The JJRiders Travelog

Making with the Manometer

2010-04-22T01:01:30Z

Stripping down for service.

The new V-Strom had been set up very nicely by its previous owners, and came with just about everything I'd hope to add on to it. What it didn't come with was detailed information on when certain maintenance had been performed.

Having become quite obsessive about maintenance, I decided to put my mind at rest and just take care of things. Over the course of a month I replaced the spark plugs, chain, sprockets, tires, and air filter, synchronized the throttle bodies, and checked the valves. Between the service manual and the invaluable advice found on Stromtrooper the jobs were all straigtforward.

Gas tank removed, giving access to the air filter and rear cylinder.

Changing the air filter took a surprising number of steps, most notably removing the gas tank. This being my first bike that even has an actual gas tank, I was intimidated by this step. Luckily the service manual is clear, and it really wasn't that big of a deal. I'd already ordered a new stock air filter to replace whatever might already be on the bike, and was surprised to see a K&N had been fitted. I still intended to go back to a stock filter, but the K&N requires the removal of a special gasket that the stock filter needs, so I was forced to stick with the K&N until the gasket arrived a couple weeks later.

The K&N that came with the bike. So many bugs!

A few weeks later came time to check the valves and sync the throttle bodies. These were another two jobs which seemed intimidating at first, but turned out to be pretty easy. The procedure was mostly the same, removing the front fairings and gas tank, but this time the radiator also had to come off. This was probably the hardest part of the job, with ten electrical connections to remove.

Checking the valves was just a matter of taking the cylinder covers off, rotating the crank with a ratchet to a specified spot, and sticking gauges into a few places. Actually changing the valve shims sounds like a harder job, but luckily my valves were within spec (except one, but it was so close I'm leaving it until next time).

Manometer attached to vacuum ports, synchronizing throttle bodies.

Synchronizing the throttle bodies required the use of a manometer: a simple tool with an unfortunate name. Again, thanks to the advice found on Stromtrooper, I decided to build my own rather than buy one. It cost maybe $8 in materials, versus $100 or more for one of the commercially available models. This guide shows how to build the manometer, and this guide shows how to go about actually synchronizing the throttle bodies.

While these procedures require patience and the precise following of instructions, none of them are particularly difficult, and I recommend that owners try doing it themselves rather than taking it to a dealer. Outweighing even the large cost savings is knowing that the work has been done right and with care.

Uly to Wee

2010-04-22T01:02:21Z

Our new buddy, exploring near the Salton Sea.

Finally caving in to curiosity, I sold the Ulysses and got a 2005 Suzuki V-Strom DL650 (aka Wee-Strom). It was an excellent deal, and it came with just about every add-on I could want.

So far I'm thrilled with the bike. While it's got noticeably less power than the Buell, the reduced vibrations and ergonomics make it a bit more comfortable, and despite their weights being about the same, the V-Strom feels lighter. Most importantly, the bike just feels rougher around the edges, like it could survive a huge amount of abuse. Even after putting almost 25,000 miles on the Uly, I still couldn't get the straight-from-the-showroom price out of my head, and was worried about damaging it.

Plenty of space for camping gear.

The following extras were included with the Wee:

