Road Trip!! Chicago to Salt Lake on my new....

[Hi-T]

2004 SV650s.  Yes!

Great deal- The bike has 2000 miles and an existing warranty and I picked it up for $4700.

Now I've just gotta make the 1500 miles in 2 days....  kinda scarey but I'm excited.  Maybe Kerry could post one of his handy dandy maps  (subtle hint)  but I can't think of anything shorter than I-80 West all the way.  Now, should I spend a night in Chicago or just head home??

Anyways... just thought I'd share.

[chinox22x]

i hate you....that's my bike.....i want it in blue  


grats on a new bike! i hate you still  :nana:

[Kerry]

I've just gotta make the 1500 miles in 2 days....  kinda scarey but I'm excited.  Maybe Kerry could post one of his handy dandy maps  (subtle hint)  but I can't think of anything shorter than I-80 West all the way.

Sorry I'm late - I had a Dr's appt. this morning.  Looks like you're right about taking I-80, but a little over on the mileage.  (Whew - every bit helps!)

Now, should I spend a night in Chicago or just head home??

What's the arrangement?  Are you flying out just to buy the bike?  Any idea what time of day you'll be "free to go"?  With two 700-mile days staring me in the face, I would burn as much daylight as possible the day before.

Being as how this isn't a sightseeing trip I can't imagine you hauling out camping gear, and motelling it lets you ride longer each day anyway.

If you think you can manage 3 hours of riding after picking up the bike, how about setting a goal of Davenport, Iowa?  [Map Point #2]  It's 173 miles from downtown Chicago.  In fact, you can even have a more specific goal in mind, like the Motel 6 that's 1.6 miles south of exit 295:



If you don't care for Motel 6, there are several other motels along the same stretch.  If Motel 6 is OK, then you can look into the details and even book a room at http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0031

I could on ad infinitum, but you get the idea.  If you need any more travel help, let me know.  In return, I expect a full report on the suitability of the SV for touring!  

[JamesG]

Definately get as many miles down the first day (day 0) as you can to spread the seat time out.  

Sorry but the SV makes a lousy long haul bike. Clipons and a hard (on the) ass seat. Its do able, but get it over with as fast as possible. Get on the interstate, tuck in, and put it in afterburner.  Get a hotel room where you can pop pain killers and rest your sore bum.

Oh, and congrads on the new bike, it looks good. Once you get it home, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
:mrgreen:

[Hi-T]

I spent some time on the dealer show room trying on some different bikes.  You can definately tell the difference between the 03 and 04 seat stiffness.... but James, you're right on with the clipons- the naked is alot more comfy (standup) but I'm hoping the rounder tank of the newer models and the fairing will make a difference.... I guess we will see.  I'm also thinking that I'll be investing in a radar detector and new ear phones.

I guess my actual trip will depend on when I arrive in Chicago.  I have family in West Des Moines that I may spend the first night with.  Once I book, I'll be better able to make some travel plans and goals.

[charleym3]

You know, I thought about doing something like that.  My significant other infomredme immediately that I was an idiot and if I actually went through with such a stupid plan I would be elevated to moron status.  
What can I say?  She just doesn't understand.  For me it's a bike in Miami.  Of course with my namesake about to blow ashore, I wouldn't want to be in that storm in my Maxima, much less a bike.

[Kerry]

Des Moines - that's about 340 miles from downtown Chicago.  Figure ... 4 1/2 to 5 hours?  That's plenty do-able, especially if you leave by early afternoon and/or don't mind riding in the dark.

And it only leaves you with a little over 1000 miles to go!  

[davipu]

just use the Iron Butt Motel and you can make it home by noon the following day, providing you pick up the bike by 6pm.

[cernunos]

Those are nice scooters, I fell in love with one at a local dealer, a 2002 model. They just wanted too much for it. Now if I could just get an Electraglide for 4-5 grand I would be all set :lol:  Good luck, be careful and enjoy. Lovin' the baby G and the forum.

C.......

[vtlion]

congrats on the bike!!!

That 650 is a hoot to ride.  Be sure you get off the highway now and then.  The roll-on power is the least exciting feature of the bike... put a few twists into that rout your are taking

hope your trip goes great.  Let us all know how it plays out.  Personally, I did 250miles a day for 2 days on my 04 SV650S and I felt like I had been kicked in the crotch for about 4 hours a day by the end  :lol:  

I hope you have better results  

[perfdrug]

congrats dude. make sure you get some pizza while you're in chicago!

[Roadstergal]

Congrats!

I did Chicago to Seattle in two days doing 94 all of the way.  You can make it fine.  

[spdracer75]

Don't  stay at that Motel 6 In Davenpit.  it's really, really bad.

There's a Holiday Inn about 2 miles further along that is way better.

I used to live in that area,  as a matter of fact my friend and sometimes gs member Shadith lives near Davenpit.

[Kerry]

Don't  stay at that Motel 6 In Davenpit.  it's really, really bad.

Daven"pit", eh?  :lol:

I noticed that your digs (Cedar Rapids) were not far off the beaten (I-80) path, and almost suggested that Hi-T talk to you.  But I couldn't think of anything for him to talk to you about.  Certainly not the bike you're trying to sell, since he will have just bought one before coming through.

But now I know - local motels!  Thanks for the travel tip.  

[spdracer75]

Hahaha,

Yeah, I'm from the Quad Cities Originally.

(Bettendorf/Davenpit Iowa)
(Moline/Rock Island IL)

I also know a bit about the Iowa City , and of Course Cedar Rapids metro areas.

Cedar Rapids is about 30 minutes off I-80, basically just shoot over onto 380 and then when you smell Captain Crunch, you've hit Cedar Rapids.

(we have a Quaker Oats plant right on the outskirts of CR)

[Hi-T]

Well- tonight I book the flight-  headin down next Wednesday.  What would the "veteran" road trippers recommend for the trip.  I want to travel light but I'm just curious what's considered a necessity...  Iwas thinking alot of red bull and power pars mixed with loud music.  Do you think that pad mountain bike shorts might help keep the southern extremeties happier??

What ever you got- hit me-

[Kerry]

You probably won't want the full outfit, but you're welcome to borrow as much of my TourMaster soft luggage as you like.  That's kinda why I have it around, since I'm using my hard bags until I get another bike that they won't fit on.  If you know of a local SV that you could test fit the Tourmaster stuff on, that might be a good idea.  Consider using the bags for your airline flight, and then throw them on the bike and ride 'em back!

As I said in that linked thread, the setup in the pictures includes one large tailbag more luggage than I used on my roundtrip to Alabama.  Each bag has its own rain cover, and you're welcome to borrow my Frogg Toggs rain gear, too.

Other than that ... a few tools, a couple liters of water, snacks, a quart of oil, that's about it for necessities.

Then there's the cell phone, some maps (I've got the free Wyoming and Utah maps, but not Illinois or Iowa or Nebraska - maybe you could pick those up for me?) and whatever clothes you'd like to have along.  Some layers would be good, especially if you plan to travel after dark.

Oh, and don't forget the camera!    (And maybe some earplugs, too.)