Looking for Wingmen

[Sukiyaki]

I have a few thousand kms on an ST1300. They offer nice wind and rain protection, are reliable as a hammer, and they move and handle nicely. You’re not gonna keep up to a K or FJR, and you’ll be toasty warm.

Note: map out places where you can get a front tire. Last time I circled Superior we ended up with plugs as we could not find a tire anywhere in stock.

Don’t worry about the fairing - youll never likely need to remove it

That mapping advice is excellent! I’m still sorting my gear and haven’t even started my planning yet, but that sort of thing will be critical.

I’m riding solo (not really a group riding guy), and not in a hurry so speed/handling comparables don’t factor into my consideration. As long as it’s a big bore that pulls has some getaway punch when needed, I’m good.

Warm is good, because I’ll be living on the road my riding season is probably going to stretch on both ends.

I noticed that one of the previous posters had a spare strapped to his bike. Makes sense, but again it’s something that didn’t really factor into my gear list just yet.

 

[Gaoler]

I know it seems kinda un-adventurous, but...
There's no real shame in buying an upgraded CAA membership to fall back on...
Well, there's shame, but... I wont judge.


Buddy used his recently when he experienced a flat.
It certainly was convenient having the bike flat bedded home where he could do his repair in comfort.

 

[Wingboy]

I know it seems kinda un-adventurous, but...
There's no real shame in buying an upgraded CAA membership to fall back on...
Well, there's shame, but... I wont judge.


Buddy used his recently when he experienced a flat.
It certainly was convenient having the bike flat bedded home where he could do his repair in comfort.

Only used CAA twice. For my 1800 wing. Bad fuel injector 1st time. Bad alternator 2nd time. And that's with owning 4 Ducatis somewhere in all those years. The wing had 130k on it when i sold it.

 

[mimico_polak]

Just for kicks I looked into these models and WOW...so many features, variations, and wild pricing from super cheap...to stupidly expensive (to the non-baller club).

Beautiful bikes, but so many options.

 

[ToSlow]

If you do end up with a more modern wing, speeding is very easy to achieve on that bike and not even realize how fast you're going

 

[MacDoc]

This is from Shad and no reason it will not attach to any top case. We found it incredibly useful for carrying odd shaped stuff but mostly for drying clothes. Some times washing the technical shirts they were not quite dry ....just strap them on this for a hour in the sun and perfectly dry.
Top of Beartooth after sweating in Yellowstone valley in Fathers Day traffic

Think we also strapped a riding jacket on a particularly hot day in BC. Came across a picture from that trip and thought might be worth a suggestion

 

[Mad Mike]

If you do end up with a more modern wing, speeding is very easy to achieve on that bike and not even realize how fast you're going

Any Wing. My ‘75 prefers 130kmh over putzing along.

Damn bike always seems to wander up to that speed all by itself.

 

[timtune]

Near the end of our Wing touring days the speedo cable went. Squeeze would normally give me a swat when she could see anything over 120 on the dial. Coming home on that trip we were doing close to 140 most of the way (judging by the tach). She never had a clue based on the swat free ride.

On a ride out west I had the Interstate up to an indicated 160 trying to catch the leader. It started weaving so bad I wasn't sure I would stop it in one piece. From then on I would heed the gentle weave warning at 150.