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[Crusty]

So after 6 months of pondering and waiting, I finally picked up my bike on Friday. I had to fly to Seattle from Japan to pick it up... I was supposed to be going to Hawaii, but those orders got cancelled, so I don't know where I'm going next. So I only had 4 days to ride before I have to put the bike in storage and wait and see where the Air Force thinks I need to go next, which could be 6 months from now. So, knowing it might be a long time before I get to ride it again, I wanted to get out and see what she could do.

For those who haven't read my posts, I used to have a GL1800 (Goldwing) that I put 100K miles on in the 4 years I had it (most of them in the first 3). I did a few Iron Butt Rides... culminating in the 48++ (lower 48, plus Mexico, through Canada to Hyder, AK in 9.5 days), which I combined with the 10/10th (10K miles in less than 10 days). So I've spent some long days in the saddle. I sold the Wing in 06 and bought a BMW 1150 GS Adventure... which I will keep in the stable with my SERG; I really enjoy getting off the beaten path also.

But I also have always looked out of the corner of my eye at HDs... while talking good natured crap about them of course... saying I'd never buy a bike I couldn't ride anywhere. I made the mistake of talking to the Military Sales guy in Japan, and while humoring him, I flipped to the SERG page in the brochure and fell in love! So when I made E9, I decided to treat myself and ordered a SERG! 

My plan was to make a big loop around WA & OR to visit friends.

Day 1, I made a run over the North Cascade Highway (Hwy 20), from Seattle to Spokane. The f-ing 50 mile initial break in period SUCKED!! I would gladly pay extra for the bike to have this done at the factory...    Hwy 20 was a good choice to knock out the next 450 miles on the bike, as it has plenty of small towns, and curvey stretches along it, so you have to vary speed. There are some pretty crappy stretches of interstate on the way up to 20 on I-90 through Seattle. The SERG definitely doesn't like rough road... there were a couple of times I was thinking I had something wrong with a tire... because the ride was so rough. But then I'd hit a smooth stretch and it would be fine. (I played with the rear shock pressure over the course of the trip, and finally mellowed it out a bit, but it was still pretty rough) I stopped at Sound HD along the interstate on the way up to 20... I need to get another helmet; right now all I have is my dual-sport helmet with the visor. I was concerned about riding with it (having a large visor) after all the talk of how little protection the stock windshield offers. My eventual plan is to get bluetooth helmet, so I didn't want to spend a bunch of a temp helmet; didn't find a good deal, so I pressed on.

Initial impression after an hour of just cruising up the interstate was that the stock seat was OK, the bars might be a bit low for me, and I already knew I'd need a backrest and highway pegs. I am 6'3", and need some room to stretch out. And I know I'm just an HD rookie, but the exhaust sounds OK to me... I am sure I'll hang out with enough "real" HD riders that I'll eventually be convinced it doesn't... but for now I am happy  with it...  I am loving the bike so far! It feels good.

Once I got off the slab and onto some curves, I got to really put it through the paces. It does handle curves very well... and it is smooth in all the gears... I kept forgetting I had a 6th gear, so I'd tool along in 5th for a bit before I thought to downshift. A couple times I even forgot to shift up from 4th, because it still felt good.

I pushed my luck on my first tank of gas, and ended up putting in 5.8 gallons... 

Dang, gotta run to the dealer so I can be there when they open at 10, so I can see if I can talk them into working me in for the 1000-mile service before I fly out on Thursday. The response should be entertaining, "I know I just picked up the bike Friday, and it is only Tuesday, but can y'all do my 1000-mile service?" 
I'll be back later... here's a pic for now to head off the   

[miker]

Good to hear you are enjoying the ride Chief...Stay well..

Dont worry spending the money on it, we'll get it spent for you... 

[altugo]

Great news!!I knew about your story and its nice to see that you finally picked it up.Exhaust doesnt sound good neither enough.By the way how do you compare it to GL 1800 or beemer?More pics please

[JasonDeezy]

Great post. Glad you like the bike (and sweeeet color!).

