Long ride jitters...
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Green Bay wi
Long ride jitters...
Sometime in May a friend of mine and I are going on a ride around Lake Michigan. Now im sure there may be a few threads on the subject but whatever heres another. Now its not a very long ride but wil be my longest on my road king. he longest ive been on so far was from Green Bay to Milwaukee. (About 300 miles). I never really did finish because the bike broke down. needless to say im a bit nervous about this ride. Any recomendations on what t look for before setting out?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Dude, I wish that was my only thing keeping me from sleeping. I couldn't sleep either but it'd be from excitement not nervousness. Some of the best times of my life were with friends in southern Utah wheeling in jeeps, not knowing if we'd run out of gas , food or beer.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 565
Likes: 60
From: PNW
I think those of us that are snowed in would like to throw you a boot party for having this problem.
All kidding aside, just give your bike a good once over before you take off. If you haven't been having any mechanical problems, chances are nothing is going to sprout up unless you are pushing the bike too hard (or if there is something internally wrong). Just relax and enjoy the ride. If you can't do that, what's the point?
All kidding aside, just give your bike a good once over before you take off. If you haven't been having any mechanical problems, chances are nothing is going to sprout up unless you are pushing the bike too hard (or if there is something internally wrong). Just relax and enjoy the ride. If you can't do that, what's the point?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Before I run to Sturgis or whereever (and these trips can cover 2 or 3 or 4 weeks),
I do 300 and 400 mile dayride loops from home- these'll make sure that both the bike and my skills and body are up to snuff.
mike
I do 300 and 400 mile dayride loops from home- these'll make sure that both the bike and my skills and body are up to snuff.
mike
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton
Prep it best you can, enjoy the ride.
Really, what is the worst that can happen? It breaks down, so what? You're not in Afghanistan or some such place. Somebody will help you, you'll get back home.
On my trip last year I hit a rock that put a hole in my rear tire of my Kaw 1400 Concours, about 45 miles from Salmon Idaho. No chance of plugging it so I rode it in on the flat. I went to the only bike shop in town, a Yamaha dealer, ordered a tire and waited for it to show up. I was stuck there for two days, met a lot of nice people, then got back on the road. It cost some unexpected money but that's touring for you. If you never do anything because you're worried what could happen, you literally will never do anything.
Really, what is the worst that can happen? It breaks down, so what? You're not in Afghanistan or some such place. Somebody will help you, you'll get back home.
On my trip last year I hit a rock that put a hole in my rear tire of my Kaw 1400 Concours, about 45 miles from Salmon Idaho. No chance of plugging it so I rode it in on the flat. I went to the only bike shop in town, a Yamaha dealer, ordered a tire and waited for it to show up. I was stuck there for two days, met a lot of nice people, then got back on the road. It cost some unexpected money but that's touring for you. If you never do anything because you're worried what could happen, you literally will never do anything.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 5
From: Central Calif
not sure how long the ride you are doing, as in miles per day. The average rider only puts on 2 to3 thousand miles a year.
for many riders, 100 or 150 is a good day -- for others 600 plus is just a drop in the bucket. The road you ride on makes a difference, twisties or slab.
don't worry, do what feels right for you -- but I want to phrase it like this -- its the miles you do, not the hours it takes you to do it. It has taken me years to get people I ride with to understand that concept. I have gone on short rides -- 300 miles which have taken all day (12 hours) and I have done 800 in 12 hours --I am actually more tired after 300 miles because I stood around doing nothing.
for many riders, 100 or 150 is a good day -- for others 600 plus is just a drop in the bucket. The road you ride on makes a difference, twisties or slab.
don't worry, do what feels right for you -- but I want to phrase it like this -- its the miles you do, not the hours it takes you to do it. It has taken me years to get people I ride with to understand that concept. I have gone on short rides -- 300 miles which have taken all day (12 hours) and I have done 800 in 12 hours --I am actually more tired after 300 miles because I stood around doing nothing.
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: San Diego
I have a quote on my wall to the effect of…a ship in a harbor is safe…but that is not what ships are for.
Enjoy your trip. Be thankful, observant, adaptable and aware. No matter what you encounter on the trip, you will be able to adapt and overcome.
Enjoy your trip. Be thankful, observant, adaptable and aware. No matter what you encounter on the trip, you will be able to adapt and overcome.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 56
From: Eastern Iowa
Sometime in May a friend of mine and I are going on a ride around Lake Michigan. Now im sure there may be a few threads on the subject but whatever heres another. Now its not a very long ride but wil be my longest on my road king. he longest ive been on so far was from Green Bay to Milwaukee. (About 300 miles). I never really did finish because the bike broke down. needless to say im a bit nervous about this ride. Any recomendations on what t look for before setting out?
Curious as to what happened.
Why?
That distance should have been a piece of cake if the bike was in good condition.
You'll be going longer on this trip, make sure the bike will take you safely.
Breaking down can run a ride.