I have had a couple members asking about the farkles I have put on the bike to prepare it for this ride, so here goes.
I had to get rid of that stock seat...if you can call it a seat. I found a Suzuki optional gel seat on E-Bay. It is firmer, wider and a little taller than the stocker. It is MUCH better. I have added a couple of other things: Madstad bracket, Givi Tall Windshield, Hand Guards and a Vista-Cruise. I also have Speakers in my helmet (not very good at interstate speeds, though). I have some expensive earbuds, but they aren't comfortable for long periods. I use a "Boostaroo" to help boost the volume on the speakers. I am taking 2 Ipods and XM Satellite Radio. I have a tank bag for quick access items. Radar Detector and GPS are always on my bike.
On my 570 mile test run to Nashville and 750 miles to Wheeling, WV, I kinda found out what was working and what wasn't. One thing that surprised me was that my Madstad Bracket kept slipping back. I need to do something about that before Sat. Also, the handguards really help. At around 85mph a fellow rider waved at me. I raised my left hand to return the wave and was almost pulled off the bike. I had no idea how much wind was being deflected by the hand guards and windshield. I also changed the front sprocket up one tooth which dropped the RPMs by 600 at 80 MPH, from 6000 to 5400. It didn't help the gas mileage really at all, but the engine seems more relaxed at speed and still has plenty of pulling power. I did a little math and it looks like the gear change will save around 648,000 revolutions of the engine on this trip alone. One thing is for sure, my rear tire will be toast after this trip. It is nicely squared off after my trips to Wheeling, WV, Nashville and all of the other slab riding I've been doing preparing for this. It has tread on it, but is begining to look like a car tire.
I may be making a big deal out of this ride, but I have Ulcerative Colitis which adds a whole new dimention to this trip. I almost died from it in 2000 and was 3 years getting back into shape. I have been doing pretty good with it for the last year or so...until about a month ago. All symptons came back (too gross to mention on here, Google it, lots of videos about it on You Tube), got the intestinal symtoms under control, then came Uveitis, an eye condition caused by the Colitis (feels like I jamed my trumb in my eye then dumped in a spoonfull of sand). The treatment for Uveitis is Prednisone eye drops which causes all kinds of side effects. Anyway, Damn the torpedos...I'M GOIN!!! Pain is nothing but fear leaving the body.
Thanks for all the advice and good luck you guys have sent my way. Keep it coming. I will use it wisely.
