Iron Butt tips?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Rockys
Take your seat off the bike, make the bike lighter... they you can say you did it without a seat or windshield like a real biker....LOL...sorry, couldnt resist that one.
Jokes aside, we did the 1,000 and 1,500 mile IBA rides.
Leave early. Ride it like you stole it, and don't stop, except for gas and a pee....keep on rollin' in the key.
Good luck !
Report back on your findings. I didn't want to see my bike for a few days afterwards and my neck hurt like hell from the wind hammeing my head/neck/shoulders.
Jokes aside, we did the 1,000 and 1,500 mile IBA rides.
Leave early. Ride it like you stole it, and don't stop, except for gas and a pee....keep on rollin' in the key.
Good luck !
Report back on your findings. I didn't want to see my bike for a few days afterwards and my neck hurt like hell from the wind hammeing my head/neck/shoulders.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Got some music to listen to? Drive what speed is comfortable for you. 1K is relatively easy, when you're done you'll know and be ready for bed. We tried doing 3K in 3 days, weather was our biggest fight, we got 2K in 2 days but were pretty beat up on the third day and didn't get it we were also attempting the 48 in 10. Learned alot in that week.
Banned
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: McLemoresville, TN
I did 850 miles in March, without a windshield, on my FXD in 18 hours. Only reason it took that long was because I simply didn't consider how often I'd have to go 45 mph through all the little towns and stuff on all the backroads I took. Granted, at the end of the ride I was hurtin' and frozen (hurtin' mainly because I hadn't been on a scoot in almost 25 years and wasn't 'in riding shape'). If you stick to the interstates, I can only see your trip as a breeze, no matter how often or how long each stop. (I also never use or used a windshield....never. I love the wind in my face and even at 80 it just doesn't bother me or wear me out)
Now you have me wantin' to do this too, except I wanna try the 1500 miler.
Good luck though bud! You'll do fine!
Now you have me wantin' to do this too, except I wanna try the 1500 miler.
Good luck though bud! You'll do fine!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 16
From: Norfolk, VA
Thursday will be a big travel day this year as it is the day before a three day weekend. Be careful. I rode from Hampton, VA to Jacksonville, FL 6 weeks or so ago and there was construction on 95, I cannot remember if it was in southern North Carolina or South Carolina but where ever it is it slowed me down a lot. I still made the trip in 12 hours, but the construction was a real pain in the tail. Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
I did 1087 miles going from Central Wisconsin to Baltimore back in late May. I didn't read about the Iron Butt site until I already made it to Baltimore. Severe storms stopped me from doing it straight through on my way back.
Hunger and hydration were never a problem. I didn't eat much at all during the ride. I drank water and smoked a cig or two at each gas stop. Munched down a few granola bars and other high energy snacks every few stops.
It took me 20 hours. I was stopping every 100 to 140 miles once I got deep in to the trip. I needed to stop more often than I needed gas simply because my legs hurt so much.
I don't have any advice other than you'll find it tough to stick to your plan, so don't be disappointed if that happens.
I see you don't like windshields, and neither do I in the style department... but I couldn't have done this trip with out one. Let us know how it goes. It's pretty cool once you make your goal.
Hunger and hydration were never a problem. I didn't eat much at all during the ride. I drank water and smoked a cig or two at each gas stop. Munched down a few granola bars and other high energy snacks every few stops.
It took me 20 hours. I was stopping every 100 to 140 miles once I got deep in to the trip. I needed to stop more often than I needed gas simply because my legs hurt so much.
I don't have any advice other than you'll find it tough to stick to your plan, so don't be disappointed if that happens.
I see you don't like windshields, and neither do I in the style department... but I couldn't have done this trip with out one. Let us know how it goes. It's pretty cool once you make your goal.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
Drugs!!! Bring lots of drugs. and whiskey!!!
I like your idea of doing it w/o a windshield, that's tuff. But DO NOT do it at night!! The bugs will kill you. One shot to the neck with a good sized bug goin' 80mph and you're toast. You'll be glad you brought all those drugs.
good luck bro.
I like your idea of doing it w/o a windshield, that's tuff. But DO NOT do it at night!! The bugs will kill you. One shot to the neck with a good sized bug goin' 80mph and you're toast. You'll be glad you brought all those drugs.
good luck bro.
Yes, the bugs at night in that part of the country would be awful even with a shield. Don't believe everything you read. 1000 miles non stop is not easy no matter how many hours it takes. A shield makes it less tiring but if you are use to riding without one it will be fine without it. Remember that when you are exhausted you tend to make mistakes and have slower reflexes. Ride safe and good luck.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, NC area
I applaud your choice to go for it, but I think your choice of time and location are going to make it really hard. Thursday before a three day weekend and heading towards FL from NC sounds like a traffic nightmare to me. Anytime I have driven towards FL around a holiday it has thoroughly sucked. And I-95? Are you kiddin' me? There will be tons of construction - that 30 or so miles on the GA/FL line is continually torn up and I seem to recall a mess in the middle of SC too - that might be done now.
Don't mean to be a downer, but on an aircooled bike I would be heading north and try to tag some place in PA before I went south into the heat.
Hope all goes smoothly and that you have a blast - but if it appears to be wall to wall traffic on 95 in SC, turn around and go north, it will only get worse as you near FL!
Don't mean to be a downer, but on an aircooled bike I would be heading north and try to tag some place in PA before I went south into the heat.
Hope all goes smoothly and that you have a blast - but if it appears to be wall to wall traffic on 95 in SC, turn around and go north, it will only get worse as you near FL!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,915
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX
The first over thousand miler in less than 24 hours I did was in 1977, on a 1972, 1000cc, chopped Iron Head Sportster. Rode from Mpls MN to Austin TX. No windshield, no turn signals, no helmet, no gloves, no chaps, hi-beam burnt out, skinny assed king & queen seat, 2 1/2 gallon peanut tank, and 7 $20 bills in my pocket. I put my customary 10 cloth rubber bands around my ponytail, wrapped a bandanna around my head, threw 3 pairs of underwear, six mismatched socks, 4 t-shirts, and some deodorant into the saddle bags and left with 1 hours notice. Seems this girl decided she couldn't live without me. Then 3 days later, I rode back from Austin to Duluth MN, about 1200 miles, also in less than 24 hours, after she decided she was gonna try the 'without me thing' anyway. I was 21 years old. In the 30 plus years since, I have probably made the 1000 mile in 24 hour trip a couple dozen more times, all around the country, day & night, hot & cold, lotsa traffic & highways where I didn't see another car for miles. Once on a 350 CB Honda, {don't ask} my advice? Don't over think things, don't plan it to death, just go. It's not that big a deal if you are in any kind of reasonable health
More advice? If you want an "attaboy" ironbutt patch, cool. Just remember, be safe, and don't put yourself or anybody else in danger. If you feel can't go on safely, don't. I truly doubt that will be the case though, above all, try to have fun.
More advice? If you want an "attaboy" ironbutt patch, cool. Just remember, be safe, and don't put yourself or anybody else in danger. If you feel can't go on safely, don't. I truly doubt that will be the case though, above all, try to have fun.