Bike is packed for the first trip

[Joesmoe]

The missus (not a big fan of the motorcycle . . . but willing to mount every once in a while to be with hubby) and I just finished packing the Rocket for a four-day (one day down, two days there, one day back) trip from northern Virginia to the Moonshine Creek Campground in Balsam, NC, meeting about 50 current and former ST1300 riders. Many, like me, have moved on to other bikes.

Most of our stuff is in the two panniers, and we have a Wolfman Expedition Dry bag on back, along with two 1/2 gal Tour Tank portable containers (not yet filled -- not sure I need them, and don't want to start with all that mass up there).

This is ultimately why I purchased a touring bike. I'll be paying attention to the bumps (new shocks/springs ?) and of course the other aspects of this still-new-to-me machine.

I installed the Eastern Beaver headlight bypass relay, and with that, installed a 130W/90W bulb, though I have no plans to ride in the dark this trip.

I installed the McCruise cruise control, to help ease the fatigue of constantly watching the speedometer to maintain speed on the ups and downs of the Appalachian Mountains.

I installed a Garmin Zumo navigator.

I have the Avon heated grips, though I hope it's too early in the season to need them.

The bike has the Triumph accessory Long-haul touring seat with both-position backrests.

And I put SENA 20 Bluetooth intercom on both helmets (we still love each other and take advantage of the time to chat).

I'm planning to take the interstate down there (I-66 --> I-81), and depending on weather and how we feel, may try for the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way back up.

It looks like roughly 1,000 miles; possibly a good check run having completed the break-in service at 700.

 

[Wrecka]

Cool mate , i can only imagine the excitement of pre ride packing etc , will be doing the same myself for RDU this next Monday. Take plenty of pics and share with your R3 mates.

 

[CanberraR3]

Good onya Joe. Have a great trip.

 

[idk]

Sounds like a good trip. Be careful when fitting higher powered light bulbs as the housing could melt, or burn.

 

[HansO]

The missus (not a big fan of the motorcycle . . . but willing to mount every once in a while to be with hubby) and I just finished packing the Rocket for a four-day (one day down, two days there, one day back) trip from northern Virginia to the Moonshine Creek Campground in Balsam, NC, meeting about 50 current and former ST1300 riders. Many, like me, have moved on to other bikes.

Most of our stuff is in the two panniers, and we have a Wolfman Expedition Dry bag on back, along with two 1/2 gal Tour Tank portable containers (not yet filled -- not sure I need them, and don't want to start with all that mass up there).

This is ultimately why I purchased a touring bike. I'll be paying attention to the bumps (new shocks/springs ?) and of course the other aspects of this still-new-to-me machine.

I installed the Eastern Beaver headlight bypass relay, and with that, installed a 130W/90W bulb, though I have no plans to ride in the dark this trip.

I installed the McCruise cruise control, to help ease the fatigue of constantly watching the speedometer to maintain speed on the ups and downs of the Appalachian Mountains.

I installed a Garmin Zumo navigator.

I have the Avon heated grips, though I hope it's too early in the season to need them.

The bike has the Triumph accessory Long-haul touring seat with both-position backrests.

And I put SENA 20 Bluetooth intercom on both helmets (we still love each other and take advantage of the time to chat).

I'm planning to take the interstate down there (I-66 --> I-81), and depending on weather and how we feel, may try for the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way back up.

It looks like roughly 1,000 miles; possibly a good check run having completed the break-in service at 700.

That first trip is always a doesy you worry about everything then go for your trip come home and wonder why you worried so much, what @idk67 said about the head lights is very true I damaged my reflectors by putting higher powered globes, one of the reasons I switched to the J W Speaker LED's

 

[Rocket Scientist]

I remember my first trip, yellow sunshine I believe

 

[HansO]

I remember my first trip, yellow sunshine I believe

Fred you are a worry!!!

 

[Rocket Scientist]

That was many many moons ago. I'm so pure now I should be selling my whiz to junkies on Ebay

 

[Joesmoe]

Took the trip . . . 1,200 miles, nearly doubling the mileage on the bike.

It performed flawlessly . . . except -- not the bike mind you -- the Avon heated grips, didn't work, and quit.

We rode northern Virginia to western North Carolina, and specifically joined a group of bikers (mostly Honda ST1300s - one of which I had until I traded it on the R3T) at the Moonshine Creek Campground near Balsam, NC. The group organizer is not too far from there and had two days worth of rides around 200 miles on the local roads. We passed on the first day, and joined the group on the second day, up and down the mountains . . . thrilling enough to miss most of the scenery. On one particular wash boarded road fairly steep down, the ABS kicked in . . . a good confidence boost. There was one other Triumph there . . . a carbureted red Legend.

Rode the slab on the way home . . . we were wanting to get back. I pulled off at one point looking for fuel, and turning around, got bitten by stopping at an angle with the front tire on a slight ramp up, and I didn't take into account the side load imparted in that position, and recognize the side movement too late, and down we went. My wife was not expecting it, and stood up glaring at me, "What did you do that for ?!" We tried to raise the bike . . . wasn't moving. She walked off and returned with a kind soul, and between the three of us, got it up. While she was understandably nervous the next couple of stops, she seemed to be fine by the time we arrive home, and already talking about "the next trip." For anyone wondering, the R3T is gentle going down, and doesn't go far, and suffered no apparent ill effects as a result. Worse by far was the bruised ego.

Praised be supportive spouses.

For anyone willing to travel to that part of the country -- western North Carolina -- I commend the campground as a jumping off point to explore. That location is not far from the famous Tale of the Dragon, for example.

For all the talk on this forum about the suspension, I was pleasantly surprised that the bike as stock felt fine, including a number of nasty joints that have been problematic on other bikes. That's not to say I won't look at Progressive 444s at some point; the urgency is off.

I encountered no Hardley's to leave behind.

I was really pleased with the McCruise cruise control I installed, and highly recommend it for anyone and everyone spend more than a few hours a day in the saddle.

Now I feel part of the club, truly appreciating this unique and well executed design.

Thanks to all who've helped along the way, and the support y'all have provided.

 

[leroy]

Sounds like a great ride. I like these stories on R3s as my next ride may well be the R3T. It is my favorite cruiser currently made.