redfjniner

Here are two maps; one of the planned ride and one of the actual ride. Plan was 13 days, 4200 miles, ended with 11 days, 3875 miles. We left a day late to avoid riding in the rain all day, and we rode directly to day 2 motel, cutting out about 300 miles. We concluded by riding extra miles per day to make it home in two days rather than three. Changes were made on the fly, like: avoiding Ely because it was snowing there, avoiding the North Rim because it was snowing there, avoiding South Rim because it was raining there, avoiding rain snow mix on US 191, avoiding Colorado because of snow and rain almost everywhere. Although we missed the storms in Colorado, we did ride 1/3 of the day in Utah in rain, but we dried out on the go before Hanksville. I believe that the ride is more important than the destination when you ride a motorcycle and need to adjust on the go to avoid making the trip suck. This is just one example, I'm sure you have one too.

Ride to Arizona from Vancouver Washington South of Gerlach, Nevada We started by dropping one day and 330 miles to avoid riding in the rain all day but end the next day riding in the rain in, no less, Northern California. From the Oregon border to Cedarville we encountered rain in spots and then 5 miles of wet gravel as they were repaving CA299 by using the old asphalt and base as the new base for the new asphalt. We stopped in Alturas for an early dinner to warm up and then we proceeded to receive snow going over the pass to Cedarville in 39 degree temperatures. This is May in CA for Gods sake. We went on to make it to Tonopah, NV, then Kanab, UT in relatively dry weather, but with 20-30 mph winds and temps not over 50 degrees. Travel from Tonopah to Utah had us riding through 4-5 valleys between mountains, each being 12 - 20 miles across, and the road was alway straight. Met a friend in Kanab and continued to Jerome, AZ. All was good, but we were making time to avoid rain at the Tower on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and leaving as the rain started, but leaving it as we returned to the East. After landing in Jerome, we were greeted with a major down pour. The winds on AZ64 were 20-40 mph and temps were in the low 40's at the Tower. It made for a fun ride only because we were beating the rain. This is May in AZ for God's sake. After looking at Arizona Highways by Kathleen Kemsley and noting the first sentence, “April in the Southwest means perfect temperatures and sunny days, riding in a mesh jacket and Kevlar-lined jeans.” We were in AZ riding in winter jackets, long underwear and rain pants in May just a couple weeks later. We made it to Clifton, AZ the next day, dry and sunny most of the way, but temps still only in the 50's. This was followed by the best weather so far on this trip with a ride to Albuquerque the next day. We skipped US191 due to rain, and snow in Alpine and rode NM78 and US180 going North. NM117 presented a very pleasant surprise with the El Malpais Nat. Monument, and most of the roads having very good pavement. Albuquerque to Chama took us on many NM back roads, stopping at Los Alamos to visit the Museum, then breezing through Taos and finished the ride in a totally perfect new snow covered Carson Nat. Forest with temps in the high 30's. Dropping in elevation to Chama it was still partially wet from the night before but it wasn't raining when we got there. We changed our route form going across Colorado because they were calling for snow in Lake City about the time we were to be there and ended the day going to Hanksville, UT by way of Farmington, NM and Mexican Water, AZ. We started the ride in rain gear for the morning 40 degree weather and finished the ride in strong winds, cold temperatures and rain from Natural Bridges to past Lake Powell's canyon. The day was saved by an outstanding dinner at Duke's Slickrock Grill in Hanksville. We passed through Capital Reef Nat. Park (free) and took the senic view drive, a must do. We carried on to Oden, UT, and Jordan Valley, OR with nice weather and temps in the low 50's, but found it very enjoyable because we were wearing long underwear in May. We altered our route after reaching Jordan Valley and went on to Burns for the night and riding on to our homes in Portland, Vancouver area the next day, with the warmest temps on the trip, ending arriving home at 73 degrees. Because we were like horses heading to the barn, we shorten the days by one getting home. Total days was 11. With all the changes in plans, threat of rain, snow, low temperatures and bad weather, this ride still ranks up near the top of multiple day rides for being one of the best. Of course, having good riding buddies is half the battle, and weather isn't near as bad when you have good rain gear which also helps keep you warm when used as a wind break, especially when the wind is coming from the sides at 30 mph. The ride to Hanksville, UT was one of my most exciting and visually rewarding rides, as it rained sideways and the sun peaked through the clouds, here and there, the wet rocks were vibrant as I have never seen them before, the wind wanted to blow you off the bike, and our visors needed to be cracked open to keep them from fogging up thereby causing droplets inside and out. I will never forget it and do not want to do it again in those conditions. We ended with 4,017 miles. Longest days were 517 miles and 411 miles, and most were around 350 miles.

