VFR Discussion Group -> Talamena ride

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the HSTA Talamena ride this last weekend.

Here are some pictures my dad took (I forgot the memory card for my camera <_< ) during the HSTA Talamena ride this last weekend. It was a great ride with great roads and great weather (and some interesting people).

My VFR and my dad's K1200LT at the Limetree (slimetree) motel in Mena, Arkansas.
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Bikes at a gas station in Story, Arkansas.
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Blood on a sidewalk from a turkey being weighed made for a great crime scene picture.
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I was reluctant to take a picture with 4 gorillas at first, but now I'm glad I did.
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Lunch stop on Saturday at Petit Jean park.

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Getting fuel on the amazing Highway 7 in Arkansas.

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This is what my rear tire looked like 120 miles from home. NO GOOD. I was extremely lucky. I made it all the way, but when I pulled under my carport and looked at the tire, I could hear air leaking from the cord that was showing on 1/4 of the tire!

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Cool moved to feature

Nice ride and pics!

What tire did you have on the VFR and what milage did you get out of it before it went south on you?

It had a Dunlop D204. I only got around 3500 miles out of it, but I only put 1000 on myself. The guy I bought the bike from obviously did a lot of hard straight line accelerating and probably burnouts, and NO leaning at all. The tires weren't even scuffed in like 2 inches from the edge. Overall I was happy with the tires though, I plan on putting another D204 on the rear. Maybe I can get 5000 or so out of it this time.

sooner02r1, Apr 12 2005, 12:24 AM Overall I was happy with the tires though, I plan on putting another D204 on the rear.  Maybe I can get 5000 or so out of it this time.

My bike came with 204's. I got 4200 miles out of my rear. The front had a lot left to give as far as tread depth, but it was cupping pretty bad. I changed it out when I changed the rear. I put Metzeler Z-6's on both ends. They are stickier than the 204's. Only time will tell how long they last.

Mmm Arkansas :thumbsup: . I cant wait to go back this summer. What is your favorite road? Mine would be Push Mountian or Hwy14 from Mtn View to Yellville.

Nice pics. Lucky on the tire though!

Wonderful pictures and ride. We just got more snow today - so - pics and posts like this keep me hoping the "warm" weather will come soon. :blink:

That's so funny, I've got a vfr800A 2004 and my dad also has a 1200LT (2001), it's a pretty hefty bike !

Great story and pics. Wish I coulda rode with my Dad. I hope you savor those moments ! This post made me feel good - Thanks.

isn't that a nice ride. we have a small group going up there this saturday (from dallas area). how are the roads on the arkansas side? i heard there was a little gravel from queen wilhelmena to mena.

gw.

garydogwood, Apr 21 2005, 09:37 PMisn't that a nice ride.  we have a small group going up there this saturday (from dallas area).  how are the roads on the arkansas side?  i heard there was a little gravel from queen wilhelmena to mena. 

gw.

You heard right. Be CAREFUL on the awesome tight stuff just a few miles from the end of the drive (my favorite spot) on the Arkansas side. I almost fell down going into the first awesome turn. The whole Arkansas side is crappy. The Oklahoma side is outstanding though. Watch out for wildlife for sure! I saw several deer, rabbits, a skunk, and probably some other stuff I don't remember; in fact, one of my dad's buddies hit a deer on the drive one night when we were up there. He wasn't hurt and didn't even fall down, but the bike was in pretty bad shape. You guys have a great time, wish I was going back this weekend too!

wow, i'm home. 525 miles round trip. we took the talimena drive from mena to avoid hitting the gravel on the downhills. actually wasn't too bad; guess it is getting washed off by now. when we got to the end we turned around and rode it back towards mena but took 259 exit. the first 10 or so miles of that was awsome (high speed sweepers). there is one section where you can keep leaning it over in a controlled manner to get stuff dragging (or to COMPLETLELY scrub your tires).
only saw one LEO the whole day. god bless america (at least oklahoma and arkansas).

gw.

[quote=sooner02r1,Apr 12 2005, 07:31 AM]
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the HSTA Talamena ride this last weekend.

I'm going to have to try to make that HSTA Rally next year. I'm going to try to make The Texas Hill Country Rally in November.

-Daryl

Daryl,
Grrrreeaat pics of one of the finest rides anywhere. I lived in Arkansas for six years primarily for the roads. The Talamena was my favorite. My last ride on the VFR was there in 2001 and I miss it. I shipped the Viffer to Idaho and rode the ST1100 out here, and now (when it's not snowing) I ride my other favorites: Beartooth Pass, Monitor, Sonora, etc. But Talamena holds her own mile for mile with any stretch in the land.
When you go back, might I recommend hwy 125? Pick it up just north of Springfield, MO and ride south to AR. You'll have to wait for a ferry to cross the border, but the ride will really keep you busy. From there I can recommend more, but anyone with a VFR and a map can't miss.
Thanks again for the post.
Ride safe.
Morider