LEAVING ON A TRIP

[LAS VEGAS DAVE]

We had a great ride. I can't say enough good things about the bike or my wife. First the wife. The first day we rode just under 400 miles to Reno Nv, no complaints and it was as if she wasn't even on the bike during the twisty secondary roads we took for over a hundred miles. We then visited a friend for two days with a side trip to Virginia City and Lake Tahoe. After that it was a 350 mile jaunt thru forests most all of the way to Oregon, again no complaints. We stayed in Oregon for 2 more days visiting old biker friends. We left Grants Pass Oregon at 4:30 in the afternoon and rode the freeway (RTE 5) for 400 miles, most at 85 mph. We stopped about every 100 miles for a break and gas and a snack and a drink, it was tee shirt weather even at night. we had a little over 300 miles to go to Los Angeles and Gina was up to riding the whole thing, I was the one who decided to get the room. The next morning we buzzed into LA where I had some business to take care of. We were there about 9 hours and got back on the bike and rode another 300 miles back to Vegas, about 600 miles in that day with no complaints from Gina. This says a lot about the bike as well as Gina. The bike was wonderful for both of us. It ran like a clock for just under 2000 miles, used no oil at all and I rode it fast on much of the trip. It got between 31 and 40 mpg depending on the conditions. It handled great even with two on the feisty sections mile after mile. The brakes are better than "GOOD" they were great. This bike has the Triumph Touring Seat with the backrest and with the floor boards it was a comfortable ride. I think the biggest contributor to the comfort was not even made by Triumph, it was the McCruise cruise control. You set it at 85 or any other speed and no matter how steep the hill that is what it does EXACTLY with no variance. This let me ride for hours barely touching one bar or the other. Touch either brake and its OFF, touch RESUME and its right back to where it was. I never had one of these till I got this bike and I am now spoiled. I had a GOPRO attached to either the windshield or my helmet but the controls are on a small remote mounted on the left handlebar, it takes 5 hours of videos before the remote battery gives out. Playing with that on the best parts of the ride was fun. My wife took some photos while we rode with her IPAD. We only used the two stock saddlebags and a SMALL sissybar bag to carry all our gear, however Gina also wears a small back pack. We still did not use everything she packed. Thru the years I've noticed that less stuff is needed than is normally taken. When we got home the bike looked like every known bug was stuck on it somewhere, it was a mess. Here in Vegas there are many mobile detailers and 30 bucks will get it washed and waxed and all chrome polished, even the bike is jacked up and the wheels are spun and polished. The guy came today with his rig and now the bike looks brand new again. We will probably take the Boss Hoss on our next ride as I like to rotate them. All in all I really love the Triumph and my wife.

 

[Fingers]

Sounds like a great trip and wonderfully wife!