Key West Bike Week(end)

[swingman3]

So I'm in Key West working for the CG. And we pull in the other day for some well-deserved and much-needed liberty, and guess what?? Unbeknownst to me, Friday is the start of Key West Bike Week. Actually it's only three days. But it's my lucky day!

1. I love Key West anytime.

2. I love bike weeks anywhere.

3. Key West + 1000s of bikers = a good time.

Out of the hundreds and hundreds of motorcycles here, I saw one FJR. An '05 model with aftermarket cans and Harley-style grips. But there were a lot of custom choppers and I saw prolly 5 or 6 Boss Hoss models with the V8 engine. A few choppers had NOS bottles attached. Pretty funny.

I'm not a cruiser guy, but there were some beautiful bikes there.

Oh yeah- I saw one Concours 14. It's a nice bike, but I don't like the looks of the single exhaust. I know that's not a reason to reject a perfectly good machine, but I can't help it. The other thing about the C14, it was absolutely quiet. After hearing all those rumbling choppers, it was bizarre to see that bike go by me and it made no sound at all. That was cool.

Swingman Sends

 

[BrunDog]

This is the Poker Run (Peterson's Harley Davidson). Did it a few years ago. Was too damn slow going down, and was too damn hot. Plus, my buddy "forgot" to take off work, so he had to go in, and I had to ride alone. Unfortunately for me, when he got there at midnight, he found me sh*tfaced, cross-eyed, singing Karaoke with a blonde who, at the time I thought was pretty hot but was assured later that this was no victory hook... :blink:

Gotta love Key West - always good stuff happening.

-BD

 

[Nightshift]

IMO Key West is the last place you want to ride your FJR or any bike for that matter. Why? The traffic is horrendous, the HWY patrol are everywhere. 2 mph over the posted limit and BAMMO, here the red and blue lights come! Add to this the stop n go traffic flow. You will be breaking and clutching every 40 seconds or so. There is essentially nothing to look at except the SUV infront of you and the SUV in your mirror for the 100 mi stretch heading to Key West. Face it the place is way over rated. Buffet hardley ever hangs out there any more. That was my experience riding down there last year. It is fun to visit but take the jet or boat.

 

[frayne]

Yea, KW may be over-rated but everybody has to do it once, and a bike is the only way to do it.

 

[BrunDog]

I don't think KW is overrated. In fact it is a fantastic place to go - when everyone else isn't.

Don't get me wrong, I used to love spring break and fantasy fest there, as well as just getting stupid with friends. But now, as I am seasoning a tad, I prefer to go with my wife during "low" seasons and enjoy the tranquility and relaxation that only the keys can deliver.

-BD

 

[taterides]

Went with JamesK to Key West this morming. On the way south the parade was going north. Saw 3 FJRs-05-06- and an 07. Anyone here one of them? Great ride and going a day late was nice. Ran my stock 06 and James tricked 07 on a Dyno. Interesting to do. He will post the comparison maps.

 

[RICLET]

I have just got back from my first visit to the Keys. I got lucky, and was invited by the local Jack Daniels people.We didn't stop in Miami, so didn't participate in the official Poker Run.

We started Wednesday morning in Orlando, 2 Harleys,Ninja 900,Honda 600 and my little ol' '05 FJR and a follow SUV with trailer. One of the Harley guys asked what my bike was, and said it looked good, everytime we stopped for them to gas up and stretch it looked even better. Wednesday's ride ended in Key Largo, where we stayed until Friday morning, which allowed some of the JD people from Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale to join up. We stopped at each of the Poker stops along the way and let the JD people do their job,making sure the bars were stocked and promo's were running well, etc... I think it was at stop #4 that I saw what I think was an '05 I looked at the bike and as I walked away saw the owner in a silver jacket, sorry for not speaking, but when the boss is ready to go, everybody better be ready. We got into Key West I think arround 3:00 maybe, I was on vacation I didn't have to look at a watch if I didn't want to. Friday night started with dinner at Michaels... fine dining and priced as such. After dinner, my buddy, Curtis and I were invited by the reps to visit some of the nightspots with them and observe the young JD eyecandy promote the product and give away Tee shirts and tatoo stickers. As we walked Duval St and saw the lineup assembling, it was entertaining to see how people had used their imagination to craft both street bikes and show bikes, projecting some of their personalities or interests into their machines. Friday night ended for me about 2:00 a.m.

Saturday morning started with a catered breakfast on Duval St, souvenier shopping for the SO and then Curtis and I took our bikes for a tour of the island. The afternoon we spent in the bars helping promos and watching Football. I know it is trite but since the was my first KW visit we did wander down to Mallory Square, watch the sunset, run from the rain, ate something fast and simple and called it a night. Whoops! I forgot we did stop in a few clubs just to be social.

Sunday morning Ride-out was scheduled for 6:30, I loaded out ready to go at 6:15 some of the younger folk weren't ready until 7 oh well just a small delay,by then more folks were heading out and so traffic was a little heavy. When we reached Key Largo we said goodby to our friends from Tampa and Ft Lauderdale they were turning in their rentals, and caging it the rest of the way. Upon arrival in Florida City, We took the Electra-Glide out of the trailer and loaded the Jack Daniels bike and the other Harley back onto the trailer, from this point the two Harley guys would swap each riding a stage in the SUV and then on the Electra-Glide. We did see some fairly heavy rain on the way north but never for more than 20 minutes or so. We arrived back in Orlando at arround 3:00

Pluses

FJR= Comfort The other guys were feeling stiff much sooner than me, this was my first long ride, I didn't have any secrets just a great bike.

Gas mileage Again the other guys were needing fuel much sooner than me.

People Everybody I came in contact with was pleasant,whether it was a biker, tourist,vendor, or somebody trying to do their job. There maybe some jackasses out there but I didn't see them.

LEO'S were everywhere but more of a detterent than anytrhing else.

My wife greeting with a big smile when I got home, first time we had been seperated in over 10 years

Minuses

The couple involved in the accident in Marathon Friday afternoon,the gentleman was deceased at the scene, the lady was in hospital with injuries.

A few folks who were a little impatient with the traffic flow coming up through the Keys tried to rush things