TechJunkie
Well-known member
June 20th a friend and I both headed out at 5:30 in the morning for Lawrence Kansas from Indiana. I first started riding street bikes last year when I purchased my FJR. I booked 6,500 miles last year but with no ride over 300 miles. I figured I would make it to Lawrence and cry uncle. My friend rides a Suzuki Boulevard and spent a month ridding out west in 2007 and spent a week on the road last year. I figured he would easily be able to make it round trip.
Prior to heading out I added a Vista Cruise Control and checked out my bike from top to bottom. I also set my suspension to soft to ease the bumps since it was all slab riding. Within the first hundred and fifty miles I realized one of the strengths of FJR. My friends Boulevard only had a 3 gallon tank. My FJR never got below half a tank and we would be pulling off of for gas.
Other than the Vista Cruise and a Zumo 550 my FJR is stock seat and all. I was amazed how well I felt at each stop. It started to rain just outside of Kandas City. By the time we made it to Lawrence it was time to suit up. It rained on us until we made it to St. Louis. Just outside of Kansas City I was ready to make a gas stop. My knees are shot and the pavement through Kansas sent vibration through my pegs and knees. At the next stop I got gas and popped a couple of Tylenol. I felt better and was ready to hit the road.
The miles seems to just tick by and I enjoyed each segment of the ride until we hit Illinois. The rain started again and now it was dark. The roads in parts of Illinois are something to behold and with the spyder cracks and insane cages it was an exciting ride. At Vandalia Illinois the rain stopped and it was smooth sailing home. We pulled up to our starting gas station to fill up and get our receipts at 12:35 in the morning. Not the quickest time in history at around nineteen hours but a thrilling time.
I was surprised how good I felt at the end of the trip. With a basically stock FJR I rode 1,016 miles straight and could walk and sit without any real discomfort other than my knees. I played golf on Fathers day with one of my sons and only had slight soreness in my shoulders and calves.
In all I was more than impressed with my FJR! I know my friend was as surprised as I was with how well I did on the FJR. He was also impressed with how well the FJR is set up for touring with the adjustable windshield, hard waterproof saddle bags, adjustable suspension and ample gas tank. He had the cruiser and was a mess with swollen hands, sore butt and just all around hurt the next day. Prior to this his longest ride had been 750 miles in a day and he was miserable after that with what he thought would be a permanent butt cramp.
I am more impressed with my 08 FJR now than I have ever been. I really enjoyed the ride and look forward to our trip out West in August. In fact we are already looking at another Iron Butt ride in 2010. I am glad I challenged myself with this ride. It made me really focus on preparation and planning for the ride and it proved to me how well the FJR is set up for chewing up the miles. I also proved to myself that I could comfortably complete such a long trip and want more and that my riding skills are progressing.
If you are considering such a ride my advice is plan and prepare and give it a shot. Your FJR is ready!
Prior to heading out I added a Vista Cruise Control and checked out my bike from top to bottom. I also set my suspension to soft to ease the bumps since it was all slab riding. Within the first hundred and fifty miles I realized one of the strengths of FJR. My friends Boulevard only had a 3 gallon tank. My FJR never got below half a tank and we would be pulling off of for gas.
Other than the Vista Cruise and a Zumo 550 my FJR is stock seat and all. I was amazed how well I felt at each stop. It started to rain just outside of Kandas City. By the time we made it to Lawrence it was time to suit up. It rained on us until we made it to St. Louis. Just outside of Kansas City I was ready to make a gas stop. My knees are shot and the pavement through Kansas sent vibration through my pegs and knees. At the next stop I got gas and popped a couple of Tylenol. I felt better and was ready to hit the road.
The miles seems to just tick by and I enjoyed each segment of the ride until we hit Illinois. The rain started again and now it was dark. The roads in parts of Illinois are something to behold and with the spyder cracks and insane cages it was an exciting ride. At Vandalia Illinois the rain stopped and it was smooth sailing home. We pulled up to our starting gas station to fill up and get our receipts at 12:35 in the morning. Not the quickest time in history at around nineteen hours but a thrilling time.
I was surprised how good I felt at the end of the trip. With a basically stock FJR I rode 1,016 miles straight and could walk and sit without any real discomfort other than my knees. I played golf on Fathers day with one of my sons and only had slight soreness in my shoulders and calves.
In all I was more than impressed with my FJR! I know my friend was as surprised as I was with how well I did on the FJR. He was also impressed with how well the FJR is set up for touring with the adjustable windshield, hard waterproof saddle bags, adjustable suspension and ample gas tank. He had the cruiser and was a mess with swollen hands, sore butt and just all around hurt the next day. Prior to this his longest ride had been 750 miles in a day and he was miserable after that with what he thought would be a permanent butt cramp.
I am more impressed with my 08 FJR now than I have ever been. I really enjoyed the ride and look forward to our trip out West in August. In fact we are already looking at another Iron Butt ride in 2010. I am glad I challenged myself with this ride. It made me really focus on preparation and planning for the ride and it proved to me how well the FJR is set up for chewing up the miles. I also proved to myself that I could comfortably complete such a long trip and want more and that my riding skills are progressing.
If you are considering such a ride my advice is plan and prepare and give it a shot. Your FJR is ready!
