I'm doing a ~600 mile ride (roundtrip) in a week from Los Angeles to Yosemite.  Bike is running fine now.  Just wondering if anyone has any advice or links to any good threads for a trip like this.
Thanks!

gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53349.msg602150#msg602150

Here's a somewhat recent thread that's similar

made it back! here's a few photos from my trip. Thanks Deros for the link!

left Saturday. hiked Half Dome Sunday. drove back Sunday night.

When I got back and checked out the bike's oil level was down about .5 quarts and the chain tension was much looser.  (no visible oil leak)
I refilled the oil and readjusted the chain.  As I am new to bikes, I was wondering if this is average for a 600 mile ride?


in the valley


at the campsite
All my gear on the bike. My friend told me I had the tank bag backwards the entire ride.


half dome ~17 miles roundtrip. 4800 ft of elevation change.

Nice pictures!
I wouldn't be worried about the oil or the chain, now you know how often you'll need to check them.

Mine burns about a quart in that distance if I'm on the highway. Only burns a few ounces riding around town. I wouldn't worry about the chain tension either, but maybe try to lube it half way through your trip.

Nice pics!

Nice pics, thanks! Adjust your chain and tighten the axle good, it should need adjusting every 600mi.

Paulcet, you go through a quart in 600 miles?!?! Thats 1/3 of the capacity, i dont think that it right. As far as i know, you shouldnt burn any oil and not need any refilling between changes.

Quote from: Twism86 on August 12, 2010, 06:49:16 AM
Nice pics, thanks! Adjust your chain and tighten the axle good, it should need adjusting every 600mi.

Paulcet, you go through a quart in 600 miles?!?! Thats 1/3 of the capacity, i dont think that it right. As far as i know, you shouldnt burn any oil and not need any refilling between changes.

The GS is pretty well-known for being an oil guzzler. A whole quart in 600 miles is a little extreme though. I changed my oil every 2500 miles or so on my GS, and I never added more than 1/2-3/4 quart during the whole time period between changes.

Yeah, it's weird. It only burns that much when running on the highway at 80mph (6000rpm).  If I am just commuting around town, it burns just a quart in 2-3000 miles.

thanks guys!

I only have 3000 miles of experience under me now.  Digging through the forums I found others with the same problem.  I was running about 6k rpm too.  However a quart does seem like a lot.  I only went through half that. 

another oil burning link.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=12908.0

quick question about the chain.  The notches on the swing arm that help you align the chain when adjusting.  Do they also indicate how much chain life is left?  i.e. if they are further back your chain life is near an end.

Quote from: toothless on August 12, 2010, 10:50:06 PM


quick question about the chain.  The notches on the swing arm that help you align the chain when adjusting.  Do they also indicate how much chain life is left?  i.e. if they are further back your chain life is near an end.

More or less. If youve adjusted it all the way back and it still needs more, its done. If its all the way back and doesnt need adjusting, its probably still done.

Awesome trip, awesome pictures, and thanks for sharing with us so we can live vicariously! But...but..but..why were we not invited along?     

My GS liked to drink his oil, too...I swear I don't know where he put it all. I had some near disasters when I hadn't yet realized what an oil lush he was...fortunately, they're built like tanks. I had to get used to checking my oil once a week.   

As for the tank bag being backward...hehe...I think that's one I have...it's backward, but that's just adorable! Tell you bud that backward tank bags get the chicks! 

that last photo is amazing

I was just there a couple of weeks ago but sadly didn't ride my bike

@ Twism86: I'm 2 notches away from the end of my chain.  Just checked the clymer's manual which said the same thing.  Time to get a new chain. Thanks!

@ Pandy: I rode alone and met a bunch of friends there.  I wanna ride to Yellowstone next year.  Everyone is invited! haha 

@ drduimstra: There were times I wish I were in my car.  I had to ride back at 3am cuz I had work the next day .  It was freezing at some spots, particularly through the grapevine coming back to L.A.  I had to take breaks every 30-40 miles just to stay warm. 

nice pics dude. must have been a fun ride. us east coasters will probably never ride there so those pics go the extra mile with us lol

Quote from: toothless on August 23, 2010, 04:43:52 PM
  I had to ride back at 3am cuz I had work the next day .  It was freezing at some spots, particularly through the grapevine coming back to L.A.  I had to take breaks every 30-40 miles just to stay warm. 

Oh snap....that doesn't sound like a fun ride....