Ohio to San Francisco Road Trip - BARF

wazzuFreddo · 05-31-2006, 09:56 AM

As some of you may know already I am in the middle of riding my coworker's VTX1300R out from storage in Columbus, OH to San Francisco. Right now I am taking a one day break at my Cousin's house in Salt Lake City before meeting some freinds in Reno to have a fun weekend and then back to the Bay Area on Saturday or Sunday.

I don't have a whole lot of pictures but I will share with you what I have.

I started out on Sunday morning in Columbus, OH. The goal of the day was to ride about 480 miles to my Aunt and Uncle's house on the Mississippi River in LeClaire, IA.

Here is a photo of the bike at a junction in the Ohio countryside

As I cam close to the Indiana border I came across this, I thiught this only happened in movies. Such as life when you are traveling off of the Interstate.

I don't have any pictures from the rest of the day because I was trying to make some good time to meet up with friends in Urbana, IL and ride up with them to Iowa.

The second day (monday) I had a late start and rode all the way out to Grand Islan, NE something like 450 miles (I think)

Yesterday was the big day. I started out at 6am central time to beat the big thunderstorms that were brewing over Nebraska but as you can see I didn't get out of Nebraska without some rain.

Here is my bring it on shot. I had just bought some new rain gear before the trip so I was itching to try it out. You can tell this is my third day out on the road from this picture.

But Mother nature had nothing on me yesterday as I rode 844 miles from Grand Island, NE all the way to Salt Lake City, UT Here is the shot of the trip meter from this morning.

Today I am doing my laundry and am going to go out and clean the bike and my leathers since it looks like the weather is going to be nice frome here on out

I'll try to take more pictures

dub713 · 05-31-2006, 10:41 AM

nice man!! enjoy the rest of the trip. ride safe...

elbacalao · 05-31-2006, 10:53 AM

Right on Fred! Ride safely and looking forward to hearing all about the trip when you get back.

Hooli · 05-31-2006, 10:55 AM

Those clouds look rather ominous.

I take it you won't be able to make it back for the SF Meet tonight?

Say hello to all the Mormons for us.

xgambit · 05-31-2006, 11:11 AM

so how is the bike?

wazzuFreddo · 05-31-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xgambit
so how is the bike?

The bike is nice but I miss the top end power of my SV. Also the floorboards limit my turning

I think that if I were to do this again the R1200GS would be perfect

You hear the cruiser set talking about scrapping peg but I have been doing that just pulling out of parkinglots

I miss my sprotbile

machete · 05-31-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wazzuFreddo
The bike is nice but I miss the top end power of my SV. Also the floorboards limit my turning

I think that if I were to do this again the R1200GS would be perfect

You hear the cruiser set talking about scrapping peg but I have been doing that just pulling out of parkinglots

I miss my sprotbile

ppssshhh! washing clothes in the middle of the trip is for newbs!

j/k dude, that is awesome. feels good, huh? and the rain clouds looking good. biggest downside I ever saw with cruuisers was their cornering ability, but hell, you're out to see the country side, right! enjoy your trip, and we'll see you when you get back.

uhmeebuh · 05-31-2006, 01:18 PM

Have fun Freddy!! Is it as fun as you'd hoped? Meet any crazy diner people?

Ride safe...

xgambit · 05-31-2006, 02:19 PM

is it comfy or no? i get uncomfortable after 40min or so.

wazzuFreddo · 05-31-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xgambit
is it comfy or no? i get uncomfortable after 40min or so.

Fairly comfortable, it has floorboards so I am able to move my feet around. I have also been leaning back onto the pack on the back seat a fair amount.

There were a few bits of road where the only reason that I stopped was because I needed gas

2legs2wheels · 05-31-2006, 02:52 PM

have a safe and fun trip...and get more pictures...

xgambit · 05-31-2006, 03:20 PM

notice anything different about the way people look at you or treat you on a cruiser?

wazzuFreddo · 05-31-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xgambit
notice anything different about the way people look at you or treat you on a cruiser?

I don't get any of the, "whoh, how fast can that thing go?" comments on the cruiser.

Most people at gas stations tend to mistake my SV for something like a Gixxer or R1, I think it is the flashy orange paint job.

I find that most people tend to ignore me for the most part. I haven't had any LEOs stop me but I haven't been going that fast though. 80 seems to be about as fast as is comfortable without a windscreen and with the speed limits at 75 in these parts of the country no cop is going to hassle you for 80

Edit: I have had a lot of other riders tell me that a helmet is not needed in their state. I think they also wonder why I am wearing Sidi boots and a full face with graffics and a tinted shield

K-dog · 05-31-2006, 04:04 PM

The graphics probably throw them off, I didn't get much crap for the black modular I wear. I had no idea what to do with my helmet if I did want to take it off though....?

Awesome story Freddo! Keep the pics coming. Hope you're having a great time.

Mickey_D100 · 05-31-2006, 04:19 PM

Does the thing have a throttle lock? I think I'd die on a trip that long if I didn't have one - my current bike doesn't and more than about an hour or so on a long straight freeway (no braking, turning, etc) and my hand starts to cramp. Previous owner of my GS rode it from Chicago to the Bay and said he couldn't really use his hand for about two weeks after the trip. Literally.

