Laconia 2012 - June 9th to 17th


M

Marthy

World Most Bad A$$ 6R
Elite Member
This is it! I have my vacation request accepted and I got my room reserved for the 14th, 15th and 16th.

Now let's the prep begin... Well, I'm kind of almost good to go already. Might get new gears (need pants and boots) I think I have everything else covered. I ordered a new sets of Conti Motion this week, I'll put them on the week or so before with some fresh oil...

Really looking forward to this trip! I'll be meeting with my Uncle and Cousins up there for some nice riding. The only missing person would be my Dad. He use to go every years... He passed away in 93, June 17th to be exact. I'll be riding with the old man... for 1500 miles each way. On the return leg I might consider the train back to FL since I'm on a time schedule... :canada:
 
M

Marthy

World Most Bad A$$ 6R
Elite Member
Here we go! The day I've been waiting for as arrive. The old girl is all good to go! Hitting the open road tomorrow after a good dinner. I'll make it to state border (GA) then stop for the night. I will be having dinner with Don and Chad on Wednesday in Somewhere, MD. Cant wait... 1620 kiles one way. I think I can make the MD stop within 24 hrs (1020 miles...) Sound likr an Iron Butt to me :)

Whoohoo!!!
 
R

richierich781

New Member
have fun and ride safe!
 
B

buzzbomb

Senior Member
Elite Member
Ahh, let the glorious odyssey begin! Be safe, brother.
 
M

Marthy

World Most Bad A$$ 6R
Elite Member
Well, made it in GA for the night. 300 miles or so. Got fkn soak on the last 20 minutes.... Ah well, its part of the experiance...lol. Good night!
 
M

Marthy

World Most Bad A$$ 6R
Elite Member
Here we go... 5 1/2 days and 3810 miles later... I'm back! And fkn beat up... with a big smile in my face. LOL

It was an amazing week or hardcore riding. Not in a grind my knees at stupid speed, but just plain riding. Like it suppose to be.

I left on Tuesday night last week and pound a 320 or so miles to warm up after dinner. Then a 800+ miles on Wednesday and finish the ride on Thursday with a 10 hrs ride to Lincoln, NH Right on time for the 50-60 miles of twisties Pizza ride to Laconia... park right on the Main. A tradition :) Same place where my Dad use to eat is first bike week slice...

We did around 300 to 350 miles a day. We were on the bike from 9:00 am for breakfast to 6:00 for dinner. All I wear all week is riding gear..lol We were about 20 people. Some of them were riding 2up... so about a dozen of H-D, 1 Goldwing, 1 Bimmer and 1 Rice Rocket (6R) LOL

Some of those guys were hard core H-D fan, but most of them had sports bike in there early days... The fact that I drove 1600+ miles to meet with them made me crazy enough to win some respect and ride with the group. The fact that my Uncle has been with them for almost 20 years help a lot too. Very nice people too. I'm looking forward for next year already...

The 6R ran and scream all those 3800 miles just like magic... The old girl wore me down and were asking for more...lol 2 little brake down only. 1 my GPS cord took a shit on me right before DC and the GPS died right before I meet with Dart, but it was all fix for $10.00 at the gas station. The other one is all my fault! I installed a set of Advance Auto Parts aux. lights and When we were on our way to the Pizza ride I turn them on and forgot to turn them off when we were stuck in traffic in Laconia. (Parade were passing by) So I turn the bike off and it didn't want to start again. Panic mode. There for the first hr and the Rice Rocket won't start... So long story short, after removing the tank on the side of the road and looking fuses and whatever can come to my mine I suggest to park it and let her cool down, I tough it might have trigger a safety sensor... On a ultimate last try pushing the bike away from the road I try to bump start it.... Here was the Viper can screaming out of her lungs!!! So I conclude that I might have kill the battery and didn't have enough juice left when the starter was loaded... So that was it... She ran like a Champ the rest of the time.

