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Georgia Run

3K views 22 replies 8 participants last post by  IM12STPN 
#1 ·
Ole Blue is going to get the "Full Monty" done on 15 May. Traxxion Dynamics will install their cartridge and spring internals and a Penske shock. All of which are tuned to my riding style and sprung for our weight. Basically a custom tuned suspension.

Heading south 13 May running the BRP down and some side roads to arrive evening of 14 May. Appointment is 0930 on the 15th then head back north. Any one interested in riding along be happy to have the company.

Cheers
 
#6 ·
Didn't catch this... was back in the office and TDY this past week. Sounds like it's a good trip so far. Catch you when you get back.
 
#5 ·
For those who might be interested,
Ole Blue headed south today. KSU 0930 from King George and headed to the BRP. This is the first big run for the new build. Some observations. It is damn hard to run 45 mph in any gear but 3rd. The day has been great cruising the parkway at an average speed of 43 according to the GPS. Most of the day has been spent in 5/6th at 1800 to 2600 rpm. The power is deceiving and 70 keeps coming up on the speedo. The big bore motor has been a joy today some of the sharper corners did require application of 4th gear and some strategic passes did dip into 3rd. Effortless power bouncing back and forth between 5th and 6th. Mileage has been surprising, running 175 to a tank with a best of 201. I can make the number a lot less with more throttle but this is just a cruise. Something else that has surprised me is the E4 on the rear is still hanging in there. Good grip in long sweeping corners still holding fairly well on the wet as well. I can see having to replace it on my return 800+ miles of twists and turns are going to do it in.
RON1 in Blowing Rock tonight and then GA tomorrow. No the fastest route but certainly the most fun.

Cheers
 
#7 ·
Back after a great walk in the clouds. There are lots of great roads to travel in this country but the Blue Ridge Parkway has to be at the top of the list. 450+ miles of twisting and turning with little to no traffic. Ole blue is a blast to run on this kind of road. Give a great chance to refine my cornering skills and develop some new techniques to try to make the rear tire last a bit longer.

Folks at Traxxion Dynamics are some really great folks. Got there early Monday morning and the shop took me in 30 minutes before my scheduled appointment. Got a tour of the facility, it is not a real big place but they have a lot of technology working for them to produce some quality parts. With rare exception, everything is produced in-house by CNC guided machines. Most of their business is mail order. you send them you forks and shocks and they rebuild and send back a first rate product. They are the largest supplier of Penske Shocks in the country.

Ole Blue go the full treatment. So Why did I go this route? The Victory suspension is good however, ..... the bike is now pushing some mean Horsepower and torque to the ground and the marshmallow suspension is just not cutting it. My bike suffered from several things: 1) a high speed wobble around 90-100 mph. 2) pushing this big touring bike hard in corners was always a handful. 3) two up even with 70 psi in the rear shock it bottomed out too easily.
The New suspension includes a pair of AK-20 cartridges in the front with compression a rebound adjustments and heavier springs. Oh wait Heavier springs!? Yes, I learned from my GL1800 days the spring rates in production bikes vary widely and are usually set up for less than the 95th percentile rider. Traxxion Dynamics installs springs based you, your passenger and luggage ( if applicable) weights. Then does custom valving based on how you like to ride. The end product is nothing short of amazing. The rear shock is a Penske unit with rebound only adjustment. Spring and valving to my specs.

Ride.... With the old suspension, taking the bike of the side stand you notice the suspension settle with your weight on it. I did not realize how noticeable this was until the new stuff was installed. the stiffer springs hold the bike, and rider(s) up, the trick is the valving setup. a short blast up the road with the ole setup , the bike would rock back on the rear and lift the front up. on stopping the front would compress substantially and wallow a bit. Bumps of any substance would rattle the bike. With the new setup , the feel was noticeably stiffer but not harsh. acceleration was smooth with no dynamic weight shift to the rear ( the bike doesn't squat) hard on the binders produced a smooth and straight stop. The best part is bumps they get soaked up and no harsh jarring is transmitted to either you or the bike. I wanted to do a comparison of before and after on the BRP, But the old tired E4 was not up to another punishing 500+ miles of technical roads without going to the cords. I road 700+ miles of slab back to the barn. the ride is much improved over the stock and much less draining. I 40, I85 are some awful road to ride with some big potholes to avoid. Ran thu some just to see how the bike would react, and it is nothing short of fantastic. The stiffer suspension also helped with the high-speed wobble, made two runs thru 100 mph and the bike was smooth as silk with no tendency to wobble.

