First long ride - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

EasyE · 06-10-2007, 08:37 PM

So, I have a business trip to WY, gotta fly into Billings, MT on a Sunday (today) though. On a whim I check out the Beartooth Harley and they have one bike available to rent, why not, instead of a car. I picked up a 2007 Heritage Softail Classic in Black Cherry and Silver, very pretty. Packed a Rapid Transit SissyBar bag with duffel and my rollerbag. Loaded up the bike and hit the road south outta Billings. I had intended to ride through Beartooth Pass out of Red Lodge, MT and then down the Chief Joseph scenic Hiway, but the pass was closed due to snow. So I just went south to Cody and on to Thermopolis, WY ended up nearly 200 miles, WHEW!

I'm a full gear guy, chaps, leather jacket with armour, full face helmet and it got a bit toasty, but I made it! This is by far the longest trek for me. I turn around tomorrow and head up through Greybull into Lovell. While the bike is nice, I think my wife's C50 or my M50 is more comfortable. The Heritage has some mini-apes almost that weren't horrible, but just not what I was used to.

I discovered that the hardest part was not pulling over every 5 minutes to take a picture. Alas I don't have any?!! lol

Anyway, just wanted to tell those who haven't had a chance to venture out on a trip that you gotta do it, this is what it's all about.

And Harley's aren't that bad, very smooth, lot's of power just needed some bar adjusting.

Ride safe!

**Clint** · 06-10-2007, 08:53 PM

I'm so freaking jealous. I grew up in Bozeman, and I've ridden the Beartooth twice. There are trips, then there are trips like that.

200 miles is a good day on an unfamiliar bike. It's a breakfast ride on your own.

ORBrit · 06-10-2007, 10:01 PM

Nice - I like the idea of flying somewhere and renting a bike. I wonder if I could rent a V-rod

I enjoy my 85 mile round trip 'honey, I'm going out to get some milk' rides.
I've done six rides over 200 miles - but only one of them just for the fun of riding - the rest were for work.
I'm wanting to do my first multi day trip sometime this summer - maybe explore Hells Canyon and then South Eastern Oregon.

karlfitt · 06-11-2007, 12:32 AM

Nothing like spending a little time on your bike.

I used to do it every year with some friends, i have one trip report up on my web site

MC ride to Laguna Seca and Lake Tahoe

Just bought a bike from one of my friends that was on that ride with me. 1400 miles to get it home.

Planning my trip to california for the USGP right now.

My limit is I get off graveyards on Monday morning, and want to be at the track for Friday practice.

I was thinking about heading up to Yellowstone my first day, but I think Graveyards are standing in the way there. (can't start early enough)

EasyE · 06-12-2007, 12:24 AM

I'm jealous Rowdy, I didn't get to ride Beartooth, maybe next year.

I think some locations may rent the V-rod's, but I needed some luggage space.

Karl - how do you get so many pictures? I struggled to stop and take pics.

DragonRider · 06-13-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ORBrit

I'm wanting to do my first multi day trip sometime this summer - maybe explore Hells Canyon and then South Eastern Oregon.

Hey neighbor,
I have this ride through Hell's Canyon and maybe the Blue Mountain area(9 - Eastern Oregon pictures of Blue Mountains; John Day Fossil Beds) on my short list this summer. Farthest I have been that way was Walla Walla,WA I haven't even been into Oregon yet. Also on my list is Crater Lake and poosibly down to the Redwoods in Northern California then back up the Oregon Coast. I wanna go NOW...

Mike

Man, I Love living in the Pacific Northwest.

ORBrit · 06-13-2007, 04:10 PM

Tacoma to Walla Walla is still a fair trek!
Have you been up to the Wenatchee or Chelan areas yet?
I agree - I'm from England and I love living in Eugene - The Pac NW rocks!

I'd be interested in whatever plans you have for riding the Eastern Oregon leg this summer.

**Clint** · 06-13-2007, 04:11 PM

I went through Hell's Canyon, too. Talk about creepy. See what I experienced in my ride report.

ORBrit · 06-13-2007, 04:20 PM

I've searched but couldn't find your ride report - could you post a link please?

**Clint** · 06-13-2007, 06:13 PM

Click the signature in my signature.

ORBrit · 06-13-2007, 07:26 PM

Wow Rowdy, that's quite the ride

thanks for sharing the report.

karlfitt · 06-16-2007, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyE

Karl - how do you get so many pictures? I struggled to stop and take pics.

I make it a point to stop and get pictures.

As a matter of fact, I need to add to that report, that is the day I learned that I am a "RAT" rider (although I didn't know they exisited then, and not an Iron Butt (I did know about them)

EasyE · 06-16-2007, 12:53 PM

Rowdy, that was one crazy ride!
RAT? I'm a little slow today.

Well, I added 270 miles the next day! It was a little dicey a couple times as storms moved in. The rain wasn't the big deal, but the winds, that's another story. Came around this nice slow curve and got blindsided by the wind that almost took me into the other lane! Rode about 30 miles with a good press holding on the right side just to stay straight!! never really rode straight with such a lean, kinda freaky feeling at first.

anyway, i am hooked on touring now! Gotta get my M decked out right so I can hit the road on it.

karlfitt · 06-16-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyE

RAT? I'm a little slow today.

