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| oregonrider | | Set |  | | Reg. Date | : | 02/09/2014 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 02 Sep 2014 - 15:09 Post title : Sturgis experience | | | I have been reading the forum for three years, right after I bought my Thunderbird. I have been on only a couple "long rides" -- the longest being 250 miles. This year, though, I decided to ride to Sturgis for the Motorcycle Rally. From where I live, it was 1,300 miles one way.
Some thoughts from the trip:
The Thunderbird is a fantastic bike. On the way there I rode, 530 miles one day, 400 the next and then a short hop on the final day. The only reason I could not ride longer on the last day is because my head to was itching like crazy. Never had anything like this. I would ride 15 minutes, and have to pull over just to take the helmet off and scratch my head. Back on the bike, and repeat after another 15 minutes. In Sturigs, I bought one of those skull caps and problem solved.
On the trip back home, I rode 731 miles the final day.
The bike handled the mountains and curves, as well as the long open roads of Montana and Wyoming. Cruising at 90 mph in comfort, with plenty of power to pass trucks when needed.
But the bike was nimble enough at slow speeds -- 2 mph in crowds, and in tight places where I had to park.
It was fun, I must admit, to see a pack of Harley's on the open road, and I would pass with power to spare.
This is a great bike
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| AleXL4 | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/09/2012 | | Posts | : | 571 | | Location | : | Gympie, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 02 Sep 2014 - 16:19 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: oregonrider) | | |  
Cheers
Alex
| Enjoying the Journey
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| oregonrider | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 02/09/2014 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 02 Sep 2014 - 16:40 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: AleXL4) | | | Thanks.
I can tell you when I most appreciated this bike: I was riding through a terrible wind and rain storm in Montana. Gusts so strong I had to angel the bike into the wind.
The weight and power were incredible.
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 02 Sep 2014 - 17:06 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: oregonrider) | | |
oregonrider wrote:
Thanks.
I can tell you when I most appreciated this bike: I was riding through a terrible wind and rain storm in Montana. Gusts so strong I had to angel the bike into the wind.
The weight and power were incredible. |
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The Tbird is great in wind especially side wind - its very well planted. I rode across Montana on a HD (Via the Circle to Jordan road) with a side wind all the way and I was all over the road. Not much protection up on those roads.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| AZCactus | | Taranis | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/05/2013 | | Posts | : | 4,512 | | Location | : | AZ |
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| | Posted : 02 Sep 2014 - 21:59 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: oregonrider) | | | Nice personal reflection oregonrider...you, the thunderbird and journey. Goin' next year?
| 2009 Thunderbird 1700 Big Bore
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| Noladuck | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 05/06/2011 | | Posts | : | 260 | | Location | : | Portland, Oregon, United States |
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| | Posted : 03 Sep 2014 - 02:45 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: oregonrider) | | | That is some serious iron butt riding! What part of Oregon are you located?
Chris
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| oregonrider | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 02/09/2014 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 03 Sep 2014 - 14:23 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: Noladuck) | | | I know. I wish I had kept the receipts so I could have qualified for Iron Butt. I live in Portland
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| oregonrider | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 02/09/2014 | | Posts | : | 4 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 03 Sep 2014 - 14:23 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: AZCactus) | | | I doubt I will go next year, but I would like to set out on another long adventure. Have any ideas or destinations?
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| RC65 | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 679 | | Location | : | Redmond, Washington, United States |
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| | Posted : 03 Sep 2014 - 14:31 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: oregonrider) | | |
oregonrider wrote:
I doubt I will go next year, but I would like to set out on another long adventure. Have any ideas or destinations? |
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You could always join other Tbirds owners (including Noladuck, another Portland rider who posted above) at next year's 4th Annual Northwest Thunderbird Flocking up here in Seattle. The 3rd Annual event was held a few weeks ago:
Link
It's a summer event, and the ride usually runs around 4 to 5 hours. PM me w/ your name and email if you'd like me to add you to our email group list.
| Thunderbird Riders in Puget Sound (TRiPS) / Seattle
-- co-holder of the title of the United States' Largest Thunderbird Flocking!
https://www.facebook.com/thunderbirdridersinpugetsound
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| Noladuck | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 05/06/2011 | | Posts | : | 260 | | Location | : | Portland, Oregon, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2014 - 04:13 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: oregonrider) | | | I just created a Facebook group for Oregon Thunderbird riders.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TriumphThunderbirdsPDX/
email: TriumphThunderbirdsPDX@groups.facebook.com
Ron has done a really great job organizing riders in the Puget Sound area, and I really have enjoyed the two "flockings" I participated in up there, but the Portland area needs more representation. If I can get enough Tbird riders down here in Oregon, perhaps we can join up with TRiPS for a much larger "flocking" next year.
Chris
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| RC65 | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 679 | | Location | : | Redmond, Washington, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2014 - 05:57 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: Noladuck) | | | Sounds good to me, Chris. Would love to combine efforts to really create something special.
I keep meaning to create a Facebook page for TRiPS, but I don't even have one of my own so I have no idea how to proceed. Probably need to check with my wife, Who has a page, and see how it's done.
| Thunderbird Riders in Puget Sound (TRiPS) / Seattle
-- co-holder of the title of the United States' Largest Thunderbird Flocking!
https://www.facebook.com/thunderbirdridersinpugetsound
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| bnz433 | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/06/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,843 | | Location | : | Clifton Park (Upstate), NY, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2014 - 11:16 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: Noladuck) | | | There's a Thunderbird Facebook page and a Triumph Cruisers Facebook page. A good handful of NWer's on them. One dude has straight pipes and an '80's vintage fairing on his (ugly, but sounds mean).
Look 'em up.
Jamie
Thread highjack ended....
| Bennington Triumph Bash - 31May-2June 2019. Home of the (tied in '14 & '15) US RECORD T-BIRD FLOCKING!!!!!
Link
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| AZCactus | | Taranis | | | | Reg. Date | : | 01/05/2013 | | Posts | : | 4,512 | | Location | : | AZ |
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| | Posted : 04 Sep 2014 - 23:55 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: oregonrider) | | | I've suggested Western TT (triumph thunderbird) Rally...more interstate. There's definitely local gatherings in your neck of the woods.
| 2009 Thunderbird 1700 Big Bore
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| MotorMac | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/08/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,869 | | Location | : | Nor Cal, United States |
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| | Posted : 05 Sep 2014 - 02:20 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: oregonrider) | | | Tell ya what, 126 to Florence, then south on 101 as far as you'd care to go.
Florence to Fort Bragg is motorcycle heaven. But you probably know that.
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| RC65 | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 679 | | Location | : | Redmond, Washington, United States |
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| | Posted : 07 Sep 2014 - 03:01 Post title : Re: Sturgis experience (Re: RC65) | | |
RC65 wrote:
Sounds good to me, Chris. Would love to combine efforts to really create something special.
I keep meaning to create a Facebook page for TRiPS, but I don't even have one of my own so I have no idea how to proceed. Probably need to check with my wife, Who has a page, and see how it's done. |
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Chris, you inspired me -- just created a Facebook page for TRiPS:
https://www.facebook.com/thunderbirdridersinpugetsound
| Thunderbird Riders in Puget Sound (TRiPS) / Seattle
-- co-holder of the title of the United States' Largest Thunderbird Flocking!
https://www.facebook.com/thunderbirdridersinpugetsound
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