Moonshine Illinois

[Dads_FJ]

Took a little trip to Moonshine Illinois, (okay, 550 miles each way) on my TDM850.  http://moonshine-run.com/Moonshine/  some photos of my trip with my youngest son who's 11.  Saw some cool stuff, wet ride but smiles the whole time!

[Dan Filetti]

What is that a car tire??!!

Looks like a good time!

Cheers!

Dan

[The General]

You guys Rock  Great Pics. Can`t quite see what`s happening in the DR650 (i think?) Pic. is that a tank/Bar lock? ...and how about tha luggage rack on the scooter...is it for a musical instrument or some kinda weird camping gear?          I like a "Rain or Shine" attitude. That young fella is a champion.....

[The General]

  I reckoned it must be a sidecar outfit.

[Dads_FJ]

  I reckoned it must be a sidecar outfit.

You reckoned wrong (no side car), a lot more car tires than I'd care to see (one was too many!).  He said the first 500 miles is scary until the tire wears so you can lean. 

[The General]

a lot more car tires than I'd care to see (one was too many!).  He said the first 500 miles is scary until the tire wears so you can lean. 
[/quote]

Curious as to the logic. No expense spared on the rest of a well maintained bike - from what I can see.  ?  Are Car tyres that much cheaper in your neck of the woods. Or are your hospitals just really comfy.         Doug

[Dads_FJ]

a lot more car tires than I'd care to see (one was too many!).  He said the first 500 miles is scary until the tire wears so you can lean. 

Curious as to the logic. No expense spared on the rest of a well maintained bike - from what I can see.  ?  Are Car tyres that much cheaper in your neck of the woods. Or are your hospitals just really comfy.         Doug
[/quote]

I don't get it either, all that safety stuff - reflectors, LEDs... then they spoon a car tire on the bike! (They get some pretty high mileage out of them I guess).  If they bring the rim/tire combo to the tire shop they usually have to lie to get them to mount it, they say it's for a trailer or side car... Lot's of contraversy in the long distance riders group, but it seems to be catching on as more and more people try it.  Funny how they prefer straight roads and I hate them.

[Dads_FJ]

You guys Rock  Great Pics. Can`t quite see what`s happening in the DR650 (i think?) Pic. is that a tank/Bar lock? ...and how about tha luggage rack on the scooter...is it for a musical instrument or some kinda weird camping gear?          I like a "Rain or Shine" attitude. That young fella is a champion.....

I'll check the photos, Johnny took a bunch and this was one of his favorites.  The guy painted it "BBQ Grill Black".

The Luggage rack on ths scooter was made with PVC pipe, I thought he slept in it but is was used only to hold tent, sleeping bag etc... I'd hate to see how it would handle on a windy day.

[1tinindian]

I'm kinda diggin the hot rod Gold wing!
Also like your kids spirit and attitude! A truer riding buddy you will never find!
Atta-boy!
Leon

[FeralRdr]

 A car tire a on a bike is actually pretty common for Iron Butt Assoc. Riders.  Went to the http://www.hellscanyonrally.com a few years back in Baker City, OR  The Iron Butt Assoc. had a booth there, and this is was parked next to it.

[Dads_FJ]

A car tire a on a bike is actually pretty common for Iron Butt Assoc. Riders.  Went to the http://www.hellscanyonrally.com a few years back in Baker City, OR  The Iron Butt Assoc. had a booth there, and this is was parked next to it.

I guess everybody makes their own risk assessment - Heck I put radial tires on my FJ and those weren't meant for it any more than a car tire.

[FeralRdr]

..

I guess everybody makes their own risk assessment - Heck I put radial tires on my FJ and those weren't meant for it any more than a car tire.

Very true, but in regards to radials on our FJ's, the tire manufacturers have certified their tires to be safe for use on our bikes.  Of course, that is if you are running a stock machine (non modded), and you use their fitment guide.  For example, Avon Azaros (radials) are the specified tire for an 87 FJ.  On the other hand, those who have done the 17" wheel mods do accept a modicum of risk.  I would argue that in the case of modding our FJ's, that risk is somewhat mitigated by the fact that so many people have modded their bikes, there is now a resulting wealth of knowledge available about what works and what doesn't.

In regards to the Iron Butt riders.  From what I understand, their whole thing is about getting from point A to point B in the specified time.  Meaning that they are going to be doing a lot of slabbing on the interstates and major highways.  When you add in the competition of getting additional check points for additional points, that means they are going to be moving at speed, and trying to minimize their stops.   Now take into consideration, the length of the rally.  If your talking about 10,000 miles in 10 days (or longer), you can quickly understand the rational for putting a car tire on. their bikes.  No motorcycle tire could make that long of a run without needing to be changed. Thus, they would have to schedule in at least 1 tire change during the run.  Also, compared to other types of riding, there isn't as much aggressive leaning in the corners, since most of the curves they will be encountering will be high speed sweepers.  Hence, the risk of running on a flat shaped car tire is minimized.

Definitely not my thing, but I can understand their logic behind it.