Ducati Monster Forum

In light of the happy news that one of the Usual Suspects that we thought was leaving is now not leaving (YAAAY!!), I've planned a special ride. It will also be Dizz's last ride for a while since he'll be away for most of June. This ride will be LONG. Not so much in mileage, but you can expect to be on your bike for quite some time... figure around 500 miles, all of it on back road twistys. Most of it on very technical roads.

I'd like to try to keep the size of the group smallish so if you are not a Usual Suspect, please secure and confirm your spot asap.



The usual procedures apply -
- You need to prove that you're legally able to own and operate your motorcycle and have all your paperwork in order; have an "M" endorsement on your license, have current registration and insurance, have a valid license plate number and current inspection. We will not wait for you or bail you out if we get pulled over and you're not legal. Other than that, The Usual Suspects DO NOT leave another rider behind, just ask Jake and Tommy about that.
- Full gear isn't required but it's highly recommended. I don't like riding with squids and jeans don't count as gear. Most of the roads that I choose are either very technical in nature or aren't really roads at all (dirt).
- Speed limits will be obeyed EVERYWHERE unless we are on a back road or I think being above the speed limit is appropriate. Once on a back road it's every man/woman for themselves, I'll wait at the next turnoff. All the rules of the road will also be obeyed throughout the day BUT (and it's a big but), we have on occasion been known to instill some good old hooliganism on the trip back home mostly due to hunger, fatigue, crankiness, bumper to bumper traffic and so on, so at these times it's rare for the group to stay together. However, on these rides I encourage you to ride at your own pace and comfort level, nobody is forcing anything on you and it is NOT a race, but when those Rockin' Fries are calling out to you, you have no choice but to heed their call. [laugh]
- EZ pass isn't required but it sure is convenient for the group as a whole.
- These rides are all about the riding so other than gas stops, there will be no stopping for food until we're almost home. Quick snacks at the gas station? Fine, a sit down meal? Not so much.

For this ride, the usual meet up times and places do not apply. I'll let you via pm know when and where once you're 100% confirmed for the ride. Remember, space it limited so get on board early!

Having said all that, came on out, it's gonna be a blast!

There you go posting up rides again. [roll]

[cheeky]

I'm tempted to join you guys, depends on timing of course. PM me will you?

Like i said this is my debut ill be there ;D.  Mileage is under 100 right now so i gotta hit the 600 mile mark on the 1098 somehow dont i? [thumbsup]. 

Definitely a good way to get to 600miles GL  [thumbsup]

I am tentative since I'm waiting on that rear sprocket  :-\

Dude hound down that sprocket, ill strap my skates to the 1098 we can do some skitching behind the bikes [laugh]

Just so you know its taking all my energy not to ride that bike all week so i dont go too much over the 600 miles on sunday  :o

I have to be at a family party no later than 3 or 4 in Nassau, so if there is minimal people and there is room for someone who will have to bail early (again!) then I`ll be able to go. If not maybe another time.

GC - I'm still a few weeks away from re-joining.  I will let the rest of the Usual Suspects know my status by the end of the week.

Have a great ride [thumbsup]

To anyone who wants to know what being on a ride led by goldenchild is like - I have C&P from the DML one of my ride reports:

You know you're on a ride led by Goldenchild if...

- Taking it easy still means a multiple of the posted speed limit.
- a "fun road" is one that's barely paved or traveled.
- you will NOT see other groups of riders traveling on the roads you ride.
- stopping for food is an extreme inconvenience
- if riders used "trucker lingo," then the phrase "hammer down" is the time between gathering the whole group and peeling of your gear [cheeky]!
- you are sure that if you crash, and no one notices, you'll be forgotten in the woods until some hunter finds your bones sometime during the next deer season
- gravel is your friend
- the easy "transition sections" between really fun twisty bits is where one WILL actually see other riders. These are often well paved state roads and highways
- You're deaf because you rode behind Beattie for 2 or more twisty bits - VOID - he has new pipes 8)
- You lose your keys, and your first thought is not that you misplaced them, it's that someone TOOK them :angel:.
- You learn to guard your hand controls at stop lights
- You WILL know exactly where you stand as far as riding skill goes - generally within the first 25 miles
- You will make new friends at gas stations!
- You will learn what gear works, and what gear fails.

