Taking a shot at the SS1000

[TellurideFJR]

I've done some pretty big days before on my Commando (650 miles in 05) and on my TL (700 last summer) but have yet to hit the 1K. Well tommorw I will take a shot at it on the FJR. I have been getting warmed up for it and have done a two 400+ mile days in the past month and have been getting pleanty of rest the past few days. I will roll out of Park City UT tomorrow morning and will arrive in Monterey CA (hopefully) tomorrow night. I have done rides across Nevada on all of the various routes but will do I-80 this time to get some miles down early. From there I may shoot down through California Gold rush country or stick to the interstates depending on how I am feeling. If I am not feeling it I can cut the trip as short as 850 miles so there is a bail out plan. I know the roads in between Tahoe and Monterey very well so decisions can be made before I get to Reno if I feel like two lane instead of super-slab. If you see me on the way, give a big wave and wish me luck!

Leaving home last wednesday

Outside of Price, UT

Through the snow on I-70 between Green River and Salina UT in 01

Yeah, snow.... so cold I was putting paper in front of the radiator and still could not keep the temps up.

Still cold but at least there was sun when I got into Hwy 50, yeah it was lonely

Lake Fallon, a really nice spot to camp and warm up

The Commando on the Grand Staircase outside of Torrey UT, really nice riding there.

I likes to ride...

 

[Fencer]

LUCK

3 things

Music

throttle lock

leg rests (highway pegs)

will make it much easier

And don't forget to document everything.

 

[vectervp1]

Don't even worry about it! Sounds like you have enough experience and you'll tackle that SS1000 with no problems! Just keep track of your receipts and your documentation if you plan on getting an IBA cert.

 

[rockmurf]

Good luck. As mentioned, keep good track of your receipts and fill out the log of every stop, ie gas, rest, food etc. I just completed mine a few weeks ago and believe it or not you have plenty of time. If you get tired stop, hungry stop, don't forget to drink lots of water. The hwy pegs were the key for me because my knees bother me after a while. I did not have a throttle lock or cruise and the ironbutt witness couldn't believe I did the run without those and without the throttle spring adjustment. Just go out and have fun and think of it as a recreational ride that keeps going and going. Good luck, ride safe and let us know how you do. Everett

 

[mdisher]

You'll do fine...

Don't forget your receipts, and don't lose any of them either Just get in the habit of writing your mileage on them, it really helps to put the route back together later and stick them somewhere safe.

You'll have plenty of time, around 700 miles or so you'll be wondering why you did this, but that passes at around mile 900 when you realize you're only 2 hours away.

Git-R-Done!

 

[TellurideFJR]

Thanks guys, I will keep the docs and take lots of pics!

 

[tcfjr]

My suggestions:

1. Stay hydrated
2. Music makes the miles go by faster
3. If it gets cold, stop and put something on instead of shivering for miles

As others have mentioned, though, it seems like you've got everything well in hand. Good luck!

 

[Toecutter]

That SS1K sounds like cake. No hill for a stepper, as your photo log demonstrates beyond doubt. The FJR is almost non-compliant as an LD bike, like those hot golf balls that are banned by the USGA. The bike's a dynasty.

I'm working up a challenging little 1500 in state CA route that I hope to jump off on in a couple of weeks. Google says driving time is 27 hours, but Google doesn't know I'll be heading through deepest darkest bay area on a weekday afternoon and trying to do it in under 24 hours. I'll need luck, mad lane-sharing skilz (w/bags in place), and some serious fortitude to get this one done.

May the force be with you!

 

[TellurideFJR]

Success!

My day started with 1049 on the odometer and ended with 2146! Thanks for all of your advice, much of it was helpfull. With only 400 left to get the BB1500 I was thinking about getting out today but decided not to. I have to work tomorrow and want to clean off the dead bugs and relax.

Staying hydrated was a good thing, I wore a camelback and probably went through 1.5 liters every 200 miles. Peanuts and apples were my snack food items that I tried to munch on at every stop. I found that the difference between riding 700 miles (my previous personal best) and doing the 1000+ is HUGE. You really hit the wall around 800 miles and I had to take a much needed break to get my head back in the game to do the rest. After about 900 I was back in stride and when I finished I felt like another few hours of riding was still possible. All in all a fun day.