Happy Trails Denali Panniers - These were a huge factor in getting this particular bike. I was used to the Uly's massive cargo capacity, and these are comparable. They're also expensive - I'm not sure if I could have justified buying them if they weren't already on there.
Givi E52 Topcase - Being roughly the same size as the large trunk we had on the Uly, this case is indispensable for daily use. I can fit a helmet, jacket, and overpants in it, letting me commute with full gear then leave it all on the bike. It can also handle two helmets.
Hepco-Becker Crashbars - Crash bars add a lot to the bomb-proof feeling of the bike. I would have definitely added these if they weren't already on there.
Skidplate - I haven't been able to determine the maker of the skidplate, but it's already proven effective. The mounting bracket is bent, and whatever caused it surely would have crushed the exhaust had the plate not been in place. If I ever figure out which make it is, I might replace the bent bracket, but I can't really see much reason to at this point.
Hot Grips Heated Grips - Having never used heated grips I was unsure about their usefulness, but I'm already a believer. Riding from sea level to 5000 feet in a Southern California winter can mean temperature differences of 40 degrees. Wearing heavy gloves when it's 80 degrees out is almost as bad as frozen fingers; these grips allow me to wear lightweight gloves without going numb in the mountains.
Auxiliary Lights - One was burn out, they were attached to the crashbars, were huge, and didn't give off much light. I took them off within a week. The V-Strom's headlights put out plenty of light for my purposes already. If they had been PIAA's or something fancy I probably would have kept them.
A Spare TKC-80 Front Tire - I put this tire in preparation for some dirt riding, and while it performs great in dirt and sand, it adds noticeable vibrations on the highway. Since I've learned how to change the tires at home, I'll probably put this on whenever we head into the desert but otherwise keep something less knobby on the front.
Tour Master Tank Bag - The Marsee tank bag I used on the Ulysses was helpful, but something was a little awkward about it. This tank bag, being magnetic, is more convenient and the material has more "give" making it more comfortable to carry off the bike. I won't be using it all the time, but it's a great help on camping trips when we need all the space we can get.
Suzuki Tall Windshield - During the test ride, I was mesmerized by this strange wiggling object in my field of vision. The tall windshield is made out of too-thin plastic, and the top edge bounces up and down, causing a whub-whub-whub sound as irregular air hits my helmet. After adjusting it to the lowest possible position, it was actually quite nice, though I've since picked up a stock screen and am comparing the two. I'm also shopping around for an aftermarket short screen for the hot summer ahead.
Suzuki Gel Seat - I can't compare it to any other V-Strom seats, but it's very comfortable, and we're already capable of riding longer at a stretch than before.

I'm very impressed with this bike so far, and am looking forward to putting many miles on it.

Warm Winter Day in Dublin, NH

2009-04-29T15:23:35Z

Surprising amounts of snow still covered most of the ground.

Temperatures rose into the 50's and it had been at least a month since we'd taken a ride that was longer than a few miles. Tracing the same path to Dublin we followed last summer, the trip was made even more exciting this time by large amounts of snow that hadn't yet melted. Clouds rolled in by the afternoon and the bike was covered in salty slush, but the trip was well worth it. We never could have imagined a year ago that we would be riding around while there was snow on the ground.

Pictures at our flickr page.

Motorcycle Trip Checklist

2008-10-05T16:33:18Z

The Ulysses, Loaded for Weeks of Camping

I recently came across this incredibly helpful Motorcycle Trip Checklist. While I can't imagine anyone bringing everything on the list, there's enough there that it should be a useful reference before every trip.

Also excellent is paochow's Tank Bag Essentials, which includes everything to get you through most minor mishaps and emergencies. Paochow also has some great info on the Ulysses, and was one of the sites I read thoroughly before deciding on this bike.

P-town at the Cape

2008-09-29T03:37:09Z

Today I unexpectedly found myself in Cape Cod with James on the motorcycle. Let me explain. I have been considering buying a motorcycle (to be discussed in another blog). We traveled to Weymouth about a half hour south of Boston to check out this cute little dual purpose enduro bike. It was nice, but I wasn't completely sure, so since we were already south of home, we thought let's keep going. It was probably a little after 11am, and with no pressing commitments and my freedom of flexibility slowly slipping away (graduate school starts next Wednesday), we thought we should take advantage.
I have been talking about going to Cape Cod since moving to New England; excited to see the ocean and this famous area. Finally today was the day, and just in time. It was good getting there on a week day, as I hear this area gets really crowded during the weekends. With a 35 mile stretch of two lane highway, I was glad there were few people out.

The ride out got more and more beautiful the closer we got. Towards the tip of the Cape appeared sand dunes (see photo below). It was unlike any beach terrain I had ever seen. The landscape reminded me of parts of Death Valley, but with vegetation. I really wish I would have brought my camera, but I did manage to find some photos online, which are all the photos included in this post.