With the Military discount, the full set up came to jut over $2K. Now I am ready to take on the Mason Dixon Run
 
#8 ·
#9 ·
@IM12STPN and @SPEEDFREAK , Know you guys had a great time with Mountain Rider and are talking up a bit of a challenge. Bring it on gents, we have a couple of great technical riders here in the east , @Half_Crazy , @navycraig , @Poseidon etc and some great roads to play on. I can think of a great run the Pizza Run. Starts in King George VA and run out to Seneca Rocks on US 33. I tis an all day run and you will be very hard pressed to keep up with the Daytona Yellow KP on the hill climbs. Pizza is a good distraction at Seneca Rocks.
 
#10 ·
NO challenge from me...I like the camaraderie, ride to my ability+ and so far made it home without scabs, scraps and bike damage, for 34,000 miles on this bike. NOW...as far as credit card that's a different story...just paid for ticket I got on way home, BUT all's good since I'm an optimist....with all the riding I've done WAY over speed limit....first one since 1995.:dance: (and why I was talking to Kelly, buying you lunch as a friend meant more then who got their first :icon_thumleft:)
 
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#12 ·
LEGAL double the limit....compared to getting to Motel in rainstorm??:badgrin:
 
#16 ·
:angel:
70 and rain...DAMN white 55 sign :angel4:
 
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#14 ·
Roads with a 55 mph speed limit and 25 mph suggested speed curves equals a VERY fun ride without worry of tickets. :icon_thumleft:
 
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#17 ·
I did not know there was speed limit in the rain when on two wheels. I ride where I feel safe, apparently it was to fast for the state trooper to catch us in a timely manner, he was not happy it took him 5 miles to catch us in the rain and traffic.:angel4: I had all I could do not to laugh at him, but of course I was yes sir, no sir no sense on making it worse, he was pissed.
I'm with you Dean just a little friendly comrodery , 46 yrs old, nothing to prove here just like to ride fast and sometimes push it because I am in denial of my age. there is always someone faster but I do like a challenge. MOUNTAINRIDER AND DEAN are plenty enough, following either one is a challenge and fun. I have flat spots on my saddle bag gaurds to prove it,:devil3: that were not there before I rode with those two, because I have never had to push it that hard to keep up with anyone. YES WE HAD A BLAST. I can only hope when we finally meet up @Squatch that we have as much fun also, no matter who is faster.:pint: Being down 20 horse or so we already know who is faster, and if you don't think horse power is a factor we can always switch bikes seems how we have the same bike.:biggrin:
 
#18 ·
Best run I have ever made today was with @PJRo, @Keith Grey at the last Mason Dixon Run. winding down the roads from Highpoint NJ you could have covered the three of us with a blanket as we twisted our way down the road. Not fast and not slow just in tune with each other and the road. the best part is we each had full trust in each other. I will only ride like that with people I trust completely

A 450+ solo ride down the BRP is a close second but only because is was a solo ride.

Funny thing about all this new found power it really doesn't mean anything unless you can apply it and make it work. A few years back the first Mason Dixon Run I ran with the 116 Supercharged Hammmmmmer of PJRo, yes he could out run me in an instant at any moment he chose, but I did manage to hang with him enough " every time I looked in my mirror all I could see was the Big Blue Barco Lounger" Pete is a talented rider with a great machine and the rest of us were at least 40-60 something HP down from him. Talent, the right equipment and Trust in the other rider(s) is all that is required to have a great day on the road.

The Mason Dixon Run is in July 21-23 in the PA hills, come join us for a great ride by an even greater host. @SPEEDFREAK that is just a half day run for you yes?
 
#20 ·
MAN, I'd love to join you but leaving July 28th to Grand Canyon via RT 66:dance:
 
#19 ·
Anywhere in PA is only a day away used to live in Jersey and would drive back to MI everyother weekend to see my kids. I have been all over PA beautiful state. If I can get ssome O.T. in I might be able to make that .PA has some great roads. But we just lost a job so it does not look to promising but as long ami get my 40 in I'm good.
 
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#21 ·
The invite is open if you can work it into your busy social schedule. Next year I will be running out west to the Canadian Rockies and BC, if you and the rest of the kids are game come a long. Ice fields parkway is the best ride you will ever take in North America
 
#23 ·
Keep me up to date on the Canadian Rockies ride. We do one "biggie" ride a year, and if during the right time, that would be a winner, thanks. (have passports so all set) :icon_thumleft:
 
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