Things that would have helped:

1. Throttle spring unwind. I have a crampbuster and this helps but yes, it is really tight.

2. Throttle lock, it was suggested but I have not yet had a chance to procure this farkle.

3. Less stopping, I could have done better on this but I still made it.

4. Less traffic, California has LOTS of vehicles on the road, especially in and around the many population centers.

5. Better seat, the stock was not too bad comfort wise, but the slope into the tank bunches up your pants and package.

If any are interested this is the blog

 

[TheAxeman]

Congrats on your SS1K!!! :clapping:

Wanted to check out the blog but I think it is linked wrong.

 

[beerme]

Wanted to check out the blog but I think it is linked wrong.

I noticed the same oops, but it's here.

 

[trimmantom]

congrats on the ss1000!!!

What's next?

Nice Norton commando

 

[TellurideFJR]

Thanks for fixing my blog link, I will work on that for future linking, and for the kind words. Yeah I relly like riding the Commando too. I did 4500 miles in 5 weeks on it (colorado, utah, califonia, oregon, washington, idaho, montana, wyoming and back to colorado) during the summer of 05. Stops in some locations for a week or so but still lots of days riding. That was a fun ride!

Next I may try to do Carmel CA (where I am now) to Telluride CO (home) in a day but this could be tougher. Going west to east cuts out an hour of daylight but the route I usually take (carmel, bakersfield, barstow, flagstaff, cortez) is pretty easy (road wise), I have done it a bunch before and usually do it in one day, in a car. The biggest problem is that you are going across the desert in the middle of the day (really hot). When I go that way on a bike I have allways done an overnight in Laughlin (two 550 mile days) and keep the hottest parts of the ride for evening and early morning.

Colorado beemers is putting an in-state 1000 this summer that sounds really fun. I probably wont make the orginized journey but may route out my own to do solo or with a buddy on my own schedule. The hardest part of long Colorado rides in the summer is you WILL get rained on and keeping up the pace on all 2-lane (posted 65 or less) is tough. Also nightime and morning and evening hours have LOTS of extremely stupid Colorado Mule Deer that love to cross the roads. Bike vs. Deer... winner is... dead Deer (with wrecked bike and sometimes injured rider).

The other place I may be going is to visit friends in Montana wich is less than 1000 but there is pleanty of room to stretch it out between here and there. And then there is always Moto GP. If you decide to go wave to me in my air conditioned Pit Row Suite I have tickets for this year. :bleh:

I have much of the month of August free this year and allways wanted to ride in Canada so who knows. Any Canadian suggestions? Maybe I could even make it to Alaska, I am sure there is some kind of IBA cert for extended rides up there.

 

[Orient_Express]

Telluride...

You can do this - follow the suggestions of those that have "gone before you" - lots of knowledge out there on long distance riding.

I usee to live in CO Springs - nice country out there.

BTW - I love that Black Cherry - Sweeet

 

[Silver Penguin]

Look forward to reading, and seeing the pix, of your successful SS1000.

Jill

 

[TellurideFJR]

Well the trip has ended and I have arrived back at my home in Colorado. When I left on May 16th my bike had only 640 miles on it (just completed the 600 service) and returned home just in time for the 4000 service (3800 on the ODO). Besides the SS1K I had the 400 mile run to Park City, a couple of 200-300 mile day trips in CA (did the Big Sur coast twice) and the 1100+ run back to Colorado.

With a few miles/ hours in the saddle I must agree that the throttle tube/spring will be the next thing to work on. A G2 and spring unwind are on the list. While I am at it with the grips I will probably add some grip heat (honda st1300 grips). Other farkles on my list are a Radar detector and possibly a Sirius reciever. The only thing that is keeping from the music is a reasonable earpiece solution. I like to wear earplugs to cut the wind noise and I dont like the idea of plugging in. What I want is a bluetooth earplug that has noise canceling and wireless ability. Then I will look for a mixer to pipe in Radio, Radar, GPS to the plugs. Anyone else doing this?

And here are some more photos

Utah state line

South of Carson City NV on Hwy 88

On the Old Coast Road to Big Sur with Bixby Bridge in the background

Another shot of coast from CA-1

And finally back to CO, Hwy 160 near 4 corners.