I'm planning a 300 mile trip this Saturday. Any advise on how to survive a trip this far? I've never taken this gs on a ride that far.. Let alone any bike. Anything is should do to prepare.
Dont forget to fuel up your bike and your body. Wear the right gear and dont blow your shockie. :thumb:
Yeah the shockie part is pretty important. And stop for a break about every 60 miles to re fresh. And wear ear plugs
Slightly shift how you are sitting on the seat every 10 minutes or so, an inch or two further forward/back. Also adjust your lean angle a little here and there to change the strains on your shoulders and back. Move your feet around on the pegs to change the angles your knees and ankles are at. Basically just try not to keep any of your joints frozen in the exact same position for a long time.
Handle bar risers, better seat padding, lowered foot pegs, and a taller windscreen would all also help make longer trips more comfortable.
The GS is a great little efficiency tourer at 55 mpg and can be quite comfortable for trips of that length. Yesterday I rode 250 miles and worked an 8 hr day polishing concrete. Two days before that it was 300 miles and 5 hrs at work.
I love riding this distance....
1 - If you've never ridden anywhere near this distance, you will be fatigued by the end of the day. So expect it.
2 - If you've never ridden longer than 60 minutes, then break up your ride into 60 minute intervals. Eg... start, 60 min later pull up for a leg stretch, swig of water, potty, snack. At least 15 minutes. Go again, 60 minutes later pull up again, maybe this time for fuel but if not fuel, just a 10 to 15 minute leg stretch. Go again... you get the idea.
3 - Change the position of your feet on your pegs. Heels only, toes only, arch. Raise and lower your leg so it's as if you are sitting with tippy toes on pegs. Move your legs in an out. Occasionally take a hand off the bar to alter your back position. Sometimes sit slightly askew with one side ever so slightly closer to the bars than the other. Wear boxers or cycling shorts beneath for added padding and so you aren't sitting on a seam. Don't spend the entire time looking straight ahead, do look around you. All of this is designed to keep your muscles from freezing up in the one position.
4 - Take plenty of water and drink some at each stop even if you are not thirsty.
5 - Take along some paracetamol. If you find yourself starting to get tense muscles, take some at the next stop to help your muscles stay more relaxed.
6 - Do some stretches at each stop.
7 - If you are unsure of water availability at stops, take some KFC hand wipes or some other wet-wipe and wipe down your visor at each stop. The accumulation of bugs after 300 miles is quit substantial.
8 - Take along a puncture repair kit. Put the phone number of a motorcycle towing person in your phone.
9 - Map out your route using Google Maps and leave this map up on a computer for loved ones to see where you are. ALSO, each stop, call them and let them know you have arrived at the next stop safely.
10 - Take someone along on their own bike to ride with you.
11 - Zip ties are your friend. Bring some. And a small knife to cut the ends off should you need to use them. Take a small roll of duct tape as well. Or as well call it, 100 mile an hour tape.
12 - Check your oil and tire pressured before you leave.
13 - Take ear plugs and use them. By the end of the 300 miles you'll be glad you did.
14 - Take along your camera to take pics of each stop and anything else that take your fancy.
Hope this helps
Michael
Quote from: mister on March 16, 2012, 12:20:48 PM
I love riding this distance....
1 - If you've never ridden anywhere near this distance, you will be fatigued by the end of the day. So expect it.
2 - If you've never ridden longer than 60 minutes, then break up your ride into 60 minute intervals. Eg... start, 60 min later pull up for a leg stretch, swig of water, potty, snack. At least 15 minutes. Go again, 60 minutes later pull up again, maybe this time for fuel but if not fuel, just a 10 to 15 minute leg stretch. Go again... you get the idea.
3 - Change the position of your feet on your pegs. Heels only, toes only, arch. Raise and lower your leg so it's as if you are sitting with tippy toes on pegs. Move your legs in an out. Occasionally take a hand off the bar to alter your back position. Sometimes sit slightly askew with one side ever so slightly closer to the bars than the other. Wear boxers or cycling shorts beneath for added padding and so you aren't sitting on a seam. Don't spend the entire time looking straight ahead, do look around you. All of this is designed to keep your muscles from freezing up in the one position.
4 - Take plenty of water and drink some at each stop even if you are not thirsty.
5 - Take along some paracetamol. If you find yourself starting to get tense muscles, take some at the next stop to help your muscles stay more relaxed.
6 - Do some stretches at each stop.
7 - If you are unsure of water availability at stops, take some KFC hand wipes or some other wet-wipe and wipe down your visor at each stop. The accumulation of bugs after 300 miles is quit substantial.
8 - Take along a puncture repair kit. Put the phone number of a motorcycle towing person in your phone.
9 - Map out your route using Google Maps and leave this map up on a computer for loved ones to see where you are. ALSO, each stop, call them and let them know you have arrived at the next stop safely.
10 - Take someone along on their own bike to ride with you.
11 - Zip ties are your friend. Bring some. And a small knife to cut the ends off should you need to use them. Take a small roll of duct tape as well. Or as well call it, 100 mile an hour tape.
12 - Check your oil and tire pressured before you leave.
13 - Take ear plugs and use them. By the end of the 300 miles you'll be glad you did.
14 - Take along your camera to take pics of each stop and anything else that take your fancy.
Hope this helps
Michael
Very well written and informative. I would like to thank you even though it wasnt my questionm, for taking the time to type all that out. Nice job.
Cheers
This has been a lot of great advice. I really do appreciate the time you guys are taking to type all that up. It's goin to be a group ride so there will be plenty of stops. I'm going to be the only one not on a "crotch rocket" and get the best gas mileage out of the group. I'll stil fill up when they do though to be safe.
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If you are the only person not on a "crotch rocket", make sure you know where they are going and where the next stop is in case it turns into a hooligan-free-for-all. Don't go faster than you are used to ~ I've seen lots of group rides end in 'oh poop' moments for someone riding WAY over their head.
And I have seen some die so please ride to your comfort level and not theirs
Yea I already let them know I don't speed. So they are tracking have to stop and wait for me and all that.
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