Death Valley

[BigMac (SoCal)]

 Hi guys, my son Jeff and I are planning to do a Death Valley ride in February. We would arrive on Friday the 16 and leave on Monday the 19th. The 19th is Presidents day and my son gets a 4 day weekend. I have already booked a room at Motel 6 in Beatty. It would be great if you could join us. My son and I will be riding our KLR 650 dual sports. We plan on taking the truck to Beatty with the bikes in back. The plan is to tour the paved roads on Saturday and the Dirt roads on Sunday. I thought I would post this on the VRCC board to see if anyone would like to join us on either day or both. Let me know and I would suggest that you book your room early as it is a holiday weekend. You can always cancel if it doesn't work out for you. 

Dave

[The emperor has no clothes]

You guys have fun. Wish I could join in. 

[Prescott John]

Its going to be a long cold ride across the high desert, but I'm signed up.  I am excited to be riding with my old friends again.  This is going to be great.  I have always enjoyed our trips to Death Valley.  I will probably stick to the paved roads though.

[RichW]

I booked a room. Been a while since I have been able to ride with the group. I will probably bring two bikes. One is my dual sport KTM 450 and my 1290 KTM Super Adventure.

[F6TRVLR]

I'm in to ride with all you Hooligans, booked my room. John, I hope you mean long time friends! See all of you then. Safe winds!

[Prescott John]

Yes Old and Young, but long time friends.  I even welcome new friends.

[Dennis from Blythe]

I made reservations.   My Son-in-Law Vadim and I will arrive on Friday as well.

 Looking forward to see everyone  

[The emperor has no clothes]

You guys have a great riding weekend 

[RichW]

Dave, thanks for organizing the weekend. You could not have ordered better weather for Saturday and Sunday; but today was a windy sucker on the way home. Hope John, Dennis and Vadim arrive safely on their rides home. John was worried about snow.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

Thanks Rich, Yes they all made it home safe. Very windy for me as well.

Dave

[RichW]

I left Beatty at 4:45 and had trouble seeing sometimes from there to the 127 turn due to sand, darkness and the headlights. Stopped at Alien 51 to get coffee and one of their coffee cups. Interesting that it was also a Brothel.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

I left Beatty at 4:45 and had trouble seeing sometimes from there to the 127 turn due to sand, darkness and the headlights. Stopped at Alien 51 to get coffee and one of their coffee cups. Interesting that it was also a Brothel.   

You didn't get more than a coffee cup did you ? 

[RichW]

I left Beatty at 4:45 and had trouble seeing sometimes from there to the 127 turn due to sand, darkness and the headlights. Stopped at Alien 51 to get coffee and one of their coffee cups. Interesting that it was also a Brothel.   

You didn't get more than a coffee cup did you ? 

I like my coffee black.

[Dennis from Blythe]

Dave, thanks for organizing the weekend. You could not have ordered better weather for Saturday and Sunday; but today was a windy sucker on the way home. Hope John, Dennis and Vadim arrive safely on their rides home. John was worried about snow.

Yes, Vadim and I made it home safely.  A cold,  windy and dusty ride for sure, but we would do it again.   

[RichW]

Jerry Counts had one of his dual sport rides that weekend. Here is a bit of his report. I would guess we saw some of his participants. I am sure others will add to it:

http://www.district37ama.org/forums/showthread.php?70508-Death-Valley-Rally

[RichW]

We were talking about helicopter insurance and this is what I have:

https://www.airmethods.com/airmethodsadvantage

[Prescott John]

   I made it home ok but I am still cold.  26 degrees, snow and the wind.  I had a 12 mile stretch where road conditions were pretty dicey and I was wishing I had stayed in Kingman.  My guardian angel was with me and I made it home.
   I sure enjoyed hanging out with those that went.  The weather in Death Valley was perfect.  Rich, I really enjoyed Darwin and want to go back someday.
   John G.

[The emperor has no clothes]

   I made it home ok but I am still cold.  26 degrees, snow and the wind.  I had a 12 mile stretch where road conditions were pretty dicey and I was wishing I had stayed in Kingman.  My guardian angel was with me and I made it home.
   I sure enjoyed hanging out with those that went.  The weather in Death Valley was perfect.  Rich, I really enjoyed Darwin and want to go back someday.
   John G.

John, there is rumor going around that you were eyeing a 2018 GW. A pretty red one at that. 

[Prescott John]

There might be some truth to that rumor.  I am looking and considering making the move.