Did 11,000 in the last two month, Now showing 85,350 miles. Pic from Joseph OR on my way home from Mccall, ID.

Here is what I do now: I first wipe down the chain using a terry cloth rag with a light coating of WD40 by rubbing back and forth at the rear sprocket about two times around the chain. I let stand a bit then I use Dupont Chain Saver, and spray it on inside and outside O rings and on the rollers. Spinning the tires by hand, I found I used too much lube, so now I start the engine and put it in gear and do the above allowing 2 seconds for a complete rotation of the chain to lube each the inside and outside O rings and 2 seconds to lube the rollers. I let it run a bit at idle to work the chain lube in. I then wipe the chain with a terry cloth rag to get as much excess off as possible, maybe twice around the chain, and not with the motor running. I use a lighter touch when doing this. Using this method my last chain went 24,000 miles, and I'm sure I could have got another 3,000 out of it but had a scheduled 5,800 mile ride so I replaced it. The OEM chain, I used an expensive thick sticky lube and installed with a toothbrush about every 3-400 miles. Chain went 14,500 miles. 2nd chain, was an upgraded chain by EK. I used Chain Wax by Maxima and got 17,550 miles, but I just sprayed it on, not inside, outside and rollers. Used original sprockets. 3rd chain, was another upgrade to 1300 cc and higher psi ratings by EK. I used Liquid Wrench Chain and Cable Lube. I had picked this up on a ride because the 2nd chain was terribly tight or kinked at 15K and the LWCCL allowed me get another 2,500 miles out of it. This high strength chain lasted 17,620, but I was using the same technic by just spraying it on. New Aluminium rear sprocket and steel front supplied by JT. Sprockets only lasted as long as this one chain. 4th chain, was back to OEM (DID basic O ring chain) chain and sprockets. Instigated the above technic for putting on Dupont Chain Saver Wax and got 23,895 miles but could have gotten another 3,000+ if I hadn't had a 5,800 miles ride to do. 5th chain, is a EK basic gold chain and reusing the OEM sprockets installed with no. 4. I now has 11,785 miles and was ajusted before my last ride about 5,000 miles along with new tires. It could have gone without, but I had everything loose, so why not. I may test the gear lube on my next chain, since I have some left in a BMW Liter container, but my experimenting noted above showed me it was more important in how you applied the lube than what lube you are using. I also added two links to the chain making it 112 links. Works. Note: On my last tire change I pulled everything apart and cleaned out the excess wax build up. I should do this every time I change tires.

I didn't read where anyone had ridden their Road 5's to the cords or even a measured take off. My Road 5's are at 3/4-1 mm and I now have 9,014 miles. They will come off next week for a 4K ride to AZ and I will be installing Road 5's again. At 5.8 mm when new, and .8 left, I would assume they could go another 1200-1400 miles. That would make them go about 10,400 miles for me. The ones I took off for these were PR-2's and I got 10,440 miles out of them. For summer riding, you really can't beat the PR-2's for the price.

Left the house at 6:25am and returned at home at 4:45pm. Made two gas stops on the ride, need to fill the tank now. Stopped for breakfast and a late lunch, and twice to take pictures. Not my locations of choice, but my friend picked them so I took a few pics. I usually don't stop and take pictures on a 500 mile ride, esp. when it is around where I live. Adds a lot of time to the ride. Here are the shots: First is a moorage at Arlington, OR. Have to ride under the freeway and over main line RR tracks to get to it. Panorama of the Columbia River at this location: Mt. Jefferson on the way home.................................. And from same location, Mt. Hood.................................

