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Mild Hogs Motorcycle Trip...

Discussion in 'YachtForums Yacht Club' started by YachtForums, Aug 5, 2025.

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  1. Hatterized, Aug 5, 2025
    #21
    Hatterized

    Hatterized Member

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    ahhhh seeing America on 2 wheels, the scenery, aromas, constantly changing temps, not for the faint of heart but for many like myself a bucket list item i crossed off in 2003...Wash, DC thru Milwaukee, WI (2003 HD Anniversary Celebration) then Sturgis, SD onto Vancouver, BC then south down PCH thru CA into Arizona, trip ended 18 wheeler trailer tire tread pelted the bike and I so 2 days in hospital, bike was totaled out by insurance company and after 32 days and 2 days at hospital i flew home so no long trips anymore :eek:
    Surely did enjoy you sharing your trip of the Rockies and the panoramic scenery they offer :)
  2. YachtForums, Aug 5, 2025
    #22
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Sorry to hear that. Every rider fears unexpected debris. I hit a rock about the size of a grapefruit and it launched me and the bike in the air at about 60 mph. Really amazed the tire didn’t blow out. I feel lucky that I didn’t come home in a cast. Or worse… a casket!
    Hatterized likes this.
  3. Norseman, Aug 6, 2025
    #23
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Agree with you on the hospital food Carl: The first (and only) time I crashed a bike it cost me a week in the hospital with a broken knee and a cast from arse to ankle and 3 missing incisors.
    The good thing about the missing teeth was I couldn’t eat much of the hospital food. :D
    I was 15 years old and never crashed anything after that, too much pain involved.

    Great road trip out West and refreshing to get away from the SE Florida summers for sure.
    I won’t ride anything in Florida, too much craziness on the road, lost friends and colleagues to bike accidents, not joining them in heaven, yet.:cool:
  4. chesapeake46, Aug 6, 2025
    #24
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    Nice documentary of your trip.
    I am envious for sure.
  5. YachtForums, Aug 6, 2025
    #25
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I hope it encourages all who read it to seize the day. Time is the only currency you spend without knowing your balance.
    Half hitch likes this.
  6. Capt Ralph, Aug 6, 2025
    #26
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I was 300 lb and pushed Water Buffaloes during the 70s.
    Found a motor shop that would build a seat and tune the bike for my weight.
    Fork oil was o k but different springs and shocks in the rear.
    After, like riding on a cloud.

    In the pictures, you don't have much weight (skinny).
    Riding a used motor seat that somebody else wore out, you may consider a new seat and if you can, find an old school bike tuning shop.
    Lighter oil up front and lighter shocks in the rear can help your cloud.
    Oh, Always ship your suitcase ahead. Other than a quick night bag, you don't want that extra weight with you.
  7. YachtForums, Aug 6, 2025
    #27
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Skinny? I’m 6’2” and 200 lbs. I had the factory seat reupholstered with memory foam. Much more comfortable now, but HOT! A sheepskin seat cover helps mitigate the issue. The bike is comfortable to me but if I had the means, I’d be on a Goldwing. THAT’S like riding on a cloud!
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  8. Half hitch, Aug 10, 2025
    #28
    Half hitch

    Half hitch New Member

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    Great pictures and report
    I have a ride out to the midwest on my bucket list. I recently added this girl to my collection to do it on hopefully before I get to old! ( Mid sixties now ).

    ctx1300.jpg
    Hatterized likes this.
  9. Capt Ralph, Aug 10, 2025
    #29
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Skinny as a light pole. Big Skya.jpg :):)

    During the 70&80s when I rode, I was 6'8" and 270-280lbs. That's why my bikes needed a little help.:D:D
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2025
  10. YachtForums, Aug 10, 2025
    #30
    YachtForums

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    I searched for a CTX1300 prior to buying the VTX. Not many out there! I’ve never ridden one so I went with the more familiar option. Researching the Honda CTX forums, some posters mentioned a wind buffeting issue but otherwise love the bike. A 2014 CTX just hit the Cycle Trader and it’s located nearby in Cocoa Beach…

    https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2014-Honda®-CTX1300-5036372014#sid=848696

    I’ve never ridden one. What’s your opinion on the bike?
  11. Half hitch, Aug 11, 2025
    #31
    Half hitch