So now the big question is... Does the 6R can be a good Touring bike? Well, here's my tough. You all know my basic set up with handlebar, screen, seat... and all the rest. For what the bike is... it's a good bike to Tour. I have 2 complain. 1- I need a real seat. 2- Re-fueling every 120-150 miles get old after a while... need an extra 2-3 gals for those type of ride. Not saying you need a 250-300 miles range... bu if you need it, it's there. That was extreme riding I think... I did see so many Florida license plate over there... and I haven't meet anyone stupid enough who did the ride either...lol I also saw one Yellow 6R in the mountain... I wave and saw it at the last minute... not sure if he saw me? So the ergo was fantastic. The screen combo did an outstanding job. I was afraid that my neck wouldn't go through the torture... but no issue there. I haven't felt my a$$ in 3 days...lol Got to a point where I found a sweet spot that I could deal with the pain, but for the next big ride I need to do something or get a Corbin... I need to look at few option for sure so I can spend 8-12... even 24 hrs on the saddle (I'll get there in a minute...lol)

So you will think that kind of riding was a good opportunity for a Iron Butt Award? Yes it was... but I missed it on the way up by 38 miles... (962 miles in 24 hrs) I stop for the night in GA and meet with Don. Without the DC traffic I would have been ok... but ah well. I had one last try on the way back. I think it did hurt my pride a bit... lol Because I can ride a cage for a long period of time... I'm a freaking machine! LOL My best was 38-40 hrs none stop once. But I did a lot of West Coast/Atlanta, GA with 2-3 hrs nap in a rest area...

So on the way back I top off and loaded the tank bag with the Camel Pack, bunch of snacks and I drop the hammer!!!!!!! I wasn't going to fail a second time!!! So I rode as fast and as hard that I could without killing myself or going to jail... kind of a bit faster than the past of traffic... but it there was a safe spot to fit the 6R... I took it. Stop for fuel and piss only. No restaurant or picture stop! I pop the 1000 miles mark in about 15 hrs with getting a bit of traffic in and out of DC. The GPS told me I lost, or add about 1.5 hrs total to my ride. So when I got there I was.... hum... Let's go for the GOLD!!! I can't believe still that I did it! That was stupid and crazy... not sure witch one fit better but 1500+ miles in 24 hrs with a sports bike with a 3.5 gals tank... I did the Lincoln, NH o West Palm Beach 1538 or so miles in 23 hr and 38 minutes. Good for a Iron Butt Gold Award! No sleep till.... West Palm! LOL


So again... Does the 6R can Tour.... Fuk ya! But for the same reason that the 6R is not the best machine to hit the twisty... it's not the best machine to Tour all week long. Just like I always say... The 6R doesn't shine in any of the category... but for a everyday, do it all bike... It gotta be one of the best. The ride wouldn't have been better other than my ass with a big touring bike... and if you didn't mess around too much with your 6R... not at 50 MPG or so.

In conclusion... Better seat, carry more fuel, Good sets of Aux. lights (really digging those when it's pitch black) and a taller gear to keep the RPM down on long ride. I'm thinking about 17/43 might be my next one... (17/46 now)

Cheers!

I'll trow few pics later on this week... I kind of still fried a bit. I slept about 4 hrs since I got here this morning... taking it easy today :)
 
D

dart1963

Super Moderator
Elite Member
only pic I got... camera phone quality... :eek:

 
S

Superzoom

New Member
Thanks for the update, Marthy.

Can't believe you did a Bun Burner Gold! I've done four or five 1000's, but never considered a gold.

Your trip never happened until we see some pictures! There better be some pics of the bike, and of course of your pizza slice.

Agree on the FZ6R touring short comings. I've got my saddle now to where it's about 300% more comfortable than the stock seat. But I think the way to really go is get the Russell Day Long, as ugly as it is.

The stock lighting on the bike is downright dangerous.

Did any of those HD riders trailer their bikes there? Each one who did should have bought you a round!

Pictures!
 
M

Marthy

World Most Bad A$$ 6R
Elite Member
Superzoom said:
Thanks for the update, Marthy.

Can't believe you did a Bun Burner Gold! I've done four or five 1000's, but never considered a gold.

Your trip never happened until we see some pictures! There better be some pics of the bike, and of course of your pizza slice.

Agree on the FZ6R touring short comings. I've got my saddle now to where it's about 300% more comfortable than the stock seat. But I think the way to really go is get the Russell Day Long, as ugly as it is.

The stock lighting on the bike is downright dangerous.

Did any of those HD riders trailer their bikes there? Each one who did should have bought you a round!

Pictures!
Click to expand...
1500 miles in 24 hrs is a hell of a challenge on those bike... mainly because you need to stop every 140-160 miles for gas. No final count... but I think I did over 12 pit top on the way... that's sick for those kind of ride.

