Commuting on XBs....

[mtnmason]

Just wanted to get a few opinions if possible.

I know that our XBs prefer long rides at sustained speeds as do most other air-cooled machines. I've read all kinds of stuff on the forum where some buellists talk about how they NEVER take their bikes on any short runs. I typically try not to myself (but often fall into temptation just wanting to show it off if for nothing else!).

Reason I bring this up - my 240sx (daily driver) decided to crap the head gasket with relatively no warning last weekend. I was left with no other choice but to cruise the 'bolt to work this week. The shop is a 15 min. interstate ride which is just long enough to get it to normal op temps. Then about 8 hrs later I take the same ride back.

I really hate putting it through those repeated heat cycles. Compound that with the slight rocker box leak and I really hate having to use it to commute (not too worried about the fan at this point - leak isnt bad). Bike is an 07 with 16800 and has NEVER given me ANY problems (save for the RB gasket)

Any opinions or tips on how not to stress out the motor any more than I have to would be appreciated.

 

[d_adams]

Enjoy the ride by taking a longer/different route?

 

[Zeroflat24]

I ride my bike 3 miles to work and 3 miles home. I do this everyday it doesn't rain. I have never had an issue with it. It's not made of glass. If it can't handle the short trips I'll get rid of it. I'm not waking up an extra half hour early just so I can make my bike "happy"

 

[GAXB9R]

It will be fine. Ride the hell out of her!!!

 

[JohnnyD]

Ride mine 4.2 miles each way to work. Been doing this every day when there isn't any snow on the road (get to ride 9 or so months). Sometimes I'll take the long way home, around 15 miles... Once a month (sometimes, twice) on the weekend, I'll take her out for a 300 - 500 plus mile ride.

Been doing it for over 2 years without any issues. The bike is my daily driver.

 

[deathandtexas]

I ride my bike 3 miles to work and 3 miles home. I do this everyday it doesn't rain. I have never had an issue with it. It's not made of glass. If it can't handle the short trips I'll get rid of it. I'm not waking up an extra half hour early just so I can make my bike "happy"

amen.

 

[mtnmason]

Awesome. Thanks for the replies. Kinda what I was looking to hear. I suppose the guys that say they NEVER do short rides are the same ones that say their bike has NEVER seen water! Ha.

dean - yeah, I stretch the ride home to more like an hour a lot of times. If I had one of your pipes tho she'd be happy no matter what I put her through (sigh - one of these days).

Zero & Johnny - those are pretty short rides. Do your fans even come on?

 

[Zeroflat24]

Zero & Johnny - those are pretty short rides.  Do your fans even come on?

no my fan never comes on when I'm going to work unless it's close to 100 degrees.

 

[noone1569]

Just warm it up for a couple of minutes while you get all of your gear on and ready. Shouldn't be an issue. I do plenty of short rides on mine as it is the main form of transportation most of the months out of the year.

 

[BuellRiderX]

Surprised no ones' yet asked this .. What motor do you have in your 240? S13 or S14? If it's a KA then I think you should take this as a sign and swap an SR in there

 

[mtnmason]

If it's a KA then I think you should take this as a sign and swap an SR in there

98 model. KA24DE. Was bullet-proof up until now. 180K [mad]

Would love to drop in an SR but if I did that I would ONLY settle for something freshly built in which case it would be outta my budget range. Oh well. I'm gonna run some Thermagasket thru it and see if I cant squeeze out a little more mileage.

 

[mtnmason]

noone -- [up] for warm up. About as important as clean oil. maybe more.

 

[crawfo]

I ride mine all over, no matter how long the trip. Your not going to harm your bike by riding it on short trips. Just don't beat the hell out of it until it warms up.

 

[brian1570]

beat on it like it shit on your favorite rug. these ugly bastards like it.

 

[BuellRiderX]

98 model. KA24DE.  Was bullet-proof up until now.

They usually are. A buddy of mine built an s13 hatch with a red top SR. Funnest car I've ever driven

 

[ducrider]

Short trips are no big deal for bikes if you do get out a few times a month and do some miles.I ride mine 10 miles to work weather permitting but get out on it every other weekend for some good miles.

 

[Macbuell]

3.5 miles back and forth to work here...no highway. Trust me, it is fully up to operating temp by the time I get to work the way I ride. Normal warm-up time is maybe 2-4 minutes.

 

[nrankin]

They usually are.  A buddy of mine built an s13 hatch with a red top SR.  Funnest car I've ever driven

Yea man they are great.. I miss my widebody s13 with a SR Red
top... had a little bit of motor work done but the biggest eye catcher was my Weds 18x11
in the front and 18x12 in the rear...

never got to finish her bc of financial issues at the time

 

[nrankin]

Would love to drop in an SR but if I did that I would ONLY settle for something freshly built in which case it would be outta my budget range.  Oh well.  I'm gonna run some Thermagasket thru it and see if I cant squeeze out a little more mileage.

where about are you from? I know a few people that are hardcore in the 240/drift scene and can pick them up fairly cheap

 

[rah7777777]

I have a 1.1 mile trip to work, for me that is too short to do everyday on the bike, literally takes longer to gear up then get to work. But 15 minutes... That wont hurt anything!

Just get out once in a blue moon and run her for a bit. Burn any moisture and fuel blowby up.