Making a long trip

[XS1100 Newbie]

So i am thinking of making a 6000 mile trip this summer. West coast to East coast and back. If the bike is all checked out for running, and safety, do you all see any problems in this. The bike is 29 years old. I have heard that 6 hours in the saddle is about all you want to do safely. Is there any agreement on this? Could a person plan the trip by stopping by other XSers on the way? Maybe it is just crazy, but i have wanted to do this since 1969. Am i crazy? Maybe!!! Anyone else made this long of a ride? Maybe i should invest in a newer bike, where parts are more readily available. Only for long trips though. I like my MNS.

[DGXSER]

I just yesterday did a 270 mile trip over about 6 hours time. Today I feel fine with the possible exception of my right upper arm being a little sore. I do not have a throttle lock so my right hand rarely left the grip. Depending on weather, I think consistant 6 hour a day rides is doable, in better weather and more daylight I could see riding more than 6. After the first week you should get used to it.

[Ivan]

If you get your hands on one of Tod's wallymart seat cushions it is much more tolerable. That 30 year old foam just doesn't seem comfy after several hours. I took the gel pad out of my wheelchair cushion and stuffed it under the seat cover. With that and the wallymart cushion, I can ride all day with no saddle sores. If can get my back into better condition, I am considering a bun burner next year some time.

Even at that, the conditions of the road and so many other factors limit the distance in a day, but you probably knew that already.

So....

Don't get a dunlop 404 and you'll be golden. We want lots of pics.

[trbig]

Nobody can tell you what your safe time limit is. I know guys that go daylight to dark and only stop every 250-300 miles for a splash fill and back on the road. I also know guys that are DONE after 70 miles. Just about every 100 miles, I'm ready to get off the bike for just a few minutes and get some blood flow to the hiney.

I'm not meaning to start another tire thread, but there's many tires out there that won't go 6k miles. Also, you'll have to change the oil at least once.

I don't know if enough people would offer up a room or not, but I will say that with this site, you'll have a much easier time finding someone to offer parts and a hand to fix it while going cross country than if you rode something only dealers are familiar working on. Get some good roadside assistance insurance through someone like AMA before you go.

With these bikes, age is just a number. Since many go well over 100k miles, 6k is just a small blip on the clock. With a small tool assortment, I dare say, if needed, I could pull a motor on the side of the road, split the cases, put it back together and be back on the road in a day. There aren't a lot of bikes out there simple enough to do that. AND... wouldn't it be much cooler talking about doing that on a 30 year old bike, versus some new one you just took half the value out of?

Just my opinion...Doubt it's worth 2 cents.

Tod

[XJOK2PLAY]

Newbie,

No, that kind of ride is totally doable on an 11... especially if it's in top shape. The fella that talked me into my XJ used to have one...(it's notorious around these parts...) and took MANY trips like that... across the desert going from OK. to Cali... 100 mph + in the heat, all day long. He's always told me he would never fear going across the country on one of these, BECAUSE YOU CAN WORK ON THEM!!

Buy a new bike, and sure they're probably dependable, most are. And, they may get as much as 10 -15 more miles per gal. to boot. But breakdown in the middle of nowhere... and call a wrecker, AAA, AMA... but you're probably not gonna be able to fix it on the road...

The thing that also sold me... so many 11 owners everywhere... and all good people willing to help if your in a tight spot... most who have parts stashes, or know someone who does. That convinced me.
I don't think I'd be willing to take a trip of that magnitude alone though. IMHO.

But, if you tackle it, and you go through OK. or Kansas... or TX.... there's enough of us around here to help ya out or have an extra bed...I'm sure.
Always welcome to stay at my place for a night if you're passin' through.

A few things I'd consider before making a 6000 mile trip...

-Map the majority of the trip out in advance... (Distance between gas stations.)
-Maximize the tune up... and watch speeds.. slower speeds usually help w/ the mpg's... as well as tickets...
-Extra fuel capacity... especially if your on a Special... Venturer tank swap would be nice..
-GPS & tunes
-plenty of Plexus
-new tires
-oil change provision on the road, & extra oil
-good tools & flashlights
-small rolls of light gage aircraft wire... really comes in handy...DAMHIK
-electrical kit
-flat repair kit w/ compressed air cartridges

I'm sure there's a thousand other important things... but the tires, brakes, and oil change on the road deal... you'd be surprised how many would forget that one...

