My ride to Colorado

[storm 64]

Me and my 850g left for Colorado Springs last Wednesday September 10th. Watching the weather I decided to leave work early to beat the rain. I didn't hit any rain but I had to ride in high winds and gusts from Columbus, Ohio to Indianapolis. That's when it got really dark and was about to storm. I pulled over and got a hotel for the night. About 325 miles the first day. Day two weather was okay, no rain just a little cool. I only had to ride 350 miles to Farmington Missouri for the GSR Rally. I pulled into the lodge at about 4:00. I checked in had a nice hot shower then met up with all the guy and gals at the hotel lounge. Day three Friday, is the day we rode all over the south east part of Missouri. Beautiful roads! I packed up Saturday and headed out to try to get as far access Kansas as possible. It was a good day. Between Kansas city and Topeka, I kept seeing groups of 4,8,12 police motorcycles riding side by side (I think that's dangerous) At my next fuel stop I saw a cop and asked him what was going on. He said they were coming back from a funeral for a officer that got killed... I rode till sunset about 580 miles. Sunday was a nice day. I only had 335 miles to ride. As I got closer to Colorado springs, I kept climbing from 3200 to 5000 then 6600 feet! The 850 showed no signs of hesitation. I was kidding myself telling the bike "we are not going above 7000 feet we'll turn around"... I made it to my brothers house in time for dinner. I'm going to hang out with him for two days then start my ride back home... Oh, I looked at the GPS 7128 above sea level.

 

[Joe Nardy]

Norm,

I'm glad you chose to stop by the Dave Davis rally. It was good to see you again. Sounds like you're having a great trip. Ride hard, shift a lot, and be safe!

Joe

 

[Steve]

I kept seeing groups of 4,8,12 police motorcycles riding side by side (I think that's dangerous)

I think it's dangerous, too, for most of the people, most of the time.

However, officers train that way, so they KNOW what the other officer is going to do, which reduces the danger factor FOR THEM.

For the REST of the motorcycling population, it is far safer to at least stagger the formation.

Even better is to simply spread out, so other bikes are simply not close enough to be an issue.

.

 

[850 Combat]

I won't ride side by side. Staggered is the way to go for me.

Glad you ride has been fun.

 

[jeffgs]

How is the power deficite at altitude?

When I moved there I was told add 1.5 seconds to my quarter mile time. Never got there!

 

[storm 64]

I have one more day hanging out with my brother. We're at his mountain home in Divide Colorado, very beautiful. I'm looking at the weather forecast and planning my ride home. It looks like I'll be able to do the Southern route. Head south from Colorado Springs, then over to Amarillo Texas work my way through Oklahoma city, Little Rock Arkansas, Memphis, Nashville, Cincinnati, Columbus Ohio... So far the weather looks to be in my favor(knock on wood) at least it will be warm. I have five day to get home so I won't be rushed, maybe even stop by Graceland...

 

[storm 64]

I had a fun day of riding. I left Monument, Colorado early, about 6:00 am. Heading south down route 25 I watched the sun rise to the east and the Rocky mountains to the west, beautiful. I was heading to Amarillo Texas. I went to see "Cadillac Ranch" I can scratch that one off my list. While I was in Amarillo, I had a awesome BBQ sandwich. I did get to ride a little RT66 I'm now in Elk city Oklahoma. I rode about 600 miles today. My little 850 is such a nice over the road motorcycle, it's doing a awesome job...

 

[850 Combat]

I had a blast once near your route by heading east out of Raton. Some state or county routes twisted their way up to the top of the two big Mesas SE of there, accross the flat Mesa tops, then back down. It was pretty neat. I worked about 60 miles NE of Amarillo for a year, in Pampa. I can't say that the area was precisely a motorcycle Mecca, but it was better than not riding at all.

 

[78550GS]

Just in case, if you get caught stranded before you get home, find Massillon. Garage full of tools if needed and room to work on it.


Just putting it out there for you. Will you be running up 77 at all in Ohio?

