I recently finished the 2008 SPANK rally (as did other members of this forum) and while I doubt I'm going to be posting a ride report, I did want to share with everyone how things worked during my little 16 day, 9,527 mile chase around the states.
I left home on Sunday the 3rd, for Omaha, Finished in Tulsa at the IBA national, then visited relatives in Clarksville, Arkansas for a couple of days before heading home. This is why it took me 16 days to ride a 7 day rally.
One - The Bike.
I prepped by changing oil and filter, rear drive fluid change, new air filter, new iridiums. As the 26K valve check was already 9K overdue, I decided to just forgo the check until I returned.
It ran like a clock. The ONLY time I suspected I might have a problem was on Sunday the 10th, during 102F heat in downtown Phoenix during stop and go maneuvers. And all it did was get a little 'chuffy' (flat off of idle) when the temp guage showed 8 bars. Once cooled down, it was fine. But absolutely no problems what so ever. Bike now has 45K on it.
Two - Michelin PR2's.
Following Beeroux's testimonial at NAFO on these tires, I installed a set - I had considered using an ME880 rear but decided to use the Michelins. This was a good choice - at 9,537 miles, they are squared off but still have some miles left in them. The squaring is unavoidable as 99.9% of the riding during the Spank was highways. No chance to hit the curvy bits and smooth off the profile.
I rode through heavy rain for hundreds of miles and never had any kind of traction problems.
Front:
Rear:
Three: Garmin 2730 GPS.
I have two installed on a dash shelf - and it's a good thing. The screen on my primary unit in use since June of 2006 delaminated. This happened during the rally - but being (as SkooterG says) one of those "anal retentive engineering types" I was able to move right along with my secondary unit in command. I'm quite happy with the performance - 40K in a very high vibration environment before failure. And Garmin has already replaced it out of warranty for the $225 exchange fee.
Four: InLine Dash Shelf.
As you can see in the photo below, I have it overloaded to the extreme. Two 2730's with aux antennas and my Escort radar detector. I moved the adhesive based strut to the rear and bolted it to the shelf - and this helps strengthen it substantially. The 2730's are literally hanging off the rear edge to give clearance to the windshield, so the whole assembly really does shake up and down. However - no failure, no cracks, nothing loosened except for a molex connector that I had too much tension on - but it took a 5.8 mile ride down Ironage Road in Twentynine Palms to do it.
I could swear I lost a filing on this little bit of joy.
Five: Soltek lights and Skyway brackets.
No leaks, nothing loosened. Worked like a charm.
Six: Audiovox Cruise.
Works as expected - perfectly. As you can see, I mount the servo inside the right muffler bracket, and with a little aquarium sealer ensure that the moisture entering the unit is kept to a minimum. I now have around 38K on this install.
Seven: Sampson "Taildragger" aux tank.
Installed in May of 2007, I have had zero problems. Not so much as a loose nut. Fill up, flick the pump switch to transfer. Simple.
Eight: LindaT Custom Tankbags.
My opinion has not changed on this: LindaT Tankbag Post
I was into the pockets and the rallybook about a gazillion times during the rally - and it always worked. I did NOT have to think about it. Nothing failed, nothing broke, zippers always zipped. QUALITY WORKS.
Nine: LDComfort garments.
Thank You, Mario !
I lived in these things the entire rally. I have two sets of the tights and long-sleeved tops - and I will never use anything else. The construction of these garments is top notch; the ability to use them as an evaporative cooling layer is huge. I carried a Colorado Cooling vest with me the entire trip - and never put it on. High temp I hit was 103F.
Granted - when you live in them for 72 hours, 36 of which are in the rain, you can expect hotel clerks to 'notice' you when you approach them. "Sniff"
Ten: Aerostitch Roadcrafter
I wouldn't know what to do without it. Aside from that wonderful crotch leak (which I will be addressing with the Stitch folks and requesting a mod) I've now put 45K on the suit in 28 months.
Rain, snow, hail, 27F to 113F, Iron But Hotel naps on the bike, concrete, blacktop, lawn, even on a picnic table. Just sitting on the bike in the garage I feel naked without it.
The right leg zipper blew out during NAFO, I temporarily fixed it with a needle and thread - and that fix held during the Spank. I suspect the zipper blew because I've been shoving my Sidi Road through it the wrong way, so I write this one up to 'pilot error'. Being Hi-Viz, it's uglier than heck - and I still haven't got that spot from that little bird in Nevada out of the left shin.
I think it needs a bath.
All in all, a very trouble free rally experience. IMHO it's clear that buying quality up front can save you a lot of "would of, could of, should of" moments, and actually save money in the long run.
