Tour on a V7...Walkabout 2018

[pyoungbl]

It seems that all too many motorcyclists think that you need a big powerful bike to tour.  Of course those of us 'of a certain age' can remember when a 750 Norton or Triumph was the height of speed and power, certainly enough bike to take one across country.  Now I'm using my V7 for road trips and really enjoying the experience.  Yesterday I returned home after 10 days of travel.  This was from Portsmouth, VA (think Virginia Beach...on the coast) to Eureka Springs, Arkansas (in the NW corner of Arkansas).  Of course the trip is much more than just a way to get to some place, it's really about the journey more than the destination.  In this case, one stop was in Appomattox, VA (Hi Lannis!)

then on to Roanoke to meet my riding buddy, Mark, on a Norge.

on US58 just outside Damascus, Virginia

note the dark clouds in the distance...our direction of travel...

the Jack Daniel's distillery tour had not opened when we rolled by but we still took photos

and we visited lots of the major world famous cities...Paris, Prague, Ulm, and Stuttgart.

along with the highest spot in Arkansas
Our destination was Eureka Springs where we took the Chamber of Commerce bus tour and learned a lot about the town.  Suffice to say that this is a fascinating tourist destination, well worth a visit.  On top of that the roads in the Ozark Mountains are some of the best motorcycle roads I have ever enjoyed.  Try AR7 or AR309...delightful. 

If you go to Eureka Springs make sure you stop in at the Cat House Bar...Tuesday night they have a fantastic Blues band.
Then it was time to head home.  We had already had great scenery, met fascinating people, put up with a bit of rain, suffered with 96F heat, and generally had a fun time.  I had to get a new rear tire.  15 miles later I had a flat (pinched tube) on I40 so we got extra credit for that little bit of drama

but the bike shop made everything right in short order.  If you ever need motorcycle service in central Arkansas go to Conway Cycles, they are the best!

As we reached the end of the Cheroholla Parkway we got caught in a real frog strangler of a storm.  Luckily we found a small portico in a church where we could hide out of the rain while the worst of the storm passed

then on to Asheville where we spent the night with friends.
From Asheville we rode the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 100 miles, getting off near Boone due to the Parkway being closed.

We took US58 and US221 into Roanoke and back to Mark's house.  The next day I rode US460 home.  Thus, very little of our trip was on Interstate.  Still, we covered a lot of ground.

The V7 was a delightful way to travel.  I did not have a problem keeping up with Mark except that he had more reserve power and could pass with impunity.  I got about 53mpg on the few tanks where I actually checked with a calculator.  In general, we stopped for gas between 175 and 200 miles so we always had lots of fuel in reserve.  Let it not be said that the V7 platform is too small for touring!

Peter Y.

[rider33]

sounds like a lovely trip. I’ve been thru Arkansas (all of the lower 48 actually) but never really spent much time there, you are not the first to point out the error of my ways on that.  I would also agree,
mega bikes on mega roads are an efficient way to get from A to B but nothing like traveling the secondary roads on (what passes now for) a mid sized bike.  The V makes an excellent light touring bike.  I took a Bonneville out to Glacier a couple of years back, it did fine as well but the range of the V (not to mention shaft drive) would have been welcome, we’ll done.

By the way, my Darien is that same tan color, MUCH better when you get out to the brutally hot places out west than basic black IMHO.

[jbell]

Lovely color combo on your Special.  My favorite.

[SmithSwede]

Nice photographs, looks like a great trip.  I go everywhere on my V7.   Maybe this dates me too, but I remember when 40 to 50 hp was considered perfectly roadworthy. 

[malik]

Good on ya, Peter - show 'em how it's done. No worries touring on the V7.

Pinched tubes? That why I prefer to do it myself now, having been caught out twice before (in the middle of nowhere) when the "professionals" put in oversized tubes and once more with a pinch. Now I've the routines sorted.

[Hymes Inc.]

What cases do you have on your special? Been looking for some for mine and like your setup.

[Warren Rhen]

Hey Peter it's good to see you're still out there doin it. Look a little older though but I guess it's been about 10 years since we've been running around the back roads of WVA. Ya ever decide to go a little further west than ARK stop out and see me.

