The Trip
How many times have I heard people tell me that the Rebel was to small
to take a long trip? How many times have I heard, "You'll run out of
gas on a long trip."?
Well here is the definitive answer to many questions I have had about
taking long trips with Rebels.
First, I have a 1986 CMX450cc. I bought it last year with 4,500 miles
on it. The 1987 450cc had larger jets in the carburetors, so I had them
put into mine. This was the close thing to a jet kit that I could find.
It didn't cost much either. Then I added a spitfire sport shield, padded
sissy bar, Willie & Max compact studded slant saddlebags and tool
pouch. Then finally I added a highway foot pegs set that Dr. Rebel from
Texas suggested. I change to oil every 2,000 miles with mobile 1 and
I add Motor Koute.
Last year we took a 4-day weekend during Memorial Weekend and went
to Kentucky and back. We put on about 1,700 miles and had a ball. This
was a pretty good test. I got anywhere from 50 to 70 miles per gallon
depending on the amount of wrist I was using.
At Christmas I asked my brother to go to Phoenix for my Dad's birthday
this year, March 23rd. He suggested we ride our bikes. Bill rides a
Gold Wing. Well I didn't mind the 1,700 miles, but at first I said no.
I had heard all kinds of stories about the Rebel not having a long enough
cruising range or enough power for a trip like this. Don't you believe
it.
We started out March 18, 2000. I had a soft bag on the passenger sit
to lean back on. It was 13 degrees in Lansing, Michigan when I left.
When I got to Indianapolis is started raining and did not stop until
Oklahoma City. Then we had 100 miles of nice night riding. We averaged
85 miles an hour for that 100 miles. We spent the night in Elk City.
When we got up the winds started and by noon they were averaging 50
miles per hour. I had heard about dust storms, but had never been in
one. We were in the middle of no where and just kept going. When we
got to Albuquerque, NM it was like we were on a quest. We just kept
going. Finally in Socorro, 78 mile further south we got a room. When
we came out the next morning I had 10 inches of water under my bike.
We had lost power in the room during the night and had to pack in the
dark. We had just past the last exit out of town and it stared snowing.
Bill had talked me into coming this way because it never snowed here.
In fact they had not had snow in three years. I would have kept going,
but Bill had a big windshield that he could not see through. We pulled
off in San Antonio, NM. Maybe ten mile south. A very nice lady opened
the door to one of four buildings in the town (a restaurant) and said,
"Come in you poor boy you must be frozen." She made us a big breakfast
and checked the Internet. This town was like going back into the 50s
and yet they were on the Internet. Thank you! By the way, I love places
that are still in the 50s. The Internet said the storm would last 3
or 4 days. Dad's birthday was two days away now.
We rented a storage locker and a rental car to finish the trip. Thanks
to the help of the Socorro GM dealer. We felt bad about driving into
Dad's, but we were there.
The Saturday after we drove back to Socorro and picked up the bikes
and off we went. There was still snow on the sides of the road in Albuquerque
and we just kept riding. We made Santa Rosa, NM the first night. As
we road through Oklahoma City we had our only 70 or 80 degree riding
weather. I unzipped my leathers. By the time we hit Tulsa the roads
were wet. We kept going until Springfield, MO. There was no rain just
lightning. From there we road all the way home to Lansing and Yipsilanti,
MI.
We put about 3,500 miles on our bikes in 7 days of riding. The first
four was the worst riding I had ever seen. On the way out I got 45 to
60 mile per gallon. From Oklahoma City on it is almost all up hill.
Twice during the 50 mile an hour winds I slowed down to 55 miles per
hour while going up the steepest hills. Other than that we probably
averaged 70 miles per hour. All except the 100 miles I got froggy on.
On the way back we had a little more down hill runs. I averaged 50 to
65 miles per gallon. I thought that was because I had turned Reb toward
the barn and said let's go home. He really does have a heart you know.
When I got home I gave him a bath and took him out to the local Honda
dealer to have him look him over. Reb did develop a small oil leak.
I don't think it is anything to serious.
Well there you have it. At least the 450 Rebel has plenty of get up
and go to take off across the country. I had carried an extra gallon
of gas and never used it. My reserve would come on anywhere from 120
to 138 miles. I always set my trip meter.
