Minnesota North Shore Shindig

[toadl]

The Icon Field Armor boots I have are a compromise between a street boot and an MX boot. The problem I'm having with them is after the first good water puddle my socks get wet.

[jwalters]

Well, the motorbike is on the center stand still waiting on parts. Beautiful day, so I didn't let that stop me from getting out and putz'ing around the Superior NF. I did some recon today on my bicycle. I made motorcycle noises as I road towards the Trussle Inn for a cold one.


The roads was in great shape, loose enough to make it fun, but good packed gravel too.






It occured to me I was getting pretty far away from my vehicle without tubes or tire kit... Lucky I didn't find any nails...



Trussle Inn was a hopping oasis as usual.

[biker4ever]

Originally Posted by arrowhead rider

Trying to get some ideas of what kind of riding everyone is interested in. More pictures to follow.

Motorcycle riding of course!




and on any kind of trail. I'll be riding my 650 GS up there so it may be a challenge but i'm up for it and looking forward to it.

[Snomore]

Hey, nice pictures. Looks like you went on a pretty good self-powered ride there. I took a ride today too. I rode three agonizing hours around my lawn on the green machine. I would have taken pictures, but I don’t like to make the process any longer than necessary.

Speaking of nails, I’ve been so lucky I’m both amazed and a bit scared the luck will end. I found another nail that was stuck through a knob along the outside edge of my tire.

[arrowhead rider]

[QUOTE=biker4ever;18830228]Motorcycle riding of course!

[Lutz]

Originally Posted by Snomore

...

Speaking of nails, I’ve been so lucky I’m both amazed and a bit scared the luck will end. I found another nail that was stuck through a knob along the outside edge of my tire.

You found a ANOTHER nail stuck through a knob, but not into the tire? Also hit any winning lotto tickets lately? May your good luck continue.

[jwalters]

Snomore brings up a good point. Make sure you have good tires for the Shindig. Between old nails, some sharp rocks, low traveled forest roads, we tend to get more flats up here than in most places.

[Snomore]

Originally Posted by Lutz

You found a ANOTHER nail stuck through a knob, but not into the tire? Also hit any winning lotto tickets lately? May your good luck continue.

I know, I've had just increadible luck with tires!

I was looking at the Kenda website and noticed the K270 4.50-18 tires have a tread depth of nearly 11/16". The 4.50 looks like a good replacement; however, it's a bit of an anchor at 15 1/4 lbs. It's either I get more tread and possibly a longer lasting tire, or go with the stock size 120/80-18, which is nearly 5 lbs. lighter with a tread depth of 17/32". The 4.50-18 tire is also a 6 ply compared to the 4 ply rating of the 120/80-18. I'm not convinced I need the extra 2 ply rating with a somewhat light bike, especially given my luck avoiding flats. Another thing to consider is rotating mass is not the same as static mass, and that extra 5 lbs. of tire is going to have an effect on a 250's acceleration. I’m going to keep the moment of inertia talk to a minimum, but with a 250 you look for torque savings anywhere you can find it. Looks like the 120/80-18 Kenda is the tire for me.

[cuda]

The Rustic Cafe north of Two Harbors has pretty good pie, better than Betty's pies unless you really like SUGAR!!! then go for Betty's.

For great fresh fish go to the Dockside in Grand Marais, Harley, the owner is a commercial fisherman tends his nets most mornings, processes the fish downstairs and ships up for the meals, sends some of the rest over to the Angry Trout.. Really great local herring!!!

There is a new micro brewery called Castle Danger Brewing (?), somewhere upland of Hwy 61 near a resort in Castle Danger. I've had a few types it is good, they sell growlers, might be good for a special brew around the fire?