[The emperor has no clothes]

There might be some truth to that rumor.  I am looking and considering making the move.

Same here  Which model and color are you leaning towards ? A member from the main board informed me that the Honda dealer in Russellville Arkansas is selling them in droves at $3,000 less than other dealers. Don't know if it's worth your time and effort to travel. I'm leaning towards the GW Touring DCT in red. Maybe the airbag model in red/black if it is really 3 grand lower there.

[Ron]

Both of you need to buy one WE NEED more first year testers to work all the bugs out and I will wave at you when I pass you when you hit the speed limiter.  
Really I think Honda did a great job with this bike. Heck I still love the Gen 2 bike. I would like to see some reviews at the 50,000 and 100,000 mile marks, but I'm really happy with my 2017 and not in the market for a new bike right now. If I was it would be in my top 3 bikes.  I would love to have a K 1600 B BMW, the maintenance scares the heck out of me and really stop me from buying it.

Hey John
I have never been to any of these places, but since you like Darwin have you been to Ballarat or Bodie? I have heard that Bodie state park is the best ghost town in California. I just might have to make a run over there and hit all 3 some day.

[Prescott John]

  Rob, great minds think alike.  I am looking at the Red DCT tour as well.  I do like the paint job on the Air bag model but at 3 grand more?  So, do I buy a used Goldwing for 15,000, with more luggage capacity, more fuel capacity and more passenger room or get the new one with all the electronics and electric windshield. I am leaning towards the New Goldwing Tour, but then I would have to buy matching helmets with blue tooth headsets. Those heated grips sure would have been nice coming back from Death Valley.
  Ron, I have been to Bodie several times.  It is a great place, with lots to see.  Well worth the trip.  Ballart, I heard the dirt road in is pretty rough and I don't recall ever being there.  Bodie involves a couple miles of dirt road as well but I remember it being pretty smooth the last couple of times.  There was talk of paving it so it could be paved now.  I think we need a road trip to Virginia City, with a couple of stops along the way.
     John G.

[hubcapsc]

the Honda dealer in Russellville Arkansas

They do all kinds of stuff there, including painting new bikes a bunch
of different colors... you can see a bunch of 2018 1800s on their
web page painted a whole lot of crazy ways...

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

  Rob, great minds think alike.  I am looking at the Red DCT tour as well.  I do like the paint job on the Air bag model but at 3 grand more?  So, do I buy a used Goldwing for 15,000, with more luggage capacity, more fuel capacity and more passenger room or get the new one with all the electronics and electric windshield. I am leaning towards the New Goldwing Tour, but then I would have to buy matching helmets with blue tooth headsets. Those heated grips sure would have been nice coming back from Death Valley.
  Ron, I have been to Bodie several times.  It is a great place, with lots to see.  Well worth the trip.  Ballart, I heard the dirt road in is pretty rough and I don't recall ever being there.  Bodie involves a couple miles of dirt road as well but I remember it being pretty smooth the last couple of times.  There was talk of paving it so it could be paved now.  I think we need a road trip to Virginia City, with a couple of stops along the way.
     John G.

I’m up for that trip.   I agree about the extra 3k for an airbag   seems pretty excessive. But then when ptgb pointed out I could save 3k at Russellville it got me thinking. Never thought I’d be considering 30k plus for a bike.  

the Honda dealer in Russellville Arkansas

They do all kinds of stuff there, including painting new bikes a bunch
of different colors... you can see a bunch of 2018 1800s on their
web page painted a whole lot of crazy ways...

-Mike

Thanks Mike  I remember they did that a lot before. I hadn’t seen anything with the new bikes. I’ll check it out. 

[Prescott John]

Honda of Russleville.  I wonder how the sales tax and licencing would work out.  We would have to register in Arkansas to avoid Arizona sales tax then register in Arizona?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Honda of Russleville.  I wonder how the sales tax and licencing would work out.  We would have to register in Arkansas to avoid Arizona sales tax then register in Arizona?

Thats the way it worked when I got the I/S in Florida.

[The emperor has no clothes]

  Rob, great minds think alike.  I am looking at the Red DCT tour as well.  I do like the paint job on the Air bag model but at 3 grand more?  So, do I buy a used Goldwing for 15,000, with more luggage capacity, more fuel capacity and more passenger room or get the new one with all the electronics and electric windshield. I am leaning towards the New Goldwing Tour, but then I would have to buy matching helmets with blue tooth headsets. Those heated grips sure would have been nice coming back from Death Valley.
  Ron, I have been to Bodie several times.  It is a great place, with lots to see.  Well worth the trip.  Ballart, I heard the dirt road in is pretty rough and I don't recall ever being there.  Bodie involves a couple miles of dirt road as well but I remember it being pretty smooth the last couple of times.  There was talk of paving it so it could be paved now.  I think we need a road trip to Virginia City, with a couple of stops along the way.
     John G.

