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JeffC

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About JeffC

  • Birthday December 4

Personal Information

  • Name
    Jeff

location

  • Location
    Wichita, United States

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  • City
    Wichita

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  • Home Country
    United States

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  • Bike Year and Model
    2006 RSTD
  1. cmiles3 started following JeffC
  2. JeffC
    Yea, 12K is a bit too far. My buddy is navigating and that's what he told me. A quick look show it to be less than 8K. I can probably do that on regular tires. Thanks Dan. I always wear a full helmet and armor, but thanks for the info.
  3. JeffC
    I have the Milepost book and my nephew is stationed at Fairbanks. So, I figure if I mess it up too bad, he'll come get me. I like the idea of a car tire for that exact reason. A new stator? I'll have to look into that. Thanks again! Thanks Leland, I'll take a look at the manual.
  4. JeffC
    Thanks for all the info so far. What maintenenace items should I be doing? Anything special? I've never changed the air filters. I suppose I should do that. I've been leaning car tire for a while, but I need to get it done ASAP so I can change it if I hate it. Switched realy? Anybody have a part number for something like that?
  5. JeffC
    Good afternoon! I don't post a ton, but when I get ready for a big trip I always like to come here 'cause I know you folks talk the talk AND walk the walk! I have a 2006 RSTD w/15,000 miles. I've done the oil changes, plug changes, carbtuning etc. I'm leaving sometime around June 19th for a trip from Wichita, Kansas to Fairbanks Alaska and up the haul road to the Arctic Circle and I have a couple of questions for you all. I'm running two 12V outlets on the front of the bike for accessories and a TomTom Rider2 for GPS. Currently, all of these are wired straight to the batter through a 5amp fuse. I've been considering a relay, but it's not broke right now so I'm tempted to leave it be. Good idea or bad? I'm concerned about tires. This looks like a 12,000 mile trip and most of my tires in the past have lasted for less than 7K. I absolutely hate the Avon tires in the rain and I didn't like the stock Bridgestones. Suggestions on a good high mileage tire? To the Darkside perhaps? I'm going to need to purchase some heated gear. What is the amp draw that these bikes can handle. I'm not expecting it to be too cold up there and have thought about killing the carb heaters. Good idea or not? I'm planning on pulling and lubing the back tire when I put on new rubber. I'm going to go over all the bolts with loctite blue for the saddle bags and accessories. I'm going to take of my bubs and put my stock pipes back on. What else should I do? I know that's a lot of questions and I haven't even asked the ones about my route yet! Thanks in advance for your help!
  6. JeffC
    I rode I-44 Friday from Springfield to Joplin in a serious downpour and I absolutely hated the venoms. On the dry stuff, they have been great, but they were skittish as heck in the rain. I'm going to Alaska next year, and I'll run another tire for sure. Not sure which ones though?
  7. JeffC
    Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. Special thanks to Ed for PM'ing me a bunch of good routes!
  8. JeffC
    I know a lot of you have ridden this area and I was looking for some recommendations on rides. I am leaving Wichita next Thursday (6/12) and riding to Eureka Springs. From there I was thinking of taking 23 south to I-40 then down the road to 7 and taking it back (suggested routes in "favorite roads" section here). Any favorite routes for members here? Looking for a good full day Friday, and perhaps and interesting route home Saturday. Also interested in hearing about your favorite campground or good places to eat. I will be camping Thursday and Friday night. Heading back on Saturday. Thanks!
  9. JeffC
    So, for those not running max pressure, do you just run on the manufacturer recomendations? Not stirring the pot here, just curious.
  10. JeffC
    I ride in full gear. Full face helmet, aromored jacket, overpants and riding boots. I would suggest the same. If I skip anything, it's the overpants. Sometimes I'll just ride in jeans. If you're going to do 1K, you will need more water than a cupholder will hold. Trust me. It's easy to get a camelback tube over your chin bar. You really haven't lived until you ride highway 50 in Nevada in July and dump powder down your pants. AHHHHHHH@ Nice. SilvrT - For me, a day is pre-dawn to dusk. In the summer (and going west) it's a pretty long day. Probably 5AM to 9PM. Maybe later. I try to average 60MPH, but it's a pretty demanding pace. You have to really nail the gas stops to get it. I've done at least 6 1K days, and they are not too bad. The most I've done is two in a row, and I was beat. Not the best way to ride, but it can be done safely with some planning. On my trips, I plan 500 to 600 mile days, and those are nice. I'll be hitting Alaska next year, with two 1K days in the ride. I'll be hitting Nova Scotia this year, with one 1K day in the ride. LD riding is not for everyone, but it gets me to what I want to see. Living in Kansas, I've seen plenty of the midwest. Again, be safe and enjoy your new bike!
  11. JeffC
    I did 4K in 5 days on a west coast trip on my RSTD and I didn't ride the third day. A 1K day is not too tough on the interstate. The last part of mine was across Oregon on 26 dodging deer and I wouldn't recommend that to anyone! Here is what you need for yourself personally: 1. Good underarmor or the like underwear. Wal-Mart sells a generic brand for about 7 bucks. They fit like bicycle shorts with no seams on your backside. Before you put them on, get some powder on your butt. At every gas stop I pulled back my jeans and shot a squirt of monkey butt powder down my drawers. Felt silly at first, but it is a MUST DO! I use the actual Monkey Butt Powder. My buddy uses Goldbond or some such thing. You need powder to be comfortable. TRUST ME! 2. You need a camel back or a way to drink while riding down the road. I like the camelbacks so I can keep the hose right by my mouth and get a drink. Stay hydrated. You should have to really pee when you hit your gas stops. If you don't - drink more. 3. You need something to rest your back against. I use a big bag with a bedroll. 4. Earplugs or noise cancelling ear buds. I use Shure e2c's. Love them. 5. Rain gear. 6. Tire plug kit and enought CO2 cartridges to get you rolling. I carry about 8. I also carry a MSR bottle of gas, but you shouldn't need it if you're running highway all the way back. 7. Ibuprofren. You'll need it. You will be in situations where you have to really focus, or tense up and you'll be glad you have something. 8. Make your gas stops wisely. You need to maximize your time if you're going to run 1K in a day and make it easy. Have fun! Would I recommend riding 1K a day for all my trips? NO. You won't see anything. But, it's not that hard to do if you're just trying to get from point A to point B. Be safe and Congrats on your new bike!
  12. JeffC

