to come up with a new fairing design that wouldn't be tied to Buell. Well, by looking at the new photos, there might've been some truth to that, because the only real change I see is the design of the fairing. Hmmm.

Wow, Don! Good lookin bike! I gotta ask ya few questions though: How is the handling of that bike as compared to the 2nd gen RSV? Be honest. Is the heat from the engine as noticeable as a lot of folks claim? Have you had any issues with the belt drive system? What is your overall impression of your dealings with Harley dealers and such as compared to Yamaha? And, finally; What about the timing of Harley coming out with the water cooled bikes with all of the other cool adds and changes right after you bought your bike. Do you wish you would've waited?

I have had my Tour Deluxe for 6+ years now. Over five of those years has been with the Ultimate seats installed for both myself and my wife. Simply put, it changed our riding life. It is still extremely comfortable, and I can still ride a whole tank of gas out and never get off the bike while I'm filling up and continue riding. We have ridden everywhere from the Smoky Mountains to the Rockies and beyond on two week riding vacations, and the Ultimate seats and backrests have performed beautifully, and after 5 years show no signs of wear. I highly recommend Ultimate.

Now we're talkin. The stories are getting much better. Retirement is back my radar now. LOL!

Man! You folks aren't really making a super strong case for retirement. Aside from the one photo of the boat on the lake, the rest of it sounds kinda monotenous. Maybe I'm building up the thought of the grand retirement life way too big in my head. It appears by the looks of your posts, it's a lot of doing the same stuff we do before retirement, except without a work schedule. Am I right?

Craig, Here ya go: Take I-80/76 from Omaha to Denver, or any other way you wanna get there. Then, Take I-25 south to Colorado Springs. You might wanna go west a short spell and run up Pikes Peak and take a gander at it. From Colorado Springs take State Route 115 southwest down to Hwy 50. Then ride Hwy 50 all the way across the state to Montrose, Co. On Hwy 50 you're gonna experience some really cool stuff like a large part of it from just past Cañon City to Salida the Arkansas River rolls right beside the highway and it is beautiful. When you get to Salida, go down town and check it out. It's a great old town that sits right on the Arkansas with cool shops and restaurants. After Salida going west on Hwy 50 you will go up over Monarch Pass and the Continental Divide. Then down to the wonderful town of Gunnison, then you'll ride along and over the beautiful 20 mile Blue Mesa Reservoir. Just before you get to Montrose, DO NOT miss going to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. AWESOME! After Montrose, go south to Durango on the famous Million Dollar Highway (Hwy 550). You'll go over three 10,000 plus high passes on this true bikers dream highway, and you will get to experience 2 very cool old west towns, Ouray, and Silverton. Durango is another very cool western town with great places to eat in the downtown section. After Durango go west on Hwy 160 until you come to the 4 corners monument. It's out in the middle of nowhere, but it's kinda neat to see. At this monument you will be able to stand on 4 states and take your pic doing so. Also, surrounding the monument are several booths with native Americans selling their wares. You might like something enough to buy it. After 4 Corners, keep going west on Hwy 160 until you get to Kayenta, Arizona. Here you will be able to grab gas and food if needed. Also, from here you will go north on Hwy 163 to Monument Valley. The Monument Valley Navaho Park is just after you cross the border into Utah. It is on the right hand side of the highway and you have to drive a mile or so or maybe a little less to get to it. THIS IS A MUST SEE. After Monument Valley Navaho Park, keep heading northeast on Hwy 163 into Utah until you come to Hwy 191. Go north on Hwy 191 to Moab. Around Moab you're gonna want to see two places, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. A few miles north of Moab, take Hwy 313 to the left to Canyonlands National Park. It's a number of miles down to the park, but believe me, IT IS A MUST SEE. I was just there two weeks ago, and in its own way, it is as beautiful as the Grand Canyon. Just north of Moab is Arches National Park on the right side of Hwy 191. You should go see this park too. To see the really good arches it requires quite a bit of walking, but don't worry about doing that. Just ride the bike for 8-10 miles into the park and check out what you can see from the bike. It is a park with some crazy formations that makes you go, huh? This next part is a MUST. From Moab, ride Hwy 128 northwest to I-70!! This highway is a stunning ride through a narrow tall canyon for 50-60 miles and the mighty Colorado River rolls right beside you for most of the way. IT IS AWESOME! After you get to I-70, go east toward Denver. Between here and Denver there is some serious beauty for an interstate highway! Between Glenwood Springs and Gypsom on I-70 you will go through Glenwood Canyon. This section is rated the most beautiful section of interstate highway in America. The Canyon gets so narrow they stack the interstate lanes on top of each other. It's crazy cool! Then you will go through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Really neat to go through on a bike. After you get to Denver, head home. I'll let you decide how to break this trip up as far as when to stop and spend the night. But, as you probably know, 7 days flies by.