I would love to attend but my spouse has us booked at a street rod event at the same time. I'm so happy to spend time with her at anything motorized I am not willing to try to reschedule. Now if only I could get her back into motorcycling, losing that friend on the slab to large vehicle was the end of it for her. Cuda

[cuda]

Leaving Friday, NE MN to MO, meeting two BMW riding buddies, 1 from NC the other from KY. Taking US Hwy 50 west to Colorado. Piles Peak (?) maybe depends upon the shape of the road and how loaded our camping equip makes our rides.

A few days at the BMW RA Rally, some back road riding then home across the Dakotas for me south through Oklahoma for them.

Me a 2008 650 V-Strom, them a 2007 1200RT , and a 2011 1200GS.

I have to get my busted Pelican case mount and install new Hwy pegs completed before Thurs so I can pack.

Enjoy the summer!!! CUDA

[c-zulu]

Kool, Have a safe ride and please take some pictures...

[arrowhead rider]

Originally Posted by Snomore

I know, I've had just increadible luck with tires!

I was looking at the Kenda website and noticed the K270 4.50-18 tires have a tread depth of nearly 11/16". The 4.50 looks like a good replacement; however, it's a bit of an anchor at 15 1/4 lbs. It's either I get more tread and possibly a longer lasting tire, or go with the stock size 120/80-18, which is nearly 5 lbs. lighter with a tread depth of 17/32". The 4.50-18 tire is also a 6 ply compared to the 4 ply rating of the 120/80-18. I'm not convinced I need the extra 2 ply rating with a somewhat light bike, especially given my luck avoiding flats. Another thing to consider is rotating mass is not the same as static mass, and that extra 5 lbs. of tire is going to have an effect on a 250's acceleration. I’m going to keep the moment of inertia talk to a minimum, but with a 250 you look for torque savings anywhere you can find it. Looks like the 120/80-18 Kenda is the tire for me.

Good choice. See also sprung/unsprung weight ratios in the june issue of motorcycle consumer news.

[judjonzz]

Originally Posted by cuda

Leaving Friday, NE MN to MO, meeting two BMW riding buddies, 1 from NC the other from KY. Taking US Hwy 50 west to Colorado. Piles Peak (?) maybe depends upon the shape of the road and how loaded our camping equip makes our rides.

A few days at the BMW RA Rally, some back road riding then home across the Dakotas for me south through Oklahoma for them.

Me a 2008 650 V-Strom, them a 2007 1200RT , and a 2011 1200GS.

I have to get my busted Pelican case mount and install new Hwy pegs completed before Thurs so I can pack.

Enjoy the summer!!! CUDA

Pikes Peak should not be a problem with those bikes, even loaded. The road is wide, well-graded, and paved a bit farther up every year. Some of the steepest pitches are wide enough to pass the Winnebagos easily. I have done the road on an anemic R50, and a somewhat guttier CA160.

[Ride-til-sore!]

Originally Posted by jwalters

Well, the motorbike is on the center stand still waiting on parts. Beautiful day, so I didn't let that stop me from getting out and putz'ing around the Superior NF. I did some recon today on my bicycle. I made motorcycle noises as I road towards the Trussle Inn for a cold one.


Trussle Inn was a hopping oasis as usual.

Ah the good old Trestle Inn! It is one of my main lunch stops every winter when snowmobiling. Is it going to be on the Ride lunch route this year?

[toadl]

Originally Posted by Snomore

I know, I've had just increadible luck with tires!

I was looking at the Kenda website and noticed the K270 4.50-18 tires have a tread depth of nearly 11/16". The 4.50 looks like a good replacement; however, it's a bit of an anchor at 15 1/4 lbs. It's either I get more tread and possibly a longer lasting tire, or go with the stock size 120/80-18, which is nearly 5 lbs. lighter with a tread depth of 17/32". .

I'd go with the stock size.
Last year I used the Bridgestone tw301 and 302 tires up there. They are stock on your bike. I've gone through two rears and one front in about 8000 miles, and I replaced them way before the recommended tread depth. I think they are a great tire, but very few people use them. I did get stuck in this puddle though, I think I hit a submerged log.