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Cruiser
Posts: 141
Cumming, GA | I know that you would NORMALLY go mud dobbing on a 4 wheeler or a jeep or some other 4 wheel drive vehicle.
But on a Vision??????
Well! Guess what!!! I did it on my Vision, not by choice, but by circumstance.
During my marathon ride, which started with the AVR in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, I went to Ft Collins, CO to meet with some buddies and attend the "Thunder in the Rockies" rally. After that we took off for the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.
We got to Dubois, WY, stopped to fill-up and was told by the locals that it was snowing on the pass that drops down into Jackson. We decided to stay the night in Dubois and left the next morning around 9:30. When we reached the top, the highway department had 5 miles of the road skinned of payment, the snow had melted and there was 1-4 inches of mud between me and Jackson.
I had no choice but to take the dive and see what happens. As it turns out, I had my camera mounted on my windshield and recorded the entire trip across the mud.
I didn't lose it, but I came close a few times. I would not recommend it to anyone on a 2 wheeler.
The trip took about 20 to 25 minutes, but I cut the recording down to about 5 minutes.
If you are interested, you can see the results on my web site at
(http://web.mac.com/carlan01/Site/Mud_Dobbing_on_a_Vision.html).
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
Decatur, GA | Bob,
They say a mud bath is good for you... I guess you still have a Black bike under all that mess! BTW, at least it is not Georgia Red Clay which stains due to the iron contents.
Still waiting for my 2009 to come in from Jeff and getting antsy...
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Bob,
Had a similar experience outside Canmore, AB this summer.
The placed that I had booked for 3 days wasn't actually IN Canmore, but in the mountains outside of town. (That will teach me to read the fine print closer.) It was a 30 mile trip up the side of a mountain. In the rain. As it was getting dark. With a narrow, wash-board gravel road.
My wife was less enuthusiastic that I was. Yeah. Good times. . .good times.
The bike was a milky white for the rest of the trip. Took me two weeks to scrub all the mud off of her.
But, although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, the bike handled very well. A light touch, and a constant speed, got us through.
Definitely a memory I'll have forever. 
Edited by Breaker 2008-09-12 1:37 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Bob, I thought you said you got your Vision dirty, lol. Hell mine looks like that regularly, lmao... Seriously we have tons of roads that start off paved and quickly turn to mud/dirt so you never know what you'll be getting into. The Vision is definitely no Harley bagger when it comes to dirt and mud but perhaps this is a good place for a hint on riding the Vision on dirt/mud roads.
Because of the larger/wider rear tire the Vision seeks out a groove (harleys don't due to the same tire) so if you know this and don't fight the rear you'll have far more success at NOT washing out the front. Shift your riding position to a more upright, flat foot the boards, slight lean forward and over grip the bars. Over gripping the bars means to reach up an over before placing your hands on the grips so you wouldbe giving the bike more throttle if you dropped your elbows. You want your elbows pointed out almost like a motocross rider would. If you can see a tire groove in the road stay way clear of it or the rear tire will drop in sucking the front over. Fighting this will wash the front out.
The first time or two will feel really odd and if I didn't HAVE to ride on these types of roads EVER I'd toss this advice, but most of us will eventually hit dirt so you might wish to find a dirt road and get a feel when its DRY because its much worse when wet. Having done it so many times now both wet and dry out of necessity its no big deal. I'd encourage everyone to at least ahve a couple goes at it, EVEN if it means the bike will need a bath.
Oh and Bob, THIS trip will be one of those you remember and retell for a long time. Gotta love the road less travelled....... T |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
Cumming, GA | The Vision handled beautifully in the mud and you are right.... I just had to let the Vision do it's thing.
I never put the foot down, but the guys following me thought that I had bought the farm a couple of times.
This has been a fun trip and it is now over yet. I still have to go to the Grand Canyon and do the Skywalk, Palm Springs, CA to play golf (clubs are in the trailer), AZ for some golf and perhaps then, I will start home.
Who knows???????? Life on the Vision is good. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Man!!!!!! You did that with a TRAILER! My hat's off to you!!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | Congrats, you did one he.. of a job!!! Even thought the bike is a mess I'd still like to know where you came up with the flag mount you've got. Did you buy it or make it? I know one that will fit the luggage rack but I don't plan on mounting the trunk rack.
Ride Safe, Ride Often!!
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL |
Folks...don't miss next weeks all new exciting episode !!!!
EITHER........
Bob runs a loaded Vision across a frozen lake !!!!
OR
Bob unpuckers his backside & cleans out his undies !!!!
Running in that much mud is nothing but silk smooth nerves combined with rock solid experience...with a slight pinch of luck tossed in.
You mentioned "we" and then you say "I"...was your spousal unit with you? Or another bike?
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | For the next time i recommend some B.F.Goodrich All-terrain tires! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
Cumming, GA | I made the mount. I can give you plans or I can make one for you for cost.
Bob |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
Cumming, GA | A couple of friends were following me in a truck. That is the "we". |
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