Thursday, April 18, 2019

GSA/EZS Last Day Wrap Up


The last ride day on the road was a long slog across a swath of Texas. 




Started early in Sanderson before most people were up. The streets and town were strangely empty for a Tuesday morning. The schools buses were not even out yet. 


From Sanderson, only 132 miles to Del Rio via Langtry, Home of Judge Roy Bean of Old West Frontier Justice fame. Near the border in Del Rio turn left and head east for Uvalde. Only 54 miles away. Dash gauge shows I've only ridden 135 miles on this tank of gas. Another 54 miles should be no problem. Remember I calculated on the second day that this rig has a 220-250 mile range...
Passing the 24 miles to Uvalde sign, a light on the dash flashes, signaling I have 18 miles of gas left.... Oh, oh... Hmmm, not so good. 

Maybe the gas gauge goes through the second half of the tank faster than it does the first half. 
Or calculations of range when riding a leisurely 55-60 are not the same as when riding at 75+ mph?  
Ya think?

Make note to self... start carrying a spare gas can, preferably full of gas. 

Riding strategy time: stay in sixth gear, drop the rpms to 3000 and hold the speed around 45 in order to maximize fuel economy. Done.

Every 'miles to Uvalde' sign passed says more miles to ride than what the dash information is telling me the bike can do. 

At the border checkpoint, guards ask questions, want to know all about the cool rig. When I ask if anyone there can sell me a gallon of gas. Sorry Charlie, not today. 
Oh, by the way, "Are you a US citizen?"

Spotting a railroad service truck, swing over to ask if they have gas. 
"Sorry, all of our trucks use diesel fuel."

Nursing the bike along, hoping and praying. We finally roll pass the Uvalde city limits sign, coasting into first gas station encountered with 2 miles remaining of fuel. The station is old and run down. Since BMW recommends using premium fuel I select that and try to start the pump. Hmmm... seems no one comes to this station to buy premium as the lever is stuck, difficult to move to open the position. Oh oh, there might be water or contaminants in this stale premium fuel. Decide to pump just enough to get me across town to the newer stations where I can buy fresh premium fuel. 

Back on the road we roll on, passing through heavy congested San Antonio traffic, merging onto Interstate 10 to Houston.

Moving along fine at 75+ passing the eighteen wheelers, pickups and cars for 40 miles until traffic slows down to a crawl... Finally coming to a complete standstill.  Is there an accident ahead? Why the back up?

Sitting on the hot pavement of the Interstate with a 75 mph speed limit, we are moving along at zero mph. Soon the sound of the bike's radiator fan is heard. Engine is heating up, not enough air flow.  

Only later as traffic pokes along do we finally reach a sign that says left lane closed ahead, merge right. Road construction...


By 4:30 that afternoon I ride up the driveway at home in Cypress. With just enough time to unload the rig, clean up, and go to the monthly club photo competition night. 

Took one of my favorite Black and White images, came home with a third place ribbon. Tough competition that night. Were many great entries in all three categories.


***********************

Rode 1881 miles from the Pacific coast of California back home to southeast Texas.  The electric heating jacket was needed several mornings and well as sunscreen in Big Bend.
Drank lots of water to stay hydrated. 



Nearing home, took some photographs of the rig's three tires to study for wear.

Rear car tire looks to be wearing evenly across the face.



Looking straight on at the front tire, it appears to be wearing a little more to the left due to the slight lean out of the bike. That is considered normal.



The sidecar tire viewed from behind, indicates a little more wear to the outside, away from the tub. That doesn't seem right but will check with the experts before making a final judgement.


Overall am very pleased with the GSA/EZS sidecar rig. 
It is everything I hoped it would be and more... much more! 
Feels very planted on the road at all speeds. 
Easy to steer and handle.
Comfortable for long hours in the saddle.
Very well built and solid subframe.
The bike has more than enough power to do anything you ask of it.
The sidecar is aerodynamic giving little wind resistance.
The tub body is thick fiberglass, sturdy with a steel cage around it.
The BMW GSA is a huge machine, larger than the GS or any other BMW model, 
but handles smoothly, with little effort.

I can see this rig giving me many, many, many miles of riding pleasure. 

That may be this rig's well earned new name...

Big  Ezy

Ride safe and long my friends,


CCjon




6 comments:

  1. laissez le bon temps rouler! Now if it was a Kawasaki tug.....the jingle would fit nicely.

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  2. I’ve enjoyed following the trip. That’s quite a long haul across Texas.

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  3. C'est si Bon.... Thanks Dom. Now to ride over to Burbon Street for a proper baptismal.

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    1. Thanks Richard, really enjoyed the miles and miles with no other vehicles on the road. Very relaxing.

      BTW tried posting a comment on your blog from the laptop using Safari. I think it just disappeared into neverneverland. So have down loaded Chrome, am using it now on the laptop. Lets see how it works out. Thanks for the tip.

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  4. Thank you for sharing your trip. Glad to hear you had fun.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Kofla, it was a great relaxing ride.

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