First Long Ride- Vegas!

Fr8Dog · 05-13-2008

Well, I just finished my first long ride going from Utah to Vegas this past weekend. The main purpose was to go down and see the Rush concert. The second reason was to spend Mother's Day there with my mother-in-law and to bring her back to Utah for a family celebration as we just adopted my niece last week! My wife and girls followed down in the car. My son rode all the way down (400 miles) and except for an occasional numb butt, he did really good. He mentioned that this was the best trip ever! Mission accomplished!

We started out Sat. morning and had my good friend Vn2KBob join us for the first leg of the trip. Two V2Ks on the road together- AWESOME!

We stopped 85 miles later in Scipio, UT. We had a nice long break after which Bob returned back home. My wife and girls caught up to me at this point and we pressed on. The day started out a bit chilly but warmed up as the day went on. I started out with a polar fleece vest topped by a leather jacket. I don't have chaps (yet) so I wore my long ski socks. I was very comfortable except for my hands which got cold an hour into the ride. Guess my gauntlet type gloves aren't very insulated. By St. George, UT it was nice and warm so I shed the vest and leather jacket in favor of my mesh jacket with the liner removed and my lighter weight gloves. The ride both ways was on the interstate so not much in the way of twisties and such. We arrived in Vegas about 4 hrs. before the concert.

Rush was AWESOME! It's amazing how three guys who are 50+ can rock the place! My son said the drum solo alone was worth the 400 mile ride. As a drummer myself, I have to agree!

Next morning after some Mother's Day festivities we packed up and started the treck back home to Utah. It was nice and warm so I donned a t-shirt and leather vest for the ride. Was able to wear only that until about 50 miles short of my home where it started to cool off so I donned the mesh jacket over the leather vest. Got windy half way home but it was mostly at my back so that was good. Around Fillmore, UT there was a pretty good dust storm which lasted most of the way home from there.

My almost 11 yr. old daughter joined me for the ride home and she went the whole distance too like her brother. She squirmed around a little bit due to numb-butt syndrome but she loved the ride too. That's two for two. YES!

I did learn a few things on this trip: 1) The V2K is an awsome touring bike! 2) I have 120 mile limit on my butt with the stock seat!

Might have to do something about that someday! 3)Bring clothes for hot and cold temps- at least for this time of year in my area. 4) The Vista Cruise control is really nice on a long trip. Won't leave home without it! 5)The NC chrome lowers I installed work pretty good up to around 70 mph for helmet buffeting. Above that speed the buffeting starts to return. 6) My Cruzer Caddy works real good for holding a 20 oz. bottle of Diet Coke! 7) A windshield is very nice to have. Not only does it cut the wind but also the bugs. After seeing all the bug splats on it, I realized they would have been on me

without it!

The $29 motorcycle backpack/tailbag I bought at Walmart worked good and it was cheap. Held all my clothing items. As a backpack it will hold a water hydration bladder for keeping yourself hydrated. It has a pocket on the back that allows you to slip it over your sissy bar. Works really good!

I know all you experienced riders will read this and think "been there, done that". I would love to hear any other suggestions you experienced guys would be willing to give over the things I learned on this trip. I sure had a great time and would love to hear anything else you guys have learned to improve upon the long distance riding experience.

I covered 806 miles in two days. The mileage was 39.1 mpg. Fuel cost was $81.96. The experience of the ride with my kids- priceless!

Here's a few pics. The one with the really nice red and black V2K belongs to Vn2KBob. Got some with the family and one with me and my daughter as we were riding.

Teamlopez1 · 05-13-2008

Thats an awesome story. Glad you and your family had fun thats really whats important. I'm also a huge Rush Fan from the 70's 80's growing up. I'm going to see them in two weeks here in E-WA state at an outdoor venue "George amphitheater May 31" Neil, Alex, Lee are the three best rockers I know of. Again glad you all had fun and thanks for sharing.

Surftechuser · 05-13-2008

Nice story and pics.

900classic · 05-13-2008

Oh how I wish I could have ridden with you guys. Next time! Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing your pics and story with us.

N3FOLN3FOL · 05-13-2008

Nice ride. Great to hear that everyone enjoyed the experience.

Slow Ride · 05-13-2008

glad you had a good ride.

