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205

Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 5:10 pm
by Tbeck
Wife and I took the Concours out and enjoyed six hours and 205 miles of some of the finest Pennsylvania back roads.
Leaves are changing color, not full fall foliage, but enough to dazzle the eye's with nature's beauty.
Temps were in the high 70's with occasional clouds but perfect riding weather.

Re: 205

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 5:35 am
by Suzuki Johnny
HIgh 70's......You're talking about speed right?? [emoji2] Only time it gets in the high 70's around here is 4 am in the morning....but it's getting here.
Nocolor changing as of yet but some trees are dropping their leaves so it's a good sign.....anything to get away from the oppressive heat and humidity of the deep south . :hellfire:
Thanks to a cool front that moving in yesterday that helped steer hurricane Nate in a more easterly direction , we were spared the affects of high tides and dangerous winds....
here's our 7 day forecast for next week...
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We did ride yesterday.....tad higher winds than usual out of the northeast but tolerable....rode to a eatery in Texas that had been closed for about 7 years but the previous owner reopened it mid year......great venue..
We're looking forward to riding in 70's temps mid day....might have several more weeks before that happens..
glad that you and yours had a good time on the road....

Re: 205

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 6:22 am
by tabasco
Nice. How is the two up on the Concours? I'm considering that bike for retirement in 1.5 yrs. Can't be too bad on the back if your wife sat there for six hours ....

Re: 205

Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:14 pm
by Tbeck
Tom, we ride like this all the time, but there's a trick. We have a custom Russell Day Long saddle built specifically for each of us. Secondly the wife has to have floorboards. So I am running kury adjustable boards with extensions for her.
I took the stock 195/50 off the rear and run a 200/55 Commander II. I should easily get 12k from the tire but it has more bounce so you need to click the rear suspension up a little stiffer.
We also run a GIVI trunk w/backpad so she can lean back if she wants.
It's a great bike, 48 mpg, power windshield (I run a vstream), but no extra bells.
Look at the Bmw r1200rt if you want one with more bells. There's a guy who makes a DS kit for them. It utilizes a car wheel, tire, and machined adapter. I like the kit because you can run the OEM bike wheel and tire for routine riding and swap that over for the DS setup in under 5 minutes for long tour riding.
Just some things to ponder.
Grants riding the newer water R1200RT and likes it a lot more than the K16 he had.

Re: 205

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:45 am
by tabasco
Thanks, Tim. Stuff to ponder ... although I'm not that tech savvy. I didn't even realize my C90's mono shock could be adjusted until recently heh heh.

I do like the Concours 14. My wife would certainly rather me get a Wing, but I'm getting wary of having her back there ....

Re: 205

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:34 pm
by Tbeck
Tom, one of the down sides to the sports tours is height. Passenger has a high step for getting on.
Maybe an F6B goldwing? You give up a lot of nice features as compared to a full blown wing.
I hate to keep going back to the same bike, but the R12 is really the bike you want, or even the Triumph Trophy. I know you're not all high tech but let me put this stuff in perspective for you.
Esa or electronic suspension has presets for soft (rough highway), standard (one up with luggage), and stiff (2up). It's literally a touch of a button to swap from solo to 2up.
Radio? Well you probably don't need it but the weather band comes in really handy. Can keep you from riding into something bad.
Keyless locking bags and top box, self explanatory.
Power windshield, now this is a feature ever tour bike should have. Windshield up to keep passenger from being beat to death by wind, lower if you want more, full DOWN if it's raining and it blows the rain off your faceshield. No need to even slow down due to visibility because it's no longer an issue.
Cruise control.... Again you likely won't use it a lot but it's sure nice if you just want to dangle your throttle hand to relax.
And lastly lite weight. Even loaded saddle bags and trunk they're both way under the competitions dry weight.
Like I said, I do love my Concours, and you can get a new one for about $12500 + another $400 for top case and mount (52-55ltr my advice). So 13000-13500, add a Vstream $200, kury passenger floorboards w/adapters $60, and a custom RDL built for you and mrs's $600, and you're still way under the other two or the wing.
Triumph is least expensive, R12 and GW are about the same $ range.
Hope this is helpful.

Re: 205

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 2:16 pm
by Tbeck
We rode south Saturday and I managed to get us lost twice on some new road's. Some really wonderful twisty and scenic back roads. Even found a state park I have never heard of.
Again we rode a little over 200, stopping a few times to take in the sights.
Friday we are heading out for three days. Still don't know if we'll go to the BRP, or Maine, or WV. We'll have to see what the weather forecast looks like.