H-D Report Card

It's become a tradition for me to rate the motorcycle performance and issues of the trip. For those that do not know, we ride a 2010 H-D Ultra Limited (FLHTK Electro Glide in Harley-speak). Accept for some accessories, it's factory stock - no pipes or other performance upgrades, just the 103 ci engine that was stock for the Limited that year. Here's the breakdown:

• I spent $86 on oil, air filter and spark plugs and performed the labor myself. Needed to do that anyway.
• I spent $229 on the new front crash bar that cracked. Bad H-D! People that don't ride H-D may be shocked at the price of this simple bent-steel tube with chrome plating, but H-D really means that there is nothing you can buy less than a Hundred-Dollars!
• I averaged 40.6 mpg @ about 60 mph over the 1,363 miles on mid-grade (87-89 octane) corn fuel. Not too bad considering the weight, altitude and mountain pass driving conditions.

The good news is that I'll get 20% back on all parts from the Motor Company through my friend John, an H-D employee. Other than the crash bar, the bike ran flawlessly with only the usual hill-pulling issues when using Cruise Control in 6th gear so I give it a rating of A- on this trip.

As for the trailer, I mentioned earlier that I borrowed it from my friend Paul. This trailer is nearly $2K less than the Triton aluminum trailer I was considering to buy. Half the price but twice the weight. The jury is still out on this - the price is right, but I can [barely] move it myself without the truck and it's a gas-hog (we averaged 10.6 mpg for the trip and I get 14.5 mpg towing an enclosed snowmobile trailer; but I suppose I can buy a lot of gas for $2K! Paul's trailer although heavy, was solid and tracked-well (and didn't budge on a Bambi) so I give it a B+.

As for the old 2004 Toyota 4Runner, it ran great with a max load for all 2,000 miles averaging 62.5 mph (with stops) - a solid A.

Lastly, I liked this Hill City Horse: