| Author | Message | ||
     Jeffroj |
Saturday I am leaving for Myrtle beach from Atlanta, I'll be there for a full week with my family coming from Pittsburgh. I am taking my 12S. The trip is 370 miles and I will be doing it alone. Is the bike too uncomfortable, will the trip be too monotonous and boring that I should just trailer it. Or should I ride it, me, the bike, and the road? Is 6 hours on a bike by myself worth it? Twice? | ||
| Jaimec |
In a word: ABSOLUTELY! I rode my M2 Cyclone from Long Island, NY to Daytona Beach for Biketoberfest a couple of years ago. I did it because my K1200LT was in pieces at the dealership and I REFUSED to drive my car. I had a GREAT time, especially with the conversations I had with people along the road ("You rode THAT from WHERE??"). | ||
| New12r |
Ride it! My average day to the mountains is over 250 miles and I would do 300 mile days on my firebolt (riding hard)with only some minor cramps. | ||
| Etennuly |
I would ride it even if it were raining! After you're first six hour trip it will not seem so big of a deal.  | ||
| Metalstorm |
Trailing a bike there = Road trip *yawn* Riding a bike there = Adventure *fun, excitement, accomplishment, satisfaction* | ||
| Beachbuell |
370 miles is a drop in the pan. Ride that thing. Did you by it for a bar hopper? | ||
| Brumbear |
Ride it if I could bring my bike on a family vacation I would every time | ||
| Swordsman |
Riding sounds like a lot of fun! Wish i could do that.  ~SM | ||
| Ratbuell |
300-400 is a good ride. Wish I could convince my wife that the 800+ from Maryland to Homecoming was a good ride...I'm game, she's not so much. I'm sure I could get her out there...but I'd probably have to buy her a plane ticket home, lol. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Everyone should do a long ride at least once on their bike. Atlanta to Myrtle Beach is a decent haul and a good way to dip your foot in the long ride waters. Here's stuff I learned... It's better to take a different route back if you got the time. Starting in darkness is better than waiting for light. Wear earplugs. Give yourself enough time for stops along the way and stop for any reason that piques your interest. 'Deep Fried P-nuts'... hell, why not? Stay hyrdated. Don't do it during the love bug mating season (Florida issue actually). There is a little sandwich shop on the strip in Myrtle Beach that had the best eggplant parmesian I've ever had in my life. Can't remember the name, though... but I bet it's still there. Watch out for drunks... there are lots of them out at all hours of the day in resort towns. Watch out for sand on the asphalt when you get near the beach. If you ride with any part of your body exposed, wear sun screen. Make sure you have a tinted and clear visor or really good sunglasses. Don't ride if you feel sleepy... it'll really cut down on your attentiveness. We expect a full report when you get back. | ||
| Jeffroj |
Thanks a lot everyone! I bought my bike to ride it, and thats exactly what I'm going to do! My furthest ride in one day was 250 miles, it hurt but it was fun. Should be a nice and peaceful doing it alone. Daniel, thanks for the tips. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
I rode a My 03 Firebolt from Albany, GA all the way to Myrtle a few years ago. My butt hurt for a while, but it was one of the more memorable experiences in motorcycling for me. | ||
| Deks69 |
I rode my 06 XB12R (before I even had my touring seat) 800 miles one way from where I live in MN to the Homecoming in east troy WI, a few years back. Sucked after about 500 miles, but 300 something miles is nothing. Softening the suspension goes a long way in helping you out too. But only 320 miles is nothing. I'll put that on in a day. I do the 688 mile excruciatingly boring (till the middle of SD) journey to Sturgis every year, and never speak of a trailer. Have fun. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
A big tip for you for long rides is to move around. I got that tip on here from the "how many miles have you driven in one day thread". (some other good tips in there too.) I didnt really get what that meant but I do now. Lay on the airbox for a while, stand up for a sec and stretch those legs, and stop for lunch 1/2 way through. It will make a big difference. Most importantly take your time and enjoy yourself. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Most importantly take your time and enjoy yourself. I'd like to second that  | ||
| Oldfz |
Two words for you: throttle lock. Have fun! | ||
| Froggy |
Ride it! 370 miles is nothing, plus you can have your family haul your extra cloths and junk.  | ||
| Pokinatcha |
I rode from Daytona To Myrtle Beach a few years back on my city X. Even had my old stock seat back then. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Whatever pains you have in your butt will all disappear when you finally get there. Have fun! | ||
| Xbgeorge |
I'm riding from Kenosha, Wi to Covington, Tn in about an hour. It is about 580 miles. It will be my first big ride. I have done 300 in a day, but not straight through. I'm probably the only Buell going away from East Troy this week. Have a great ride. | ||
| Jeffroj |
For the throttle lock, a tip I got from my uncle. Maybe you all already knew this. A 1 1/4" rubber o-ring, costs about 47 cents each. place it between the throttle grip and the box for your engine run switch. Stopped at home depot last night to get one for the trip, works excellent, probably better than any throttle lock on the market! and costs 47 cents! | ||
| Akbuell |
I say ride it. Rode last year from Pr Rupert, British Columbia to Laguna and back. What worked for me (in addition to moving around from time to time) was to stop every 75mi or so. Walk around, pee, have a bottle of water, maybe a breakfast bar, ect. In addition to the ear plugs (wind noise for hrs is not too good) and sunglasses, 500mg Tylenol is good stuff. | ||
| Randlepmcmurphy |
I rode from Phoenix AZ to Durango, Co last august about 450 miles. Drove up on friday and came back sunday, not to bad. I definitely second the softening of the suspension, I didn't because i forgot and I paid for it. Another thing that you can do on the long straights is to fold out your passenger pegs and lay down onto your tank and kick your legs back hooking them onto the passenger pegs. You can't ride like this very long 5-10min but it takes some of the pressure of your back and knees, meaning you only have to stop whenever your fuel light comes on. | ||
| Vdubfro |
Trailers are for boats. I road from South East Ohio near PA WV borders. To Mooresville North Carolina (hour North of Charlotte) on my 03 XB9s. I took two days going down. Road all two lane roads through West Virginia. Stopped at New River Gorge. Road the rest on Interstate. I had more fun riding down than the week of vacation I spent in NC. Came interstate back in one day. 8 hours about 450 miles. I loved it. Ride ride ride! | ||
| Xl1200r |
Meathead - Glad you've decided to ride it. If I can do 1000 miles on my Firebolt, you can do 370 on the S. Lots of good tips here. 6 hours of riding is a decent day - my personal limit is about 11 or 12 including stops, which are failry infrequent for me, but be sure to take time to get off the bike. Take it slow when you get gas, grab something to eat, etc. Stay off the highway as much as possible. If there's no traffic, it's boring. If there's a lot, it's stressful. Take the backroads and actually see the places you're traveling through - it makes it much more interesting. +1 on the earplugs - they're a must. Not sure if you have music or anything but I use it for long rides. Get the headphones that isolate the outside noise - $20 at Wal-Mart for a cheap set. If you have leather pants, wear them, even if it's hot. If you don't, wear biking shorts. Something tight around your ass will help with any cramping (example - I can go 2 hours before I'm sore with jeans, closer to 10 with my leather pants). Speaking of heat, it's gonna be hot, so be sure to drink up. E-mail me or call if you have more questions - you got my number. | ||
| Ruzdek |
I live in Atlanta. I rode 14hours on a XB12Ss. 850 miles. In one day. Roundtrip to the Dragon's tail and back. Of course I had a map. My dumb*ss got lost 4 (FOUR!!!) times. I was sore for 3 days. Would I do it again? As a matter of fact I'm riding up there on 7/4/08 again. But this time,I'm bringing earplugs, iPod and a Camelpak hydration system. Happy buttnumbing! | ||
| Sslowmo |
14 hours and 525 (s)miles later, my wrist was the only thing with pain. And that's on my 06 xb12r. On back roads and major twisties in Northern California, don't forget about the goat trail's. Just ride It...throw in some fun side roads and get a early start. My .02 Later, | ||
| Ssscrudddy |
Jeffroj wrote Is 6 hours on a bike by myself worth it? Twice? definitely... ride it what sort of a question is that? |
