LINK

I only spoke to maybe 5 or 6 people, sorry about that!

Well I should've had some decent video of theroamr and jschaf...something went wrong, absolutely nothing recorded, damn it!

Good ride,!

Thank you to all who participated in organizing this, and of course, the leads and sweeps, great job!

I plan on attending as of now,

If work goes well tonight, and I get off at 11:00 p.m, I should be there.

I will be bringing the V-Strom, so I most likely will not be running with the "fast group" ... I will need to decide on a group tomorrow.

Again confirmed, my existance is meaningless, I have read every post in this thread.

Threads like this interest me, yet I have no confidence in my knowledge, nor do I any longer research this depressing shit, so I try and keep my comments/opinions to myself.

So with that boring, who gives a shit statement being made, carry on, some good discussion, humor, stupidity ( which I can relate), and facts being shared.

Sorry. I have nothing to add, but I will continue reading...

Yep, hit foothills pkway yesterday. It was about 6:30pm and I was headed back by myself and that road was desolate. Not more than 2 cars the whole 20 miles or so. Awesome!

Might go hit it again today.

Take the road just before the Foothills Parkway, Happy Valley RD., take your time on the switchbacks, they are very tricky, especially downhill...up the hill, and then down, is not recommended at higher speeds, a very fun technical section, when you see the bridge that you will cross under at the top, slow down, the pavement is very rough and sketchy...Enjoy!!!

You can take it to the Parkway... I prefer to turn around at the church, and ride it back the other direction, feels like a completely different road.

As IP mentioned, 23 is a decent route to travel.

There are many good roads off of that route, if you leave yourself the time to explore, you will be rewarded.

Do some research, again, well worth it!

I only ride down when I travel alone...that should need no explaination.

I have made this trip several times, often different ways... plan a main route to make up time if needed, mark certain roads of interest off of said route, note the "must ride roads", figure it out (time, mileage, fatigue, etc.) as you go. 

I arrived there on Sunday (4/20), got home yesterday...It was a good trip.

Have a great time!

Thank you for the heads up on the fork brace sale...I had been putting it off for $85, $59.95, ordered, with mirror extenders.

dustinsn3485, If you were referring to the stock tires on the 2011 Ninja 1000, they were Bridgestone BT016's, and I agree, terrible, with short life on that bike.

I switched to the 023's, I liked them better than the stock 16's, but they wore out, and got slippery in much less time than I expected.

If I were to go back to an ST style tire, I think Pirelli or Michelin would be my choice, as the others have mentioned.

Maybe

I do like this bike, but already owning a Speed Triple, I can't see trading it for an FZ-09.

If I were in the market for this style of motorcycle, and it came down to the choice between the Speed Triple, and the FZ-09, I think the FZ-09 would be my choice (based off of the OTD price alone).

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/mcd/4347670244.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/4303870058.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/4346277399.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/4348719685.html

I have seen a few available, but you must be willing to travel.

 If you are not familar with them... make sure you know the status on the existing stator, clutch weep, and of course the rotor nut.

Check the services performed, by who and when...just a heads up.

Good luck with your search, a great bike when they run.

I especially don't care for the new one. At least the old or knew its place in the circus. It was a rock-bottom utilitarian motorcycle. I appreciated it for what it was. Ugly, but very much at ease with its image. The new one has a serious crisis of identity. It's not sure if it wants to be a KLR, or a BMW. Neither, of which, it's very good at pulling off.

I'd call it a great commuter and all-around bike, but with far less charm than the old, uber-ugly version.

That was hurtful!

Whaler, Tonik,

So what you are saying...is go through the bike completely, even if you purchase a new bike from them (pre 500 mile service)?

I ask because I have been considering a few deals Roush has posted online (new purchase).

No deal is worth bad set up!

Honda East in Maumee, and a few others, has similar deals available...same distance for me to travel, and it would seem, better reviews...Wooster has been an option too, more expensive pricing though.

Probably a

2014 Ninja 1000.

My schedule and limited funds might get me to a couple of days at Grattan and Mid Ohio this year...Things could be worse I guess.

I need more time on the street anyway.

Another bad year for me, two in a row.

Wow, guy drags me to unwanted track days all Summer, now he wants to ride, WTF...

The Speed Triple's tires are shit, and of course I have to work anyway...

removing and installing the body panels (covers) and the front fairing kind of sucks the first time.

I'll add another once my Givi cases come in

 

Wow that was fast!

Givi cases are nice, many choices in accessories, hours and hours of research for me, no way I could decide that fast (price, fit, size etc.)...OEM cases are too wide in my opinion, I am still not used to them when I have them on.

I use a Besteem top case, I have my Cortech tail bag on there now though.

Nice choice... Congratulations!

I hope you enjoy!

I was in a similar situation as you last year, and around the same time too. 

I wanted a Triumph Tiger really bad (and still do to a point), but the V-Strom 650 just made more sense at the time,

So far I am happy with my decision, was it the best decission, With all considered, yes (for me)!

I know my V-Strom is no comparison to the Tiger (whichever model chosen), and more than likely the Triumph is better at everything, I get that, but the V-Strom is pretty good at what I have asked of it so far, for a much lower pricetag than what the Tiger would have cost me.

Trust me, I was not happy at first, but now I know how capable and fun the V-Strom 650 can be, so all is good...

I would suggest getting what is best for you, rather it be money, fit, use etc. etc, that makes your decision, the V-Strom 650, given a fair chance (which I nearly did not, even after the purchase), should be a good choice.

I do not have any experience with the BMW, but the people who do, seem to like them.

I also considered one myself, same scenario as the Tiger though, the V-Strom just made more sense for me...Plus I cannot afford the expensive rideing gear that is required with BMW ownership, nor do I have a Starbucks card...

Many salespeople seem clueless of what they are selling at motorcycle dealerships today, in my opinion...just a job I guess.

With that being said though, and you are correct with the Buell/Harley Davidson connection, well noted and common over the years...   The million dollar question is, why go back down that road once again?  One of, if not the biggest complaint of Buell owners, dealing with anything related to Harley Davidson, yet again, here they go again, now as "fiercly independant" EBR?