I'm riding back...

[grasshopper4040]

so my bike will be fixed...finally...and i'm riding my bike back from socal to florida in the next few months....i'll have the top end rebuilt (losts of money later), and it should be ok, right?   so what is everyone's thoughts?  do you feel that CA to FL too far for a 97 gs500e (i'm planning on getting a windscreen)?  any experiences?  i've driven cross country in a cage a few times (well, a jeep).  i wanna be able to do it, but would it make more sense to ship the bike and skip all those all cool experiences?  i think i need to be realistic about it all and not have to call AAA in texas...

[manofthefield]

I'd say it'd be worth the ride; something you wouldn't soon forget.  Just make sure you have enough time and the bike is up to it.  Ride the bike a lot before the trip to make sure nothing is wrong with it.  Make sure everything's in good shape and all maintenance is up to date and you should be good to go

[grasshopper4040]

so it's taken me literally 2 days to drive a jeep wrangler from coast to coast.  how much time should i plan for a bike ride?

[manofthefield]

Looks like about 2500 miles, so I'd say around a week.  Also, I'd recommend taking 55 mph roads, it'll make the trip easier as far as fatigue, and you'll get to see more.  Might also make the trip longer, depending on route.  This is just my opinion, you could probably do it quicker, but I don't know how much fun that would be.

[ledfingers]

it depends on your comfort level. if you've ridden long periods of time and stayed comfortable, go for it. If you haven't ridden for long periods of time and don't know how you react, ship it. my guess is that you wouldn't be having second thoughts if you were comfortable doing it. (subconsciously of course)

[cuda_06]

If you decide to do it let me know as your route will most likely take you through Amarillo.  This may be a good point to take a break from the monotony that is around here.  Also, I could show you some of the (slightly) better roads so that you can avoid some of the monotony of I-40/I-27.

[ashman]

Longest trip I ever did was around 1300 miles or so round trip. The GS did fine,  I sunk some cash into a valve check, new plugs, rear tire, a all around tune up. The road is the last place you want a problem. I would burn about a quart of oil every 750 miles or so, I think the high speeds 80+mph for long periods of time are the reason. I also got a windshield and go ahead and get the biggest, dorky, cruiser style you can find. They really keep you from wearing down quicker. G'luck

-ash

[Mk1inCali]

+1 to the huge ugly windshield.  Those giganto BMW tourers have all that fairing real estate for a reason and it's not to support sponsors.

You could do it naked, but it's a lot more fun when you've got a bit of plastic protection.



I would also vote for heated vest/jacket/gloves/socks.  Warmth is a big factor in fatigue as well.

You could also throw a 16T countershaft sprocket on there, that'd drop your revs a bit and get it out of that annoying buzz zone all GS' seem to have.

[Alphamazing]

You could also throw a 16T countershaft sprocket on there, that'd drop your revs a bit and get it out of that annoying buzz zone all GS' seem to have.

16T is stock. 17T would be good though

[Mk1inCali]

Man...it HAS been 2.5 months since I rode the GS.  I would have bet you 50 bucks it was 15 stock and 14T was the stuntaz mod for mad weely powaz.



Sheesh.

[3imo]

I made a 1K round trip to cocoa beach FL.  The GS seat can get to you at times. 

Be sure to make frequent stops and just walk around to get the blood flowing.   Also relax your grip or your hands will go numb.

Otherwise be safe and have fun.   

[Wrongside]

My best friend and I went from Wilmington, NC to Santa Cruz, CA on mountain bikes the week after I got out of the Marines in 03. 3800 miles later, lots of riding and having fun, I felt like a champ. The best damn ride I ever did!!! I also drove across in 99 from CA to NC in my 69 Mustang...I really wish gas was as cheap now as it was then.

[mp183]

The bike can take it.
The rider is something else.
Without a windshield anything over 500 miles per day will get tiring on a day in day out trip.

[Cal Price]

I did a two thousand mile trip last summer, I got good weather, perhaps a little too warm for comfort but I would say a screen was a must. I think the trick is to take it easy, don't set targets for where you need to be at any given time just take life as it comes.

Take plenty of comfort/drink breaks, I used a tank bag for maps, snacks and drinks which was useful. Each afternoon around 1600 hrs I took stock of where I was and made for a small town and found somewhere to stay overnight. These diversions often took me to out of the way places and I found a few places I will return too as a bonus.

Enjoy the trip.