and then there were two

[eric2]

Started out in Austin with a couple buds, fjrdoug
and cary to the esprings ibmwr rally last weekend.
There's just a few photos of the to/from parts,
but be warned that day 3 will test the bandwidth.


Day 1

Doug is one of the few people whiter than me.
http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079522-M.jpg
Cary had the bike rebuilt and ready
http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079149-M.jpg

We took off at the post siesta hour of 2 pm on thursday in hot, dry weather. Soon after cary's light truck's tranny soiled the clutch (something I've had happen on my k12) and he wisely withdrew: btdt!
BTW this will also include an r12gs review

lift off:bliss

Just the Fjr and GS now; here's a barley break shot outside
hearne, franklin or one of those other jerkwater towns.
http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079152-M.jpg


I confess that the r12gs is the first post airhead twin
I've ridden. When it sat on the LFDs showroom for a week
I had to ride it. It appeared well suited for the cut and thrust,
busted urban pavement riding I do normally. This made it
a must try. So far (now 2500 miles) it continues to impress.
Nits include a rough idle, chattering front brake, and vibes
at 90 +. About the brakes, power schmower. My k12 has
less lever effort on its non power abs brakes. No comment on the linked system.

Anyway, we got to jacksonville, tx, had some dinner at the "split rail" cafe and got a hotel. The weather channel featured the remnant of Ivan coming ashore, aimed straight at Jacksonville. It was clear outside when we went to bed, but next morning there would be someone knocking on the door, and his name was Ivan.

[Cliffy777]

just me that can see no pictures??

[DarrylRi]

Originally posted by Cliffy777
just me that can see no pictures?? Yep, it's just you, Cliffy. ;-)

[eric2]

I was only joking when I told doug
that he better be ready for some rain
in the morning, but I couldn't sleep
thinking about it. When I got up next morning
it was still dry out, but a short
walk outside after a shower revealed the air thick
with humidity, so much so that it was already drizzling.
The still dark, but now overcast sky was lit up
by lightning. By the time doug showered
it had been raining hard for 20 minutes.

Ivan, again

Radar indicated heavy rain east and north,
exactly the direction we needed to go.
Good thing doug's frogg toggs got delivered
yestereday, and that along with a new roadmaster
rain suit i had also bought yesterday, i also got some aerostich
booties. Weird looking but effective and easily packed.

It rained all the way north to Tyler, but within an hour
we were eating breakfast in bright sunshine in Lone oak;
on 69 now heading the wrong way. Jumped back on E i 30
into the cool overcast. Snaked up 259 into Ok, and
turned right at pouteau onto 270/59 S avoiding
yet more rain.

Road construction halted us in front of a little
country store (Page?) where we took a break. The locals
were having a domino game, but were happy to point
us to the much more scenic (and not under construction)
Ok 1\Ar 88 into mena, Ar. i've been on this road before
with prez cary, and the GS really shines here as the fjr faded back riding the ridge. Up to 80 or so, the GS rules, its only at
never legal speeds the big trailie loses its steam.
The bridgestone trailwings seem a good compromise
for the riding we were doing.

North on 71 now, we gas up at Waldron and note
yet another storm in our path. We zig east on
80 to Danville staying dry. We the zag back towards Ozark
when our luck finally runs out. Hard rain, but no lightning
anyway. Suited up on the side of the road as it started
raining really hard.

I've never run the 80 miles of twistes on Ar 23
in the pouring rain, but the gs and fjr
handled it well, and we stayed mostly dry. i didn't
even think about bambi until it got dark, and then like
magic there it was 5 feet from the road, mouthful
of grass. It hardly blinked as we went by.

We met Rob lessen as we pulled up
in full rain gear just after dark. My hands were
now stained black from my gloves. The only pics
of the day before some 24oz margaritas
eased our pain for the evening.

r12gs after rain test

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079156-M.jpg

fjr after

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079158-M.jpg

Doug after, checking for water

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079157-M.jpg

day 3 will have a few more pics, and less dialogue

Best,
Eric
Austin

[eric2]

Got up early, i've missed the last 2 years, the incredible roads,
and Joe Scaggs leading the charge.

