Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => Rides and Stories => Topic started by: JoeRau on July 08, 2014, 09:32:14 AM

Title: bug collection
Post by: JoeRau on July 08, 2014, 09:32:14 AM
Last weekend I was visiting my parents to help around their farm in NW WI.  With the wife and kid off elsewhere I took the C14 for the 4 hour (one way) ride from SE MN. 
Sunday evening on my way home I stopped for gas and cleaned my shield in Minong, WI.  209.5 miles later parked in my garage my helmet looked like this.....
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/dcso3009/IMG_20140707_113454_462_zpswyrpvqdm.jpg) (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/dcso3009/media/IMG_20140707_113454_462_zpswyrpvqdm.jpg.html) 
The front of the bike is no better!
Also the 209.5 miles was without a stop.  No stop sign, stop light, or stop in traffic... which was amazing with holiday weekend traffic on I35 into MSP.  Average 52.9 MPG for the trip & had a high of 54.9 for the last tank on the way home!  Never expected that with the speeds on the slab. 
Title: Re: bug collection
Post by: Rhino on July 08, 2014, 09:49:32 AM
Similar experience riding through west Texas on Sunday. Could hardly see through the windshield at all.

Amazed at your gas mileage. I averaged 46 for the whole trip and but when I was on the 80 mph speed limit slab in TX I only got about 34.
Title: Re: bug collection
Post by: JoeRau on July 08, 2014, 10:03:24 AM
I had to double check my math!  I think the gas may have played a part.  I always run 91+ octane and whenever possible avoid ethanol.  Even a 10% ethanol blend  will cost me 5-8 MPG.  My average over the past year has been 44.  Mostly commuting with a few longer trips.
Title: Re: bug collection
Post by: Rhino on July 08, 2014, 10:29:41 AM
I had to double check my math!  I think the gas may have played a part.  I always run 91+ octane and whenever possible avoid ethanol.  Even a 10% ethanol blend  will cost me 5-8 MPG.  My average over the past year has been 44.  Mostly commuting with a few longer trips.

+1 on that! But nearly impossible on a trip or even here in Austin. It's rare to find no ethanol.
Title: Re: bug collection
Post by: Conrad on July 09, 2014, 05:07:27 AM
Snip...


Also the 209.5 miles was without a stop.  No stop sign, stop light, or stop in traffic... which was amazing with holiday weekend traffic on I35 into MSP.  Average 52.9 MPG for the trip & had a high of 54.9 for the last tank on the way home!  Never expected that with the speeds on the slab.

Good thing that you weren't traveling on I-90 or I-43. Freakin traffic backed up for miles! I hate that :censored: !!! Unfortunately I was in the cage.  >:(
Title: Re: bug collection
Post by: AlbertaDoug on September 04, 2014, 11:13:41 PM
Had to pull over and dig one out of my left eye, had the visor up and windshield down. Qualified as a mass murderer after this ride.  ;D