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Cousin Jack
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 01:56 am | 1st Post |
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Today was an "alone" day for me: my wife and her mother and sisters were going to be busy all day with county fair doings, my riding friend Suzuki DR Fred fell off his DR(trying to keep up with Jonah Street..... google him up!) and hurt his ribs, my other riding friend Beemer John is punching his "Bucket List" ticket and is leaving very soon for Mt. Kilamajaro to climb the stupid thing, and Rubber Side Down is busy going to school and earning a living and all that sorta stuff........ so it was just me......... just me and my new ST1300!
The forecast: clear, sunny, mid seventies........ and it was just me....... just me and my new ST1300...... all alone...... a full tank of gas....... some of the best riding roads in the world within a twenty minute burple...... just me..... and so I decided to spend the day doing yard work.
Nah! Not on your life! Got on Panalopee and headed twenty-five miles down the twisting Yakima River Canyon, one of my favorite roads but... let me tell ya.... that 45mph speed limit is painful, brother, painful! Especially on the ST.....which sucks up twisters like my kid brother does spaghetti! We then got on the old Naches Highway winding through fruit orchards until we connected up with Highway 12, The White Pass Highway........ If you haven't done the White Pass Highway yet.... and you can get to it.....drop what you're doing and do it, do it now! In any other country in the world, this route would be a National Park. The view of Mt Rainier just west of it's summit has been known to make people from Iowa and Nebraska and Kansas cry!
Cup of coffee on the top, and then down to Packwood, Washington, where I topped off the huge 1300 tank.....4.136 gallons, the trip odometer reads 175 miles (did about 55 miles before leaving on this trip this morning)..... hmmm, right near 45mpg... not bad.... still under 600 miles on the bike. We then burned through Packwood and entered a shoulder of Mt Rainier National Park, one of the most beautiful short highways in existence. Ragged and shattered giant tree trunks and fallen down boulders the size of Goldwings testify to the power of storms during the last two winters. The Park Service is striving mightily to keep this highway open... and I hope they do. I ride this stretch with an ache in my heart.... any Northwesterner, especially those who lived through the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, knows how transitory, how impermanent these beautiful forests are...... all this glory can be dust in a heartbeat.... very much like us, huh?
We then turned sharply right unto Highway 410 and climbed into the Tolkien-type beauty of Chinook Pass..... If you haven't done the Chinook Pass Highway yet..... and you can get to it... drop what you're doing and do it! Do it now! Do what I'm doing (call me up and I'll go around again with you!). I stopped at the top to draw in deep, deep breaths of crystal-clear, cold marine air, flowing off the Pacific Ocean and over the Cascade Mountain crests. I patted the smooth fenders of my baby..... "I think I'm gonna grow to like you, baby, yessir.......!"
And then down the mountain again, and up the Yakima River again (damn, that 45 mph hurts, baby, really hurts, especially on my baby grey rocketship!)...
Home again, home again.... and here's what I know. The ST1300 is only marginally less comfortable that the 1500 Wing.... at least for me. I did 240 miles today without discomfort. Some saddle burn, but an aftermarket seat, or perhaps even a sheepskin or a gel pad, might even out that difference. Heck, I had butt burn on the stock seat of my 1500. The ST1300 is remarkabley more mobile, more agile, less clumsy. Many times, many times... I dropped the 1500, especially in slow turns, and tip-toeing around the tulips. The ST always leaves me feeling sure-footed. It's like an elf bike! And passing.....! Passing traffic with the ST is an emotional experience! I'm glad I went this way.... although I hear the 1800 is more agile and powerful than the 1500 was.... But, I simply could not afford the 1800, whereas I could the 1300. So.... pay your money and make your choice.... I did and I am not sorry!
Now, where did I put those yard tools?
Last edited on Wed Aug 27th, 2008 02:04 am by Cousin Jack
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Dusty Boots
Very Active Member
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 02:23 am | 2nd Post |
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Stay at home??   ....Yeah, RIGHT!!!
Sounds like you had a great ride today and are falling madly in love with your new ' Vixen '! 
Been in that area a few times, myself. Packwood had their giant weekend swap meet yet? How's your knee and other ailments healing up?
Highway 12, looking west towards White Pass, just west of Rimrock Lake: ....
with this falls at the far end
Dusty .... who has yet to see Rainier on a clear day! 
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UBarW
Graphics Guru
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 02:29 am | 3rd Post |
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these kinds of ride reports leave me drooling.
After my ride in the oregon coastal air this saturday, I dreamt riding for several nights!