My motorcycle club puts on a 250, 500 and Grand Tour every year. We do test rides and record mileage which will be averaged and the rider that comes closest to that number will win the grand prize. We usually get between 125 to 250 riders every year although this year the 250 was cancelled due to heavy rains and nobody showed up. I did a test ride today and recorded 531 miles. The weather was great, not too hot nor too cold. I turned 80,000 miles about 8 miles from home.

Day 17: Horses headed for the barn. Ride west on freeway to Boulder Dam and on to Las Vegas. It was on the warm side so we took a little loop ride up to Mt. Charleston. Made contact with a bug on the long ride north to Beatty. For us, we have done this ride many times and often don't stop to take pictures because we have done that before. Day 18: Beatty to Winnemucca was as usual, windy, cold and dry. Surprise Sunset in Winnemucca. Day 19: Winnemucca to Crescent Oregon. Highway 140 from Denio Junction to Lakeview present a couple really nice riding events. First is the ride down a shear cliff and dropping in elevation over 1000 feet. It is twisty but you need to be aware of the rocks and gravel that comes off the cliff daily, but is still fun going up or down. Then as you get closer to Lakeview, Oregon you go over a pass and wind your way down the mountain on a nice curvy road. Pavement is good. Stopped for lunch in Lakeview and then road NW on OR-31 to La Pine then south on US97 to Crescent. Day 20: The ride home from Crescent was non eventful. Hwy 58 to Eugene and I-5 to Vancouver through noon time traffic, which was okay. Now I'm changing tires, oil and doing some lubing of cables and then making a ride to US 191 again in May. This next trip will be 13 days and 4,200 miles. We have an opening if someone wants to join us. The S2000 just cancelled.

Since I got back, it has been pretty busy around home. Day 15: This was expected to be one of the best rides of the year, only to experience rain, clouds and snow. We headed out of Silver City, NM on 180 towards the junction of 180 and 78. Turned left onto 78 and really enjoyed the ride down to 3-Way. The ride through Gila Nat. Forest is really special and shouldn't be missed if you are in the area. Then of course you are headed for US-191, and are expecting something special anyway. The Freeport-McMoran Mine is something to eperience too. It just goes on for ever and you are riding right through it. 191 ended up being wet, with rain and later very cloudy with snow on the side of the road and cold. We took it easy and made our way over the pass and stopped at Hannagan's for lunch. A little snow shower at Hannagan's and then we were back on the road headed to Show Low. Both 180 out of Alpine and 260 through the Fort Apache Indian Res. were pleasant and beautiful rides. Day 16: Another big surprise came on this days ride to Globe, when we dropped into the Salt River Canyon (?) and came across about 10 miles of BLISS, nicely done twisty roads with switch backs and slow stuff made fast. Minimal traffic and just go, go, go. Stopped at Subway for a salad and went on to Coolidge Dam. I've wanted to check this dam out for many years. It is one of the coolest dams I have ever seen. Love these art deco creations. We turn around and back tracked to Globe and then headed to Roosevelt Dam. Not near as interesting and many more people. Go Figure. After this we headed up to Payson then west to Chino Valley for the night. A very nice day of riding in the mountains, canyons and sight seeing.

Day 13: Austin to Van Horn on 290 and I-10. One big boring day. Hard to stay awake. Day 14: Best riding day so far. We took I-10 to I-25 to Hatch, where we headed West on NM26 and North on NM27. We turned onto NM152 at Hillsboro,NM. Stopped at the Store Cafe and had lunch, which amounted to Bumble Berry Pie and Ice Cream. On ward to the curves on 152. Awesome is all that I can say, and can't imagine how I missed this road the last time I rode to Silver City, NM. We then turned North on NM35 and headed for the Gila Cliff Dwellings. 35 is a good curvy road with many farm/ranches along the way. After the Gila Cliff Deweling, we road down to Silver City and stayed in the Palace hotel. The brought thunder storms and rain. My bedroom ceiling started to drip water from a leak in the roof. Best day of riding.

