[jkrobin]

This past weekend (Memorial Day weekend here in the USA), we took off on a 1,000+ mile, three-day ride to complete the Virginia sites on the 2014 Tour of Honor.

A full ride report, along with pictures, is available at: http://www.tourofhonor.com/tohforum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2445#p5216

We were both on 2012 C5s, and they held up wonderfully. Absolutely no issues, except for needing about a third of a quart of oil, if you want to count that, and one gas tank bolt that vibrated loose, which was an easy fix.

We did everything from state highways (50-60 mph), to interstates (65-75 mph), to back-country roads (25-35 mph) all weekend long. If I were going to do any extensive nighttime riding, I'd upgrade the lighting, but that's about it.

Average mileage on the trip of 71 MPG!

[bluesdaddy2]

Sounds like a great trip.  Thanks for sharing.  I noticed the military C5 has the cobra seat on it.  How is the ride with that seat?  Did you/they have to order it thru a dealer?

[jkrobin]

bluesdaddy2: The cobra seat rides just fine. You feel a little more on the bumps due to the lack of springs, but nothing horrible. And, yes -- it was ordered through a dealer (Cycle City of New York).

[rvcycleguy]

very nice trip and pics.  thanks for sharing.

rv

[FastDoc]

Great trip and a great message.

[heloego]

I've had the Cobra Seat for about 2k miles, and jkrobin is correct. It's a bit firm, but still comfortable.

[Arctictanker]

Great pics and sounds like it was a great trip.  I rode my 2014 Military C5 in the Rolling Thunder Demsonstration Run.  It was an amazing experience.  Unfortunately I did not think about taking pictures of the bike there.

[shamelin]

Love the Tour of Honor.  I did the 2013 Tour from San Antonio to St. Louis on my B5 last year- it was a blast.  This year I'm riding too, rider #100, but spending most my time on my Bonneville rather than the Enfield.

[High On Octane]

Nice!   

[Unkel Dale]

While the photos are PROOF, the participation in the ride for the event IS the proper sentiment.
Thanks for posting this.

That seat is lower to the ground than the stock saddle seat? If so by how much?

[jkrobin]

Unkel Dale: The cobra seat is about 3.5 inches lower than the stock C5 seat, if I recall correctly.

And yes -- the participation in the event was very meaningful. As I concluded in my full ride report: "We may well head out to more TOH 2014 sites in other surrounding states before the October end of the Tour, but this weekend has left us with incredible memories of a wonderful ride and meaningful Memorials, and a sincere and humble gratitude for those in whose memories the Memorials were erected."

[Unkel Dale]

Roger That!
Twice

[Magoo]

I spied the new Bell Bullitt helmet. How you liking it?
They only just arrived here in Oz and it's pretty much my first full-face helmet.
Liking it..a lot.

[jkrobin]

I spied the new Bell Bullitt helmet. How you liking it?

Magoo: I'm really, really liking the Bell Bullitt helmet! (Info and pics at: http://uniongaragenyc.com/shop/motorcycle-helmets/bell-bullitt), though I had a bit of a hard time with sizing.

While I normally wear a large (for example, with the Fulmer V2), the sizing chart showed me as a medium for the Bell. So, that's what I first ordered. It was tight to get on, but then WAY too loose around the face. I then tried a small, but while it didn't flop around like the medium, it was just too tight. I decided to keep the medium for a while, and they just (a week or so ago) put the replacement cheek pads out for sale. I ordered a set of wider cheek pads (35mm), put them in the medium, and now the helmet fits perfectly!

The field of vision with the Bullitt is great... sometimes you forget that it's there, as the helmet (non-faceshield) part of the Bullitt is completely out of view. You can also wear it without the shield on, for that windy ride with glasses or goggles.

It's expensive, but I'm not regretting the purchase at all.

[Magoo]

Yeah I'm liking the field of vision. Pricewise, pretty damn reasonable I thought.
And I too had some sizing issues. I have a big noggin and the XL open face Bell is comfy, but the XL Bullitt was a pretty tight squeeze. It's worn in nicely though!
Apart from looking the goods, it's a good all rounder and will be good with goggles come Summer.

[olhogrider]

What a cool retro style helmet! When I saw the first picture, I thought "who would pay that much for a 50 year old design?" Then I read the features. My first helmet was a Bell 3/4 style with a bubble face shield. I love the flip-up chin bar and internal flip down sun shield of my Shoei for everyday riding, but the Bullitt is tempting.