oh boy, gonna have to whip this out quick, FL to Boston in 4 days(ish)

14fg · 05-21-2012, 07:11 AM

hey guys, i got a call over the weekend "how would you feel if i bought you a plane ticket & give you gas $, and you ride my harley back from florida?" well never being one to squander an oppurtunity, it sounds like wednesday night im flying to orlando. this gives me thurs-monday to get myself back to boston on a bike ive never ridden, and hasnt been started since thanksgiving. needless to say im winging it!

Id really like to detour through the smokey mountains and ride deals gap, anyone have route numbers/recommendations? im in the process of getting a rough plan together, which involves interstae 75 out of florida, but with such limited time until game day i thought it best to 'cheat' a little and ask for some help! i think im going to have to stay on the slab mostly to make time, im not a marathon rider, but ive done 300-400 mile days without issue, although that was on my own bike. any ideas/help or just general criticism is welcome and appreciated!

High Country Herb · 05-21-2012, 07:48 AM

How cool is that! I too, would jump at an offer like that.

My biggest concern, if I were you, would be the condition of the bike. I recommend the first thing you do is check the oil level in the crankcase. If it is full, you can be reasonably sure it doesn't have a major leak. The second thing I'd do is put it on a trickle charger while you give it an oil change. It may take a couple hours to charge the battery, and you may as well use that time wisely. To avoid the hassle of trying to find an oil filter for a bike you aren't familiar with, I would skip the filter change just this once. Also, don't forget to check tire condition and pressures. Thanksgiving isn't that long ago, but you'll want to know if they are dry rotted before hitting Deals Gap, I would think.

As far as comfort, I have heard factory HD seats are pretty nice. Long days should be easily done. Most people would pay a lot of money for such a chance. Have fun!

Tompound · 05-21-2012, 10:40 AM

what Year, Model? I would also bring some spark plugs, and maybe some fresh gas the E-gas does not hold up well,
and everything H.C.H. said!

14fg · 05-22-2012, 03:59 AM

bikes an early 2000's (superglide?) was in good mechanical shape when it headed south in the fall, so it shouldnt take much to spark some life in her, hadnt thought of an oil change though, im sure that would do it well. bought a plane ticket last night, but its for next weekend (5/1-5/2) so ive got some breathing room, the folks who have the bike wont be home this weekend.

unfotunately i kinda blew it & double booked that weekend, forgot that weekend is my friends bachelor party.... someones gonna be bumming, im not much of a partier and honestly would rather be riding up the east coast, but its kind of a delicate situation, whoops!

High Country Herb · 05-22-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14fg

...unfotunately i kinda blew it & double booked that weekend, forgot that weekend is my friends bachelor party.... someones gonna be bumming, im not much of a partier and honestly would rather be riding up the east coast, but its kind of a delicate situation, whoops!

I'll tell you what; nice guy that I am, if you send me a plane ticket I'll fly out and deliver that bike for you.

14fg · 05-22-2012, 08:37 AM

haha, nice to know fellow adv'ers are willing to help out in a pinch! someones going to be disappointed, but it wont be me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Country Herb

I'll tell you what; nice guy that I am, if you send me a plane ticket I'll fly out and deliver that bike for you.

Wuwei · 05-22-2012, 04:25 PM

That's a long drive in two days in a car, staying on 95 from Florida on up. You're probably talking 1300 miles taking the short route. Myself, I think 400 mile-days on a motorcycle are pretty long, so plan on at least three solid riding days. You won't have much time to dawdle.

14fg · 05-25-2012, 06:53 AM

yep, definately gonna have to get to business when i get down there, not sure if im shooting up 95 or detouring through the smoky mountains, going to have to see how long it takes to get the bike running

max384 · 05-25-2012, 06:57 AM

Make sure that his motorcycle insurance will cover you on the bike.

This sounds like a pretty awesome opportunity if you ask me! Good luck... and make sure you don't wreck his bike!!!

IRideASlowBike · 05-26-2012, 01:01 PM

Take the Blue Ridge Parkway.

14fg · 06-06-2012, 06:56 AM

thanks everyone, got home monday night, had a fantastic trip, 1850 miles in 4 days, cherehola skyway, the dragon, blue ridge etc. met some great people, saw some beautiful sights and rode great roads! everything went perfect, bike ran without a hitch and the weather was amazing!

Pantah · 06-07-2012, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14fg

thanks everyone, got home monday night, had a fantastic trip, 1850 miles in 4 days, cherehola skyway, the dragon, blue ridge etc. met some great people, saw some beautiful sights and rode great roads! everything went perfect, bike ran without a hitch and the weather was amazing!

