BabyHawk250 
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Age: 30
Location: Herndon, Va
Bike: 1993 Honda Nighthawk 250
Posts: 77
Join Date: Jun, 2011
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« on: August 08, 2011, 11:31:38 PM » |
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Decided to get out of the old comfort zone today. Checked the bike over, threw a couple bottled waters in the bag, and headed for the hills!
I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Leaving Dulles Airport around 12pm, the temperatures were still climbing into the 90's and the air was moist...
Heading west on 50, I was excited to be leaving the suburban sprawl behind me. The cookie-cutter neighborhoods and strip malls became more sparse, being replaced instead by the occasional winery, big mansion and Civil War sites that dot this part of Virginia. Rolling pastures stretched as far as the eye could see along this western stretch, but in the hazy distance ahead the Blue Ridge loomed...
The plan was simple: take the scenic route, avoid cars and enjoy the ride. Ride route 50 west, jump on 17 South, then 55 West all the way into Front Royal. This was the northern entrance to Skyline Drive. The clean mountain air was now apparent and the humidity was long gone. I rode the whole stretch all the way down to Waynesboro, then cut across to Charlottesville, then rode 29N all the way back home.
300 mile day on the little 250 didn't go that bad at all. This the farthest I've ridden the small bike, and it surprised me a bit. Besides my butt really hurting after, it was a true blast to sling around the twisty mountain roads. Even on the way back, (and probably because I was so far south and just needed to get home as soon as possible) riding the bigger, more heavily traveled arteries of central Virginia, the bike was able to sustain high speeds with ease. I found myself easily keeping up the flow of traffic, averaging an easy 70-75mph. It is a bit buzzy, but definitely gets the job done. Can't wait till the windshield arrives, though. I feel that it will help keep fatigue down tremendously.
Maybe grab a nice size bag to throw in more gear and pretty soon I'll be campin' out and doing longer trips, too.
Too many pictures to post here, but I picked out the best. What a day...
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BabyHawk250
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Age: 30
Location: Herndon, Va
Bike: 1993 Honda Nighthawk 250
Posts: 77
Join Date: Jun, 2011
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« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2011, 11:34:27 PM » |
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A few more pics:
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NightHawked
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Bike: 03 Nighthawk 750
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Join Date: Apr, 2011
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« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2011, 04:41:01 AM » |
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Great report and pics. 300 miles not to shabby, good for you.
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happycommuter
EX500 pilot, WTF?
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« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2011, 04:41:33 AM » |
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I really the first few that seem to be in the farm valley that you always see from a distance from atop Skyline Drive.
Amazing how pictures of this area just instantly bring back memories. The area is just that eternally beautiful and etched in the back of the mind.
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bajakirch
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Join Date: May, 2009
"Get on your bikes and ride!" - Freddie Mercury
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« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2011, 05:59:42 AM » |
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A good counter to the old '250 is too small' attitude.
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It's not a big motorcycle
Just a groovy little motorbike
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Poligrafovich
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Join Date: May, 2011
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« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2011, 08:27:18 AM » |
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Nice pictures, and it sounds like a fun ride. The Skyline Drive is a beautiful road. To really give your bike a workout, continue south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The further south you get the more serious the hills.
I used to ride these roads regularly on my 0 cc bike many years ago. I still have the bike, but it's not near as fast as it used to be; I don't know if it would still handle the mountains. Seeing your pictures reminds me of how much I want to go back and do it on my NH.
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BabyHawk250
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Location: Herndon, Va
Bike: 1993 Honda Nighthawk 250
Posts: 77
Join Date: Jun, 2011
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« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2011, 03:04:12 PM » |
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To really give your bike a workout, continue south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. As much fun as it was riding the whole length of Skyline Drive, I was so glad it was over....well my butt was, anyway. I think it was just too long in the saddle, and I wasn't stopping for more than a minute or so on the overlooks to take some pictures. The Blue Ridge Parkway is next on my list, but I need to bring supplies to camp out for a proper rest so far from home. However, completing a trip like this reinforces my desire to go exploring further. I am very much interested in riding year round, and have been researching the whole motorcycle camping thing. Touring is something that deeply interests me, and I have been able to find a certain degree of tranquility when traveling by myself on my bike. |
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fishball
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« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2011, 12:09:20 PM » |
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Simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Dan
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84 Honda cb650 Nighthawk
03 Honda Reflex (Sold)
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tbante
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« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2011, 07:02:51 PM » |
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Very nice looking BabyHawk!
I rode the entire Blue Ridge Parkway from south to north back in May. It is a national treasure. Getting ready to do it again with drdubb.
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'Tom'
'66 Honda 305 Superhawk
'92 750 NightHawk
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hppants
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"Aging is inevitable. Maturing is an option!"
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« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2011, 07:27:04 PM » |
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Thanks for sharing - your bike looks real clean. My favorite picture was the last one. I like the depth of field on that shot. Any idea what your fuel mileage was on that trip?
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2005 FJR1300
96 CB750 - sold
84 CB700SC - sold
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BabyHawk250
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Location: Herndon, Va
Bike: 1993 Honda Nighthawk 250
Posts: 77
Join Date: Jun, 2011
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« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2011, 08:25:16 PM » |
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Thanks for sharing - your bike looks real clean. My favorite picture was the last one. I like the depth of field on that shot. Any idea what your fuel mileage was on that trip?
Thanks, This bike is '93 but looked really well kept before I bought it... I was able to pick it up cheap due to a rear worn tire and a stumbling/hesitation problem that I cleared up when I acquired it... Right now I'm averaging between 75-80mpg. On the open road, my range is about 295 miles BEFORE I flip the reserve.  |
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drdubb
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« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2011, 08:50:19 PM » |
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Good ride good report
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Dance as if no one is looking.
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hockeyhawk
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« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2011, 08:57:49 PM » |
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Nice Report BH. Great pics and the 250 looks to be in great condition.
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85 NH 650-SOLD
85 NH 700s
97 Suzuki DR 650
03 Yamaha FZ1
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