long rides on the bolt

[Awj2014]

So I've been playing with this idea, I'm in the navy and being transferred from Oklahoma city to Jacksonville FL, I'm being sent to school in san Diego for two months first then I have to come back to Oklahoma to move my family, I've been thinking about making it an adventure and riding the bolt down to san Diego and back, otherwise I would just fly and not have a vehicle while I'm there. Let me know what y'all think, is that a bit too far?

 

[AlanS]

How many times in your life will you be able to do this, or will you do it? It's the kind of thing you'll always talk about, and remember. With the family and all, it makes it that much less likely. If your wife's onboard, it's definitely worth considering…

For me--after I made sure my obligations were covered--the bottom-line would be how much time I had to make the trip, both ways. It's over 3K miles. If you do 500/day on the Bolt, that'd be six days.

To test yourself (if you're not confident you could do 500/day comfortably), ride 500 miles in a day, a trip 250 out and back, and see what you feel like at the end. Could you keep that up for six/seven days?

I would add at least a couple extra days, call it 8 to make the transit, to cover exigencies and sight-seeing. If you had 10 days, that would allow you to take it easy and 'smell the roses'.

Would you camp, stay in motels, or some combination thereof?

Alan

 

[Awj2014]

Well its a ride from Oklahoma city to san Diego, stay for two months, then ride back to oklahoma pack up the family and drive to san Diego, theres not really a time limit to get to san Diego. But when I graduate school in California ill have 9 days to report in Jacksonville, the time limit for the trip back is the only thing that worries me. I would be staying in hotels. My bike is also totally stock so I would most likely look into some bags and a couple other comfort mods

 

[WayneBrettzky]

Select seat would be a must... And maybe some heat shielding. To me, the heat is the worst part of long rides on the XB

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Last 2 years ive done a 1200 mile trip over 4 days up to laguna seca and back to san diego, on my firebolt and it was rough, especially the straights down the highway. Back roads, love um all and didnt suck so much.

Itll be tough, and take a lot of will power, to do twice. When ya make it to san diego let me know, either way we can ride, ive got multiple bikes

 

[gtp3800]

It's the kind of thing you'll always talk about

I just got home this morning at 2 am, but last monday I left chicago on mine, rode all the way to colorado, hit up colorado springs, pueblo, and the million dollar highway. from there across the desert to los angeles california. then after 2 days of rest I went from los angles to flagstaff arizona, then from there up through colorado, new mexico, and kansas. then back up to chicago, but broke down 250 miles from home. so that trip put me just over 5000 miles in 7 1/2 days. it hurts. but thats something I will always be able to talk about and I don't regret it at all.

 

[user_deleted]

but broke down 250 miles from home.

from what?

sounds like a great trip

 

[Jfletch]

When i get back from deployment i will be driving from Wichita Falls, TX to Panama City, Florida to purchase my bike, then definitely taking the bike back as the wife drives the car. I am lookingforward to it a lot. Just hope the weather is good in October.

 

[go cytocis]

These opportunities don't come up every day, or at least not for those of us with careers & families, so I say you'd be nuts not to take it.

Get some luggage, do some research on minimalist packing, set a reasonable itinerary, & go for it!

 

[gtp3800]

from what?

I lost my clutch. couldn't power shift, nothing. the oil spacer and the inner ramp were grinded to shit, they just fell apart in there. Working on finding those pieces so I can get the bike running again.

 

[Awj2014]

I just got home this morning at 2 am, but last monday I left chicago on mine, rode all the way to colorado, hit up colorado springs, pueblo, and the million dollar highway. from there across the desert to los angeles california. then after 2 days of rest I went from los angles to flagstaff arizona, then from there up through colorado, new mexico, and kansas. then back up to chicago, but broke down 250 miles from home. so that trip put me just over 5000 miles in 7 1/2 days. it hurts. but thats something I will always be able to talk about and I don't regret it at all.

damn that sounds like on hell of a ride, getting there wouldnt be too terrible its getting back that concerns me. i have 9 days from the day i graduate school in san diego to the day i have ti check in at jacksonville and inbetween there i have to stop in oklahoma, pick up my family and move everything down there. so i was to do this ride, what kinda mods do yall recommend for the long trip? any recommendations for luggage or comfort mods?

 

[Awj2014]

theycallmecrash ill defientely hit you up when i get down there, whether i take the bolt or not