Please PeteMax, get a photo of yourself on the HD waving to a Japanese bike rider......
I bet we all do. Maybe someone should start a "show your ugly mug/selfie" thread...You look so different compared to your avatar
You look so different compared to your avatar.
A photo (top) for the XS650 History Books.Pete's Excellent Desert Adventure - Part III
Well folks, Saturday, Dec. 30 really was a special day for me.
My cousin and I rendezvoused on our Harleys at 8:00 AM and then hit road into Phoenix to Daniel Black’s home where we met he and Mailman at about 9:15 AM (Phoenix is a BIG spread-out city indeed).
Let me tell you all - both Daniel's and Mailman's bikes are just as pretty in-person as they looked in the calendar nominations. They both really sparkle and sound strong and tight - with that sexy bark that only an XS650 can emit. The four of us then lit out back across town for the breakfast spot where we were joined by AZMan357 for breakfast. AZMan had some "lubricant containment" issues on his way from Tucson (about 2 hours south of us) but he is a very capable guy and made it OK.
Following breakfast, we rode up to Lake Sujauro (sp?) - about 30-40 min of riding on spectacular twisties through the desert mountains north-east of Phoenix. At the lake we chatted for a while, took some photos and a Boeing B-17 flew overhead (WOW!) Then Daniel, AZMan357 and I rode back to Phoenix in search of good BBQ and Mailman and my cousin split-off for home. The three BBQ Amigos went to the famous Little Miss BBQ in Phoenix and holy cow (get it?? ) the food was awesome and we even got to meet Daniel’s wife, who joined us for lunch! After that, we parted and I went to return the Harley to Eagle Rider Rentals near Phoenix Airport.
The entire day was a total blast: buddies, bikes and BBQ! Some photos of the day are below - enjoy!
Thank-you so much Daniel, Mailman and AZMan357 for making time for our visit and to all of you out there in XS650-Forum-Land - I can say that many were mentioned by name and you were missed. This is my second meet-up of XS650.com friends and while they do take a little effort, both events have been absolutely terrific.
We really are a fortunate group.
BELOW: The breakfast group in Phoenix (l-r): Pete's cousin Grant, Pete, AZMan357, Mailman, Daniel Black.
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ABOVE: AZMan357 (left) and his blue & gold Special, Pete and Daniel Black (in the Bilt jacket) up at the lake. You can see a bit of Daniel's "Stella" behind Pete and Mailman's "My 60th Birthday Present" just behind Daniel.
BELOW: AZMan357 and his bike, Pete and Daniel again with a rear view of Pete's cousin. Daniel's red '77 Standard (Stella) and Mailman's bikes are in the background.
BELOW: Mailman in the foreground with AZMan357, Pete and Daniel (Pete is explaining how much longer than an XS650 Standard his 2016 Harley Street Glide wheelbase is - and thus why the Harley turns so much more slowly...).
....and the final chapter on the Harley Street Glide...
The Eagle Rider rental experience was largely OK - BUT - I was pretty annoyed to run into another E-R renter on my second last day who was also on a Street Glide - but had paid much less than half of what I was paying for exactly the same rental during the same four day period. We're talking a difference of more than $560 USD - which is big money to me. Apparently, a few days after I booked in early November, they announced an offer called Harley for the Holidays at $100/day - and I missed it. I called and mentioned this to them and they eventually offered me a 10% discount on my rental - but I am still annoyed and will likely search for an alternative if I rent again. Sorry about the downer - but that is a pretty sharp (and not in a good way) business practice in my book.
Overall, I did like the bike, but found it to be ponderous. I am used to big heavy bikes (ever ridden an ST1300?) but the Harley seemed to try hard to feel heavier than it was while other large bikes I have ridden appeared to work to disguise their weight. Anyhow - the H-D is a cool ride and I liked it....but, not for a long-term purchase.
Cheers,
Pete
BELOW: Pete's 2016 H-D Street Glide (foreground) and cousin Grant's H-D Classic - with a typical Arizona landscape in the background.
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BELOW: Harley-Davidson Street Glide dash - handsome but not particularly easy to use (IMO).
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A photo (top) for the XS650 History Books.
Wish I had been there.
I don't see any helmet head in that photo for Bob. What a cheater.
Wish I was there too Dude!
Plan is to pop one in and clean the bike up for a Sat run to somewhere