Day 11: Watched it rain in the morning from our motel 6 rooms. Afternoon some went to the track, I didn't this year. Looked at some nice old cars and street rods in the parking lot. Day 12: MotoGP Races. A. Rins Wins after Marquez crashes. Rossi comes in second, with K. Abraham a distant 3rd. Dovizioso comes from 13th to finish 4th. Good race. Tiger Woods wins the Masters. Great comeback. Really good watch. We leave tomorrow for Van Horn TX, 458m.

Good question. We are riding our motorcycles. Isn't that enough? MotoGP in Austin. National Parks. AZ 152 and 191. Plus US108, NM78, TX 170, 166, 118. The Los Milagros Motel and Borderland Café. Riding with buddies that you have ridden with for over 15 years. A nice cold beer after a hot day of riding. The list is too long, as there is something for every one on a trip like this. But then, i'm kind of simple and it doesn't take much to make me happy. Today, I stayed in the motel and watched the MotoGP on my phone and the Masters on TV. I didn't even go to the track, as I left that up to my friends to do. I also worked on added a number of days to this ride report. I'm just happy to be on the road, meeting people and talking.

Day 10: On to Austin. Passed over the Pecos River. Brushed by Del Rio, and enjoyed US-377 and TX-41. Fueled and ate breadfast in Rocksprings. Finished the day riding on US-290 into Austin. Bridge was tagged . Pecos River. 361m, 7h5m.

Day 8: Riding across New Mexico on NM-9 isn't very interesting but you are usually less than 30 miles from the border and see lots of Border Patrol vehicles and establishments. Hardly any gas stations, so you must plan gas stops. We are headed for Fort Davis, TX today. Ridding through El Paso and SE on US90 then left on TX166. Around 200 miles of desert with a big city in there. We are headed for the hilly country of Texas and the first spot on our radar is to ride around Baldy Peak. A nice road with sweepers and a few twisties. Very enjoyable. Some of our group rode up to McDonald Obseratory, to experience the highest paved road in Texas and then down to Fort Davis. We were staying in the Old Limpia Hotel. The last 100 miles was the best. 305m, 6h30m. Day 9: April 11, 2019. Todays ride will be the best Texas has to offer, as far as we can determine, or the best we can get coming from El Paso. We headed due South to Presidio about 81 miles, with activity occurring just after passing a Border Patrol Check Station. About 10 miles back we passed a Toyota pickup doing about 7 over. After passing the pickup the Ahole in the truck started to tailgate our fella in his red Honda S2000. I was the last bike and had observed this maneuver and the guy kept repeating it over and over. Two of our guys had stopped to put on winter gloves because it was around 42 degrees and they were getting cold. The caught up with us just after the Border Patrol Station and a mile or so decided to pass the truck. Not wanting to be behind the car and in front of the truck the first bike to pass was doing so quickly. As he passed the truck, the truck immediately pulled out behind him and light up. None of us suspected that. No radar was used. The cop pulled over that rider, which right in front of me, as I had slowed down. The two riders in front of me never saw a thing. It was a Sheriff, with an attitude. He just checked if the rider had a motorcycle endorsement and didn't give a ticket. Most likely he didn't know how fast he was going (100+ I imagine). I had pass the lead bikers and pulled them over in a safe place and we discussed the happening. Shortly the Sheriff showed up with his lights a blazing and stopped to chew us out for exceeding the speed limit. No citations. We proceeded and shortly passed two Hightway patrol vehicles in the next 5 miles. I don't know if the Sheriff was saving our asses or was just a jerk. No pics. We proceeded to Presidio for breakfast and then followed with the best ride in Texas, as far as I know, on RM 170, then Big Bend N.P. and Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Grande above. Our group with their: FJR1300, C14, R1, 929, S2000 and my FJ. Windy today too, but a little less, like 20 mph. Cool road RM-170. Santa Elena Canyon. Mexico on the left and the US on the right. We are approx. halfway across the river based on high water banks, so I'm still in the US and the guys on the left will soon be illegally entering the US. Just on of the mountains of interest. Big Bend is not supper spectacular but a nice addition to the N.P. system. We continued on to Sanderson, TX with two places to eat, Strips Gas station and a restaurant at the other end of town where all the ladies (waitress) were packing. We stayed in the Budget Inn. Other than being run down, not bad. Swimming pool is now a flower bed to grow cactus. Upon getting our rooms, the manager gave us treats to eat with our beers, banana and bottled water. There was a hose outside our door, so I washed by bike. Yes it was windy today too, but kind of a sideways tail wind. 321m, 8h42m.

