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Biglangster

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Posts posted by Biglangster

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    Last leg of the trip, 475 miles from Ely, Nevada to home. FYI if traveling on HWY 6 its almost 170 miles between gas stations from Ely to Tonopah in Nevada , high winds and a nice rainy/ snow mix coming over Sonora pass.

    The bike ran with no issues and did great over the pass in the foul weather, This was really an epic adventure and I'm almost sad to be home. haha

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1tmaj15adp4z7p/image.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/q3gc518ujl3v78x/PXL_20220918_130938248.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/qx36lhbr3o48oyw/PXL_20220918_141756679.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1tmaj15adp4z7p/image.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/p9307c21dleesqr/pxl_20220919_023319077.jpg?dl=0

    • Like 5
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    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    Day 4!! Left Grand Junction at 7 and made it to Ely, Nevada shortly after 4 and just under 450 miles

    Utah is amazing and I wish I had more time to explore!

    The Goose is running awesome and she runs 80 mph all day.

    Last leg of the trip is tomorrow, hwy 6 to 395 then 108 Sonora pass to home.

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/bu3ew686wd6irwr/pxl_20220917_143041692.portrait.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/87hcussfpzl9hav/pxl_20220917_164051365.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/nqr20kyqhnsp7w1/pxl_20220917_211439758.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/bblwc65ahnm0rjd/pxl_20220918_012901030.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/rui7lz9kjhnouwf/pxl_20220918_012951947.portrait.jpg?dl=0

     

    • Like 5

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    9 hours ago, 80CX100 said:

    I finally noticed the Air Hawk, wise move. I love those things.

    When you get home and have time to decompress and go into fine details; please share the model and type of tank bag you have. Including pros/cons fastening accessibility etc.

    I'm old school and love a paper map on a tank bag in front of me, but with the plastic gas tank it's the one change and improvement I haven't made to my V11.

    Kudos & props for doing the spring job on the road on the fly in 3 hrs. Even if it wasn't the problem, you are now just a little more intimate with the bike and it's off your "to do" list when you get home,lol.

    Loving the adventure and the updates.

    Safe travels home

    Yeah I'll post about the bag when I get back 

    • Like 1

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    Day three!

    After a 500 mile day I'm a bit exhausted so ignore the bad grammar and whatever. Haha

    I left Oberlin, Ks at 7:00 am and pounded pavement on hwy 36 towards Colorado. Once I hit Colorado it was open interstate on hwy 70.

    One stop on my list was Erico Motorsports in Denver they are a Moto Guzzi and Ducati dealer so I figured I'd swing by and check them out. Once I got off the highway and to my first stoplight I had troubles... All I could do is shift from 1st to 2nd so of course I'm thinking shift spring and first thing I think of is I have a spare from Scud! So boom I take it apart and replace the spring (the old one was bent funky but wasn't broken) get the new one in and it still shifts bad, found out I needed to adjust the freeplay? Or that bolt near the starter... Anyways three hours later I was on the road, had a beautiful ride on 70 thru the Colorado mountains and ended up getting a room in Grand Junction.

    Next stop tomorrow is the Utah/ Nevada border.

     

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/8fearoeikxhe85k/pxl_20220916_142357277.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/ctvih5oh1zhgwa3/pxl_20220916_184932309.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/qckv2gxmatfmxw6/pxl_20220916_214251682.portrait.jpg?dl=0

    • Like 7
    • Thanks 1

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    Day two!

    I only got 436 miles in today and ended up getting a hotel room in Oberlin, Kansas.

    Hwy 36 was awesome till I hit Kansas because they have this 300 mile yard sale down the highway. Haha 

    The 35 mph crosswind was insane, and I ended up soaked in a few storms.

    I met a really nice guy in Agra, Kansas that let me hangout in his garage as one of the storms passed.

    The bike is running great and the Michelin Pilots are awesome in the rain

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/o2cxss402x47zso/pxl_20220915_220100569.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/o0razrpp4yxfw72/pxl_20220916_004113786.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/xjbqiqir74ch0dm/pxl_20220915_202947182.jpg?dl=0

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 5

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    First leg of the trip was from New Carlisle, Indiana to Macon, Missouri via 421 to 55 to 70/36 just over 450 miles. 

    I ran out of gas in Barry, Illinois (I don't trust the fuel light) haha.  I carry spare fuel so I was good to go.

    I'm camping out at Long Branch state park tonight, it's really and awesome campground.

    Tomorrow I'm trying to make it to St. Francis, Kansas.

    I still can't figure how to share the pics via mobile so bear with me.

     

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/3l2zgij0kjt6zy3/PXL_20220914_231248580.jpg?dl=0

     

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/daygqlu4stbdkj6/pxl_20220914_235546430.jpg?dl=0

     

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/yhn947s60hs3gx8/pxl_20220915_003410071.jpg?dl=0

    • Like 5

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    6 hours ago, Kevin_T said:

    Let me ask a few questions here.

