Iron Butt
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 5
From: Central Calif
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Killeen, TX
We usually start our annual boy trip with a bun-burner 1000. It keeps the weak hearted out of the planning process. Secrets: Start very early in the morning, Stop for a Good Breakfast, Think of it as a series of 150 mile trips and Pick a very fast simple route. Generally takes around 18 hours including stops... IBA 18096
It isn't the patch you want, it is the license plate bracket!!
The Saddle Sore is more a test of tenacity than anything else.
If you are hard-headed enough, you will get it done.
It isn't that difficult.
I plan all my fuel stops ahead of time which is really easy running a couple of mapping programs side by side. Just know your bike's fuel range at highway speeds.
Don't think of it as 1,000 miles.
It is just fuel stop to fuel stop.
150 miles, stop to get gas.
Get back on the highway.
The key is quick stops. Keep the wheels turning.
You can't ride fast enough to make up for a slow stop.
Ask any other specific questions you have.
There are several Iron Butt riders on here.
The Saddle Sore is more a test of tenacity than anything else.
If you are hard-headed enough, you will get it done.
It isn't that difficult.
I plan all my fuel stops ahead of time which is really easy running a couple of mapping programs side by side. Just know your bike's fuel range at highway speeds.
Don't think of it as 1,000 miles.
It is just fuel stop to fuel stop.
150 miles, stop to get gas.
Get back on the highway.
The key is quick stops. Keep the wheels turning.
You can't ride fast enough to make up for a slow stop.
Ask any other specific questions you have.
There are several Iron Butt riders on here.
I look at my stops 150 miles also. Keeps the mind focused on next point.
Something like 15 years ago, I did a "Saddle Sore 1000" on my SV-650. 1000 miles in 24 hours. It was a miserable time...cold as hell all day.
A couple of years after that, I did a "Bun Burner 1500" (1500 miles in 24 hours) on my DL-1000. Had better weather for that, but honestly, the last 50 miles or so I was totally fried and really should have quit. I got to where I would just pull over and lay down by the side of the road to try to clear my head.
The documentation on those rides (at least back then...don't know if anything has changed) was pretty simple. I arranged for a cop friend of mine to witness my departure and eventual arrival, and saved gas receipts from along the way. Turned it all in, paid what ever was the fee, and got the certificate, pin, patch, etc.
I'm not sorry I did those rides, and I'm glad to be able to say I did, but there's no further appeal to endurance riding for me. The guys who do things like the 10k in 10 days or the actual Iron Butt Rally are nuts, if you ask me. More power to them, but I could never do that stuff and remain alert enough to stay safe. And after one really long day, I don't see how the next day could be any fun.
A couple of years after that, I did a "Bun Burner 1500" (1500 miles in 24 hours) on my DL-1000. Had better weather for that, but honestly, the last 50 miles or so I was totally fried and really should have quit. I got to where I would just pull over and lay down by the side of the road to try to clear my head.
The documentation on those rides (at least back then...don't know if anything has changed) was pretty simple. I arranged for a cop friend of mine to witness my departure and eventual arrival, and saved gas receipts from along the way. Turned it all in, paid what ever was the fee, and got the certificate, pin, patch, etc.
I'm not sorry I did those rides, and I'm glad to be able to say I did, but there's no further appeal to endurance riding for me. The guys who do things like the 10k in 10 days or the actual Iron Butt Rally are nuts, if you ask me. More power to them, but I could never do that stuff and remain alert enough to stay safe. And after one really long day, I don't see how the next day could be any fun.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
I set out to do my bb 1500 earlier this year... Well actually the Canadian version 2500km. I got about two hours out. 6am. The temperature was -2c (in the 20s for you yanks). Too fn cold. I went for breakfast. Got warmed up and went home. Lol.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Northwest
Did mine a few years ago, paced ourselves and came in at 22 hrs. Getting ready to do it again, with daughter. She has a Heritage Softail, little better range than my bike, but we will still stop about every 150 miles or so.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 1
Did my first saddle sore 1000 this summer. Denver Colorado to Hardin Montana and back. All interstate and only stopping for gas, I finished in just over 16 hours.
Proud of the accomplishment but wouldn't be in a hurry to do it again.
Proud of the accomplishment but wouldn't be in a hurry to do it again.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 745
Likes: 5
From: Colorado City, Tx.
I did it in 2012 after making the RFTW, Run For The Wall. I left
Washington DC and rode to Knoxville,Tn slept for about 5-6 hours
was up and running to complete both the 1000 miles in 24 hours
as well as the 1500 miles in 36 hours. The Knoxville to my town
was like 1073 miles and the total from D.C. to the house was
like 1591 miles and the complete run was done in 33 hours.
Was I tired, YES I was. Would I do it again, yep planning on
next year back from D.C. again. Did I get the certification
and the patches and such? HELL TO THE YEAH!!!!!!!!!
Washington DC and rode to Knoxville,Tn slept for about 5-6 hours
was up and running to complete both the 1000 miles in 24 hours
as well as the 1500 miles in 36 hours. The Knoxville to my town
was like 1073 miles and the total from D.C. to the house was
like 1591 miles and the complete run was done in 33 hours.
Was I tired, YES I was. Would I do it again, yep planning on
next year back from D.C. again. Did I get the certification
and the patches and such? HELL TO THE YEAH!!!!!!!!!