A hundred plus miles after leaving the bike we checked out this morning we had hit "P-town", which stands for Provincetown. This is the furthest point on the Cape Cod Bay. This was quite a ride considering we had no plans, no side cases and no lunch. We rode up route 6A looking for a lunch spot that had some fried seafood (we all get our cravings from time to time). We found a great little place called Pepe's Wharf Restaurant. It's right on the beach with a great view of the bay.

A few interesting things about Provincetown can be found here:

http://www.pilgrim-monument.org/t3/index.php?id=38

I'll tell you some of the most interesting. There is a monument there called Pilgrim Monument (see photo below). This is because this town is the first place that the pilgrims on the Mayflower landed in 1602. I know, crazy huh? I thought it was Plymouth Rock, which it was, but this is where they spent 5 weeks before heading up to Plymouth Rock. Interesting stuff.

The ride back went pretty fast but it was a little long probably due to the lack of water and too much sun. That can really zap your energy, and being tired on a motorcycle is the worst. A half hour out of Boston we stopped and got coffee to pep us up. This was a good move since we hit some traffic on the way home. We finally made it home by 7pm. Sometimes you never know where the day will take you.

Another successful day trip on the moto.

Coming Soon!

2008-09-29T15:01:37Z

We'll soon have notes from our various trips here, some written on the road, some from journals, and some post-trip reflection. Check back soon!

New Mexico’s French Quarter

2010-04-03T04:12:48Z

Teepee Curios in Tucumcari

(This was written on 9/8 - too tired to write the night this happened)

Great views all the way from Amarillo to Albuquerque. Finally seeing some mountains. We had a weird time in Albuquerque, couldn't find a restaurant, got some crummy Frito pie Mexican fast food in a stip mall, then tried and eventually scheduled some bike maintenance for when we get to AZ. Waiting around in Starbucks for call backs from Harley dealerships, we're both overloaded from seeing so much, and communicating badly.

Eventually went to French Quarter Motel, which seemed ok at first, and was cheap. As we're going to the room, seeing the 5th car pull up, meet with someone in a room and drive off, we're getting wary. The room itself was scary and busted, with a flickering fluorescent light on the ceiling, peeling wallpaper, and we're convinced a bed full of scorpions. $50 cash down the tube, we got the hell out of there and went to a Holiday Inn Express, which just feels so nice. Nearby is the Night Owl Diner, where we manage got in touch with Katy in Los Angeles, making plans to meet up in a few days.

Back at the room, we're unbelievably tired and asleep within minutes. The next morning we stopped at Kicks on 66 for breakfast and a tepee souvenir shop in Tucumcari. I'm trying to think more about work/school/future but can't really think about much while driving, so much to see.

Neon Cowboys and Western Horsemen

2010-04-14T18:22:42Z

Sending some postcards from the Plano post office.

Today we drove from Plano to Amarillo. Zumo was acting crazy half of the day, steering us down roads that didn't exist, and failing to recognize roads that did exist. It ends up being because I left it on the Topo map instead of switching back to City Navigator. Sheesh!

We started the day with breakfast at La Quinta, a bagel and waffle, and it felt much more luxurious than it should have. After a long ride out of Plano on nice highways we had a day of great weather, amazing views, hills, oil pumps, bales of hay, wild sunflowers. It's hard to do justice to it all, I was feeling so good.

Awesome treats from Java Junkie in Henrietta, TX

Stopping in the middle of the day at a place called Java Junkie off highway 287, we had coconut pie & iced coffee, cookies, and browsed a nice furniture store that was attached to the cafe. Our mood was so much better than last two days.

As we arrived in Amarillo, we were both ecstatic, really feeling like we're on a journey, and arriving in our first truly touristy area, and our first time on Route 66. We go to the Keva hotel, which was recommended by someone at Jim's Pizza in some small town that started with Q. The Keva had a crazy 3-story cavernous interior with a pool, bronze statues of bears, and a bar on the first floor. Yes.