    What age are you? I ask because it's important, a couple years ago the wife and went to California drove close to 900 miles a day for 3 days. Now at 66 the wife and I went to Colorado a little over 600 miles a day for 2 days and that took a toll. If your late 50's you can recover quickly. (That's on the K1600)

    Do you have anything like a cramp buster? They are a poor substitute for cruise control, but if the wind coming off your fairing is hitting you in the helmet 4 days at 500 miles a day throw in the tension of throttle cable springs you could have tight neck and shoulder muscles.

    You mentioned camping? I love camping it's what I live for, but there is a time and a place for it. If you're going to use 6 days to go cross country go for it. You'll probably make a lot of stops along the way. Limited gas tank range and re-hydrate should still be hot. Although you get a couple extra hours.

    Your bike she's a beauty, above all have fun stay safe. 

    Hi Kevin, 

    Im 47, so this may be my midlife crisis ride!  haha

    Thanks for the input on the crampbuster, Ill see if I can get one before I depart. I'm an avid camper/ backpacker so sleeping under the stars is a must. As far as fuel I'm used to my Multistrada's horrible mileage and I carry an old white gas fuel bottle as a reserve.  

    • Like 1

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Scud said:

    Ooohhh... I see a Black LeMans in your dropbox links. Well done. 

    I notice the Hepco Becker racks in the pictures. Does the bike come with all three hard cases? Those could come in handy on a long trip.

    I've found that a tank bag can give a little relief on a long ride - like a pillow on the tank.

    One thing to consider is the age of the tires. You might be safer with a set of new shoes before you take off on that long trip.

    Re the Utah to California route... Unless you really want to go to Las Vegas, it seems you have chosen a long route with a lot of Interstate. Consider going through central Nevada instead. I camped at Great Basin National Park once and loved it. From there it's less than 400 miles to Lee Vining (including the fabulous route 120 from Benton to 395 by Mono Lake). Depending on the route, you might need to carry a gallon of gas (ride 50 miles then top off the tank). Central Nevada would likely be very nice at that time - and almost certainly cooler than going through the Mojave desert.

    IMG_9213.jpg

    The bike has the side boxes and I'm taking the top case from my Ducati. I also have a tank bag.

    I may consider your route as well. 

    • Like 4

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    1 hour ago, LaGrasta said:

    So exciting, thanks for sharing and congrats on your new bike! I agree with the others, that's a lot of miles in one day, x5! I know myself couldn't or wouldn't do it, on any bike. Even in a car, any more than 6 hours and I'm drained.

    Please bring precautions like valve cover gaskets, plugs, check tires date codes, etc.

    Please be careful! Post throughout the trip, so your forum brothers won't worry too much!  God bless.

    Yep, she has a fresh tune up and new tires.  Oh and a spare shift spring from Scud

    • Like 5

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    2 hours ago, docc said:

    Thanks for sharing your plan and trip with us, @Biglangster! Some great advice, here, already.

    I opened your pics in Dropbox, right clicked on the image for menu, and selected "Copy Image Link", paste into the reply box and, hey:

    A very nice late model black LeMans! :mg:  :thumbsup:

    p.jpeg

    p.jpeg

    Yeah the forum is going to be a learning curve for me. Haha

    I'm a telephone lineman, I can build you the internet, but I really don't try and use it. 🤣

    • Haha 4

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, KINDOY2 said:

    Good luck..Do you normally ride long ride alot of back to back long rides? 500 per day is certainly  doable but it seems like a lot 5 days in a row on a new to you bike. Don't push yourself too hard, smell the roses..:-):bike:.  Have a safe and enjoyable trip!

    I normally do 3-400, and I agree it's going to be a lot. I figure it's 8 hours in the saddle and I'm going to try and break it up as best I can.

     

    • Like 2

    V11 pick up and ride from Indiana to Cali blog.

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted · Edited by Biglangster
    Posted pics

    Howdy folks!

    I was told by one of the members on here that I should make a little "blog" about my upcoming trip so here ya go!

    My son is moving back to Indiana and I offered to go along on his road trip, meanwhile as his move was being planned I got ahold of an old friend about a bike he had for sale and that I had interest in picking up the bike and riding it back to California.  

    The story on he bike:

    The bike originally belonged to a dear old riding buddy and I even remember when he bought it "with a credit card" from Tipton Hardware, Moto Guzzi, and Red Wing Boots dealer. haha

    We moved back to Cali in 2011 and he passed away shortly thereafter. A mutual friend bought the bike from his sister as a memento and has probably only put 1k miles on it over the last 10 years. Now it's my turn to take over the "memento". 

    The trip back:

    I plan on leaving Sept 14th from Northern Indiana down the 55 to hwy 36 thru Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and into Colorado. Then I'll take the 70 to the 15 in Utah into Nevada, once I hit Cali I'll take 395 north to hwy 108 back home to Copperopolis. I plan on doing approx 500 miles a day and giving myself 6 days if needed to return.

    If anyone has any cool camping spots or roadside attractions to check out along the way please let me know.

    I'll try and do a daily update to this post.

    Thanks, Langley

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    • Like 6
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