7000 miles on s3, badlands, winslow, and thanks.

[barriec]

Hello all,

Just returned from crossing the u.s. twice - georgia to california and back. saw big sur and rocky mountains and sturgis and albuquerque and the badlands, san francisco and highway 1 and highway 50 across utah and nevada, and a night in yosemite. broke down in winslow arizona - big thanks to those on this board and phoenix international motorsports (dan) for getting me on the road, as well as foothills bmw triumph in denver for new tires. both of these dealers were incredible - really tops all the way - i hope they know how much a rider on the road appreciates a friendly face getting him back out there. and huge thanks to vanessa for helping me when i broke down and riding 4200 of those miles on the s3 with me. only a biker really understands what it's like on a long haul.

yes, you can tour on the s3, mine's got 26000 miles and been to canada, the dragon, the pacific and about 30 different states.

and, a photo from the badlands.

barrie

[dblhelx]

Nice to know speedy can handle such a rigorous tour. What broke in Arizona?

Did you do oil changes on the road?

I went from southern Cali to New York back in 1992, but that was on a Suzuki GS1000. Nice trip.

[barriec]

front wheel bearing. second in two years, apparently from pressure washing, which of course i know better than. i hear good and bad about triumph build quality, but i'll say this: after 26000+ miles, this bike has been as reliable as i would ever have a right to expect.

oil/air filter/coolant/brake fluids all changed week prior to leaving, then no oil change on the road (which we can all debate), but i normally change every 3000 miles and i figured on the road at relatively constant speeds along long distances would not stress the engine nor oil so much...ride along at 85mph for 6 hours except for food/breaks is pretty gentle (was my working theory at least, one that has not let me down on longish journeys).

barrie

[6485]

sweeeeeet man, awesome pics. I'd love to do that trip. Actually got a guy on his way to NC from Cali right now on his Daytona! Dano left Sunday, and should be here this weekend. I spoke with him this morning, and he was in New Mexico. I really gotta do the cross country thing one day. Props my man, sounds like a blast! :

[Stampy]

Had an 02 the same colour Neon Blue, brings a tear to the eye!! Had zero probs with mine. Great tour by the sounds.

[greasygraeme]

gotta envy u guys in the states,love to do rides like that,oh well back to day dreaming


greasy

[bobw3592]

:::

What more can be said, but join us at Cheap's for a ride this weekend, kinda like a cool off lap.

Bob

[BigRedandRiding]

7000 miles!? Good job, Barriec!

Now maybe people will stop complaining about the seat on the S3 and just suck it up and ride!!!

Well done!

[Catenaccio]

Congrats! I'm impressed with your journey and pics, especially of the badlands.

[keener]

beautiful picture from the bad lands. two mentions of NM in this thread... nice! We have some beautiful spots here to ride (especially up north). Hope your trip through was good.