First LD ride on my newly aqcuired '03 FJR

[taberah]

Hey to all... I just got an '03 FJR (Thus the title ). Anyway, I'm going this week from North East Georgia down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. My planned route is to go a little north to I85, down to Atlanta (that'll be fun - Atlanta at about 9:30 am). Then I'll continue on I 85 to Montgomery, AL. Once in Montgomery, hit I 65 south down towards Mobile, take 287 south to 59 south. Mapquest says its about 455 miles one way. Which to do that one day and turn around and come back a day later - for me - is a LD ride. The hardest part will be doing this by myself, without other riders (or even the SO on the back).

So... my questions... what should I be aware of for long distance interstate riding on the FJR?

What road conditions do any of you know about in those areas?

Any place I must absolutely stop to see on this route?

Thanks for your input and help.

I'll turn around and write a short ride summary when I return.

BC

 

[FJRPierre]

So... my questions... what should I be aware of for long distance interstate riding on the FJR? ...BC

Don't know what windscreen you have but suggest that you play with it a bit on the interstate to get it set up for optimum protection. With my big mother Rifle touring, I find that half way up give me the protection from wind and noise which can get very tiring otherwise. I also alway wear earplugs. Also keep track of when your reserve light comes on, and how much it takes to fill it at that point. Will pay dividends in fuel planning later on.

Also the bike tends to speed up on the interstate :glare: ; a throttle lock is a good preventative measure plus give some welcome right hand relief.

 

[taberah]

Thanks FJR Pierre... I wish I could afford a throttle lock for this one ride. I do have a throttle rocker though, which I'm sure will help some. What brand of throttle lock do you suggest... I've looked at Throttle Meister, but can't quite figure out from written descriptions how you're supposed to twist the lock while holding the throttle at 70 some-odd mph. Use your left hand? I don't think so.

Anyway... thanks for your help. I've noticed on my shorter jaunts that my tall windsheild is nice to have all the way up when I'm slouching and down about 4 inches or so when I'm sitting straight up (which gives me an over the windsheild view - but still redirects the air over the helmet for the most part).

 

[jwilly]

Like Pierre mentioned, Ear Plugs are you friends. You can pick them up cheap at any Walmart, Target, Walgreens etc.. in the pharmacy area. Get the ones that will block around 30db and you will be happy. That alone will make a big difference!!

Try to keep it under 100!!

JW

 

[trimmantom]

Taberah,I'd say that your biggest problem will be a sore ass from the stock seat.

Do you have a pair of biycycle shorts with some padding? that would help.or a pair of undies that wick away moisture.

The seams on your cotton underdrawers will dig grooves in your butt.

I've got an alaskan sheep cover that will fit your seat if you'd like to borrow it.

I live in dacula ,ga. When you goin?

Your next biggest enemy will be your right wrist whacking the throttle,so watch your speeding in south ga.,

You might also enjoy your ride a little more if you can incorporate some back roads into your rout instead of all interstate.

Let me know about the seat cover.

 

[Ignacio]

Biggest things I wish I had done when I did my first Saddle Sore was a throttle lock for less than $30 and a pair of bicycle short or boxers to reduce Monkey Butt. Ear plugs were a given.

 

[FJRPierre]

Speaking of stock seats, some people do a long ride, hate it and immediately spend $ on a replacement. I say give the stock seat a chance and several multi day rides before you give up on it. My ass moulded nicely to the seat after a few thousand kilometers.

 

[taberah]

Thanks to all... I've taken a lot of your advice - except the seat. I can't afford anything more for the thing yet... but the stock seat has done me well for about 3-4 hour rides. We'll see.

My biggest problem is that I was sure I was going to be able to get my XM radio installed without any issues...nope, had some problems and had to scrap the plan due to needed packing time and sleepind time. But I've got an mp3 player to fill in the noise with nice in-ear headphones that will also work as ear plugs when I'm not listening to music.

I think other than that... getting through Atlanta will simply suck. I'm trying to time it so as to miss rush hour and lunch hour. That's the plan.

As far as backroads... I'm going to try that on the way back. But I want to get there quick to see the fam for as long as possible since I haven't seen them since Christmas.

Thanks again... I'll post a ride report with pics later...

Thanks also for the sheepskin offer - I may take you up on that on my next LD ride if this one proves uncomfortable!

 

[taberah]

1094.5 total miles travelled!

Alright... what a ride. Not as sore as I thought I'd be.

Thanks to all of you who offered advice. It helped a lot.

I rode 480 miles the first day from north east of Atlanta to Gulf Shores, AL. I took the easy route - mostly interstate. It worked out pretty well and the roads were quite nice. There was one stretch south of Montgomery that most all traffic was cruising at 90 mph... in order to not be ran over, I kept up for quite a while and was very pleased with the FJR's abilities and comfort. The windscreen seemed to work best about 2-4 inches below full extension (but mine does have the taller windshield too.) I did ignore one piece of advice ("Keep it under 100") - there was one small stretch with no cars and no exits or anything - I had to see what triple digits felt like (since my former V-Star didn't even like 70 mph). I got nervous at 120 mph and had to back off - now that I've done it, I don't think I will again - not that the FJR couldn't do more (I felt like it was just getting warmed up!) - but I couldn't help but think about the statistics of high speed motorcycle crashes. Anyway...

The first leg took right at 8 hours with food and gas stops and all. I was very happy with it - a little sore and raw in the keister - but happy none the less.

I slept well that night and was quite surprised to wake up and not be sore at all - except the sunburn on my arms (sunscreen, idiot).

I spent the next full day with my family. It was good except the rain early on.

The next day, decided to take a different route home. I took 292 to Pensacola, then I 10 to Tallahasee (which by the way had a lot of construction). Both had pretty good views along the way. You'll see one picture of a gas station right by the bay with bridge construction in the background - that was a pretty cool place. Anyway, from Tallahasee I took 319 north to Tifton, GA, I-75 N to Macon (also a lot of construction), 129 N to Athens, and 72 into Elberton. It took me about 10 hours but I stopped a few more times to rest the buns. It was about 615 miles. Though not too bad, I definately will not take the return route again.

I had Wendys, Waffle House, and Subway... BP, Exxon, and Shell Gas... and had to avoid 5 bloomin' idiots - one in a deisel and one almost head on as he slowly drifted across the center line while trying to get something out of the seat beside him... and luckily, the only casualties were bugs on the old windsheild and face sheild (no dogs or birds, thank goodness).

Anyway, though not a true SS1000 ride... I think I might be able to make one now. It was fun and encouraging that the FJR can handle it (I've always wanted a bike that can do LD rides). One of my goals is to do the coast to coast thing one day - of course taking Route 66 one day as well.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the report... I'll see if I can attach a few pics now (had to do it through my free photo site ). Let me know what you think!

God bless.

BC

 

[sgoat]

Congrats on your ride. 03' Silver FJR IMHO is still the best looking (and fastest) Feejer ever. Welcome to the jungle. :yahoo:

 

[rocknfjr]

Glad to here you had a safe and enjoyable ride. keep the rides and reports coming.