LTinSLC · 05-13-2008

I'm planning on that same trip ,sometime this summer!!
Glad you had fun and safe ride.

vn2kbob · 05-13-2008

Hey, Mike! That's a well-written story of your first long ride. It was a pleasure being your wing man. Nice that Brad and Olivia had a great time on the ride too. I'll be healed up better for the next longer ride. I know Jared wanted to go but work came first. It was fun talking to that tour group from the UK and Australia. They gawked long and hard at our bikes remarking they hadn't seen such monster motors. Fun stuff indeed. Thanks for the invite!

soutahriders · 05-14-2008

My wife and I took a shorter (about 175 mile) ride the same saturday from Cedar City to St George and around the Hurricane area. It was beautiful in St George! 85 wonderful degrees. We had to to stop in Washington and try the first In and Out Burger in Utah! Growing up in So Cal, I could not pass it up. There is also a Custom bike store in Hurricane (Biker World US) they stock like 200 of the most beautiful custom bikes I have seen. It's like going to a bike show except they are all for sale. Now, get your wife on that bike and you will have the whole family converted! Next time your down this way the "double double" is on me. Rush is great, wish I could have gone. Glad you had a good ride. Enjoy that V2K!

ecave · 05-14-2008

Great write up and pics fr8dog.
I like that tailbag. Got a better pic of it?
I am going see if I can get one around here.

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teamlopez1

Thats an awesome story. Glad you and your family had fun thats really whats important. I'm also a huge Rush Fan from the 70's 80's growing up. I'm going to see them in two weeks here in E-WA state at an outdoor venue "George amphitheater May 31" Neil, Alex, Lee are the three best rockers I know of. Again glad you all had fun and thanks for sharing.

You'll enjoy the concert! It was really good and these guys can rock as good or IMO better than the old days! The crowd didn't cheer as much for their newer stuff but went wild for most of their older music. They dug up some older songs that they haven't played in awhile and that was great. Give us all a report afterwards and let us know what you think!

The trip with the family was great and can't wait to do something like that again. The only problem is that when we go places my likes me to drive and on the trip to Vegas she had to do all the driviing in the car. Probably won't happen allot but on ocassion I'm taking the bike!

Michael600r · 05-14-2008

Gel pad or airhawk for the numb butt issue.

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecave

Great write up and pics fr8dog.
I like that tailbag. Got a better pic of it?
I am going see if I can get one around here.

Ecave,

Here's a closer up pic of the bag. I hope you can get a good idea from the pics what it is exactly. Like I said, it a is a backpack that has a pocket on the backside of the bag that allows you to slip it over your sissy bar. The en there are some straps to tighten up things to keep it from coming off. I did tie the backpack shoulder straps back out of the way so they wouldn't interfere with the backrest pad for the rider. It does have a thick carry handle on the frontside of the bag as well as a zipper pocket for putting in a hydration pouch. There is a little clip on one of the shoulder straps for clipping the hydration mouth tube into.I hope you'll be able to see all that in the pics. It was $29 at Walmart.

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by soutahriders

My wife and I took a shorter (about 175 mile) ride the same saturday from Cedar City to St George and around the Hurricane area. It was beautiful in St George! 85 wonderful degrees. We had to to stop in Washington and try the first In and Out Burger in Utah! Growing up in So Cal, I could not pass it up. There is also a Custom bike store in Hurricane (Biker World US) they stock like 200 of the most beautiful custom bikes I have seen. It's like going to a bike show except they are all for sale. Now, get your wife on that bike and you will have the whole family converted! Next time your down this way the "double double" is on me. Rush is great, wish I could have gone. Glad you had a good ride. Enjoy that V2K!

Man I would love to come down that way and ride around southern Utah for a week- Zions, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, etc. Sounds like you had a nice ride too. I'd like to visit that cycle shop you're talking about. There's something like that up this way to in American Fork selling custom bikes. I've never stopped in there but will have to someday.

Yes the weather was great this last weekend down your way. Got home Sunday and it turned to crap on Monday- again! Nice today though.

Now that I have a backrest I hope to get the wife on the bike a little bit more. She claims she wants her own bike but I'm not sure I believe her! Realistically I think it would sit in the garage most of the time as she is too busy with all the kids. Maybe someday I'll send her to the MSF course and see what happens after that! Ride safe!

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael600r

Gel pad or airhawk for the numb butt issue.

