Mano 2
Expert Class
Posts: 360
|
posted May 30, 2006 03:46 AM
1400miles, 3 days in West Texas at 80mph
Oil change at 700mi. to Mobile 1 MPX,
Saturday. Depart at 2:30pm. Completely out of shape hoping to make San Antonio, 200 miles.
The 14 is so comfortable, good aeros, wind protection, stable in crosswinds, and fuel range is so good, all gas stops were 206- 233 miles, that we are in Ft Stockton at midnight, 550 miles. Excellent. I'm happy.
Next Generation Headlights make night riding much more enjoyable, less fatiguing, less stressful, and much much less dangerous. Lots of road kill in West Texas,including Porcupine's, Skunks, and feral hogs on this trip.
Suspension is soft enough for touring comfort, and still rock solid up to the rev limiter in 4th gear, 170ish, even with tail bag and tank bag. Track tested of coarse. Full speed testing to follow.
Sunday night 25 miles Alpine to Marfa on a Farm road in the Chinette Mountains, I saw at least 10 deer, 50+ Jack Rabbits. My riding buddy on a '94 R1100RS said he never saw any of the deer. The BMW's headlights were good in 1995.
Just back last night. New 80 mph speed limit was great.
Left FT Davis Monday at 8:00am, 6000ft and cold, and arrived in Houston at 6:00pm, with a 1 hour rain stop. Approx, 575 miles.
Really good rain storm, cooled me off, on the way home. Good weather protection. The 14 felt safe, capable in the wet. Tires had good grip.
Brakes are off the chart, scary good. Another, I never thought they would risk giving us brakes this good thought.
Bike now has 2200 miles. Houston to Marfa, Alpine and FT Davis. What a ride.
I really enjoyed and used the instruments. Fuel computer is very functional and accurate. I really like instant/average fuel use functions. Not to mention the 2 trip meters. Shift lite helped also. Gear indicator, clock, and even used range function. All good.
39.5-43.5 mpg trip mileage, @ 75-85 mph. Good conditions 42-43.5 mpg [most of trip]
39.5mpg was last tank against the wind and included traffic jams coming into Houston.
Looking foreword to going to the drag strip in June. Maybe pipe, map, speedo healer, etc.
The 14 has exceeded all my expectations so far. Speed testing is all that is left.
I feel that Kawasaki has taken it to the next level, and the bar has been raised. I'm smiling. 10 hours on the road, afternoon temps at 100f+ for an hour, and the 14 felt stronger and stronger, never stressed.
The new king of the road. Good job Kawasaki. ABS might be nice.
  
|
spalding12
Novice Class
Posts: 40
|
posted May 30, 2006 04:13 AM
great write-up
very thorough and very hopeful for the rest of us
i appreciate the effort
|
JimBob
Parking Attendant
Posts: 22
|
posted May 30, 2006 04:59 AM
 Edited By: JimBob on 30 May 2006 06:27
>> Lots of road kill in West Texas, Sunday night 25 miles Alpine to Marfa on a Farm road in the Chinette Mountains, I saw at least 10 deer <<
That part of West Texas is infested with those damn things. I wish they would declare an all year round, open season on them and thin them out. It is seriously overpopulated with deer. Several years ago I traveled from Ft. Davis to Balmorhea in the dark. Last time I'll EVER do night riding in that part of the country. I couldn't believe how many deer I saw. Don't know if you know him but this is the part of Texas where Larry Grodsky (writes for Rider magazine) was killed a few weeks ago. He hit a deer just south of Ft. Stockton.
|
swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
|
posted May 30, 2006 07:04 AM
That's because all the stupid rednecks killed off all the PREDATORS...
|
JimBob
Parking Attendant
Posts: 22
|
posted May 30, 2006 08:07 AM
quote:
That's because all the stupid rednecks killed off all the PREDATORS...
To counteract this, people should keep in mind that deer are to be eaten, not coddled. When you think of deer, think of venison sausage rather than Bambi's big brown soulfull eyes. Think of the little bastard's forehead in the center of some crosshairs and just imagine how he's gonna taste all ground up in some sausage or slathered with BBQ sauce on a grill!
|
Mano 2
Expert Class
Posts: 360
|
posted May 30, 2006 08:31 AM
You're right about the rednek's, and the open season would probably do some good too if they managed it. The deer are still seriously overpopulated in Texas still, aren't they?.
I haven't seen that many critters on any stretch of road in 250k.
We had to slow down to 50-55.
A Harley group said they came up on a dead 200# feral hog that had just sent a guy riding a Wing or Harley to the Hospital Friday night near Marathon.
Even I10 has lots of roadkill in Texas and the western states doesn't it?
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC