What is a reasonable trip length??
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
Limit your miles per day to where you arn’t pushing beyond enjoyment, and all will be good. When we did our first major, across the country ride last year, I found a comfortable day of riding with some time to relax in the evening was 450-500 miles each day. - We did push well beyond that several days, and the enjoyment turned into tired, cranky, and just wanting off the bikes for a while. And when we landed at the hotels, most decent places to get dinner were closed, and had to settle for pizza delivery, and convenience store beer.
We had several 14-16 hour days, to cram our trip into our vacation time. - Sounds like you are retired, so thats one thing you have the luxury of with planning.
Our trip this year will be limited to 7 hours drive time, since we have found that if you take the total drive straight time and figure time and a half, It’s pretty accurate for the food, fuel, butt/cool down breaks and pee stops. 7 hours will yield about 10.5 to the days destination.
Just plan accordingly, and give yourself enough time, and you will have a hell of a good ride.
We had several 14-16 hour days, to cram our trip into our vacation time. - Sounds like you are retired, so thats one thing you have the luxury of with planning.
Our trip this year will be limited to 7 hours drive time, since we have found that if you take the total drive straight time and figure time and a half, It’s pretty accurate for the food, fuel, butt/cool down breaks and pee stops. 7 hours will yield about 10.5 to the days destination.
Just plan accordingly, and give yourself enough time, and you will have a hell of a good ride.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
Likes: 898
From: Upstate NY
AT 62, rode 8,803 miles from Olympia Washington through the Southwest, along the Gulf Coast to Key West, back up through Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas then West along Hwy 50 thru Colorado, turned North to Wyoming then West thru Idaho Oregon and up to Olympia. Five weeks and a few days. Averaged about 300 miles a day, saw lots of America. I get up early and ride until around 1400 hrs. everyday. Stopped over an extra day, here an there to rest my boney butt and one day, rode only 60 miles! Last year rode over to Pendleton, OR, headed to Arizona...it tired me out so that's as far as I went. Frame of mind, physical condition, weather, and fun meter are my guides to how long a trip is.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,981
Likes: 5,219
From: Michigan
Whenever someone asks me how I take long trips it reminds me of the old joke about "how do you eat an elephant"? Answer: "One bite at a time"! 
My days of driving from dawn to dusk are long gone.
Four of us were in Colorado about 15 years ago and I allowed my wife to talk me into stopping for dinner and that forced us into riding well after dark. I was the lead bike, my wife was staggered to my right rear, my cousin to her left rear, and my cousin's husband was bringing up the rear somewhere near Durango and I saw a doe standing beside the road as I passed by. I watched my mirrors as closely as I could to make sure that I had three bikes behind me.
When we got to our motel that night my cousin's husband asked me if I had seen the deer and I said "yep", did you?
He said that the doe had decided to run and leap just as he got near her and she was so close that he didn't know if her right rear leg was in front of his windshield or between his face and the windshield! He still occasionally mentions that deer.
I prefer riding about two hours or 125 miles then taking a fuel, snack, drink, comfort break about three times and then start looking for a motel if I haven't already booked one.
I like to be off of the road in time for a shower, dinner and few cold one's to finish my day off.
Pacing yourself can make a long trip less painful and more enjoyable.
My days of driving from dawn to dusk are long gone.
Four of us were in Colorado about 15 years ago and I allowed my wife to talk me into stopping for dinner and that forced us into riding well after dark. I was the lead bike, my wife was staggered to my right rear, my cousin to her left rear, and my cousin's husband was bringing up the rear somewhere near Durango and I saw a doe standing beside the road as I passed by. I watched my mirrors as closely as I could to make sure that I had three bikes behind me.
When we got to our motel that night my cousin's husband asked me if I had seen the deer and I said "yep", did you?
He said that the doe had decided to run and leap just as he got near her and she was so close that he didn't know if her right rear leg was in front of his windshield or between his face and the windshield! He still occasionally mentions that deer.
I prefer riding about two hours or 125 miles then taking a fuel, snack, drink, comfort break about three times and then start looking for a motel if I haven't already booked one.
I like to be off of the road in time for a shower, dinner and few cold one's to finish my day off.
Pacing yourself can make a long trip less painful and more enjoyable.
After I retired I made trip to Laughlin - 4100 miles, at age 58. Then at age 60 rode to Alaska, 6400 miles. Age 62, rode to Arkansas, 4500 miles. Now at age 64 I'm thinking about a 3200 mile trip to Colorado for the grand-daughter's 8th grade graduatIon. Weather looks ok, nothing my gear can't handle. What do you think? Pushing it too hard? Riding the hell out of my bicycle to improve my stamina.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
I bought, fixed up, and rode a well used 2001 FXD from Houston to NE Alabama, ~750 miles one way, and almost all the way back (electrical break down in Vidor, Tx, had to trailer the last 95 miles). I did the trip with one overnight stay each way and experienced a Gulf Coast monsoon going both directions, one in Mississippi on the way up and another one in Alabama on the way back.
I bought the bike and started fixing it up while I was still recovering from heart and carotid surgery after suffering a mild stroke and I made the trip 6 months after my recovery. This was in July 2012 and I was 60 at the time. I had never made a long trip like that before and it was a wonderful and freeing experience. But, I will not make a long ride like that on a Dyna again.
I retired a year ago at 66, sold the Dyna, bought and restored a 2003 Ultra Classic, and I am working out the kinks now. Me and an old shipmate are planning on a ride to Colorado in the very near future. It is pretty much the same distance as it was to Anniston Alabama but I am not sure if I will turn left and head west when I get there or come back home and plan another trip. We took a ride from Houston to Georgetown and back a few weeks ago...210 miles one way...We are just watching the weather cycles now looking for a break in these storms.
I bought the bike and started fixing it up while I was still recovering from heart and carotid surgery after suffering a mild stroke and I made the trip 6 months after my recovery. This was in July 2012 and I was 60 at the time. I had never made a long trip like that before and it was a wonderful and freeing experience. But, I will not make a long ride like that on a Dyna again.
I retired a year ago at 66, sold the Dyna, bought and restored a 2003 Ultra Classic, and I am working out the kinks now. Me and an old shipmate are planning on a ride to Colorado in the very near future. It is pretty much the same distance as it was to Anniston Alabama but I am not sure if I will turn left and head west when I get there or come back home and plan another trip. We took a ride from Houston to Georgetown and back a few weeks ago...210 miles one way...We are just watching the weather cycles now looking for a break in these storms.
Last edited by skinman13; May 6, 2019 at 08:15 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 7
From: Calgary Alberta
65 last year and went from Calgary to Maine, then up to Northern Ontario before heading home. Not sure where I’m heading this year but am enjoying scouring maps while I plan this years trip. Haven’t done the PCH for awhile so it’s high on the list to redo.
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: Jun 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 156
From: Big Sky Country
I sure am glad to hear these stories and know that I might with a little luck have some good years left. Feeling damn old lately, and when it occurs to me that some day I'll have to give it up makes me want to reserve a spot w/Kevorkian.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 637
Likes: 25
From: Ketchikan Alaska
I would love to be able to take off and do a 10 day ride and see where I end up. Though work, family and life that isn't possible right now.
There are two on my list that I want to complete sooner than later. 1) The 48 State in 10 Days or under, and the 2) ride to Purdue Bay Alaska. The second one is about 6000 miles round trip, and would love to be able to enjoy the scenery along the ride.
There are two on my list that I want to complete sooner than later. 1) The 48 State in 10 Days or under, and the 2) ride to Purdue Bay Alaska. The second one is about 6000 miles round trip, and would love to be able to enjoy the scenery along the ride.