The bar was called The Western Horseman. Tequila shots were practically free whenever some football team scored, and it felt like Texas for sure, and we're just loving it here. Later we talked to Barbara at the snack bar and told her our story. It's great to finally meet some folks. We fell asleep drunk, happy, and completely drained.

Plain ol’ Plano

2009-04-29T16:21:12Z

Doing our best to dodge two hurricanes.

We drove from Toledo Bend/Many to Plano. It's nice to get into Texas. The drive was pleasant for a while but deteriorated quickly with crazy rain that lasted for hours. Humberto was in the gulf and the effects were already coming down on Texas.

The engine got wet and wouldn't rev high, so we were stuck sputtering along at 60 for a while. I'm not sure what that was about - seems like either an electrical problem or water got sucked into the air intake. Between the deluge, the traffic, and now an unexplained engine problem, the day was a stressful one. Eventually engine problem cleared up and the Ulysses was running normally again.

We arrived in Plano exhausted, checked into a La Quinta and hung up everything that was wet (everything). We walked to the nearby Cycle Gear, where I got some helmet/motorcycle cleaner, a bottle of anti-fog spray, a pair of new handgrips, and a cramp buster. It's been five days in a row of riding (more than I've ever done) and my hands were killing me. Hopefully the new equipment will help somewhat.

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

Zumo insisted there was a nearby Chilis, and we learned that Garmin's data is not always to be trusted. Our other options being either IHOP or getting back on the bike, we eventually settled on a Bennigan's near the hotel. Treating ourselves to a veggie burger, lots of beer, some ridiculously sweet gimmicky drinks, then dessert, only seemed like the right thing to do after what we'd been through that day.

Back at the room, Jamie did laundry in the tub while I cleaned the bike and helmets, repacked, adjusted the handlebars, put on the new handgrips, and talked to our neighbor for a bit. He was a friendly guy from Tulsa who reminded me of my stepfather.

It's a nice room, though it's scary how much Plano feels like Fort Lauderdale. It's the beginning of our sad realization that most suburbia's across the country have come to look incredibly similar.

(The original journal entry for this day was written two days later, on September 7)

Cross Country 2007 - Day 5 at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

Day 4 – Salty Dick’s Road

2009-04-29T16:21:07Z

: St. Louis Cathedral - New Orleans, LA

We awake in New Orleans and decide that we just have to get a few more sites in of the area before heading out. We head out back into the French Quarter and have much better luck with breakfast at Clover Grill?. I had a great big waffle with an elephant imprinted on it (below) and James get a huge omelet with tater tots. Somehow we finish it all and head out to see some sights. We come across a beautiful church that made for a great photo (above).

My elephant waffle at the French Quarter

I have to say that I was surprised at how small Bourbon St. was. I guess it's easy to build up an image of something in your head, but the whole French Quarter was really different than I expected. Well, this is part of why we travel, to make the unknown known.

New Orleans Sketch

We pack up the bike and head out. Leaving the area we see more devastation from hurricane Katrina, which was nearly 2 years ago. I am surprised by the aftermath; one dilapidated house right next to a new one. We push on through Louisiana, and decide to get on to some smaller roads. The day is slipping by and we are definitely in the back woods of Louisiana. This is one of the places I had feared the most. Looking back, it's funny how travel can really create a sense of trust in humanity.

Anyhow, the day is losing sunlight, and we have hit a closed road. This means we must turn around, backtrack and do some trespassing. I don't like it either, but we have to find somewhere to stay. We haven't even seen any hotels or camp grounds the entire day.

Back Roads of Northern Louisiana

Somehow we made it, and didn't get shot doing it, and reach Toledo Town Inn via a dirt road I remember as Salty Dick's Road. A little motel with a gas station across the street and a market to the other side awaits us. Not much else around. We're definitely in the country. After getting into our room I cry, just happy to be safe and sound.