Sweeet-ah!

     10/03/2012
On the way home this evening, I stopped by Stahlman Powersports ( http://www.stahlmanpowersports.com/ ) to take a 2013 Victory motorcycle for a Demo Ride. There were 17 different models to choose from. Cruisers, baggers, tourers and a Ness Custom or two.

I had checked the Victory website earlier and decided I would test the Cross Roads Classic out if it were available ( http://www.victorymotorcycles.com/en-us/bagger/cross-roads/photos ).

It was, and I did!

It was beautiful, two-tone Burgundy & Khaki w/ Graphics, windshield, footboards, leather covered hard saddlebags, fuel-injected 106 Cubic Inch V-twin engine, Six-speed transmission, Electronic cruise control, ABS disc brakes front and rear.

After registering, and getting a quick run-down of bike specific controls, I took off through the South side of Rolla, through residential areas, to Highway 72. This is the first big twin I have ridden that actually required first gear on a few of the turns from one street on to another. Too slow, and second protested slightly, but had no trouble pulling out of it. I stopped briefly to let my wife and daughter have a look and try the passenger seat out, then continued on.

Cruising the neighborhood streets in third gear at 35mph is about right, and easy to reduce or increase the pace when when needed.

As I pulled on to the highway, I short shifted from first to second, then rolled on, not wanting to push it hard, but was impressed to see 50mph as I shifted to third, and no sign of a rev limiter. From third to fifth was uneventful, with solid, smooth acceleration.

The transmission shift is different than any other I have experienced. Your shifts, both up an down, are confirmed by an audible, forceful clunk. It's not hard to shift, but seems to shift hard. I only had one missed shift. I'm used to a sport touring posture, and after I realized no one had stolen the hardware (the shift lever and rear brake lever are much farther forward, at the end of the long, comfortable foot boards), I adapted quickly to the relaxed cruiser position.

Activation of the cruise control was immediate and smooth, no fluctuation in speed, a welcome surprise to what I had encountered on some of my similarly equipped touring bikes.

I'm pretty confident the Cross Roads Classic could maintain 75-80mph in fifth gear for sustained distances, but when I prompted the transmission into sixth and released the clutch, I started scanning the information center to see if the low oil pressure light was illuminated, or some indication that the engine had disengaged itself from the transmission. I'm sure sixth is "electric" mode, because it was golf cart smooth. The bike has little pulse from the engine to begin with, but this was an obvious reduction in vibration. A small increase in RPM seemingly translates into several MPH.

I only had it out for about 20 miles total, but the factory seat was as comfortable as any I can remember. The windshield was very effective, with little buffeting, not much notice of wind coming up from below and behind the windshield, though I was wearing a full face helmet.

The big bike turns in a little slower than my Honda Pacific Coast 800, but was very manageable, even at slower speeds. The brakes were spot on and well proportioned to the size and weight of the machine. Two and three-fingered operation of the front was not an issue, and the rear was firm, never felt grabby or unsettling.

I could easily get used to this within the first hundred miles. As a matter of fact, the ride home on the Honda was cautious for the first twenty miles, while I readjusted to the change in geometry and character.

I will probably have to wait and find one of these second or third-hand before I can wear out a set of tires on one, but if money were not an object, there would only have been 16 bikes at the next Demo Ride on the schedule!

I would like to say "Thanks!" to Greg Stahlman and his staff, Victory Motorcycles and the Reps that were here today, for making this possible. I have long admired Victory's, this was the first one I've ever ridden, an I was NOT disappointed.

Anybody interested in a Honda PC800?
 I'd gladly trade art work for payments. Yeah, it's Mason jar, cane-sugar-sweet, Southern iced-tea good!

Maybe a one year, 25k mile test ride, rolling billboard? Greg? Victory?

New Tires

Not many people have escaped the effects of our economic hardships. I generally err on the side of thrift, but don't mind paying more for a quality product.

Is there a middle ground for those that chock up enough miles in a season, or annually, to necessitate replacing tires more than once? Can I find a set of tires that won't break the bank, yet deliver respectable mileage?
If I could purchase a less expensive brand/model that would deliver at least half the distance of the higher rated tire, I would be willing to try them for at least one cycle. I can change/mount/balance for myself, which greatly increases my options.

I have had good results, previously, with Dunlop Elite series tires, primarily on the Honda Goldwings I have owned. Bridgestone has served me well on one or two heavy cruisers (Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1500's). While I'm unsure of exact mileage, the Continental Conti-Tour tires on the 1985 Yamaha Venture Royale I currently own have provided satisfactory service, especially the front, a TK16, if I'm not mistaken.

With Christmas funding, property taxes and heating fuel a priority at the moment, if I want to keep the bike roadworthy, I'm looking at more bargain oriented options, though. I like the looks of the Shinko Tourmasters and Kenda Kruz. I have had at least one of each of these, but due to my trading habits, have never managed to completely wear a set out while the bike was in my possession.

In my opinion, any motorcycle tire which yields 10,000 miles or better would be welcome. My own best experience was a set of Dunlop Elite II's, on a 1986 Goldwing GL1200, which were good for 14,000. I still believe motorcycle tires should be capable of much higher distances, especially for street/highway applications. It seems I pay more now for tires that achieve little more mileage than when I returned to riding 13 years ago, or perhaps when I first rode a bike in the early 80's. I've only had one bike which was equipped with radial tires, and the additional expense required for the privilege is enough to be a factor when I consider trades.

If there were a car tire in equivalent size for my application, I would readily try it (rear fitment only).

Thoughts? Experiences? Recommendations?

Ride Safe! If the other rider ain't wavin', it ain't me ridin!

oh'