powered by:
August 13, 2024, 05:25:49 PM
Welcome,
Guest
. Please
login
or
register
.
1 Hour
1 Day
1 Week
1 Month
Forever
Login with username, password and session length
News
:
No Registration with MSN emails
Home
Help
Search
Login
Register
Discussion Boards
Introduce Yourself
FAQs and Policies
General Monster Forum
Remembering our friends...in Memorium
Riding Techniques
Tutorials
Tech
Accessories & Mods
Gear
Racing & Trackdays
Stolen Motorcycles
No Moto Content
Board Tech Issues
Local Club Boards
BOMb
RCP
Sponsors
Valley Desmo Service
California Cycleworks
MotorcycleGear.Com
Monsterparts
Minor Sponsor Board
Sponsor Info
Flea Market
Monsters for Sale
Monsters Wanted
Other Bikes
Parts for Sale
Parts Wanted
Gear for Sale
Misc for Sale/Wanted
Ducati Monster Forum
>
Moto Board
>
General Monster Forum
(Moderators:
ducpainter
,
bigiain
,
Speeddog
) >
Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
Pages: [
1
]
2
Go Down
« previous
next »
Print
Author
Topic: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea (Read 1640 times)
junior varsity
loves ze desmodromics.
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 7355
GT1k, 99 M900(V), 98 M900(W), 00 M900S, 02 748E/R
Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
on:
June 02, 2009, 08:15:57 AM »
I did it. I rode my M900 from Dallas, TX to Las Vegas, NV. It was horribly uncomfortable and I would not do it again. 2,800 mi round trip. My pops road his H-D Ultra Classic from Nashville, TN to Dallas, TX to Las Vegas, NV and all the way back. He also has cruise control, highway pegs and a backrest(cheater). I now know why they make Goldwings, or hell, any bike with a fairing. Wind gusts in the panhandle of Texas and parts of New Mexico were so strong I was leaning sideways just to continue in a straight line.
Had some carb issues in Albuquerque and again in Las Vegas related to the extreme heat at the asphalt (my pop's bike has a road-temp gauge that showed in excess of 120 at one point). Turned out the stock carbs needed synced, badly, and the idle adjusted down. Ran like a top after that.
On day 2, my kickstand tried to leave me. Apparently one time I took the bolts out and put them back in without loctite. I went to stop and the kickstand just swung down with only one of the bolts holding it into the case, the other lost on the highway somewhere. Luckily, all H-D dealers stock METRIC bolts, thanks to the V-Rod. So we found a dealership, popped in, and they supplied me a M10 bolt and some loctite and I was back in business.
Here are some pics from the ride. None from Vegas, because I just walked around there, lost all my money, and the outsides/insides of the hotel look like they do in everybody else's pictures.
Lesson learned: Buy an ST2/3/4 or rent an ST1300 or goldwing. Also, The interstate and straight roads are really not for me.
I come with pictures:
At the beginning. Before I fully understood what was about to happen. Look, I was even so naive as to give a thumbs-up at one point. (idiot).
I had to ditch the tail bag. it was going to wear into my fancy paint and also there was some rucksack interference. I put this on my pop's megacruiser, only for him to accidentally ship it home (with my regular clothes for Vegas in it) when he shipped camping gear back when we decided beds were in order since I was getting beaten to death by the wind on the plains.
Dam picture.
lost feeling to my important bits, here's a picture of the realization:
There were lovely, rolling hills. But alas, there were no curves worth mentioning. (When's the group ride to E. TN/NC/N. GA?)
Traffic Frustrations:
Leg Stretches:
This is a big ass hole in the ground that they charge $15/person to see. I'm not impressed. Skip the meteor crater (unless you want to see where the moon landing was staged).
Palo Duro Canyon (Canyon, TX):
I must admit that I had a fun time overall, though it was quite exhausting. I would definitely do another long roadtrip again, just not on anything but something designed for such a job.
Product Review: Autocom worked great, once we figured out how to adjust the sensitivity so that crosswind gusts wouldn't activate it at speed. Also, it demands a shitload of 9v batteries (one per day nearly) if you don't wire it into the bike (which I refused to do, as I likely won't use it again until another large roadtrip).
Logged
junior varsity
loves ze desmodromics.
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 7355
GT1k, 99 M900(V), 98 M900(W), 00 M900S, 02 748E/R
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #1 on:
June 02, 2009, 08:24:53 AM »
Huge Props go to
Pat Clark Motorsports in Las Vegas
- They are the Ducati dealership of Las Vegas and they are a fantastic shop. Mike looked at my bike immediately when I was complaining about the stock carbs, and did a few adjustments and I was back on the road nearly instantly. It was cheap to boot. I'd swear by them if I lived in Vegas.
