Long Ride Times

[surf.seppo]

Hey Guys, just wanted some input on how the GS holds up on long rides.

In particular, I have to drive down to West Virginia for a conference next weekend. It's about a 9 hour haul. One way, I can split it up halfway. How does the GS work after being hot for a few hours? I'll be at freeway speeds (55-65 mph), not riding super hard. I used to have a VW Bug (read: air cooled) so I know to bring heaps of oil. Anything else to remember?

[GS500F-K8]

Bring a spare set of levers just in case you accidentaly drop it while parked like my friend (have the appropriate tool to the job) did when in your in the middle of no where it doesn't help if nearly half of your brake lever is gone ! Just lucky he had a spare one with him because he lost his footing on some loose gravel while standing the bike up straight

A spare set of bulbs as you don't want to be caught out by the cops if you've got a failed brake light/indicator or headlight.

I would brake the journey up to 3 or 4 stops because holy crap your lower back and butt is going to get sore from all that sitting in one posture.

Good that you're bring some engine oil because like any engine being hot you will find your oil level will drop a bit over a lengthy journey.

I hope you've got road side assistance in case of a flat tyre or something.

Remember to fill the tank up and top it up if you can because you don't want to be caught between gas stations.

[Trwhouse]

Hi Surf.seppo,
Man, you worry too much!
If your bike is in good shape and is well maintained, it will be fine.
I've ridden my 1991 GS500E to Wisconsin and back from PA (950 miles each way) over a long weekend, two days each way, and it was perfectly happy.
Your engine won't get "too hot" on a long trip. That's what all the colling air running over the fins will do -- cool it! City traffic is much tou8gher on an air-cooled engine than  highway riding, but even so, a properly maintained air-cooled engine will be fine in city traffic, too.
Yes, be sure the oil is good quality (I use Castrol GTX 10W-40 always) and be sure to top it off. My bike doesn't use oil on trips, so I don't know where you get that info.
I always carry a tool kit because I believe the old wive's tale -- if you leave it home, you will need it.
But go and ride and enjoy and stop worrying man.
Air-cooled engines are cooled by air, that's the way they are designed. And they've been working fine for decades. I've been riding for 33 years and have only owned one liquid-cooled bike. Both have advantages and disadvantages but neither is inherently better for all reasons or people.
Have a great trip.
Best wishes,
Todd

[GeeP]

The GS will do 9 hours no problem at all.  My longest ride was about 19 hours at 70-75 MPH, stopping only long enough for gas and food.  It will use around 1 quart every 800 miles at that speed.  Be certain to check your oil at least every other gas stop!  You'll be stopping about every 180 miles. 

[da602krew]

Should be fine, ive done some long runs in 117 degree wheather and she ran fine and didnt get too hot

My longest ride was about 19 hours at 70-75 MPH

Jeep's an mf'n soilder !!

david-

[Villager]

Makes you realise how vast the US is. In Britain, you're never more than 70 miles from the sea. I'd love to spend a summer riding around America.

[gsJack]

Hey Guys, just wanted some input on how the GS holds up on long rides.

In particular, I have to drive down to West Virginia for a conference next weekend. It's about a 9 hour haul. One way, I can split it up halfway. How does the GS work after being hot for a few hours? I'll be at freeway speeds (55-65 mph), not riding super hard. I used to have a VW Bug (read: air cooled) so I know to bring heaps of oil. Anything else to remember?

Nine hour by car or by bike?  Went from Cleveland to Wythesville, VA across Oh and WV about 400 miles one way 8 times on bikes with JP and ran 75-80 mph indicated most of the way and it took 8 hours each time.  More frequent stops on a bike for gas and even more important, food.   Was warm weather most of the time, I remember one day it was about 90F from noon on and my GS ran cool all the way.  They have both run noticeably cooler than the 4 air cooled Hondas I had before the GS's.

Wife and I left after breakfast in the car and went straight thru with only one gas stop and same trip took 6 hours, had dinner when we got there.  Allow more time for bike than car unless your doing an iron butt run.

I changed oil before bike trips and carried one quart along for emergencies, never required more than that, whole trip was 1500 miles total returning home after playing in the mountains a few days. My 97 GS had about 75k miles on it last time I took it.

[pbureau69]

Makes you realise how vast the US is. In Britain, you're never more than 70 miles from the sea. I'd love to spend a summer riding around America.

common over I am sure we can figure something out... gs run 1-3,000 buy one ride it and sell it at end of trip...
gotta get used to it though its a left side driver handle bar setting 

[ohgood]

Makes you realise how vast the US is. In Britain, you're never more than 70 miles from the sea. I'd love to spend a summer riding around America.

Come on over - although a summer isn't quite enough. We have bar-b-q, and just sampling that properly must take a lifetime of riding. From NYC to California is a week long drive, unless you're insane on the interstate, seeing nothing.

