beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted June 20, 2002 02:09 PM
How does everyone go on long road trips??
Ok...I've been riding street bikes for 6 years or so, and never travelled farther on one for more than a weekend, and that's just across the state. During some time off at the end of the summer, I'm thinking of taking a long road trip, but I have some question...all help here is appreciated:
1 - How far in miles or how long in hours does everyone ride before they just have to pull over to sleep?
2 - Does everyone only ride in the daylight hours, or do you just ride into the night until you cant go no longer?
3 - When sleep is a must, does everyone just stop at a hotel? I noticed on the storage thread that some of you bring sleeping bags...so do you just crash wherever you can? What's the safest thing to do so your bike don't get messed with?
4 - Some states (i.e. Wyoming) have just the worst cross winds known to mankind. Those winds can get very heavy, so does that deter long trips at all? I obviously dont want to wreck while trying to battle heavy winds.
5 - Does everyone stop at all the rest areas along the way to stretch? Or do you think just stretching at the frequent gas station stops which are required is good enough?
6 - Last question...how bad (annoying) does it get when you have to refuel every 100-130miles since the 12's tank isn't that of a car? It's not refueling that bothers me, but constantly refueling all throughout the day makes it longer to get to your destination.
Thanks everyone!
   
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12RPilot
Pro
Posts: 1094
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posted June 20, 2002 02:35 PM
 Edited By: 12RPilot on 20 Jun 2002 15:44
I don't like to push it when I get tired. It's a bit more dangerous and in my old age I get grumpy without my sleep. The safety freaks on this board will really jump on ya for driving tired. And speaking of safety, in this day and age I wouldn't sleep along side the road unless I was packing heat. Just too many crazies to suit me. And as for fuel/stretching stops, I have learned to enjoy the relative frequency of the fuel stops on a 12. On hot days I need to re-hydrate anyway and the stretch is a welcome respite from the long sprints in between gas stops. I also don't like riding at night because I find myself "overdriving" my headlights on low beam. When a car is approaching and I switch off the high beams I feel that about 34-40 mph is all the faster I am safe. That leaves me either slowing down all the time or keeping the speed up and being unsafe. I would imagine that everyone has their own comfort levels regarding rider fatigue, roadside safety and night riding. There are alot of guys more safety crazy than I, and alot that think I'm way overly cautious. Ya gotta find yer own comfort levels. There be my .02 !!
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If you aren't an AMA member, you're part of the problem.
NESBA #209
http://www.bikepics.com/members/12rpilot/04zx10r/
 
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h2smokin
Novice Class
Posts: 62
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posted June 20, 2002 02:41 PM
1- varies on everyone. i'll do 16hr days no problem for a few days then it's nice to get a good long rest in.
2- i ride in both depending on where i am. make it a point to ride all night when down south, (ariz, new mexico, etc.) just to hot to ride all day in the heat.
3- always have a sleeping bag. usually crash at rest areas. park bike next to table where i usually sleep.
4-crosswinds can make a day long for sure. just gotta take your time.
5- with the 12r i just stop and stretch when fueling. never have taken it very far though. thinking of a calif. trip but i'm not so sure. with my beemer i stop every 200miles or so. it has a 400mile + range on a tank of fuel. have only gone the distance a few times and i was hurting when i did.
6-your average speed high  on the 12 would more than make up for stopping often.
i'm doing the 4corners in august. it's about 10-11k depending on route i take. when and where are you heading. i'm leaving wash. around the 18th of aug. toward maine 1st. can't find anyone else around here dumb enough to go. oh well. enjoy the trip
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted June 20, 2002 02:49 PM
I'm in Washington....going over to a wedding on August 10th in Portland...leaving on the 11th to South Dakota...then to Minneapolis...then to Denver...then to New Mexico...Arizona...California...and back into WA.
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted June 20, 2002 02:51 PM
Hey, how long do you sleep at the rest areas? Does anyone mess with you if it's daytime or nightime?
