Anyone done an Iron Butt 1000 on their H-D? I just drove from Mississippi to South Dakota and back (about 2400 miles round trip) in my truck and I was wishing the whole time that I was on my bike. The roads were covered with snow from St. Louis to the Dakotas and it was 9 degrees in South Dakota other than that it would have been a great bike trip. I think I would like to try an Iron Butt this spring.

 

Many HDFers (myself included) have done IBA certified rides. You can choose to do a ride solely for the IBA certification, or use IBA certification to expedite a long trip. For example, last summer when two buddies and I rode to Sturgis from metro Atlanta, we agreed to do Iron Butt rides out and back to shorten the travel time from the typical three day ride out and back to two days each way to allow us more riding time in and around Sturgis. It's a lot more comfortable doing these on a touring bike and superslab IMO. Check-out the IBA website for certification rules and safety guidelines.

And if you do a search on this forum you will find many threads on the topic, including preparing for the trip.

 

I did this on my flht returning from Sturgis this year. It can be done, I wasn't really prepared for it and it just happened. Ended up running 1123 miles in 21 hours, regular stops and having a nice lunch. I say not prepared due to lack of sleep in the campground the night before. Same circumstances I would not attempt it again, got to be prepared.

Basically, I was just ready to get home. The trip started off bad two weeks before departure so I had a lot of things on my mind and just didn't enjoy the trip as much as in the past. Lots of delays with the people that went.

 

I'll be doing the Iron Butt 1000 in March with abuddy of mine.
We both ride Ultras and are gettin' geared up to ride round trip
from Houston to Fort Stockton in less than 24 hrs time. Other
buds of mine said to stay hydraded and leave early morning with the sun at your back and ride like the wind.
Plenty of fuel stops along the way. Can't wait to do it.
Got to get witnesses lined out to get the certificate and keep all gas receipts and we're good to go.

 

Two years ago we did 1036 miles in 22 hours, but it was a ride of survival. At 2:00 in the afternoon werode through Needles, CA and our thermometers were reading 124º, both of us got mild heat strokes but had to keep going. We had to wear gloves because the clutch and brake levers were so hot they'd burn your hands; our seats were unbearable.

We didn't getany cool air until 8:30 that night when werode home into Orange County where it wasa freezing 80º. lol

 

Hi,
A friend and I did the 1000 mile Iron Butt in September. We did an out and back from Omaha to Rapid City, SD. Left at about 5:30 AM and got back at 10:00PM that night. We both ride Ultra's. When we stopped in Rapid City for lunch it was foggy and in the upper 40's. We told the waiter we drove to RC for lunch and were going to head back after lunch. There was the usual shaking of heads and mumbles of "you got to be kidding".

After riding many different touring bikes, I have to say this was the most comfortable long day I've ever experienced. I guess I'm one of the few that like the stock seat on my 07. Aside from the seat, the bike just fits, so you're never over reaching for anything.

Still haven't gotten the certificate back. But I understand they have been having some processing problems, so no big deal.
Looking forward to trying the 1500 miles in 36 hours next spring.
Brian

 

I've done long rides (the longest two: From Columbus Ga to the Keys and Columbus to Halifax Canada up the eatern sea coast, but I like to take my time. I thnk an Iron Butt ride would make me go too fast and not be able to stop and enjoy my ride. I know several folks who done it and fully realize their accomplishment, but its just not for me.

This spring, I'm gonna ride over to Austin, Tx to visit my oldest son, who moved there last month. It'll be about 888 miles. I did it last Thanksgiving in my cage and used the trip meter to get the distance.

Hack

 

I too have done the Iron Butt, two of us road from Jacksonville Florida to Baton Rouge La. for lunch and back. 1265 miles, 21 hours. 2001 RoadKing Classic. 80mph tank to tank. Went on the Iron Butt website weeks prior to the trip to cover all the bases for certification. They have many good sensible thoughts on how to prepare for the trip. From eating prior to the trip etc. Its tough at the end won't kid you but I would do it again. I've ridden from Lancaster Pa to Jacksonville Florida straight through just to say I could do it, but must agree with Road Warrior, its much better to take you time enjoy the sights then to run 80 on the Instate for hours on end. Give it a try, its something not everyone has done.

 

Hey btDowney,

5 of my friends and I did our 1000 mile in Sept. Went from Davenport, Iowa to Murdo, Sd, then down through Nebraska to Omaha for our 1000 mile and then 2 of us went on to get the 1500 in 36 hours. We were all on HD's as well. Anyway, we just got our certifications back this week so don't give up because they have to be close to getting to yours.

Jeff

 

Did the 1,000 mi. Iron Butt earlier this year ... actually 1100 miles driven in 19 hrs ... Road King

Long trip, but not awful. The last 200 miles were the hardest (at night), but knew enuf to stay away from caffeine a week before the ride, so that when I needed it, it would kick-in ... it did!

Friends did the 1,500 mi as well ... all H-D ...