Bun Burner Gold AND Saddle Sore in a weekend

[IAMBOB]

Left Wednesday at 12:38 from my house in Dameron MD heading to Kansas City (via Atlanta to make 1500 miles). Made it to Richmond in a little over two hours but GPS malfunctioned, totally froze, no buttons worked. Tried to "Kentucky Windage" it and found 195 that headed South.. ended up in a nice neighborhood in Midlothian when the highway ened. Found the next gas station and stopped to troubleshoot. 45 minutes later threw the Zumo into the glove box hoping the battery would be dead next fuel stop and could reboot (it did). My phone wouldn't plug into my helmet so had to drive 3-5 miles stop, look at phone for next turn ..etc..etc to get back to the interstate. Long process but I was back on track on heading South.. 250 miles later I stop somewhere in NC, Garmin is dead, put it back in the cradle, restart and select my route back in business (I thought) and back on the road in record time. What I didn't realize until I saw the sign welcoming me BACK into VA is that the Zumo lost my Atlanta way point... meant I was 150 - 200 miles short when I got to Kansas City.. but I finished with 21 minutes to spare and an extra 55 miles. Hit the nearest hotel to my required mileage St Joseph MO... Took a nap and came out to find a new RT with mine..

[IAMBOB]

Halfway point I was well behind my pace as it took me over 2 hours to get to the interstate then an additional 45 minutes/ hour messing with the broke Zumo.. I was well behind the required 65 MPH Avg to make it. Second half I averaged just under 75 MPH.

Bike was flawless, had two issues where the brake failure light came on but went out at my next gas stop..

New helmet, N104, was awesome, the B4 Bluetooth was infuriating, frustrating and unless I learn that I'm missing something a total waste of Money. Couldn't get GPS prompts through the helmet most times, and not at all if listening to the FM radio.. phone calls don't come throughout of the time, nor can I make outgoing calls. I tried to revert back to my N103 (through Autocomm) so I could listen to XM AND still get GPS prompts, but the comfort and quiet of the N104 won out over GPS and XM.

[IAMBOB]

Only complaint I have about the N104 is there is no way possible to ride with the visor open. It will NOT stay open. I prefer to ride chin bar down visor up but with the N104 had to ride with both up... still exceptionally comfortable and quiet. Whenever I put them both down helmet was almost too quiet (slumber town) and the itchy nose came back with a vengeance.


Before I left I installed Manic Salamander Pounder bar weights. I didn't notice much of a difference. Still felt it in the hands and nose itched incessantly any time I had the helmet closed up.

[IAMBOB]

Yesterday I Left KC at 7 AM for the direct 1179 miles home. Uneventful ride, interstate 64 through WVA and VA is the FUNNEST interstate ever. Interstate twisties.. up and down mountains. It was COLD(thankfully I brought my heated jacket) but at the pace I was driving that was a wild interstate ride.

Came in the door of the house at 2:50 AM.. 21 hours to do 1197 miles.

[IAMBOB]

Having ridden through the entire night on the way out and most of the night on the way back I can't speak highly enough of the headlights. Upgraded to two 6500k low beams and a 4000k HID Highbeam (XenonRider).. best money spent yet. Cars would pass me on I 64 I'd dim my High beam, they turn their Highs on then they would duck behind me and let me light the way. Amazing difference.

[IAMBOB]

I do think I deserve extra points or extra recognition for doing this on a stock seat.. THAT SUCKED.

[Chiba]

If you send your Zumo & $150 to Garmin, they'll take care of it

I learned long ago (when my Zumo 550 first started acting up) to travel with an allen wrench small enough to disconnect the battery - solved a lot of problems until it finally died all the way.

Sounds like you had a pretty good time despite some hiccups. Can't believe you did it on the stock seat. Iron butt indeed!