Hours per day?
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Keno
I'm doing my first ever trip in a few weeks. 2 decades of riding sport bikes and never toured, so this will be completely new to me. 425 miles first day, then just 250 the second and we'll be at the rally. I think this will be a good amount for a new tourer. The first day is a lot of miles/time getting through Chicago and northern IL so it's more of a 'hurry up and get out of here' mentality. 
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 4
From: Fort Worth, TX
If I am on a time schedule I will generally go 600-700 on an interstate.
that works out to between 12-14 hrs depending on conditions.
Take a 15 min break at fuel stops, a bit longer for something to eat.
If there is no schedule it really depends on the weather and route.
Nice weather and good roads, 300-400 per day.
If there is stuff to look at along the way it may only be 250-350.
Whatever you do, dont push yourself too hard. Keep hydrated be safe are the two best rules.
that works out to between 12-14 hrs depending on conditions.
Take a 15 min break at fuel stops, a bit longer for something to eat.
If there is no schedule it really depends on the weather and route.
Nice weather and good roads, 300-400 per day.
If there is stuff to look at along the way it may only be 250-350.
Whatever you do, dont push yourself too hard. Keep hydrated be safe are the two best rules.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 2
From: The arm pit of Arkansas
Like most have said it's a personal thing. Physical condition and weather are major players in distance riding. I'm kind of an eclectic traveler. I've ridden 400 miles to eat lunch with a friend (another rider) and then go back home for supper. Sometimes an all day ride has been <200 miles.
For the last 10 years I've made a long weekend trip from Arkansas to the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, ~850 miles. I typically ride 600-650 the first day and then the remaining 200 or so the next day. On the return trip I've always ended up running the whole thing in a day. Usually on the road by 0700 and if the weather cooperates I watch the 10 o'clock news at home. I did catch some bad weather one year and didn't get in until around 0230 the next day. I made most of these trips on an '01 FLHT. It had a high speed range of 130 or so to reserve, so there were built in stops every two hours. The last trip was made on an FJR Yamaha that allowed me to push the travel time to 3 hours between stops. That saved a lot of time on a long day. I think that on the '11 I'll be able to duplicate 3 hours between stops.
My personal one day max is 1019 miles in ~19 hours.
If I'm traveling far and fast, I hit the gas pump, move to the side, hit the restroom, drink a bottle of water while walking around the station, and then hit the road. My stops usually last 10-15 minutes.
Ride Safe.
For the last 10 years I've made a long weekend trip from Arkansas to the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, ~850 miles. I typically ride 600-650 the first day and then the remaining 200 or so the next day. On the return trip I've always ended up running the whole thing in a day. Usually on the road by 0700 and if the weather cooperates I watch the 10 o'clock news at home. I did catch some bad weather one year and didn't get in until around 0230 the next day. I made most of these trips on an '01 FLHT. It had a high speed range of 130 or so to reserve, so there were built in stops every two hours. The last trip was made on an FJR Yamaha that allowed me to push the travel time to 3 hours between stops. That saved a lot of time on a long day. I think that on the '11 I'll be able to duplicate 3 hours between stops.
My personal one day max is 1019 miles in ~19 hours.
If I'm traveling far and fast, I hit the gas pump, move to the side, hit the restroom, drink a bottle of water while walking around the station, and then hit the road. My stops usually last 10-15 minutes.
Ride Safe.
Last edited by frito1; Jul 12, 2013 at 02:05 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
I like to travel about 300 miles per day =/-. It leaves you time to stop along the way and enjoy things. Since I work for myself, I make my own schedule, which allows me to adjust my plans based on the weather, etc...I also prefer the back roads to sitting on the highway...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,462
Likes: 57,018
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
36 reply's so far and each one has good recommendations and valid points as to why ... Here's my take ... When I was young it was easy to work all day Friday then ride all night to get to where something was happening .... Now, many years later and much older ( I'm heading for 64 ) I find that I ( and the Ol' gal too ) still enjoy the ride but find it helps considerably to stop every 100 miles and stretch out for 10 minutes ( no matter how big the scooter fuel tank is you only have so much fuel to burn for the day and riding can burn it out of you ) and I make it a point to get off the road before the sun starts setting 'cuz the eyes ain't what they use to be, so as young or old as you are could/would play a role in how far you can ride in a day ... and still enjoy the ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
I ride to and from work about 90 miles every day. I have never been on a trip that took me over about 8 hours.
I'm looking at riding up to Decker MT from my home in east Texas .
It is about 1400 miles each way.
Question for the fellows that do a lot of traveling, how many hours a day do you normally ride?
My couple of trips at 8 hours had me pretty tired but I'm a early riser so if I head out at 6:00 am every morning, I don't figure I'm going to want to stop at 2:00 in the afternoon.
Looking for advice.
Thanks
Buff
I'm looking at riding up to Decker MT from my home in east Texas .
It is about 1400 miles each way.
Question for the fellows that do a lot of traveling, how many hours a day do you normally ride?
My couple of trips at 8 hours had me pretty tired but I'm a early riser so if I head out at 6:00 am every morning, I don't figure I'm going to want to stop at 2:00 in the afternoon.
Looking for advice.
Thanks
Buff
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
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Mesa arizona
I ride to and from work about 90 miles every day. I have never been on a trip that took me over about 8 hours.
I'm looking at riding up to Decker MT from my home in east Texas .
It is about 1400 miles each way.
Question for the fellows that do a lot of traveling, how many hours a day do you normally ride?
My couple of trips at 8 hours had me pretty tired but I'm a early riser so if I head out at 6:00 am every morning, I don't figure I'm going to want to stop at 2:00 in the afternoon.
Looking for advice.
Thanks
Buff
I'm looking at riding up to Decker MT from my home in east Texas .
It is about 1400 miles each way.
Question for the fellows that do a lot of traveling, how many hours a day do you normally ride?
My couple of trips at 8 hours had me pretty tired but I'm a early riser so if I head out at 6:00 am every morning, I don't figure I'm going to want to stop at 2:00 in the afternoon.
Looking for advice.
Thanks
Buff
I will ride until it gets dark when i go on a long trip. The longest was when i went to yellowstone from arizona we rode for about 12 hours that day
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
I am an early riser and afternoons have heat, t-storms/rain, and wind. I rise early (5 AM) and get my miles in by the early afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day/night off the bike. That's roughly 7-8 hours of riding and around 350-400m. SJ Ron 
Last edited by SanJuanRon; Jul 13, 2013 at 10:39 AM.