35 mpg is what to figure on.

Vulcnas are perfect! I did mine in 2020 on a 1500 Vulcan Drifter. Planned it for the longest day of the year to make use of the daylight. 19 hr. 45 min

Looking forward to the video, I will have to get my map out and look at that part of the country.

Man those are some excellent shots! Thanks for putting this together!

Any group of over 5 or 6 is too dangerous in my book.

I've only been on a few group rides with people I don't know for this exact reason. One ride (in my first year of riding) I went on was a more "spirited" ride where someone wasn't paying attention and went off the road luckily ending up in some bushes so no damage to the bike and no injuries. Another was a charity ride and I saw one gentleman in particular unable to stay in the lane during corners which I did mention to the organizers. The final ride was one where everyone stopped at a pub and the sport bike riders (me included) decided to just continue on and not partake in any sort of beverages since mixing any substances and a motorcycle is just bad news. To add, I'm ok with some spirited riding with people I know I can trust and know their riding styles, but I don't think I'll ever bother again with bigger group rides. Then again I'd make an exception just once to experience a "Mob ride" where there's 100+ riders, I'd just stay way at the back and watch the chaos unfold.

definitely, my best friend wanted me to ride with his kid and his kids friends. I left after 1st stop. I will not follow idiots. I am perfectly happy putting on 3-7 hundred miles in one day safe and alone.

Hey Mark, Charity rides, poker run or any biker event, just like the VRA's all riders and passengers must sign a wavier to participate in the event. It sounds as if you didn't because they finished with their safety briefing. All these events I have ever seen or been on stops were at places that served alcohol. I agree with you its not a good thing to do but out of my control except for me not to ride with these people. I don't attend these events unless its my own association; our Road Captains will remove unsafe riders due to their actions. Yes I have felt unsafe in a group so I just fell back......way way back to finish the event.

I have been in that situation. Not much of a bar hopper, prefer to ride more than twenty minutes between stops also. The last " charity" ride I was on I peeled off early for my own safety. Seems like when people get in a big group they have to show off for some reason.

Vise-grips clamping a quarter makes a great tool to remove those caps. There is also a key maker that makes a large headed key for that job

Thanks, I would countersink the T nuts.

Looking forward to the video of the Iron Butt ride I hope all goes well.

❤ cool bike

Done Mark.

Another great episode mate, thanks for sharing👍👍

Thank u I got a 2008 nomad and I never knew about that

Is that a chrome cover over your driveshaft? If where did you purchase it. I have been looking for one but not much luck :(

Where is this at,what state?

8 curves: A very curvy road.

Hey bud just to help you a little, there is a quick disconnect fuel line on the other side of the tank. You don't have to drain any fuel and tank will come right off.

Could have taken off the fork cover

Yep I’ve been riding over 40 years and have dropped the bike at least a half dozen times . Part of the game! I grew up in Freeport, great to see the old stomping grounds, now live in New Mexico…

Darkside rear tire? How do you like it? When my Nomad 1600 rear wears out i may do that....

Hey Chef. I'm a new subscriber after finding your videos. I've just got myself a VN1600 and saw your maintenance videos. I'm impressed with what I see and you've inspired me to service the bike myself. I live in Scotland and my wife is American. I'd love to do some motorcycle riding over there but I've always hired a car for my trips. Maybe one day! I hope your wife is recovering well. Thanks again for the inspiration.

Ride with gloves.

First drop ever was practicing slow speed turns in a parking lot... I felt the bike going down, tried to get more power to the wheel but it was already too late... I ended up sliding a short ways and hopped one of those concrete islands. It took out the stator housing cover on the left and was leaking oil. Handlebar switch housing ended up leaving a dent in the tank. No damage to the rider, thankfully. Had to get a tow for that and repairs were...not cheap, but not super bad. Had another drop while pushing it around the garage, and then once coming out of the garage (not enough throttle turning left out of the garage). More tank dents from the handlebar switches, only damage to the rider was to his ego... Second bike, dropped once in the parking lot trying to do a sharp turn from a standstill... couldn't get away from the bike in time so I actually sprained my wrist trying to break my fall, and my foot ended up trapped under the bike, but there was a Good Samaritan in the lot who came out right away to pick up the bike. Only damage was a scuff to the crash bar, but since it's an ADV bike it needs scuffs and scratches, right? Third bike, pulled over on the shoulder of a two lane road to check the map and figure out some directions. Didn't realize the shoulder was soft, so after a few seconds of being leaned over on the kickstand it just fell over completely. Snapped the clutch lever at the breakpoint, and got some scuffs on the engine case, but otherwise the bike was ok. I was really mad at myself for that one, though... that should have been completely avoidable. So, count me in the "has dropped" category. No incidents while riding in traffic. *knocks wood*

Not yet... But the older i get the more likely it is to happen..

Have - Last summer, moving it around in the driveway. Almost did again this summer. Filled up and it was much more top heavy than I was expecting.

Nice 👍🏿

It seems inevitable. One of the major manufacturers will design and market a motorcycle rear tire with heavier construction. A Hyper-Mileage Tour Tire. Yep, it'll sell....

great video

Save your money buddy lol 🎉🎉

That cover is just a dust cover. Don't know why they didn't design it so you only needed to remove half of it to get to that clutch bleeder. SMH.

That piece of metal sheet prevents the fluid from bursting in the air when you pump the brake lever when you bleed them.

Radiator cleaner is $5 a bottle, and uses detergents and surfactants and works much better, while vinegar is acidic and corrosive. It’s probably not going to hurt it but I think the radiator cleaner makes much more sense.

Great ride along mate, thanks for sharing!👍

I enjoy your enthusiasm when you are out riding. Wondering if an iron butt on the new bike is in the future?

Lookin’ good Mark!

Hello from Ohio. Really enjoy your channel. Grest content and quality

IF you are going Darkside, PLEASE replace your wheel bearings. When a Motorcycle tire lasts 5,000 miles and you put a 30,000 mile car tire on the bike it is easy to just forget about those wheelbearings.

Thanks for sharing.

I really appreciate your videos. You explain what you are doing and why. I have a 04” nomad so it works out great for me. Thanks again ride safe.

It's pretty cool of you to answer the people who never used darkside - even though they have the "knowledge" to "know" it won't work. Kind of like when the earth was flat. On my H2SX, sure a motorbike tire, on my VTX1800 that scrapes at 19 degrees, darkside.

Oh so you did the switcheroo on me got a new bike...well congrats my good Sir🎉🎉

Thanks for the video! I know youtube compresses the video, but when I focus on the cars from the opposite directions or the intersection, it seems like the frames are missing. Is it also visible on the computer or only on youtube? Also, do you use a case to protect the lenses while shooting?

HOw are you recording your voice on this...mic or cardo or what?