[Aaron D.]

Our paths actually crossed-and you would have been one of the rare Guzzis we saw. Love the color of your V7.

[pyoungbl]

Hymes, those are Hepco Becker Junior 30 bags.  To my eye they look 'right' on the bike.  HB makes a larger size too but I think the big bags are too much for a V7.  I have been very happy with the bags.  The only leak was a tiny one in a real frog strangler when I probably had the bag over stuffed with junk.  With all that said, you have to be judicious when packing for a trip.  The bags won't hold a full face helmet and I have yet to find inner bags that let me use the space to best advantage.  Luckily my wive sews and she has agreed to make a set of water resistant liner/bags to go inside the HB ones.  On a trip it's really useful to have one soft bag dedicated to toiletries and a pair of clean socks.  That way I only have to make one trip to the motel room.

The HB bags require the HB rack.  Note that the trunk is the same design and clamps directly on the HB rear rack.  All my bags are keyed alike so only one key needed to either lock the bags to the bike or lock the bags themselves.

Peter Y.

[TimmyTheHog]

Nice trip it looks like!

a bit of fun and drama and good food! 

Also that modular helmet looks like a good rain hat there...

Also REALLY LOVING the paint of your V7!!

[pyoungbl]

Timmy, the modular helmet is 'da bomb!'  It sure is nice to be able to flip up the front so I can talk to my buddy or even get a drink of water.  Mine has a built in sun screen which is super handy when riding into the sun.

[leafman60]

Lookin good!

[twowheeladdict]

My first bike when I was 19 was a 750cc touring bike.  I have toured on a Ninja 650 and a Versys 650.  I went with larger tourers to get away from chain drive and the constant maintenance while laying down the miles.

My first bike did have shaft drive and I guess that is what draws me to the V7.







Mine was silver but also had the saddlebags and other touring accessories.  Quite a bike for a 19 year old.

[guitarfxer]

Getting my V7 Special ready for the trip down the Natchez Trace to Mississippi and across lower Alabama to Skip Barbers museum.  The Hepco Becker’s look the best to me too! Good to hear your trip was enjoyable!
Bill

[twowheeladdict]

Getting my V7 Special ready for the trip down the Natchez Trace to Mississippi and across lower Alabama to Skip Barbers museum.  The Hepco Becker�s look the best to me too! Good to hear your trip was enjoyable!
Bill

Stop in at Mr. D's in Lorman, MS for the worlds best fried chicken.  It is just up the road from Natchez, MS. 







There is a country store in Natchez where you can buy a T-shirt to commemorate the ride.







For those that like to ride fast the road can get pretty boring, but if you like to cruise and make stops to take in the views and sights then you will enjoy it. 

[lorengo70]

I agree pyoungbl. The bike is good for touring.  I just returned from a 6 day trip from Toronto, Canada to the BRP (2500 miles, 4000 km). I rode the BRP from the north entrance, around Afton and all the way to the tail of the dragon including the Cherohala skyway. The bike never felt underpowered (including highway runs) and was comfortable enough to spend 10 hours a day on it. As far as luggage, I had a 40L Givi bag in the rear (have the rear luggage rack) and a 18L tank bag. All this was enough to carry my clothes, tools (including the tire repair kit plus inflator) and 1L of engine oil (which I used during the trip). The bike had zero problems and has performed well since i bought it 3 years ago (22k miles ago or 34k kms).

[PJPR01]

Great ride and pics!  Looks like a lot of fun!!

[Numbercruncher]

Nice to see a V7 getting some miles put on her. 

I picked up a new one less than a week ago but weather has not been real cooperative.  I'll be out today but then tomorrow drive cross state to spend time with Dad on Father's Day.  Hopefully NEXT week I'll be able to mimic something like you have done but in Washington/Oregon.  I have similar sized bags and can strap a dry bag on the rear rack.  Not enough space for camping gear but the trip will be a hotel one anyway.

Love seeing pics of places I cannot ride.

NC

[Rhodan]

Now THAT is some rain!    Enjoyed the travelogue and pics.  Sounds like you had a great time.

[malik]

Nice to see a V7 getting some miles put on her. 

