IOWA TO STURGIS

[newbie]

Hello, my other bikes are not done at the moment so im ridding the new gs from iowa to sturgis in august. Anyone up for the ride or suggestions on what i should have with me incase of breakdown? Also how do ya'll strap your junk to these things!

[tripleb]

I didn't think sturgis is big on sports bikes...

[scottpA_GS]

Good thing the GS isnt a sport bike 

[newbie]

A bike is a bike, i own a 77 ironhead srpinger that im building and have owned for years and a cb750 with 10 over forks...........so if it has two wheels and puts a smile on your face its cool to me...........ne ways lookin for ridding mates and tips about long trips on these bikes.

[tripleb]

Good thing the GS isnt a sport bike  :Thumb:

it is if you ask a HD rider.

[jdw03n]

Where from in Iowa? I grew up near Fort Dodge...

[newbie]

I live in Desmoines now, but grew up in Maquoketa (on the miss river)

[DoD#i]

Well, I haven't actually gone all that far on mine as yet, partly because I haven't gone over some parts yet and it's elderly (and I've turned up some odd things in the course of what I have done so far).

Make sure all maintenance is done - do early if it would come up over the trip. OTOH, don't be doing significant maintenance the night before you go - get it done a few days ahead so you can ride it and make sure there are not any bugs (leaking seals, etc) before you set off.

Make some test runs at shorter distances between now and August. The time to decide that you want ergonomic changes before pulling long days is not when you have to go ahead and pull them anyway - go give it a whirl and see if you want to make any changes to the bars or seat, for instance, after riding 4 hours or so - generally far enough to let you know what bugs you. Likewise, load up your luggage and try it out while you still have time to adjust that.

Some luggage ideas:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=10536.0
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43185.0
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=19935.0
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=44384.0

[Desert Rat]

My butt hurts just thinking about that ride, but what I wouldn't give to cruise my GS up Spearfish Canyon....

I graduated from college there many years ago...

[Toogoofy317]

This is how your bike can look like a grocery cart!


While I highly recommend you not take a back pack you can get alot of stuff on a bike! Those are Nelson-Rigg saddle bags and gost me $75 on Newenough.com . A tailpack would be advisable as well. And the Rapid Transit Recon 19 tank bag is outta this world!

Mary