The only real problem farkle was the nut between the seat and the handlebars. A very interesting experience, to say the least.
I left home on Sunday the 3rd, for Omaha, Finished in Tulsa at the IBA national, then visited relatives in Clarksville, Arkansas for a couple of days before heading home. This is why it took me 16 days to ride a 7 day rally.
One - The Bike.
I prepped by changing oil and filter, rear drive fluid change, new air filter, new iridiums. As the 26K valve check was already 9K overdue, I decided to just forgo the check until I returned.
It ran like a clock. The ONLY time I suspected I might have a problem was on Sunday the 10th, during 102F heat in downtown Phoenix during stop and go maneuvers. And all it did was get a little 'chuffy' (flat off of idle) when the temp guage showed 8 bars. Once cooled down, it was fine. But absolutely no problems what so ever. Bike now has 45K on it.
Two - Michelin PR2's.
Following Beeroux's testimonial at NAFO on these tires, I installed a set - I had considered using an ME880 rear but decided to use the Michelins. This was a good choice - at 9,537 miles, they are squared off but still have some miles left in them. The squaring is unavoidable as 99.9% of the riding during the Spank was highways. No chance to hit the curvy bits and smooth off the profile.
I rode through heavy rain for hundreds of miles and never had any kind of traction problems.
Front:
Rear:
Three: Garmin 2730 GPS.
I have two installed on a dash shelf - and it's a good thing. The screen on my primary unit in use since June of 2006 delaminated. This happened during the rally - but being (as SkooterG says) one of those "anal retentive engineering types" I was able to move right along with my secondary unit in command. I'm quite happy with the performance - 40K in a very high vibration environment before failure. And Garmin has already replaced it out of warranty for the $225 exchange fee.
Four: InLine Dash Shelf.
As you can see in the photo below, I have it overloaded to the extreme. Two 2730's with aux antennas and my Escort radar detector. I moved the adhesive based strut to the rear and bolted it to the shelf - and this helps strengthen it substantially. The 2730's are literally hanging off the rear edge to give clearance to the windshield, so the whole assembly really does shake up and down. However - no failure, no cracks, nothing loosened except for a molex connector that I had too much tension on - but it took a 5.8 mile ride down Ironage Road in Twentynine Palms to do it.
I could swear I lost a filing on this little bit of joy.
Five: Soltek lights and Skyway brackets.
No leaks, nothing loosened. Worked like a charm.
Six: Audiovox Cruise.
Works as expected - perfectly. As you can see, I mount the servo inside the right muffler bracket, and with a little aquarium sealer ensure that the moisture entering the unit is kept to a minimum. I now have around 38K on this install.
Seven: Sampson "Taildragger" aux tank.
Installed in May of 2007, I have had zero problems. Not so much as a loose nut. Fill up, flick the pump switch to transfer. Simple.
Eight: LindaT Custom Tankbags.
My opinion has not changed on this: LindaT Tankbag Post
I was into the pockets and the rallybook about a gazillion times during the rally - and it always worked. I did NOT have to think about it. Nothing failed, nothing broke, zippers always zipped. QUALITY WORKS.
Nine: LDComfort garments.
Thank You, Mario !
I lived in these things the entire rally. I have two sets of the tights and long-sleeved tops - and I will never use anything else. The construction of these garments is top notch; the ability to use them as an evaporative cooling layer is huge. I carried a Colorado Cooling vest with me the entire trip - and never put it on. High temp I hit was 103F.
Granted - when you live in them for 72 hours, 36 of which are in the rain, you can expect hotel clerks to 'notice' you when you approach them. "Sniff"
Ten: Aerostitch Roadcrafter
I wouldn't know what to do without it. Aside from that wonderful crotch leak (which I will be addressing with the Stitch folks and requesting a mod) I've now put 45K on the suit in 28 months.
Rain, snow, hail, 27F to 113F, Iron But Hotel naps on the bike, concrete, blacktop, lawn, even on a picnic table. Just sitting on the bike in the garage I feel naked without it.
The right leg zipper blew out during NAFO, I temporarily fixed it with a needle and thread - and that fix held during the Spank. I suspect the zipper blew because I've been shoving my Sidi Road through it the wrong way, so I write this one up to 'pilot error'. Being Hi-Viz, it's uglier than heck - and I still haven't got that spot from that little bird in Nevada out of the left shin.
I think it needs a bath.
All in all, a very trouble free rally experience. IMHO it's clear that buying quality up front can save you a lot of "would of, could of, should of" moments, and actually save money in the long run.
The only real problem farkle was the nut between the seat and the handlebars. A very interesting experience, to say the least.