Most of all, you will have an AWESOME ride!!!!

Evil, pm sent!

So far...

IN -
Me
Dizzle
Pat (RIGHT?!)
Cru (I'm assuming)
GLantern

Room for only 1 or 2 more at the most (Suspects not withstanding). Sorry, I won't be accepting "maybe's" or "tentatives", you're either "in" or you're in the way so please confirm with me via pm no later than Friday.

corrected  [moto]

Hey Pakhan, I had sent you a PM on DML but with it going down i'm not sure if you received it or not, i have a 41 tooth 520 Vortex if you're interested.

Kevin

I'm in

Updated list

IN -
Me
Dizzle
Pat
Cru
GLantern

i'm in for this Sunday. [thumbsup]

Updated list

IN -
Me
Dizzle
Pat
Cru
GLantern
Pete

Update!

GC
Diz
Pat
Cru
GLan
Pete
 [moto]Beat....trying to find the time this week to fit new tyres, otherwise i hope theres not much slab as the center tread in the rear is almost gone. should have new kicks by sunday though

Beattie... We're starting off with a little more than an hour's worth of slab just to get us out of the city... I'm about to forward you the pm I sent I sent everybody else... hope you can get those new skins on before Sunday!

Updated list

IN -
Me
Dizzle
Pat
Cru
GLantern
Pete
Beattie
Pak
Evil :o



This ride is full  ;D.  A little too full if you ask me  :-\, but hopefully we'll all be moving at around the same pace so we cover as much of route as possible. Including the slab at the start and the long slab ride home, I figure we'll be doing over 600 miles. At least.

Going to need the mp3 player it looks like

Absolutely. Shit, I might even bring 2!

Holy balls, I just read the news! Pat, I'm really glad to hear you'll be around. Not that I'll get to enjoy your presence that much this summer, but still...

Yes, this may be my last ride with the crew for a while. I'm not sure about next weekend yet (June 1st). After that, I may be able to ride on the 29th, but then not again until July 20th. Grr...

On the other hand, I'll be having a great time... for those of you who don't know (and just to rub it in the faces of those who do), I'm getting married in a couple weeks, then going on a honeymoon in Peru, then spending a week in the Northwest, where my wife and I met. And yes, I'm taking most of June and half of July off of work.  [cheeky]

See y'all on Sunday!

ATTENTION!!

Do I have your attention? Good.

For the folks coming on this ride, please check your pm's and shout me holla.

Hey Eric, i'll be at Gorilla before 8:30.

this is gonna be a long rugged ride

It'll be worth it... the last bits before the slab home are gonna blow your mind ;D

I'm out. Enjoy.

 :'(

Bah... he doesn't wanna really ride with us anyway. :-X

                                                                            ;D Teaser  ;D

For those coming on this ride...

Our long morning slab ride will reward us with this -
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/DosEquis00/NcenPA.jpg)

it'll get twistier, elevation changes will get more extreme, and the best part? 105 nonstop continuous miles of FREEDOM. No traffic. No stop lights. No towns. No nothing.

And yes, that's an actual picture of one of the roads we'll be on.  [moto]

Can't wait! Pakhan & I tuned up our hoopties, so we're ready to roll. No un-torqued axles or missing sprocket teeth this time.  ;D

Thats gorgeous [evil]

sweeet i cant wait

Wow. I left the house this morning at 7:45am... and I walk in the door ...3am, and we didn't even get to do the original route I had planned.

The stats for today -
A whole shit ton of FUN!  ;D
No tickets  8)
622 miles door to door (Glantern probably did around 700)  [drink]
1 stop for food  :-X
3 crashes  :-[
&
1 apology from a cop  [thumbsup]

Apart from the road that we already knew, we managed to find some other AMAZING roads... super technical and FAST! There were more than a few times today where I found myself braking from 90mph+ down to ~15mph for steep downhill increasing radius hairpins, then having to wring out 1st 2nd and 3rd gear for 100 yards only to slam on the brakes again... how many freaking hairpins did we hit today?! Even if you don't include the hairpins, you still won't find roads like these in NY, NJ, CT, MA, VT, at least that I've ever been on, and I been on them all [moto].