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22348bCVC
Zone Head
Posts: 798
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posted June 20, 2002 02:53 PM
Edited By: 22348bCVC on 20 Jun 2002 17:13
quote:
Ok...I've been riding street bikes for 6 years or so, and never travelled farther on one for more than a weekend, and that's just across the state. During some time off at the end of the summer, I'm thinking of taking a long road trip, but I have some question...all help here is appreciated:
1 - How far in miles or how long in hours does everyone ride before they just have to pull over to sleep?
Depends on how rested you were to begin with before you started your trip. A Corbin seat, Heli-bar, and Double Bubble does wonders for long range comfort.
2 - Does everyone only ride in the daylight hours, or do you just ride into the night until you cant go no longer?
Daylight riding is best for all-around visibility. Some regions are prohibitively HOT during daylight hours, however. Dusk is one of the most dangerous hours of the day to ride. Motorists'/Riders' eyes have difficulty with object focus differential. Some SWAT sniper expert told me this, so it must be true.
3 - When sleep is a must, does everyone just stop at a hotel? I noticed on the storage thread that some of you bring sleeping bags...so do you just crash wherever you can? What's the safest thing to do so your bike don't get messed with?
H/Motel, yes...but try to get a ground-floor room where you can (discretely  ) park your bike in your room. State campgrounds are usually best for your sleeping-bag-type rest (cuz' they usually have park rangers nearby to keep the peace). Install an alarm and hook up the bike to an immovable object when possible. Bring a full or half cover for your bike (packable...my half Nelson-Rigg is smaller than a loaf of bread). I'm always "heated" up lead ballast
4 - Some states (i.e. Wyoming) have just the worst cross winds known to mankind. Those winds can get very heavy, so does that deter long trips at all? I obviously dont want to wreck while trying to battle heavy winds.
Try to get a weather/wind report along your route. Night riding is usually 'calmer' at the risk of poor visibilty. I was stationed in Cheyenne years ago and used to ride a BICYCLE on the frontage roads to Fort Collins...I know what you're saying about the winds on the plains.
5 - Does everyone stop at all the rest areas along the way to stretch? Or do you think just stretching at the frequent gas station stops which are required is good enough?
Sometimes. Sometimes. Avoid reststops that look 'spooky' if possible. Ya' never know WHAT'S in there.
6 - Last question...how bad (annoying) does it get when you have to refuel every 100-130miles since the 12's tank isn't that of a car? It's not refueling that bothers me, but constantly refueling all throughout the day makes it longer to get to your destination.
Get a BMW GS-1100RS Elomenopee w/7.5 gal. tank. Dude!, enjoy the frequent stops and admiration or perhaps envy of the people in cages who have some romantic idea of your adventerous bug-splattered look. Most ask where you're going. I usually say something like, "I...uh..I...dunno...I'll know when I get there..." Stare off into the distance and look for all the world like an international man of mystery. Chics dig it. Get a gas card, keep it at the ready and handy, gas up...3~5 minutes stop to go. Make up your 'delay' with the 12's prodigious speed. Carefully.
A few last things...PROPER SAFETY GEAR, HYDRATION, HEARING PROTECTION, EYE MOISTURE PROTECTION, AND LIP MOISTURE are simple things you can do to make your long tour bearable. You'll even arrive at your final destination relaxed and almost feminine-fresh.
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...just relax...my dog wants to use only one of your legs...
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Jse20
Expert Class
Posts: 119
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posted June 20, 2002 04:14 PM
Bewary of riding too long. By the time you realize you have gone too far and too long without sleep it WILL be TOO late. I have, in my youth flirted with,
"I can close one eye.. Close the other eye... see, still on the road... Now lets close em for just 5 seconds.. Still on the road... Now lets close em for GHAAAAGHHH!!! whew! that was close... ok close one eye...
By the time you realize you are that tired your judgement has already been affected. I remember falling asleep while riding my old VFR Interceptor. I remember trying to turn into road side parks at 85mph not realizing I should be going 35mph. Just tooo tired. I was lucky and lived thru my youth and many long trips. Looking back I realize just how stupid it was. Be careful out there, take your time and enjoy the journey.
