First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

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snag
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First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by snag »

Just back from my first trip on the 12R, 1,200 miles over 3 days, interior of British Columbia and Southern Alberta. Bud was on his K1200S.

The bike lived up to expectations, there was a lot of motorcycle traffic and there wasn't a bike I saw that I would rather be on. We averaged 80 mph on the open roads (the K1200S wouldn't go much slower) and a reasonably sane pace in the twisties.

The Airhawk extended seat time by a factor of 2 or 3, I could run a tank through the bike without stopping, which left me a little stiff but ready to get back on once the tank was full. I would definitely recommend the Airhawk.

The 20" Cee Bailey provided good protection (6' 2", 30" inseam) but there was a lot of buffeting at 80 mph, fine at 60 mph. In contrast, the K1200S was jet-smooth at any speed, but it sets your butt on fire in no time. I need another 2" more windscreen or less height to put the top of the screen on the nose of my helmet and make the Cee Bailey work all day - a work in progress.

I bought a BMW rainsuit which obviously kept me dry and really helped in the cold.

Image
Peyto Lake, Bow Summit, Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta

The trip covered the southern interior of British Columbia and southern Alberta. No pictures of the southern interior of BC - twisty roads, no time for pictures and southern Alberta which is God's Country on a sunny Sunday morning.

Image
Windmill Farm east of Lundbreck, Alberta

Image
High upper winds near Cowley, Alberta - hence the windmills

New favorite road in British Columbia = Highway 31A between New Denver and Kaslo, fresh pavement, no traffic and a real treat. We had a local on lovely 84 Honda Ascot pacing us which is probably the only reason I didn't wind up in the rhubarb. The road was built on the old rail line and there were several decreasing radius turns that required prudent entry speeds!

Great trip, GREAT BIKE!

Doug
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by celticus »

How would you compare the two bikes when the road get really twisty?
Mark
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by snag »

A topcase with a quart of oil and some tools (amoung other necessities) in it tends to slow down the transitions, but I found the chassis quite capable of absorbing upshifts, downshifts and fairly hard braking in the corners without getting upset. The K1200S was a step up in the fast twisties, but it's still a big bike and it takes a bit of time to spool up that inline four. For the tight stuff, I'd rather ride the 12R's torque curve anytime; less time managing gears means more time just pounding out of the corners.

IMHO

Doug
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by NCGS »

snag wrote:Image
Peyto Lake, Bow Summit, Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta
Beautiful picture.. what's all that white stuff?.. it's July, for Pete's sake!.. ;)
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by celticus »

snag wrote:A topcase with a quart of oil and some tools (amoung other necessities) in it tends to slow down the transitions, but I found the chassis quite capable of absorbing upshifts, downshifts and fairly hard braking in the corners without getting upset. The K1200S was a step up in the fast twisties, but it's still a big bike and it takes a bit of time to spool up that inline four. For the tight stuff, I'd rather ride the 12R's torque curve anytime; less time managing gears means more time just pounding out of the corners.

IMHO

Doug
I guess I meant the tight stuff. It ain't twisty if it ain't tight. Or something. ;)
Mark
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by snag »

The K1200S with 160 hp has about 60 hp too much. It's like the Hayabusa I had, the only way to enjoy all that hp was to use it, and you can't do that forever, especially in the twisties. I'll take the 12R all day long over the K1200S (no offense to my bud). 109 hp is plenty in the twisties and there is no neck wringing involved. The older I get, the slower I need to go. Goal is to finally hang the helmet up without losing life or license. The 12R has increased the odds.

Doug
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by celticus »

snag wrote:The K1200S with 160 hp has about 60 hp too much. It's like the Hayabusa I had, the only way to enjoy all that hp was to use it, and you can't do that forever, especially in the twisties. I'll take the 12R all day long over the K1200S (no offense to my bud). 109 hp is plenty in the twisties and there is no neck wringing involved. The older I get, the slower I need to go. Goal is to finally hang the helmet up without losing life or license. The 12R has increased the odds.

Doug
That's odd, I am going faster than I ever have before. Maybe not in a straight line as on my K1200RS but in the twisties where life begins, I am very happy with my progress. 8)
Mark
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Air can hurt you too
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by snag »

[/quote]
That's odd, I am going faster than I ever have before. Maybe not in a straight line as on my K1200RS but in the twisties where life begins, I am very happy with my progress. 8)
Mark[/quote]
Plea bargaining does have its advantages.
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by snag »

Yeah, but you're probably not a limp-wristed, pantie-waisted, milktoast, big sissy accountant like moi. Mom told me I had to slow down.

And I don't know how to do quotes.

Doug
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Re: First Road Trip - 1,200 Miles, Airhawk, 20" Cee Bailey

Post by celticus »

snag wrote:Yeah, but you're probably not a limp-wristed, pantie-waisted, milktoast, big sissy accountant like moi. Mom told me I had to slow down.

And I don't know how to do quotes.

Doug
Well I'm not big anyway.
For quotes I hit the "Quote" button on the piece you want to quote. I don't know why they couldn't make it more clear. ;)
Mark
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
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