thompsonian

I did one at Mid Ohio in October. It was pissing the rain down, river running thru Thunder Valley, the Keyhole was slick as snot, was my first time on the track, in intermediate class.....and I had a ball! I would've loved to gone back on a dry day.

Welcome to the circus! Monkeys provided as a courtesy

I use Meguiars quick detail spray. Works pretty decent.

You all have a safe and fun time!

I was going to suggest Iron Pony as well. They *seem* to know their shizz, but I haven't had any experience with them other than the assembly of my FJR from the crate.

Hmmm....I'll see that +5 and raise you +3

+3 on that...it is what it is

Dude...I went to a podunk school...you should consider it lucky I can even COUNT to 2....

Be smart and safe on your ride. Been quite a few cage/bike related incidents down this way lately. Would hate to see another.

+2 for MSF. I took the course and it waived me taking the on bike license test at the DMV. Not to mention the plethora of useful information they taught. Do they still offer classes where they supply the bikes? If so, that's the one I'd do and what I did. That way if you drop the bike, it's not yours getting the damage.

The electronic shift is like paddle shifters. No clutch needed or clutch lever. I believe there is still the foot shifter on the AE, but I've never ridden one so I can't say for certain.

There are folks that can make the FJR do things you wouldn't think or dream a 700# bike can do.

Personal opinion: The Connie 14 is HUGE. Yes, the FJR is a pig in its own right, but the Connie feels big. The FJR seems to just fit better. I didn't get to demo ride any, but I sat on a K1300GT, Triumph Trophy, Connie 14, and the FJR just feels right. For me.

+2 or know someone who does...*cough* @JustinNck1 *cough*

Gen I are 2003 - 2005. I believe that most of those had heat issues, meaning they were hot bikes to ride. Also some had Cam Chain tensioner issues as well. Gen II are 2006 - 2012. Most of the heat issues were resolved by 2008 I believe. I think the 2007 had some electrical gremlins as well. Also the Gen II were available with either the A or the AE option (automatic shift) Gen III are 2013 - 2016. These have cruise control standard and heated grips standard as well, if I'm not mistaken. the 13's cruise limited at 80-odd MPH and I think that was taken care of in the 14's. This Generation came available with an A or an ES (Electronic Suspension) options. The 16's have LED head and tail lights and I believe the headlights are adaptive. You can't' go wrong with an FJR of any generation in my opinion. There are some good deals to be found out there on the interwebs if you look. if you're not a member of the FJR Forum (www.fjrforum.com) there's TONS of information there.

Yup. I'll be glad to help as well.

Did it now? I've been avoiding it....

I'm with @JustinNck1 in that living in the area, we tend to ride these over and over til they get boring or no longer hold interest. 339 to 821 is a nice stretch. 530 to 60 is nice. 56 out of Athens. 124 out of Pomeroy used to be nice. Not 124 from Hockingport to Pomeroy. That is a complete disaster or was the last time I went out it.

The ride doesnt have to be a ton of miles to be considered EPIC. Usually the roads ridden are enough to be considered EPIC in themselves. I ride a sport tourer capable of many mile rides and yet mine usually consist of around 300 to 400 miles due to the roads I'm on. And in my 300 mile radius there are some pretty challenging roads that are quite EPIC in themselves.

I've got the Sena SMH-10. It works pretty well, although I wish I'd have gone for either the 10S or the 20S for longer range. It pairs with my iPod well for music and my Zumo660 as well.

Yes....yes we are....

There is a nice little roadside park there in McConnellsville that has a charcoal grill and shelter so if you wanted to have a grilled meal after. IF you wanted to consider something like that, there's plenty of spots/ideas. @DerekClouser if you head down this way, or bring a group down, I'll gladly give you a sweep or show you some possible hidden gems.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6498323,-81.8584021/39.4870571,-81.863148/39.4152736,-81.4642712/39.5618816,-81.4153543/39.5290544,-81.5077309/39.5478811,-81.6367409/39.6469904,-81.4710786/39.7381651,-81.5219622/39.6490039,-81.8569636/@39.5818752,-81.7786034,11z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m21!4m20!1m0!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-81.7225583!2d39.472106!3s0x88483a5061d5afaf:0x11f389b81ec6d03d!3m4!1m2!1d-81.5435276!2d39.4635396!3s0x8848331c17e624bd:0xbe56f130d81b1b0b!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e0

550 can seem "boring" especially from the Barlow to Sharpsburg section. It's similar to 78 but depending on the time of year, there will be lots of tractor traffic. May consider 676 as an alternative. Picks up outside of Marietta and goes all the way to 555 that you can either run into Barlow or into Chesterhill. This is mine and @JustinNck1 backyard. Our playground. If you need any scouting done, let us know. We'd be glad to do our part.

Welcome aboard the board!