How many miles per day when touring?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 836
Likes: 4
From: NC / SC between the Mtns and the Ocean
Someone mentioned weather, yeah, that makes a difference. If temps / humidity are nice and clear skies, it's a lot easier to pack in some miles. If you have to deal with excessive heat or significant rain etc., then this could affect the plan.
Especially 2 up, and her level of flexibility dealing w/ said issues.
I'd say set a target of what you want to hit each day, but have a plan b, either skipping a stop on any given day, an alternate route (more direct) if you have to make up time one day, or closer stopping point one day if it looks like the next day is a better day to ride longer, etc.
I took a 1400 mile 4 day trip last year, a couple days were 250-300 w/ more back roads through the mountains, a couple days were 400 or so w/ some interstate mixed in. It seems like we were out on the bikes about 8-10 hrs each day, including stops for gas, leisurely lunches, finding and getting into the hotel, etc., and on shorter mile days, more sight seeing.
I've done about 450 a day on another trip w/ a lot of desert riding. That was leaving EARLY in the morning and coming back after dark, but was in Feb so shorter days.
It also depends on how fast you ride, both on back roads and on the highway. 400 miles, w/ a variance of 10 mph, is about an hour difference in riding time @ hwy speeds (60 mph vs 70), or 300 miles of back roads at 45 mph vs 55 mph is an hour difference in riding time too.
Have fun on your trip, and post about it when you get back.
Especially 2 up, and her level of flexibility dealing w/ said issues.
I'd say set a target of what you want to hit each day, but have a plan b, either skipping a stop on any given day, an alternate route (more direct) if you have to make up time one day, or closer stopping point one day if it looks like the next day is a better day to ride longer, etc.
I took a 1400 mile 4 day trip last year, a couple days were 250-300 w/ more back roads through the mountains, a couple days were 400 or so w/ some interstate mixed in. It seems like we were out on the bikes about 8-10 hrs each day, including stops for gas, leisurely lunches, finding and getting into the hotel, etc., and on shorter mile days, more sight seeing.
I've done about 450 a day on another trip w/ a lot of desert riding. That was leaving EARLY in the morning and coming back after dark, but was in Feb so shorter days.
It also depends on how fast you ride, both on back roads and on the highway. 400 miles, w/ a variance of 10 mph, is about an hour difference in riding time @ hwy speeds (60 mph vs 70), or 300 miles of back roads at 45 mph vs 55 mph is an hour difference in riding time too.
Have fun on your trip, and post about it when you get back.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 957
Likes: 1
From: New York / Texas
it all depends on road conditions, weather. on a clear sunny day on the interstate 500 miles. backroads 350 miles, pouring rain 250 miles on interstate. i just got back from a road trip and that is how it worked; out plus i stop about every 1 1/2 hours for a break or fuel just to get off the bike to walk around for a few minutes and that makes the trip more enjoyable
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, GA
Usually average around 300, but as high as 500 in a day....plannin on a 900 mile ride next summer.....gonna take our time and enjoy the ride...prolly gonna take 2-3 days and ride from GA to PA, via the parkway ect....
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida, USA
I concur, off the interstate I'd plan on 250- 300 miles a day. On the "super-slab" I've done as far as 570 miles in one day, riding a 2007 Ultra Classic 1-up, but loaded for two weeks of travel.
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Vegas
just did a cross country trip
day 1 700 miles
day 2 600 miles
day 3 500 miles
day 4 slept................my wing man was a 70 year old
I'd say 400 miles a day is good enough especially if you have a female on the back
day 1 700 miles
day 2 600 miles
day 3 500 miles
day 4 slept................my wing man was a 70 year old
I'd say 400 miles a day is good enough especially if you have a female on the back
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
I find that 300-400 miles per day is an easy ride, while 500+ miles per day can be grueling. It all depends where I am going, why I am going there and how much time I have. I know a guy that considers 200 miles a long day. I try to have 200 miles under my belt before lunch.
I'm riding from Phx to Kanab UT in a couple of weeks and that's 460 miles. That's a good day's ride.
I'm riding from Phx to Kanab UT in a couple of weeks and that's 460 miles. That's a good day's ride.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Illinois mid-weatern side
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