Let's see those bikes

Mother Nature finally let the rain go today. We made it till about noon then the rain began. Some of it was heavy and the wind was a PIA but we made it down to Escanaba/Gladstone area. It’s nice to finally have a house to rest in instead of a hotel. We are washing our clothes and having great conversations.
My miles per day will probably drop off. We will stay here two nights and explore the area. Friday and Saturday will be in Green Bay. We will probably take the ferry across Lake Michigan so we can avoid Chicago traffic and visit Michigan friends.
Here is a pic of Lake Superior.

The falls.

We stopped for lunch at a country club and my wife made some new friends.



Last year it took me 24 hours to get this mileage, this year it’s taken me 5 days. It’s been a nice change of pace. I would rather have my wife with me for the trip than the guys. I sight see more with her than the guys.

 

That speedometer looks familiar

I was looking at hundreds, if not thousands of them today at work.

Looks like you're having a good trip. Are you planning on taking the ferry in Manitowoc or Milwaukee?

 

That sounds like a big ole "slow pitch" hint!

 

Lol. Not really. We supply to a lot of automotive and powersports companies.

HD, GM, FCA, ford, Yamaha, Honda, Mercury marine, plus to Continental, etc....

It's exciting to me.

 

We are taking the ferry from Wilwaukee. It’s worth it not to deal with the Chicago traffic on a motorcycle.

 

I know that's right!
Bad enough in a cage!

 

Absolutely. I haven't been on the late express yet, but I've only heard good things about it.

 

I’ll give you a review about the lake express after we get back home.

 

We are back home from our trip. My wife and I had a great time and the bike ran great. Our final mileage:

The Lake Express ferry was a nice change of pace. When you take the ferry over you must secure your own bike. They provide the straps. My worst straps are better than what they offer. Some have knots in them and the ratcheting mechanisms were worn. To anyone thinking of taking the trip I would advise taking your own straps. The trip itself was a little rough but not too bad. You can walk around on deck or sit in the cabin.

 

Just a friendly public service announcement. As most of you know, I wrench on bikes as a day job. I've seen this too frequently:


So, if you are shopping for tires, please reconsider if you are thinking about Stinko. You get what you pay for.

 

I agree. Tires on a bike are not an area you want to cheap out on. Great tires will save your bacon, like they did for me.

 

Put 2300+ miles on a fresh set in the last few weeks (Shinko). No real complaints other than the front is excessively noisy compared to the Kendas I replaced. DS application. Several guys in my group have had them without issue. Appears we have been lucky.
Interesting info. First I've heard of any issue.

Any opinions on the Kenda? I've had similar luck with these also.

 

I just mounted a set of Kenda’s yesterday. They looked good to me. I’ve not heard any longevity complaints on the Stinkos, nor grip complaints. You never see the excessive run out while riding, I see it very regularly. If I were shown and told about it, I’d be unhappy having just purchased new tires. I put the static balancing tool next to this rim and spun it. Showed a straight wheel.

 

My longevity results for both brands has been exactly the same. I'll have my rear smoked at 3000 miles. Front will be half used. Guessing a higher quality tire would treat me better!

 

Here was a Dunlop Roadsmart 3 just for comparison (to show runout, or lack there of).

 

Here's my 2003 fatboy.
The first and last new bike I will buy.
Been to Canada(Niagara falls)
went to her birth place in York PA.
And ate bowls of shrimp on the east coast (near Norfolk Virginia)
And many places in between.
All alone I was gone for a month, that was 14 years ago,before kids and a second wife.
Will never sell it.

 

Nice looking ride and sounds like you have had a good time with it!

 

Thanks, met a lot of good people along the way willing to help if I needed it. Don't know if it was me or the bike or me being so far from home.

 

I just put a new battery in my HD Heritage softail yesterday, it was sure good to be able to get on it, and take a ride. I had hip surgery a couple of yrs ago, so now its a lot more comfortable to ride. Its an 02 but low miles, i've got a 95 RK Custom that i'm going to get on pretty soon as well. I really enjoy the freedom riding a bike gives you.

 

One-wheeled motorcycle, invented by Italian M. Goventosa de Udine, 1931. (colorized photo)