Yes, I might try that or a Kawi gel seat. Probably just save my money and go all out with the Mustang with the backrest!

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTinSLC

I'm planning on that same trip ,sometime this summer!!
Glad you had fun and safe ride.

It's a good ride except it's all interstate. I guess you could go down Hwy 89 thru Salina, Richfield, Panguitch to Mt. Carmel Jct. then thru Zions to I-15 and down that way. That would be way more interesting!

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by vn2kbob

Hey, Mike! That's a well-written story of your first long ride. It was a pleasure being your wing man. Nice that Brad and Olivia had a great time on the ride too. I'll be healed up better for the next longer ride. I know Jared wanted to go but work came first. It was fun talking to that tour group from the UK and Australia. They gawked long and hard at our bikes remarking they hadn't seen such monster motors. Fun stuff indeed. Thanks for the invite!

Glad you went as far as you did Bob. Hopefully your arm will heal up and you can go all the way next time.

Yes the kids were troppers on that one. I definitely have a couple more motorcyle converts in the family. Brad said he wants his own bike someday so he can ride with me. Awesome!

It was fun to talk to those tourists from the UK and Australia. I did seem like they had never seen such monster bikes before! And yes I'm pretty sure there aren't allot of V2ks around where they live. It was funny how we drew all that attention when we pulled up!

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by N3FOLN3FOL

Nice ride. Great to hear that everyone enjoyed the experience.

Thanks! It was a great time!

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow Ride

glad you had a good ride.

Thanks! Great time had by all!

Fr8Dog · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surftechuser

05-13-2008	#1 (permalink)
Fr8Dog Long live the V2K! BTK Intermediate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orem, UT Posts: 269	First Long Ride- Vegas! Well, I just finished my first long ride going from Utah to Vegas this past weekend. The main purpose was to go down and see the Rush concert. The second reason was to spend Mother's Day there with my mother-in-law and to bring her back to Utah for a family celebration as we just adopted my niece last week! My wife and girls followed down in the car. My son rode all the way down (400 miles) and except for an occasional numb butt, he did really good. He mentioned that this was the best trip ever! Mission accomplished! We started out Sat. morning and had my good friend Vn2KBob join us for the first leg of the trip. Two V2Ks on the road together- AWESOME! We stopped 85 miles later in Scipio, UT. We had a nice long break after which Bob returned back home. My wife and girls caught up to me at this point and we pressed on. The day started out a bit chilly but warmed up as the day went on. I started out with a polar fleece vest topped by a leather jacket. I don't have chaps (yet) so I wore my long ski socks. I was very comfortable except for my hands which got cold an hour into the ride. Guess my gauntlet type gloves aren't very insulated. By St. George, UT it was nice and warm so I shed the vest and leather jacket in favor of my mesh jacket with the liner removed and my lighter weight gloves. The ride both ways was on the interstate so not much in the way of twisties and such. We arrived in Vegas about 4 hrs. before the concert. Rush was AWESOME! It's amazing how three guys who are 50+ can rock the place! My son said the drum solo alone was worth the 400 mile ride. As a drummer myself, I have to agree! Next morning after some Mother's Day festivities we packed up and started the treck back home to Utah. It was nice and warm so I donned a t-shirt and leather vest for the ride. Was able to wear only that until about 50 miles short of my home where it started to cool off so I donned the mesh jacket over the leather vest. Got windy half way home but it was mostly at my back so that was good. Around Fillmore, UT there was a pretty good dust storm which lasted most of the way home from there. My almost 11 yr. old daughter joined me for the ride home and she went the whole distance too like her brother. She squirmed around a little bit due to numb-butt syndrome but she loved the ride too. That's two for two. YES! I did learn a few things on this trip: 1) The V2K is an awsome touring bike! 2) I have 120 mile limit on my butt with the stock seat! Might have to do something about that someday! 3)Bring clothes for hot and cold temps- at least for this time of year in my area. 4) The Vista Cruise control is really nice on a long trip. Won't leave home without it! 5)The NC chrome lowers I installed work pretty good up to around 70 mph for helmet buffeting. Above that speed the buffeting starts to return. 6) My Cruzer Caddy works real good for holding a 20 oz. bottle of Diet Coke! 7) A windshield is very nice to have. Not only does it cut the wind but also the bugs. After seeing all the bug splats on it, I realized they would have been on me without it! The $29 motorcycle backpack/tailbag I bought at Walmart worked good and it was cheap. Held all my clothing items. As a backpack it will hold a water hydration bladder for keeping yourself hydrated. It has a pocket on the back that allows you to slip it over your sissy bar. Works really good! I know all you experienced riders will read this and think "been there, done that". I would love to hear any other suggestions you experienced guys would be willing to give over the things I learned on this trip. I sure had a great time and would love to hear anything else you guys have learned to improve upon the long distance riding experience. I covered 806 miles in two days. The mileage was 39.1 mpg. Fuel cost was $81.96. The experience of the ride with my kids- priceless! Here's a few pics. The one with the really nice red and black V2K belongs to Vn2KBob. Got some with the family and one with me and my daughter as we were riding. Attached Thumbnails __________________ _____________________________________________ 2005 Vulcan 2000 Fr8Dog Last edited by Fr8Dog : 05-14-2008 at 09:32 PM.

