[EL Pistoffo]

Just returned from our first multi-day trip. Nothing very long, just 600 miles over 6 days. Rode 2-up on my C50 with gear, probably 400 lbs combined weight.

Rode up the Florida atlantic coast along A1A from Jupiter to St Augustine. Lots of nice scenic beach rides along the way. Stayed at Vero Beach a couple nights, Cocoa Beach for a couple nights to check out Kennedy Space center and St Augustine for a couple nights too. Cut the trip a day or two short due to lousy whether from a cold front that was rolling in. Was able to avoid the cold rain barely but had rain gear just incase.

The C50 did the task satisfactorily though not with the utmost grace. More power would have been happily welcomed. Riding the shoreline kept speeds down to an average of 45-50 mph, 60 mph tops. The C50 does best at 55 mph or less IMO. My biggest complaint was my seated discomfort. I have Mustang seats for both riders. I quickly developed some strange pains in my right leg around the thigh area and some lower back pains, drove me nuts, had me squirming around on the seat looking for relief but to no avail. My wife would get the standard sore butt after about an hour or so. Stops were required to help but my pains would quickly return. I suspect it might be from me being overweight a bit.
Top helmet buffeting was another bother at 50 mph+ but it was manageable and I've given up trying to remedy that. The noise from the V&H exhaust gets really old after a while too. Dealing with the cargo can be a chore but was expected.

Comfort issues aside, we really enjoyed it. It was a different way to experience the coast and see lots of places you'd other wise skip.

If we continue doing these types of trips more often, a better suited bike might be in order though what that would be is up for grabs. Bigger cruiser or sport-tourer.

Pitstop at Last Resort Bar. Location where the infamous female serial killer Aileen Wuornos (portrayed in the movie Monster) was caught.

Pano of Shuttle Atlantis

View of the Bay in St Augustine from the Fort of San Marcos

Cocoa Beach Pier

 

[guitarjim]

Looks like fun. Glad you enjoyed the trip and took it easy.

 

[DCinCT]

glad all for the most part went well...sounds tho if trip like these are in the future it may be time for something a bit larger and more comfortable. Nice pics...thanx for sharing.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

glad all for the most part went well...sounds tho if trip like these are in the future it may be time for something a bit larger and more comfortable. Nice pics...thanx for sharing.

I agree. The bike took it like a champ but it's taxing on both the bike and us.

I'd see HD Electras all over the place (tons of them in FL) riding around what seemed to be comfortably with a passenger seated on the rear throne. Made me a little jealous, though I'm not interested in spending that kind of money on an HD.

I gotta think long and hard of what bike I'd pick. I can only have one unfortunately. Unless the ride gets more comfortable, I don't think we'd be doing these long rides much.

 

[bbqjoe]

A lot of guys here seem to gravitate towards vics after C-50's.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

A lot of guys here seem to gravitate towards vics after C-50's.

Beautiful bikes but running on limited lifespan, aren't they?

 

[bbqjoe]

Beautiful bikes but running on limited lifespan, aren't they?

Yes, no, and maybe.

I have one. I doubt I'll ever part with it. To me it kinda feels like the holy grail.
New OEM parts might not be around forever, but there will still be parts one way or another.

 

[Skrapiron]

That story brings back a lot of memories. In 2011, my kids were in cyber school (the local school district went on strike, so we pulled them out). My wife played mother, school marm and principal all at the same time. Since the kids could work at their own pace, they both finished the year's curriculum before the end of May (they started a month late and finished a month early!) As a reward, we took them on a week long motorcycle tour. One kid on my C50, the other on my wife's FZ6. Our longest day in the saddle was 400 miles and we avoided the interstate wherever possible, though getting to Charleston SC, required about 9 hours of slab riding at 80+mph.

I had the exact same experience as you with the bike. It was a stop every hour and let the blood flow back to my extremities kind of trip. I don't regret taking it, but I do regret waiting another year to finally pull the trigger and get something substantially better suited to something other than around town riding.

The right bike is out there. You only need to look in the right place.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

That story brings back a lot of memories. In 2011, my kids were in cyber school (the local school district went on strike, so we pulled them out). My wife played mother, school marm and principal all at the same time. Since the kids could work at their own pace, they both finished the year's curriculum before the end of May (they started a month late and finished a month early!) As a reward, we took them on a week long motorcycle tour. One kid on my C50, the other on my wife's FZ6. Our longest day in the saddle was 400 miles and we avoided the interstate wherever possible, though getting to Charleston SC, required about 9 hours of slab riding at 80+mph.

I had the exact same experience as you with the bike. It was a stop every hour and let the blood flow back to my extremities kind of trip. I don't regret taking it, but I do regret waiting another year to finally pull the trigger and get something substantially better suited to something other than around town riding.

The right bike is out there. You only need to look in the right place.

You know, your CTX1300 keeps poping up in my mind. I stopped at a state park along the way and parked next to a Goldwing. A Park Ranger shows up and we start talking bikes and he states he owns the Goldwing. We talk about my comfort issues and he, of course, praises the ride quality of his Goldwing. That's when the CTX1300 comes to my mind since it's sometimes referred to the "Mini Wing". The Ranger was unfamiliar with the bike. We talked BMW R1200 and FJR1300 type bikes. I said I wanted a quieter bike, more power but not a lot of weight. Aside from the Sport-tourers, the CTX1300 comes to mind. They're at reduced prices too.

There's quite a few bikes to choose from. I'm in no hurry so I'll have to ride a few different ones, with a passenger, to get a good feel of each one. Renting these bikes would be the best answer but hard to find.

 

[DCinCT]

would think there should be some renters in florida renting something other than HD's..have you tried any Yamaha dealers?

 

[EL Pistoffo]

would think there should be some renters in florida renting something other than HD's..have you tried any Yamaha dealers?

Id have to double check that. Most of the dealers have merged into multi-manufacture dealers down here.

There is a spot that rents BMW tour bikes but no luck with Yamaha though a quick search. Another that rents Goldwings and of course plenty of HD rentals everywhere. South Florida is an HD haven, that's all you see down here.

 

[crashtestdummy]

Since you don't do much long-distance riding I'd suggest keeping the bike you have for the local riding you do and on the rare occasion that you desire to take a long-distance ride with the wife rent something that catches your eye and find out what you like or dislike about each one before thinking about pulling the trigger on another bike

 

[guitarjim]

^^ Good Advice. As the owner of a big heavy bike, it is fine as long as you don't tip it. Guide it through the parking lot with good throttle/clutch/brake control and there are no problems. Try out bikes and figure out what you like.