Well, it will be another 5 months at least until the weather clears up enough for even a couple good riding days. So for now, its time to put LSL Superbike High bars with LSL Speigler Risers between the bars and the LSL top clamp. Had to order +5" stainless steel hydraulic line, and +3" throttle and front brake hoses, all stainless steel.

While I'm at it, I'll put in 2 or 3 power outlets, probably BMW style, and install a ram mount for my Garmin GXM smart XM antenna, which gives my ZUMO 550 on-chart weather and traffic alerts, as well as suggesting detours when appropriate.

My HJC flip-up helmet has the new Chatter Box -H unit integrated in it, with stereo speakers and microphone. I tried sync-ing my MP3 player and it worked flawlessly. The sound inside the helmet is awesome. Plus, once I sync the ZUMO into it, when the ZUMO wants to issue instructions or an alert, the Chatter Box will mute the MP3 by pausing my MP3 player, then resume after the ZUMO is done. Same if I sync my Blackberry in, it will mute all but GPS turn instructions for the phone, then resume when the phone is "hung up". Pretty cool. And I can chat to fellow riders.

Riding season 2011 is looking very good now. I am riding with the Concours Owners Group to their Spring rally in May and the National Rally in VT in August, as well as around 6 Saturday and a couple 2- or 3- day rides with my "gang" locally, and also the American Legion Riders chapter I belong to. We will be having a big motorcycle show in early summer in Cascade MD and I will post the flyer as soon as everything is firmed up. So far, Jim Beam (whiskey) and a couple other "names" have said they'd put in an appearance with their trailers and displays for both days of the event. There will live bands and much fun.

If there is one thing the Legion Riders can do, its organize a dinner or a party.

So I guess I'll be going somewhere almost every weekend during riding season, to one ride or event or another. And if the Patriot Guard does Rolling Thunder, I guess I'll go along for the first time next year.

But for now, its time to take the carbon fiber all off in the front except the top (lights), I think I can leave the top on for everything I need to do. I already checked the nuts that hold those stainless steel exhaust flanges I had made for the CT-DUAL header spigots, and they are still tight, so I guess I got lucky and got them on right.

And I still need to get the Pilot Road 2's on right before riding season starts again.

Other than one day a supercharger when those guys get one ready.... lol.... I'll be done for a while.

This forum needs s spellchecker, since I sure can't spell....

* Last updated by: privateer on 12/5/2010 @ 10:34 AM *

Are there any ZX14 Rallies? Just the members here alone is enough to make something happen; maybe there should be a poll to see who'd do it....5 months enough time to plan something, maybe even two one for the eastern states and another for western states....any thoughts?

Where is the rally in vermont? I live in western new hampshire, right on the border with v.t.

....any thoughts?

Too damn cold and salty for me to take the 14 anywhere 'til late March.

ddemagrc51 wrote :

Where is the rally in vermont? I live in western new hampshire, right on the border with v.t.

If you join COG you could go. Its at Mt. Snow. They don't give me too much of a hard time, I have as much luggage space as many of them, and more than most.

www.cog-online.org

I was thinking more of rally for us ZX14 ryders because you stated your riding with a Concours Owner Group. I thought it would be cool to try and link members here to start our own rally/rider for at least one ride per year. I guess not much interest....

Part of the problem, Shogun1, is too many ZX14 riders are posers and hotrods. Which is ok, but it doesn't make for the type of people that love sport touring.

For instance, I don't know many ZX14 riders who would hang with me on a 14 hour ride from Maryland to Mt. Snow, VT, even if it stops at a KOA at hour 10 for an overnight rest.

There is a group of sportbike riders locally, but I don't find much in common with them. And they never do anything but ride around town and a quick run through the mountains. Sure, its fun, I agree. But as big and powerful and smooth as the ZX14 is, I just love the way it sport tours fully loaded, long distances.

The reason the "slow" bikes are so popular is the type of people that want to ride, but comfortably, and go to interesting places which require taking a change of clothes or two or three as well.

All of which is why I'm slowly turning my ZX14 into a Super-Concours. It may even get a supercharger next year, but I'm still headed in the same direction.

Btw, if anyone ever sees side wings that could be attached to the top or upper cowling to move the air around the rider more, please post a link. I may end up conspiring with my buddy (another machinist) to fabricate brackets to hold lexan and make my own.

I think it would be cool to meet up with some of you guys on the forum.

How about here?:

The Rally in the Gorge

Sport Riders Unite

Totally agree with ya privateer.I love get'n on the 14 and disapearing into the skyline.A 12-16 hour ride day is common for me also.Munch'n up miles is a blast.You look like your at the point of almost going C14.I know that'll probably be my next bike.
I actually added my miles up for this year and between all of them(and losing out thanx to a deer)I got well over 19,000+ miles this year.

* Last updated by: ninjamaster on 12/7/2010 @ 11:29 AM *

DogoZX, both of those are Washington state region. Just a bit out of my range until I retire. LOL.

Overnight trips are tough for me to plan. Too many responsibilities and no one to pick up the slack while I'm away. Still managed to put 15k on my first zx14 in 12 months. Plan to do the same to the new one. The zx14 is just one of those bikes that is hard to stay off of.

DogoZX, both of those are Washington state region. Just a bit out of my range until I retire. LOL.

They're actually the same rally.
Yeah, a bit far from Maryland.
Still think it would be a good rally for some of us to meet up at.

Gotta be somethin' similar on the east coast.

Privateer, We can meet p at A&A in PA.

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 12/7/2010 @ 12:44 PM *

Privateer...I do those types of rides too. I get bored quickly if I can't stretch the 14's legs. There must be members here who'd linkup for these types of rides, even if it's one annual rally a year that we tried and schedule around. DogoZX & Ninjamaster are down and I know there has to be more members here that do or want to do the rides you describe. Sh*& I personally know a few Zx14 "posers & hotroders" who still get out for the long rides once in awhile. Other members speak up or post a poll......

F*ck it...

Shogun, if you're truly interested in doing an annual rally, I would suggest creating a new topic and name it something like, "ZX-14 Annual Rally Feeler" or similar and be a bit patient. Folks can't always respond as soon as they'd like as real world stuff usually takes precedence. Although I wouldn't say my vote counts all that much, I'd be all for it - if I still have the bike by then.

Privateer,
Love your bike and your posts. You should become a customizer, cause I get it. :-)

You might want to check the FJR forums for regional ST rides.
A squidless, friendly, and often older bunch which typically breaks into smaller groups based on ride expectations.
There is always a hot shoe group that you won't be slowing down for.
The big Eastern Regional get together is usually late Sept and includes 3 days of hard riding (not including to/from the event) I think EOM2011 will be in SE Kentucky.

Sounds good to me but like "loadedmind" said you need to start up a new tread and there will be a lot more responses to this topic.

I would be in for sure! I love getting out on my girl for long rides. I'm good for 10k a year and do at least two long 1200 to 2500 mile rides every year.

count me in on this ride!! I was contemplating towing her out to Az just to get some winter riding in when no one else on the east coast can... lol!! holding off until early spring now.... so lets put something together

Guys, for any ride ideas look at the new post under Home - "2011 Ride/Rallies/Meetup". This was created for members to post ride plans/events for 2011 and generate interest from members to meetup.