    Tires?

    JeffC replied to DNBoll's topic in Watering Hole

    Just ride them until they wear out and buy some new ones. I got about 8000 miles out of the set on mine when I bought it. Whenever you switch from old tires to new tires, it feels great! When I wore mine out I switched to Avons. I'll probably try the Michelins next. Would new Avons feel better than new Bridgestones? I'm not sure, but I'm in the minority. Good luck!
  13. JeffC
    No trouble at all, as in I have no problem doing it. I can cross the street too. It's dangerous, but I look both ways like a big boy.
  14. JeffC
    I weigh about 260 (a fat 5'10":rotf:) and my wife is about 210 (a very curvy 6'3" lady) and we ride on a 06 RSTD without any trouble at all. The bike is IMHO a bit top heavy, and when you put a passenger on it (up higher than you) it's realllly top heavy. You can't lean it with no momentum. You will fall over unless you have tree trunk legs. Just be aware that you are heavier and it will take longer to brake and not be as nimble. Also, check the air in the rear. When I have a load (passenger or my camping/road stuff) I air it up in the high 30's. Best of luck!
  15. JeffC
    Thanks for all the responses and links to information. I really appreciate it! I know this is a fast trip and I wish I could ramble a bit more, but my vacation time is limited (2 weeks + a Thursday and Friday). I know I'm not going to get to see and do it all. But, I'll find some places I like and come back later. My wife, who was not all that keen on my Glacier trip solo, is not so keen on this trip either. So, I need to go while I still have permission! I really want to go this summer, but I just don't have the vacation time, and I need to formulate a strategy to get the money gathered up. Last time I sold a bunch of copper and aluminum.
  16. JeffC
    My buddy has one and I'm going to try one too. I must be the only person that absolutely loves the stock RSTD seat.
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