1000 miles in <24 hours?

[MarinaFazer]

I did 800 miles under 24 hours for Moto GP. Does that count? But yea...I was tired, dog tired, but the scenery helped, and taking side roads that were beautiful helped. hehe and the break of amazing racing helped!!!
if you're gonna do a cruise, I might think of a throttle lock if you're just droning on the freeways to another state or something. Like if I rode to Vegas ... anybody want to do a west coast vegas ride? haha just kiddin....or am i?

 

[dako81]

...I don't have a GPS (at least one mounted on the bike), so that's also a concern for me.

Yea, that's something I've been looking into. Also a tank bag with a clear pocket for directions. Not sure what or when anything will happen, so I don't really know what I'll end up doing.

 

[dako81]

...I have the problem with my hands going numb after a while on the bike, I have a type of cruse control/ throttle lock that came with the bike when I bought it. It's not the greatest thing, and kinda sucks but it's enough to give my hand a break and get the feeling back.

Do you find youself leaning and putting too much weight on your hands and wrists, or are you holding the bars too tightly? Are your wrists to "down" or bent? Maybe try a bar spacer to move them up and back a little bit and think about not holding on as tightly. Sometimes I open up my hands so just my palms are on the bars while on the highway. My right glove still grips the throttle enough to keep it in place and it reminds me that I don't have to hold on very tightly.

 

[Wh0M3]

I have a tank bag like that, it's great. The only time I've had a problem with it was when the stuff in the bag made it hard to see part of the directions. Also I like to keep my directions simple, and large print. Not fun squinting at bad hand
writing while going down the road.

-PD

 

[D-Mac]

Seems like there are more Michigan riders on here than I thought.

WH0m3 - I've been wanting to do a U.P. ride for a while, but haven't found the time. I did a solo ride up through the Manistee National Forest and coastline of Lake Michigan last year and it was amazing (I went in late September - great weather and I had every place to myself). I camped for a few days and even had a brief bear encounter. It was officially a research trip for work, so they paid mileage!

dako81 - Tankbag with map pocket - check. I've got the mini Cortech bag. I love it and it holds more than I thought it would. The map pocket is pretty small, but better than nothing. Since I'm going 1K, I guess I'll have to figure out how to cram some chain lube in there.

MarinaFazer - Moto GP is a great reason for a trip! I'm hooked, but haven't seen a live race yet.

 

[dako81]

...Since I'm going 1K, I guess I'll have to figure out how to cram some chain lube in there...

I've got a small bottle of Maxima chain lube that fits many places.

I think it's an 8oz. bottle (the little one in the picture). It usually goes with me to work in case I need it. I usually lube every 200 miles or so (lightly) especially after a wash or rain, major clean and lube every 1500 or so (chain still looks pretty new at ~7k miles. But, I don't know if I would try to put that in a tank bag because I plan on using my Alpinestars Vader backpack when I go. I use it almost every time I'm on the bike (work clothes/shoes), and I feel naked or like something is really really missing or wrong when I go around town without it on. It is very similar to my jacket, I don't feel right really even moving the bike around the parking lot without it.

Yea, I've been looking at the cortech bags. I still don't know what I want to get though...(Indecisive)

 

[Denver_FZ6]

Based on my experience, I suggest working up to that kind of distance and saddle time, or at least have places to bail out if you get too tired. Maybe try some 6 - 8 hour excursions around your state.

I commute almost every day and have never noticed a comfort problem on these short drives. I would like to try some longer road trips on the FZ6 and have been able to get in some distance riding to see how I'll fare. For me, it's not the distance but the time in the saddle. After six hours, I'm getting saddle sore (even wearing bicycle shorts under other gear), a bit of right wrist strain and the vibration and wind buffeting takes it's toll. I find my ability to stay as focused as I want begins to wane.

 

[dako81]

Based on my experience, I suggest working up to that kind of distance and saddle time, or at least have places to bail out if you get too tired. Maybe try some 6 - 8 hour excursions around your state.

I commute almost every day and have never noticed a comfort problem on these short drives. I would like to try some longer road trips on the FZ6 and have been able to get in some distance riding to see how I'll fare. For me, it's not the distance but the time in the saddle. After six hours, I'm getting saddle sore (even wearing bicycle shorts under other gear), a bit of right wrist strain and the vibration and wind buffeting takes it's toll. I find my ability to stay as focused as I want begins to wane.

Some good points. I wouldn't just jump into a 1000 ride. My commute is 100 miles a day and sometimes I go for a 50+ mile ride when I get home, and I still plan on doing a 500 mile day or three before I go for 1000. I really can't recall my longest mile and hour day, but I know I'm going to still practice before I do it.

 

[HowlFZ6]

D-Mac

I've been running from Howell, MI to Lafayette, IN every couple weeks for the past 2 months. If your goal is to get to I-65 south, I suggest taking I-69 south to Fort Wayne and cut over to I-65 via US24 and US25.

I-94 is full of construction backups near Battle Creek MI and Gary IN. The I-94 westbound ramp to I-65 south is closed due to construction and the re-route is sloppy.

Good Luck on the 1000+ mile ride. Sounds like fun

 

[HowlFZ6]

I just realized that 69 hits 65 at Indianapolis anyway. Doh!

 

[shaggystyle]

from: KY 42101 to: lansing Michigan, United States - Google Maps

Straight down 65. I live in BG and would be glad to meet you and ride back at least part of the way.