Logged
fastwin
Guest
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #2 on:
June 02, 2009, 08:45:10 AM »
That sounds like a long boring road trip... my ass hurts just from reading about it!
Yeah, Hwy 287 from DFW up to Amarillo is the same type of wind beating. I have trailered bikes up to Santa Fe, NM and our family cabin near Cimarron, NM in the heat of the summer and I have always been amazed at the riders braving the west TX heat and the 40mph wind gusts heading toward Amarillo! Hell, they blow my Suburban all over the road. You can see the riders fighting the same wicked side winds! No thanks! Too old for that s#@t.
Logged
Monster Dave
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 4550
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #3 on:
June 02, 2009, 08:55:22 AM »
Props on making it through! That was a long ride!!! We did a ride from Phoenix, AZ to Monterey CA in one day (700miles). Then rode down the PCH the next day to LA (400 miles), and ultimately rode back from LA to Phoenix 373 miles, for a grand total of almost 1500 miles. After our first iron butt ride to Monterey we couldn't wait to get off the our Monsters. Talk about Monster Butt!!!! LOL
When you look back on it though, although you wouldn't want to do your ride again the same way, it was an unforgettable experience. Good job!!!
I recently made the mistake of watching Long Way Round and Long Way Down and now want to do a cross country loop on our Monsters....
....I have it from good authority though that were I to insist on us doing something like that, that I'd be on my Monster and my better half would be in the car behind me...
Logged
junior varsity
loves ze desmodromics.
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 7355
GT1k, 99 M900(V), 98 M900(W), 00 M900S, 02 748E/R
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #4 on:
June 02, 2009, 08:56:49 AM »
Oh, I have to say: Flagstaff, AZ was nice. Quite scenic - I would have liked to stay there a day and ride some of the roads, but I had to press onward.
Logged
Buckethead
I have a little tiny cape that fits on my
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 5989
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #5 on:
June 02, 2009, 08:57:00 AM »
Props to our friends with the iron asses!
Surprised you didn't lose a cheek to monkeybutt.
Sounds like a great trip, and a great experience to share with your dad. Gotta admit, I'm kinda jealous.
How many days did you guys spend on the road together?
Logged
Quote from: Jester on April 11, 2013, 06:29:35 AM
I can't wait until Marquez gets on his level and makes Jorge trip on his tampon string.
Monster Dave
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 4550
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #6 on:
June 02, 2009, 09:51:43 AM »
The one thing that we felt that was a really smart decision was the purchase of our tail bags. I can't imagine wearing a backpack that long. I removed my seat cowl for obvious reasons, but the bags were awesome and gave us something to lean back on when stretches of road got long.
We had them pretty loaded up too but they were solid:
The one thing that really saved us from Monster Butt was having leathers with padding in the seat.
...and I was really grateful for that since I was riding on the stock seat.
Logged
Pedro-bot
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 1788
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #7 on:
June 02, 2009, 10:00:31 AM »
Sounds
EXHAUSTing
.
Speaking of exhaust:
What exhaust is that on your bike? Conti Replicas, DP or __________???
Logged
1999 M750 AKA Little Blue Monster, 2002 S4, 2006 Sport 1000, 2008 Sport 1000, 2005 749s, 2018 R NineT Urban GS
junior varsity
loves ze desmodromics.
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 7355
GT1k, 99 M900(V), 98 M900(W), 00 M900S, 02 748E/R
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #8 on:
June 02, 2009, 10:02:23 AM »
Quote from: Obsessed? on June 02, 2009, 08:57:00 AM
How many days did you guys spend on the road together?
4 days to get there, 3 days to return. 3 nights in Vegas (which was plenty for my wallet).
Quote from: Pedro-bot on June 02, 2009, 10:00:31 AM
What exhaust is that on your bike? Conti Replicas, DP or __________???
Those are the old DP megaphones, I picked up at NPR Ducati in Athens, GA a few years ago. They are more commonly seen in a chrome finish, but I did not like the chrome pipes, nor the chrome headlight ring.
Logged
rockaduc
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 1045
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #9 on:
June 02, 2009, 01:22:10 PM »
Sounds like an epic trip, nice going, nice pics too. My father and I do a mega trip like that on our snowmobiles in Canada (we usually cover 1200 miles in 4 days). Awesome time together!! You and your dad will cherish these trips.
Logged
If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from death.
scduc
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 1018
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #10 on:
June 02, 2009, 01:57:16 PM »
Sounds like a great ride. Do you think that a DP gel seat may have made the ride a little more comfy? Great pics. Ive been on rt66 from LV to south rim of canyon. You must have carried extra gas? If I recall there are some pretty long stretches where you see nothing but desert.
