DC to Charleston -600 miles/2 days - Ducati.ms

LAT1000 · May 26th, 2008, 8:59 am

Well, I've been home for a week so some of the details my ride have faded, but i think i can still accurately report what it is like to tour on a HYM.

First of all, it handles like no bike i've ever ridden ... so flickable. Y'all know that already, but my first leg of the trip was from just south of DC to Richmond on I-95 and i was pretty suprised how vulnerable i felt next to the big rigs and all the other cagers. I wasn't used to the bike yet and i felt like the wind from the trucks going by were either going to suck me up or spit me out. The trottle was also very touchy, and at times i felt like i may fall off the back of the bike. I made it to richmond with the opinion that the hyper was not a highway bike so i was determined to find a rural route back to Charleston.

Daylight was a concern seeing how i forgot to switch my visor from tinted to clear before i left. I wanted to make it to make it Chapel Hill before dark so i decided to continue on I-85 from richmond. The highway was less crowded and not so bad. My average speed was around 75 and the wind still gave me some issues but i began to feel a little more planted than before, got used to the throttle and my confidence rose. I could not believe the power this thing put out! Roll ons from 75 to 100 were breaking up the monotony and eventually made it to the Carolina Inn in Chaple Hill. My ass was so sore at this point, i winced everytime i saw red light and had to stop (it hurt to let off the pressure). My opinion was still the same, not a highway bike, but a beasty of a machine.

Had dinner at the Lantern and then a couple of whiskies (to ease my arse) at the Cave watching this really talented singer/songwriter guy. I was looking forward to the North Carolina twisties in the morning.

There is something about waking up in a new place with only a backpack and a Ducati Hypermotard. That morning the weather was 50% chance of rain and overcast. The impending weather made me want to get on the road in a hurry, so i hade a quick latte at Caribou and plotted my course, route 49W to 24S to 52 south. Hurry or no hurry i wasn't taking I-95 back to Charleston.

The next part of the trip was certianly the best. Cool, overcast skies and empty road led to a beautiful experience. I had miles davis on my i pod and was gracefully tearing up those perfectly paved North Carolina twisties. I had read a thread about the limited range of the hyper's fuel tank, but it was of no concern to me. I stopped relatively often to ease my aching butt, but even so, i was getting 100 miles before the light went on. Not an issue on the east coast ... lots of places to stop for gas, even in the most rural areas.

When i finally got home i had a screw in my rear tire and it went flat overnight. Lucky.

All in all i was very impressed with the bike. As warned, the long distance on the stocker seat will take some getting used to. The brakes, front and back, are ample, and the suspension felt so much better than my GT. If i was to do it again, i would try the comfort seat and maybe that dp windscreen.

Oh yeah, Chris410 was great. He even cleaned my helmet visor before i left.

-mike

mountainrider · May 26th, 2008, 10:15 am

miles davis...

eastern carolina twisties?

Stasher · May 26th, 2008, 10:18 am

Thanks for the great little trip recap.

btw....time to change your avatar

LAT1000 · May 26th, 2008, 1:37 pm

yeah, my avatar and my name should change ... lat2100 would be more appropriate.

oh yeah, i forgot to tell you guys that i think i tossed my licence out on the plane ride out there by accident so i was travelling with a bill of sale only!