I know where all the fire departments are.

its 477 miles from Lansing to Bowling Green. I know you could tweak it to make it work.

If you come through Louisville, give a shout, I'll keep you company for a bit as well.

Most of indiana is going to bore the crap out of you. I did that ride last year....it's flat and full of cornfields until about an hour south of Indy. (no offense meant to any hoosiers)

 

[D-Mac]

I've got a small bottle of Maxima chain lube that fits many places.

I think it's an 8oz. bottle (the little one in the picture). It usually goes with me to work in case I need it. I usually lube every 200 miles or so (lightly) especially after a wash or rain, major clean and lube every 1500 or so (chain still looks pretty new at ~7k miles. But, I don't know if I would try to put that in a tank bag because I plan on using my Alpinestars Vader backpack when I go. I use it almost every time I'm on the bike (work clothes/shoes), and I feel naked or like something is really really missing or wrong when I go around town without it on. It is very similar to my jacket, I don't feel right really even moving the bike around the parking lot without it.

Yea, I've been looking at the cortech bags. I still don't know what I want to get though...(Indecisive)

Thanks! Seeing that photo reminded me that I have one of those small Maxima cans in the garage (I bought it to lube a cable - it's good for chains and cables).

I love the Cortech bag. I also looked at the Joe Rocket Manta, but I wanted something with a map pocket. New Enough had it here in less than 2 days.

 

[D-Mac]

Based on my experience, I suggest working up to that kind of distance and saddle time, or at least have places to bail out if you get too tired. Maybe try some 6 - 8 hour excursions around your state.

I commute almost every day and have never noticed a comfort problem on these short drives. I would like to try some longer road trips on the FZ6 and have been able to get in some distance riding to see how I'll fare. For me, it's not the distance but the time in the saddle. After six hours, I'm getting saddle sore (even wearing bicycle shorts under other gear), a bit of right wrist strain and the vibration and wind buffeting takes it's toll. I find my ability to stay as focused as I want begins to wane.

Yup. I've only done a couple of day trips with the FZ6 and will likely try at least one full day before the "event" (I did lots of long trip of my last bike, which was about the most uncomfortable rig I've ever been on). The bicycle shorts make a huge difference for me. I'm sure I'll be sore after 500 miles regardless.

Just picked up a crampbuster thingy too. That'll help I think. It seems to take the pressure off the exact spot that's been bugging me lately. With the taller windshield I have and the risers/bar backs, the seating position is much improved.

Maybe age is on my side too? I'm 35 (although feeling older than that lately).

 

[D-Mac]

If you come through Louisville, give a shout, I'll keep you company for a bit as well.

Most of indiana is going to bore the crap out of you. I did that ride last year....it's flat and full of cornfields until about an hour south of Indy. (no offense meant to any hoosiers)

Will do. Louisville is a possibility. I'm gonna play with the maps again tonight.

My memories of northern Indiana (I have been as far as Indiannapolis a few times) are that it's exactly like southern Michigan....goes something like this...corn, corn, construction, corn, ooooo soybeans, corn, corn, porn (not a typo - I-94 is like a giant adult video store), gas station, construction, corn, corn, fireworks store, corn, corn.....

 

[dako81]

Will do. Louisville is a possibility. I'm gonna play with the maps again tonight.

My memories of northern Indiana (I have been as far as Indiannapolis a few times) are that it's exactly like southern Michigan....goes something like this...corn, corn, construction, corn, ooooo soybeans, corn, corn, porn (not a typo - I-94 is like a giant adult video store), gas station, construction, corn, corn, fireworks store, corn, corn.....

Hahahaha, true....

 

[mdr]

Great ideas! I think it's definitely better to start with a SS1K first. Imagine riding a thousand miles and then trying to get back on the bike the next day for another 500. Yikes! I'm also tempted to try a loop around Lake Michigan, but I'm worried about Chicago (especially on my first attempt at this distance). The timing works out that I'd either have to go through early to get it over with (meaning I might hit morning rush-hour) or worry about it all day and do it when I'm tired (possibly hitting evening rush-hour). I don't have a GPS (at least one mounted on the bike), so that's also a concern for me.

My last trip thru Chicago took over 3 hours. Worst traffic I've seen for quite a while. There are ways around it. I would never go thru that city again (not willingly anyway).

 

[Wh0M3]

I'm glad to see there are a few Michiganders in here, or are we called Michiganites.. I forget.

I've done a few road trips in cars and I know what you mean about the corn, corn, and more contruction. It gets kinda boring at times. Right now 131 is being worked on just north of Grand Rapids (where I live) so I get to either go though that or learn new 'short cuts' just to get around town.

Also if there are any FZ6 clubs around, or just motorcycle clubs who don't care what you ride I'd be interested in more info.

thanks,
-PD

 

[D-Mac]

I was planning to go next Friday, but I'm thinking about going TOMORROW instead!

Anyone still want to meet up? If I can leave here by 3-4 am I might be passing through Bowling Green KY (on the way back North) at 1:30pm and Louisville at 4ish.

Let me know....(PM me with your cell and I'll send mine back).

Still LOTS of prep to do....

 

[D-Mac]

Leaving in a few minutes......! I'll post a short update tomorrow.

 

[dako81]

Leaving in a few minutes......! I'll post a short update tomorrow.

Good luck!