I’m up for that trip.   I agree about the extra 3k for an airbag   seems pretty excessive. But then when ptgb pointed out I could save 3k at Russellville it got me thinking. Never thought I’d be considering 30k plus for a bike.  

the Honda dealer in Russellville Arkansas

They do all kinds of stuff there, including painting new bikes a bunch
of different colors... you can see a bunch of 2018 1800s on their
web page painted a whole lot of crazy ways...

-Mike

Thanks Mike  I remember they did that a lot before. I hadn’t seen anything with the new bikes. I’ll check it out. 

Well, the air bag model is out for me. It just dawned on me that you lose the glovebox the with the airbag.

Hey Mike, I've been searching HOR's website for painted '18s. I can't find them. Can you help out a dumb butcher ? I remember years back they would offer painted new models for a little extra, but I can't find anything now except for some pics of 2017 models. Thanks 

[Prescott John]

I went and talked to the local Honda shop.  They told me I wouldn't find an airbag model in Arizona at this time.  They are trying to find a DCT tour.  Honda is telling them that they don't know when they will be able to deliver one.  Donna found two white ones in Scottsdale, but I don't know which trans or if they are the tour model.  There is supposed to be a red one in Kingman, but that's not confirmed.  I am not in that big of a hurry.  I will wait and see how things pan out.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I went and talked to the local Honda shop.  They told me I wouldn't find an airbag model in Arizona at this time.  They are trying to find a DCT tour.  Honda is telling them that they don't know when they will be able to deliver one.  Donna found two white ones in Scottsdale, but I don't know which trans or if they are the tour model.  There is supposed to be a red one in Kingman, but that's not confirmed.  I am not in that big of a hurry.  I will wait and see how things pan out.

Kingmans got nothing. But....I'm going to Vegas Wednesday to pick up Brenda's sister at the airport. And if I can haul ass fast enough one of the shops there has a Red Tourer DCT. Won't have time for a ride, but just a sit and looksy.

[RichW]

Dave should post the pics from Beatty so you all can see how good John looks with a red 2018.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

Here's John next to the new wing.




And yes John does look good!  

[Prescott John]

...and that one was even registered in Arizona, just not to me.

[Ron]

John

Try Western Honda in Scottsdale and talk to Jason the sales manger. They have new ones coming in all the time. They also have a demo to test ride(a blue dct) They were competitive with HOR on my 2017.  I don't know if they are discounting as much as HOR on the 18, but you need to figure in your travel expense into the saving of the discount. Buying locally may not be as fun as a long road trip coming back from Arkansas. May be worth the expense of the trip for the fun of it. If timing is no concern you may want to kill 2 birds with one stone and fly out pick up the bike and than go to Izane.

[Ron]

This is why we need more beta testers out there.

Where to begin?
I traded my 2018 DCT Tour for a 2018 MT Tour. The DCT was 15 days old with about 650 miles on it.

First off, disclaimer: Disregard every critical post I made about my adventures/learning curve with MY DCT.
Everyone seems to love theirs, I did not love mine. Read my old posts about harsh shifting and difficult slow speed parking lot manuvring.

My ONLY reason for trading it was IMO
(IN MY OPINION) there was something wrong with mine and it began to "hard fail".

What is "hard fail"?.. Well I put it in "D", twist the throttle to go and the bike didn't go. It just sits there making a rattling noise similar to when you might try to SLOWLY put an old (pre 2018 ) wing into first gear.. (do not do that, I'm just trying to describe the sound ) .. The sound the gear cogs make before they mesh.

The first time it happened, Blondie was on the back and yelled "What's that noise?".. I shrug "I don't know". We were in a right turn lane, second vehicle back and I was trying to slowly creep forward. Then the tranny "caught" and we moved forward. I stopped, the next car turned, I tried to creep forward again and clack clack clack it did it again. All noise and no go.. Then it caught again and we moved. Again, Blondie says "that, THAT noise, what was that?" Again I shrug "I don't know". At this point she didn't realize the bike not moving was unintentional, I was trying to move, it just wasn't going.