Day 7: Leaving Sahuarita to Columbus, NM. Ride over to Tombstone, short visit, then on to Bisbee for breakfast. On to Portal for a visit to the Canyon there. A little store/cafe at Portal. Saw some deer in the Canyon. Then on to Columbus, NM. We have stayed in this little motel, Los Milagros motel and ate at the little cafe across the street, Borderland Cafe. We fought a 30 mph wind all day. Slapped us around pretty good and we all were tired. 290m, 8h15m.

Day 6: Shorter ride to meet up with friends in Sahuarita, AZ. I took the hwy to the south out of Gila Bend so I went through Ajo, AZ. Although a ways from the border, it is a border town with a central town center with the churchs, public building and markets, all done in white and stucco. You can do a 360 degree on Google Earth. Felt like I had been there before as I did that. Some nice rock formations just North of town. My pictures didn't get the best ones, but I did get this picture of a couple cacti waving at me. I met up with my friends that I would be riding to Austin with.

I find traveling across the U.S. kind of boring, but we try to find things along the way that are kind of interesting. Day 4: Played golf in LA. Met with cousins and their families. That was fun. Day 5: 4-7-19 Ride across the desert from Upland to Gila Bend, AZ. I took a detour through Joshua Tree N.P. Pretty much just rode through it. Took a few pictures, but it isn't as interesting as so many of the SW N.P.'s. Went South on Old US 80 and took pictures of an old rusty bridge and remains of a dam, both named Gillespie. Old US 80 was a pleasant ride. 384m, 8h45m. Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park. Rusty Gillespie Bridge, 1912. I don't think it has ever been painted more than once. Gillespie Dam. Too bad it failed. My motel sucked in Gila Bend, but it was cheap.

Well here I am sitting in my motel room waiting for the rain to stop on Day 11, and haven't post a single thing. Too much to do while riding, drinking, eating and sleeping. Day 1: Checked weather and it looked like no rain, so I didn't put on the rain gear. Rode through Portland in the rain, Eugene in the rain and one more shower, but never really got wet. Dried quickly and just kept riding. After 110 miles I stopped to put on my rain gear to get warm. Ending in Weed, CA with no events on I-5. Nothing to report and no picture. 366m, 8h8m. Day 2: Checked weather and put on rain gear to stay warm and defend against a few drops that fell from Weed to Redding, CA. After Willows, I took off the rain gear and pretty much had dry to the Motel 6 near Coalinga, CA. There was some smell from the cattle, but the wind helped push another way. No pics today. 416m, 8h44m. Day 3: No rain. Rode down to CA-138 then over to CR-N2. This was a surprise as it wasn't anything I expected, I will give you a picture to entertain you. I got 10-14m into the road before turning around as it would take too long and wasn't worth it, I think, maybe if I had a dual sport. From 138 to CA-14 and just past Palmdale I turned off on Angeles Forst Road. Best road so far and well worth including in any ride. Angeles Crest Hwy was closed at CA-38, but I rode up to a Observatory and then backtracked on ACHwy to LA. Got on the 210 and made it to Upland. 298m, 6h22m. CR-N2: Old road never repaved. Orig. is concrete with garbage asphalt easing the tight corners. You can see the orig. conc. with the asphalt on the right easing the corner. Lots of pot holes etc. Great views. View from where I turned around. Would have been fun if I had time and the right bike.

