The wife and I have decided after much thought to move down to Lakeland, Florida for the winter. We will be staying with my in-laws there until next spring. I’m taking my Silver wing (on my trailer) and look forward to riding through the entire winter. From what I understand even in January the normal high temps stay in the mid 70’s. I know this morning that here in Iowa it was 10F and when we called the in-laws it was 84F at the same time. I’m looking forward to doing a LOT of exploring and one of my goals is to ride the Keys. If all goes well we intend to depart Iowa on December 13th or there about.

Thought I’d keep everyone posted on my progress this winter if you’d like. I will also be taking a lot of pictures to post.

If anyone on this website lives near there I’d be grateful for a riding partner that knows the area.

Keith
Iowa – soon to be in Florida

OK Keith,

I'm sure that every Silverwing rider on this forum would like to go with you on this ride to the key's. I know that I sure would like to go. That sounds like a bunch of fun to me....Any time of the year. I've looked at the marker on tip Key west, many times on Google earth.

Have a great trip and besure to take some pictures.

I am ridiculously jealous.

That's great news Keith! The silverwing will do exceptional on a trip to the keys. We were just there this past summer, it was beautiful! You will be glad to know that there were a lot of road improvemnts, but they keep traffic moving quite well. Stay warm!

Just look out for the speed bumps with the wiggly tails. Sounds like a great adventure.

Good for you ,I will be doing a month of that my self this winter .But I will be in Texas .

Why not ride down? One day straight south to get out of the nasty weather. More fun than trailer. Your wife can drive car....if you need it.

I know somebody will say my reply is nasty----but riding is what this thing is all about....at least to me.

John Grinsel

It could be -30 when I leave ,I will stick with the trailer . But I love your input John .

Ignore Grins...he has a pathological hatred of trailers.

When he goes on trips he rides around looking for bike trailers so he can judge people. This is not an exaggeration, he literally does this.

Don't let him and people like him succeed in stigmatizing trailers. If you want to go somewhere you will need your other vehicle and your bike, trailer it. If you're going somewhere you want to ride that's farther than you feel comfortable riding, trailer it. If you're driving through some weather or some territory you don't feel like riding through, trailer it.

If while on your way you see guys like JG riding without their underwear and freezing their bare butts off, feel free to give them the middle finger as you go by.

P.S. I'm in Florida as I write this, but not as far south as Lakeland but it's perfect riding weather, 70s and 80s every day.

I'll post pictures later but my bathroom inspections are going well, very filthy. Yet there hasn't been one driver in the entire state with a cell phone, can you believe it?

Question on winter trailering from the cold north.
Will you guys cover the scooter on the trailer or leave it open to the elements?
The reason I ask is that in the US they use horrendous amounts of salt to melt any ice and snow on the interstates. I have seen dark colored cars look absolutely white from the brine drying on them. I sure wouldn't want that crap all over my scooter.

If you cover the scooter, insure that it is an inflexible cover, such as an enclosed trailer. If you simply use a tarp or bike cover the damage to the bike will be MUCH greater than the road salt (which will wash off easily at trips end).

This advise is based on several years of hauling an observed trials bike all year around, week in week out.

EEEERRRRR






MMMMMM summer at last

I'm looking out my living room window watching the first blizzard for the year. Knowing that this Monday I'll be driving down south is refeshing.

Anyone along the way seeing a blue 2010 Honda CRV hauling a 2010 Swing on a trailer that will be me.

Catch back up to you guys from Fl.

Keith

I was watching the weather tonight and wondering when you were heading south! Have a safe trip.

OK, news from the new 'locals' here. We live in Tampa and are out almost every weekend - - last weekend was down to the everglades. We've been to Key West now several times and welcome another rider - - but why are you alone? My wife rides the SW and I ride a Sacarbeo GT - - three to four day trips are always a possibility. Email us and we'll get back to you.

tj

Just a few pics for Christmas:









Merry Christmas everyone.

Keith

blimey i really envy you sitting in my room with 6inches of snow outside.plus haven't ridden my wing for 4 weeks now.

Just bought my first Silverwing. I'm a Concierge and live in Key West, FL.
Come on down the weather is great! If you drop me a line before you get here I'll set you up with freebees and discounts on all the great stuff to do in Key West or I'll be happy to help you anyway I can. papamatt@gmail.com

Safe Travels,

Papa Matt

I'm in north Florida and I'd like to say it looks like the pics compguy posted a few days ago, but it's 37F, overcast, and snowing. Just little flurries that won't stick, but d*** -- this is Florida.

I'm in Jacksonville FL for Xmas vacation and there are flurries....

But yesterday was T-shirt weather...gorgeous.