During the 7 years we lived in Florida I never went to Daytona Bike Week. Now that I'm living in Atlanta, I find myself planning to ride to an event that was virtually in my back yard not that long ago. Maybe the reason I never went to Bike week is because, to a Floridian, Bike Week is a major hassle and disruption of the normal lifestyle. Every year, hordes of riders converge on the city causing lots of noise, traffic jams and public drunkeness.
Somehow, when the event is now an 8 hour ride away it becomes and adventure. We still have friends that live down there and so it really means an opportunity to visit with them again, enjoy some Florida sunshine, and take in some noise, bad traffic and watch the drunks from a distance.
I've been to Biketoberfest, but it's really a different event. Perhaps because October is the end of the riding season for some the turnout is lower and the groups are somewhat better behaved. For bikers that is.
So now I find myself trying to decide which bike I'll ride, and preparing the basic little maintenance chores to complete before a longer ride. I've bled and replaced the brake fluid, and I'll do an oil and filter change. Tires are nearly new on both bikes and the decision will probably come down to whether I want to ride in maximum comfort or to arrive with a nearly antique bike with old school style.
The K100RS is classic, reliable and somewhat buzzy at around 3500 rpm. So I tend to get fatigued a little earlier than riding my RT. The RS has less wind protection in the event of rain, and the system cases leak a little. One thing Florida is known for is pop up showers that turn into real gullywashers. Generally spring is not too bad but you never know.
The RT is a pretty smooth bike at highways speeds and has a longer range than the RS. Although I find that I usually want to stop before I need gas in the RT anyway. Usually 3-4 hours non-stop is enough to make me want to strecth a little and have a soft drink or something.
So I'll keep contemplating which ride I will take. The route will probably be the same regardless of ride. See you there.
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