Well here it is, time to leave for Austin. I will leave tomorrow morning at 10:10 am and ride to Weed, CA, then to Coalinga, CA day 2, and on to Upland, CA by way of Angeles Crest Highway, plus some other outstanding roads on day 3. Will ride to Mt. Baldy and play golf on Saturday then ride to Gila Bend, AZ on Sunday and follow that by arriving in Sahuarita, AZ by way of Ajo to meet up with the rest of my buddies. A 4 day ride to Austin as we will take in some sites along the way, including Porter, AZ, up in the mountains and our first stop will be Columbus, NM. Second stop will be Fort Davis after riding around Baldy Peak and over to McDonald Observatory. Nice twisty roads. We will hit Big Bend National Park and ride to Santa Elena Canyon where you can walk over to Mexico and back without being bothered and finish the day in Sanderson, TX. Nothing there, just the right number of miles for the day. We will end up in Austin for the MotoGP races and we will stay at the Airport Motel 6. Come visit me. Ride home will be the highlight of this southern portion. We will ride I-10 to Van Horn, then wind our way up to Silver City, NM by way of misc. roads and NM-152 between I-25 and Santa Clara. Outstanding. Leaving Silver City on US 180, for a few miles then head West on NM 78 to Three Way, AZ and then head North on US 191, Historic Route 666, to Alpine and then on to Show Low on US 180 and AZ 260. This day presents the Epic ride day. After Show Low, three of us will return to PDX-Vancouver on roads not determined as of today. Total ride should be around 5,500 miles. So what did I do over the last month to prepare for this? New Michelin Road 5s, front and back. Change Oil, bled brakes front and back, installed a Cortech tank bag bracket fixing to gas cap, installed a EK 112 link gold chain. Pictures to follow as I take them.

I renamed my FJ09:

Basically the FJR and the FJ are about equal in acceleration. Basic difference is that the FJR keeps going after 112mph. 0-60 is about the same. My 05 FJR was clocked at 2.8 sec to 60, same as the FJ. Acceleration feels different on the FJR, as it feels so much more solid and seams faster, even though it isn't. I have 220,000 miles on the FJR's (two, both 05s) and I'm up to 74,000 on the FJ. The FJ and the FJR weight to hp and torque is almost the same. At least that is my experience.

2015 purchased new in January 2015. Red. 84,848 miles June 2, 2019. November 10, 2019: 90,043 miles. August 15, 2020: 96,500 miles (COVID is slowing down the riding). Repairs and problems. Normal chain, tires. Oil and filter changes for first 80,000 miles at 5k intervals. 22,500 had a minor tip over crash. Added Hogdonian engine cage at 25K 26K valve check (tight), bearings greased, front forks reconditioned. 37K deer crashed in Montana, had to do a lot of repair. Ya for Hogdonian cages. 43K Traxion front forks, Ohlin rear shock installed. 60,500 replaced clutch cable, it was frayed but would have broke shortly. 64.5K valve check and adjust. Shock arm relay and swing arm greased. Original cam chain tensioner still in operation, and no adjustments. Chain replaced at 14,000m, 17,550m, 17,620m, and 23,895m. Front tires: between 10k and 15k, removed Road 5s at 9,084 but not used up. Rear tires: 6,900-10,500 (got 10,512 on a PR-3 and 10,445 on a PR-2, 9,084 & 9,975 on Road 5s) Currents are Avon Trail Riders 53&54s 6,000 out of rear, replaced with same. For me, the FJ-09 has been a low maintenance bike, easy to ride and lots of fun. Low weight.

Yamaha should just meld that front fork system to a FJR. Give it a little more upright seating position, with lower pegs, etc. With the shaft drive, you have a really good touring machine. Better yet, Yamaha should develop a shaft drive Tracer 900 GT-SD. In my opinion, that would be the best of all worlds. Their shaft drive units have appeared in as small as a 400cc bikes and worked just fine. The 850cc CP unit I have been experiencing is quite capable of handling a shaft drive and also perform very well for Sport Touring. My dream bike.

I have a bent one from a deer strike that you can have. Although it is bent in so many ways, it would almost be impossible to get right, but it's yours if you want it. Okay, I have had my fun today. Going out to the garage and install new PR-5's

How did that get broken?