05-13-2008	#2 (permalink)
Teamlopez1 06 Nomad and 06 900LT Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tri Cities, WA Posts: 1,262	Thats an awesome story. Glad you and your family had fun thats really whats important. I'm also a huge Rush Fan from the 70's 80's growing up. I'm going to see them in two weeks here in E-WA state at an outdoor venue "George amphitheater May 31" Neil, Alex, Lee are the three best rockers I know of. Again glad you all had fun and thanks for sharing. __________________ "Better to be an Open Sinner then a False Saint"

05-13-2008	#3 (permalink)
Surftechuser Surfer Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sitting on my board waiting for a wave Posts: 826	Nice story and pics. __________________ *2006 Vulcan 2000*

05-13-2008	#4 (permalink)
900classic Riding daily BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 2,515	Oh how I wish I could have ridden with you guys. Next time! Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing your pics and story with us. __________________ Jared M. Gant VN 900classic VROC #26705

05-13-2008	#5 (permalink)
N3FOLN3FOL Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stewartstown, PA. Posts: 1,979	Nice ride. Great to hear that everyone enjoyed the experience. __________________ '06 Vulcan 900LT Keep riding!

05-13-2008	#6 (permalink)
Slow Ride Clutch Cadet BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 387	glad you had a good ride. __________________ Living is riding 2006 VN 2000 Blue/Silver 1999 Nomad Green/Green

05-13-2008	#7 (permalink)
LTinSLC Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Salt Lake Posts: 14	I'm planning on that same trip ,sometime this summer!! Glad you had fun and safe ride.

05-13-2008	#8 (permalink)
vn2kbob Minimizing the Regrets! Forum Supporter Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The Mountains of Utah Posts: 1,384	Hey, Mike! That's a well-written story of your first long ride. It was a pleasure being your wing man. Nice that Brad and Olivia had a great time on the ride too. I'll be healed up better for the next longer ride. I know Jared wanted to go but work came first. It was fun talking to that tour group from the UK and Australia. They gawked long and hard at our bikes remarking they hadn't seen such monster motors. Fun stuff indeed. Thanks for the invite! __________________ Bob's '08 Mean Streak

05-14-2008	#9 (permalink)
soutahriders Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 31	My wife and I took a shorter (about 175 mile) ride the same saturday from Cedar City to St George and around the Hurricane area. It was beautiful in St George! 85 wonderful degrees. We had to to stop in Washington and try the first In and Out Burger in Utah! Growing up in So Cal, I could not pass it up. There is also a Custom bike store in Hurricane (Biker World US) they stock like 200 of the most beautiful custom bikes I have seen. It's like going to a bike show except they are all for sale. Now, get your wife on that bike and you will have the whole family converted! Next time your down this way the "double double" is on me. Rush is great, wish I could have gone. Glad you had a good ride. Enjoy that V2K!

05-14-2008	#10 (permalink)
ecave Follow Jesus!! BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Benson, NC Posts: 285	Great write up and pics fr8dog. I like that tailbag. Got a better pic of it? I am going see if I can get one around here. __________________ 1999 Vulcan 800 Classic V&H Pipes Kuryakyn Hypercharger Kuryakyn Grips

05-14-2008	#12 (permalink)
Michael600r Ninja tomato farmer BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Burlington, Kentucky Posts: 5,920	Gel pad or airhawk for the numb butt issue. __________________ Ninja 600R Ninja500R, sold