Well I'll be go to hell! Big Lenny just learned something new and I stand totally corrected. Thanks Pete for taking the time to teach an ol fool like me.

Whether it'll work in the bike or not I have no opinion of, but, it sure is bugging me that they are calling it a Lithium Iron battery instead of Lithium Ion. LOL. But thats just me being weird.

My wife and I spent the 4th and 5th riding in the wonderful Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. As we came through Harrison, Arkansas yesterday, I spotted a red and black probably an 09 Gen 2 at the Dixie Cafe. I pulled through the parking lot and checked it out. It was parked with two Kawasaki's, and it had Road Riders for Jesus on it's windshield. I think I spotted a CMA flag on the back. I know the Kawi's had the flags on them. Just wondering, was that one of our VR brothers?

Sam, So, how'd your ride go? Did you make it down into Arkansas? As I said before, the route I planned for you just scratches the surface for what Arkansas offers for bikers. My wife and I rode up to northwest Arkansas on the 4th and was surprised to find some of the key restaurants and stores closed for the 4th. However, we also rode in that area on the 5th and it was rockin with bikes everywhere. Hope ya had fun.

Every route on this photo is awesome! But, one big question is; Are you wanting to just ride and experience the wonderful routes and highways and sites, or will there be stopping and shopping involved? If stopping and shopping at little shops is involved, then I do recommend you go see Eureka Springs which isn't one of the routes on this photo. Now, if you are wanting to just ride and look at sites, then I would recommend: From Branson, take Hwy 65 to Harrison, Ar. Then go southwest on Hwy 43 to Ponca, Ar. Just before you get to Ponca you will cross the Buffalo River which is America's first designated National River. In Ponca there is a real nice store there to grab gas, snacks, whatever. Also in Ponca there is an elk information center/museum. After you leave Ponca, you could go east on Hwy 74 to Jasper, but DON'T do that. You'll get to Jasper later. Instead, take Hwy 21 south toward Hwy 16. Note: After you leave Ponca on Hwy 21, go slow for 4-5 miles and look out in the fields on your left. There is a big chance you'll see elk. Sometimes they are up against the tree line and hard to see, but often times they're out in the fields. As I said, take Hwy 21 south to Hwy 16. Then take Hwy 16 east to Hwy 7. After you get to Hwy 7, take Hwy 7 north toward Jasper. 7 is on the national scenic byway register. It's a nice ride with curves, but you will be able to run 60+mph on this road. Going up Hwy 7 about 5 miles before you get to Jasper, you will get to experience the Arkansas Grand Canyon view. There is a real good restaurant on 7 called The Cliffhouse Restaurant. It hangs out off of a cliff with a great view of the valley below. I recommend it. There'll be a lot of bikers eating there. Also, up the road from that is a tower you can go up and take in the view. Then ride on into Jasper. If you choose not to eat at The Cliffhouse, then there is a great place in Jasper called the Ozark Cafe. There will be a ton of bikers eating there for sure. After Jasper, take Hwy 7 north toward Harrison. You will cross the Buffalo River again and this ride is nice and clean. Several miles before you get to Harrison, go east on Route 206. Follow 206 all the way to Hwy 65 at Bellefonte. When you get to Bellefonte, go south on Hwy 65 for a short spell until you come to Hwy 412/62. Take 412/62 east to Yellville. In Yellville, take Hwy 14 north until you come to Hwy 125. Take Hwy 125 all the way until it dead ends into Bull Shoals Lake. Then wait for the ferry. Lol. Ride the Peeler Ferry across the lake and take Hwy 125 north up to Missouri Hwy 160. Go east on 160 all the way back to Branson. This ride will give you a good mix of whats to offer in Arkansas and the Ozark Mountains, but in all honesty, it only scratches the surface. You will see a ton of bikers all along your journey. Bikers are a huge part of the life blood of this areas economy this time of year.

Me and my gal are going for a ride. We are leaving out early on the 4th and riding up to the beautiful northwest Arkansas area and experience some of the best motorcycle roads in the country. Then we're gonna find somewhere very nice to eat and have a wonderful quiet dinner. Then spend the night in a top of the line hotel. We will ride all day Saturday the 5th and return home in time for me to take my 5 year old grandson to the sprintcar races.

Samklr650, If you want me to map out a good ride for you to do on the 4th, let me know.