I would like to know of good roads to ride in the area.
Here is a start.
PLEASE add more.
HWY 15 from Hutchinson to Dassel. This road passes by many small lakes and farm fields. There are lots of curves with 30 to 35 mph posted. (more than 2x posted is fun) This is a two lane road (one each way) and I never leave my lane. A long stretch with no stops. I have rarely seen a car on the road. The visibility of the corners and beyond is great BEFORE the corn gets too high. One curve has a bump, but I can't think of exactly where it is. This is roughly 15 miles.
HWY 40 and 6 From Chaska to Henderson This route follows the Minnesota River on the north side. Not much traffic. Another two lane road. Some nice scenery and curves. There are a few intersections with stop signs. There are many roads off of this that have nice curves and good road surfaces.
I have a whole bunch of routes through southeastern Minnesota done with Microsoft Mapoint. I don't know if Microsoft streets and trips would open them, I know Mapoint can open a streets and trips file. I'll see if I can find out.
There are alot of good roads through the forests in southeast Minnesota.
It starts up near Taylors Falls and ends in/near Redwing. The only exception to that route is when you reach downtown Afton continue to go south on Saint Croix Trail instead of heading out to Manning (HWY 95).
On summer days the northern part of this route (stillwater and north) can get fairly heavy with traffic. But the southern part is nice. 2 lanes all the way if I remeber correctly.
Once you're on the WI side of the border watch your speeds the road is really nice and curvy and the vfr likes to cruise well above posted.
Enjoy. Maybe I'll see you on this route this summer! I ride it often. :thumbsup:
charlindy, Apr 10 2005, 03:25 PMHWY 40 and 6 From Chaska to Henderson This route follows the Minnesota River on the north side. Not much traffic. Another two lane road. Some nice scenery and curves. There are a few intersections with stop signs. There are many roads off of this that have nice curves and good road surfaces.
Just wanted to post an update here. I tried this route yesterday and thought it was a great ride! :thumbsup:
A lot of twisties like you said and the road conditions where great! Very light traffic. My only complaint, save 2 or 3 goldwings, I must have been the ONLY japanese bike on the road! :wheel:
I don't get out to the west side all that often. It took me almost an hour to get to Chaska but after that the ride was great! :beer:
It's about an hour or so away, but I almost always head for Wisconsin,...cross the river in Owatonna or Redwing and there are some great roads. I don't know which ones from memory, but it seems like you can't go wrong over there.
I grew up in Glencoe, about 14 miles from Hutchinson, so I guess I've seen enough of that area. (and I don't remember any twisty roads???)
[quote=charlindy,Apr 10 2005, 08:25 PM] I would like to know of good roads to ride in the area.
There are lots of great roads in SW Wisconsin and some good ones in SE Minnesota. For the most part they are in the bluff, hill, and valley country on each side of the Mississippi River.
I put in about 250 miles of twisties yesterday in Wisconsin. The area South of Highway 10 and East of the Mississippi River is full of good roads. It take about an hour to get to them from the MSP metro area. There are also some great roads South of I 90 between La Crosse and Reedsburg. If you get down that far, County P may be the best road in this part of the country.
There is a local sport bike "list" (Yahoo group) at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/MN-Sportbike/messages Check it out. We all wear full gear and follow the PACE. Some HSTA and other group rides, lots of people forming up small groups based on riding style and ability.
johne, Apr 18 2005, 02:53 PMIt's about an hour or so away, but I almost always head for Wisconsin,...cross the river in Owatonna or Redwing and there are some great roads. I don't know which ones from memory, but it seems like you can't go wrong over there.
I grew up in Glencoe, about 14 miles from Hutchinson, so I guess I've seen enough of that area. (and I don't remember any twisty roads???)
Keep the routes coming though,.... :beer:
Hi John,
I can't say that any Minnesota roads are "twisty".
I like the road out of Hutchinson because of a lack of traffic, people and flashing blue\red lights. The road surface, visibilty and, for the most part, the scenery is good. Ideally the straights would be shorter, but what can I do?
Besides, corn fields are a pretty good place to land if you fall off the road. Look what I can do. (that was a long time ago, and I don't want to do it again)
I like Wisconsin roads but I was hoping to find some decent ones closer to home.
The north shore area is great but takes a weekend.
I will be trying southeast MN in a couple weeks, after my new tires get here and I stick them on the bike.
There are lots of great roads in SW Wisconsin and some good ones in SE Minnesota. For the most part they are in the bluff, hill, and valley country on each side of the Mississippi River.
I put in about 250 miles of twisties yesterday in Wisconsin. The area South of Highway 10 and East of the Mississippi River is full of good roads. It take about an hour to get to them from the MSP metro area. There are also some great roads South of I 90 between La Crosse and Reedsburg. If you get down that far, County P may be the best road in this part of the country.
There is a local sport bike "list" (Yahoo group) at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/MN-Sportbike/messages Check it out. We all wear full gear and follow the PACE. Some HSTA and other group rides, lots of people forming up small groups based on riding style and ability.
Come on out and play.
Mark Eden Prairie
What is the law enforcement like in that area? Is it residential or not? (I don't like to piss off the locals) Why can't Wisconsin use numbers or names for roads like everyone else?
charlindy, Apr 26 2005, 02:59 PMWhat is the law enforcement like in that area? Is it residential or not? (I don't like to piss off the locals) Why can't Wisconsin use numbers or names for roads like everyone else?
Thanks for the info.
I've had good luck with law in taht area,...weekdays are better obviuosly if you can do it.
Do any of you Minnesota riders do the first Thursday at Dulanos? Blind Lizard?
wurm, Apr 26 2005, 05:51 PMI've never heard of either of them. But I am always up for something new.
