To get more details read up here --> https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1770779

The Bike

We ended up with a Sportster 1200, which had plenty of power for 2 up riding. The torque was nice and low and being accustomed to a twin I never felt like I was missing out on winding it out just to have some fun. I found that the seating position was much more comfortable than any sportbike I've ever been on but the seat got uncomfortable on the 6 hour day trip, like pretty much anything that's not a Corbin. My portly *** plus my buck-10 wife was more than the rear shock could handle on some of the bumpier roads. We bottomed out a few times, which I'm sure didn't add to the comfort level of the day.

Amusingly enough the guy that "checked out" the bike before we left said such a small bike would be uncomfortable for two people. I told him that it would be a vacation compared to a day trip on a sportbike. His response to that was "oh this is gonna be a lot more than what you're used to, it's fully loaded." Every time we stopped there were Harley people just hanging around and they'd end up asking us about the bike and whatnot. I figured they were being friendly until I let it slip a few times that I owned a sportbike. I was surprised that the converstaion really almost ended at that point, as if I was invading their world. I honestly didn't want to believe it but the second or third time it happened I was forced to see the reality of it. I just laughed and realized that every misconception I thought I had about Harley people is in fact true.

I didn't like that the range was a mere 100 miles, but I guess that's expected with a smaller tank. No windshield and no full face helmet meant I was eating bugs at 70mph for the highway section. I also managed to get some sunburn on my face because of the open helmet, I don't know why those guys wear them. The bonus part of the trip, however, was that they route map they gave us actually had "Red Light Entertainment" marked on it. Evidently they get some characters on the rentals looking for a good time.

The Trip

We left Vegas in the morning and hit Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam on a ~200(?) mile loop. The high for the day was 75°, the wind was cool and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I know the whole humidity thing is cliche but 75° there is an assload better than 75° on the east coast. At some points it was actually a bit chilly at higher speeds in the higher elevations.

There was a decent portion of the trip that we were the only people for miles and the roads were amazingly well paved. There was one section that was somewhat bumpy any normal bike wouldn't have had a problem. We actually had a few miles of dirt because the road wasn't finished (!?) but we had no problems navigating it around 35 mph.

The Valley of Fire was cool, almost felt like you were riding on Mars. There were miles and miles of twisty roads with imposing cliffs and rock formations all around you with not a hint of civilization in sight... that was definitely the best part. Lake Mead was hoohum and the Hoover Dam was okay. I have respect for the engineering marvel and the men who do it but I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone other than to say you were there. We stopped by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on our way out and actually saw a bike school taking place. Talk about low danger when the only thing you can hit is a portapotty.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something... oh well. Enjoy.

The Pictures























P.S. - In-N-Out Burger is overrated. Five Guys > *


Modified by Apocalypse at 12:25 PM 10/9/2006

 

Nice, thanks for sharing even if it is a Harley

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"></TD></TR></TABLE>

Hey I took a picture like that a few months back, I think mine turned out a little better



Good write up, looks like it was a good time!

 

Yeah but you lose points for riding 2up with another guy.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah but you lose points for riding 2up with another guy. </TD></TR></TABLE>

It was my dad, ***!

 

That's right... your junk was touching your dad's ***. Incest loses double points!

 

Now we know what you think about during the day.

 

Thanks for sharing the write up and photos.

 

Nice writeup, Derecola.

 

squid

looks like you two had a good time out there. kinda interesting about the temperature though. i woulda thought it would be (feel) hotter

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

P.S. - In-N-Out Burger is overrated. Five Guys &gt; *


Modified by Apocalypse at 12:25 PM 10/9/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>


did you try the fries or burger animal style? Order anything off the menu like a 3x3, 4x4 etc?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by evil vapor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


did you try the fries or burger animal style? Order anything off the menu like a 3x3, 4x4 etc?</TD></TR></TABLE>

How the **** am I sposed to know about stuff like this? If it ain't on the menu it doesn't count. In any event, the actual burger (meat) itself is much better at a similar (same style, small menu, etc) mid-atlantic burger joint, Five Guys.

Along those lines... my wife just ate fries because she doesn't like beef. I just looked it up and evidently there is a Grilled Cheese.

http://www.zenlemur.com/innout.shtml

 

nice write up

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by evil vapor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">did you try the fries or burger animal style? Order anything off the menu like a 3x3, 4x4 etc?</TD></TR></TABLE>

i have and i agree - Five Guys &gt; *

 

In N Out is only good if you get a 10x10 and well-done fries.

Looks like a great time Apoc! You still flossin' bug guts out of your teeth?

 

Nice pictures, looks like it was a great trip.

Sucks they gave you a sportster, I haven't heard many good things about them. When I took the MSF there were two girls in my class that worked at a Harley dealer. They said that the bike was horribly balanced and that a lot of customers who bought one complained about it, or traded them in for a "real harley."

 

Nice write up, makes me want to go out to Vegas with my father and rent a couple of bikes.

I see so many Harley riders around here and about 90% arent even wearing a helmet. Where I am always wearing my full helmet and Alpinestar gloves. I feel like an oddball out sometimes.

Why didnt you bring your helmet if you have one?

 

Closer pics of the wife please

 

This is why an ST1300 ABS looks better to me everyday

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cabby89 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why didnt you bring your helmet if you have one?</TD></TR></TABLE>

To be honest, I didn't want to check them. I knew they wouldn't fit in a carry-on and I didn't trust baggage handlers not to damage it (internally) by crushing it with another bag. Why I didn't bring my gloves or boots, I'm not really sure. I think I just blanked on the whole gear thing, which is very unlike me.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The_Head &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Closer pics of the wife please </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm gonna have to go ahead and deny that request.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm gonna have to go ahead and deny that request.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Damn it Jim! /Dr. Mccoy

 

I can be bought though.