    Half hitch New Member

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    My first love is my 2014 Moto Guzzi 1400 California (pic) which has loads of power and character. The CTX has 30 less horsepower then my Guzzi but I just don't really feel the difference when going through the gears. Ctx engine is super smooth. I'm 6', 160lbs and find the stock seat comfortable. Both my bikes had complaints about buffeting but I bought a new helmet after my accident that went away ( what a difference a helmet design makes )..go figure. I was on the fence for several years about buying one of these but even though I've only had the bike a few months I am very happy with it. I paid $5k for my CTX, it had 12K miles on it and needed new tires ( seller wanted gone that weekend to make rm for his new BMW bike ). From watching the market on these bikes, $6k is about the norm for these bikes to get sold.
    guzzi windscreen.jpg
    YachtForums likes this.
  12. 993RSR, Aug 11, 2025
    #32
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    Sounds like a great trip. At 74.8 yo I just bought a new BMW 900XR. My KTM890 adventure bike is killing me. Days in the dirt are over. Need more of an old guys bike.
    Half hitch likes this.
  13. ScrumpyVixen, Aug 11, 2025
    #33
    ScrumpyVixen

    ScrumpyVixen Member

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    That's looks like a great trip. If you can, try and do something every couple of years, because time gets away from you and issues arise as you get older.

    Its also refreshing to see pictures of the stunning scenery and places on the way, as over the past year or so, you tend to forget that most of the US is welcoming and really enjoyable.

    Great post.
  14. YachtForums, Aug 12, 2025
    #34
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I had dirt bikes as a teen. Started out on a Suzuki TM100 and graduated to an RM125. While Joe Namoth was every kids hero, Roger DeCoster was mine. At the time (circa 1975), I rode Red Bud in Buchanon, MI. Moved back to Florida and didn't ride again until I was 36 years old when a couple of friends bought dirtbikes in an attempt to recapture our youth. We rode several of the Florida motocross tracks; Dania, Homestead, Okeechobee and the Disneyland for offroad bikes; Croom. Within a couple of months I could make most of the doubles but never attempted a triple.

    One night in Dania, Craig Barrie (Cigarette Powerboats owner) showed up with his kids who were pursuing a career in motocross. He was on the bleachers filming the kids and happened to catch me too. Up until this point, I thought I was flying around the track. After seeing myself on video getting passed by a pee-wee on a 50, I hung up my helmet and never rode again. Video has a way of shattering your perception of yourself.

    Still love dirtbikes but my body doesn't. Now... old guys bikes rule!
  15. YachtForums, Aug 12, 2025
    #35
    YachtForums

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    That's quite an eclectic collection; a MotoGuzzi and a CTX. Begs the question... what else is in the stable?
    Half hitch likes this.
  16. Half hitch, Aug 12, 2025
    #36
    Half hitch

    Half hitch New Member

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    Well I just sold this sweetheart and regret it already! 2000, Triumph Adventurer 900.
    ad1.jpg
  17. YachtForums, Aug 12, 2025
    #37
    YachtForums

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    One of YFs writers; Loren Schweitzer bought a Triumph when they returned to the US market. We rode together a few times. Each time he rode from South Miami to Stuart before we commenced our ride further north along the Florida coast. How he survived riding I-95 in Miami is a miracle! I recently looked at the Triumph line at Broward Motorsports. “What was old is new again” comes to mind.
  18. YachtForums, Aug 12, 2025
    #38
    YachtForums

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    This was the 2002 VTX1800C that I had for 20 years. Bought it a year before launching YF which didn't leave me much time to ride after that. Sold it 2 years ago with 7000 miles (6000 of those miles were in the first year). I never intended to ride again but when a friend in Colorado bought a bike and sent pics of his travels, I was all in and began searching for another VTX.

    Attached Files:

    Half hitch likes this.
  19. Half hitch, Aug 12, 2025
    #39
    Half hitch

    Half hitch New Member

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    The 1800 is a beautiful and fast machine. My son has a 1300 and his Harley friends give him grief about it but my son reminds them that he is always helping them to repair their bikes and they can't remember the last time they saw him work on his Honda, LOL. Heck I grew up in Ft Laud ( 1965-2005 ) and I would not own a bike if I lived down there now and Miami traffic was bad even before I left Fla.
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