It was in the 80's today, but very windy. The wind gusted to 20-30 mph at times. Riding into the wind, or with the wind, helped with that though. It felt good to go for a ride in a tank top again. I decided it was a Night Rod kind of a day. I was hoping the wind would keep the bugs to a minimum....do dice.
Always been intrigued with the Night Rod/V-Rod, is it comfortable? Always seemed like the seating position would be a little awkward?
Being 5'8" tall, it was a bit of reach in stock form, but with a pusher seat and foot pegs that are about an inch closer to me, it's very comfy. I can easily ride 400 miles in a day. The wind will tire me out before the seating position does.
Stopped at the dealership yesterday to set up my 100,000 mile service, which includes a new rear tire, sprocket and drive belt....cha-ching. It'll be at least a week before I can get it in.
After the dealership visit I decided to head back home to change the oil in the Night Rod. It was really windy, so riding all day wasn't on the top of my list. On the way home the Limited hit 99,000 miles It probably won't hit 100,000 prior to the service date, due to the rear tire wear, but we'll see.
Once I finished the Night Rod oil change I decided to take it for a ride. It was still windy, but it was also a tad bit warmer, so I suited up and headed south....with the wind, to warmer temps. I went through Utica, Ottawa, Seneca, Marseilles, LaSalle-Peru, Tisklwa, Princeton, and Mendota....along the way. I was in Princeton around 5:30pm and things started to cool off, and the sun started hiding behind a few clouds. I started to feel the chill and was wishing I had the heated gear on the Night Rod too....lol. I did have on my cold weather gloves, flannel lined jeans, long johns and wool socks, which all helped.
Between the two bikes I got 288 miles. Not a high mileage day, but it did the trick. I'm a bit stuffed up today, thanks to those cooler temps on the way home, but it was worth it.
We got a new computer system at work on Tuesday....it has not been going well. Yesterday I had to get on the bike and get a bit of therapy, so I headed to my trusty Rock River run.
Things are finally full on green again, with no signs of winter anywhere....except when I wake up in the morning and it's still in the 30's!! Stop it already! Not a long ride, but enough to clear my head, and lower my blood pressure. Prior to leaving work I took out a bit of frustration on the "support guy".....lol.
Today was an awesome ride day. But I didn't think I was going to be able to go. I rolled the Night Rod out of the garage and did my pre ride walk around and found hat my tail light wasn't working. The brake light worked, so off I went.
I stopped at Workman's HD in Rockfalls and got a new bulb, put in pocket, and was prepared for my traffic stop...lol.
Once in Clinton I took Hwy 136 North up to Dyersville, and the Field of Dreams. I didn't go in, as I've been there a few times. I just wanted to see how they did the field for the Sox game, that got canceled due to Covid. They built in behind the movie field, and I think it kind of ruins the vibe.
From there it was north bound once again, on a few curvy, hilly roads, that took me to Buena Vista, which is 5 miles from the Cassville Ferry launch....so when in Rome.
Me and a guy from Lanark were the only two on the ferry. He was behind me until we hit Cuba WI.
I rode some more curvy back roads home. Had a blast.
Once home I installed the new bulb, and the Night Rod is ready for the next ride......as am I.
Today I washed the Night Rod, and I think it was the very first time I actually used a bucket and hose on it. I also waxed it, well, I used Maquire's hybrid ceramic car wax, for the first time. It was pretty easy to use. I guess we'll see how it holds up.
Afterwards I rode to Fox River Harely-Davidson, in St. Charles. I just wandered around the store and checked out all the neat stuff. Picked me out an adventure bike too.....I wish. From there is was a few back roads home.
As luck would have it, as soon as I finished cleaning the bike the sun basically vanished, but the temps were in the lower 70's so it was all good.
05-01-2021 | 11:34 AM
