MMMII
04-05-2013, 01:47 PM
Last Thursday, I took the ST-S 326 miles from Vegas to San Diego. Two days later (on Saturday) I did the return trip. Thought I would throw out a few observations:
- I'm 6'1" and the stock windshield in the up most position isn't tall enough to cut the noise down at highway speeds. The extra "slightly larger" windshield might do the trick. Maybe a different helmet would help but I noticed that ducking my head down a little I could hear my Sena much better. I appear to be about 2" too tall.
-People in Porches' are fun to follow as they like to go fast... Is it just me or are speed limit signs on the freeways in SoCal just a suggestion? I was going 10 over and getting passed left and right. Not sure why I never noticed in a cage (probably because you are so much more exposed on 2/3 wheels).
- Seat was comfortable on the ride up but on the way back, not so much. Not sure if walking all day Friday with the kids at Legoland contributed to my soreness but I was not comfortable. I found myself doing a lot of shifting. After a few days to reflect, I'm sure that the walking had more to do with it than anything else.
-Hot foot... Don't have anything to compare too but I didn't get uncomfortable due to heat coming from the machine. I did find that opening my knees a bit did let some cool air flow a bit more.
- Thank <insert deity here> for the floorboards. I found that placing the balls of my feet on the drivers boards and the heels of my feet on the passenger board gave my legs just enough of a different position when needed.
- I can't tell you how many times I've made this very drive in a cage. Having to stop for gas multiple times and doing the requisite stretch and hydration takes the momentum out of the travel. I did get chatted up at each stop which added to the stop time. I think my rule of thumb will be to add an hour for similar rides in a cage.
-My wife went up early with the kids so she took my luggage with her. In the frunk I had a riding vest (when wearing my riding jacket), sweatshirt, hat, couple of Poweraides and few other items of no consequence. One must re-learn how to pack (even with bags I'm sure) to travel distance on these things.
Would I do it again? Absolutely I'm 2,400 or so miles in since I took delivery and I find myself ryding at every opportunity.
Makes me have more appreciation for those of you ryding 1k+ miles to Spyderfest.
I think my next trip will be Vegas to Phoenix.
-Cheers
- I'm 6'1" and the stock windshield in the up most position isn't tall enough to cut the noise down at highway speeds. The extra "slightly larger" windshield might do the trick. Maybe a different helmet would help but I noticed that ducking my head down a little I could hear my Sena much better. I appear to be about 2" too tall.
-People in Porches' are fun to follow as they like to go fast... Is it just me or are speed limit signs on the freeways in SoCal just a suggestion? I was going 10 over and getting passed left and right. Not sure why I never noticed in a cage (probably because you are so much more exposed on 2/3 wheels).
- Seat was comfortable on the ride up but on the way back, not so much. Not sure if walking all day Friday with the kids at Legoland contributed to my soreness but I was not comfortable. I found myself doing a lot of shifting. After a few days to reflect, I'm sure that the walking had more to do with it than anything else.
-Hot foot... Don't have anything to compare too but I didn't get uncomfortable due to heat coming from the machine. I did find that opening my knees a bit did let some cool air flow a bit more.
- Thank <insert deity here> for the floorboards. I found that placing the balls of my feet on the drivers boards and the heels of my feet on the passenger board gave my legs just enough of a different position when needed.
- I can't tell you how many times I've made this very drive in a cage. Having to stop for gas multiple times and doing the requisite stretch and hydration takes the momentum out of the travel. I did get chatted up at each stop which added to the stop time. I think my rule of thumb will be to add an hour for similar rides in a cage.
-My wife went up early with the kids so she took my luggage with her. In the frunk I had a riding vest (when wearing my riding jacket), sweatshirt, hat, couple of Poweraides and few other items of no consequence. One must re-learn how to pack (even with bags I'm sure) to travel distance on these things.
Would I do it again? Absolutely I'm 2,400 or so miles in since I took delivery and I find myself ryding at every opportunity.
Makes me have more appreciation for those of you ryding 1k+ miles to Spyderfest.
I think my next trip will be Vegas to Phoenix.
-Cheers