Fog was around

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079162-M.jpg


You see, we start here,

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079165-M.jpg


then go here
http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079167-M.jpg

prime gs seat space for rent.. cheap
http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079163-M.jpg

turn here.

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079168-M.jpg


Everyone saddled up

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079169-M.jpg


And away we went, only 5 folks in Joe's group... pffft!

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079177-M.jpg

The fog quickly burned off

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079205-M.jpg

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079232-M.jpg


More great roads

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079269-L.jpg


Starting to get some leaning in.

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079276-L.jpg


A rare pic of the bunny outside of his natural obmwc habitat

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079288-M.jpg

[eric2]

Does anybody know where we are?

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079295-M.jpg

Here a prez prepares for the annual ibmwr shot put contest. nearby prezzes clear a path to the gas pump

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079292-M.jpg


no lane sharing here.

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079369-M.jpg


more road pics

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079313-M.jpg

standing on the brakes

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079365-L.jpg


daylight saving time came a little early this year due to more of this

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079376-M.jpg

My rainsuit back drying at the swiss inn provided little comfort. So we had a sandwich here before trying for ozark. Caught up with the rain again, so we skipped the bbq, and took 21 north for a little fjr\gs thrashing. The GS did quite well btw

I 'bout soiled myself when we got out of the rain and happened
on some dark suits on the side of the road pointing techie looking things at us in a small town. Fortunately, they were fellow riders with cameras and not leo.


Back at the Inn early, things were starting to look up

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079394-M.jpg

Almost makes me want to ride in an SUV, it's all about
lighting they say :idea

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079444-L.jpg

everyone was bummed after the babes left. so we drank
beer to preserve the memory.

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079463-M.jpg

Stilll can't figure out what this was:

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079402-L.jpg

Some days you can't get enough riding in.

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079499-L.jpg

Sunset on a warm autumn evening

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079145-M.jpg

the beer didn't enhance my photgraphy skills

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079526-M.jpg

[eric2]

don't you just hate it when your riding partner on Saturday
night says: Gee, we have a long ride tomorrow huh?

:confused:

I have some meetings on Monday :cry

So it was time to slab, oh joy of joys.

AR 59 and US 59 are conveniently close together,
so I decided to try the former when the latter
was the intended route. Nice road! However,
after almost clocking 3 bambi, a half grown beagle,
numerous squirells and a rather spry chipmunk
we almost clocked this guy before hitting I40

http://eric2.smugmug.com/photos/9079531-M.jpg

Besides the shell damage, he was missing a rear leg too.
(an old wound) Doug rescued him and he seemed to like the fjr's saddlebag, and crapping in his jacket. I think we named him
rusty, fester, or something.

Although Doug's v1 had saved us a few times, for some
reason it was ignored, and therefore the Stringville
PD validated its usefulness. I wonder, is there a contest
for whoever get validated in the most states :dunno

600 miles later, we rolled into Austin, It was about 6 pm by then, finally got a day where we made some miles.

GS mileage was about 45 mpg on the highway, and easily
got 200 miles on a tank.

GS conclusion: great bike for the driving I do, a bullet
below 80 with suspension to tame the nastiest roads
in town. really suprising passing power above 80 too.
Stability suffers somewhat in the triple digits ;WAG
is air getting trapped under the front fender. feels
a little light up there. Also get some big vibes
around 90 . The luggage makes sense, and holds
a bit, and they are waterproof. Burned some oil
but hope that gets better. First oilhead \hexhead
i've ridden, no major complaints so far.

Eric
Austin

r12 gs

k12rs for sale (http://eric2.smugmug.com/gallery/171142)
k10rs [for sale (http://eric2.smugmug.com/gallery/171047)