what is the longest

[mach1]

i was just wondering how does th gs hold up in a 150mile ride? keep in mind i will be going with guys that have 1100 and 1300 cruisers will i be able to keep up if i go?

[Alphamazing]

150 miles is nothing, dude. Sport rides of 300+ miles were always good on the GS, but it takes a little longer to get to the good stuff around here.

You'll be fine. I've done 550+ miles of interstate in one day on my GS no problems. This was at 75+ the whole way, too.

[ixolas]

150 is about what I do in a day, and not difficult.

[mach1]

so running the tach that high for that long wont hurt the bike my bike only has 2k on it.

[Alphamazing]

so running the tach that high for that long wont hurt the bike my bike only has 2k on it.

That high? 80mph on a stock GS is like, what, 7000 RPM? Less? That's the start of the power band. You're fine. I did 100 miles on my GS at 80+ mph with the 14T and the only issue was increased vibration.

[Trwhouse]

What a bunch of babies!
I've put in consecutive 500-mile days on my 1991 GS500E on long trips at 70mph and loved every minute.
It's a motorcycle.
You ride it anywhere.
That's why you have it in the first place.
Gas it and go!
It's the difference between a motorcyclist , who rides their motorcycle everywhere and anywhere because it's what they love, or a biker, who is into the idea of riding a motorcycle so others can see them on a bike and think they are cool.
Ride it everywhere.
'Nuff said!
Best wishes,
Todd

[Onlypastrana199]

You'll outrun them if you're doing twisties, you'll have a tough time if they don't obey the speed limit on highways....you won't hurt your bike...150 miles is nothing. I rode 200 miles in one day on a highway going 85ish the whole way with 3000 miles on my bike and Ive done 500+ on my 350 of course resulting in numb hands and feet but the bike was fine....just make sure you do your long distance checkups before you leave...


Just incase you don't know what that includes:

Tires, tire pressures, oil chain, if you're getting close to needing an oil change, do it, check oil if not, check random bolts, etc etc etc

Things you may want to carry with you: Assortment of tools (vise grips, spark plug wrench, screw driver) spare spark plugs pre-gapped..otherwise you'll end up gapping them with a penny like me...spare headlight bulb, tire gauge.


For you AMA members out there....look into MoTow...better benefits than AAA and motorcycle specific.

[cgann012]

Yeah i dont know though...depends on the yr

I had a 92 that died after 600 miles in a day, gasket leak, nail in tire, I mean it just fell apart. It was going to cost me 2000 in repairs when I only paid 1500 for it. I ended up just buying a 2006 500f while I was trapped in New Hampshire after my 600 mile ride. What a week!

[manofthefield]

Yeah i dont know though...depends on the yr

I had a 92 that died after 600 miles in a day, gasket leak, nail in tire, I mean it just fell apart. It was going to cost me 2000 in repairs when I only paid 1500 for it. I ended up just buying a 2006 500f while I was trapped in New Hampshire after my 600 mile ride. What a week!

Sounds like some bad luck and someone trying to overcharge you.  I did 3000 miles in a week and my biggest concern with the bike when i got home was cleaning off 3000 miles worth of bugs and road grime.  And doing an oil change

[Jughead]

I can't Believe No one (That I know of) on Here hasn't Attempted the IronButt. :icon_confused:Thats 1500Miles in 24 Hours.I know one Guy that Done it on the Way to the Gap last Spring on a Kawasaki H2. Another Guy that I know Has done several Different Trips on a GT750.

[RedShift]

I've done 300+ a couple of times.  I've found that monkey-butt is the only thing I've had to prevent.  Used cycling shorts under my Draggin' jeans with a sheepskin pad. 

Worked well for me but depending on your capacity to handle highway-speed vibration your tollerance may vary.   

[FearedGS500]

yea 150 is easy as pie   3 of us last year about this time went to big bend (500+ miles) and we avg. about 85-90 most the way . not one problem from any of the bikes . one was an 89 i think and the other two of us had '05's

[ashman]

Longest I ever did in one day was around 600 miles and it was a LOONGGGG DAY. 150 is easy.

-Ash

[bryanwescoe]

This past August I did a 3 day, 350+ mile/day trip touring the mountains of Virginia/West Virginia.  Bike didnt have any issues, despite riding hard all day in the twisties.  I did, however.  It became clear that im just too large for that bike (and im on 5' 10" 195lbs).  My knees started cramping bad after about 200 miles.  I was in twisties most of the time so that could have had something to do with it.  I also found out that the foam in my seat has seen better days.  Day three was hell and my butt certainly did not seem ironlike.  The GS and I have had a good two seasons together, however, I think I'm going to sell it and pick up something else for longer trips. 

That being said, 150/200 mile trips sould be no sweat on the GS.  Just be aware that certain things may become more aparant after 200 miles that you dont notice before that.  You might want to do a 150 or 200 mile loop around your local area before setting off on a 1000+ mile journey like i did. The longest I had riden in one sitting before that was about 130 miles.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

I3

[gsJack]

What a bunch of babies!
I've put in consecutive 500-mile days on my 1991 GS500E on long trips at 70mph and loved every minute.
It's a motorcycle.
You ride it anywhere.
That's why you have it in the first place.
Gas it and go!
It's the difference between a motorcyclist , who rides their motorcycle everywhere and anywhere because it's what they love, or a biker, who is into the idea of riding a motorcycle so others can see them on a bike and think they are cool.
Ride it everywhere.
'Nuff said!
Best wishes,
Todd

You got it right Todd, I'm a rider too.  If I was your age though, I'd probably be doing 1000 mile days.   

I've done a few 400-500 mile days down the Interstates at 75-80 mph indicated travelling to the mountains and many 200+ mile days just riding around the twisties.  Many of them in nearby NW PA.  Most days, weather permitting, I putt around locally for at least a hundred miles or so.

mach1, I've ridden with all sizes and types of bikes, and they have not had too much trouble keeping up.  Your friends on the 1100-1300 cruisers should be a piece of cake.   Take them to the twisties. 

I'm 6' tall, down from 6-2, 240-250#, 74 yo, and have been doing it on a couple GS500s for over 120k miles since 99.  Had 4 Hondas before that, 400-750cc.

[RedShift]

Jack, I've said it before but worth repeating: "I hope to be just like you when I grow up..."  Still 12 years (or so) from retirement -- I'm just a kid in comparison.