I moved to Austin recently from Nebraska (flat state) and have been wanting to ride the three twisted sisters.
I was thinking about a 1 day ride. Early am to just before sun down.
@ Retsam & LGR2010KAWI: We could meet on the 10, get on 377 (which is supposed to have sweepers) and come down on the sisters from the south... get on 335, 55, 337W, break and lunch at Leakey (if we don't eat before) then 336. 337E going to Kerrville looks also like a fun ride, so we may have to try it out. I'm open to suggestions and I'm pretty flexible with the schedule!
* I'll be more than happy to detour in order to accommodate riders from San Antonio and Houston areas.

i will have retsam check out the post ...and see what his schedule is like

Sounds good

What dates are we looking at trying this? I think JetroCooter and Drew may also want to roll with us. I will give them a heads up to check this post. Sorry it took me so long to see this. Sounds like it might be a fun trip.

After looking at the map Im thinking this might have to be either a 3 day trip or we would have to trailer the bikes down to Austin. If we do the 3 day option I say we roll down to Austin the day before. Ride the sisters the next day. Then come back the day after.

Thoughts?

The sisters are 3 hours from me so that would be about 5 from where you guys are at! That's a lot of riding! A 3 day trip for you would be a 2 day trip for me and it's no problem. If you wanna trailer and do a 2 day trip that's also fine.
Date wise, my bike is in the shop for a valve clearance check but I'm hoping to get it back by the end of this week.
@retsam: just get together with LGR and others and find a date that will suit you guys and I'll make it happen. I also wanna do this before it gets too hot!

i've done this ride quite a few times. the best way i've found is get a cheap room in junction and make big loops through the hills. from junction, 377 south to 55 south to camp wood, east on 337 through leakey (pronounced lakey) to vanderpool... if by sweepers you mean tight ass turns with 10 and 15 mph signs, yeah it has em. 55 between rock springs and camp wood is my favorite for sweepers. 337 is tightest between vanderpool and leakey. 336 and 335 are both really good roads too, but not as good as 337. if there has been a hard rain within a few days before watch for gravel in the road around blind turns. if you start seeing a few small pieces of gravel... slow down. its really nice out that way though, especially this time of year. lots of scenic overlooks. after the rain they're getting as i type this some of the low water crossings may be under water, but usually not for long. when are you'll planning to do this? i'm in if i can. laters

Never been the sisters but doubt that there will be any big sweepers! I was referring to 1888 between Luckenbach and Blanco. There may be some on 39 and FM 1340 between Kerrville and Leakey. I guess it all depends of the road we decide to take there! After we come up with a date and the duration of the trip we can come up with an itinerary. Would a weekend work for everybody?

@BigredPig: It looks like RR 674 and RM 674 could be fun too! Have you been on those?

hey dragking, yes ive done 674, out of rock springs right? down to bracketville i think. i remember passing a border patrol guy sitting in the trees, just caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, checked my buddy behind me and he didnt slow down so neither did i. its a good road, or it was 3 or so years ago. very few intersections, driveways and the like. other than the border patrol no police. so many people ride that area (leakey, three sisters) i guess they get a lot of revenue from the bikers, so the police tend to be pretty lenient out there. mostly state guys and a few county. county guys are in trucks sometimes, gotta watch for that! its been over a year since i've been out there on a real bike (my roadking dont count) i'm looking forward to it. guess i better get me another mapbook too. my 14 came with the original front battleax and a brand new back battleax, i've never used bridgestones before, are they any good? if so, i'll just replace the front one to match the new rear, if not, probably dunlop q2's unless you'll have a better recommendation. my 12 liked dunlop qualifiers, must've cause it ate em up pretty fast. oh yeah, what kind of oil do you'll use in the 14? p.o. said he used mobil 1 10-40, thats pretty good stuff isnt it? busy this coming weekend, going to see mom in beaumont, weekend of the 31st supercross in houston reliant stadium, then i'm free all of april... well godsmack is playing in belton the 3rd weekend i think it is. i'm stoked about my new bike and ready to ride. dragking what part of town you livin in? i'm nw 183 & anderson mill area. laters

Can't speak for Bridgestone! The stocker were horrible though! I'm running the Rosso Corsa right now, they're even better than the Metzeler M5 or M3 I was using before. I've got a set of Q 2's just waiting in the garage so they'll be next. I have read and heard really good reviews on them!
I'm right there on 183 and Anderson too lol