I picked up a new one less than a week ago but weather has not been real cooperative.  I'll be out today but then tomorrow drive cross state to spend time with Dad on Father's Day.  Hopefully NEXT week I'll be able to mimic something like you have done but in Washington/Oregon.  I have similar sized bags and can strap a dry bag on the rear rack.  Not enough space for camping gear but the trip will be a hotel one anyway.

Love seeing pics of places I cannot ride.

NC

There is actually enough room for camping gear - with practice & experience you'll end up buying smart & packing smart & be surprised at how much actually fits in. I can now travel the country with 35-40kg (77 lbs) of camping gear, clothes, cooking stuff, food, tools & spare parts. It's great getting out there. Tip - when you get back from your trip, separate out the stuff you didn't use - we always take more than we need.

[Numbercruncher]

There is actually enough room for camping gear - with practice & experience you'll end up buying smart & packing smart & be surprised at how much actually fits in. I can now travel the country with 35-40kg (77 lbs) of camping gear, clothes, cooking stuff, food, tools & spare parts. It's great getting out there. Tip - when you get back from your trip, separate out the stuff you didn't use - we always take more than we need.

I have the soft sided ones but have already turned them gray with Scotchguard.  Mine hold 22 liters each side.  Two dry bags triple that.

Nc


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[pyoungbl]

RE the camping stuff....I have been camping for much longer than I care to admit.  Not all the time or every trip, but I'm no stranger to camping.  In the last couple years I have been exploring the art of lighter camping gear.  Not long ago I got a 1 person tent/sleeping pad/sleeping bag combo that weighs in at 5 lbs.  www.indiegogo.com/projects/rhinowolf-the-all-in-one-attachable-super-tent-camping#/,
also looked at a 2 man/3 season tent www.aliexpress.com/item/LanShan-2-3F-UL-GEAR-2-Person-Oudoor-Ultralight-Camping-Tent-3-Seasons-4-seasons-Professional/32812318354.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.6d034c4dLDnpy8   that's about $100 delivered to your door and weighs 2 lbs.
I'm learning a lot from the hikers who do the AT.  Some can live for a week at a time with only a 15 lb pack.  Now, I'm not that tough but I now know that I can camp with less and still not live like a bum.

Most of us carry excess stuff on a trip...just in case.  On this trip I wore everything I carried except for my heated vest (and actually thought about putting it on when it was 58F in the rain...but did not want to stop).  Malik makes a good point, after a trip make note of what you did not need and think about leaving it behind next time.

[malik]

I tried to find your bags online but could not.  Can you tell me which ones?

I have the soft sided ones but have already turned them gray with scotchguard.  Mine hold 22 liters each side.  Two dry bags triple that.

Nc


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The V7C has side racks, the V7S doesn't. Both have the OEM rear rack which carry the Ortlieb rack pack, the camp stool, wet weather gear, and often the big stove & the wok. And on both I also use a tank bag.

The V7S, with no side rack, sports a Wolfman Beta Plus over the pillion seat. Plenty of room there - I try to keep it at 2/3 to 3/4 full - better for the twisties.

The V7C, with side racks (see photo) has Ortlieb panniers (now called "Endurance" - as opposed to their shallower, longer "Speedbags"), are rated at 52 litres, and I have just found out that Ortlieb's motorcycle stuff is now exclusively distributed by Touratech - a huge range on Touratech's German site & Toratech used to have a close relationship with Revzilla. Check there too. Sometimes, I'll add a small seat bag (the AA bag from Andy Strapz) for a few extras & its pockets, which I find useful for quick access.

[malik]

A few images of the V7C loaded for a recent camping trip to the Ruptured Budgie

[twowheeladdict]

Nice to see a V7 getting some miles put on her. 

I picked up a new one less than a week ago but weather has not been real cooperative.  I'll be out today but then tomorrow drive cross state to spend time with Dad on Father's Day.  Hopefully NEXT week I'll be able to mimic something like you have done but in Washington/Oregon.  I have similar sized bags and can strap a dry bag on the rear rack.  Not enough space for camping gear but the trip will be a hotel one anyway.

Love seeing pics of places I cannot ride.

NC

This is what I fit on the passenger seat of my Versys.