One more car and now it's my turn to "right-on-red" and I give it a bit of throttle and it moves normally.. I'm trying to inch up and peak past the car to the left of me to see oncoming traffic..my front wheel is past the stop line so I'm almost in the path of oncoming traffic but not quite.. Then I determine "good to go", I give it regular throttle (as if to proceed fully into the acceleration lane) and... NO GO, just more clack clack clack sound.. then after a few seconds it "catches"and off we go.

I'm intentionally not trying to say the tranny was doing this or the tranny was doing that because the reality is, I have no idea what tranny was doing I'm just trying to describe the events.

I go about a quarter of a mile and stop at the next red light .. it turns green and i give it normal throttle to take off again .. same thing.. clack clack clack and no go.. and then it catches and off we go.

Over the next two days, very similar events happen a total of 12 times ... (alone now, no passenger) twice leaving me almost stuck out into oncoming traffic.

I'm done, I've lost confidence in MY DCT Goldwing. I think mine might be a lemon which is why I'm saying disregard everything I said previously about how it was shifting. I do not think mine was normal right from the beginning.

I take it to the dealer and of course they are unable to duplicate the problem (two tecs tried). I ask the dealer what's it going to cost me to trade it in on a manual transmission version of the same bike.. i got the answer I feared but not the one I wanted.. At that point I was still willing to do an upside down trade just because I'd lost confidence in the bike .. Went home to think it over hard.. I go back there the next day and do my best to explain again to them what's going on and this time luck was with me.. I went to leave their parking lot to get some lunch and clack clack clack the bike does it again.. ONLY THIS TIME the tec who had driven it the previous day (and could not duplicate the problem) heard the sound and saw the bike not moving.

Now it's a new game. Now it's just not me being crazy.. okay I may be crazy.. but I'm not imagining noises and pretending the bikes not able to go. Now there is a witness.

The dealer very graciously agreed to swap me out for a manual transmission version of the same bike ..gave me a good deal, I thought. I had the other bike just over 2 weeks. They did offer to get mother Honda involved to try and figure out what's going on. I have no patience for that (could take weeks?..months?..maybe's...nope, that's not me)

That's the short version, I could tell you about the other times that it just wouldn't go and just made clacking noise but basically it's just a repeat of the same thing over and over.

In my mind, all my dissatisfaction with the first week of owning the bike and thinking it was shifting funny are related to some other problem that's causing the clack clack clack noises and the bike not being able to move.

With my luck, I'm certain I'll find out in a week or two that they just gave the old "finnegan pin" a 1/2 turn and now everything is fine and I'll wish I had kept it. But truth is I don't have the patience to wait for them to figure out an intermittent problem. The blame is on me.

Basically, IN MY OPINION, I got a one off lemon or some such weird problem.. I'm sure the others are fine.

For now, I'm enjoying my NEW pearl white Goldwing tour model with an old fashioned clutch, and it seems to run great.

That's my story.. The short version.. And I'm sticking to it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Dang, Ron. That doesn't inspire much confidence. Maybe, I'll just stick with what I've got.

[Ron]

Don't be discouraged. It could be a 1 in million fluke. The problem I have is the dealer has already put the bike on the use market. The first used 2018 of the new production line. I would think mother Honda would like to get their hands back on that bike to find out what was wrong with their new baby.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Don't be discouraged. It could be a 1 in million fluke. The problem I have is the dealer has already put the bike on the use market. The first used 2018 of the new production line. I would think mother Honda would like to get their hands back on that bike to find out what was wrong with their new baby.

Yeah, for sure. Seems like they'd be setting themselves up for something bad by putting it out for sale without figuring out and fixing it. I'm still on the fence. Seeing it in person Wednesday night will be an important step.

[Prescott John]

Ron, so you fix me up with Western Honda Powersports and then talk me out of getting the DCT?  OK....
  Donna contacted Western Honda (Allen) via e-mail and was told they have none in stock and they were having trouble getting any because of demand.  I think no matter where I go, it's going to be a case of putting a deposit down and waiting for delivery.  The local guy was willing to work with me on the price so I may stick with him.  I haven't locked anything in yet and I'll just keep checking options and reading what others think of the new wing, for now. 

[Prescott John]

I did hear a rumor that the DCT problem may have been rider error caused by using the throttle and holding the bike with the brake, which would overheat the clutch. I am not saying that is what happened as I have no knowledge of the actual issue. Only a rumor....

[Jess from VA]

Very good report Ron. 

And, despite your belief that maybe you just got a lemon, I'll bet your experience will not be the only one like that.  Time will tell.