Cross Country
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Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Japan
Cross Country
Thinking of doing ATL to SF, it looks like 2500 and a few miles. I'm wondering if I should schedule this as a 3 day or 4 day ride? I'll be alone, so no worries on keeping others happy. I guess I could do it in 2.5 If I just went ***** out?
What do you guys who have done these long rides think?
Also, on these long *** trips how do you guys handle the maintenance? Check up half way through or she's good to go all the way with an initial maintenance before I leave?
What do you guys who have done these long rides think?
Also, on these long *** trips how do you guys handle the maintenance? Check up half way through or she's good to go all the way with an initial maintenance before I leave?
Last edited by Coleman1296; Apr 14, 2013 at 11:42 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,282
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From: Northwestern Nevada
My longest ride day has been 750 miles, but I'll get the "Iron Butt" patch one day. I've taken 3000+ mile trip 3 times on a 1200 sportster and I was 6' and 220 lbs during the decade I did those trips.
If you will be within 1000 miles of service when you get home, I'd wait. Doing maintenance on the road can cause serious delays and expenses if something goes arye. Be damn sure your scooter is ready for the trip and take a few tools, and a tire repair kit...seriously. Do a real good inspection on all the fasteners you can access, check you tires for damage, check your belt...etc.
There's nothing like having a flat and not being able to get yourself to the next town. Even with a cell phone and road side assistance, it can feel like an eternity while you wait in the sun/rain for the service truck. Tire plugs, portable air, zip ties, screw drivers, and common wrenches are a must for me...but whatever you feel like you want.
Pack light, take rain gear, and plan extra days for travel (I'd plan no more then 500 miles in a day if it's your first long trip). That way, you won't feel like you have to do something your body and mind are screaming for you to stop. Take you time and ride till you want to stop. If thats after 500 miles, cool. If you want to go longer, its all good. Just don't lock in a hard push and wind up not having any fun, dreading the next day.
Be safe and remember, having fun on the trip is the goal.
If you will be within 1000 miles of service when you get home, I'd wait. Doing maintenance on the road can cause serious delays and expenses if something goes arye. Be damn sure your scooter is ready for the trip and take a few tools, and a tire repair kit...seriously. Do a real good inspection on all the fasteners you can access, check you tires for damage, check your belt...etc.
There's nothing like having a flat and not being able to get yourself to the next town. Even with a cell phone and road side assistance, it can feel like an eternity while you wait in the sun/rain for the service truck. Tire plugs, portable air, zip ties, screw drivers, and common wrenches are a must for me...but whatever you feel like you want.
Pack light, take rain gear, and plan extra days for travel (I'd plan no more then 500 miles in a day if it's your first long trip). That way, you won't feel like you have to do something your body and mind are screaming for you to stop. Take you time and ride till you want to stop. If thats after 500 miles, cool. If you want to go longer, its all good. Just don't lock in a hard push and wind up not having any fun, dreading the next day.
Be safe and remember, having fun on the trip is the goal.
Last edited by Glockmeister; Apr 15, 2013 at 12:00 AM.
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Guess if you stay on the interstate you can blast from coast to coast in a short time span. Problem is you miss out on scenary. I prefer two lane blacktop. If you have the time, take the 4 days to cross and route out secondary roads. You won't be sorry.
As far as maintenance goes suppose it depends on what year bike you have. Do a full on inspection of your bike before you begin your trip. Do not neglect a tire inspection. If you are down to that last 1K on the tires, change them before you begin the trip. Always start with fresh fluids. On my shovel and pan I stick to the 2500 mile oil change and plan out a spot near a dealer or if I can find one, an Indy.
Because I ride old bikes I have got in the habit of doing a visible inspectiom at the start of each ride day just because old iron has a tendancy to vibrate apart and I hate $hit falling off. Buddy I ride with in Colorado has one of Twinkies and he never has to worry about that but at the start of any long trips he still goes and checks fasteners and such. Nothing on his bike ever seems to come loose on the couple of trips I have done with him when passing through that area.
As far as maintenance goes suppose it depends on what year bike you have. Do a full on inspection of your bike before you begin your trip. Do not neglect a tire inspection. If you are down to that last 1K on the tires, change them before you begin the trip. Always start with fresh fluids. On my shovel and pan I stick to the 2500 mile oil change and plan out a spot near a dealer or if I can find one, an Indy.
Because I ride old bikes I have got in the habit of doing a visible inspectiom at the start of each ride day just because old iron has a tendancy to vibrate apart and I hate $hit falling off. Buddy I ride with in Colorado has one of Twinkies and he never has to worry about that but at the start of any long trips he still goes and checks fasteners and such. Nothing on his bike ever seems to come loose on the couple of trips I have done with him when passing through that area.
There's already been some excellent advice given. I'm on an Ultra Limited and I do an around country run just about every year. This year I'm leaving in Late June for Pittsburgh, then down the east coast, gulf of mexico and around until I get back home. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 or 9k miles. Depends how I feel. I often do 1000 mile days when I'm trying to make a destination but that puts me riding at night quite often. Your best bet is to listen to your body and stop when you need to. Be safe and have fun.
As far as services, I try to schedule mine a couple weeks before I leave and plan them into my trip. I schedule at Dealerships as they are my best, safest bet for getting a proper service while on the road.
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From: Chesterfield, VA
Good tires and a fresh oil change (synthetic) should get you there and back. Of course ANYTHING can happen. Rain suit in the saddle bag is a must and be prepared for cold at night even in the summer. ***** to the wall will still take 4 days.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Florida
Get a starting witness.
The clock starts with your first gas receipt.
Collect all gas receipts along the way.
The clock stops with your final gas receipt.
Get an ending witness.
Send it all to IBA with your odometer readings, time of day (or night), and location of stops.
They verify/certify it and you get the license plate bracket for your bike and your name put in the record book.
Go to the IBA website for official rules, but that is what it takes.
And to answer your original questions:
Do the ride as fast or slow as you are comfortable.
I do all my maintenace before I leave on a trip.
Last edited by Jonesee; Apr 15, 2013 at 04:18 PM.
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Also, on these long *** trips how do you guys handle the maintenance? Check up half way through or she's good to go all the way with an initial maintenance before I leave?
I've had the oil changed on trips and never had a real problem. I call ahead the day before to make sure they can get me in and I've never had a problem. Usually costs me a 1/2 day is all, which is not all bad; I appreciate the break. One of the things I really like about owning a Harley is the dealer network; then the people at the dealers are always so helpful and friendly.