8 hours in the saddle ?

[lunch truck larry]

I was invited to go on a ride. It's 4hours up and 4hours back ,same day . I have never ridden more than an hour or so,at any one time. I have some concerns about what to expect from my body and mind. Is long distance riding something that you have build up to ? Or train for ? Is it more mental ? or physical ? I know some of you guys can probably ride all day ,and 4 or 5 hours is just a drop in the bucket. But I just have never rode that long before ,and don't want to embarrass myself ,or even worst let my riding buddy down .Any advice? Or just man up and ride .

 

[graler]

My very first ride on an FJR was a couple a minutes then I lightened my load by leaving a little cash behind. The next ride was 310 miles. It was the longest ride I had ever taken. When I was 60 or so miles from the end my hind end was sending me a very clear message that we were about done. I pushed through but I had to take more frequent breaks. Now I have a russell seat. All day and multiple days are no longer a problem. You can do it. Take a break when you need to - don't get bullied into not riding safely.

Joe

 

[RossKean]

Depends on the seat (OEM or aftermarket) on the bike and your physical condition. If you are tense, it is much worse.

Also harder if you are too hot or too cold. Wearing earplugs helps defeat fatigue as well. Every new season, I usually start off with shorter rides (less than 300 miles) and usually stop once between tanks - every 100-125 miles. I will build to sometimes running tank-to-tank and up to 14 hours in a day although short rest breaks become a little more frequent as the day progresses. Rest stop is usually 5-10 minutes; just to jump up and down to restore circulation. If you start to get drowsy or distracted, STOP!!

 

[Ignacio]

But I just have never rode that long before ,and don't want to embarrass myself ,or even worst let my riding buddy down .Any advice?

Yep. Read, learn, and live the Iron Butt Association Archive of Wisdom. I did and went from enduring 2 hours on a seat to 3 weeks plus in the saddle with many 1150+ mile days.

 

[SLK50]

Take some ibuprofen before, during and after the ride.

Stay well hydrated.

Whenever you stop for more than a minute, get off the

bike and walk, bend and stretch.

Wear earplugs.

Make sure you are warm ( or cool ) enough.

And stay well hydrated. Cant stress that enough.

Have fun.

 

[Fred W]

I wouldn’t commit to a long ride with friends until I had done a few more long-ish solo rides. You need to know how your body and mind will respond to the longer saddle time before you add the complication of worry about disappointing a ride companion (s).

I love long solo ride days. No pressure, stop when you want for whatever reason, or don’t. Don’t rush into the social riding until you get your shit together first.

 

[Bugnatr]

Take some ibuprofen before, during and after the ride.Stay well hydrated.

Whenever you stop for more than a minute, get off the

bike and walk, bend and stretch.

Wear earplugs.

Make sure you are warm ( or cool ) enough.

And stay well hydrated. Cant stress that enough.

Have fun.

+1 but don't over do the hydration thing and have to stop to wiz every hour

If you have time go out for a 4 hour ride and see how it feels. Don't like it bow out before you let your bud down, so no big deal.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Larry...it might be raining both ways, as well.

 

[philter]

My dream was to spend a month or two riding in the western USA. So I bought my FJR, put a trailer hitch on it, bought a motorcycle camper, and took off for Massachusetts on a "check out" ride.

I had purchased a Russel Day Long seat, and bar backs so I could ride more upright, but I did NOT have a set of "highway pegs" so I could change position.

I got about 3 hours into the ride and turned around for home.

In my case, it was my upper spine and neck mostly, just a terrific ache, but my legs and knees were also cramping from having only one position.

I went on a bunch of shorter 4-5 hour rides in the next couple of years and bought a set of "highway pegs" so I could change positions, and I always have pain relievers on hand. Last year I rode 650 miles straight through to Florida and 650 miles straight through coming home three weeks later.

On the other hand, I have heard of guys who buy a motorcycle and take of on a 2000 mile ride to Sturgis. I don't guess you'll know till you try. LOL

 

[Laser Dude]

Since it's your first time for that, it's pretty simple, follow SLK50's advice, and I'd add that you just need to break it up some. Explain to your buddy it's your first long ride. Stop every hour or so, get off the bike, and walk around for a few minutes. The worst thing. You only need to be off the bike for 5 minutes or so and then roll on. Pacing yourself. The worst thing is to have your butt start burning and know that you have 4 hours left. Breaking it up will keep that from happening, and it'll give you time to shoot the breeze with your buddy, get input from him and ask him questions as well.

400 miles in a day is pretty easy when you pace yourself. You'll be fine.

