The Vulture's Chronicles
June 2006 - Northern California
An interesting trip and vacation. I planned to take my R1200RT down to Rick Mayer's to have the saddles done. I specifically scheduled the trip to accommodate my wife's schedule and my work schedule and I had the bike serviced and new tires put on. I also made sure my comm system was operational as my riding partner and I had difficulty on our last ride - I had a bad mic and replaced it.
Well, the RT developed a fluid leak in the transmission the day before I was to depart and it means major surgery to replace a main shaft seal. All warranty work but untimely. Laurie also informed me her school district had scheduled her for a training session in the middle of the time I had off work so she could not go with me. So, no RT and no wife. That meant take the K1200S. So I did.
Al and I drifted down I-5 and got as far as Salem. OR where the temperature is 106 degrees F, and it was getting hotter as we go South. We decided to head for the Oregon coast and made way for that as fast as we could. Progress was OK but about 20 miles from the coast the road was closed due to a multiple bike accident and fatalities. We diverted to a small town and got some water and directions around the accident scene. Unfortunately the directions placed us 100 yards from the accident site so we waited till we could get around. Kind of a sobering scene and a reminder to be vigilant.
We made it to the coast and 58 degree temperatures and headed South. In time we stopped at a campsite for the night and slept well in the coolness of the Pacific coast. Next morning we ate breakfast at MacDonalds. Al was risking a big fine here.
The next morning saw us headed South through Crescent City and then inland on CA 299 for Redding. Route 299 is a splendid sport bike road but the fun of it disappeared n 15 miles as the temperatures soared to 111 degrees and the motor-home crowd refused to use the turnouts to let faster motorists pass. Add some construction and what could have been a glorious ride turned into sheer hot weather motorcycle hell.
Given that, the K1200S was able to make holes because of its enormous horsepower. I blistered more than a few deserving gapers and, uncharacteristic of me, flipped them all off as I went past. I know this does little to promote friends of motorcycling in the motor home community but they do little to help the rest of us feel good about them - mostly inconsiderate folk drive those things. One guy in a huge thing like a greyhound bus didn't like being flipped off I guess because he found the gas pedal after I went by and stayed on my ass along a long strait bit and then into some twisty bits. So, I have empirical evidence the damned things can go faster than most folk seem to want to make them go.
Al and I found a Motel-6 in Redding and set in for the night. Too hot to go do anything and we were whipped from the heat and struggle of the day. Slept well.
Next day, Tuesday, we found Rick Mayer's place and he customized my saddle for me. Turns out he owns a K1200S and my new saddle was built with that experience in mind. The guy is professional and knows his stuff and my saddle works just fine, eliminating the hot spots of the stock seat and adding some firmness. I scheduled myself to do the RT in September. From Rick's place we headed West on a little back road he suggested that connected with CA 36 that eventually got to the coast. The K1200S is new to me with less than 1500 miles on it that day and there was no traffic. I began to learn how to make it work.
Al and I have ridden Deal's Gap and 318 curves in 11 miles is a hoot but it is crowded and not all that safe, actually, given the hordes of riders and large vehicles that use it. The roads we were on this day were far superior - curves for a couple hundred miles for example, and almost no traffic. Me and the S were getting acquainted. Al has developed a bit of arthritis in his left hand and was in a bit of pain and going slow. I would pull over for him and we would rest a bit so he could get a little relief. In the end he just told me to go for the coast and he'd meet me there. We did meet for lunch in a place with 4 or 5 buildings in it though.
We shared a picnic table with an old timer, his wife, and grand daughter and conversed while we waited for our food. The old guy was a rider who was a member of one of those post WWII motorcycle clubs we are told about on the History channel. Kind of fun to listen to his stories about riding in the old days.
After that we made for the coast and Clam Bay campground. I mentioned how the S and me were getting on and I confess to a bit of over confidence. Descending a right hander at some speed I straightened the bike for a short bit and then, like a ski jump the road bed lifted, and I launched the S off that lip into the air. I know I said "OH SHIT" but didn't actually hear myself say it till the big bike landed and as if it was in control and went through the right hander and immediate left hander. I slowed down after that - a little, and pulled over by Hy 101 to wait for Al. When he pulled up we discussed the ride. He said his hand was real sore from all the shifting and he disclosed he was going so slow he got passed by a septic tank truck and that the bugs just bounced off his face shield. I love his humor.
