Solo trip question
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
solo
I always go solo. Last trip was 1600 miles in 7 days, playing in the California mountains of King's Canyon & Sequoia National Parks & Forest. 1 night in a motel. Slept on the ground w/ a sleeping bag 6 nights, 2 in a campground. Always just rode, w/ no plans on destination or where to stay. Ate main meals in restaurants. Met some nice people. Otherwise enjoyed my solitude and being at-one w/ nature. Watching the stars before sleep. Stayed on 1 & 2-lane blacktop, mostly, plus some dirt roads. Went WAY off the beaten path. Took lots of photos (search King's Canyon in the road trip forum).
This is just the very best riding I've ever done.
This is just the very best riding I've ever done.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
touring experience on both Sporties and Superglides.
The Sporty has a better "rate change".. you can change direction or adjust direction
faster on it than you can on an SG, but with a couple simple and relatively inexpensive
mods the SG is a very good handling bike. Once both are honked over and dragging
pegs, the SG is very similar to the Sporty in overall cornering capability.
I installed the Superbrace fork brace as well as the True Track stabilizer on my 2009
FXDC and it's now a very capable bike. The Sporty would still have the edge, but not
by as much as you'd think. The FXDC is only about 60 lbs heavier with a smoother engine
1/3 larger than the Sporty's, a far smoother six speed tranny, a better seating position
and a far better ride.
I never found any touring situation that the Sporty couldn't cope with, but the engine
noise (not exhaust.. engine) of the Sporty as well as the rougher ride fatigued me a lot
faster than on the Dyna. I can ride farther with with less stress and fatigue on the SG than
on the Sporty without sacrificing any really meaningful degree of handling.
The Sporty will (surprise!!) always be sportier, but the Dyna is a hell of a good touring
bike that, unlike the big baggers, can be stripped down to it's basics in just a
couple of minutes. Mine is similar in concept to the old Convertible as in less than
10 minutes I can install saddlebags, a suitcase sized sissybar pack as well as a
full-sized backpack for solo touring and then have it all off in less than five.
The day before setting out on a 10-day ride following Old 66 and on into Death Valley.
ALL of this comes off in moments..
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Ft Myers FL
Sturgis last year. It's about a 3000km return trip, not including the riding around the area. ummm in americaneeeeze 3000km is 1800 mile.
What's your concern? I really liked flying solo. You can eat, sleep, drink, ride, stop, where ever and when ever it pleases you. No discussion, no issues. How could it be any better than that?
What's your concern? I really liked flying solo. You can eat, sleep, drink, ride, stop, where ever and when ever it pleases you. No discussion, no issues. How could it be any better than that?
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Ft Myers FL
I've been through the dragons tail 4 times on my FLHTC. Handled good for a 900 lb bike. I dragged the pegs a few times. If they lack in handling they make up for in long distance
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, TX
"What's your concern? I really liked flying solo. You can eat, sleep, drink, ride, stop, where ever and when ever it pleases you. No discussion, no issues. How could it be any better than that?"
Well said. It's the issues that really get in the way of joy. Nice to have the comany on a cool evening in the sleeping bag. It's the pits listening to the lip on a cold or rainy day, and lord help us if the above are blessed with headwinds.
Yeh, it's the lack of lip issues and the freedom of just you, the wind, and music of the pipes which make riding solo so fine.
Well said. It's the issues that really get in the way of joy. Nice to have the comany on a cool evening in the sleeping bag. It's the pits listening to the lip on a cold or rainy day, and lord help us if the above are blessed with headwinds.
Yeh, it's the lack of lip issues and the freedom of just you, the wind, and music of the pipes which make riding solo so fine.