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TXRLGL1500
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 02:40 am | 4th Post |
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CJ:
Now THERE you go again giving too many details NOT!!!!!!!!! Again that ST is beginning to sound a bit more attractive than a new 1800 I have set my sights on!!
From your description of handling the 1500 and slow speed manuevers I too experience a similar feeling. Kind of the edge of control and NO control at times. Also a huge reason I sold the footboards on my 1500.
From the pics on Dusty B's post I figure ol' blue may have to visit your part of the U.S. before long.
Glad to see you are enjoying the ST! A fine looking machine. A test
ride on an ST might be worth the time to check it out myself. Of course an 1800 too, then decisions decisions
Regards
David
Last edited on Wed Aug 27th, 2008 02:40 am by TXRLGL1500
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Cousin Jack
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 03:03 am | 5th Post |
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David, while I appreciate your comments, friend, I don't want the responsibility of talking somebody into a change that later they might regret! There are some flies in the ointment: continuing questions about a "high speed weave," reports of excessive heat, and problems with thermostats are things you should look into before bypassing a new 1800 for a thirteen.... please look at my offerings in the spirit they are given.... not an expert opinion by any means, just an opinion...... Look long and hard, buddy..... make sure it's truly what you want... you might pm Silverfox about UK police experiences with the ST 1300.........
(I hope that's okay with you, huh, Silverfox?)
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Those with arms are citizens; those without are subjects.
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Cousin Jack
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 03:06 am | 6th Post |
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Great pics, Dusty! Yup, ol' Rainier was on display today..... You come on over here and Red and I will put you up until the skies clear enough to see Tahoma in all it's glory! Yessir! You can see it often from our valley!
I just gotta get one of those cool little Nikons to carry in my shirt pocket.... I love to take pictures, but..... my camera is of the film variety! Need a digital!
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Those with arms are citizens; those without are subjects.
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TXRLGL1500
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 03:44 am | 7th Post |
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CJ:
I have long been a fan of the ST BEFORE the goldwing. Back in 1983 I bought a VF750 Sabre. It was considered a sport bike. The VF750 Magna was the cruiser. Anyway I spent and enormous sum at the time and bought the Hondaline sport faring for that bike. THEN, the ST1100 appeared. It was everything that I wished my sabre was plus a whole lot more. It had more space etc. Two could ride a LOT easier than on my Sabre. It was kind of like your comparison of the ST to the Goldwing only in reverse. And practically speaking since my wing is a daily driver eh rider the ST would
most likely be a bit more suitable. I can ride down here pretty much 12 months a year
that is if its not raining so heavy its drowning the frogs.
A few years ago a former boss of mine tried steering me to the Valkyrie and I would have none of it. You see, the cruiser style just isnt my cup of tea it does not matter who made it. Those style of bikes have never had any appeal to me. 
As for the info posted about the 1300's peculiarities which I have read. That does not bother me. I am an extremely conservative rider. Simply put I am a not exactly a grandpa riding it but folks driving behind me think I am as rarely do I exceed any speed limits. (YEAH REALLY!)
At any rate the pic in my avatar was taken exactly one month ago outside Littleton CO. Visiting friends and leaving for Rapid City SD for Rushmore and Crazyhorse. I am hooked as now my wife is on this type of travel so when the time comes it will be another wing. We discovered a lot of surprising things about this type of travel that
only added to the enjoyment of the trip.
Take care and THANKS for acknowledging.
David
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rubber side down
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 04:01 am | 8th Post |
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Damn CJ, I missed a damn fine trip I fought with ditching school for several hours to go riding with you today but I just couldnt do it. Besides, Only $10.00 to my name and a 2.8 gallon tank with 55 miles on it already, I think I am averaging 125 per tank but Iv never kicked the fuel light on so I dont know for sure, I would have been walking back lol. Anyway, Im glad you had a great ride, hopefully soon I can join you before the season is over. And as for the camera, I got that covered. I have a digital 
Now as far as keeping up with you, yeah not likely lol. My Magna is fast but it aint that fast lol. Besides, I tend to hover around speed limit or a bit slower depending. Im still getting my "cycle legs" back after not riding for 7 years. This is my first season back riding.
As to Dusty Boots question, No the swap meet is over labor day week end. But....The people who run the Auction had a fallout with the person in Packwood who directs the events so the auction will NOT be hold in Packwood this year. Im not sure where its going to be but it wont be in Packwood The rest of the swap meet should all be there though. And for those of you who are thinking about going this year, be very carefull. A ton of drunks driving and general stupidity last year with the cagers and one guy that I know of in the hospital after getting stabbed in front of a local bar there. It was damned crazy last year
Anyway, glad you made it back safe and hopefully I can run soon with you.