Good luck if you tackle it... let us know when you leave out & your route... and we'll leave the light on for ya...

[XJOK2PLAY]

Sorry to duplicate what Tod just said...
(Ya stole my thunder, man...) LOL

One other thing you might want to consider: if your bike doesn't have a throttle lock, get one!

But on a trip like that... give me a shout if you're really serious to do it... before hand... I just helped a buddy install adaptive, active cruise control kits on a couple of his bikes... works perfect, pretty affordable (around $200.)
Takes a few days to get everything installed and working, but so far we're 2 for 2... works great! Almost a necessity on that long of a trip...

[Spider]

I'm planning something similar. I'm heading from Upstate NY to the middle of Montana, down to the middle of California, then back to NY.(And possibly out to Montana again:P )

I'm planning on getting the bike ready by spring. Riding with tools and spares(cables, other falloffs and whatnot). I'll put everything on the bike that I'll be taking with me on the trip. Then I'm going to ride the hell out of it for the month of riding season that's available before my departure. That way I can work out any kinks and figure out how best to situate the load. Then I'm changing fluids, pads, throwing on new tires, taking a spin and then I'm off.

I'd take her out and put some miles on her to make sure everything's hunky-dorey before setting off. You can do some serious wrenching on these older bikes along the road if you need to(there's a good article on the forum about which tools to carry), but a AAA-type service can't hurt; just in case.

[STEPPENWOLF]

If I had your credit card I would pack up an go.If the bike is in good shape and ya did the normal things to the bike to get it ready for a long haul,well I would say a 750 Final drive would be nice,take sun screen, warm clothes and a good rain suit and don't for get your feet and a windshield of some type plus a throttle lock as mentioned before.
I use to do 5 to 6 hundred a day and I stop a lot,I like to look and take pictures,oh yea,take a camera.
Best advice is to take the trip,any problems along the way become great stories after ya get back because you won't realize how much fun you had till you are home.
Did I mention..warm clothes and rain suit!!!!!!!! The bike will take care of itself.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Thanks guys. Lots of good ideas. That Venturer tank sounds like a good idea. Wonder if it is a direct swap. Over the winter i will be doing and learning things about the bike. Doing the valve adjust, fluids, brakes, tires, etc. I am pulling the steering bearings down to grease. Checking wheel bearings. Hope i don't need a left one. I'll start gathering everything i can think of that i'll need. Then i'll figure out what i can carry. I have hard bags to mount yet. Trying to decide on a windshield or a full fairing. Lots of things to get done and learn yet. The seat on my bike is really comfy. I have spent 4 hours on it with no problem at all, so i think i could do more.

[trbig]

I forgot to mention... after about the third day of lots of miles, I notice my butt getting a little better tolerance each day. On a 4 or 5 day trip, I can do a TON more miles on the last day versus the first.


Tod

[Pat Kelly]

The Venture tank on an MNS is doable but takes a bit of adapting.
The tank will bolt on. The petcocks are different and the front of the seat needs shortening.

[slow mo]

go for it

i agree with the boys do it,, i know for me on a long trip my 1980 seat was terrible so i did what ivan did and had my seat shaved down and inserted a gel pack and bring another just in case,,the road was wonderful but the num bum was the worst you can,t enjoy the country like that take care ,,ride safe ,,slow mo!

[wa407mpp]

test ride

If you want to find out how far you can ride in a day, do a run to Idaho with me sometime next spring after the snow melts in the Pass. I catch the first ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle then ride to Lewiston Id. for lunch with my parents then return in the afternoon, It's a fun ride and a little over 900 miles round trip. If you can do that trip you can do a coast to coast trip no problem.

[bikerphil]

Checking wheel bearings. Hope i don't need a left one.

That left rear bearing can be easily taken apart for greasing by popping out the spacer and seal, and then the center collar. Keep 'em greased and they'll last forever. The right bearing is a sealed unit, same type as the fronts, but a larger size. The grease cover is difficult to remove without destroying it. HTH

[XSokieSPECIAL]

I agree with all. I wish I had the time and money to do that.

The only advice I would give, and this is from personal experience only, is if you have access to an extra set of pickup coils. Take them along just in case.

Those little wires would be a b*tch to repair along the road.. It would be a lot easier to just change them out if you have a problem. They will be working hard.

And an extra set of rear brake pads. I've worn out 2 sets this summer.

These are the only real problems I have had this season in aproximately the same miles.

IMHO