Clam Bay Campground seemed populated by homeless folk. Nothing against that except when you have to park your expensive bike on broken wine bottles and where you can't supervise it. So, back to Eureka and a Motel-6. We could easily have camped and had a better experience however. The drunken toothless chick from 5 doors down who wanted to befriend Al is one small example. Neither of us slept well or for long and in the morning we headed North on the 101 with no plans.
Just into Oregon we decided to camp and catch up on sleep. By 2:00 we were established and just chilled for the rest of the day. Had a steak for dinner and I slept well. Al however, pitched his tent close to a couple who stayed up late drinking and who entertained people from town. I guess they went to bed very late and, as drunks do, snored loudly after they dropped off to sleep. Al has a sleep deficit now.
Riding on the 101 has been a relief from the intense heat we have experience inland on this trip. The 52 degree temps and the fog do make this day unbearable in the opposite direction. I get a chill and vow to head inland as soon as I see a road I recognize. In time we head for Roseburg, OR and I quit complaining about 80 degree heat. To give Al some clutch hand relief we head North to Eugene on the I-5 and then head West for Redmond. I pull into a commercial campground and we set up tents for the night, hoping Al can get some sleep. Turns out there are a couple pools full of hot water from a hot spring and we soak the cramps out in biker bliss. The heat is therapeutic for Al and we just unwind.
Late, after supper at a restaurant 10 miles down the road, we build a fire, drink coffee, and smoke cheap cigars late into the night. We both sleep soundly. I wake Al up at 0700 and we head for home through Redmond. I pull into the driveway about 4:00 p.m.
The ride I had planned was nothing like what we actually did - which was fine in the end. We travelled almost nothing but 2 lane twisty mountain roads and kept to short days in the saddle. Atypical for me and Al. It was fun and relaxing and that's what a road trip should be all about. On a down side, my K1200S is ill. It shifts badly - violently - from one gear to another, sometimes so forcefully I think the bike leaps off the road with each shift.
The diagnosis is vague - replace the clutch. No improvement. Replace the clutch basket. No improvement. Replace transmission. Moderate improvement. Bike traded off. Too bad, I really liked it.
An interesting trip and vacation. I planned to take my R1200RT down to Rick Mayer's to have the saddles done. I specifically scheduled the trip to accommodate my wife's schedule and my work schedule and I had the bike serviced and new tires put on. I also made sure my comm system was operational as my riding partner and I had difficulty on our last ride - I had a bad mic and replaced it.
Well, the RT developed a fluid leak in the transmission the day before I was to depart and it means major surgery to replace a main shaft seal. All warranty work but untimely. Laurie also informed me her school district had scheduled her for a training session in the middle of the time I had off work so she could not go with me. So, no RT and no wife. That meant take the K1200S. So I did.
Al and I drifted down I-5 and got as far as Salem. OR where the temperature is 106 degrees F, and it was getting hotter as we go South. We decided to head for the Oregon coast and made way for that as fast as we could. Progress was OK but about 20 miles from the coast the road was closed due to a multiple bike accident and fatalities. We diverted to a small town and got some water and directions around the accident scene. Unfortunately the directions placed us 100 yards from the accident site so we waited till we could get around. Kind of a sobering scene and a reminder to be vigilant.
We made it to the coast and 58 degree temperatures and headed South. In time we stopped at a campsite for the night and slept well in the coolness of the Pacific coast. Next morning we ate breakfast at MacDonalds. Al was risking a big fine here.
The next morning saw us headed South through Crescent City and then inland on CA 299 for Redding. Route 299 is a splendid sport bike road but the fun of it disappeared n 15 miles as the temperatures soared to 111 degrees and the motor-home crowd refused to use the turnouts to let faster motorists pass. Add some construction and what could have been a glorious ride turned into sheer hot weather motorcycle hell.
Given that, the K1200S was able to make holes because of its enormous horsepower. I blistered more than a few deserving gapers and, uncharacteristic of me, flipped them all off as I went past. I know this does little to promote friends of motorcycling in the motor home community but they do little to help the rest of us feel good about them - mostly inconsiderate folk drive those things. One guy in a huge thing like a greyhound bus didn't like being flipped off I guess because he found the gas pedal after I went by and stayed on my ass along a long strait bit and then into some twisty bits. So, I have empirical evidence the damned things can go faster than most folk seem to want to make them go.