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axelwik
Senior Guru
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 04:54 am | 9th Post |
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Congrats on your new bike! I think you'll enjoy the ST a lot - maybe more than the Wing. It's a great sport-tourer.
The fun factor went way up for me when I got a lighter, more nimble bike! 
Last edited on Wed Aug 27th, 2008 04:56 am by axelwik
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Silverfox
Forum Diplomat
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 09:15 am | 10th Post |
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| CJ.... no problem at all with anyone PMing me about the experiences of the police and the ST1300 in the UK, in fact I have every intention of adding to my previous missive on the subect, in light of the recent information that was given to me. I won't do it here, since this isn't a thread about that subject, but one about the joy that you experienced on a ride..... one I would happily have joined you for, if you could put up with a slow old 1800 rider!!!
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orange1800
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 10:45 am | 11th Post |
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As an ex STX1300 owner, here's my thoughts...
Pro: Sport bike feel, awesome power, great sub-80mph handling, great range, great electric screen.
Con: Less weather protection (than 1800), more buffeting (especially passenger), less comfort (lean forward not back), skittish above 80mph (tyre selection crucial), screen dangerous at high speed (keep it in down position, if you want to live overtaking big rigs). Older bikes MUST have frame recalls done.
If I could afford two bikes, my other one would be a Kawa 1400GTR.....(smokin'.. )
Steve
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lostinflorida
Senior Member
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Posted: Wed Aug 27th, 2008 11:39 pm | 12th Post |
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I just can't believe you had the chance to do yard work all by your self and decided to go for a ride instead.
Sounds like you had a great time on your new ride.
You have to start putting up a warning with the threads.
You and the stories of rides through the mountains are as bad on me as the girly magazines are on teenage boys. That's why they keep them behind the counter, to keep longing eyes off them.
I'm just waiting for the day to come that we get out there and explore your backwoods.
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Cousin Jack
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Posted: Thu Aug 28th, 2008 02:08 am | 13th Post |
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lostinflorida wrote: I just can't believe you had the chance to do yard work all by your self and decided to go for a ride instead.
I'm just waiting for the day to come that we get out there and explore your backwoods.
C'mon up here, LIF.....! We have a spare bed for you and yours anytime..... we'd come down there but I ain't brave enough! Tornadoes, hurricanes, torrential floods, tsunami waves, alligators, nutrias, and all those g-string girlies down there in Miami..... I'm just a hick, me.... my circuits would over-load! Takes a real man to live in Florida!
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Cousin Jack
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Posted: Thu Aug 28th, 2008 02:18 am | 14th Post |
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Silverfox wrote: about the joy that you experienced on a ride..... one I would happily have joined you for, if you could put up with a slow old 1800 rider!!!
Slow old 1800 rider! Yeah, right! My momma didn't raise no fools..... well, yes, she did, but he lives in Chicago....... rides an 1800, too! My momma also taught me to beware of silver-haired old fellows on Goldwing 1800s.... they have to be sly to have that much money in their dotage..... they probably got most of it by fleecing tender young things like me, us guileless, innocent, wide-eyed 1300 riders. First thing you're probably gonna do is try to talk me into drag-racing you for pinks (certificates of title), but I'm smarter than that..... even though my little 13 baby can probably suck the chrome right out of your 1800's fairing vents! Nossir! Not me! Uh-uh.....
C'mon over here! We have a big extra bed, you and Helen the Viking can sleep with LIF and his wife ! We'll all do the three pass loop together..... would love to ride Washington STate with ya!
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Anybody can ride a motorcycle when the sun shines....
Those with arms are citizens; those without are subjects.
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WingedNut
Very Active Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 28th, 2008 04:57 am | 15th Post |
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| Y'know, I'd love to swing my leg over one of those and do a little getting used to it. Problem is with anything both that quick and that nimble I'd be back in the mode I used to be in. And that's the mode of being dangerous to my own health because there is no limits or fear when riding a bike that flirtatious. That's why I quit riding for a number of years - dangerous to my own health. At least with the Goldwing I give that 800+ pounds the due respect it deserves if for no other reason than how difficult it is to stand it back upright when I drop it. I'd be totally dangerous on an ST.
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Past:
Honda 150 Dream
1947 Harley (stolen before ridden)
Honda 250 Scrambler
Honda 450 Scrambler
1980 Honda CB650
Present:
95 GL1500A (Pearl Sierra Green)
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