Midwest Road Trip
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Novice
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 18
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From: Outside Chicago
Midwest Road Trip
I am new to the whole road trip thing and was looking for some advice. I wanted to do a three or four day trip from Chicago this fall and was wondering what people have done or would recomend. Or should I go for bust and go to the trace this fall. I have not done a road trip before, but love to camp, so I was hoping to do that. How many miles a day do most people cover. I am on a softail, not a touring model.
thanks
thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 510
Likes: 13
From: East Tennessee
Get on the road early so you will have plenty of time to stop and explore.. if you are going to a major football town check and see if they are having a game if you will be there Thursday-Saturday.. The fans usually fill up motel rooms.. take back roads and find State parks or campgrounds with small cabins to rent.. if you want to camp.. with a cabin you don't have to take a tent.. 400 miles a day is not unreasonable, but that is all day in the saddle.. Don't worry it will be fun no matter how far you go..
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 46
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If this is your first "long ride" you should poke around the forums a bit on long trips or "iron butt" information, you'll be surprised how long miles take on a bike compared to in a car.
On a softail your going to be a little challenged to do 400 miles. I would strongly suggest that you start out with a modest run, maybe 100-150 miles and work your way up. Wear bike shorts and stay hydrated.
On a softail your going to be a little challenged to do 400 miles. I would strongly suggest that you start out with a modest run, maybe 100-150 miles and work your way up. Wear bike shorts and stay hydrated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,697
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From: Indiana
Come to Southern Indiana ( Nashville) (SR135) and ride around here for a little while then to southern Ohio and then back home. Make a big loop and have a great time. Google motorcycle road trips and look over several different web sites. You are about to fall deeper and deeper into this motorcycle tour stuff. By the way your softail will be fine.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
From Chicago a nice 3 to 4 day ride would be heading west to the Iowa border and then north along the Mississippi. The Great River Road is a great scenic road and you can go as far north as you have time for. I rode up the Iowa side of the river from St. Louis to Redwing, MN, and then down the other side of the river coming home. Another great ride (but I'd recommend doing it when you have at least a week to kill) is take a lap around Lake Michigan. Plan on spending a couple days in the U.P.! For just a quick trip, how about heading to Anamosa, IA to visit the National Motorcycle Museum. I am doing that this weekend. I'll be riding from Joliet area to Savana, IL on Friday. Spend the night in Savana and go to Anamosa for the day Saturday, then back to Savana for the night. Riding home on Sunday. Get out the atlas and you will see tons of nice scenic roads in the Savana, IL area that you can cruise at your leisure.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I can ride more miles comfortably on my glide than I did on my softail, but the total mileage I travel a day hasn't changed, just the comfort level.
There isn't much to see in the area I live. If I am headed somewhere I really want to go, I will ride 600 to 800 miles a day just to get where I want to be and then slow down to sight see. It is not unusual for me to ride less than 200 miles a day if I am in the mountains and stopping every few miles to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.
Mad Maps has large topography maps for many areas of the U.S. They have several scenic routes mapped out for bike trips. They are great tools for exploring an area you don't know much about.
Have a great trip. Try to concentrate on having fun and don't worry too much about how many miles you cover. 100 fun miles is better than 1,000 boring miles on the interstate.
Dennis
There isn't much to see in the area I live. If I am headed somewhere I really want to go, I will ride 600 to 800 miles a day just to get where I want to be and then slow down to sight see. It is not unusual for me to ride less than 200 miles a day if I am in the mountains and stopping every few miles to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.
Mad Maps has large topography maps for many areas of the U.S. They have several scenic routes mapped out for bike trips. They are great tools for exploring an area you don't know much about.
Have a great trip. Try to concentrate on having fun and don't worry too much about how many miles you cover. 100 fun miles is better than 1,000 boring miles on the interstate.
Dennis
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
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On the internet go to motorcycle road trips and click on the state you would like to travel into and read all the great places riders talk about.The pictures and maps are there
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 2
From: Omaha,NE
I ride a 2010 Fat Bob and have been on a couple of two day rides since buying it in July. I logged 500-550 miles a day (no windshield) and to be honest if not for disliking night riding due to wildlife I would have probably went another 150-250 miles.
Eventually I will buy a windshield for longer rides which will reduce the wind beat down considerably.
Eventually I will buy a windshield for longer rides which will reduce the wind beat down considerably.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
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The Studebaker Museum in South Bend In. A previous post reminded me of it. Studie museum website showed they had a Harley Davidson exhibit this year. Don't have to be a fan of the car, just American history.
Last edited by leanhog; Sep 16, 2010 at 11:08 AM. Reason: spelling
Advanced
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From: Red dirt and tumble weeds..Western Oklahoma
Lots of good info already posted was just gonna add, I took my bike from OK, to MI a few times on a nice trip up through the midwest. If you make it down Oklahoma way stop through Altus near Quartz Mountains National Park.
Great scenery Cabins/Camp grounds Lakes and good times. One of my favorite places to cruise in OK. Other than that the rest has been posted.
Stay hydrated, Avoid interstate when you can (less scenic and enjoyable imo)
and pace your trip.
Have fun.
Great scenery Cabins/Camp grounds Lakes and good times. One of my favorite places to cruise in OK. Other than that the rest has been posted.
Stay hydrated, Avoid interstate when you can (less scenic and enjoyable imo)
and pace your trip.
Have fun.