Ya, the seat is next on the list. Dropping $450 on a Corbine is not the biggest issue... just need to put the $ together. But it's a 1 seater only... I need 2 place. I'll check out the Russell seat...

All those guys are real rider... They rode everywhere. It's only a 4 hrs ride for them from Montreal. They did Sturgies few years ago... rode there too. No fake or trailer allowed with those guys. They were all teasing me with my Rice Rocket... suggesting me to buy a real bike. LOL But they all complement me on the bike. Almost all of them had a kick of the sound of the Viper. Most of them use to ride SS, one of them use to race back in the days.

I'm a bit busy and beat up today. Laundry and cleaning up a bit. I clean up the chain and relube it every morning. (well... clean once and lube every morning) But that 24 hrs run... not at all during the day. I should have... The rear sprocket is trash!!! It did show sign of wear a bit before I left... but now, I need to order 2 sprocket and chain. What really happen is I started with 17/44 and with the extra ponie the alloy rear was wearing quick so I change it for a steel after 2-3K. So I'm not really surprise of the premature wear... it was expected.

I'll order all new stuff this week. Might not be a bad idea to get a new exhaust can also... 25K miles on this one... never repacked! Getting loud!

I just need to think now what I want or can afford. I'm really digging the Touring part of riding. I wonder is it really worth to put more $ that I actually did on the 6R or try to find a good low mileage Sport Touring bike and keep the 6R to beat around for work and my wife can ride with me too. I'll see what happen in the next few months...

But I did rode with a CBR last evening in NC. Going 80-90-...15. Without effort. That screen kick a$$... I don't think I could ride 24 hrs hugging the tank like he was... :banghead:
 
P

Perdurable

Teeker!!!
Elite Member
S

Superzoom

New Member
Marthy said:
I just need to think now what I want or can afford. I'm really digging the Touring part of riding. I wonder is it really worth to put more $ that I actually did on the 6R or try to find a good low mileage Sport Touring bike and keep the 6R to beat around for work and my wife can ride with me too. I'll see what happen in the next few months...
Click to expand...
It does sound like a Sport Tourer would suit you. I've actually been thinking that a Sport Tourer would actually be an ideal bike for me. More comfort, less stressed engine with lower RPM's and plenty of torque everywhere, better seat, better suspension, bigger tank, better wind management, more accessories available, better for two-up. All around more suitable for long distances.

But the trade offs are big ones for me: very heavy (600-800 pounds!), worse gas mileage, higher insurance, higher purchase cost.

I think if you want to tour two-up (which I like to do too), the Sport Tourer makes a lot more sense. For solo riding, it's close to being a wash for me. Right now I'm enjoying riding a smaller, lighter bike. But for my purposes, a Sport Tourer might be best for longer distances.

The FJR1300 looks like a pretty great bike. Also look at the BMW R1200RT, ST1300, Concours14, Sprint GT. The FJR would probably be at the top of my list.
 
M

Marthy

World Most Bad A$$ 6R
Elite Member
Superzoom said:
Thanks for the update, Marthy.

Can't believe you did a Bun Burner Gold! I've done four or five 1000's, but never considered a gold.

Your trip never happened until we see some pictures! There better be some pics of the bike, and of course of your pizza slice.

Agree on the FZ6R touring short comings. I've got my saddle now to where it's about 300% more comfortable than the stock seat. But I think the way to really go is get the Russell Day Long, as ugly as it is.

The stock lighting on the bike is downright dangerous.

Did any of those HD riders trailer their bikes there? Each one who did should have bought you a round!

Pictures!
Click to expand...

Been looking at seat options... not so many. Russell doesn't have any option for the 6R... I'll talk with my upholstery guy here next door... see what he can do.
 
M

Marthy

World Most Bad A$$ 6R
Elite Member
Here's some of the pics I took over the weekend in Laconia, NH. With that said... I made it in the 3K post! :eek:

Pic1: That says it all!
Pic2: South of the Border, NC/SC state line on I-95
Pic3: Somewhere on the road with the boys and girls.
Pic4: Total mileage now...
Pic5: Look at the beauty
Pic6: Me and my Uncle. First time we ride together... looking forward to next year already!
Pic7: There Cabin
Pic8: 6R Cooler. Made the H-D crowd smile! (Rice Rocket Cooler)
Pic9: 6R before leaving for a ride in the mountain.
Pic10: The 6R on the "Main" in Laconia.
 

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