high there...whatz your 4gal fuel cell ???...this i
gotta see...tia...simon...ireland.
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> I have a Vmax ('86) myself, and I was wondering how
> I can take a good deal
> of bagage with me if I want to make a trip. You
> seem to have some
> experience, so maybe you can help me out. The Vmax
> is pretty standard.
>
> Jan
> Go to Ingo Ulrich's website (http://www.vmax.to/)
> and click on the "Luggage"
> button, then click on the two pix (to launch larger
> images) of my old Vmaxs
> loaded down on trips.
>
> A short list of "must do's" before you start
> traveling:
> BALANCE the load. Notice how I carry two back packs
> slung right behind the
> steering stem up front. These do double duty as
> weight up front and
> wind/rain protection for my legs. I also carry my
> cameras in a tank bag and
> my tools in a fork bag just to get some weight
> balance up front.
> Keep your luggage weight forward of the rear
> axle. This is very
> important. Avoid any type of of "leveraging" effect
> that makes your front
> end lighter over bumps/dips.
> Finally, if you intend to carry a passenger,
> DON'T overload the Max. I
> run an Excel spreadsheet to calculate/balance my
> load to be sure I don't
> exceed the weight limit of the bike. If you've got
> a passenger of 120 lbs.
> you'll find yourself very close to the limit with no
> luggage at all...
> TIRE PRESSURE. I think the manual lists 32psi front
> & 40 psi rear for full
> weight capacity. Air up before you leave and check
> it often while you're
> gone. Also, prepare yourself for a tire change
> (especially the rear) after
> about 6,000 miles. I run the Metzler Marathon ML2
> Plus (hard compound/high
> mileage) on the rear and still end up buying tires
> on the trip.
> STEERING STEM. Let your shop check this before your
> trip. The extra weight
> on the rear end makes it critical to have your stem
> tightened right up to
> full spec.
> SOFT LUGGAGE. I've used many different soft bags
> before settling on Eclipse
> Interstate bags as the best bet--short of the Givi
> bag set up I fabricated
> myself. Also, medium sized dry bags carry quite
> well on top your saddle bags.
> WHEEL BEARINGS. At the same time your dealer checks
> your steering stem...
> Have them lube your front and rear wheel bearings.
> I did a "complete" brake
> and tire trip to a dealer (I don't use anymore) only
> to find out after the
> crash that my rear wheel bearing was dry and locked
> up. Despite having both
> wheels off the bike, they never lubed the bearings!
> Now, I specifically lube
> my own bearings before I tour.
> GAS RANGE. Prepare to stop often. With luggage
> (especially the front back
> packs) attached, your lousy aerodynamics are going
> to become downright awful.
> I see my reserve light at 85 miles, and I'm
> empty--switching over to my
> spare 4 gal fuel cell--by 105 miles.
> OPTIONAL equipment. I'm (now) running Progressive
> springs & Gold Valve
> emulators in my front forks, and Works (13" standard
> length) shocks in back,
> plus aftermarket solid fork brace. Makes a world of
> difference in how the
> bike handles under a load.
> ADVICE. At long last... With no mods, at 90% of
> weight capacity, over
> thousands of miles, though I DON'T recommend it, I
> must admit that once upon
> a time I thought it was funny to stand on my seat at
> speed, stand on my pegs
> and lean forward into the wind like Superman, and
> lay down over the whole
> load front to back--warming my toes over my rear
> muffler outlets. I never
> experienced a handling problem despite my insane
> antics! I had great fun
> passing cars with the classic "drop to 2nd and floor
> it" technique while in
> these positions. After a tank slap crash (carrying
> no luggage at all) I
> haven't worked up the nerve to resume these moments
> of fun, but I know
> they're possible...
> There's no better way to see the world than on a
> Vmax!!
> Dan VMOA632
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