Autumnal Pennsylvania Loop

[Patrick M]

My first ride report of a short little ride I did this past Sunday...

Actually, it was not a short jaunt at all. It was 532 miles through Central and North Central Pennsylvania. I had the chance to get nicely acquainted with my new-to-me 2007 VFR800 and to see parts of PA that I have never seen before. I had heard that PA Route 44 was one of the best roads you could find in Pennsylvania and decided to plan a day around getting there and back. Its slightly northwest of Williamsport, PA, the little league capital of the world (?), and goes for over 60 miles through nothing but deciduous forests and an occasional village.

Now, why did I buy a VFR? I had always been into Interceptors but my love of the old/vintage/classic stock has always kept my attention longer. I had been saving for a long time in hopes to find myself an excellent 74 Commando 850. However, somewhere along the way I started daydreaming about a lengthy 7000 mile (or so) trip across the US and back next summer. This would leave my choices of trusty equipment to be a nearly 40 year old British twin, as romantic as it is, or my 1985 CB700SC Nighthawk S (below). The Nighthawk is awesome and Ive owned 3 of them, but my practical side usually wins me over. So a few weeks ago I picked up a beautiful 07 and have been thoroughly enjoying it...



Another goal of this ride was to see what kind of mileage I was physically capable of riding in a day in preparation for a long cross country trip. Luckily I saw some weather and road conditions that were anything but ideal which added to the trial.

I left at 8 am and headed west from Philadelphia towards our bankrupt filing state capital, Harrisburg. This would be mostly interstate riding for 90 miles to get west quickly. The temperatures were in the low 50s and sun was shining, but it was a drastic difference from the 90+ temperatures we've seen only a few weeks earlier. I was cold, not going to lie. I also was slightly unprepared for the Dutch farm-country winds blowing across the interstate. The same interstate with an artistically exploded mammal on the asphalt every mile or two.

When I got to Harrisburg city limits I exited I-76 and headed north on PA route 147. A beautiful, Sycamore lined country road that took me up towards Williamsport.




The new 800.




A beautiful mid-October day soon turned into a late November day as I neared Williamsport. The sun left and the temperature dropped 10 degrees it seemed. The outside temperature gauge on this VFR is not accurate at all and I need to fix that. While riding behind a slow moving, tiny Toyota Yaris I smelled burning. I momentarily thought it was the charging circuit I have yet to inspect and that I was about to be stranded in Fracksville, Pennsyltucky for the night. But I needed fuel, so I stopped to check things out and stretch. The Toyota happened to be pulling into the same gas station. As it did, I noticed plumes of black smoke near its rear wheel. The Toyota pulls next to the highly explosive gasoline pump and its rear wheel engulfs in flames. I was glad to conclude that it was not my charging circuit. Next came the task of urgently yelling at the boyfriend driver to let him know his girlfriend's car was about to ignite and ruin the day for a few people. Luckily, they moved the car and were able to put out the flames. I made sure they were okay and tried to leave but a pride of cougars hunted me down to ask me to help them with their tire that had gone flat.

I finally made it out of there with no singed eyebrows, all of my clothes, and a full tank of gas. The weather had turned worse and it started raining a little.

But there was this. For over 60 miles.




The road I came 200 miles to see. It was a beautiful forest, mixed with pines and deciduous trees. The smell was amazing and the colors even better.






I had read about Hyner View State Park and its grand vista. Hyner View road turns off of Route 44 and is about a 10 mile trek through the east coast's version of Redwood National Park with smaller trees. Jurassic...

I made my way up to to Hyner View overlook on another mountain climbing road that reminded me of Nacimiento Road in California. I was greeted by a beautiful landscape overlooking Renovo, Pennsylvania.










I stayed for a short while but the winds were nearly blowing me off the mountain. There was a group of dual-sport, off road riders there that went down the mountain the fun way. I haven't tried the VFR on muddy, narrow logging roads yet but It seems like it'd be an educational experience.

The beautiful 44 continued for some time longer and I came to a valley opening that had photo-op quality.










The sun finally came back out for a short while as I started to make my way home. Still about 200 miles/4 hours from home.



The remainder of the ride was generally cold, wet, and windy, so my inspiration for photos was pretty low. I was getting pretty beat after nearly 10 hours with the stock handlebars.

I came to the conclusion that, if the weather isn't so great and roads are tricky, then 300 miles is my maximum. 400 miles is a great day in good weather. 500 miles a day if I have to get somewhere and there is 4 to 21 beers at the end of the ride.

[JustPlainDave]

Looks like you had a great ride.
Nice report for a first time.

[lytle1gw]

Very nice pics and great ride report, thanks for sharing.

[HPTuner]

Those were some nice views on the overlooks. Good ride report, too! Nice looking bike, what kind of fuel mileage you get with the VFR?

[Patrick M]

Thanks for digging it, guys! Glad you enjoyed it...

HP, Id say I average around 38 mpg. It's not the best, but I usually end up getting around 35-42mpg. Im sure I could make it a little better staying under 70 mph, but this thing just wants to hang out and do 85 mph. Its an interesting motor that V4.

Tank capacity is around 5.8 US gal so the range is decent.

[farmerjoe]

Great day trip! It caught my attention for two reasons:

1) Those were some of my favourite roads before I made the move earlier this year from Toronto to Austin, TX. Groups of us used to make regular weekend trips in the spring and fall down to that area staying overnight in Lock Haven and enjoying the roads. I've got plenty of great group shots at Hayner View!

2) I too just bought an '07 VFR just this past week. I sold my wee-strom before leaving Canada 6 months ago and just got around to replacing it - I've always wanted a VFR. I agree with your assessment of the riding position! Any plans to raise the bars? I am mulling over some spacers or heli-bars.

Nice to see another ADVer of a VFR - there are fewer than I thought there would be.

J

[Patrick M]

Joe,

I agree that this area of the Northeast is one of the best. I plan to come back on warmer day and loosen up a bit more on 44, and camp out.

I'd like to get some Helibar$, but Im waiting for a used pair to pop up on eBay. Maybe some risers would do the trick since I just put a throttle lock and throttle boss on the bars and that has helped a good deal.

I really like the VFR. Its a fabulous machine, but also very humble. This is my first "new" bike and it's amazing what modern brakes feel like. AdvRider is by far THE best motorcycle-based site on the internet. Regardless of what one is riding, I think it captures the definition of what motor-biking should be. Nice to see another VFR owner on here! Cheers

[scootac]

When you get back up this way,,, try some of 144 also.
I think you'll like it!

[Fireman1000]

Wellnow I don't want to sellmy VFR. Nice Report.

[Jim K.]

Your assessment of milages is spot on! I've been riding since 1966. every bike has gotten bigger & smoother & more powerful. Yet my "comfortable" milage is somewhere between 350 - 450 mi. On my old 175 cc single (@age 18) or my one liter Concourse 40 years later, the "comfy" milages stay between 350 -450. I figure my body is deteriorating at just about the same rate as my bikes get smoother & better.

[RedRockRider]

Nice photos, nice fall colors!