Arkansas Run March 27th-30th

[Cav47]

Just finished getting Jessica modified and loaded up. Put a new Ram mount on for the GPS. The old mount wouldn't work with the tank bag. Checked and adjusted the pressure in both tires. 41.5 rear and 39.5 front. I am 90% ready to go. My biggest worry is going to be staying warm on the way down Friday. My upper body will be just fine with what I got. My lower body is in trouble. I do not have a good pant option. I wear under armor tights, jeans, then pull over my MESH pants. I know mesh pants are not what we are looking for with this type of weather , but that is the best I have. I need to find a better (read-more motorcycle specific ) for colder weather.

Hopefully my tires will not begin to vanish or immediately disintegrate upon arrival to ARKANSAS. lol. See u all down there. Allen and I will be heading that way ASAP. !!

 

[Tango Sierra]

The Yamaha shop in Harrison has tires and they won't rip you off too bad if you need them.

You are gonna need something to break the wind on your lower body. Even Columbia rain pants worn over the mesh pants will help. Stop at a Dick's sportings goods store and see if you can get something.

I rode once from near Flint, Mi up over the Mackinac Bridge and onto Eagle River, WI. During the ride the high was 50 and the low was 30. Most of the time it between 38 and 42. I was weather protected on the top but only had jeans and PVC rain pants. 500 miles took me 12 hours because I had to stop so much to warm up. It didn't help I was riding a Kawasaki ZRX 1200 which had only a bikini fairing.

 

[Cav47]

That is good advice Tango, I do have some cheaper rain paints that I will be taking along. I'm hoping to make it back on these tires. The middle of my rear is the only issue. I suspect it will be the edges that are getting scrubbed mostly.

 

[wheatonFJR]

That is good advice Tango, I do have some cheaper rain paints that I will be taking along. I'm hoping to make it back on these tires. The middle of my rear is the only issue. I suspect it will be the edges that are getting scrubbed mostly.

RUH-ROH...

 

[Cav47]

That is good advice Tango, I do have some cheaper rain paints that I will be taking along. I'm hoping to make it back on these tires. The middle of my rear is the only issue. I suspect it will be the edges that are getting scrubbed mostly.

RUH-ROH...

I have heard that you have some experience in this area. LOL. Gotta love the Illinois roads.

 

[wheatonFJR]

That is good advice Tango, I do have some cheaper rain paints that I will be taking along. I'm hoping to make it back on these tires. The middle of my rear is the only issue. I suspect it will be the edges that are getting scrubbed mostly.

RUH-ROH...

I have heard that you have some experience in this area. LOL. Gotta love the Illinois roads.

That's true. However, I've only had troubles in the middle of the tire...you know...where the rubber meets the road in Illinois. I guess you have it covered with the sides in Arky, but don't plan on riding back to Illinois?? On those flat straight boring roads?

If yer worried about the middle now, just wait till yer in BF Arkansas!

 

[Cav47]

I guess I shouldn't have said I was "worried" I really do not think it is going to be a problem, but the way people are talking about tires being demolished by the Arkansas roads, I have some trepidation. If it gets to be unsafe, I will change it out, but it is not supposed to rain and superbikes run on slicks all the time. RIGHT????? Kidding.

Allen,

I found a place in Vienna Illinois that is highly rated for lunch. That is a little over 3 hours from Marshall. There also is a good BBQ place in Harrisburg. Both are right on the route. Harrisburg is about 3 hours from Marshall. We can adjust if needed.

 

[Allen_C]

Bike is ready - tire pressure set, TBS and plugs checked and good 300 miles ago, Rick Meyer seat installed, new front tire and less than half used rear tire installed and bags packed.

Cav, lunch place sounds good, not sure I'll want to eat again that soon...may just wait to have dinner in AR.

