how far can you safely drive per day, realistically
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 175
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From: Abbotsford BC Canada
how far can you safely drive per day, realistically
Thinking of a trip from Vancouver Canada to Minnesota and back, which is 4000kms (2500 mi) round trip. I'm not a young guy anymore, like I used to do 20 hr marathons when I had to. Safety is key, how many hours can you do safely per day?
TIA
TIA
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Central Coast of Cali
My wife and I routinely do 350-450 per day in the summer and there is plenty of room for more miles. When we do those miles on back roads, twisties and up in the mountains and we are stopping to eat, relax by a river, shop, etc. 500 miles should be no problem with the right bike fit. If you think about it, 65 mph means that 8 hours of riding comes out to 520. That leaves plenty of stopping time and such and how many of us actually ride 65?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
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From: Mount Holly, NC
depends on the rider and bike. i ride a sportster and have pulled 640 mile days. in succession. but i ride tucked in, head into the wind, with feet behind me, so i kinda cheat. on a cruiser, you'll want a windshield else you'll tire out pretty quick.
a nice easy pace would be 250-300 miles per day. with optional no-ride days every third.
but it really depends on you and your bike. these are just my preferences.
a nice easy pace would be 250-300 miles per day. with optional no-ride days every third.
but it really depends on you and your bike. these are just my preferences.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 71
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From: Victoria, BC Canada
Depends on bike, roads, weather - lots of factors. I did Sturgis back to Victoria in two days last year - around 2,200km (about 1,350 miles) - and it was all freeway. I find a 700km (420 mile) day is pretty comfortable if you leave early and break the day up into 4 parts with good rest breaks in between.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Commerce, Mich.
Also depends on if you have multiple bikes or are a single bike. Groups take longer for gas, rest stops, and food.
Personally, I average 600+ per day on my Ultra, riding alone. 350-450 in a group of 2 or more bikes. Less on days when bad weather hits
Without a windshield, you will tire long before 350 miles, so plan accordingly.
Good rule of thumb, With a group, or two up, figure an average speed of 50 MPH if riding the freeway ( This figure takes into consideration all of your stops during the day for gas, food and pit stops.) So while the limit is faster, at the end of the day, these figures are pretty darn close.
40 mph on back roads
Alone, I would add maybe 5-10 mph to each one. Figure how long you wish to ride in a day, Say 8 am to 5 pm, or whatever works for you, and plan the miles acordingly.
These times and speeds will leave you room for error, or to go further on days you feel like it.
Personally, I average 600+ per day on my Ultra, riding alone. 350-450 in a group of 2 or more bikes. Less on days when bad weather hits
Without a windshield, you will tire long before 350 miles, so plan accordingly.
Good rule of thumb, With a group, or two up, figure an average speed of 50 MPH if riding the freeway ( This figure takes into consideration all of your stops during the day for gas, food and pit stops.) So while the limit is faster, at the end of the day, these figures are pretty darn close.
40 mph on back roads
Alone, I would add maybe 5-10 mph to each one. Figure how long you wish to ride in a day, Say 8 am to 5 pm, or whatever works for you, and plan the miles acordingly.
These times and speeds will leave you room for error, or to go further on days you feel like it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 969
Likes: 2
From: Canmore, AB
What season and what route?
We have done the Canmore to Vancouver commute and prefer to use the southern hwy 3 instead of the Trans Canada. Enjoy Hope/Osoyoos/Creston/Cranbrook then decide to keep going East via Lethrbridge or Calgary. Its a scenic route but the big thing for us is to avoid Rogers Pass. We have been trapped in the Okanagan Valley several times due to avalanches closing Rogers. Once we thought we were passed the snow season and the road was closed due to mudslides!!!
Again, when are you coming through?
We have done the Canmore to Vancouver commute and prefer to use the southern hwy 3 instead of the Trans Canada. Enjoy Hope/Osoyoos/Creston/Cranbrook then decide to keep going East via Lethrbridge or Calgary. Its a scenic route but the big thing for us is to avoid Rogers Pass. We have been trapped in the Okanagan Valley several times due to avalanches closing Rogers. Once we thought we were passed the snow season and the road was closed due to mudslides!!!
Again, when are you coming through?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 175
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From: Abbotsford BC Canada
the Route
I'm thinking 1st or 2nd week in August, might catch a day or two in Sturgis.
on a RKC with shield
I'm thinking 1st or 2nd week in August, might catch a day or two in Sturgis.
on a RKC with shield
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Road Master
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We are just north of Minnesot
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 969
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From: Canmore, AB
Ah-hem, where was I.......
We are just north of Minnesota in August. We head off to the Lake of the Woods area, on the Ontario side of the border, so give us a ping when you are in the area. This is sailing season!!! Have a great ride.
We are just north of Minnesota in August. We head off to the Lake of the Woods area, on the Ontario side of the border, so give us a ping when you are in the area. This is sailing season!!! Have a great ride.
Not Smart Enough To Be A Member of HDF
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Huntingdon, TN
A couple weeks ago I headed to Daytona Bike Week. Instead I ended up stopping and staying at an old GF's place in Georgia, ~50 west of Savannah. The total trip by the way I took, was 760 some odd miles. Took me 16 hours because of my bad back having to stop about every 100 miles or 1 hour or so. I went straight through...a big mistake with a bad back. If I'd had a sissy bar and saddlebags, I'd have packed a tent and sleeping bag and took 2 days instead of trying to get there in one day. I normally like to take my time anywhere I go, so if I'd had the gear, I would've probably averaged 300 to 350 miles a day (I always go the speed limit too, no matter where I am or the time of day or night, etc, I just was never into the whole 'go fast as one can' thing).