Motorcycle Sport Touring Association Forums

Motorcycle Sport Touring Association Forums http://www.sporttouring.us/ You have arrived at the MSTA (Motorcycle Sport Touring Association) home page (formerly HSTA). We are an all brands motorcycle sport touring club that emphasizes riding skills improvement and safety. We tend to travel secondary roads in small groups, using interstates only when forced, and see the wonderful sights and settings that many miss. Explore our website and forum to see everything we have to offer. Please be sure to contact us with any questions you may have. en Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:02:53 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.sporttouring.us/images/misc/rss.png Motorcycle Sport Touring Association Forums http://www.sporttouring.us/ Triumph Demo rides 9/4/2010 http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8229-Triumph-Demo-rides-9-4-2010?goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:53:16 GMT This Saturday 9/4 Gary Christopher, Tom Gehman (newer member from Shelby) and I are riding to: http://triumph.bmw-ducati.com/home_triumph.asp in... This Saturday 9/4 Gary Christopher, Tom Gehman (newer member from Shelby) and I are riding to:

http://triumph.bmw-ducati.com/home_triumph.asp in Matthews, NC = Charlotte, NC

as they are having the Triumph demo truck in... AND while they are not gonna have the new Sprint GT to demo ride they are gonna have one to see... perhaps touch... perhaps to sit on?? AND then we are going to go down to

http://www.compacc.com/e/Retail-Stores in Rock Hill, SC

I am meeting Gary and Tom in Shelby, NC at 9:00AM at the Texico gas station in Shelby on 74 By-Pass and Post Road at 9:00AM. From there to the Triumph dealer... to Comp Acc.

Anyone who wants to join us.

Brick ]]> Southeast Region Brick http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8229-Triumph-Demo-rides-9-4-2010 MSTA Central Brunch Ride http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8228-MSTA-Central-Brunch-Ride?goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:16:06 GMT MSTA Florida Central Brunch Ride

When: Sat, September 11, 10:30am - 11:30am
Where: MOJO's Wings Burgers and Beer 1845 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801

We were here a year ago Feb, and enjoyed a great lunch. They have now expanded to serving breakfast on the weekends, so it's time to return for a great meal, and some excellent "window shopping" right next door at the Fun Bike Center.
The last time we were here, several members found themselves unable to leave....and now I hear that they have a new VFR, ST1300 and a few other "I gotta haves" on the sales floor. See ya there!!

Contact: Van at 561-386-2594 or busavan@flahsta.org ]]> Event Announcements RIDEMYST http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8228-MSTA-Central-Brunch-Ride <![CDATA[Any Ole' GPS files hanging around for Bull Shoals?]]> http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8227-Any-Ole-GPS-files-hanging-around-for-Bull-Shoals?goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:59:09 GMT I'm sure there will be plenty of great routes on paper, but I'm curious if anyone has a personal collection of GPS routes for the area.

I'm thinking about making my first Bull Shoals event this year.

TIA, Chuck (PS, not registered in advance...my apologies) :20: ]]> Ozarks BS Rally motocbiker http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8227-Any-Ole-GPS-files-hanging-around-for-Bull-Shoals Etowah Adventure http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8226-Etowah-Adventure?goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:59:09 GMT Etowah Adventure - Dual Sport and Street - Red Roof Inn - Etowah, TN Etowah Adventure - Dual Sport and Street - Red Roof Inn - Etowah, TN ]]> Event Announcements TN2Wheeler http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8226-Etowah-Adventure Frequent Posters http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8223-Frequent-Posters?goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:39:10 GMT Hey it is the first of the month and if you hurry, you can be a "top" poster! :21: ]]> General Chat gediehl4 http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8223-Frequent-Posters <![CDATA["The Three Amigo's Tour 2010" (or The First Tour with the VFR DCT): Part 2]]> http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8222-quot-The-Three-Amigo-s-Tour-2010-quot-(or-The-First-Tour-with-the-VFR-DCT)-Part-2?goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:18:53 GMT With dark approaching, we settled in to get as far as we could before it was too late to reasonably assure ourselves of a hotel room. The travel plan... With dark approaching, we settled in to get as far as we could before it was too late to reasonably assure ourselves of a hotel room. The travel plan was easy enough for that… shoot E on 80/90 till 69, then N till we were good for the night. I wish I could say it was an eventful ride, but the biggest thrill was just really riding with my sons again… and I mused at my eldest son’s bare arms getting stung by splattered bugs, knowing he was too stubborn to admit a t-shirt was not appropriate riding gear. His H-D Iron 883 was our limiting range, maxed at a distance of 100 miles, so I figured he’d change soon enough. The VFR maintained my previously observed averages of 150-165 miles before the gauge blinked, with 1-.6 gallons left in the tank at fill up. With an average of 42-43 miles/gallon, the range is approx. 175-200, which is definitely beyond the butt range on even the optional low-cut seat.