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h2smokin
Novice Class
Posts: 62
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posted June 20, 2002 07:22 PM
i have'nt been bothered at rest areas myself. do look for the ones that are a little better lighted. usually catch about 4hrs. only problem i have with them is i think they set the sprinklers to water the tables. gotten wet a number of times
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted June 22, 2002 01:29 PM
hehehe
gives 'wet dreams' new meaning....
longest single stretch ive done (no stopping) is about 220 miles. the light came on so it was time to pause for fuel....
longest single day was 770 miles, use the hydration and fuel breaks wisely ;P
find some means of packing stuff not on you, makes you hotter, get tired faster (shoulders,neck, back)
and most importantly, have fun! if it isnt fun anymore, stop and rest. take some pictures, etc etc.
 
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zx12zx11
Expert Class
Posts: 471
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posted June 23, 2002 07:35 AM
The longest one day ride for me was from Carmel, CA to Salt Lake City, UT that was near 1000 miles. My advise is to drink plenty of water, esp. if the temps are high. I did a trip from Salt Lake City to the LAX area then up to Carmel, CA then back to Salt Lake City. It was a nice trip If I didn't have a tank bag that I could rest on I don't think that I would have made it. On the drinking plenty of water, I passed through Death Valley at 10AM the temp was 103F. Yes I was wearing full riding gear and wanted to get out of there fast.
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BobZx12
Parking Attendant
Posts: 28
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posted June 23, 2002 11:06 AM
Iron Butt Revisited
Just got back from a long road trip. Well okay, one day isn't long, but the distance was pretty long.
I typed a long report for a touring forum, read it here
http://nbriders.tripod.com/bunburner_report.htm
- Bob
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Zhooligan
Moderator
Post Whore Extraordinaire!
Posts: 3829
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posted June 23, 2002 12:16 PM
It really is a personal thing on distance etc. If you are riding with another bike you need to really agree on rules, and frankly riding habits. I have ridden with guys that want to go fast if you lead and take the ticket for them , they want to ride slow in the middle of no where and a 100 or so in downtown traffic etc. etc. so definitly work that shit out.
Make it a point to drink when ever the bike does. If you can throw a camel back in your tank bag. (Incidently use something other than a camel bag as Canel bag is actually owned by the Sierra Club and is 100% anti motorcycle!).
Know your bikes range and be aware of the route. I have traveled in places like MOntana where fuel stops are outside of the range of the 12. Throw a sipon hose in under your seat for an emergency.
Distance I find 450 to 500 a pretty reasonable number of miles. I have done a thousand twice. Two years ago my riding partner's father in law died and his funeral was on Tuesday after Laguna. We rode straight through from Monterey to Seattle. 982 miles injust other 15 hours. It was about a 113 in the Redding and Red Bluff area. Definitly make sure your gear works for heat and cold as well as some rain gear. I keep a set of rubber gloves stashed under the seat that I can pull over my riding gloves.
If you have not done any long rides you will find the first couple hours the toughest. Takes about that long to work out the kinks, numb hands etc. Try relaxing and really letting your body fall forward onto the tank, let your elbows bend. You will find the position works well. I use both a throttlemeister and and a throttle rocker. The throttle rocker. Need at least one of these to give the throttle hand a break and a chance to stretch it out.
Definitly wear ear plugs on long trips. The wind noise gets tiring.
Things have changed and gotten much better over the years. My first real trip was riding my brand new 73 Z1 from Orlando to San Diego from San Diego to Seattle and then back from Seattle to Orlando. Did this over Christmas break! I had a broom stick handle lashed to the front of the frame for highway pegs, and sash cord on the handle bars so I lean back against my backpack! Open face helmit and a smile!!
Still the freedom and peace of a long ride is hard to beat!
____________
To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted June 23, 2002 09:54 PM
thats a pretty nice setup bob, especially like the fuel cell. i'd kinda like to do some serious LD riding like that, but honestly dont think i could. i get tired way too easily and stiff/sore very fast. even 2 hours of riding is a bit difficult for me. i'v done up to 7 hours before, but i feel pretyt lousy during and after.
btw, thats alot of flies!!!
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Scooter
Zone Head
Posts: 899
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posted June 24, 2002 12:05 AM
Corbin and Heli-Bars. Longest day 785 miles, Dad(age 60 at the time)and I on a pair of ZX12R's. Was 100 deg F.
____________
"Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."
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