And during the 1000 mile service maybe they can take off your reflectors...

[Guilty]

IMO, the ride improves greatly once you replace the stock windscreen with an aftermarket windshield. I also replaced the stock handlebars with Wild1 WO517's that work great for me. The North Cascade Highway is a great ride, although still a bit cold at those elevations this time of year. Glad to hear that you are enjoying you SERG!

[vtyanqui]

Crusty - can't wait for your next installment to hear all about the next 1,000 miles.   

Hold a tight line.

[Crusty]

Crusty - can't wait for your next installment to hear all about the next 1,000 miles.   

Hold a tight line.

I might get a chance to to do th enext 1K in your neck of the woods... I may be headed to Barksdale next.

[Crusty]

IMO, the ride improves greatly once you replace the stock windscreen with an aftermarket windshield. I also replaced the stock handlebars with Wild1 WO517's that work great for me. The North Cascade Highway is a great ride, although still a bit cold at those elevations this time of year. Glad to hear that you are enjoying you SERG!

Was going to save it for the end... but I'll throw it in now... I love the stock shield... even wearing my dual-sport helmet, the wind was great; I rode most of the ride with my helmet visor open 2", enjoying the wind. I could see how it might be a bit much if you wear an open helmet, but with a full face and open visor, I'll be happy. On my wing I always left the windshield at the lowest level, and on long rides, I'd take the shield off my full-face helmet to enjoy the wind.

The local dealer, Downtown HD in Renton is AWESOME! THey are going to squeeze my bike in today to knock out the 1K service... they ahve been fantastic, especially given I didn't even buy my bike from them. WOuld definitely recommend them!!!

While dropping the bike off, I noticed an '05 RG with some taller bards and a backrest on it. I sat on it and it felt pretty good. I'll try a backrest and highway pegs, and if that doesn't fully do the trick, I'll try swapping out the bars for something a bit taller.

It was not too chilly... except when I topped the hills and started down the back side... the frint range wind coming up the hill over the snow dropped them temp about 20 degrees! I did stop & put my fleece pullover on under my mesh jacket!

Which reminds me... add heated grips to the list of stuff I'd like. Do they come in the same grips the CVO has on it?

[GregKhougaz]

Very glad you're enjoying the bike!  Great pic, too.  For your next break in, consider: 

http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[serghaven]

Nice post... Glad your enjoying the ride..

[Crusty]

Very glad you're enjoying the bike!  Great pic, too.  For your next break in, consider: 

http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

lol... I was actually remembering having read this the entire time I was riding... but it was so long ago, I couldn't remember what it actually said.

But our bikes are shippped with synthetic oil, so it is already not ideal according to him.

[Highjagger]

Very nice , you enjoy this SERG , we all knew before you got it ( HiHi ) .
I wonder that you are satisfied with the stock seat ( at your height ) , wait till the nose comes up and your butt will make the decision .
( i am 6.1 with the HD-signature-seat , better angle in knee ( especially when shifting the gears ) ) .
 
Keep on , fire it up till you have to put it in the stable .

[MD-Dave]

Congrats Crusty!  Glad to hear you are enjoying it. 

[vtyanqui]

I might get a chance to do the next 1K in your neck of the woods... I may be headed to Barksdale next.
Crusty – if that's the case just let me know and I do anything I can to make your transition a smooth one.  BAFB is a great assignment and the area is ideal for riding year round. I retired here in 92 and continue to love the area while working on base as a contractor.

[Crusty]

I might get a chance to do the next 1K in your neck of the woods... I may be headed to Barksdale next.
Crusty – if that's the case just let me know and I do anything I can to make your transition a smooth one.  BAFB is a great assignment and the area is ideal for riding year round. I retired here in 92 and continue to love the area while working on base as a contractor.

Cool! I'll let you know! I'll be one of the GSC invaders... lol