Yeah, I know there are no Superhawks in this pic, but it may have been taken before they made Superhawks (V-twin version, anyway.) Coulda been about the time they started making 'em. Not a quality photo, but interesting nonetheless.



This was the first night of a weekend ride with my brother (right) and a friend (left.) Back in those days if you left late enough you didn't have to pay to get into Rocky Mountain National Park, and there were no motorhomes or tourists in Camrys to slow you down. There's nothing like briskly traveling a winding mountain road at 13,000 feet at night. That's not mountain behind us, that's what the snowplows (they use those big snowblower contraptions) left beside the road.

Our annual bike trip has expanded to a week, and to anywhere from 6 to 12 guys. I don't know if I'll be taking the 'Hawk on it, since we camp and I'm not sure I could fit all the gear on it. My VF1000R has lower pipes and a rear seat more accommodating to soft bags.

The guys who had fast bikes sold theirs off, so for the last few years I've been taking the Goldwing as a rule, since it's more comfortable and I can chain-smoke cigars on the ride, what with my in-dash cigar lighter. I do ride it like a sport-tourer though. The centerstand feet have nice bevels ground on the edges.

 

I like VFR's and if for no other reason, it's good shot of them. I have a friend that owns a Goldwing for one trip a year just like yours. It rarely makes it out of the barn except for the big trip through the mountains.

I like riding in the cold (within reason for a Texan). I did a good job of shaking down my gear last winter so I know what to wear. The cuts those snowthrowers make is awesome!

 

I can relate to the goldwing - I had a black ST1100 that was great for packing and riding (and smoking cigars behind the windshield)- I had some really good metzeler tires and rode it with my freinds who rode Ducatis - I could keep up through the twisties as long as they rode at 7/10's. The thing was great with over 100 horsepower and a 7 1/2 gallon gas tank (over 320 mile range). Only problem was I really missed the twin cylinder feel so I sold it for my Hawk. Now I miss the ST's gas tank range!