Going Around Lake MIchigan

I had to squeeze in a trip during the Summer before I started work. My buddy suggested going to Traverse City, MI, and I convinced him to just continue and go around the big Lake.

From the burbs of Chicago, we got onto I-80 just to get past Gary, IN where we didn't really have the urge to get into a gunfight, but before Michigan City, darted onto Red Arrow Hwy and hugged the coast as much as possible.

The West coast of Michigan is just beautiful. We made it to Traverse City on the first day - which was a lot of riding. Harbor Springs - just north of TC - is a very nice, quaint resort town.

*be sure to ask around and go through the Tunnel of Trees.

We crossed the Mackinac Bridge - which I always wanted to do on a bike - and it was nice and uneventful. Hwy 2 on the North end of the lake was nice as the road is right next to the beach much of the way.

I wasn't as impressed with the Wisconsin side of the lakes although there were some nice roads. We stayed outside of Oconto, WI with a layover in Lake Geneva for lunch, and made it home that day.

So, 3 days to get around Lake Michigan.

Mods & Farkles

So, I have had the ST1300 for a month now and put about 500 miles on it....more or less. I just did an 8 hours day ride 2 days ago, which confirmed for me two immediate things: I miss a wider windscreen, and extended riding without a backrest makes my bdoy tire out faster than having a supported lumbar region.

So, I ordered a backrest from Utopia - which I had on my old Goldwing and had no complaints. I also did some research and ordered a wider, higher WS. Many choices out there, and I do have a good history with Cee Bailey products, but this time, I went with Cal Sci for my WS. Their website is just so thorough and I have read some good reviews from ST forums and other touring forums/blogs.

This riding season I pretty much dedicated to outfitting the new tourer to suit my riding and long distance needs. I still need to find a system to rig up my GPS and I need to find a trailer, top box or cargo shelf for my gear when touring.

Right now, I am leaning towards a cargo trailer - but cost will rule the day.

The New Acquisition

I have been searching for a ST1300 for 3 months now. For some reason, I can find a 2006 with low miles, almost 2k cheaper down around Tennessee or so. Trust me, I have negotiated with private sellers up around Chgo - and there are a few - but they just won't come down in price.

I used allofcraigs.com to search Craigslist nationwide and finally settled on one outside of Nashville, TN. A 2006 Honda ST1300, 9900 miles, new tires, new battery, 1 inch risers, saddle-bag liner bags and clean title. Asking $8000. We settled on $7000 and I calculated about $350 in costs to hook up my trailer and go get it. My wife and I made a weekend of it.

It was better than I expected. The bike was exceptional in appearance. Not a single scratch or ding. Immaculate. It even smelled new. It also had a throttle rocker and a grip-lock type cruise control - two items I would have gotten anyhow.

Trailered it up and got home fine. I will post pics as soon as I can find my computer cord for my camera....geeze.

My first impressions of the bike is that it has a bias for speed. At 65 mph, it barely reaches 3000 rpm. It just wants to go fast. I am continuing to make minor adjustments, but it seems more than suitable for my long distance needs.

I do have some concerns though. I guess I am used to a more wider windscreen. This one - adjustable as it is - is not wide enough to cover my hands. Not a concern in moderate temps, but at 12k feet, winding through a mountain pass with 20 foot snowdrifts on either side, and my hands would get cold!

Also, I do dislike clamshell saddle bags - but there is no getting around that. Most ST models have them. I just hate how everything falls out of them when opened, or how hesitant you are to stuff them to max because it is hard to then close them. I would prefer a saddle bag that opens from the top.

I am now trying to think of a configuration to accommodate long trips i.e. where am I going to pack all my gear. I have narrowed it down to two choices: Get a larger rack in the back (I don't like top cases) where I can strap things down to, or get a trailer to tow behind the bike. Like a Bushtech or Unigo trailer.

Being the frugal traveler, I am drifting towards just getting a passenger backrest with an attached cargo rack to the rear of it. My thoughts are I could tie my big bag to the rear seat, and lash the tent to the cargo rack - which could also hold my big touring jacket when it gets to hot to wear. That really should be enough.

But oh the trailer. It would be so nice to not have to worry about rigid packing. Just throw it all in the trailer and hit the road. Not to have to decide whether to take extra pairs of socks instead of my travel pillow. Plenty of room in the trailer....my center of gravity would be lower and it would make getting on and off the bike much easier. But the cost.....!!!

As I take my laptop with me on trips and do daily posts here, I am jonsing for a IPAD2 which would be ideal for that purpose. So light, slim and unobtrusive. Hmmmm....choices, choices.

So Close I can Taste It.

The proximity of riding season and open road touring draws closer. I am inspired further by blogs I have read which expouse the wanderlust of fellow riders. One of which is Bama Rider:

http://www.bamarider.com/

My good friend Ken has started riding and his interest seems to be escalating of late in long distance riding. Like me, he is preparing to get a bigger bike and I hope I can convince him that touring is a great, unique way of seeing this great country. I very much like solo touring, but if could choose a riding buddy to go off on expeditions with, I couldn't think of a better friend.

My last day at work is June 9th for this school season, so I am making plans already. I could head North again, and this time do a Lake Michigan loop, coming down the western edge of Michigan. That would be a cooler tempature ride in June - which is fine. I would very much like to go South though: perhaps through the Tail of the Dragon, Natchez Trail...and end up at Key West. What a ride that would be!

It also wouldn't be so bad temp wise in early June. But my plans are open at this point - and I am waiting to see if my buddy Ken has the same interst of 'the long ride.'