Heidenau K60 Scout tires have been ordered and will be mounted in Cameron,Wisconsin. Why Cameron? Because that was the only place I found a dealer that sells the Heidenau's and it's on my route. There is a dealer in Milwaukee and Cedarburg, Wisconsin but they would be out of the way. There's a BMW dealer in Omaha but that would be too far west.
I am planning on skirting Chicago and head north towards Cameron. After I have the new tires I will head west passing Fargo and then in Jamestown start heading north crossing the border in Portal, North Dakota.
I bought a MadStad (link) adjustable windshield mount with a Crossbar to mount the GPS and radar detector. I painted a portion of my windshield so I can mount and hide the EZPass toll tag used in most of the eastern states. The vertical sides match perfectly with the adjustable windshield bracket. I don't like to see the damn tag behind the windshield where most riders mount it. Once it's mounted no one will even know I have one. Now the ADV sticker stands out even more.
Hanging out back is Darth Vader. My daughter gave me the little Vader as a present last Christmas, she knows I love everything Star Wars, since my bike is all black and I wear a black jacket and helmet, she says he complements the bike perfectly, I agree.
This coming week I will be working on what I will need to take with me and where to pack everything for my long trip. I will be camping and cooking my own meals as much as possible. There are lots of electronic devices to carry, laptop, cameras, chargers, compressor, things that take up lots of valuable space, it's always a trade-off when deciding what to take.
Damn that is one hot looking bike!! Did you black the saddlebag or do hey come in black?
ReplyDeleteI like how you blacked out the windshield. I never would hae thought of that, but it looks very good on the bike.
Ok...I'm getting ready to read some good reports!! Get going!
They come in black. Yea, it does look cool with the blacked out piece :-)
DeleteMay the force be with you!!!
ReplyDeleteAlways :-)
DeleteThanks
George:
ReplyDeleteyour bike is looking very rugged. My bike is black, not by choice, so I also have black jacket, pants, boots & gloves. No chrome on the bike either. I am all black, except for my new helmet which is silver . . . so I think this makes us brothers.
must be exciting to think that you will be leaving shortly on this great adventure.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
I can't wait, the anxiety is killing me ;-)
DeleteGeorge:
DeleteWell, what are you waiting for ? You have nothing holding you back, just go early and dawdle longer and take your time exploring backroads and extend your trip. You are camping anyway, and you have to eat, whether you are at home or on the road, and home expenses are unchanged
it's surprising how alike your S10 and my Strom look at a quick glance.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
The bike looks great! I think you'll like the K60's too - I've only done about 90km on mine (including maybe 15km of gravel) and they seem really good. Just take it easy on wet tar...
ReplyDeleteI rode dirt bikes when I was younger, I know how dangerous knobbies can be specially on wet roads. Thanks
DeleteThe bike really looks great! The "salt" they use on the Dalton is a solution of calcium chloride (or calcium carbonate depends who you ask) and you need to wash your bike as soon as you get back to Fairbanks as the mud sets up like concrete. I got some on a trailer going through the Yukon and it had to be chipped off!
ReplyDeleteI second the K60 recommendation. I have about 2k miles on mine with about 200 miles on gravel and they are confidence inspiring on gravel. A little noisy with a bit of vibration on pavement but not really a big deal. And this is on my R100RT, definitely not a dual sport in anyone's book.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in Whitehorse on about the 3rd or 4th.
I know about the salt, I will have to find a place with a power washer in Fairbanks. Do you have an address for me where I can wash the bike?
DeleteI don't think I've seen a picture of your R100RT with the K60's. It must look awesome. See you in Whitehorse.
Adventure Cycleworks has a power washer that riders use. There is also a self serve car wash near the university just south of College Road on University Ave. Unfortunately, I don't have one. You are welcome to store stuff at our house if you'd like. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem at all.
DeleteHere is one at the finger rock rest area on the Dalton. http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae128/rmachida/63236d59.jpg
What a great trip mate, looking forward heaps to the reports, try to check in as much as you can , I will be following with interest.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Rog.
Thanks Rog :-)
DeleteLooking good Buddy. I see the flag is up....;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yea, the flag looks good, I still have to find a US flag of the right size to put above it and then it's a Canadian flag ;-)
DeleteThat bike looks so nice all set up for the trip. I know I said it before when you originally posted the Darth Vader pic, but I think it is awesome and just matches the bike perfectly too.
ReplyDeleteBike sure looks pretty all shined up. You'll have to take pictures of it at it dirtiest too for comparison.
Thanks. I hope so, it's going to get dirty up there for sure, I didn't buy it to be a show bike :-)
Delete