 

[Uncle Hud]

You don't know until you try. My FJRForum buddy rpm said it best: "All you gotta do is stay awake. The bike does all the work."

If you get tired, stop and take a break. Have a coffee and a doughnut. No disgrace in calling it done, turning around, and going home. That's called Riding Your Own Ride.

(It's not nearly as hard as you think -- boredom will probably get you before fatigue does.)

 

[Full House]

Riding gear that works for you makes a big difference. If you are not comfortable, that ride can become a pain. Riding shorts instead of brief undies are big help. Riding pants over jeans or slacks help me stay comfortable much longer. A couple of test rides will help you sort things out as well as train your muscles for longer riding times.

Some guys have no issue with extended riding on the stock seat. For me 2 hrs was the max, I went for the Russell and have loved it !

Enjoy.

 

[Fontanaman]

Take some ibuprofen before, during and after the ride.Stay well hydrated.

Whenever you stop for more than a minute, get off the

bike and walk, bend and stretch.

Wear earplugs.

Make sure you are warm ( or cool ) enough.

And stay well hydrated. Cant stress that enough.

Have fun.

What SLK 50 said and I will add this. I noticed you mentioned ".....don't want to embarrass myself ,or even worst let my riding buddy down". Bad move. Male ego is a fragile thing but please let it go otherwise the risk of accident goes way up.

Please do this to stay alive. Ride your ride. Do not try to keep up. Don't ride outside your comfort zone. Listen to the little voice in your head saying I should not do this. Heed that voice. Orthopedic surgeons know the right of way does not count in motorcycling.

Wear all the gear all the time - all sorts of weird stuff out there and the good gear will will improve your odds. For instance a bird flew into my full face helmet one time - I was ok but shit happens and those best prepared reduce the risk of injury.

You gotta learn to walk before you run. Start slow and build up. Get and read the books "Proficient Motorcycling" by David L. Hough.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Every "Body" is different. What works for one rider may not work for you. For me, the stock seat is only good for a few hundred miles

before aches set in. Iggy's reference to the IBA tips is spot on. The wrist is a problem for some, others the seat, still others Leg position.

You riding and finding what works for you is the best advice IMO.

For me:

An RDL Russell Day Long seat

When I first started long distance, I used a cramp buster for wrist pain

No problem with legs- Once in awhile I use the rear pegs.

My back pain- Aleve in the tank bag.

Find your comfort zone and ride YOUR ride in a way that works for you.

And have fun !!!

 

[lunch truck larry]

Thanks boys , some great advice . Larry..

 

[Millrat]

I bought a new FJRES to do trips and find stock seat way better than last bike. I may try Yamaha Comfort seat or have local guy replace foam with gel.

Russell seats look and sound great but being inseam challenged at 32" I can't have a seat ANY higher than stock.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I don’t find 8 hours to be a big deal at all. But that depends on you and how your bike is set up. A two hour run will give you an idea of how a four hour run might feel, and so on. Being relaxed on the bike instead of hanging on tight goes a long way towards enjoying distance.

 

[Fred W]

I bought a new FJRES to do trips and find stock seat way better than last bike. I may try Yamaha Comfort seat or have local guy replace foam with gel.
Russell seats look and sound great but being inseam challenged at 32" I can't have a seat ANY higher than stock.

I borrowed a Yamaha Comfort seat from a friend while my Russell was being built. It really wasnt any more comfortable than the stock instrument of torture. I know, I know, some people are able to ride on that plank, but not this guy. If it wasnt for the custom seat Id never ride longer than 2 hours.
32 inseam isnt all that challenged. Im 6 foot 2 inches tall, but wear a 32 inseam in dress pants. I have no problem at all flat footing both sides with a Russell seat. You might want to borrow one from a friend to see how it is in the low position. The seat is the biggest hurdle for riding long days.

 

[BkerChuck]

Lots of good advice already listed. I look at it this way, if your friends asked you to go along on an 8 hour hike would you jump right into it? Of course not. Like many things in life you have to acclimate your body to the exercises you're asking of it and riding is no different. Sure some guys could jump on and go put down big miles on day one but how many can be honest and to being miserable on day two? Build up to longer rides. Ride your own pace. If you're feeling pushed by your friends you probably are. It's critical you keep your own safety and well being in mind above the desires or ideas your friends might have.

I have a Laam custom seat and that's made a huge difference in my comfort level. I've done 3 IBA rides on it so far, all Saddlesores. I also ride everyday. That being said coming out of winter here I haven't been doing really big miles just yet and know I need to work my way back into it.

Best of luck!