«
Last Edit: June 02, 2009, 02:00:36 PM by scduc
»
Logged
08' S2R 1K That was close damn near lost a $400 hand cart.
junior varsity
loves ze desmodromics.
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 7355
GT1k, 99 M900(V), 98 M900(W), 00 M900S, 02 748E/R
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #11 on:
June 02, 2009, 02:39:01 PM »
Quote from: scduc on June 02, 2009, 01:57:16 PM
Sounds like a great ride. Do you think that a DP gel seat may have made the ride a little more comfy? Great pics. Ive been on rt66 from LV to south rim of canyon. You must have carried extra gas? If I recall there are some pretty long stretches where you see nothing but desert.
I have a sargent, and its more comfortable than stock, but being able to lean back would have made the ride more tolerable. didn't have to carry extra gas - we filled up about every 100-120 miles, and i can usually stretch it to 140-150m in a pinch.
in other news, its true what they say about packing cold weather gear. You need it, regardless of the time of the year. The cold wind when clouds rolled in went right through my jacket and the temp dropped to right at 50 degrees. I thought i was cold. Then it began to rain.
Logged
KnightofNi
Lift my kilt to see my
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 8020
still wearing the tin foil hat
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #12 on:
June 03, 2009, 04:52:48 AM »
long stretches of hwy suck on a monster, or any sportbike for that matter.
hell it sucked on the sprint and it's kinda made for long trips.
you really do need to train your ass for long trips like that. trying to gou out and do it really does suck. though it should have gotten better as the trip went on (your tolerance for sitting in the seat that is)
i've done 300 - 500 mile days on the monster and was ok, but most of that was not on the hwy. 100 mi on the hwy and i start to hurt.
Logged
Life, alas is very drear. Up with the glass and down with the beer!
Quote from: RB on September 09, 2009, 04:31:47 AM
Seriously, when i am 800years old i want to rock like Lemmy! it is a religion that requires lots of determination, drugs, and Marshall stacks.
now with clavicle of steel (stainless) wrist o' steel (11/2011)
seevtsaab
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 605
05 M620
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #13 on:
June 03, 2009, 05:52:53 AM »
Quote from: Monster Dave on June 02, 2009, 09:51:43 AM
The one thing that we felt that was a really smart decision was the purchase of our tail bags. I can't imagine wearing a backpack that long. I removed my seat cowl for obvious reasons, but the bags were awesome and gave us something to lean back on when stretches of road got long.
MonsterDave - what tailbags are those? What attachments did you use?
Logged
seevtsaab
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 605
05 M620
Re: Dallas to Vegas on a Monster: A fairly uncomfortable idea
«
Reply #14 on:
June 03, 2009, 06:04:11 AM »
What size Kriega pack is that?
Props on grinding out a distinctly non-Monster friendly trip.
Logged
Pages: [
1
]
2
Go Up
Print
« previous
next »
Jump to:
Please select a destination:
-----------------------------
Introductions
-----------------------------
=> Introduce Yourself
=> FAQs and Board Policies
-----------------------------
Moto Board
-----------------------------
=> General Monster Forum
=> In Memorium...Remembering our Friends
=> Riding Techniques
=> Tutorials
=> Tech
=> Accessories & Mods
=> Gear
=> Racing & Trackdays
=> Stolen Motorcycles
=> Random Cool Pics
-----------------------------
Kitchen Sink
-----------------------------
=> No Moto Content
===> Board Suggestions
===> Fixed Board Issues
=> Stella's Pop
-----------------------------
DMF Sponsors
-----------------------------
=> Valley Desmo Service
=> Ca-Cycleworks
=> New Enough.Com
=> Monsterparts
=> Minor Sponsors
=> Misc Info
-----------------------------
Local Clubs
-----------------------------
=> Monster Women
=> Ducati MOB
=> SoCal Monsters
=> CAM
=> OZ monsters
=> NorthWest
=> NEMHA
=> NYMMC
=> MHM
=> SoCO DOG
=> DFWM
=> MADDOG
=> MOCHA
=> THCM
=> AZDRA
=> M-ROC
=> Central Cal Monsters
=> DOCSF
=> MCMC
=> DDCM
=> DOCTOR
=> Hoosier Hooligans
=> OMHA
=> DOCIA
=> Rising Sun Ducatis
=> MCM
=> NMMR
=> MIA
=> Desmotropic
=> COW
=> MOTH
=> DesmOK
=> Bayou Country Ducati Riders
=> DeVal Mostro
=> Coastal Ducati Club
-----------------------------
Configurators and Calculators
-----------------------------
=> Valve Shim Calculator
Loading...
SimplePortal 2.1.1