Lots of riding?

[planedick]

I just figured up how many miles I have ridden the Pathfinder since I picked it up last thanksgiving. Got it with 55,000 on the ODO which failed at 62,000 and was replaced with one reading 33,000 and now says 42,000 which means I've put on 16000 mi !!! I wonder how many others ride as much as I do. I'm sure some do, like Brent for instance.

I will need to put the new front tire on soon and I've had to replace the rear twice because I got it with a bald rear on it and replaced it right away and once since about 11000 mi later. Other than initial valve adjust and some minor issues it's been oil changes and regular preventive things. I don't know another motorcycle that will do nearly as well considering the way I ride. All the other cycles I've owned didn't last long at all and none was suitable for resale. LOL

[DiverRay]

I put almost 20K a year on daily ride. The original speedo froze up at 85K, and the replacement now has almost 13K since it's been on, about 8 months. I think I loose more oil from leaks than from burning, but other than that, 2nd gear, and a new clutch, it's been oil and filter, and just keep riding!

[mro]

just keep riding!

Ride just about every where I go, even calling on customers if I don't have to bring a machine for a demo.
Daily rides get around 15K and the others total between 2 and 3K.

If/when I get my garage back first on the list is to change out the exhaust on the hot rod to something a little quiter. Will then us it for most local/around town stuff


mro

[fredintoon]

What with Saskatchewan being frozen solid five months a year I don't get far at all. On top of that if I take the rig out of Province it goes on a trailer behind my Buick so I won't have to commute 500 miles each way on the rig in the pouring rain just to get to a bike rally. So typically the rig & I see mebbe 3,000 km each summer.

[MartyA]

Bought my FJR new on April 26 this year, by Oct 1 I had 15,800 miles, all of that 2-up. The FZ-1 only went 3,900 miles this summer. Both bikes were parked for the winter Oct 20. Next expected riding is April 15. Fingers are crossed.

[planedick]

Gee..

and I thought I rode lots. 20,000 just in the summer is LOTS

[MartyA]

A lot of things fell into place very often this summer. The FJR is a great long distance bike. For example I came home from work one Thursday, then we decided to just take off Friday. We headed for Myrtle Beach 900 miles away, said Hi to Mom Saturday, did the tour-wander-ocean Sunday, rode back Monday, back to work Tuesday. 1,000 weekends throughout the summer were fun and easy, and we got rained on only 3 times, and only once was it a gully washer.

madbiker and Tracy, Brent, and Sally and I went on a 9 day 3 time zone 15 state 4,000 trip, THAT was a blast.

Used up 4 rear tires and 2 front ones on the FJR, only one rear on the FZ-1.

The dealer is having great fun telling everyone how often I come in for each 4,000 mile maintenance interval.

[Jerry]

Not up these with some of you guys, a typical year for me is 7K - 10K miles. Don't think I've ever come close to 20K in one year.

Course, I do get to ride a bit almost every month of the year, even in winter there are days above freezing so I can get in a couple hourse of recreational riding. Never really set the XJ up for winter, just don't ride as often.

[Dragonrider]

I've consistently run at least 20k miles/year for as long as I can remember. Sometimes more.

My Valk's well over 100k now...

[trapper_492001]

I put my 81SH on the road april of 06 and have put on 26000 since then. By Thanksgiving it is just about too cold for Me. We did go on a Patriot Guard Riders mission this mourning to send off a National Guard Unit deploying to Iraq. I had 6 degrees at 2:30 am and we still had 3 hardy souls ride there bikes.

Trapper

[van]

Re: Lots of riding?

[i]I wonder how many others ride as much as I do. [/B]

How about 23k miles a year?


Van

[Brent]

Re: Lots of riding?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by planedick
some do, like Brent for instance.

Yes Dick, I do ride a lot now (30,000+ mi. this year), but it has not always been so.
I rode a Yamaha RD125 two stroke two cylinder from 1978 until 1984 - 24,000 hard miles over 6 years.

6 years 1984 until 1990 - no bike. Yes, I am still a little crazy after that spell.