Al and I found a Motel-6 in Redding and set in for the night. Too hot to go do anything and we were whipped from the heat and struggle of the day. Slept well.
Next day, Tuesday, we found Rick Mayer's place and he customized my saddle for me. Turns out he owns a K1200S and my new saddle was built with that experience in mind. The guy is professional and knows his stuff and my saddle works just fine, eliminating the hot spots of the stock seat and adding some firmness. I scheduled myself to do the RT in September. From Rick's place we headed West on a little back road he suggested that connected with CA 36 that eventually got to the coast. The K1200S is new to me with less than 1500 miles on it that day and there was no traffic. I began to learn how to make it work.
Al and I have ridden Deal's Gap and 318 curves in 11 miles is a hoot but it is crowded and not all that safe, actually, given the hordes of riders and large vehicles that use it. The roads we were on this day were far superior - curves for a couple hundred miles for example, and almost no traffic. Me and the S were getting acquainted. Al has developed a bit of arthritis in his left hand and was in a bit of pain and going slow. I would pull over for him and we would rest a bit so he could get a little relief. In the end he just told me to go for the coast and he'd meet me there. We did meet for lunch in a place with 4 or 5 buildings in it though.
We shared a picnic table with an old timer, his wife, and grand daughter and conversed while we waited for our food. The old guy was a rider who was a member of one of those post WWII motorcycle clubs we are told about on the History channel. Kind of fun to listen to his stories about riding in the old days.
After that we made for the coast and Clam Bay campground. I mentioned how the S and me were getting on and I confess to a bit of over confidence. Descending a right hander at some speed I straightened the bike for a short bit and then, like a ski jump the road bed lifted, and I launched the S off that lip into the air. I know I said "OH SHIT" but didn't actually hear myself say it till the big bike landed and as if it was in control and went through the right hander and immediate left hander. I slowed down after that - a little, and pulled over by Hy 101 to wait for Al. When he pulled up we discussed the ride. He said his hand was real sore from all the shifting and he disclosed he was going so slow he got passed by a septic tank truck and that the bugs just bounced off his face shield. I love his humor.
Clam Bay Campground seemed populated by homeless folk. Nothing against that except when you have to park your expensive bike on broken wine bottles and where you can't supervise it. So, back to Eureka and a Motel-6. We could easily have camped and had a better experience however. The drunken toothless chick from 5 doors down who wanted to befriend Al is one small example. Neither of us slept well or for long and in the morning we headed North on the 101 with no plans.
Just into Oregon we decided to camp and catch up on sleep. By 2:00 we were established and just chilled for the rest of the day. Had a steak for dinner and I slept well. Al however, pitched his tent close to a couple who stayed up late drinking and who entertained people from town. I guess they went to bed very late and, as drunks do, snored loudly after they dropped off to sleep. Al has a sleep deficit now.
Riding on the 101 has been a relief from the intense heat we have experience inland on this trip. The 52 degree temps and the fog do make this day unbearable in the opposite direction. I get a chill and vow to head inland as soon as I see a road I recognize. In time we head for Roseburg, OR and I quit complaining about 80 degree heat. To give Al some clutch hand relief we head North to Eugene on the I-5 and then head West for Redmond. I pull into a commercial campground and we set up tents for the night, hoping Al can get some sleep. Turns out there are a couple pools full of hot water from a hot spring and we soak the cramps out in biker bliss. The heat is therapeutic for Al and we just unwind.
Late, after supper at a restaurant 10 miles down the road, we build a fire, drink coffee, and smoke cheap cigars late into the night. We both sleep soundly. I wake Al up at 0700 and we head for home through Redmond. I pull into the driveway about 4:00 p.m.
The ride I had planned was nothing like what we actually did - which was fine in the end. We travelled almost nothing but 2 lane twisty mountain roads and kept to short days in the saddle. Atypical for me and Al. It was fun and relaxing and that's what a road trip should be all about. On a down side, my K1200S is ill. It shifts badly - violently - from one gear to another, sometimes so forcefully I think the bike leaps off the road with each shift.
The diagnosis is vague - replace the clutch. No improvement. Replace the clutch basket. No improvement. Replace transmission. Moderate improvement. Bike traded off. Too bad, I really liked it.