First, we went to northern Georgia for a "first annual" bike rally this weekend. The trip was great. The weather was very cooperative, and the scenery was also fine.
I bought a "practice" GPS, Nextar. It was 100 bucks from CompUSA. The idea is that if I can find a use, I may opt for a real one. I plugged in the trip in five segments. At each "stopover", I chose a new destination and the system calculated the new route. During one such route, I chose to divert and 100 yards down the road, the GPS redefined the route, flawlessly.
I needed to leave the rally, and got directions from several "locals". I simply took what they said, found the "real" route, plugged it in, and away we went. I like using the GPS, when getting lost is not fun.
I bought the Chatterbox XBi wireless unit and this was the first trip. I found that for 35 years I enjoyed the 1 to 1 1/2 hours between gas stops quite enjoyable without constant yapping by my guest. The advantage of taking someone along, but catching up on gas stops. That opinion hasn't changed. I will however keep the communications and hope I get used to it. The sound is great, volume is way loud enough, and you can mute it without being blamed, as you cannot see the controls and I wear gloves so the button are hard to find. Unfortunately, the unit is correctable by the passenger as they can clearly see the buttons on your helmet mounted unit.
I found my wireless bluetooth adapter in the mail when we returned. It takes a signal from any audio source and sends it to the helmets. We tried it out on the truck mounted Sirius. It worked fine. We can buy a cheap sirius radio for about $40, install it in a RAM aquabox, and for just over $100, have satelite to our helmets. SInce the volume of the Chatterbox is more than enough for me, that's where we're going to stop. This guy doesn't need a boom box setup.
The rally was Harley sponsored and as such the bike show was filled with Harleys. We didn't win best bike, but we did win the "Most Unusual Bike" trophy. :firstplace:The Spyder stole the show and was the main attraction at the porta-potty, chicken fingers vendor, campsite, and bike wash station. :bowdown:
The bar risers worked excellent. I chose to go with the riser blocks. The combination of risers and highway pegs did wonders for my back and knees. Normally, I would've been worthless today had we been on the Softail. Pulling the trailer was a breeze. The handbrake worked to relieve tension. I hated putting my feet up on the highway pegs and be in heavy interstate traffic, or even on open country roads. Although I only used it when I wanted to, it was nice to have it available. My new windshield is 2" higher, wider, and attaches using the mounting screws on the dash. I molded this one to fit in place of the stock. It also worked as I intended. I still may go with an adjustable shield in the future, but I have the stock, the BRP tour, and 2 home made ones. I'll need a display case if I get more shields.
Overall....was an 8 on the Rally Trip Scale. Don't ask, all the pictures are past "R" rated:cus:, and nowhere to put them for viewing.
I bought a "practice" GPS, Nextar. It was 100 bucks from CompUSA. The idea is that if I can find a use, I may opt for a real one. I plugged in the trip in five segments. At each "stopover", I chose a new destination and the system calculated the new route. During one such route, I chose to divert and 100 yards down the road, the GPS redefined the route, flawlessly.
I needed to leave the rally, and got directions from several "locals". I simply took what they said, found the "real" route, plugged it in, and away we went. I like using the GPS, when getting lost is not fun.
I bought the Chatterbox XBi wireless unit and this was the first trip. I found that for 35 years I enjoyed the 1 to 1 1/2 hours between gas stops quite enjoyable without constant yapping by my guest. The advantage of taking someone along, but catching up on gas stops. That opinion hasn't changed. I will however keep the communications and hope I get used to it. The sound is great, volume is way loud enough, and you can mute it without being blamed, as you cannot see the controls and I wear gloves so the button are hard to find. Unfortunately, the unit is correctable by the passenger as they can clearly see the buttons on your helmet mounted unit.
I found my wireless bluetooth adapter in the mail when we returned. It takes a signal from any audio source and sends it to the helmets. We tried it out on the truck mounted Sirius. It worked fine. We can buy a cheap sirius radio for about $40, install it in a RAM aquabox, and for just over $100, have satelite to our helmets. SInce the volume of the Chatterbox is more than enough for me, that's where we're going to stop. This guy doesn't need a boom box setup.
The rally was Harley sponsored and as such the bike show was filled with Harleys. We didn't win best bike, but we did win the "Most Unusual Bike" trophy. :firstplace:The Spyder stole the show and was the main attraction at the porta-potty, chicken fingers vendor, campsite, and bike wash station. :bowdown:
The bar risers worked excellent. I chose to go with the riser blocks. The combination of risers and highway pegs did wonders for my back and knees. Normally, I would've been worthless today had we been on the Softail. Pulling the trailer was a breeze. The handbrake worked to relieve tension. I hated putting my feet up on the highway pegs and be in heavy interstate traffic, or even on open country roads. Although I only used it when I wanted to, it was nice to have it available. My new windshield is 2" higher, wider, and attaches using the mounting screws on the dash. I molded this one to fit in place of the stock. It also worked as I intended. I still may go with an adjustable shield in the future, but I have the stock, the BRP tour, and 2 home made ones. I'll need a display case if I get more shields.
Overall....was an 8 on the Rally Trip Scale. Don't ask, all the pictures are past "R" rated:cus:, and nowhere to put them for viewing.
