This was my 4th trip, 1st with my cbr600f4i, and this was probably my favorate or best trip. The bike handles amazing! and with my Corbin seat I never had any comfort problems (other then hands/wrists, but thats a given). We traveled all over some known places might be the Cherohala Skyway and Deals Gap (Dragon). We traveled mostly on road like the dragon so the trip was no layed back trip, we worked, but it was def fun!
The other bike in the pics is my buddies Ducati.
I said i would give a review on the saddle bags. They are awesome! They might not be the best looking bags, but for the 70 bucks I spent vs the 200 something I would have had to spend to get a named brand with matching colors was well worth it to me. They can fit quite a bit and when they are stuffed full they do not sag all that much. They are so useful and convenient. I only had two complaints. One is the do block the directionals, so I will now have to get an integrated tail light at some point. The other is the waterproof cover that is attached to the bottom can be more of a problem. We hit a some rain on the way up and back and one of the rain covers came off while riding and got tore up a bit due to it was hitting the chain (I am lucky it did not rip off and clog up within the chain ans sprockets). The other side still ended up filling with water causing the bottom of the saddle bag to soak up the pool of water. I reccomend to just place your belongings in a plactic bag to solve them getting wet if you have or buy these. BTY they are CycleGear. However, the good far outweighs the bad of these bags.
My friend had more pics that I will post if they are worth it when I get them. I have like 11 pics so here is the link, will be easier. CBR Forum - Enthusiast forums for Honda CBR Owners - js8514's Album: First trip with bike to Mts.

 

I too went on a similar trip over the 4th of July week. Where did your trip originate from ? How long were you on the trip, few days, week ? Trips like this are such an escape from the everyday. Looks like you had a great time.

 

A couple friends of mine made the trip to Deals Gap for Fathers Day this year.
We trailered down from Ontario, Canada - stroke one off the bucket list.
Good trip, lots of fun, rented a cabin in Fontana Village. Nice and close to the twisty curvy roads that we wanted to "play" on.

 

^ Where are your pics? ;-)

 

Tried posting some pics but am getting a message that account not activated or insufficient rights. As soon as my training wheels are off I will try getting a couple pics up.

 

Sounds good. ;-)

 

so does anyone plan on doing this ride again? i mean anyone at all, from far near? im in sc and go to deals gap area at least once a month for two or three days. anyone want to go im gonna be leaving august 9th, 10th, and 11th, thats thur , fri, sat, next week. most of the time i'll meet a friend at his home in gatlinburg,TN. he has his bike too, we tour around the next day, spend the night and i ride home sat morn. if no one can go next week then soon after?

 

I wouldnt be able to make that trip but I would love to go again. iv got a pretty busy couple months coming up w my wedding approaching, but maybe I could find time and make the trip up there w you.

 

WOO HOO! thats cool i finally found some one who is interested. dude seriously, let me know when your ready. i'll be there next week and around the 1st of sept, like i said i go about every month at least once. rain or shine...or ice. he he i'll just bring my tire chains. my buddy told me its cool if i bring a friend, he has an extra couch. so its a free place to stay. or i might just stay at the gap for 12 bucks and bring a tent if it gets too late and we dont make it back around the mountain.

the dragon is a bitch sometimes at night. i cant see ****. last time we rode through the dragon at night and raining we had to go 2nd and 3rd gear at a snails pace the whole way but, it was kinda fun. i had damn good rain tires. i tell ya, where he lives (five or ten miles outta gatlinburg) its really deep in the hills. deals gap aint got **** on some of the roads around his house.

 

Not 100% sure if this work but I posted some pics in my profile.
But I work in a protected/secured environment and many links/photos are not visible. So hopefully you can see these.



Just love this sign!