* Last updated by: dragking on 3/20/2012 @ 7:30 PM *

Oil? I'm using Amsoil right now full synthetic 10W40, Next week, I am switching to Motul full synthetic 10W40, just thought I would try that! All oil aren't created equal but as long as you get a good brand you should be good. That or changing the oil at short intervals. If I wasn't using full syn, I would get something cheap and change every 2500 miles or so. The 14 is notorious for the valve cover leak so if you switch to full synthetic get ready to change the gasket and the bolts etc... Check the valve cover leak threads

guess i'll stick with mobil 1 that's what it has in it now. the 12 developed a valve cover leak around 20k, front left. it was more of a weep. didn't affect level or anything but would blow back on the plastic at highway speeds...gonna go with q2's tomorrow. i go to zabor's on burnet road. i've been using him for years, he's good. kinda grouchy at times, but he's just another mad american ya know... took a little spin this evening, the new battleax didn't seem to have much traction in first and second...set the shift light at 10400, it had never been set, we'll see how that works for me. never had a shift light before. the voltage reads 12.2, i know a full battery at rest should 12.6. is 12.2 (key on, engine off) indicated normal? thanks for your patience and all the info. i'm loving this thing! laters

* Last updated by: bigredpig on 3/20/2012 @ 8:59 PM *

I think mine shows more voltage. It uses to be lower and decreasing because of the long cold winter in NE and its age. Since last summer I have put it on a tender every time I'm not riding. You're 14 hasn't been ridden much... Unless you wanna switch to something else soon better invest in a battery tender. My optima tender may be for sale when I get my shorai!

Except Lime Creek and 1431 is there any good road in the Austin vicinity?

* Last updated by: dragking on 3/21/2012 @ 12:42 AM *

I rode the 3 Sisters back in 2009 and had a great time. A friend and I went down in November over 2 days. Rode to Kerrville on a Friday, spent the night at "Inn of the Hills" (around $80 for the night). Got up the next morning and rode the 3 sisters. Ended up back in Kerrville Saturday afternoon and decided to hit 281 and come home. It was a LONG freaking day of riding and I didn't like riding at night on 281 with no street lights. I was afraid some animal was going to run out in front of me. I would love to go again and would prefer going when its not hotter than hell..

My friend went down this year and did it over three days staying in Round Rock both nights taking the famous FM 1431 to and from the 3 sisters.

Hey - r we close to pinning down a timeframe?? I need to start planning my next getaway from the A'stan so I can catch it also!

yeah... guys! @ Retsam and LGR: Are you guys still working on your bikes? When do you guys think you will be able to make it? It won't stay in the 80's forever we need to make this happen.

Not sure but I think bigredpig is game as long as it is on a weekend.

What about a weekend?

Early On Friday PM all the guys from the F Worth area could make it down to Austin (about a 3 hours ride) take a break and eat lunch. Then we would plan the itinary and leave (from Austin) to Kerrville ( 2 hours ride) and spend the night there. The next day around 10 am ride the sisters with a pause for lunch and head back to Kerrville. Those who feel able would be able to head back the same day, others can sleep in Kerrville and head back the next day.

Dates

* Last updated by: dragking on 3/29/2012 @ 11:21 PM *

I am busy the next two weekends but after that, I should be able to get away. Unfortunately, it's already getting in the upper 80's with gusty winds.

Unfortunately, it's already getting in the upper 80's with gusty winds.

yep. We'll just have to wait and see when everybody is free!
I'm going to try requesting the 14 off and go. Come back Sunday morning and stop in Selma by San Antonio for the kawazaki street demo

i'm free most april weekends, godsmack is playing in belton the third weekend i think, other than that, i'm in. just got back from spending the weekend in galveston, the 14 ran great all weekend.

I hope this can happen while I am at home, but it's looking like that's not going to happen. I won't be back in the US until the end of May - maybe I can catch the next one!

@bigwheelie how long before you get deployed. I would hate to do the zx-14 group ride without you!

DK - already back in the A'stan - won't get to return home late May, so I'm pretty sure I'll miss the big sha-bang... Got my oldest daughter's graduation on the 2nd of June - so if the deed isn't done by then I'm in. If not then hopefully there will be another one sometime soon! Ride safe, but above all - HAVE FUN!

* Last updated by: bigwilliezx on 4/13/2012 @ 7:29 PM *

Roger! Be safe out there, and if it is not too hot we'll do one when you get back!

Works for me DK - should be back late May - just in the nick of time for my oldest daughter's graduation. Hopefully it won't be too hot by then, but I won't count on it...