No, your not slow, you have to have found them on the web.

Here you go.

The Great RAT Run

06-10-2007, 08:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
EasyE Ditch Magnet Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: 2006 M50 Blue Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 184	First long ride So, I have a business trip to WY, gotta fly into Billings, MT on a Sunday (today) though. On a whim I check out the Beartooth Harley and they have one bike available to rent, why not, instead of a car. I picked up a 2007 Heritage Softail Classic in Black Cherry and Silver, very pretty. Packed a Rapid Transit SissyBar bag with duffel and my rollerbag. Loaded up the bike and hit the road south outta Billings. I had intended to ride through Beartooth Pass out of Red Lodge, MT and then down the Chief Joseph scenic Hiway, but the pass was closed due to snow. So I just went south to Cody and on to Thermopolis, WY ended up nearly 200 miles, WHEW! I'm a full gear guy, chaps, leather jacket with armour, full face helmet and it got a bit toasty, but I made it! This is by far the longest trek for me. I turn around tomorrow and head up through Greybull into Lovell. While the bike is nice, I think my wife's C50 or my M50 is more comfortable. The Heritage has some mini-apes almost that weren't horrible, but just not what I was used to. I discovered that the hardest part was not pulling over every 5 minutes to take a picture. Alas I don't have any?!! lol Anyway, just wanted to tell those who haven't had a chance to venture out on a trip that you gotta do it, this is what it's all about. And Harley's aren't that bad, very smooth, lot's of power just needed some bar adjusting. Ride safe! __________________ Mine - '06 Blue M50, Cobra Streetrods Slashdowns, Kuryakan Hypercharger blue butterflys and inset, Cobra FI2000, OEM Billet backrest Hers - '06 C50c - Pearl white with ghost flames , Cobra Short backrest

06-10-2007, 10:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
ORBrit U.B's LoveChild Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard S50, 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250S Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 1,242	Nice - I like the idea of flying somewhere and renting a bike. I wonder if I could rent a V-rod I enjoy my 85 mile round trip 'honey, I'm going out to get some milk' rides. I've done six rides over 200 miles - but only one of them just for the fun of riding - the rest were for work. I'm wanting to do my first multi day trip sometime this summer - maybe explore Hells Canyon and then South Eastern Oregon. __________________

06-12-2007, 12:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
EasyE Ditch Magnet Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: 2006 M50 Blue Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 184	I'm jealous Rowdy, I didn't get to ride Beartooth, maybe next year. I think some locations may rent the V-rod's, but I needed some luggage space. Karl - how do you get so many pictures? I struggled to stop and take pics. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mine - '06 Blue M50, Cobra Streetrods Slashdowns, Kuryakan Hypercharger blue butterflys and inset, Cobra FI2000, OEM Billet backrest Hers - '06 C50c - Pearl white with ghost flames , Cobra Short backrest

06-13-2007, 04:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
ORBrit U.B's LoveChild Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard S50, 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250S Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 1,242	Tacoma to Walla Walla is still a fair trek! Have you been up to the Wenatchee or Chelan areas yet? I agree - I'm from England and I love living in Eugene - The Pac NW rocks! I'd be interested in whatever plans you have for riding the Eastern Oregon leg this summer. __________________

06-13-2007, 04:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
ORBrit U.B's LoveChild Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard S50, 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250S Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 1,242	I've searched but couldn't find your ride report - could you post a link please? __________________

06-11-2007, 12:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
karlfitt Seat Tester Joined: May 2007 Bike: BMW R 1100 RSL Location: Colorado Posts: 77	Nothing like spending a little time on your bike. I used to do it every year with some friends, i have one trip report up on my web site MC ride to Laguna Seca and Lake Tahoe Just bought a bike from one of my friends that was on that ride with me. 1400 miles to get it home. Planning my trip to california for the USGP right now. My limit is I get off graveyards on Monday morning, and want to be at the track for Friday practice. I was thinking about heading up to Yellowstone my first day, but I think Graveyards are standing in the way there. (can't start early enough)

06-13-2007, 07:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
ORBrit U.B's LoveChild Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard S50, 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250S Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 1,242	Wow Rowdy, that's quite the ride thanks for sharing the report. __________________

06-16-2007, 12:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
EasyE Ditch Magnet Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: 2006 M50 Blue Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 184	Rowdy, that was one crazy ride! RAT? I'm a little slow today. Well, I added 270 miles the next day! It was a little dicey a couple times as storms moved in. The rain wasn't the big deal, but the winds, that's another story. Came around this nice slow curve and got blindsided by the wind that almost took me into the other lane! Rode about 30 miles with a good press holding on the right side just to stay straight!! never really rode straight with such a lean, kinda freaky feeling at first. anyway, i am hooked on touring now! Gotta get my M decked out right so I can hit the road on it. __________________ Mine - '06 Blue M50, Cobra Streetrods Slashdowns, Kuryakan Hypercharger blue butterflys and inset, Cobra FI2000, OEM Billet backrest Hers - '06 C50c - Pearl white with ghost flames , Cobra Short backrest

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