Salina - Spavinaw Bike Ride

The weather is really warming up here in northeast Oklahoma and perfect timing to get out and enjoy it before it gets too hot. That was the case yesterday when we all went out to the Horseshoe out by Salina. It had been really nice and sunny all day but we were tied down with other obligations. However, we did have an opportunity to get out and enjoy some of the sun before it went down. It was also really too warm for our puppies because they are built much closer to the ground where the heat is concentrated. Anyway, we got out there a little before seven and it was pretty nice. Of course, there are others who are thinking the same way and we actually caught a glimpse of a couple of people swimming – (while their car was taking up space in our favorite spot).

I know I have been blogging a lot about my rebuilt '02 Yamaha XV 1600 and how the rides on it are going, but last night I took my other Yamaha motorbike out to the horseshoe to get some pictures of it without all the accoutrements. The bike is a 2006 Yamaha XV 1900 Roadliner S that we picked up from a powersports dealer in Fayetteville, AR. I had seen the adverts for it, also saw that the mileage was next to nothing at 12500, and that it was in pristine condition. The Roadliners and Stratoliners claimed the largest displacement v-twin engine when they debuted in 2006 and were truly works of art with eye-pleasing lines, art deco styling, and the large nacelle headlight up front that gave them the look of a locomotive coming straight at you! The reason behind purchasing this bike was to add a trike kit from Voyager so the missus and I could enjoy the open road together once again – just like the good old days. So, needless to say, until we actually pull the trigger on the trike kit, I don’t get the Roadliner out much. It spends most of its days under cover in my garage – aging gracefully. This bike has such few miles and graceful styling that the consensus is, that if we don’t ever get the trike kit for it, we will just keep it for a show bike and haul it around to the different car and bike shows in the area. Also, the “S” designation just means that it is equipped with more chrome than its counterparts. I mean really, the thing looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor and only has just over 14000 miles on it at this time. One other upgrade on the Roadliner is that it is fuel injected instead of carbureted like the Roadstar. They are both air cooled and I am currently looking at aftermarket, bolt-on oil coolers that I can add that would make them more efficient on longer trips and in different climates. It is amazing the difference between the bikes and how just a few years can affect design and function of a production motorcycle.

The Roadliner and Stratoliners are the exact same motorcycle only with the exception of the “attachments” that are standard with the Stratoliner, such as the locking windscreen, saddlebags (hardbags), and an “EZ-Off” locking, docking system for the passenger upright and luggage rack; all of which came on my Roadliner when I bought it. Another reason I bought these bikes is the lack of wallet shock; a shock I’ve experienced more than a few times at the Harley dealerships. Another practical reason for buying used bikes is that both bikes are drastically discounted and (somewhat) easily paid for. This means that, once they are purchased, they cannot ever be “repossessed” (cannot… ever… be…). Also, the Yamaha brand is statistically more reliable than the bar-and-shield badged bikes (as well as Hondas, Kawasakis, and Suzukis). Anyway, that’s all I got for now. Thanks for reading - now get out and RIDE!