The first Thursday of every month people gather in and around the Dulanos pizza parking lot in uptown, a block off Lake St. and Lyndale. You see some pretty interesting stuff, vintage Ducatis, old Brit cafe racers, new MV's, Boss Hoss's, Lambreta scooters, home built Briggs and Stratton choppers, 80's Jap cruisers with milk crates, Harley flat trackers, blinged out sport bikes, you name it,...it will probably be there. There is a security gaurd and that's about it as far as "the man" is concerned. Probably 200ish bikes show up. Things get rollin about 5:00. Check it out,...you'll find something you like.
The Blind Lizard rally is on Nicollet Island,...don't know the exact day yet, but I think it's in June? Similar to first Thursday, but a harder core group of riders, a little more eccentric, less new bikes.
Oh, then there's the first Sunday in October (I think) at Roy's repair (couple blocks from Moto Primo Mpls) They block off the street and let people do burnouts, wheelies, stoppies, etc. It's pretty crazy and Roy usually gets his old KZ1000 out to burn through some tires. There's a group of guys with drag CBX's that usually show and last time I was there a kid with a Duc 916 was putting on a phenominal wheelie display wearing jeans and high school lettermans jacket. And of course some guy usually crashes and knocks over a row of bikes (park a block away!)
My name is Kevin V. I just discovered the VFR discussion site today. Based on your post about places to ride, I noticed you are in the western suburbs of Minneapolis.
I live in Minnetonka and have definitely explored most of the nearby backroads west of 494, so let me know if you are still looking for routes that are relatively close by.
I also noticed your comments on some tuning adjustments you've made to your bike. I've experienced some similar symptoms. Do you know if the modifications would apply to a 1999 VFR?
Look forward to your reply.
Kevin V.
Hi Kevin,
Welcome to the group.
I live near Excelsior, practically next door.
I have been on many roads west of 494. But I'm sure I've missed plenty and always like to find new ones so POST AWAY.
It looks like there are a few VFR riders around here. We should try to get together for a ride sometime when it gets warm again. I have new tires on order and would be up for some recreational riding after I put them on. (I commute 60 miles round trip on 101 daily on the bike. The rear is down to the wear bars, the front is extreemly cupped and I don't want to see the cords before my new tires show up)
As far as tuning goes, I'm just experimenting (with limited success so far) with suggestions I have found here. I did order a Carbtune and plan to to the SV synch at the same time I change tires.
I have no idea what our bikes have in common as far as tuning and modifying.
This is a good place to ask questions.
Charlie
Silver, CW fender eliminator and all dressed in black. No power ranger costumes on me
If you guys ever want to get together for a ride you can count me in. I'm on the east side of the cities but I commute from Woodbury to Plymouth every day on the bike, so am fairly familiar with your side of the world as well. The VFR said 28 Deg F when I rolled out of the driveway this morning!
Charlindy: I'd be interested in finding out the results of your SV Sync if you do it.
Ride safe and stay warm, Jim
Asphalt, No Fender eliminator. Gota love the power rangers. (Sorry, I could not resist)
charlindy, Apr 26 2005, 02:59 PMWhat is the law enforcement like in that area? Is it residential or not? (I don't like to piss off the locals) Why can't Wisconsin use numbers or names for roads like everyone else?
Thanks for the info.
SW Wisconsin is nothing but rural. I don't care what they call their roads just as long as they're relatively smooth, twisty, and for the most part deserted on Saturdays and Sundays. Because of the hills, they pave the county roads. Flat Minnesota county roads are gravel - not good for sport riding. Get a bicycle map of Western Wisconsin. There are lots of good routes posted on the site I listed before. Check it out. We ride for the corners and do not wick it up on the straights. "25 mph corners" at 55 are better than triple digit straights. If you agree with that then come out and join the group :thumbsup:
Hey everyone - I'm up in the north suburbs (Coon Rapids), and am always looking to ride!
One of my favorites is Hwy 60 down in Wabasha, cross the river and take Hwy 35 north to Prescott, then catch 23 north from there, through Afton, up to 494, or farther if you want.
My dad (goldwing rider) and I did a trip down to Prairie du Chen in southwest WI last year, and I have to say - once you get into the southern part of Wisconsin, everything changes - more hills and twisties - not so many straights/corn fields. We took 35 the whole way down, but the way home, we took every random road that was pointing in the general direction we needed to go. It took all day to get back, but was well worth it. I'm looking forward to another weekend trip down there to explore some more.
wurm, Apr 28 2005, 02:59 PM Charlindy: I'd be interested in finding out the results of your SV Sync if you do it.
Ride safe and stay warm, Jim
Asphalt, No Fender eliminator. Gota love the power rangers. (Sorry, I could not resist)
I did the starter valve sync this weekend. THANKS TO SLAMMER FOR THE GREAT INSTRUCTIONS. The SV's were pretty far out. I set them flat. I also installed a K&N air filter, new tires, switched the oxygen sensors back to the original setup (black to black and white to white), set the idle rpm to 1300 and did the 8000 mile service.
I got out for a short ride today (40 miles) to scrub in the new tires. The bike is now running and feeling better than it ever has. I know that to do a test I should only make one change at a time but I only care about getting it running right. I don't care about trying to settle any arguments around here about how to fix the problems with this bike that some do not think exist. So, this bike is now behaving very well. I can just barely feel the 4000 rpm "lean down". The low speed/low throttle jerkiness is not noticeable. I still need to get out on a freeway and see if I can hold a steady speed.
I will need to get some hose barb to hose barb fittings before I do the sync again. The carbtune comes with hose barb to thread fittings that don't work very well hooking up to the hoses on the VFR.
Now I am ready for some fun riding. It would be nice if the weather improved.
End of thread · 16 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 20 May 2005