Amazed: 5 Days, 2k Miles

Just rode my "new" '96 Gen 4 1,957 miles in five days hitting 8 states; OH, WV, VA, NC, TN, AR,MS& KY. Actually did it in 3.5 days, an afternoon startf and a full day of rest in memphis. I was sooo impressed with the machine in regards to engine performance comfort and handling. Had a new set of roadsmarts installed and was not disappointed considering at least 1/4 of the trip was in rain or wet roads. Long day was 750 mi. I can't even complain about the stock seat. Makes me wonder what a Gen 5 might be like..

Sounds like you had a great trip! Be sure to check out the charging system real good on that 4th gen if you haven't already. You obviously made it 2K with no issues (that you mentioned) but these are notorious for crapping out on you when you least expect it.

Chuck

Sounds like we had very similar trips. On Sept. 11th, I found myself with an extra week off and nowhere to go. As you can imagine, that didn't last long. Wife and kids were busy with work/school so I threw on my bags and headed west out of Colorado to UT, AZ, NV, CA. back to AZ, NM, and home to CO. I was showing 1858 miles when I rolled back into my garage five days later. I also wound up in rain gear for part of three days. My longest day was the first day with 710 miles. My schedule and routes usually involve a long day up front followed by additional 300 - 400 mile days dawdling around here and there. I prefer that to dawdling first followed by having to bust it back on the last day. That's no way to finish up a ride. I have had my '97 for 9 years now and I'm always impressed with the fact that all I have to do is load up and hit the road with absolutely zero concern with not making it back home due to a mechanical failure. This thing feels like it was built for me personally. I had a Corbin seat but quickly went back to the stocker as it seems better for me. Unfortunately, I have to inform you that after your ride on your "new" VFR, you are officially hooked and there is no cure.

I had a 4th gen for 27K miles and did did multiple forays into WV, KY, TN VA, NC and elsewhere. Never had a beat of problem except one replacement of the R/R. That was all. That carbed long stroke engine was a sweet one for the long road.

I just did a 13-day, 5680 mile trip to the west coast on my 93. Left Saint Louis August 31st and got back the evening of the 12th of Sept. Tons of pics...here's one of my 93 and one of my buddies from Portland, overlooking Mt. Hood:

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

The bike ran like a top. Came back thru Beartooth Pass (US 212 in southern MT into WY) and Cheif Joeseph pass. Highly recommended!

Leaving tomorrow for Eureka Springs, Arkansas and 1000 miles of riding, then in a few weeks, Georgia and Tennessee!

btl68, I noticed your extra fuel strapped on in the above pic. I picked up a 2 gal can myself that fit perfectly into my saddle bags on my trip last week. There were several long stretches with no services and since I hadn't ridden that route, I didn't care to walk any of it either. I never did use it but it was a nice feeling to know that if I sputtered to a stop, I could dump in two gallons and run another 80 miles.

Yes, that can goes with me on western trips. I did a stretch from Winnemucca, NV to Lakeview, OR and it ended up being 220 miles with no guarantee of gas. Luckily, there was gas, ONE small two-pumper station about 100 miles in. If it was out of gas, closed or whatnot, I'd been out of luck EVEN WITH the can!!!

You just never know...lol

Stick with the 4th Gen.... it all went downhill from there... :tour:


now where is my FLAME suit.... hehehehehe


NACA's are the best!

[image: View Post]btl68, on 23 September 2011 - 01:22 AM, said:

Yes, that can goes with me on western trips. I did a stretch from Winnemucca, NV to Lakeview, OR and it ended up being 220 miles with no guarantee of gas.

That is the worst stretch of road I've EVER RIDDEN in my 50,000 miles of riding. I cant believe how boring, straight, and lonely that area is. The second I left Winnemucca, and headed north/northwest, we took a cutoff, and headed off onto a lonely 2 lane highway, rumble strips down the center and on the sides to keep you awake... can you say road hypnosis? I'd never experienced it until this stretch of road. And yes, easily that far without gas, even when I did stop at good ol' "sinclair" gas (worst fuel I've ever had) the bike pinged like it wanted to EXPLODE until i filled with something else. I was on a 2005 BMW F650 Dakar at the time.

