Harleys and the Iron Butt?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta, GA
It CAN absolutely be done.
I've done my own unofficial Iron Butt "Saddle Sore 1000" on a Dyna and could certainly do it again (with greater ease) on a Touring Bike.
I did it unofficially because I didn't have a witness to be there at the start and finish.
I've done my own unofficial Iron Butt "Saddle Sore 1000" on a Dyna and could certainly do it again (with greater ease) on a Touring Bike.
I did it unofficially because I didn't have a witness to be there at the start and finish.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock, CO
Liverpool to Munich, eh? That'll be a fun ride!
Check out the IBA UK sub-forum at http://www.ironbutt.org/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=28 Great bunch of folks who have a Ride to Eat every month. A good friend of mine from Bristol came over to run the IBR this year on an FZ1 - 50 miles on that bike and I was in pain. Another good friend from near Tewksebury came over and ran the IBR on a 1969 Triumph Triple!! And yet another good friend from Germany came over and did the Rally on his GW instead of his Ultra. You'll find all 3 of these guys very active in the IBA UK and more than willing to offer tips, tricks and other advice.
When you get to Munich, stop at the Hofbrau Haus and have a beer for me, please!!! Or go over to Haacker-Pschorr and have the "crackling suckling pig roasted in dark beer sauce". Oh, I miss that town.
Check out the IBA UK sub-forum at http://www.ironbutt.org/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=28 Great bunch of folks who have a Ride to Eat every month. A good friend of mine from Bristol came over to run the IBR this year on an FZ1 - 50 miles on that bike and I was in pain. Another good friend from near Tewksebury came over and ran the IBR on a 1969 Triumph Triple!! And yet another good friend from Germany came over and did the Rally on his GW instead of his Ultra. You'll find all 3 of these guys very active in the IBA UK and more than willing to offer tips, tricks and other advice.
When you get to Munich, stop at the Hofbrau Haus and have a beer for me, please!!! Or go over to Haacker-Pschorr and have the "crackling suckling pig roasted in dark beer sauce". Oh, I miss that town.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 1
From: Frederick, CO
I did 725 miles on my big dog chopper. felt like someone beat me with a 2x4 for about 2 weeks. and my *** felt like it split to my neck. now I got the road glide. I plan on doing a Wyoming to Las Vegas ride next year.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
I rode out to Sturgis a couple of years ago, bought a t-shirt, and came home, to do my SaddleSore 1000. Piece of cake on an Ultra.
Now, the Iron Butt Rallye....that's a whole different thing.
Note the 3rd place finisher in 2007, and what he rode.
http://www.ironbutt.com/ibr/2007.cfm?DocID=45
1 Martin Leir, BMW R1200GSA, 12,460, 344,122
2 Jim Owen, BMW R1200RT, 11,137, 333,471
3 Brett Donahue, H-D XLH1200R, 11,283, 316,707
Now, the Iron Butt Rallye....that's a whole different thing.
Note the 3rd place finisher in 2007, and what he rode.
http://www.ironbutt.com/ibr/2007.cfm?DocID=45
1 Martin Leir, BMW R1200GSA, 12,460, 344,122
2 Jim Owen, BMW R1200RT, 11,137, 333,471
3 Brett Donahue, H-D XLH1200R, 11,283, 316,707
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Lothrop, MI
Saddlesore 1000, very easy to do in under 20 hours with a mix of freeway and 2 lane roads. The Lake Michigan Loop. A group of 14 of us did it this year. All on Harleys, a few of them Sportsters.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA area
Tell them they are full of crap!
I did an Iron Butt this June which was a Saddle Sore (1000 miles in 24 hrs) and a Bun Burner (1500 in 36) combined. We did 1026 the first day with 3 hours to spare. After 4 or so hours of sleep it was back on the bike for another 560 miles. We finished with about 2 hours to spare.
I rode my 2001 Road King Classic, an 88 bored to 95". Apes and no cruise control. Sundowner seat with a sheepskin I borrowed from a buddy. HD riders backrest.
I was tired when I got off the bike but other than my right arm (no cruise), I could have kept going. All in all, the IB wasn't difficult and I'm glad I did it. If I were to do it again I would do it on a bike with the following: cruise, 6th gear and a 6 gal tank. While I was getting 40+ mpg cruising around home, on the IB that number dropped to the high 20's as we were headed across Montana at a steady 90+ mph.
Do it, you won't regret it.
I did an Iron Butt this June which was a Saddle Sore (1000 miles in 24 hrs) and a Bun Burner (1500 in 36) combined. We did 1026 the first day with 3 hours to spare. After 4 or so hours of sleep it was back on the bike for another 560 miles. We finished with about 2 hours to spare.
I rode my 2001 Road King Classic, an 88 bored to 95". Apes and no cruise control. Sundowner seat with a sheepskin I borrowed from a buddy. HD riders backrest.
I was tired when I got off the bike but other than my right arm (no cruise), I could have kept going. All in all, the IB wasn't difficult and I'm glad I did it. If I were to do it again I would do it on a bike with the following: cruise, 6th gear and a 6 gal tank. While I was getting 40+ mpg cruising around home, on the IB that number dropped to the high 20's as we were headed across Montana at a steady 90+ mph.
Do it, you won't regret it.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 240
Likes: 3
From: Norman Oklahoma
I did the iron butt 1000 in just a bit over 20 hours. The first 4 hours were below 32 degrees .Gerbings heated gear. I am 72 years young and to me it was another good ride but this time i kept track of my stops and fuel. The Cannonball was a different story as far as comfort.Ride a 1914 Indian 3300 miles and then tell me how uncomfortable your Harley is. Get over it and let's ride!
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,724
Likes: 234
From: Altoona, Pa.
1000 mile ride is a walk in the park for a Ultra as long as your somewhat conditioned and more than just a 50 miles a day rider. Myself have done as many as 1300 miles in less than 24 hrs and I'm in the upper 50s age range. However I also have a Deuce and would probably feel real beat up to do a IB on that.
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
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From:
In 2000 I rode my 2000 Heritage Classic 1142 miles from Sturgis, SD to Marysville, WA in one day. Started at 0400hrs. Sturgis time and pulled into my driveway at 2145hrs. Marysville time. A very long day considering no cruise control and no tunes but it was a great ride.
Photo is of my 00' Heritage when I stopped in Vale, CO on my way to Sturgis via Denver to visit with family. Sold the Heritage for a 02' Ultra Classic....sold that for a 06' Gold Wing...still have the Gold Wing and bought a 01' Road King Classic...just sold the RKC and bought a 12' Electra Glide Limited....and still have the Gold Wing.
Since then I have done one more 1,000 mile plus Iron Butt and that was on my 06' Gold Wing from Bakersfield, CA home to Marysville, WA.
Photo is of my 00' Heritage when I stopped in Vale, CO on my way to Sturgis via Denver to visit with family. Sold the Heritage for a 02' Ultra Classic....sold that for a 06' Gold Wing...still have the Gold Wing and bought a 01' Road King Classic...just sold the RKC and bought a 12' Electra Glide Limited....and still have the Gold Wing.
Since then I have done one more 1,000 mile plus Iron Butt and that was on my 06' Gold Wing from Bakersfield, CA home to Marysville, WA.
Last edited by hawgwildterry; Oct 28, 2011 at 08:05 PM.