1990-2000 XS1100SG averaging about 5000 per year. After the first 50 miles, I was sore. Then gradually increased trip length untill IBA Saddle Sore; 1,000 miles in 24 hours in 2001 (on XS1100 special with 4 gallon tank)

Other bikes 83 Honda Goldwing with California friendship side car. That may be classified as driving a motorcycle rather than riding.
And a little honda trail 90 step thru style tank under seat high/low range transmission - Fun, but not many miles.
And a 2002 HarleyDavidson Firefighters Special edition Road King. I bought the 7 year unlimited mileage dealer warranty with it also. I determined that to get to get my money's worth out of this bvike I should ride it a lot, and rode about 15,000 miles a year, most every day, missing only 12 days one year, more in others.

THEN - one day, in my wife's presence, I explained to a buddy how I was "making a BIG sacrifice for the family by riding this new bike...year round...mpg...saving $ on gas..."
Wife said "WHY!! as much as that bike costs, you need to ride it a lot more to save that much in gasoline cost."
I agreed. "You are right honey. I really do need to ride a lot more."
"WHAT???!!" She said. "You would have to quit your job to ride any more!!" I quickly formed a plan in my mind, agreed, & praised her for her wisdom & insight.

And now, after 30 years as full time firefighter, getting shifts off is no longer a problem. Retirement pension is enough for gas, oil, & tires. I got a new scenic drive book & road atlas from wife last birthday. Life is good.

I did ride a lot this year and mostly not to work:
Key west, Daytona bike week, XS meeting of the minds in Hurst Colleyville & Grapevine TX, XS650 Dogwood Rally TWO Suches GA XSeast @ Port ontario NY, Talledega Trl to Mt. Chehaw AL, Ralph&Marty's outlaw trail to Mt Rushmore and the Black Hills of SD, XS Lake Tahoe to Newport & Tillamook OR, XS @ Rockfalls IL, Vintage Japbikes@ TWO Suches GA, XS @ Talihina OK, Veterans day parade in Atlanta GA (mostly walking) and Deals Gap TN & NC

[MaximPhil]

Re: Re: Lots of riding?

I did ride a lot this year and mostly not to work:
Key west, Daytona bike week, XS meeting of the minds in Hurst Colleyville & Grapevine TX, XS650 Dogwood Rally TWO Suches GA XSeast @ Port ontario NY, Talledega Trl to Mt. Chehaw AL, Ralph&Marty's outlaw trail to Mt Rushmore and the Black Hills of SD, XS Lake Tahoe to Newport & Tillamook OR, XS @ Rockfalls IL, Vintage Japbikes@ TWO Suches GA, XS @ Talihina OK, Veterans day parade in Atlanta GA (mostly walking) and Deals Gap TN & NC [/B][/QUOTE]
Hi Brent,
My Ass hurts from reading all the places you have been this year. Looking forward to Key West 2008
Maxim Phil

[Brent]

Re: Re: Re: Lots of riding?

My Ass hurts from reading all the places you have been this year. Looking forward to Key West 2008
Maxim Phil [/B][/QUOTE]

Phil,
You whine worse than a young girl. Get a pretty pillow for the chair in front opf your computer, How about something with angels, snowmen, hearts...plaid with a ruffled edge. That is what I got.

Sorry I got trips so jumbled together. It really was not that bad, (though that Big room key in my back pocket did bother me by the time I got home from Talihina OK.) Most of places listed is only one days ride from my house. (it does help to get an early start, with packing & bike check done on previous days). Suches Ga & TWO is less than 2 hours from my house.

The 3 multi day trips, NY, SD, & Tahoe included riding buddies. This helps; keep from getting lost as much, enjoying it more when you do, noticing when lights burn out, looking for lost parts...etc.

And part of trip to Rock Falls IL was in Pick up truck, dozing as Matt drove, with broken XS1100 universal joint in back.

Seriously, riding far is often a matter of making your self comfortable. Water bottle, seat cushion or cover, snacks, chapstick, Ibupriofin,... The book "going the extra mile is full of good ideas. I got it, but have not really read it (went riding instead).

Work is ok, but it sure can get in the way of far travel riding.

Happy motoring,
Brent - working less & riding more in GA

PS Jetmech Marty has been been charging the battery and cranking the motor, keeping gas in carbs fresh, on Maxim. Ready to go!

[MaximPhil]

Hi Brent,
Another entertaining post. thanks. You are my insperation to head out for distant destinations.
Quite right about riding buddies making the trip better.

Maxim Phil