Miss Behavin' in Sturgis

[Dooly]

How was that beast like to handle and manouvre at low speeds?

[RDJ]

How was that beast like to handle and manouvre at low speeds?

It's surprisingly easy - has a very low C of G and of course semi-auto transmission.

It's not a true canyon carver but going through Provo Canyon as well as through the Arizona mountains was pretty easy (bags of torque...). The only thing it does not do well is queue up in city traffic when the temperature 'outside' is in the 90s...; a watercooled V8 big block gets very hot in those cir\cumstances...

[RDJ]

Great trip and thanks for the report. Its a shame I didn't know you were going, I'd have suggested turning into the Rockies at Denver onto US265 then onto US160 which would have taken you over Wolf Creek Pass - 10,000 feet, then into Pueblo Indian cliff dwelling territory. Then onto Durango, Page and you are in the Canyonlands. South through Monument Valley or wander around first, you could spend a week in this vast area, it is majestic desert, canyons and rock spires.

Anyway I'm sure you know this and there is always another time.

That's a nice route, thanks for highlighting it; I had not really looked at that route this time due to time constraints but it's definitely one to look at for next time!

[Thunder 8]

The plan was to spend few days riding out from LA, maybe Bryce Canyon, maybe Monument Valley. But if I could get a few more days I could go via Sturgis - would be my first trip there.

So, landed on Wednesday night, picked up Miss B (my '01 502 ci V8 bike) Thursday and headed out via Nevada (Vegas), Utah (Provo), Wyoming (Laramie), then South Dakota (a night in Hill City and three in Rapid City). Rode the Black Hills 'circuit' with Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse etc. and spent one day seeing the bikes and other sights in Sturgis itself, before heading south to Arizona to Monument Valley, then back to Los Angeles again on the second Saturday (via Flagstaff). Lots of different weather - 118F in the deserts, 56F in the mountains!

Apparently the Sturgis numbers were down by about 30% from usual and while the roads were congested at times they never seemed to be jammed.

A few mechanical gremlins visited but did not stay too long. Biggest delay was 200 miles south of Sturgis, with a major electrical malfunction, fortunately fixable with basic tools and advice from the factory / dealer.

Lessons learned:

1. A phone can be even more useful than a toolkit.

2. I should put the rain gear on before I get wet.

3. Best mileage on my 502 is ~22mpg (worst mileage on my 502 is, actually, quite a bit less than 22... but who cares...)

4. To really stand out in Sturgis is quite simple - wear a full face helment and ATGATT!

5. With an 8.5 gallon main tank, 2.5 gallon reserve, and highway pegs, a man can ride clear across a state with only one stop.

6. Not sure who was more startled - the deer or me.

7. I really must invest in Loctite.

8. A V8 makes a great touring bike. Riding through Arizona / Wyoming, you have to downshift maybe twice an hour!

3302 miles. A great ride.

Howdy Rene hows it going.
You've just upset my day.Made me jealous as hell
That must have been an awesome trip,really enjoyed your pics and the bike looks mighty sweet.
Thanks for the great read.
Cheers AJ.

[RDJ]

Howdy Rene hows it going.
You've just upset my day.Made me jealous as hell
That must have been an awesome trip,really enjoyed your pics and the bike looks mighty sweet.
Thanks for the great read.
Cheers AJ.

Hiya AJ! yes it was a sweet ride. Which is why I am so conflicted about leaving the bike in LA v bringing it back to NZ... How's your V8 riding these days?

[Thunder 8]

Hiya AJ! yes it was a sweet ride. Which is why I am so conflicted about leaving the bike in LA v bringing it back to NZ... How's your V8 riding these days?

Yep its going real well having a lot of fun on it.Bigger motor is the next step tho i think.....getting power hungry heh heh.
No conflict i reckon Rene.Bring it back with ya.
All the best.
AJ.

[Winston001]

That's a nice route, thanks for highlighting it; I had not really looked at that route this time due to time constraints but it's definitely one to look at for next time!

The advantage of the route, which I discovered by accident 20 years ago, is that it is scenic, has bends, and avoids the interstate while still being a good road. Takes you through remote deserts and canyonland.

There is the red sand dunes National Park near Alamosa, then west over Wolf Creek Pass to Pueblo cliff dwellings, south to Ship Rock, Four Corners, west to Durango, then to the mesa above Mexican Hat from where you can decide to go south to the Canyon or north and west to Bryce, Glen, Capitol Reef, Goosenecks etc etc.

I'd go back in a heartbeat.

[Matt Bleck]

Great write up and cool pics, lovin that purple thing!

[avgas]

how come you have the miss behavin bike but not the helmet?
some nice wheels there - love the wagon too

[RDJ]

how come you have the miss behavin bike but not the helmet?
some nice wheels there - love the wagon too

I didn't know there was a Miss B helmet!

[chubby]

Thanks for the report and pics. That would have been a fantastic run. Good on you.

[avgas]

I didn't know there was a Miss B helmet!

This is what you want - but there are some better pics of it some where where it shows the back which sez "Miss Behavin' "

[RDJ]

This is what you want - but there are some better pics of it some where where it shows the back which sez "Miss Behavin' "

Thanks for the tip! but that helmet's a bit high profile compared to my discreet Shoei

[avgas]

Thanks for the tip! but that helmet's a bit high profile compared to my discreet Shoei

errr ok man riding 1 ton of supermarine spitfire muscle lol
Isn't that like Micheal Phelps trying to cover up the speedo logo on his banana hammock?
Nah but the Shoei will do you better anywho

[RDJ]

it's only about 1800 lbs with full fluids and luggage and me