I'd like to cruise around your island for a while, it would be fun to have the sea close, the salty air, all that jazz.

[Jay_wolf]

There some really nice roads , over here , i wouldnt mind coming to the us 

[beRto]

Kerry's website has detailed tour/ride reviews where he describes several "long days" on a GS500

http://www.bbburma.net/

[gmark]

Define BBQ. Here in North Carolina they argue of vinegar or non vinegar sauce on pig. I'm from the Texas gulf coast where it was done right using BEEF. But if you're throwing little shin-diggs I guess a little pig would do. On that note you could make a trip across the country just about different BBQ.

Anyone on a long trip that needs a place to crash for the night is welcome at my place in Greensboro, NC. Just let me know you're going to stop by.

[surf.seppo]

Sweet guys! Thanks for all the words ... oil and tools ... this is gonna be great. Can't wait to hit the road now.

[surf.seppo]

Ok, my arse is seriously hurting now. I hopped from RI to MA (Northampton) yesterday on a gorgeous stretch of highway. Today, I pulled a wicked long day (longest of tour) to WV. Am now in Morgantown getting ready for a long hot back that will hopefully help.

Everyone who replied to this post originally was right. I managed to bust my front brake lever (just the ball though). Also, the GS was great for highway driving, with heaps of air coming over the block. However, I got stuck in a traffic jam in the Bronx where I moved (literally) a mile in an hour. The oil overheated, and I was stranded on the left hand shoulder (all 4" of it) until she cooled down.

Thanks guys!

[GeeP]

 

You have to split traffic on the Baby G during the warmer months.  It's the only way to keep the engine cool.  Judging by your route you could have taken 84 D-> 81 and missed the city all together.  It would have added 28 miles to your trip.

Use a dremel tool to zip about halfway though the lever about an inch or so in from the ball.  Doing so creates a weak spot which should snap before the perch.  Or get a set a CRG shorty spring-loaded dirtbike levers.   

Sounds like you're having fun, stay alert! 

[surf.seppo]

Cool, GeeP, thanks.

Since I'm relatively new, I don't wanna lane split (esp. with all the truckers), although sitting by the side for ~40 minutes wasn't that great either. Had some good chats. People were nice though. Offered water, cell phone, gas ... pleasant surprise 

Good route idea. I'll give NY a miss on my way back up.

[bucks1605]

How did you break the brake lever? Dropping it?

[toyopete]

Hello there,
I drive into the City of Salvador almost every day, with an outside temp of 30celcius, up to 40+ in the summer.
before I hit the center of town I split lanes between cars for many kilometers, braking, shifting between first and second slipping the clutch and getting stuck between busses and trucks.
it seems that Ime the only one with proper clothing ( boots gloves jacket ) so my GS is getting as hot as can be and when I arrive my shirt is soaking.
anyway it functions perfectly under this stress and heat. ( measured the oilfilter housing on the outide 100 degrees celsius ) so for an aircooled engine not bad at all.( make 2000 )
parabems Suzuki!!!

[GeeP]

Since I'm relatively new, I don't wanna lane split (esp. with all the truckers), although sitting by the side for ~40 minutes wasn't that great either.

Well, technically it is illegal in 49 states and "not illegal" in California.  However, on an air-cooled bike you really don't have a lot of options.  Picking the first exit you see before the pileup, riding the breakdown lane to the next exit, or splitting traffic.  I split sometimes and other times I hit the breakdown lane.  Be careful though, most cagers stuck in traffic will NOT appreciate you passing them!  Be prepared for them to use their cars as a deadly weapon.

Good call on waiting to try it until you have more experience.   

As far as route planning, always try to avoid major cities if possible.  If you can't, try to plan your travels though them at non-peak times like morning rush, noontime, and evening rush.  Planning, I find, is half the battle for a smooth event-free trip. 

Enjoy the ride home!   

[surf.seppo]

The lever actually broke off a while ago when someone hit my parked bike (heh ... hence the bars from you, Bucks). Didn't have a spare lever, so used epoxy+duct tape. Unfortunately, went a bit hard on the brakes, and snapped the already snapped bit clean off. Will buy new levers asap once I'm home.

It's rainy in DC (today and yesterday), so hoping weather clears enough to make the jump back up. I've re-routed myself around NY, so hopefully I won't have to do the off-ramp trick, GeeP. Cool info about the legality. I didn't realize it was illegal in so many states. The cager in front of me actually went on the horn as soon as I limped off to the side of the road last time. Guess he thought I was splitting instead of stopping 

Anyone have barend weights? I've noticed that the vibration can be killer, and there are some RPMs that really aren't comfortable to sit at. Do the weights help? Any ideas on where to get new ones?