Thanks to Bryan McDonald for the Ride Report and Pictures
Big Bend 2005.
Many years ago, I managed to get my first motorcycle, it was a Honda CB175, great first bike (changed days, 600 super sports are starter bikes now), and over the years I gradually moved up the ladder in CCs and power. More side ways instead of up usually.
In those days a 750 was a big bike.
Now jump forward about twenty three years and now instead of living in Scotland I am living in Texas (San Antonio) and the world has indeed moved on quite a bit.
Gone are the bikes that spray oil all over and handle like jelly.
The older generation (me included) talk fondly about old bikes, but it is a fact that new modern bikes are a massive advancement on the bikes of only a few years ago.
This brings me to the point that I am now, in a land I used to dream about as a young man.
Riding the Rockies, crossing the Great Plains and loving every moment.
So my bike of choice is a 2002 Kawasaki Concours.
Many reasons, but initially price, the rest will have to be evaluated over time and miles.
Texas Hill Country, My Concours.
This is her, I have named her the Underdog, simply due to the fact that my work buddies are always telling me “you aint going nowhere” all the time.
But that is bad English, if you say that, it really means I am going some place, unless there is a place named nowhere.
This is my second long distance trip in America, the first being a week long trip to Colorado, this trip was just a three day event but really enjoyable.
I would consider this a shake down trip for me and the bike, I had it for a few months but only ridden a total of couple of thousand miles on day trips.
I had a few days so I took the opportunity to go to a place where I have heard so much about from a couple of guys at work.
Ready to go.
I have spent weeks readying my bike for trips; the day before I am at last mentally ready to go and here is the bike just waiting to be ridden.
Friday morning earlyish 7Am I head out and manage to quickly slip on to Highway 90 West going out of San Antonio. I have traveled this road before, less that a year ago on another motorcycle trip, with a different bike, so it was familiar and old hat as they say. I settled down rather quickly in to my rhythm of not going to fast but fast enough to get miles done.
Soon I was approaching Bracketville, last time around I was in need of a refill of gas but this bike has a great range so I pressed on till I reached Del Rio which is about 165 miles.
I filled up with gas and did a quick calculation, 47 to the gallon, not bad at all running at 65/70Mph I was well pleased. That equals about 300 plus miles to a tank.
Which in turn equals confidence in the trip and bike?
West Texas is a big place and having a 150 mile range may sound fine but experience tells me it’s not quite enough to be comfortable.
I head west out of Del Rio which is the last big sort of town on Hw90, I cross the Amistad water way and from then its just small towns and sparse habitation.
I relax and enjoy the view while quietly I progress and soon I am crossing the Pecos River.
Pecos River
I stop and take in some water and just enjoy the open land and the solitude that I so love on the road.
I spend the rest of the day heading towards Alpine Texas, my destination for that day, and about 2 in the afternoon I reach there.
Great ride and great roads if you are in to going places and can ride slow enough to enjoy the open road and all it has to offer.
I get a room at the Alpine Inn and rest and prepare for the trip to Big Bend the following morning.
Meanwhile the heavens have opened and my bike is getting a free wash courtesy of nature.
Next day I am on the road again, it’s very still and cool as a result of the heavy rains the night before. I head South in 118 towards Big Bend.
Alpine below, Big Bend ahead.
I gently head down to road, I can’t really find words to describe this road, and all I can say if you get the chance don’t pass it up.
Just over 100 miles of quite road with beautiful scenery.
I have been to the Colorado Rockies and all over Scotland and the UK, as well as Ireland on motorcycles, but this road I consider a rough Diamond, in the mist of Texas lies a long road with mountain views and peacefulness written all over it.
In the background lies the Davis Mountains.
Low clouds slowly rising between the mountains.
I felt like I could have ridden this road forever, but soon Big Bend is with eyesight and I entered the Park.
Concours on the road.
I pay the toll which is only $5, and enter the first National park I have since I lived in America.
The speed limit is 45Mph, which is fine as the place is great to see and I did not want to miss it.
I head on to the West side of the park I am planning to go to Santa Elena Canyon over look.
Just so I could get a good look at Mexico.
On the way did a short detour to see the Mule ears.
Mule Ears
I then proceeded on to wards the afore mentioned overlook, but my way was blocked by flooded roads, At this junction I would like to add if I had a bike like a KLR or similar I would have felt better equipped to take on Big Bend. Perhaps next time.
Concours bikes can’t swim.
Then I proceed back up to wards Panther Junction, I stop ad get fuel and although I had no need to fill up I was taking no chances of getting to low and having a worrisome few miles on my mind,.
Then I went and paid a visit to the Basin, great views and a neat restaurant in which I had my lunch.
On the way to the basin
On the way to the Basin
Some ones bike at the basin.
I took this to show folks that any bike will do if you want to go out there do it don’t wait.
I don’t know why but I took very few pictures at the basin so I am sort of mad at my self.
The I left and headed for the Rio Grand Village, by now it was getting hot and very bright I had to stop and drink lots of water and apply sun screen to my face.
The East side of the park is a lot flatter than the West but it give you great views of what I imagined West Texas to be. Flat Dry and tough country side.
At the Rio Grand village, that’s again Mexico in the distance.
I went all the way down to the river.
Mexico. Texas
That is it the Rio Grand, not as magnificent as I was expecting but I did get to see it...
I guess it’s more symbolic than anything.
After a walk around and such I was back on
the road and took the Eastern exit from Big Bend, on road 385 which leads to
Marathon and the Gauge Hotel. .
Gauge Hotel.
I then head West again on Highway 90 and back to my Hotel at Alpine.
It was a long day and I was tired and still had a 370 mile run to do on the following day,
Back High way 90 to San Antonio.
This was a spur of the moment trip and I wish I could have taken more time to enjoy, But it was a great trial for the Concours and for me.
I did take a few mental notes on the bike though, Miles to the Gallon, was out standing, I was getting a consistent 47 to the gallon, that makes it possible to get 300 miles+ to a tank, I was going about 70 to 75 Mph.
Comfort, fairly good, I have Corbin seat, bit I am 5Ft 8Ins and found my self to far forwards to get my Butt in the hole part of the seat, so I did get some discomfort there, not too bad but my Virago was better on my butt but hell on my upper back, the Concourse was great really.
Performance, great for me, did all I wanted it to do and more, I am a sedate rider so I don’t need 160 horses and stuff like that.
Handling, not an issue since I don’t ride very hard.
Luggage capacity, Brilliant, the bags are big and easy to detach, the tank holds a tank bag nicely and the fairing pockets are very handy.
Weather protection, brilliant, I did not get rained on but only was hit in the face by one bug in 1100 miles.
One gripe is the fuel gauge, it’s useless, it starts going down at 100 miles, shows empty at about 200 miles but you still have about 3 gallons in the tank.
Most I did was 220 miles and still did not have to go on reserve.
The heat, ah the heat, not an issue, yes it was hot, but no hotter than other bikes I have had, I did equip my Concours with a Clear View shied and a vent, the vent is adjustable, its from an 1800cc Gold wing.
Worked fine.
What I would do different, Camp leave earlier in the mornings.
Total miles 1127 Three days.
Bryan McDonald
PS. I did visit Judge Roy Beans place on the way home and I detoured through the Texas Hill Country.