Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

10-11-08- 71,215 miles.  Replaced left side low beam.

07-01-08- 64,990 miles.  Replaced front tire with Met Z6 Roactech.  Total cost for tire and labor 186 dollars.

10-29-07-61,500 miles.  Replaced rear tire with Met Z6 Roadtech.  Old tire still had life, but had a slow leak somewhere so I just replaced the tire.

05-10-07- 50,640 miles- Replaced front and rear tires with Mets Z6 Roadtechs.  

06-05-06-  39,939 miles.  Replaced front and rear tires, with Mets Z6s, new brake pads, changed and inspected coolant.  Total cost 570 dollars.  

06-17-05 -30,133-  Rear tire flat in California, picked up a nail.  Plugged tire and made it to Bay Area where I replaced the tire with a new Z6.  The old tire had a 4k miles on it and looked good.  Only for being on a long tour did I replace the tire in lieu of riding the plug.  The plug was hold fine.  Repaired tire at Don's house.  Cost 117 dollars.

06-02-05- 26,455 miles-  Replaced front and rear tires with Metzellers Z6 Roadtechs. The previous pair were still showing tread, but the west coast demands new tires.  I estimate 2k of life were still remaining when I replaced them.  Also changed rear driveshaft fluid.  Tightened and check all bolts and fasteners, and inspected cooling system.  I put off valve inspection and fluid change out (except oil. I did that a week later) for my return.  The bike has never run better and is ready to go.  Total bill 324 dollars

03-04-05- 22,407 miles- completed 2 factory ordered recalls.  It was determined the rear brake pvc could develop leaks.  It was inspected and no problems were found.  Recall #2 pertained to a main wiring connector, that could possibly overheat causing a loss of power to critical functions.  Unit was replaced with the new upgraded harness.  While performing the connector upgrade the mechanic noticed frayed wires on 2 different connectors.  He advised a rodent had made his way from under the bike to the top of the air filter, and gnawed the soybean oil treated coverings of the wires.  (I later determined it was a chipmunk) He even tried to make a nest.  Although I had no current electrical problems, I had both damaged connectors replaced.  Nothing can mess your day up more then no power out in the Mojave.  The chipmunk cost me 138 bucks.

10-2-04-  16,802 miles- replace front and rear tire with Metzllers.  I've been a Dunlop man most of my career but was disappointed with them on the 13.  Both tires still had good wear remaining, but I always start a long tour with good tires.  

06-21-04 -13,146 miles- replaced rear tire with Dunlop 208 in Kearney, Nebraska.  Soft tire but it was all they had.

6-1-04-  5,850 miles, replaced the stock Bridgestone tires with Dunlop 220s.  The tires were still good, but a long west coast tour necessitated a change out.