05-31-2006, 09:56 AM	#1
wazzuFreddo WuTang is 4 the children Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: norte del Rio Bravo Motorcycles: antisocially distantanced Name: bobesponja	Ohio to San Francisco Road Trip As some of you may know already I am in the middle of riding my coworker's VTX1300R out from storage in Columbus, OH to San Francisco. Right now I am taking a one day break at my Cousin's house in Salt Lake City before meeting some freinds in Reno to have a fun weekend and then back to the Bay Area on Saturday or Sunday. I don't have a whole lot of pictures but I will share with you what I have. I started out on Sunday morning in Columbus, OH. The goal of the day was to ride about 480 miles to my Aunt and Uncle's house on the Mississippi River in LeClaire, IA. Here is a photo of the bike at a junction in the Ohio countryside As I cam close to the Indiana border I came across this, I thiught this only happened in movies. Such as life when you are traveling off of the Interstate. I don't have any pictures from the rest of the day because I was trying to make some good time to meet up with friends in Urbana, IL and ride up with them to Iowa. The second day (monday) I had a late start and rode all the way out to Grand Islan, NE something like 450 miles (I think) Yesterday was the big day. I started out at 6am central time to beat the big thunderstorms that were brewing over Nebraska but as you can see I didn't get out of Nebraska without some rain. Here is my bring it on shot. I had just bought some new rain gear before the trip so I was itching to try it out. You can tell this is my third day out on the road from this picture. But Mother nature had nothing on me yesterday as I rode 844 miles from Grand Island, NE all the way to Salt Lake City, UT Here is the shot of the trip meter from this morning. Today I am doing my laundry and am going to go out and clean the bike and my leathers since it looks like the weather is going to be nice frome here on out I'll try to take more pictures __________________ Don't Try Support bacteria, it’s the only culture some people have. Last edited by wazzuFreddo; 05-31-2006 at 02:48 PM..

05-31-2006, 10:41 AM	#2
dub713 Gettin' SWIVVY with it... Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SF Motorcycles: 675 Name:	nice man!! enjoy the rest of the trip. ride safe... __________________ 5.6.07 Old Lady Death: 0 - Dub:1

05-31-2006, 10:53 AM	#3
elbacalao My office. Contributor + Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: san mateo Motorcycles: Yamaha FZ6(sold), 06 R6 50th, Name:	Right on Fred! Ride safely and looking forward to hearing all about the trip when you get back. __________________ Solid objects of existence are thoughts, not things. - John Hargreaves

05-31-2006, 10:55 AM	#4
Hooli Big Ugly Barfie Winner 2010 Founding Member Top Percent Poster Contributor++++ Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The Far East Motorcycles: Oh yes. Name: El Jefe	Those clouds look rather ominous. I take it you won't be able to make it back for the SF Meet tonight? Say hello to all the Mormons for us. __________________ "I stopped explaining myself when I realized people only understand from their level of perception." - Robert Downey Jr. "My bullshit meter and givsafuckometers are currently at zenith and nadir." - Carries An Axe Performance Concepts RMC Moto --------------------------------- Art Grant Craig Hightower Rydther/B12Bill Gary Jaehne AFM Miri/Lylith HoHo

05-31-2006, 11:11 AM	#5
xgambit Post Count +1 2006 Barfie Contributor + Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco Motorcycles: XB9s XB12s 1125CR 450SMR WR250X Name: Chess	so how is the bike? __________________ Pics of bikes and whatnot...motoperture.com

05-31-2006, 01:18 PM	#8
uhmeebuh Ginger Ape Contributor Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: where it's winter half the year Motorcycles: are dangerous Name: Brandon	Have fun Freddy!! Is it as fun as you'd hoped? Meet any crazy diner people? Ride safe...

05-31-2006, 02:19 PM	#9
xgambit Post Count +1 2006 Barfie Contributor + Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco Motorcycles: XB9s XB12s 1125CR 450SMR WR250X Name: Chess	is it comfy or no? i get uncomfortable after 40min or so. __________________ Pics of bikes and whatnot...motoperture.com

05-31-2006, 02:52 PM	#11
2legs2wheels Veteran Contributor +++ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Alameda,ca Motorcycles: CBR 600 F2 Name:	have a safe and fun trip...and get more pictures... __________________ If you are reading this, you have too much time on your hands and you need to get a life!

05-31-2006, 03:20 PM	#12
xgambit Post Count +1 2006 Barfie Contributor + Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco Motorcycles: XB9s XB12s 1125CR 450SMR WR250X Name: Chess	notice anything different about the way people look at you or treat you on a cruiser? __________________ Pics of bikes and whatnot...motoperture.com

05-31-2006, 04:04 PM	#14
K-dog Veteran AMA #2819776 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nor. Cal. Motorcycles: XL1200C Name:	The graphics probably throw them off, I didn't get much crap for the black modular I wear. I had no idea what to do with my helmet if I did want to take it off though....? Awesome story Freddo! Keep the pics coming. Hope you're having a great time.

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