To the original poster, sounds great. I just picked up a '94 with 24k miles. Runs and looks like shes brand spankin new. Love the bike, just dont like the reach. I have the beer belly and with being 5'8", its a decent reach for me. I'm going to look into ways to bring those bars up and back.

[image: View Post]MotoPhotog, on 29 September 2011 - 11:57 AM, said:

[image: View Post]btl68, on 23 September 2011 - 01:22 AM, said:

Yes, that can goes with me on western trips. I did a stretch from Winnemucca, NV to Lakeview, OR and it ended up being 220 miles with no guarantee of gas.

That is the worst stretch of road I've EVER RIDDEN in my 50,000 miles of riding. I cant believe how boring, straight, and lonely that area is. The second I left Winnemucca, and headed north/northwest, we took a cutoff, and headed off onto a lonely 2 lane highway, rumble strips down the center and on the sides to keep you awake... can you say road hypnosis? I'd never experienced it until this stretch of road. And yes, easily that far without gas, even when I did stop at good ol' "sinclair" gas (worst fuel I've ever had) the bike pinged like it wanted to EXPLODE until i filled with something else. I was on a 2005 BMW F650 Dakar at the time.

Not the worst I have ever seen, as there were NO cops for 220 miles and running 100-110 mph for miles was fun, for a change. lol...

This is the road at the turn-off...

[image: Posted Image]

at any point in the trip did you think about gearing for the highway? im thinking about pulling the trigger on a +1 front but i know its not necessary.

[image: View Post]btl68, on 30 September 2011 - 01:54 AM, said:

[image: View Post]MotoPhotog, on 29 September 2011 - 11:57 AM, said:

[image: View Post]btl68, on 23 September 2011 - 01:22 AM, said:

Yes, that can goes with me on western trips. I did a stretch from Winnemucca, NV to Lakeview, OR and it ended up being 220 miles with no guarantee of gas.

That is the worst stretch of road I've EVER RIDDEN in my 50,000 miles of riding. I cant believe how boring, straight, and lonely that area is. The second I left Winnemucca, and headed north/northwest, we took a cutoff, and headed off onto a lonely 2 lane highway, rumble strips down the center and on the sides to keep you awake... can you say road hypnosis? I'd never experienced it until this stretch of road. And yes, easily that far without gas, even when I did stop at good ol' "sinclair" gas (worst fuel I've ever had) the bike pinged like it wanted to EXPLODE until i filled with something else. I was on a 2005 BMW F650 Dakar at the time.

Not the worst I have ever seen, as there were NO cops for 220 miles and running 100-110 mph for miles was fun, for a change. lol...

This is the road at the turn-off...

[image: Posted Image]


I have been on that strech of road, it is possibly the lonliest hwy in America, NOT HWY 50 across NV that is no longer valid. You have to do it at sundown or sun up though as the desert is amazing when the sky is on fire.


[image: index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=253] Fiery apparition the nextThe longer we stayed the more spectacular it got Album: Laguna Seca Uploaded 01 Aug 2007 - 12:55


[image: index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=253] Typical rainstorm one minute Album: Laguna Seca Uploaded 01 Aug 2007 - 12:54


[image: index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=253] Even the moon made an apperance Album: Laguna Seca Uploaded 01 Aug 2007 - 12:53


[image: index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=253] Sunsets and rainbows Album: Laguna Seca Uploaded 01 Aug 2007 - 12:52


[image: index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=253] Not many on this road Album: Laguna Seca Uploaded 01 Aug 2007 - 12:51


[image: index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=253] Dan and I were treated to a spectacular desert sunsethwy 140 on the OR NV border Album: Laguna Seca Uploaded 01 Aug 2007 - 12:50


My riding buddy was on a gixxer and ran out of gas 45 miles from Winnamucca - we were heading south east - so I had to go and get gas and bring it back.

Teach you to ride with the enemy...hehe

Beautiful pics!