My iphone died early in the day cause I forgot to charge it last night so I have no pics to share, but I know a couple of the guys have a few. The 3 crashes were very minor... mostly just low speed dumps, no biggie apart from Dizz losing his mirror. Considering the road we were on it could've been much much worse.

Cru, Dizz, Pak, Beattie, Pete, as always, it was another great day, thanks for coming out and not killing yourselves! Pat, I'm really glad you're not going away for 3 months this summer... I know a road about 250 miles away... it's nonstop twisty ups & downs for a nonstop 105 miles... it's calling you! Lantern... was good to finally meet/ride with you, you did great today. Remember where Gorilla is for next time!

Oh and btw, the last awesome road we did today (154), the really really good one, I just looked at googlemaps... the section we did was 51 miles!! That was the longest stretch of nonstop twistys I've even been on. It was like a 51 mile kanawauke except a lot better, can't wait to go back there. I also can't wait to get to that other road (hint hint).

Wow, glad everyone's ok.

wow. what a sick ride. despite the wrecks, which were minor. yesterdays ride was unreal....most amazin roads ive been on.
US: you guys are the shit.
that last section of 80 right before 287, everyone was getting crazy, i can imaging what was on everyones mind at that point: home, sleep, bed, mmmmm, we were dippin hard.  ;D

till next time! [moto]

oh and post them pics!

Was a helluva ride and yeah i racked up about 700 total.  walked in the door of my girl's at 3am.  Was a cool site though flying down the LIE at 3am with nobody onit. 

Thanks for the lead GC i had a blast, and i have commited gorilla to memory this time!!  I got some pics ill postup after i clean myself up  [beer]

Yeah and that slab run home totally kept me awake you hooligans [thumbsup]

Here we go
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/GreenLanternLCD/SundayLongRide2.jpg)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/GreenLanternLCD/SundayLongRide4.jpg)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/GreenLanternLCD/SundayLongRide5.jpg)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/GreenLanternLCD/SundayLongRide.jpg)

Dayum!!!

You guys had GREAT weather, too!!

Congrats!

So, I'm writing just after I woke up from yesterday's ride.  [thumbsup] I knew from the moment that Prong's Snap My Fingers, Snap Your Neck song came on my shuffle that it'd be a fun day. Starting out I thought I may be let down... people deciding to go off-roading when they shouldn't be (maybe they were "skill-building") & the realization that hitting the road that we made the trek for was not going to happen. What followed suit was nothing short of a testament to the US perseverance. Relying on GC's instinctive abilities to find awesome roads & the state of Pensylvania's willingness to abide to our wishes, we hit some amazing roads. Looking back, I still can't believe that stretch of 154 was 51 miles long...I was having so much fun it only felt that it was 15 (or maybe it was the speed that we were going on 154  :o ). All-in-all, a great day's ride. Nobody was hurt (too badly), everyone's bike was ok & most importantly we got to ride some amazing roads.  [moto]

What were the routes you took?
Next time you wander into PA, let me know.
Route 125 from 81 up to Shamokin is a must do. If you look it up on a map the turns look halfway impressive but what makes them killer is the elevation change through them
Then onto a BBQ of your feet and tires at Centralia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia%2C_Pennsylvania

The road off of I-78 on the way to 125 & 125 itself were the first two roads we hit.  [thumbsup] Definitely good stuff, but not nearly as much fun on the heavy RC as it was on my light SV.

Lethe - yep, 125's old hat to us right now... still an awesome road though. We often venture into PA but i don't shout out cause the group's already too big, ideally I'd like to roll with no more than 5 but considering there are 7 Usual Suspects, that's impossible.

Maybe if somebody took over the leading/routing duties for once... whether you folks know it or not, that shit is A LOT of work. It's no brainer just following as all you have to do it ride and maybe keep an eye on the rider behind you - but this rarely happens cause I'm usually the first to look behind. If you're up front you have to A) Navigate B) Set the pace C) Make sure everyone's together D) Stay on top of gas consumption among other things... all these things are done all day throughout the day, the only time I don't do these thing is on Grilled Cheese Runs. And using the "I don't have a gps/radar detector" excuse is poor one. I lead for 2 seasons w/o either device, but I digress...