 

[storm 64]

Yesterday's ride through Oklahoma wasn't very exciting. The temperature was warm, but very windy. I did make it to Little Rock Arkansas. I rode only 442 miles. Today will be good. As Paul Simon says "I'm going to Graceland, Graceland, Memphis Tennessee" I'm going to have some Memphis BBQ for lunch, take a walk on Beal street... Then I'll be heading north to Louisville/Cincinnati. My 850, what can I say, that motorcycle is a rock! It is running great, it cruises at 75-80 MPH all day long...

 

[tkent02]

You rode all the way to Colorado Springs and you're not riding up in the mountains?

What's the point?

 

[Wingsconsin]

You rode all the way to Colorado Springs and you're not riding up in the mountains?

What's the point?

+1 - Lots to see and twisty roads to ride.

 

[gbw]

Graceland is fun. Hope you enjoy it. Be sure and pick up some tacky souvenirs like an Elvis swivel-hip clock, or some of those super-cool sunglasses!

Was great seeing you at the rally and glad your trip is going well. If you need lodging in Nashville let me know. We're about 30 minutes south of there. But sounds like you're heading more northerly. Anyway, enjoy the rest of the ride!

 

[storm 64]

I made it home yesterday from my Colorado trip. Total miles 4028. The highlight of my trip besides seeing my brother sister-in-law and nieces, had to be making it to the Dave Davis Memorial Rally that was great. Memphis was pretty cool too. The part I didn't care for, Oklahoma! First I get ripped off by the hotel clerk. She kept hitting a button, another $89 out of my account. I had to call my bank, they fixed it for me. Also the wind in Oklahoma was real bad. That state just sucks... Colorado on the other hand was great! I did get to do some riding in mountains but only for a couple of hours then headed back to my brothers. Overall the weather was good. A little cool for the first couple of day but it warmed up nicely. I had no rain the entire trip. The 850 ran awesome. A little petcock issue in Indianapolis. I went to put it on reserve, no reserve! I nursed it to the next exit, filled it up and didn't take it off reserve the whole trip. I would have liked a little more horsepower. Going across Kansas, I could have gone 120mph. There is nothing out there. If anyone has any doubts about touring on a Suzuki GS 850G just ask me. It's a wonderful touring machine

 

[GSX1000E]

The part I didn't care for, Oklahoma! Also the wind in Oklahoma was real bad. That state just sucks... Going across Kansas, I could have gone 120mph. There is nothing out there.

That goes for Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas. At least some parts of Oklahoma are worth being in but Nebraska and Kansas are THE MOST BORING STATES in the U.S.A. and
I pity those that are stuck living their. ("If" you can call that living. ) Even Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Michigan are not quite as bad. Oklahoma is prime real estate for wind farms BTW.

 

[81ZUKI75]

Glad you made it home safely and proud you made it through Memphis alive

and yes... Since the rally I've been scouring craigslist for any kind of 850.

 

[mikerophone]

If anyone has any doubts about touring on a Suzuki GS 850G just ask me. It's a wonderful touring machine

Good to hear, I just bought one 2 days ago!

 

[marvinsc]

Glad you're home safe and sound Norm. I expect we will return to the Missouri Ozarks again next year. Believe it of not Saturday's ride blew Friday's ride away.

 

[Steve]

If anyone has any doubts about touring on a Suzuki GS 850G just ask me. It's a wonderful touring machine

At one time or another, we have had a total of five 850s go through here, two of them are still here. Both of them have been on trips, with almost no problems. My wife's L made it out to Durango, Colorado then on to Four Corners before the ignitor failed as we were starting to head home. My G(K) was with me in New York when Mrs. Steve came for a visit. We took a 3-day weekend and did a loop around New England that was only about 750 miles, but with no problems. My son also rode that bike on the innaugural "Roo Rally" when Simon and Deb came to visit. 1000 miles on that trip, with only a blown headlight bulb.

You don't have to convince me about the 850's capabilities.

.

 

[Sandy]

Sounds like you had great trip. Good thing you decided not to come for our rally. Those coming from the east got hammered with winter weather and dpep had to head for home when he was only a day short of my place. Colorado, great place, been far too many years since I ventured that way.