Following Charlie through the mountains of North Georgia with a car tire on his giant Victory bagger with Hayden in the back seat was a challenge for me riding solo on a Z1000.
There is ZERO argument for putting a car tire on now-a-days. Especially with what modern bikes can do. Maybe in the 70's when moto tires were bias junk on your 50HP cruiser but in 2020 you can get mileage AND safety by using the right tool for the job.
Good video, I learned a few new things I had not heard before regarding darksiding. I do have a pair of Metzler motorcycle tires I'm about to put on my Goldwing, but after they wear out I'm likely to try going darkside on it.
Shog- if you ever get to ride the Appalachian mountain roads around here, you'd be blessed.
I remember chasing Charlie... Uly or bagger, he's fast, a natural. Watching him burn the N. GA roads, with his son Hayden on the back, both simply flying, was something to behold.
Squids: I have done some of those amazing roads, got to do a lot around the Smokeys and lots of neat trails in Tennessee. The popular roads were busy and slow, but still fun. Truly Gods country, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Even with 3 bikes in the garage I got the Eagle Rider membership thing just so I could fly somewhere like that and ride. I like the membership, but I should start a thread to explain what to expect. Mostly good though.
I will tell you.... I like a long (400 mile/day) ride but I'm not a 'cruiser'. A pretty view is nice, but my adrenaline needs a little more than trees. I have been all across this beautiful nation in cars trucks and bikes, and as much as California gets (its deserved) hate for it's politics and general stupidity, I will whole heartedly challenge ANY road in this nation to be better (throws gauntlet of kick-assed-ness)
Within 100 miles of me I have 1000+ miles of beautiful mountain or coastal pavement. Angeles forest (Hwy 2), Santa Monica Mountains (Mulholland Hwy), and of course PCH. Without even touching ANY of those stellar roads, I can burn the edges off the tires for miles and miles on perfectly maintained, beautiful curves at any speed without seeing a soul. Pop out for a fresh sea food lunch and dive back in until the sun goes down.
It just might be the only thing left keeping me in this sheet hole....
Shogs, I'm with ya. The furthest I've made it west from here is Las Vegas and Arizona...having been a Tennessee by all my life, visiting there was like visiting Mars. I'd love to roll up and down the west coast a while.
I've one bucket list item that I hope, but doubt will happen... to leave the Atlantic with my rear tire wet, then roll west until my front tire hits the Pacific. The Beemer would easily do it- I've even got a buddy who's hanging on to a pair of auxillary fuel cells that mount where my side panels go.
FWIW, in 1980, I rode my '77 R100/7 to Daytona from Chicago, then in June, rode to OR and CA on US 20. I was a bit younger then than now, as it happens so often.
Squids: You mean seriously "without stopping"!? Holy Hell that could be fun It only takes 26hrs 38 mins in an R8.....
Bummer you only made it to Vegas. Once you get through that horrible desert theres Mecca at the end. Seriously, a town called Mecca LOL
Is there ANYTHING better than a long motorcycle ride?
Two seasons: The second pic is 15 mins from my house, a secret picnic spot on a one-way road that goes from the Top O' Topanga, down to PCH. Its beautiful fresh pavement the street luge crowd likes. I'll pop my bike in neutral and shut it off. I can coast the whole 10 miles down, apexing to my hearts content
I spent most of my previous life (pre-Georgia) patrolling those roads on every bike I owned, at every possibly opportunity.
Two places I'll have to suggest to you if, in some bizarre twist of fate, you haven't found them on your own.
Andria's Seafood in Ventura Harbor for the best fish and chips around. Seriously big slabs of halibut, fried in peanut oil with Samuel Adam's beer batter. And their clam chowder is off the chain.
Jalama Beach County Park where, due to the park being a county asset rather than state or city, you can walk down the beach with adult beverages. I suggest getting one of the sites down near Abalone Point. The camp has a store that's open all day and sells everything you could possibly need, including beer and wine. All you need is your camping gear, no need to pack in food or water.
All my northbound motorcycle trips would begin with a stop at Andria's, followed by the first night or two of camping at Jalama Beach. Then onward to the various coastal campgrounds to be found all along US 101 / old Hwy 1.
My friend in Georgia used to live in California. First is Orange and then in Canyon Country. We used to ride Angeles Crest up to Newcombs Ranch and beyond. It would be 60 degrees up there but you could look down on the desert floor and watch the 108 degree heat waves rising! We rode Mulholland and Topanga. We rode up PCH to San Fransisco. Lots of great memories for sure. There was one ride where we rode next to a stream up to a reservoir. We'd turn around and on the way down we'd stop along the stream and go stick our feet in the water and cool off. Great ride and times!
We'd turn around and on the way down we'd stop along the stream and go stick our feet in the water and cool off. Great ride and times! Greg, Thanks for reminding me of things I have neglected. Next warm stretch, I'm riding to Rattlesnake campground for some barefoot cool creek therapy!