Yeah, if you're looking for super technical roads kind of close to home that will challenge you and make you poop you pants, PA is the place to go. As I mentioned above, NY, NJ, CT, MA, and VT can't even begin to compare. I described the roads to Dizzle by telling him if OMR had a baby with Deckertown and you put that baby on steroids (or was it pcp?), then what you'd get is a lot of PA.

That ride was awesome.  I'm amazed that 3 of us went down within 15 minutes of each other, shook it off, and managed to still have one of the best riding days ever.  Can't wait to do the over night and hit that other road.

Thank you...
- For planning/leading GC. 
- Escort/H.A.R.D. system
- Jake..  for getting me up fast after I went down
- Lantern..  for coming out.  Glad you made it home ok.

Great ride guys, it was epic!  :P

Glad everything turned out ok.  I got home at about 2am and passed out almost immediately just to wake up at about 10:30 Monday and meet some people to go to bear mtn, then I did about 40 miles around the interbrother and queens.  Overall mileage count for me this weekend roughly 775+.  I ache in parts of my body that I didn't know existed.

Always good fun riding with you all and nice to meet you Lantern, hope to see you on another.  [thumbsup]

PS: Thanks GC for leading.

Pics from my phone:
Getting ready
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/Putz37/img268.jpg)

Fancy cologne machine at some truck stop in nowheresville
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/Putz37/img269.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/Putz37/img271.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/Putz37/img270.jpg)

What the hell happened out there, guys?  :o

In short...



after the slab, our first 2 roads were VERY technical. I warned everyone that we'd get no "warm up", it would be straight to the insane stuff so...

Dizz ran too hot into a corner (steep downhill left into a steep downhill 180° hairpin) and ran wide... almost saved it but the dirt/grass got the better of him. Beattie fixated on Dizz, almost saved it but the grass/dirt won again.

Pat... picture a blind uphill double apex righthander with a sharp increasing radius... by far one of the hardest corners of the day. From what I hear, pat did a low speed (less than 10mph) lowside.

After all was said and done, everyone rode great afterwards. In hindsight, I think we ride too fast for any given road, we need to take it to the track. Not to say that we ride dangerous or irresponsible but going +90mph into  corners rated for 20mph on unfamiliar roads isn't the smartest thing to do. Especially when you know the roads are a lot more technical than anything you normally ride.

I pulled these off of my iphone, the few pics I took before it died -



3 little piggys -
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a335/darkside2323/photo-31.jpg)



The whole group minus the 1098 -
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a335/darkside2323/photo2-4.jpg)



Shamokin gas stop
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a335/darkside2323/photo3-2.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a335/darkside2323/photo4-1.jpg)

GC if you plot a route I'd be glad to lead a little trip.  [thumbsup] I'm thinking that 30 up around the Catskills would be pretty fun.

cool

Now you know how I have felt on the rides I've been on this year!!!

30's played.

If I plot a route, how are you gonna follow it?


I suppose but... I'm not the one that crashed  [wine]

Will be nice to have you back T, we're in dire need of a grown up.

Well, if they're roads I've ridden before then I'll have an idea of where to go...have to go old school with the paper on the tank,  but that would work. I don't know...just putting it out there.  :-*

Touche!


That's flattering and alarming at the same time! 8)

I'll be done with mods tomorrow night, should be at Hiram's Thursday.  If that ride goes smoothly, then I'll be ready for a U.S. ride on the 8th.  This weekend - my guys [coffee]  (the coffee icon is because they get up at 5:30am... and are UP!)

I think I'm almost at the point to lead a ride.  Got the gear...  just have to dig into the software.

Geez I'm sick of reading about all these awesome rides I can't go on. make the beast with two backs you guys for having a good time.   :P


*sigh*

I can't lead, I have to be in the back to let you guys (read: Pakhan) know what's falling off your bikes.
Besides, had I been leading that one time that I did ride with you, we would've headed right into the heavy rain anyway rather than turning back.

In actuality I don't think I'm fast enough to set the pace.

