Cross Country Ride on XB12R

[DWix1]

I'm thinking of attempting a ride from CA to Michigan. I'm 5'10", in good shape. The ergos of the bike seem to fit me nicely. However, after about 3+ hours on the bike I get tired.

I've never ridden really far before. Ever. Any iron butts out there? Any advice?

The XB12R probably isn't the ideal touring bike...but is it a bad idea?

 

[Nuage420b]

My old 1SG used to ride from Benning Georgia to Arlington Virginia at least once a month on a cbr.

 

[ophawk]

after about 3+ hours on the bike I get tired.

Plan on taking many, many rest stops.

Good Luck

 

[racepro716]

I've done a few longish trips on my Bolt 500-600 km a day. Lower pegs helped me huge! A throttle lock is a must. I've heard Tylenol before you even start the day helps with muscle cramps and such. Is it a good idea? Absolutly! My brother and I did 2200 km in 72 hours once on mid eighties Kawasaki sport bikes. Wasn't a great idea but we're soooo glad we did it. Go for it!! Wayne

 

[dave_xb12r]

Heck i did 400 miles in a day and i was done. Never again. 200 miles in one day is my limit now.

 

[tuneport67ss]

All I can say is a good set of gloves with padding in the palms is a must. The vibration kills mine and it makes my fingers go numb after about 100 miles. Might just be me though, but I would still get the gloves. THey cant hurt.

 

[DWix1]

ya, so maybe the key thing is to pace myself. Ride for 2-3 hours and then take a break. Ride some more... I'd hope I can get at least 500 miles a day in.

It will be my first attempt at a super long ride. Beyond traveling light my plan is to basically ride all day, make it to a hotel with a pool or hot tub. Relax, have a few beers. Early to bed and then back at it early the next morning.

I have some really comfortable gloves and gear. The only thing that gets to me is the cold. As long as I avoid really cold air, it'll be June so I don't think I'll encounter too much cold, I think I'll be ok.

But I don't really know what to expect! haha. It should be a great adventure. Any other advice? Like, don't ride too late at night or too early in the morning? I'm thinking--man, I do not want to hit a deer in BFE somewhere.

 

[DWix1]

I actually bought some lower pegs but I haven't put them on yet...but the more I ride the more I like the stock setup.

 

[DWix1]

excellent advice. I definately don't want to find myself at the end of the day somewhere in Nebraska thinking "what the hell am I doing! I'm friggin toast."

I think I'll also take advil or something before each time I head out. You know, 400 miles in a car is hard to do, never mind on a bike. This is gonna be a marathon. I'm getting pretty geeked. Maybe I should have bought a Ulysses!! haha

Since this is my first big trip, I'm going to keep it really simple in terms of the roads i pick. I'm going to see some stretches of I-80.

 

[DWix1]

also,...I'll be careful with this comment because I know we're all still pretty pissed at HD. But I totally see the point of something like a dyna series HD (I think that's the model with the big twin). With a big windscreen, some bags, and a comfy seat. I can see how that could be pretty cool.

But back to reality.--I ride almost everyday (urban commute to work). I wouldn't want a big HD for the riding I do normally. And, sport touring seems like more fun. But I can see that there is a niche for HD.

 

[dwhite]

I think 500 miles a day is very ambitious. I have a comfy HD bagger and some days I dont even want to do 500 a day on that much less a sportbike (but maybe I am a candyass). You may get 500 miles the 1st day but I bet when you wake up in the AM the last thing you will want to do is get on the bike. I would shoot for something more like 250-300 miles. If you ride long distance a lot then you can work your way up to longer miles and not tire as quickly. Good luck and enjoy the journey no matter how far you go each day. That is the fun of it

 

[DWix1]

Thanks! ya, I want to enjoy myself not torture myself. I looked into the cost of renting a HD for a week. Too expensive for my blood.

Do you tend to avoid riding before sun-up?

 

[Midnight82]

I try to beat the sun up, but I'm in Phoenix and the desert sun is KILLER.

 

[Alfatango1]

I did 360 Monday and 360 today. Very strait, about 75 degrees average on my XB9R. I would not have done it without a throttle lock and an MP3 player that's for sure.

 

[vanson1200r]

I have made that ride before. I rode from Romeo Michigan to San Diego on an SV650. Throttle lock and 500ish miles a day is doable. Good luck if you attempt it!

 

[DustyXB]

To touch on the sun up or sun down question no ones really talked about. It all depends on where you are. Deer love coming out at those times. But like I said it depends on where you are. I'm in northern California in a decent sized city (well maybe over grown town haha) and we don't have nearly the deer population as my parents who are just about 60 miles north east.

I think I've seen... Actually now that I think about it I think I havnt seen any deer at all here but at my folks, it's odd not seeing any. Even during season. I remember one evening at my parents we saw close to 25 deer in our front yard... Which is about 5 acres hahah.

I'd LOVE to do a cross county like you are but from my experience after 150 miles, some form of cruise control or even one of those little paddle style wrist savers is a definate must. Music would be nice but I've always been a little weary about not being able to hear on coming traffic on my bike. Maybe that's just me. In my truck, well that's a complete different story. I love blastin my country, or oldies, or Christian rock, or classic rock, or hip hop. I've got a pretty good selection. Don't blast clasical much though. Lol usually listen to that when I have a headace or am trying to calm down.

Back on subject, deffinatly jealous. Deffinatly look out for deer (maybe even invest in a deer whistle or too just for ***** n gigles) and deffinatly have something to help out the wrists. And +1 on the lower pegs, atlesst for the trip.
End post. lol

 

[upthemaiden]

my .....Christian rock, ......or hip hop.

haha, that's an interesting mix. Maybe your idea of hip hop is different than the junk I hear outside of my office window all day long. Well I guess maybe that's more rap than it is hip hop, so nevermind.

Aside from obviously taking brakes often, make sure you move non-stop on your bike. Scoot your butt forward, back, sideways, ride with your heels on the pegs, then the center of your feet. The worst thing you can do is just sit perfectly still for a period of time.

like a dyna series HD (I think that's the model with the big twin). With a big windscreen, some bags, and a comfy seat. I can see how that could be pretty cool

Don't forget Japan makes some pretty comfy cruisers too. There's no need to go soft on HD just because of comfort.

 

[racepro716]

One other suggestion. Hit up the Iron butt Rally website, there's a list that they post that's really helpful. Wayne

 

[07Bolt]

i did 500 miles a week last summer; put 10k on the speedo. it takes getting used to the riding position for longer periods of time. try doing it in cooler weather alot or at night, then u'll love to bust out some all niters & really start wanting to take off somewhere far away.

 

[Clutch]

i used to have a suzuki bandit and did a couple 400 mile trips. it had more of an upright riding position similar to the xbs, but i still found myself getting sore. call me crazy but i feel more comfortable on my xbr.
with that said i did ride a friends 2010 street glide today and i felt like i was riding a sofa. the radio would definitely be a huge plus on a long trip as well.