So I did a thing because of a thing...

[justjoe]

I get it. I really do and I'm not sold entirely on the elimination of turn signals (look at the video I posted).

[justjoe]

Agreed. It is the bike I have been wanting. I thought it was the RSV4, and I may still get it one of these days. But this f'n Tuono is the cat's meow.

[Loggiebone]

I get it. I really do and I'm not sold entirely on the elimination of turn signals (look at the video I posted).

[Flyboy]

I place blue tape on mine in less than 10 seconds and off I go.

[justjoe]

I place blue tape on mine in less than 10 seconds and off I go.

Not the tail light, the bracket for the license plate, turn signals and in my case the hideous arm that's holding it out.

[Pittsdriverwes]

Some organizations don't require safety wire and replacing the antifreeze. On my S1000RR, I just slapped a bunch of blue tape on it and called it good.

[Karlb]

[aviator]

So it continues!

Mani said something about wanting to ride so I reached out to him and after hemming and hawing, he finally decided that he really, really wanted to ride. Mani, who has the best gear and the best tires and the best bike didn't want to ride in the rain and it took an act of divine intervention to get him out, finally decided to ride. That turned out to be a mistake!

So I sent a text early on Sunday morning that I was going to be in Tellico Plains at 11 am. Being the early riser that I am, I decided to get to Tellico Plains via the dragon (3 hours instead of 1.5 if I go a more direct route). By 7 am I am out the door. I stopped for fuel, one last text to Mani telling him my plan and off I go. It was spectacular. The Ape was in its element and it is the first time I experienced the nanny software kicking in. I am getting to know the beast and for the first time, starting to appreciate it more.

Obligatory Dragon pic


I blitzed the Dragon. Fantastic! Burned down to the junction of 143 and 129 where I stopped to get fuel. When I passed the Tapoco I thought it would be great to enjoy lunch with the wife so at the gas stop I called her and asked if she wanted to meet me there at 1 pm. Awesome, she was all for it!

I hit the Cherohala pretty hard. I made it across in 45 minutes stopping a couple of times on the way to take pictures. This is where I started getting the nanny software to kick in. I really didn't figure it out until the power cut and I happened to catch a flicker on the dash. Two flashing lights on both sides of the RPM warning indicator and a flashing traction control light. Hmmmm. Something to figure out for sure.





I get to the end of the Cherohala, get fuel and notice that it is only 10:15. So I went to check out a few of the restaurants and nothing was open. Then I remembered that there was a big piece of property just south of Tellico Plains for relatively cheap that a buddy of mine and I were thinking of getting for a little cabin. So I took off down TN68 towards Ducktown. Turned around back up to the Shell gas station at 10:50 to wait on Mani. Mani had sent a text that he was running late so I went to Buckets and Brews for a refreshing beverage while I waited.

At 11:30, I sent a text to Mani to meet me at the Tapoco. Mistake. Anyway, I blast across the Cherohala and I can tell it had rained. I slowed way down unsure of the traction that I would get out of the new bike and tires. When I got close to Robbinsville I passed an HD that had gone off the road in a bad spot. There were several bikes and a bunch of people standing around. I stopped at the gas station at the corner of 129 and 143 again to send Mani a text. He was on the way across the Cherohala by this point to meet us at the Tapoco.

I get to the Tapoco and my wife shows up. About two minutes later the sky opens up! I mean big rain! I try to text Mani to turn around but there isn't a signal. No message went out. So we sat there for a few hours, at a great lunch, had a beer and I waited for the rain to let up. My wife, who was in her cage says that she will see me at the house and boogies on out of there. I wait. 3:30 comes and that's it, I decided to ride home in the rain. It is the only time that I have ridden the entire length of the Dragon at the speed limit. It really does have some beautiful scenery.



Anyway, I tested the limits of the most restrictive software setting it has. Now on to new tests!

I'll let Mani finish his story. Needless to say, it was wet!

I'll be brief, went looking for an Ape, rode all day in rain, fog and more rain. No Ape!
As mentioned above by our fearless, featherweight rocket man, I did start out "nearly" on time and reached Tellico, checked out the shell station and then took a break at the Exxon on the Cherohala. Had a cold mocha and tried to raise Joe, but I guess both of us had poor signal. Finally got a Txt from him that he was on his way to Topoco. So off I went, but as I started on the Skyway, the heavens opened up. Zipped up my badlands and soldiered on. Sheets of rain and water on the roads, with cages going 10-15 MPH and fog. Anyway got to Deals gap around 1:30 and still raining. I figured Joe had already left, so another cold mocha and pit stop, struck a convo with some out there. Around 2:30 called it and decided to go home,( little did I know Joe was still at the Topoco Lodge) rain had become more intense and followed a bunch of exotic sports cages at 15 MPH all the way down the Dragon. What a day.
But overall I had fun.

[justjoe]

Sorry for the missed opportunity.

[MattB]

Doug, I take to your point, but I must add, IF you need rear turn signals on the Tuono for anything other than the legal (inspection sticker) implications, you are riding it wrong.

[Loggiebone]

Doug, I take to your point, but I must add, IF you need rear turn signals on the Tuono for anything other than the legal (inspection sticker) implications, you are riding it wrong.

[justjoe]

[Karlb]

[MattB]

Doug, naturally (or maybe I should say "I'm operating in my natural state") I'm being sarcastic, but on a bike like the Tuono, on roads that I'd want to ride it, there wouldn't be anybody left behind me [in a cage] to look at the turn signals/brake lights.... that's what I was joking about.

[Loggiebone]

Whatever you say young feller...?