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup] to GC for another fantastic roads. Its definitely one of the best all day ride i've ever been. Thanks very much planning all these awesome routes. We really appreciate all the time and effort you put in all our rides. 

US - you guys rock! Nice to meet/ride with Ben (Glantern)

til the next episode.

It really is highly appreciated GC how much work and effort you put into a ride.  That was the best one i have ever been on and something i keep looking back on and going "HOLY CRAP" i rode for 21 hours!!!!!!

Many thanks for watching out for my thirsty bike [drink],  i got 40mpg on the slab home so looks like it gets better as it breaks in [moto].  I would love to lead a ride sometime when my pace gets a bit faster, ill do a tour of LI no sweat though  ;D

Once again it was great meeting everyone and i cant wait to catch another ride, two thumbs way up for you GC  [thumbsup]  [thumbsup] and all the US

Thanks folks. [moto] Your kind words are appreciated. The truth is, I like leading, it's fun, challenging, and I get to pick the roads, although it would be nice to have a break every now and again. I'm also curious to see how well the other US's would do when leading a ride. The few times that somebady else lead, they either missed their turn off, blew their turn, or completely forgot about waiting for the rest of the group. Amateurs I tell ya* [roll].

I was planning on getting new tires this friday even though I just got new tires a few weeks ago - I'm burning right through them, but at least I'd have a fresh set for this weekend... but guess what...

I've developed a leak in my tank, a common problem on my bike for that model year. It leaks at the rear seem near the hinge, just exactly where you want it to leak - right above your rear head and header. Can you say spontaneous combustion?! I'm going to take off the tank and try out some KBS tank sealant (supposed to work great), and use jbweld on the outside and hope that works. If not, I'll be going to Chronic to get it welded shut. In either case, I'm out for this weekend which is ashamed cause I DOOZEY planned. Oh well.














*joke.

dude thats a bummer. just so you know, i work in a machine shop and have all the goods to make repairs. Mig, Tig. we got it. im sure we could have it fixed for way less than $90/hour.....

You guys got anybody there that can weld a tank?

Chronic sealed my tank on the monster when it was leaking from the hinge point.  They didn't do anything to the outside of the tank, no welding, from what I saw.  They coated the entire inside of the tank, since then never had a leak again.

http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=TS&dept=12
http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?number=S7Q&dept=14

Used this on my old cb750...  but Beattie's option sounds better.

P

Thanks for the suggestions fellas. First I'm gonna try to tackle my leaky tank by myself. I'm gonna pull the tank, strip some paint and slather up some  jb weld on the outside of the leaky area, then put a creamy coating of tank sealant on the inside. If that doesn't work, my buddy's gonna weld it up for me. If that still doesn't work or he misses a spot, I'll hand the tank off to Beattie for some tlc at his job. If that still doesn't work... looks like I'm buying a new tank!

when's the tank sealant gonna come in? any chance it will be here by the weekend?


*edit*
nevermind...just read that the sealant has to cure for 4 days before use.  :o

Once you pour that sealant in, it might burn if you have to weld it causing contamination. If the sealant gets into the seams you may never be able to properly weld it again.

Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with one of those 6 gallon eti tanks before long.

If you want help or someone to pregnant dog to while your doing lemme know  ;)

Hhmm... didn't think about that, that's a good point. I might have to rethink this...


I wish!


Thanks but I'm gonna tear down the bike tomorrow while the rest of you suckers are at work. So Chronic just sealed your tank with sealant and didn't weld it back up?

No welding, but took a while 3 days I think for the red goo in the tank to completely dry.  Been fine ever since.

Really? How long has it been?

On a side note, I've been in contact with KBS (the tank sealant guys), and they said that the sealeant will in fact contaminate the welds if I were to weld the tank after the fact. I'd have to strip the sealant before weldingm no small feat but possible. So for now I'm going to try the sealant on the inside and jbweld on the outside.

just about a year since they did my tank

I think as long as the tank's leak isn't horrible, that should work. You still need me to stop by later with the MityVac?

Yeah, the more that gets done the better... like I told you, I'm parking on the street for now (until I pull/drain tank which I'll do tomorrow) and it's kind of pain to move w/o a brake.