My Route

[Guest bshpilot]

anyone along this route got a pick up truck ?

 

 

 

streets and trips says 19hrs @ 75mph (21.5hrs@65mph)

but that doesnt account for refueling the bike and hydration

for me.

 

On the "flying couch" this is easy (ive done it b4)...maybe

i should start a paypal donation account for the chiropractor

visits that ill need this time next week.

[Guest Nogbad]

That is a loooooonnng way alright!

[Guest bshpilot]

That is a loooooonnng way alright!

57905[/snapback]

 

yeah but by all rights its freekin' INTERSTATE and

as riding goes it doesnt count <to me>...boring yes

but when ya gotta be there absolutely positively...its

the way to tic off the miles QUICKLY.

[Martin Barrett]

Not for me that journey. I'm not adverse to long days on the bike. But 1400 miles. 20 hours trying to maintain a 70mph average on motorways. Thats splash and dash refueling and no cofee or food stops.

 

When I did Scotland in 3 days last month, my long day was 630 miles taking 14 hours, included a hour lunch stop and photo stops and poncing around in Edinburgh. I don't think any leg between stops photo or fuel was much over an hour. I was quite fresh when completed. But I think it was only achievable as the roads were varied (less than 100 miles of dual carriageway) and mostly quite exciting to ride. There was a tedious hour or so on boring roads in the rain.

 

It was very much the same the month before through Wales to catch the ferry to Ireland. 630 miles in 17 hours.

 

I think your big problems will be concentration and comfort. But if you've done it on the K1200LT it obviously doable.

 

Any chance of splitting the journey. ie leave after work get 5 hours down the road and finish the rest the following day?

 

Have you ever considered the iron butt?

[Guest bshpilot]

Not for me that journey. I'm not adverse to long days on the bike. But 1400 miles. 20 hours trying to maintain a 70mph average on motorways. Thats splash and dash refueling and no cofee or food stops.

 

When I did Scotland in 3 days last month, my long day was 630 miles taking 14 hours, included a hour lunch stop and photo stops and poncing around in Edinburgh. I don't think any leg between stops photo or fuel was much over an hour. I was quite fresh when completed. But I think it was only achievable as the roads were varied (less than 100 miles of dual carriageway) and  mostly quite exciting to ride. There was a tedious hour or so on boring roads in the rain.

 

It was very much the same the month before through Wales to catch the ferry to Ireland. 630 miles in 17 hours.

 

I think your big problems will be concentration and comfort. But if you've done it on the K1200LT it obviously doable.

 

Any chance of splitting the journey. ie leave after work get 5 hours down the road and finish the rest the following day?

 

Have you ever considered the iron butt?

57922[/snapback]

 

 

well i wont be carrying a camera and ive set up the bike to use

my valentine one radar detector...knock on dense wooden brain...im

pretty good at hiding (or limiting my exposure) when it comes

to radar. (i rarely run out in front w/out someone blocking me..but

thats a whole nother topic)

 

boring...well for me motorcycle riding even on the interstate highways

(dual carriage ways is the term you'd use i believe) has never been

boring to me...and i dont seem to suffer from the fatigue like most

typically do.

 

now put me in a truck or car and i can get a bit sleepy on some of

these extended rides...but thats never been the case on a bike.

 

comfort is my single largest concern...on this trip...but i view it as

a challenge at the same time....most ive ever done on a sport(ier) bike

is about 550mi in a day...but that was back roads and takes considerably

more time, energy and effort (stop/go/shift turns etc)

 

i have a great friend (whos done 1350mi) on a triumph speed triple w/

clip-ons in a single day TWICE...so i cant necessarily have him getting

one over on me now can i

 

i have given thought to the iron butt...infact ive done all the work

(receipts/signatures etc) on two different ocassions (1000+mi in 24hrs)

and i was somewhat disappointed in how easy it was that i said screw

the license plate frame and "t-shirt" (figure of speach) and i never sent

the stuff in for validation....ive got plenty of friends that can vouch

that ive done it on atleast 4diff. occassions and thats good enough for me.

 

this wont be a sight seeing trip for me by any means...fuel stops and maybe

a meal and snacks will be it (and even those will be combined) so other than

comfort (which is of MAJOR concern) i dont have any reservations.

 

besides MPH has gone thru the bike, performing warrenty work/engine

case swap, so if i break down its all their fault KIDDING TODD !

 

i have cushion to break the ride up should i get sleepy and need the rest...

its a 20hr run & and ive got 48hrs...not much time to goof 'round or deal

w/ serious problems but its enough time to complete the run....at this point

the only show stopper would be weather <and im watching it carefully>

[Martin Barrett]

its a 20hr run & and ive got 48hrs

 

Theres your answer. It's just how do you split it.

 

 

boring...well for me motorcycle riding even on the interstate highways

(dual carriage ways is the term you'd use i believe) has never been

boring to me

 

The boring bit I was refering to was more in comparison to the exciting roads in the Highlands. Was tedious because of heavy rain, traffic density and combined with the nature of the road not able to make much progress. Stuck at posted limits.. I know thats what I should ride within etc.etc.

 

I think we agree that riding is an envolving experiance, demands concentration, and as such isn't boring, especially when making progress. That even "interstate" type roads have their own particular challenges.

 

If you can keep the required level of concentration for the journey in one hit all well and good. More difficult with out the change in stimuli on "interstates" especialy if following the same vehicle for mile on mile, but I'm sure you won't be doing that.

 

On the comfort front, after a full tank on the "interstate" I need to stop for fuel. Numb bum, just getting off to fill up is enougth, a second tank full would definatly warrant a longer coffee stop. I have no other issues on the ergos of my lemans.

 

Have a good trip and let us know how it went.

[orangeokie]

I personally would prefer to be on a LeMans (fairing). I'm curious as to how riding a naked, that far and that fast will affect the wind fatigue factor. Good luck.

 

BTW, how do you have your V1 set up, and can you hear any aural warnings?

[jrt]

Two things I find indespensible for long rides are Excedrin (it has asprin AND caffeine!) and wooly sheepskin so I don't get the dreaded monkey butt.

Oh- and start excercising if you don't already- work up some arm strength.

[mojohand]

Remember two things:

1. No radar detectors alllowed in VA--they will bust ya

2. I-81 is full of trucks. If you have to, use U.S. 11, which parallels I-81.

[Guest bshpilot]

Remember two things:

1. No radar detectors alllowed in VA--they will bust ya

2. I-81 is full of trucks. If you have to, use U.S. 11, which parallels I-81.

58142[/snapback]

 

know 81 well...the benefit is that you can at least HIDE from radar

w/ the trucks.

 

as for the detector & va...i run mine all the time...ive been busted

w/ it but never lost it (they dont take 'em from outta state drivers,

since they just have to give 'em back anyway after the court date).

 

---------------------

 

as it turns out i "decided" NOT to make the run from houston to virginia

this weekend...time is just too short...ill attempt the run next month when

i have a bit more cushion.

 

---------------------

 

im happy to report the engine case swap was performed PERFECTLY

by the ace mechanics @ MPH Cycles...the bike runs so much better

and smoother now (MPH dialed in the TB & FI, installed a lovely sounding

set of Ti-SlipOn's & PC-III)...ive got a renewed LOVE for this bike...and

im sad to be heading back to virginia w/out it !

 

the "factory" soft bags that i bought off a member on this list are PERFECT...

makes me wish this were an option for every NAKED / Sport bike made

(regardless of the mfg)...

 

MANY THANKS TO MIKE/TODD & "THE GANG" @ MPH !