Everyone said I was crazy….1,100 miles on a Ridgeback

Mario77746

Mario77746

Active Member
We all planned the trip to Daytona a few months back. It’s right at 500 miles from my house to the beach. 2 of the guys have HD Fat Boys and the other has a Vulcan Nomad that I went with. All of the other pussies that could not go also ride some sort of soft tail. I’m the only one with a rigid. Everyone said I was crazy for taking this trip considering I had back surgery about 1.5 years ago.

Looking back on it now, it was a piece of cake. My 05 Ridgeback and that fat 300 tire performed great. We actually went 600 miles on the way down because my buddy Bob took a wrong turn that ended up adding 100 miles to our trip:bang: .

I set my cruise at some points when there were no cagers around, leaned back on my bag and just let it ride. I think the thing that did it for me was getting the sissy bar set up (thanks again to Nelson!) along with the Kuryakyn Ultra Tour Bag #4148. I strapped this thing down and added a inflatable back pillow that I secured with a bungee cord. That’s all I needed for the support. You can see the blue pillow in the pic below.



We could have gone another 500 miles on the way home. Absolutely no fatigue or back, hip or leg pains what so ever. That coupled with no problems with my bike other than a leaking gas cap o-ring, (good thing I brought my stocker) and a 4 inch gash on my right calf from my spike peg that is still there:angry: :angry: :angry: only makes me love my Big Dog even more. I don’t think I will ever get rid of my bike. It’s not only a piece of art but also a bike that can be ridden anywhere…..:2thumbs:
 
RRRUFF

RRRUFF

Well-Known Member
Good ride Mario. So you really liked the Ultra Tour Bag #4148. I have been thinking of getting one.
 
C

Cephus

Well-Known Member
I'm glad the trip worked out as well as you had planned. Before I left to ride to Laconia last year some guys I know where taking bets as to how far I would make it on a rigid. The 250 rear tire made it comfortable and I could have done the trip again if needed.
Now on a serious note, we have to get a hold of Nelson so you can get rid of that jacket, hat and shirt, and advertise a REAL bike maker!!:whoop: :whoop: :whoop:
 
Mario77746

Mario77746

Active Member
Lee, I know, it's not what you would expect but I have had back problems for years now and at the same time I love my rigid. The pillow did me good. I contemplated putting the rain cover on the bag and pillow to hide it but fuck it.:job: It is what it is.....

RRuff - that bag is great. Semi-hard construction (yes I said semi-hard:D )and you can pack a shit load of stuff in. I got one this big because I know the wife is going to go on a few trips with me and ya know what that means..........I'll be wearing the cloths on my back the entire time....

Cephus, that's my buddy Rich in the pic. He's got a really nice HD Fat Boy. I've almost got him talked into a BDM.....:2thumbs:
 
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W

Whistler

Active Member
Question About Your Ultra Tour Bag

I've been thinking about buying the Ultra Tour Bag and was wanting to ask an owner/user how well the Velcro attachment holds the bad firmly to the Big Dog sissy bar? Appears to be a good idea and should make attachment fairly firm. Thanks.
 
alhall88

alhall88

UAW
Those are nice, thats why I bought the smaller version called the tombstone bag which comes with 3 different detachable back pads that have different thicknesses.Good to hear someone getting some rididng in.
 
P8RIOT

P8RIOT

Well-Known Member
Calendar Participant
That's a great story, Mario - thanks for sharing the results. :up:
 
gearsmithy

gearsmithy

Active Member
+1, my buddies said the same thing when I rode my ridgeback from knoxville to key west and back. By the end of the trip i was the only one that *didn't* have some kind of ache. Everyone says that hardtails are so brutal, I only think that's true when you go over railroad tracks and potholes. Personally, I like being able to "feel" the road.
 
Mario77746

Mario77746

Active Member
Whistler said:
I've been thinking about buying the Ultra Tour Bag and was wanting to ask an owner/user how well the Velcro attachment holds the bad firmly to the Big Dog sissy bar? Appears to be a good idea and should make attachment fairly firm. Thanks.
Click to expand...
The velcro is very strong. It's about 8' wide across the back. The bag also comes with 2 tie adjustable down straps and D hooks all over it that help lock it in place. I used the 2 tie down's in an X across the back from the top to bottom of the sissy bar. I then used 2 bungee cords on the front to tie it to the passanger pegs. Once strapped down, this thing didn't move even with me leaning against it at an average speed of 80-85 mph.

I hear ya Gearsmithy - Granted the trip was ok but sometime I hit a bump or hole and it feels like Chuck Liddell is giving me a kidney shot....
 
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Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Mario, wished I could have hooked up with you in Daytona. Great pics you put up. Glad to hear your ride went so well! :D

Later,
Ray
 
KnotSo

KnotSo

Admin
Staff member
Mario, you would be crazy to listen to the non believers.

What was the issue with the gas cap? I have the same one and have had no issues...so far.
 
Mario77746

Mario77746

Active Member
I hear ya Knotso. I do what fits me best. It's always been my style.

I have a tendency of over tightening things. The o-ring got a flat spot and started to leak when I filled up. No big deal. I just need to pick up another.
 
KnotSo

KnotSo

Admin
Staff member
Rob's (maker of gas cap)site has been down for about a month, I may still have his phone # if you want it. Prolly pick up a new o ring locally though.
 
BBChopper

BBChopper

Supports 2 Disabled Vets
Troop Supporter
Your O ring has a flat spot and leaks?:eek: I hear ya dude getting old sucks, try useing some Fibercon, PH and a pair of Depends. Works for me every time:cheers: :2thumbs:


:roll: :roll: :whoop: :roll: :roll:
Ah shit I kill myself sometimes:roll: :roll:
 
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