Taking two weeks off to ride from South Florida to Peoria Illinois. I'm leaving next weekend on my 2000 Road King.
Any tips, or route suggestions? Smokey Mountains, maybe? It's 1320 miles without detours. I'd like to make it in 4 days max.
I have been reading the Touring Tips and Tricks thread.

I just installed an air ride seat, and the bike just had a 30k service. I do wish I had a taller windshield, that seat sits high! Does anyone know an indie shop in the Peoria area? I'm going to need a new rear tire when I get there, if not sooner. I know that there is a HD dealer there.

Thanks for any suggestions and advice.

 

I would suggest getting your tire before you leave. You don't want a blow out on the road (trust me I know). I also use "Ride On" in my tires.

As for riding, anywhere in the North GA, East TN or West NC area is great. I have taken A1A all the way up the east coast of Fla. Nice but slow.

You going to back road it all the way?

 

I live a little north of Peoria. Sorry, I gotta ask - why the hell would you visit Peoria? Or anywhere else in Illinois for that matter.

Anyways, there's an indie shop about a half-mile north of the downtown area. I've never been in there, and can't speak of them, because I've never had any experience with them. You don't want to deal with the local stealership. Unless you want some over-priced Chinese chaps or a t-shirt.

Ken's at 2245 NE Jefferson St, Peoria, IL (309) 682-2453

 

I'll probably stick to the highways, for the most part. A little mountain scenery would be nice, though.

I'm considering: replacing the tire before I go.

Looking at "Ride On", does it leave a mess when you need to change the tire?

 

Wanna Ride, doesn't everyone want to visit world famous Peoria?:-)
Actually, my son is getting married.
Thanks for the tip on the local shop.

 

As for the "Ride On", no it does not make a mess. There are other products out there that do. When you take your tire off it will stay in place around the center of your tire. If you go to their web site they show them taking a tire off along with other good info.

 

The most direct route from Atlanta to Peoria is pretty boring. You need to venture farther east and north from Chattanooga for better mountain riding.

Dennis

 

I’ve made the round trip from STL to Tampa so many times its boring. I’ve tried riding the secondary roads (they all parallel the interstates) and are slower going.
Gas stops aren’t a problem as there are major cities 80 to 100 miles apart all the way.
Just use your head driving in traffic, watch your speed (the difference in 70 - 75MPH and 80+ MPH isn’t worth the ticket), take breaks as suggested in the “Touring Tips and Tricks” thread.

Have a safe trip.

 

Mapquest shows a route from florida to chattanooga to peoria that takes me on I-75 and I-24 through Tennessee. Would that be a good route? Any other cities I should put into MapQuest to decide my route? Any particular highways or roads I should look for?
Anything out there better than MapQuest?

I guess riding at 80-85 mph would be asking for a ticket in some areas?

 

A trip through Shawnee National Forest in extreme Southern Illinois will provide you with the best scenery IL has to offer (very nice). Everything else is corn fields, bean fields, or muddy rivers.