how far have you gone?

[bohunkus]

I'm planning to do a 1000 mile ride this summer on my GS. I was just wondering what kind of distance rides you guys have done?

[slipperymongoose]

About 400ish miles in a day and man was my ass raw!

[NickyNumbers]

my gs is currently being set up for touring.  I've got a cortech set being shipped to me now and my bike is mechanically in good shape to make my trip from NYC to the Florida Keys and back.


I plan on leaving in late may-early june.  I will post a progress thread on the forums to mark my progress, I'm really looking forward to this trip.


I've done 300 mile days in the GS, no problem.  I bought a gel seat from France and its been a life saver.

[redhawkdancing]

250 miles. Wish I had a crampbuster.  Have one now!   

[bohunkus]

Where do you get a gel seat and what is a cramp buster?

[Rough Customer]

I did 500 miles in a day.  It was not ideal but I will do it again.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

didn't get too many long rides in, but i didn't manage a 100 mile trek up through the mountains. could have definitely gone longer, but i was getting a bit bored out in the sticks by my lonesome. getting a few friends into riding, so should see more miles per ride this summer!

[dam]

Better than a Crampbuster
http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_pro.html

[Grommett2k]

Lake Stevens, WA to San Jose, CA and back. 1750 miles total. Lots of stretch breaks, and the gel seat pad helped.

[bohunkus]

Where do you get a gel seat and what is a cramp buster?

[SAFE-T]

5-6 hrs per day riding seems to be close to my maximum. I've done 10 hrs and more but it wasn't enjoyable anymore ~ travel by motorcycle has always taken me almost 30% longer than by car.

[bohunkus]

Ive never been on a long ride but i cant wait to do it!!!!

[Kijona]

Where do you get a gel seat and what is a cramp buster?

Cramp buster:

[fraze11]

I did an 1100km 3 day trip last fall.  I pretty much stopped every hour-ish for a stretch.  The GS seat (atleast my 09 seat) sucks after about an hour..even with micro-movements it just gets uncomfortable.  I bought a gel pad thing-a-ma-jig at the bike show a few weeks ago that you set ontop of your seat.  I'm anxious to try that out this summer.  Aside from the above though, the trip was awesome ... the GS is a suprisingly great tourer and the awesome gas mileage sure was nice   I like that cramp buster thing...Might have to look into one of those too.

[Kijona]

I'm thinking about going to visit Shonole in Thomasville, GA to get his bike going. It's about 250 miles away - which is farther and longer than I've ever ridden before. Farthest I ever rode was 140 miles to Auburn, AL to watch football games. I made that trip first on my KLR650 (you have no idea how grueling the interstate can be on a 24 year old dual sport), then a few more times on my DL1000. Last time I ever rode that DL1000 was when I wrecked it getting on the interstate one morning to go home from a game. I hit an oil slick that was disguised by wet pavement.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Better than a Crampbuster
http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_pro.html

i like the design! i have bad wrists from previous injuries, so something like this will be ordered for next season.

debating on getting this or crambusters, both are simple and easy w/o grip modification.  just wonder how the throttle pro will work when i forget its on there and have to twist the throttle closed or pull the unit back

[gsJack]

We did 400 mile Interstate days on our first and last days on our Smoky Mtn trips about 10 years ago when I was a youngster around 70 yo.  With 3 days between to play in the mountains we usually did about 1500 miles for the 5 day outings.

I bought one of those throttle lever things like pictured above at a bike show back then but it's still laying in the garage unopened, did it the old fashion way.  Gel seat? What's wrong with the Suzuki oem seat?

[mister]

bohunkus before embarking on a trip like this you'll Want to build up your ride stamina. If the furthest you've ridden is 100 miles, then you'll want to get that up to  300 miles in a day. That's 300 in a Day not in one hit stopping only long enough to add fuel. That's 300 with 30 minute stops for morning tea, lunch, 15 minute stops for fuel, etc.

I'll do 100 miles in one hit easy. Then again, I often do 300 mile days so no sweat. But usually we'll ride for 60-90 minutes before having a break. And we always take the long way cause that's what riding a motorcycle is all about.

If you've never done 60 minutes in one hit you first need to build up to that. Then build up to 90 minutes because it is better to be able to ride for 90 minutes but only ride for 60, than the other way around.

The whole point of this is to help prevent fatigue. A trip like this I would break into 3 days. So you are less rushed and can also spend a good part of the day Not riding and enjoying the stops and so on. Two days if I was in a rush - but - I'd make sure I was not in a rush first.

Michael

[dam]

Better than a Crampbuster
http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_pro.html

i like the design! i have bad wrists from previous injuries, so something like this will be ordered for next season.

debating on getting this or crambusters, both are simple and easy w/o grip modification.  just wonder how the throttle pro will work when i forget its on there and have to twist the throttle closed or pull the unit back

The Throttle Pro works great. No need to lift the unit up, just twist the throttle closed or partially closed. The unit has enough grip to hold the throttle where you set it but little if any noticeable resistance to backing off or closing the throttle.

[Fruitbat]

Cramp Buster work good for long open roads. Not so good for city or twisties.

Watch throttle locks. Hard to make keep one speed due to road hills and dips even slight ones. Dead flat road is good. Else you need to make constant changes to keep bike at same speed.