Going Camping

[hooptygoo]

and I need some advice.

So I'm leaving Wednesday morning for a camping trip in the Sierras along this route:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,14.282227&z=7

Wednesday night I'll be camping solo near Bass Lake and will spend the rest of the trip on the other side of the mountain near Bishop where I'll be meeting up with friends. I'm torn between taking Old Faithful (my 2005 Sportster that's been rock solid and trouble free for 23000 miles) or the Hyper (which I've had for 2 weeks now with a freshly done 600 mile service). I'd love to take the Hyper, but I'm not sure I'm quite ready to drop another 800 miles on a new bike I barely know that far from home. I know the Sportster pretty much inside and out but the Hyper is a completely new beast to me.

Range is probably my biggest concern especially getting over the mountain on HWY 120 from points D to E. There's a 78 mile stretch that I should probably count on not being able to find gas. I should be fine, but it seems like it might be tight considering there will be a lot of high altitude and uphill riding. The Sportster on the other hand can easily do 200 miles (usually before hitting reserve) on a tank. I guess I could take a piece of tubing in case I need to siphon gas from a willing motorist.

Packing isn't a problem. Oddly, I think I can strap more stuff to the Hyper than my Sportster because of the trellis frame and seat shape.

What else would I need to plan for on a trip like this? I've done long trips on the Sportster (Santa Barbara CA to Boulder CO and back) and the thing has proven to be bullet proof with it's maintenance free valves and drive belt. What about the chain? Would I need to lube/adjust it along the way? How about the straight (and HOT) stretch through Mojave? Should I just stop being a pussy, suck it up, pack her down and go?

I'm looking for some advice from you seasoned folks.

Thanks!
- Jon

[Raiden]

Take the Hyper dude just make sure you have a strong cell phone signal. I had a 98 sportster The Hyper is way better.

[doon]

Just drove c-e last week, nice country!
That has hyper written all over it, the temp got down to 45f at the top so be prepared.
The mountains would be good to break your hyper in as well.
Take a small 1/4 inch tube if you are that worried about running out of gas, plenty of harelys up there to get some gas off

[hooptygoo]

Had a chat with the guys at the hometown Ducati shop and they told me about these guys...



You jiggle it up and down in the donor's gas tank and it gets the siphoning process started for you. No inhaling gas. Pretty cool. Hopefully I can find one at an autoparts store tonight. That'll give me all the peace of mind I need.

But just for the heck of it, I mapped out the route in (at most) 85 mile chunks where there should be stations. Good grief that's a lot of stopping for fuel. I think the bigger tank is in my future

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,14.282227&z=7

Wish me luck. I'll bring back pictures.

[BeHyper]

Looks like an awesome road trip. Good luck with it and don't forget to post some pics!

The longest trip I've ever had on my Hyper so far it's been Sacramento>San Jose via Napa Valley. Maybe around 500 miles.

I can assure you that after riding 500 miles on the Hyper there is only one part of your body that is going to ache: your facial muscles!

Because you're going to be constantly smiling for the whole trip!

My personal suggestion? Give the Sportster a good kiss and ride the Hyper!

Enjoy!