Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
Had a great ride to Daytona yesterday. I was up at 2:30am just like normal and couldn't sleep thinking about the trip. I've been doing this run twice a year for 11 years now and you would think I would not get so worked up but I can't seem to help it. It's a 600 mile run for me so it's an easy days ride on the Spyder.
This ride is more about getting ready for the Guts and Glory ride than it is Bikeweek. I packed the trailer pretty much how I'll be packed for that run just to see what kind of mileage I'll be getting at what speeds. I found if I run above 70 (I'm not saying how much above 70) for very long I can get down to 22 mpg and if I keep it 65 or under I'll get around 26mpg. So if I can run 6 of the 6.6 gal. tank I'll get between 131 and 156 miles on a tank. That's cutting it pretty darn close for a run like this. I hope the G&G guys route us so we can fuel at 120 miles and not 150. We'll be running 850 mile+ days for 11 days so I'll be burning up some fuel and at $3.50+ a gallon now it has really added to the cost of doing this thing but it's for a good cause and I just want to see if I have it in me, I'm pretty sure the RT will be fine.
I've gone through the RT and trailer from front to back and it's in the best shape it's been in since I received it. I have new brake pads, changed my oil, checked the tires and have gone over every bolt and every wire making sure that I'll have no surprises on the road. As I'm doing this I'm making my tool and spare parts list to take with me. I'll be on the road for about a month so I need to take what I can to be prepared.
Part of getting ready is looking good when I get there. I have pretty much all the BRP chrome that they offer on the RT now and that really made a difference in the looks. I'm really not a big chrome guy but with the black paint it really works. I did have to do something with the paint to make it my own but I was running out of time pretty quick so I decided to go with vinyl graphics instead of paint. If you want a true custom then go with the paint but if you want something that looks pretty darn good going down the road or sitting in the parking lot then go with the vinyl. It's about 1/3 the cost and it can be done in about a 10th of the time. Pete from PowerSportsWrap did mine in two days and this would have been a 2 month job easy if I did the same thing in paint. The other nice thing is I can change it any time I want without going through the whole prep process again. For me this made more sense than a custom paint job. About the only other thing I'm going to do before the ride is to powdercoat my wheels in a dark candy red. I think that will really set the thing off and I found a local guy that can get them done in about a week so I'll be stopping by there right after Bikeweek.
Comfort wise I'm good to go. I am so happy with my setup now I've pretty much run out of things to do to make it better. I have the Elka suspension that really makes for a great ride and great handling. My Corbin seat with backrest and fuel door make sitting in the saddle for 10 to 15 hours a breeze and fueling a piece of cake. I have the F4 custom windshield from ESI that is 5" wider and 3" shorter than stock and that helps me to see over the shield and that's a must in the rain for me. I had Pete do a custom wrap on it too and that came out great. I have the new Polk audio speakers that I'm still on the fence about. I used them last night running through town in Daytona and they sounded pretty good but you just can't beat a good set of earbuds (Skullcandy) for great sound. I love having my ipod controls right on the bar for trips like this.
This started out as a short blog but I guess I started to get into it more than I thought. I don't have any good pics but I did shoot a video before I took off so I'll post it. I got to say it sure is good to be back on the road again and to get rid of my PSS (Parked Spyder Syndrome).
Lamonster- SpyderLovers.com
Heading out
This ride is more about getting ready for the Guts and Glory ride than it is Bikeweek. I packed the trailer pretty much how I'll be packed for that run just to see what kind of mileage I'll be getting at what speeds. I found if I run above 70 (I'm not saying how much above 70) for very long I can get down to 22 mpg and if I keep it 65 or under I'll get around 26mpg. So if I can run 6 of the 6.6 gal. tank I'll get between 131 and 156 miles on a tank. That's cutting it pretty darn close for a run like this. I hope the G&G guys route us so we can fuel at 120 miles and not 150. We'll be running 850 mile+ days for 11 days so I'll be burning up some fuel and at $3.50+ a gallon now it has really added to the cost of doing this thing but it's for a good cause and I just want to see if I have it in me, I'm pretty sure the RT will be fine.
I've gone through the RT and trailer from front to back and it's in the best shape it's been in since I received it. I have new brake pads, changed my oil, checked the tires and have gone over every bolt and every wire making sure that I'll have no surprises on the road. As I'm doing this I'm making my tool and spare parts list to take with me. I'll be on the road for about a month so I need to take what I can to be prepared.
Part of getting ready is looking good when I get there. I have pretty much all the BRP chrome that they offer on the RT now and that really made a difference in the looks. I'm really not a big chrome guy but with the black paint it really works. I did have to do something with the paint to make it my own but I was running out of time pretty quick so I decided to go with vinyl graphics instead of paint. If you want a true custom then go with the paint but if you want something that looks pretty darn good going down the road or sitting in the parking lot then go with the vinyl. It's about 1/3 the cost and it can be done in about a 10th of the time. Pete from PowerSportsWrap did mine in two days and this would have been a 2 month job easy if I did the same thing in paint. The other nice thing is I can change it any time I want without going through the whole prep process again. For me this made more sense than a custom paint job. About the only other thing I'm going to do before the ride is to powdercoat my wheels in a dark candy red. I think that will really set the thing off and I found a local guy that can get them done in about a week so I'll be stopping by there right after Bikeweek.
Comfort wise I'm good to go. I am so happy with my setup now I've pretty much run out of things to do to make it better. I have the Elka suspension that really makes for a great ride and great handling. My Corbin seat with backrest and fuel door make sitting in the saddle for 10 to 15 hours a breeze and fueling a piece of cake. I have the F4 custom windshield from ESI that is 5" wider and 3" shorter than stock and that helps me to see over the shield and that's a must in the rain for me. I had Pete do a custom wrap on it too and that came out great. I have the new Polk audio speakers that I'm still on the fence about. I used them last night running through town in Daytona and they sounded pretty good but you just can't beat a good set of earbuds (Skullcandy) for great sound. I love having my ipod controls right on the bar for trips like this.
This started out as a short blog but I guess I started to get into it more than I thought. I don't have any good pics but I did shoot a video before I took off so I'll post it. I got to say it sure is good to be back on the road again and to get rid of my PSS (Parked Spyder Syndrome).
Lamonster- SpyderLovers.com
Heading out
hyea:
