V9 to White Sands

[Lee Davis]

After reading the posts about a lifetime senior pass to the national parks, I decided to get one before the cost increase. I needed to add some miles to the new V9 Roamer prior to the first service with the dealer (I will do my own service after that), and one of the closest places to me to get a parks pass is White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. So, on Saturday, I took a leisurely ride down south and bought the pass, a great deal at $10.  Some thoughts about the V9...   The windshield that I put on is still not quite right. A fair amount of buffeting, mostly from the sides and below... will work on that. Mileage was a very pleasing 60 to 62 mpg (which translates to a 240 mile range). I will get the rearward peg mounts, and then the foot position will be just right. The bike has all the power I could ever need, and makes for very decent traveling, although not nearly so good as the Stelvio. I am very pleased with it.

[JJ]

I have used a Laminar Lip to reduce windshield buffeting on several bikes, including my old '02 V11 Le Mans.  It worked well.  See more here: www.laminarlip.com

[chuck peterson]

Awesome foto, you lucky dog....those sure are white sands alright

[chuck peterson]

Awesome foto, you lucky dog....those sure are white sands alright

[Lee Davis]

Yeah, isn't that white? It is actually gypsum though... the same stuff that sheetrock is made from. The dunes formed downwind from a gypsum dry lake bed. Back in 1970, while I was at New Mexico State, my roommate and I rode our bikes out to White Sands (I was on my BSA Victor) and struck off across the dunes. It was illegal then as it is now, but how could they catch us? Traveling south to north (the line of the blowing winds) was actually dangerous... well, as far as rocketing off the top of a dune goes. It meant for a spill in the soft sand of the steep slope. We learned real fast that your depth perception was all off when climbing up the gradual incline of a dune, and that drop off edge came very fast.  But, what fun. Didn't ride on the dunes this time. Kinda a 'been there' type of thing. Those were the days.

[alanp]

Lee,
I have a new (mounted but never really used) universal fit Givi A49 Airflow windscreen that does a good job with buffeting.  I put it on my V7 then found something I like better.  PM if you are interested.

http://www.giviusa.com/givi-products/windshields/airflow-windshields

[charlie b]

The gypsum sand is nasty stuff.  The small grains will penetrate cinder block if it is not sealed with something.

Days not to visit White Sands are days when the wind is over 30mph (most spring days ;)  ).  Best time to visit is one of the moonlight events on a clear night.