 

[Poolboytoo]

Hey guys, I'm at camp ground ten miles south of Harrison, weather is nice, fire going, Templeton rye my cup. I did stop at Yamaha dealer in Harrison and confirm.ed tires. See all at hotel tomorrow night

 

[Allen_C]

Hey guys, I'm at camp ground ten miles south of Harrison, weather is nice, fire going, Templeton rye my cup. I did stop at Yamaha dealer in Harrison and confirm.ed tires. See all at hotel tomorrow night

You rode all the way down from IA today instead of stopping along the way? We hope to see you tomorrow evening at the hotel!

 

[hppants]

We all made it to harrison. Two of my peeps backed out but my buddy john and I have been having fun. Poolboy has joined us this evening. Can and Allen just arrived at the hotel and we are enjoying happy hour (or hours). Life is good. Stay thirsty, my friends

 

[Cav47]

The Arkanss 5 have arrived safe and sound despite our own Pucker moments!! I won't reveal them now and spoil a good report from Pants later on. We have descended upon these roads from 3 different directions. The Southern boys have brought some warmer weather for us. And we Northern boys have brought some cold weather for them. Allen and I rode through some heavy flurries and below 30 degree temps today. Poolboy is camping tonight even though it will be cold out there. If he gets cold, he can use some of the 11 plus gallons of gas he has including his auxiliary fuel cell. We had a good introduction to the roads and each other tonight. Will be looking forward to more of both tomorrow. All of us agree Allen is hard core!! He rode a long way today like pool boy did yesterday.

Stay tuned for more. Meeting together tomorrow at breakfast for a pre-ride fuel up. Looking at a 300 mile route Pants has cued up. John is a riding buddy with Pants who just joined the forum. Not sure what his name is yet. I will ask tomorrow. Maybe when I ask Pants where he came up with that forum name.

Out!!

 

[Tango Sierra]

Cav47,

Speaking of pants, what did you do about keeping your lower appendages warm on the ride down?

 

[Cav47]

Layered up with under armor, jeans, mesh riding pants, and then a wind suit pant. It did okay, Obviously what I was wearing was not perfect, but it was serviceable. My riding pants are mesh and provide some protection from falls, but they are minimal. I will be looking for some moto specific cold weather protection.

I have been meaning to ask you what town are u from, north central illinois is where I grew up. Ottawa specifically. Ride safe.

 

[Tango Sierra]

I live out in the country with my nearest neighbor a mile away and I don't even know any of my neighbors. I'm inside a triangle with the corners being Paw Paw, Earlville and Mendota. Both Ottawa or LaSalle/Peru are 25 miles from me.

My 14 year old Gore-Tex four seasons riding suit has finally given up the ghost. Need to buy something pretty quick but I'm all torso and inseam challenged with a pincushion waist so it's hard finding something that fits. I'd like something by Rev'it! but if nothing by them or Klim fits me I may have to settle for a custom tailored Stich.

Let me know if any of the roads south of Harrison have been closed for the year so I can avoid them when I come down just before Memorial Day.

 

[hppants]

We had a good day riding. About 225 miles total. All "steep and crooked". Cold this morning - bout 35 and misty/cloudy. We rode over some frozen crap this morning - I don't care to do that again. But once I put my hemroid back in everything started drying up and the ride got real good this afternoon. Good day

Now sipping on some Rye Whiskey and telling lies. Life is good - stay thirsty my friends

 

[Cav47]

Today's post is summed up this way. With glasses raised-- "Here is to crooked, steep, and safe!!" Nuff said!! Fill in the gaps yourself.

 

[Tango Sierra]

Those steep, decreasing radius hairpins scared the crap out of me the first time I encountered them.

 

[Allen_C]

Those steep, decreasing radius hairpins scared the crap out of me the first time I encountered them.

Those nice hairpins were not the problem. The black snot-like crap that was so slippery if you were not completely straight, you would slide sideways. That was some pucker inducing shit.

 

[griff]

So Allen - you got any pics of 'drifting' through the curves?

Did you guys make the Oark Cafe? As Marty says mmmmmmmmmm pie