Before our first fuel stop, night had settled in, and as we had expected, it started to rain. Leading on the VFR, its light cut a nice swath on 69, and the bright beam illuminated well down the road when needed. The VFR’s instrumentation is simple, relatively easy to read, and the Garmin 660 was mounted perfectly. Mirrors are really cleverly sculptured, affording a great view, and I could not help but smile at my youngest riding like a champ in the back spot on his SV650, often times giving me a head’s up on upcoming traffic, and making sure our lane was clear and protected during lane changes. As a side note, when we watched videos that my son was taking from the rear, I was impressed with the clarity and size of the VFR’s turn signals, while sadly not being impressed with the tail light or brake light in its size or intensity.

There was nothing pressing about the ride, the VFR’s suspension dampened well, but confirmed what I had decided after the first 1600 miles before this trip, that it is perhaps a bit soft for my tastes from the factory. I had left it because when my wife rides she prefers it, dare I say, “cushiony” , but I made a note to tweak it during the trip. It seems like road construction is everywhere, and MI roads are no exception, though some in my view need all the improvement they can get. The VFR handled the uneven pavement, and “lane shifts” with aplomb, and I felt confident in the rain and dark although it was the first extended time on this bike in that situation. The Dunlop SportMax RoadSmart thus seemed a very good all round sport-touring tire, but later in the trip, I did not like their tendency to tramline the interstate’s, rain-groove cut, concrete surface at 135mph. Ok, shhh, forget I mentioned that.

At the first gas stop, we changed into rain gear, which personally included my Alpinesports Boots that are seemingly impervious to water… but I realized during the moderate rain, that I wasn’t getting very wet anyway. The optional fairing “winglet” extensions, and the double windscreen I had fitted on, did a yeoman’s job of deflecting the air and water, providing a nice clean “bubble” to rest in, and I might add, alleviated the buffeting my wife had experienced before I added them… so…

When we pulled into Durand, MI at 10:30 for gas (got to love the peanut tank on the HD), I was actually relatively fresh, but have to admit, even the low cut seat was beginning to make my butt ache. Still, we decided to not push our luck and got a room at the Quality Inn across the street. I’ll not take it personally that the clerk looked at me and gave us a Senior’s Discount, smiles…. since she also gave us a children’s discount for my youngest son (as the third party in one room). The room was definitely basic, but comfy and clean, and the obligatory free continental breakfast is always a nice dangled carrot. When we did turn in, we found the hotel very quiet, and made a note to think of it on the way back should we need. But first…. After a quick unpacking of overnight stuff… it was back to the clerk for a recommendation for eats. Seems her choice was overwhelmingly for the Iron Horse Pub, downtown… and as we rode there, it seemed very possible it was the ONLY choice.

Click here to enlarge

One of the neat perks of trips like these is finding little jewels off the beaten track, and the Iron Horse is definitely off the track, and also definitely a jewel. A family run establishment, the food was excellent with a varied and interesting menu. Special Props to deep fried kosher pickles that were krispy, scalding hot from the fryer, and so tasty tasty… and also a salute to the friendly waitress who was patient with our food order, brought the t-shirts out to try, never missed a beat with the drink order… and let us sit a spell through coffee towards being clear headed again.

Tired but with clear vision and thoughts once again… at 1 am (or so?) we took our 3 new t-shirts back to the Quality Inn and played some poker for beds, and zonked. Tomorrow, we would be in Niagara!

