miramiramira
02-23-2014, 01:47 PM
Left Lubbock TX, yesterday at 5am headed to Allen, TX, for the 3rd Annual DFW Defective Gene Pool "Ride to Eat" at Big Ray's Bar-B-Que. The DFW Defective Gene Pool is a group of IBR and long-distance riders. Seemed like a good reason to stretch the F6B’s legs. In the company of a R1200GSA and a R1150GS, we headed to Post where we picked up US 380 and headed east. Gas in Graham where I got 36.9mpg. Stopped in Jacksboro for a fine breakfast at the Village Inn. From there to Allen. It was fascinating to see all the long-distance rigs. The usual complement of Wings, FJR’s, Harley’s GS’s, and K’s but a surprising smattering of Triumphs (Trophy’s and Tigers). No interest in the F6B :-( I guess it wasn’t rigged up enough. Filled up in Allen and got 39mpg. Big Ray’s BBQ is supposed to be excellent but we weren’t that far from breakfast so we headed to Denton for lunch. Mazatlán on 380 is a fine fine texmex restaurant. We split off from 380 in Jacksboro and took TX 114 the rest of the way home. Last fill-up in Seymour and 38.7mpg. Made it back to Lubbock around 8:30pm. 711 miles total. 36 degrees in the morning, 78 degrees in the afternoon.
What a bike! We ran 80+mph where we could and it was stable and comfortable. I cracked 100 at one point. Traffic east of Bridgeport was brutal but the bike handled that with aplomb. Not many bikes in the world that are as happy at 5mph as they are at the ton. It hung with the GS’s like there was nothing to it. Passing, big sweepers, steady long miles, hard braking, it didn’t matter. This is a supremely confidence inspiring motorcycle.
Conclusions:
(1) The windshield has got to go! I’m thinking an 11” Cee Baileys might do the trick.
(2) you can actually hear the sound system at 85mph with full face helmet and ear plugs. Still, it’s time to start figuring out how to bring the sound inside the helmet.
(3) I should have remembered to rob the crampbuster off my R90.
(4) Heated grips are the best. But the switch could be in a better place.
(5) Aerostich electric vest with thermostat is a winner.
(6) Sidi On Road boots are fantastic. They have managed everything ever thrown at them. From Texas border 117 degrees to Million Dollar Highway 26 degrees and heavy snow.
(7) Rev’it H20 gloves suck. I might as well wear pantyhose on my hands.
(8) I started counting the years I’ve patronized Mazatlán—I think they opened in 1978 so that would mean they have been feeding me for 36 years! I also realized that I used to go there on my first bike, a red Honda CB450. Now, here I show up on a red Honda F6B. That’s quite a circle.
(9) there is a reason I live west of the 98th Meridian.
What a bike! We ran 80+mph where we could and it was stable and comfortable. I cracked 100 at one point. Traffic east of Bridgeport was brutal but the bike handled that with aplomb. Not many bikes in the world that are as happy at 5mph as they are at the ton. It hung with the GS’s like there was nothing to it. Passing, big sweepers, steady long miles, hard braking, it didn’t matter. This is a supremely confidence inspiring motorcycle.
Conclusions:
(1) The windshield has got to go! I’m thinking an 11” Cee Baileys might do the trick.
(2) you can actually hear the sound system at 85mph with full face helmet and ear plugs. Still, it’s time to start figuring out how to bring the sound inside the helmet.
(3) I should have remembered to rob the crampbuster off my R90.
(4) Heated grips are the best. But the switch could be in a better place.
(5) Aerostich electric vest with thermostat is a winner.
(6) Sidi On Road boots are fantastic. They have managed everything ever thrown at them. From Texas border 117 degrees to Million Dollar Highway 26 degrees and heavy snow.
(7) Rev’it H20 gloves suck. I might as well wear pantyhose on my hands.
(8) I started counting the years I’ve patronized Mazatlán—I think they opened in 1978 so that would mean they have been feeding me for 36 years! I also realized that I used to go there on my first bike, a red Honda CB450. Now, here I show up on a red Honda F6B. That’s quite a circle.
(9) there is a reason I live west of the 98th Meridian.