Ya did good!

05-21-2012, 07:11 AM	#1
14fg ^OP Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Winchendon ma Oddometer: 76	oh boy, gonna have to whip this out quick, FL to Boston in 4 days(ish) hey guys, i got a call over the weekend "how would you feel if i bought you a plane ticket & give you gas $, and you ride my harley back from florida?" well never being one to squander an oppurtunity, it sounds like wednesday night im flying to orlando. this gives me thurs-monday to get myself back to boston on a bike ive never ridden, and hasnt been started since thanksgiving. needless to say im winging it! Id really like to detour through the smokey mountains and ride deals gap, anyone have route numbers/recommendations? im in the process of getting a rough plan together, which involves interstae 75 out of florida, but with such limited time until game day i thought it best to 'cheat' a little and ask for some help! i think im going to have to stay on the slab mostly to make time, im not a marathon rider, but ive done 300-400 mile days without issue, although that was on my own bike. any ideas/help or just general criticism is welcome and appreciated!

05-21-2012, 10:40 AM	#3
Tompound M.M.S. Tommy Joined: May 2009 Location: Watertown, TN Oddometer: 328	what Year, Model? I would also bring some spark plugs, and maybe some fresh gas the E-gas does not hold up well, and everything H.C.H. said! __________________ M.M.S. (Multiple Motorcycle Syndrome) TAT 2009 all of it and then some. TET 2012 and then some TWVT 2012

05-22-2012, 04:25 PM	#7
Wuwei Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: New York Oddometer: 1,108	That's a long drive in two days in a car, staying on 95 from Florida on up. You're probably talking 1300 miles taking the short route. Myself, I think 400 mile-days on a motorcycle are pretty long, so plan on at least three solid riding days. You won't have much time to dawdle. __________________ For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move. Robert Louis Stevenson

05-25-2012, 06:57 AM	#9
max384 Disgruntled Student Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Sugar Notch, PA Oddometer: 1,692	Make sure that his motorcycle insurance will cover you on the bike. This sounds like a pretty awesome opportunity if you ask me! Good luck... and make sure you don't wreck his bike!!! __________________ '09 Suzuki SV650, '02 KLR250 Pennsylvania to Newfoundland Ride Report

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05-21-2012, 07:48 AM	#2
High Country Herb Adventure Connoiseur Joined: Apr 2011 Location: Western Sierras Oddometer: 2,950	How cool is that! I too, would jump at an offer like that. My biggest concern, if I were you, would be the condition of the bike. I recommend the first thing you do is check the oil level in the crankcase. If it is full, you can be reasonably sure it doesn't have a major leak. The second thing I'd do is put it on a trickle charger while you give it an oil change. It may take a couple hours to charge the battery, and you may as well use that time wisely. To avoid the hassle of trying to find an oil filter for a bike you aren't familiar with, I would skip the filter change just this once. Also, don't forget to check tire condition and pressures. Thanksgiving isn't that long ago, but you'll want to know if they are dry rotted before hitting Deals Gap, I would think. As far as comfort, I have heard factory HD seats are pretty nice. Long days should be easily done. Most people would pay a lot of money for such a chance. Have fun!

05-22-2012, 03:59 AM	#4
14fg ^OP Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Winchendon ma Oddometer: 76	bikes an early 2000's (superglide?) was in good mechanical shape when it headed south in the fall, so it shouldnt take much to spark some life in her, hadnt thought of an oil change though, im sure that would do it well. bought a plane ticket last night, but its for next weekend (5/1-5/2) so ive got some breathing room, the folks who have the bike wont be home this weekend. unfotunately i kinda blew it & double booked that weekend, forgot that weekend is my friends bachelor party.... someones gonna be bumming, im not much of a partier and honestly would rather be riding up the east coast, but its kind of a delicate situation, whoops!

05-25-2012, 06:53 AM	#8
14fg ^OP Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Winchendon ma Oddometer: 76	yep, definately gonna have to get to business when i get down there, not sure if im shooting up 95 or detouring through the smoky mountains, going to have to see how long it takes to get the bike running

05-26-2012, 01:01 PM	#10
IRideASlowBike Banned Joined: Feb 2010 Location: SE PA Oddometer: 1,243	Take the Blue Ridge Parkway.

06-06-2012, 06:56 AM	#11
14fg ^OP Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Winchendon ma Oddometer: 76	thanks everyone, got home monday night, had a fantastic trip, 1850 miles in 4 days, cherehola skyway, the dragon, blue ridge etc. met some great people, saw some beautiful sights and rode great roads! everything went perfect, bike ran without a hitch and the weather was amazing!