Click here to enlarge

http://www.sporttouring.us/album.php?albumid=114

(to be continued, please check “Three Amigos Tour 2010: Niagara!” for associated pics.) ]]> Ride Reports zillamoto http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8222-quot-The-Three-Amigo-s-Tour-2010-quot-(or-The-First-Tour-with-the-VFR-DCT)-Part-2 Getting Re-Aquainted with The Dragon http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8221-Getting-Re-Aquainted-with-The-Dragon?goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:33:55 GMT http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Or...1&po=61&pc=159

On Monday August 23rd I rode Deals Gap, my first time since the rock slide took place and has been cleaned up. There were police cars at the overlook and at the store but none in between. Had a decent ride through there. But man! I had no idea those expensive side bags were in that much danger. I'm going to have to take those succers off next time. It just didn't seem like I was going that quickly through there. I was afraid of getting a ticket.

This was my first ride through there on the strom. Even though it lacks super hp it's still fun on a twisty road. ]]> Ride Reports skyway_rider http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8221-Getting-Re-Aquainted-with-The-Dragon Rossi: Traction Control must be curtailed http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8220-Rossi-Traction-Control-must-be-curtailed?goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:06:12 GMT It appears that Valentino Rossi is joining voices like Kenny Roberts, Jr., former AMA superbike winner Mladin, as he expresses his concerns about the... It appears that Valentino Rossi is joining voices like Kenny Roberts, Jr., former AMA superbike winner Mladin, as he expresses his concerns about the impact of electronics controlling traction at high level motorcycle racing. Superbike Planet has a single page on the subject by Dean Adams: "... this is a big problem for Moto GP because the races are very boring." Rossi reminds us of "unbelievable racing prior to engine size reduction, with two tire manufacturers, Michelin and Bridgestone tires. Rossi seems to be critical of single source tires as well as too much reliance on electronic rider aids: "The people want to see the bike wheeling, make (it) slide." "... now like the remote control, no? The rider cannot make any more difference. On the last lap if you have 1.5 second or two second, you remain with ... maybe gain 0.5. Now is like everybody the same." For 2012, when they have to make new rules for the 1000, take out some anti-wheelie, take out some anti-spin. So I hope for fix this problem ... its not enough just to (increase capacity to) 1000. The problem is the electronic." ]]> Race Talk leonardlloyd http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8220-Rossi-Traction-Control-must-be-curtailed Fall Colors Rally, Snowshow WV Oct. 1st - 3rd http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8219-Fall-Colors-Rally-Snowshow-WV-Oct.-1st-3rd?goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:14:44 GMT Fall Colors Ride (WV Oct. 1-3) reg form & hotel details

MSTA Registration Fees:

$7.50 Members
$5.00 Members of Household (MOH)
MSTA Registration Form is in the next STAReview, or download it from the forum thread at http://www.sporttouring.us/showthrea...4336#post24336.

The Inn at Snowshoe: room rates-includes Buffet Breakfast:
$74 Single; $79 Double
Hotel Detail sheet: see attachment at the event's forum thread http://www.sporttouring.us/showthrea...4336#post24336

Thanks and looking forward to seeing you there,

Dave Andersen, Orange Va.
Va. Squadron Co-Director
1984 Honda VF1100S Sabre
1997 Suzuki GSF 1200S Bandit
2001 Aprilia SL1000 Falco

]]> Event Announcements Proprioceptor http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8219-Fall-Colors-Rally-Snowshow-WV-Oct.-1st-3rd Cottage available at the Ozarks BS Rally http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8217-Cottage-available-at-the-Ozarks-BS-Rally?goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:24:20 GMT Fellow MSTA'ers
TMR just called us, and said they had a couple of cancellations, so they have at least one cottage available right now for the BS Rally. The cottages have 2 BR with 2 full size beds in each BR.
They rent for $112.50 per night (our rate, includes 10% discount.) for 1 to 4 people. TMR phone number is 417-273-4444 for reservations.
Hope to see you all there!
Ride safe,
Ed & Linda ]]> General Chat Magna http://www.sporttouring.us/showthread.php/8217-Cottage-available-at-the-Ozarks-BS-Rally