8 hours in the saddle ?

[SwollenRaccoon]

Fabulous advice from everybody. If there is a good source for long distance recommendations, this FJR crowd has it nailed pretty well.

I've done a 940 mile day, a half dozen or more 700 mile days, and many in the 250 to 500 mile range. Stock seat is OK for me, if I stand on the pegs every once in a while; more often as the day wears on. The thing that made the biggest difference for me was buying a CamelBak. Previously, especially when it was hot, I couldn't wait to get stopped so I could have some water. Many guys here have water container systems mounted to the bike, and swear by them for long distance days. I bought the bigger CamelBak. I fill it with ice, then fill the remaining space with water. I put it in a kitchen-sized garbage bag, and wrap a towel around it, then put the whole thing in my tank bag. I have an expandable RKA tank bag, and use the expanded top compartment for the Camelbak. I zip it shut, and leave a little opening in the zipper to let the water hose come out, at the back of the bag, near the seat, where your seeds are resting. I drop the hook on the drinking end of the hose onto the handle on the tank bag. I can just reach down for the water hose, shove it into my helmet, and have a nice cold drink. At the end of a 700 mile day, with the container wrapped in the bag and towel, I still have cold water, with ice left. Being able to quench your thirst without stopping made ALL the difference in the world.

There are so many experienced, smart long distance riders here on this forum, and they are happy to share what they've learned. Listen to them. Be smart, stay alert, don't let your ego take over, and relax your grip on the bars. You'll do just fine. Take a practice run or two, and enjoy yourself. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck!

 

[deagle]

Communicate with your friend. How does he plan on covering this ride? I have friends that stop every hour for 3 minutes to get off the bike and stretch and then right back on the road. Others add fuel tanks so they can go farther than the stock 6.6 gallon tank will take them (crazy in the head but admirable). If you both know what the other is expecting, there shouldn't be any big surprises.

Personally, I shoot for a quick stop every 100 miles. Like a 5 minute stop to move around, get gas if needed, and go. Sometimes I get in a groove and can empty a full tank, but usually I get uncomfortable (or bored) before then. Cruise and a Russell seat have helped me greatly.

 

[hppants]

My raccoon friend and I are fishing in the same hole. Dehydration is your biggest challenge. The more I tour for longer distances and more days (weeks), the more I realize how much the wind blowing on my skin dries me out like a raisin. Perhaps consuming a crap load of shampoo at the end of the day isn't helping matters for me, but that's another topic. Drink a huge glass of water about 30 minutes before the ride and stay ahead of it all day for good results.

SLK50's tips are all spot on, IMO.

Another things to consider is the type of ride you are being invited to. Four hours of 15-20 mph wooded twisties riding a 650 pound bike with a group of spirited riders on sport bikes is gonna be quite a challenge. Four hours of 85 mph slab or open highway fighting 80+ degree temperatures and a 20 mph cross wind is not going to much better. OTOH, four hours of easy 60-ish mph 2-lane curvy road in good shape with not much potholes, gravel, or other cage wielding idiots to deal with, mixed in with the occasional small town with a single red light, where you can stand on the pegs or even stand at the intersection and shake the blood down to your arse and feet - well, that ride should be a piece of cake.

Regardless, and to answer one of your questions.... yes. You do have to work your way up to riding long distances. But a 4 hour ride is a great place to start, with some understanding friends. Share your concerns with them. Ride sweep. Tell them to take off when they are ready, and that you will ride your own ride. Ask them not to change roads until they physically see you, which in turn tells you that when they start to pull away, you will let the go, and just stay on the same road you are riding until you see them.

Can you go cross country on a scooter? Sure. Can you commute and grab groceries on a $15,000.00, 650 pound sport tourer? Absolutely. But there are better choices out there for those applications. However, the FJR is made for lots of miles. There's a immeasurable amount of adventure out there for ya. Much of it starts pretty close to home. But the life long memories we all seek on our motorcycles is more than 4 hours away. I know this and I want you to know this too. But there's only one true way to get there, so throw a leg over and take a chance. You will not be disappointed.

Let us know how it goes....

 

[someguy]

lotsa good advise.

work up to longer rides.

the OEM seat is not your friend. seriously.

your choice in underwear is very important. seriously.

premedicate/postmedicate

hydration is your friend

good ear protection/buds will reduce fatigue

just a few thoughts for starters.

 

[Uncle Hud]

^^^^^ +1 on the ear protection. Molded earbuds for your Sena or mp3.

 

[Fred W]

Yeah +2 I never realized how much the noise wears you down until I started (far too late to save my hearing) to wear earplugs. Now I won’t ride down to the corner without them. Makes a huge difference in multiple ways.

 

[Gurock]

Lots of good advice out there. If I can do it anyone can. I've done an SS 1,000 while badly overweight, in a bad rain storm for half the ride, on an FJR that had a stock seat and no highway pegs. It kind of sucked but I was determined and didn't know better. I've also done a day riding in the Colorado mountains and then a straight ride from Estes Park, CO to Chicago leaving Colorado at dark on a scooter.

All these rides can be done and Larry your ride can be done easily so long as you remember to Ride Your Own Ride. Just make sure that you friend or friends know that you're a novice to distance and that you may need an extra stop or two.

Also I know that Ibuprofin is the magic of the LDR community and it had been for me. Keep in mind that Ibuprofin is very hard on the kidneys and that LDR is hard on your kidneys all the hydration issues we have. If you don't watch carefully you can harm yourself with Ibuprofin and now I save it for extreme need. Particularly if you notice that at the end of a long riding day with Ibuprofin, you notice swelling in your feet, ankles, or calves that should be a warning. Please remember that when we push hydration issues which we all do when riding, as so well explained by "Pants" above we are already stressing our kidneys. In my case I'm a diabetic which stresses kidneys, I'm 62 years old, I was fat, and I smoke. That's a lot of kidney factors now add a very large Ibuprofin dosage and that can be a very bad combination.

Each rider has their own needs and tolerances, so please don't take that last paragraph as my being bossy or telling anyone what to do. I know that the traditional wisdom works well for lots of riders. Just be aware and if you notice anything that lets you think you could be hurting your kidneys don't take a chance with them. Muscle pain is a grin and bear it thing, where kidney failure isn't.